Chapter 6
The drell's voice seemed pensive as he ended their conversation with, "You have given me much to meditate on."
Anya nodded and rose, understanding that he had things to process. The assassination had been thwarted, and she was glad that Bailey had been willing to consider community service for Kolyat. More than anything, she was glad that Thane was taking steps to begin repairing their relationship.
She was drained enough that she didn't really question the summons to speak to the Illusive Man. She felt skeptical of his motives, and of the information he gave her, but she didn't have anything concrete to call him on. She accepted the mission as gracefully as she could.
She made her way down to the engine room to find Tali. She found the quarian and immediately began with, "Hey, I think I need you with me."
"Oh, you know, doing pretty good. I'm glad I have friends like you that greet me warmly every time they see me." The other woman was teasing.
"Point taken, but I'm serious. We're already en route for a mission and something about this is off. This kind of serendipity is rare, and normally bullshit. Can you be ready soon?"
"Keelah, yes. What do you think they're trying to pull?"
"I don't know, but it seems...wrong. They're trying to tell me that a turian patrol disabled a Collector ship, but did no real damage so it's stable enough to poke around in, and they just so happen to be nearby enough that we'll be the first ones there? It's too many coincidences. I think Cerberus is about to fuck us, hard, I just don't know how yet."
"Well, I've got your back, Shepard. Have you told Garrus to suit up yet?"
"I-no." Anya felt her face getting hot. "He said he needed space and time the last time we talked. I wasn't planning on bringing him."
"Who else are you going to bring?"
"I don't know yet. Jack is a good call because she won't get suckered in by the Illusive Man's bullshit, but Thane could provide valuable for back up. He's more than capable on the battlefield."
"And Garrus isn't?"
"I told him I would leave him alone until he was ready. Look, Tali, now isn't the time to force some matchmaking."
"I just think you're going to regret not bringing him."
"I will regret not respecting my friend more."
The quarian made a noise. "Fine, but you're both being bosh'tets."
"Probably not for the last time. I'll see you in a few. I have to go bug Jack."
"Decided against Thane?"
"He only just got back with me a little while ago. Just because I'm running on fumes doesn't mean my team has to be, too. It's not like she isn't a badass."
"Are you sure we can't wait until you rest a little?"
"No, we have a nice, time-sensitive cherry on top of it all."
"This is absurd."
"Yeah, but so is everything else in my life, so…" Anya shrugged and started to turn. "I'll see you in a bit."
She hurried to the area beneath the engineering deck where Jack had set up makeshift bunk. The biotic was dangerous, and Anya felt like she might need the fire that the Psychotic Biotic kept simmering just beneath the surface.
"Hey, Jack."
"Shepard."
"Any chance you're up for doing some damage? We may even end up getting to yell at the Illusive Man for it."
"Maybe. What's the catch?"
"I'm almost sure they're giving me garbage information about the mission, so I have no idea what we're up against. I was hoping to have one of the baddest biotics in the galaxy come with."
"If it's a trash mission, why the hell are we going?"
"I get off on saying, 'Told ya!' and getting to call the Illusive Man out makes me feel less bad about blatantly ignoring his advice when I see fit. Plus I'm kinda working through some shit, so…" Anya shrugged.
Jack snorted. "Sounds like a fucking party. Anything it takes to make Cerberus look like the assholes they are."
"You have a real way with words, Jack. See you in the armory in a few."
"Looking forward to it."