I'd been walking for a while. Assuming I was right about being on Omega then I guessed it didn't make much difference what time it was to how many people were around. It might just have been the area, but it was quiet at the moment, and I was glad. I had managed to stay hidden in the deep shadows in the alleys so far. Taking my time, and exploring my senses as I adjusted to my new form. My vision was far better at night than a human's. Even the visor I had acquired made little difference, although I had found a thermal option that made me worry. It showed my body was very close to the surrounding air temperature. I had no idea how I was going to explain that away, but at least it meant I was far less visible to thermal detection. Something to worry about later. My hearing and smell were also much more acute than my old body. So sensitive that it would take me awhile to get used to hearing and smelling where I couldn't see.
Looking around a corner there was a small square I had to go through. There were 3 exits. I couldn't see anyone...but I was sure there was something...I could hear a murmuring but it was too low to decipher...was someone hiding? An ambush? I figured I could defend myself all right hand to hand, but all I had was a crappy pistol for a firefight. I chose the nearest exit at random, there were no signs to tell me one way or another. Run? Or try and look confident and walk? The problem is I'm aware that Omega is not a safe place. Not in the Mass Effect universe, and now not in real life. I had seen enough of my reflection as I walked to realise that my new body is a very real lure, just walking around I'm dangling a fishing hook for any man to get caught on. I was tall for a woman at about 1m 78cm, and looked about 25 with a heart shaped face, big blue eyes, high cheekbones, slim straight nose, and small firm chin. Lustrous black hair that felt thick and soft fell down to just below my shoulders. All well and good. I'm thrilled to be good looking but right now being alone and female is inviting enough trouble, and that's without adding in Omega's less savoury residents.
I decided to try and look confident and walked I crossed the square to the exit I'd chosen, then cursed when I realised it was nothing more than a short alley that ended in a dead end and an armoured door. Turning around again I stopped as I spotted movement, and heard low guttural laughter, as a large figure stepped out from behind a crude container that had blocked my view in the square. Stupid idiot, next time don't choose a route that allows someone to get behind you. I groaned as a 3 more figure of different sizes walked out. They were Batarians. Of all the species I didn't want to encounter yet, Mass Effect's slavers and general all round bastards were top of the list. Everything I had read about Mass Effect said I was in trouble and I had nothing to convince my otherwise.
I tried to work out if I could reach for the pistol fast enough to get a shot off, but even as my hand started slowly drifting towards it, the 4 Batarians raised a selection of weapons at me, as the largest in the front laughed at me. I guess I looked upset.
"No human, don't reach for the little gun, it would spoil our fun. This is my district and there's a tax for coming through." Well that confirmed that the earpiece was a translator. I heard them speak and a fraction of a second later I heard the translation. It was distracting, like an out of synch advert on TV. The Batarians were about 10 metres away. They don't bother moving closer, I have nowhere to go. I know the Asari shot me and I healed but these shits have a pair of shotguns, and a pair of assault rifles, as well as being armoured. I don't know if I can survive being shot by so much firepower. Actually come to think of it, I know fuck all, I don't know if I can feed off a Batarian either, even if I was able to win in a fight. This is not looking good. Talk about a short sweet existence in the future. I tried to stall while I think.
"So how much is the tax to get out of here." I asked still trying to look confident. Their leader laughed again.
"Well that depend entirely on the group. For you? On your own down here in the depths human with no backup, I think the tax is going to be everything you own. Plus a few months working for me."
"I don't think so." I was getting pissed, and I could feel a sense of pressure building in my head. I never felt anything like this before, it was like...power bubbling up inside me. Eyes closed, I focused on that sensation in side me and suddenly it was like a switch was thrown, a dam broke and I could feel energy, a vast torrent of power just waiting to be directed and released. The strange being that put me here said there was immense power within me. This had to be it, it felt...limitless. With a savage grin I dove into that river of energy.
"Biotic! Kill the bitch!" The voice sounded far away. I needed a shield and drew the power around me in a protective shroud. I opened my eyes to see a glowing blue shield in front of me, with faint sparkles on it where mass accelerated rounds and shotgun bursts where impacting with no effect. I felt awesome, looking down I saw my arms where wrapped in coruscating blue bands of energy. More gunfire from the Batarians and I laughed as I realized within the shield there was nothing they could do to me, and the shield felt light as a feather. I expected to feel tired and instead I felt energised, alive, and completely at ease.
Time to go on the offensive. I decided to try a singularity and visualising the graphics from Mass Effect in my mind I pushed with the power. The singularity sprang into life between my hands as a knot of blue, black and purple bands of power revolving around each other. With a twitch of my wrists it flew at the gang's leader, settling a metre over his head. With curses and howls of frustration the close packed thugs found themselves pulled helplessly into the air, still trying to fire at me but unable to aim as they tumbled out of control, colliding with each other. Wow. That's just awesome. I didn't know how long the singularity would last, and decided I would see if the biotic combinations of Mass Effect worked in real life. Summoning the power again I built a bolt of power and then with a flick threw it at the singularity. With a deafening bang and a flash of blue light the singularity exploded as my Warp hit dead on. A pressure wave blew past me, but I was protected by the shield. The Batarians were hurled outwards with terrific force, 2 were dazed as they smashed into walls, another died as he got hurled face first into the big metal container they had hidden behind, his neck snapping with a loud crack. The last hit the ground a couple of metre from me with a thud, spilling his shotgun.
I was about to hurl another Warp at him when I realised just how much of an advantage my shield gave me. They couldn't hurt me, and I needed their equipment intact. I grabbed the Batarian's shotgun and as he pushed himself to his knees, shoved the muzzle in his face and pulled the trigger.
His head exploded in a fountain of gore that spattered off the alley floor and wall, and the corpse slumped forwards. Brutal. The weapon had a hell of a kick but I could control it, with some more practice the shotgun would rock.
A steady stream of incoming slivers spattered against my biotic screen, but not enough to do more than cause a tremor. The remaining thugs both had assault rifles and were crouched were they landed, firing full auto at me. They had ended up on the other side of the square about 25m from me. Seeing me turn towards them, the pair began looking around for an escape. I took a couple of steps towards them, and they began edging away.
"No fucking way. Get back here!" I yelled furiously. I grabbed at the power surging through me, my left arm glowing with biotic power as I reached out towards them, closed my fist in the air and pulled. Both Batarians were yanked off their feet and tumbled through the air cross the square towards me. I levelled the shotgun in my right hand and rammed the muzzle into the first's throat just above the chest piece of his armour. As I pulled the trigger the shell blew a hole through him, taking his throat and spine with it. More slivers sparked in front of my face as the last Batarian fired desperately. I levelled the shotgun at him.
"Another burst and you die." The fight went out of him and the Batarian dropped the assault rifle.
"Please human, don't kill me."
"Why should I let you live Batarian? You planned worse for me."
"No...no...I..."
"That's all you have to say? Time to die."
"Wait, wait I'll give you our stash if you let me go."
"Your stash?"
"Yeah, we bed down in the bunker down there. It's safe, and we spliced into local power for heat and light." The Batarian pointed behind me and without thinking I turned to look. Realising my mistake I snapped back to see the thug pointing a heavy pistol at me.
"Stupid." He pulled the trigger and I looked down the barrel at point black range as it bucked in his hand. The projectile stopped dead 20cms from my face as my biotic shield flared. His eyes went wide, and he fired again and again, with no effect. With a twitch of my mind a singularity surrounded my left hand and I flicked it at him. The Batarian found himself floating helplessly in midair.
"The difference between us is I have shields." I grinned nastily at him and the shotgun fired again. At point black range the round punched through the armour the thug was wearing and his left leg disappeared at the knee in a mangle of flesh, orange blood and bone, that began to drift in the singularity's effect. The Batarian screamed in agony, and slumped listlessly in space as shock hit his system, the wound surrounded by a growing bubble of orange blood. With another mental flick the singularity vanished and he thudded to the ground in a splash of orange and a howl of pain.
I was pissed, furious at the ganger and my own stupidity. I should be dead now was the thought reverberating in my mind. Distracting myself from my idiocy I decided now would be a good time to see if Batarian blood was edible. I crouched down beside him, twisted the pistol from his hand and jabbed my fingers into the wound. The barely conscious thug's eyes went huge with shock, terror and pain as he watched me lick my fingers.
"Monster." He sounded genuinely horrified even through the translator, which given his species' reputation I found amusing.
"Vampire." I agreed cordially at him. "I can feel the energy in your blood being absorbed. The good news for me is I can feed off Batarians. Tastes shitty compared to Asari though. The good news for you...is I'm not hungry right now." The smell of his blood was heavy in the air and I was tempted, but forced the urge to feed down. This was not the time or place. I couldn't sense anyone else around, but if anyone had seen my little test it could be explained away as terror tactics.
"Give me the code to the bunker." I demanded coldly.
"What?! Fuck you bitch." I cocked my head and grinned again.
"You feeling faint yet? Got an Omnigel pack in there anywhere? Medkit?"
I watched for a reaction and he blinked.
"There... there is, yes. Next to the com terminal. The code is 73GF91B. Please...hurry." Reaching for the chance of life.
I stood up and crossed to the portal. The code was correct and it hissed open. I ducked through, leading with the shotgun as I checked for more gangers. It was clear and I breathed a quick sigh of relief. The bunker was a single room about 25m long and 8m wide. There was rubbish liberally spread around, and a weak light system came on automatically. Various crates and boxes were stacked around, 4 dirty sofas provided seating and there was a half dozen camp beds in a line against one wall. I spotted a desk with a screen above it that I guessed was the com terminal and quickly found a red boxed medkit and a packet marked as 'Medical Omnigel', in a variety of languages including English. None of the others made any sense to me. Picking up both I strolled back to the dying gang banger. The blood flow was getting weaker and I wondered how much longer he would last, as I crouched down beside him.
"Please! Hurry!"
"You don't really think I'm going to use this on you? You tried to kill me, and you know I'm not human."
"Bitch. Vile monster." He hissed it at me weakly. There were more words the translator didn't process.
"Yeah, I have issues." He struggled weakly but I brushed his arms away, cradled the back of his head with my right hand as my left forced his chin up, up and then twisted and his neck snapped with a loud crack. It was fast and frighteningly easy. I was a lot stronger than before.
2 hours later I was sat on a sofa trying to think. I had been amazed that no one came to investigate the gunfire, but I suppose that was just confirmation of what Omega is like. No one wanted to get involved. I had a pile of salvaged armour, omnitools, weapons and equipment stacked in the bunker. I had dragged the bodies away and dumped them a few hundred metres away. I had no idea if anyone would miss them, or if I could expect more gangers to come calling, the den had 6 camp beds. I managed to relock the entrance without difficulty, and then also pulled across the 3 metal bars the gang used to secure their den. Now I just need to work out what to do next. I needed information, and wandering aimlessly around Omega was not an option. Checking out the comm terminal was frustrating. The holographic screen was awesome, and the system used a holographic keyboard as well, but the layout was completely alien and the language was unintelligible. Next I tried the omnitools but the alien texts were impossible. I might as well have been looking at Chinese. Giving up for the moment I began exploring the boxes and crates stacked at the rear of the bunker.
I found the Batarian's stash behind one of the crates. It was a large armoured box, 2m x 1m x 1m with an electronic keypad. Without a better idea I grabbed my pistol again and opened fire. The rounds destroyed the keypad but the lock system was still engaged. The pistol didn't have enough penetration, and my head was ringing from the sound of the shots. I let my ears recover the grabbed the heavier of the 2 shotguns. 2 deafening shots punched out the lock mechanism. Bingo. I shoved the lid open and gazed down on a pile of gear the Batarians had 'rescued'. I found a stack of omnitools and took them back to the sofa to start looking through them. Half an hour later I gave a shout of victory as the sixth omnitool powered up and it's display was in English. Hoorah! Finally a lucky break. With a language I could understand I was able to get to grips with the omnitool. Wow, those are cool bits of kit.
The most important thing I discovered? The date. 2184 CE May 21st. I sit on the sofa, racking my memory. I played Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Loved both games and finished them both. They made a great release from my problems, but I wasn't obsessing over the details of the games, and like I said before, my memory is terrible due to the emotional disconnect I have with life in general. This all meant I couldn't even remember what year the games were set. I sat there for five minutes like an idiot trying to work out if Shepherd was alive or dead. Where exactly in the timeline was I? Did Shepherd even exist in this reality? Was I supposed to try and help if Shepherd was alive? Would Shepherd even accept help from a fucking vampire? Eventually my brain kicked back into gear and I worked out how to connect to the extranet. Then I started hunting for data. Damn these search engines are awesome.
Katrina T Shepherd, died July 17th 2183. She's been dead over10 months. Assuming things are the same, somewhere out there Cerberus is slowly putting her back together. Sooner or later Shepherd will turn up on Omega, and chaos will come with her. What do I do until then? Perhaps I could make a reputation as a mercenary? I shook my head as pragmatism raised it's head. I've had no combat training. I can shoot a gun, but I'm no sharpshooter. I don't know jack shit about martial arts, or about tactics, and I never really had to fight in my old life. So being a merc seems like a quick road to getting dead. Still I killed them Batarians easy enough. Beginner's luck? It's a little disturbing that I really don't feel fazed by killing people. Ah, fuck em, they tried to kill me, self defence.
The being that put me here asked me to fight the darkness and I think that has to mean help Shepherd, but how? I have to survive a year before she's even alive again, plus I need to be useful to Shepherd when she arrives so I can help. That's plenty of time to get to grips with this new world, but I need a way to survive here, I've always been good with tech and computers so maybe I could retrain to use these cool omnitools and become a tech. With these thoughts bouncing around in my head I explore the omnitool.
With the door to the den barred, and the comm terminal displaying a picture from a security camera outside (after I managed to convince the terminal to display in English – I love omnitools), I slept for about 5 hours. By the time I crashed out, I'd managed to scan the pile of equipment to identify it, and browse quickly through the files on the pile of omnitools, transferring anything that looked vaguely interesting to secure storage on the one I'd recovered from the dead Asari, and now claimed as my own. I'd also hacked the omnitool worn by the Batarian gang leader and recovered 1150CR, giving me a total of 1672CR. Not a lot but it was a start. How far it would go I had no idea. Then I'd continued surfing the extranet and found mapping software for Omega. So at least I could work out where I was.
From the map, I was about 1 km from this district's main trading area, and 7 levels below it. I plotted a route and worked out how to display the information on my recovered visor, so I'd look like I know where I'm going. I was more worried about being a good looking woman alone in an area crawling with Batarians and one of their slave marts. The Batarian gang had acquired a fair amount of equipment, more than I could carry in a trip, but I wasn't coming back here. The plan was simple, carry what I could, sell as much as possible and head on to the small apartment the Asari had rented in a safer area, and at least see if there was anything usable there.
Most of the armour wasn't suitable for humans, but I managed to find some secondary armour plates I adjusted to fit me. I strapped them on over the bodysuit, making me look more intimidating and blunting my female curves. Shoulder pauldrons, breastplate and arm guards, back protector and thigh and knee guards. The strap system also had magnetic weapons clamps fitted. I stuck an M-5 Phalanx pistol on my left thigh as my backup. I now knew the shotgun I had liberated was an Ariake Tech M-23 Katana, not the best shotgun by any means but at close range it had done the job, and it was better than nothing. I'd found a Vindicator Assault Rifle in the stash, and that was clamped to my back next to an M-92 Mantis.
I didn't expect to use either of them much, I figured my biotics were probably my best bet. Still I could handle the weight easily and being a walking armory at least gave me more options and enemies more reasons to pause. I mean, really, would you want to take on an apparently human female lugging around weapons that weigh more than she does with no effort, without at least thinking about it? I hoped looking formidable would get me out of the area without a bloodbath, and I could always sell them later if I needed to. Or actually learn how to use them. The shotgun was kind of self explanatory, that was mostly about handling the recoil which I could do no problem. Shooting accurately with the AR or Mantis? Not so much. I grabbed a kit bag, and filled it with gear from the stash, then checked the security camera. No sign of activity outside so hefting the kit bag in my left hand and the shotgun in the right I left the den.
The market area heaved with activity, a near riot of noise assaulted my sensitive ears and a multitude of smells teased my nostrils. I smelt trash, stale urine and sweat, mixed with dried blood and metal. Over these older smells a variety of food stuffs, meat, and grease, spices and smoke from where an old Batarian was barbecuing meat I realised was probably varren. My attention shifted to the old male and I could smell him as well. The individual scent seemed to jump out at me when I focussed on it. Looking around the area there were dozens of people. Mostly Batarians, but also a small group of Vorcha arguing amongst themselves, an immense Krogan in red armour guarding a stall across the way, a few Humans, and Asari. I didn't see any Turians or Quarians yet but I was sure there would be some nearby somewhere.
I walked forwards, feeling buoyed up by my new strength and speed but still having to fake the confidence. I look for the equipment dealer the map says in the far side of the market, doing my best to seem at ease. I spot the shop- Ecktar's Emporium of Equipment and Weapons, the Krogan is on guard outside it and head across. As I get half way a new stench hits me, carried on a slight breeze and I look up wind. The slave mart, it stinks of shit, sweat, piss and anger all overlaid with what I suddenly know is fear. Gods, I can smell the fear of the poor bastards in the pens, and immediately I realise I stopped walking when I saw the pens, and a group of Batarians are watching. I grunt in fake disgust at the smell and start walking again. Slavery. The prospect of being caught and made a slave...suddenly seems all too real when the slavers are only meters away. I need to sell this gear and get the hell away from this area.
The Krogan was maybe 2m 40cm tall. No fucking idea how much he weighed even without the mass of alloy and ceramic armour he was wearing. Huge. Seeing one of Tuchanka's survivors up close and personal was an experience. I mean Asari are beautiful in a weird kind of way, and Batarians are at least humanoid although they are really freaking ugly. Vorcha? Don't really count as far as I care. They'd kill you and eat you without a second thought but they're not real impressive. That Krogan was really damn impressive and very alien, and yet I didn't feel scared, mostly I felt cautious respect.
The Krogan stared at me as I approached, and cocked his head slightly as I saw the large nostrils flare silently. He's smelling me. There was a slight frown on his face as he looked down at me, and I wondered what he smells on me.
"Human?"
"Last time I checked." The Krogan grunted.
"Well you look human, don't smell like it though."
"Really? What do I smell like then?" I asked politely, but unfazed.
"Dunno." He sounded confused.
"Well I guess I must just be human with my own special smell. Right?" The Krogan considered this for a second then nodded slowly. He didn't look totally convinced.
"I guess. Wasn't smart catching their attention when you're all alone here...Human." I knew he meant the Batarian slavers. My temper rose, I'd gotten over the shock of smelling the slaves and the idea of being a slave filled me with revulsion and anger. I silently swore that if anyone tried to enslave me they would bitterly regret it, as I pictured ripping their life away. I felt the biotic energy surge inside me and with an effort forced it down. I guess my scent changed as well because the Krogan twitched slightly and visibly looked wary, big hand clenching slightly around his huge shotgun.
"Those slaving scum try anything with me and they will die." I promised flatly. The Krogan nodded and seemed to consider for a moment.
"I know what you smell like Human."
"Yeah? What?" My tone was challenging, but I was curious as well. The Krogan stared at me again before replying.
"Violence, anger, death, and copper. No fear though. Of them. Or me. You're not scared of me at all are you Human?" The Krogan sounded bemused by my scent, he was definitely not used to being viewed as non threatening. His confusion made me grin and my mood improved.
"Sorry. I'd say I view you with respect, but not fear. I'm not planning on pissing you off, or ripping off the store so why should I be afraid?"
"Most Humans just about piss themselves even approaching me. I grunt and most go scurrying away."" He sounded amused.
"Well I'm not most Humans." I was respecting him, not challenging him, or triggering the Krogan's instinctive urge to fight and crush his opponent, but I wasn't backing down either demanding his respect in return.
"No you're not, you have a quad on you Human." The Krogan laughed. "If you wanna go in and see the stock go right ahead." He stepped aside and waved me through.
I stepped through the armoured portal which hissed shut behind me. Ecktar was serious about his security, but on Omega that was just good sense. The walls were lined with displays cases filled with electronics behind heavy armour transplast and codelocks. Opposite, a serving counter had a large hatch for purchases to pass through, a large display screen and haptic interface. On the other side of the hatchway I was surprised to see Ecktar was actually a Salarian. Most Krogan wouldn't work with Salarians but Omega is a strange place. Up close the amphibious alien was a mass of rapid gestures and twitches and immediately began talking a hundred miles an hour, typical of a Salarian. I blinked as he spoke, then repeated himself, as my translator caught up with him.
"Welcome, welcome Human to Ecktar's Emporium of Equipment and Weapons. Have supplies for all species. Dextro and Levo foodstuffs. Also armour and weapons, kinetic barriers, omnitools. Buy sell and upgrade and maintenance facilities. What you need?" As the Salarian rattled on a scan beam flashed across me from a sensor unit on the wall. Great just what I needed, no idea how comprehensive that was. Ecktar never stopped talking as results appeared on his omnitool.
"Let me see, good quality light combat suit Asari made with secondary platelets not so good, can offer belt shield unit that is compatible and low mass, or alternatively would recommend upgrade to medium grade at least. Not compromising mobility but increasing protection with integral kinetic barrier shielding. Omnitool is Nexus IIX, high processing power, plenty of storgae, good overall unit, can upgrade depending on needs. Can offer special on cryo projection program. Also on electronic warfare suite. Weapon selection unusual...assuming genetic modification for increased strength possibly Alliance Military genemods as no apparent cybernetic augmentation. No matter but if interested can procure additional levo genemods."
Before the Salarian's quick fire mind could start working out the conundrum I presented I interrupted his speech.
"Not thinking about buying today Ecktar, selling instead, omnitools and some other gear. Kit bag full here." Ecktar paused big eyes blinking, and looked down at the laden kit bag, then nodded.
"Put items in hatchway, will examine and give price. Have lot of stock at moment so prices not great. Fair warning only."
I emptied out the kit bag, passing through the pile of hardware and he started examining everything at high speed, running scans with his omnitool, and a commentary detailing each items name and capacity, plus his opinion of its condition and value. Most of it the translator caught but not fast enough for a conversation even if the Salarian had been looking for replies. He looked to be talking to himself purely because it was what he did. Even at high speed it took the merchant a while to check the pile out. Eventually he jerked to a halt and turned his attention back to me.
"Mixture of quality. All working although some battered. Salvaged hardware obviously. Can offer...4350 creds."
I grimaced. That sounded like a low ball offer. I'd taken the time to check out some of Ecktar's prices and he was selling omnitools from 2500 credits each. I had offered him 7 omnitools and a small pile of other gear.
"Ecktar that's at least 16k of equipment there. You're trying to screw me?"
"No no not 16k not even at selling price. Basic gear mostly, although these two better. Will do 6100." I winced, it was obvious I wasn't going to get anywhere near their value. To be expected in a place like Omega though.
"7000." The Salarian blinked again.
"6450. No more best I can do take or leave."
"I'll take it."
"Excellent, good bargain session human, good fun. Will transmit to your omnitool. Done." My omnitool chimed and confirmed the transfer.
"Good, thanks Ecktar."
"Welcome. Keep comm code, always interested in acquiring hardware. Will be able to give better prices on better quality. Can also call for a valuation leave message if not answering."
"Okay, see you later."
"Safe travels Human." The hatchway slid open with another hiss, letting in a flood of scents again. I stepped out, my sensitive hearing catching Ecktar's muttered words to himself.
"Unusual thermographic profile. Augmentation or genetic?"
I groaned mentally, I needed to think of a solution for being cooler than normal for a Human before it becomes a problem. The Krogan was still on duty, nodded at the sight of me and the no longer bulging kit bag.
"Good business Human?"
"Not bad. Any problems?"
"Not for me but if you're heading past them," He nodded at the slavers. "They know you sold some gear to Ecktar from the bag. Likely they will tray and roll you."
"And if I kill em, how many here likely to take issue?"
"Here not many, but there is a whole clan of them on Omega. Mostly a few levels down. Where you headed?"
I pulled up the map on my omnitool.
"Khardesh district. Block 24."
"Khardesh? Better area than here but you're gonna have a couple of choke points to look out for. Wait here a moment."
The big Krogan stepped through the armoured portal into the shop. I waited a couple of minutes and he came back out.
"Thought so. He likes you and you got a decent deal. Come on Human, I'll escort you past the likely ambush spots at least." That was totally unexpected.
"Huh? Okay I'll admit I'm confused. Why the concern? Not that I don't appreciate it." The Krogan grunted and laughed quietly.
"I like puzzles Human and I like respect. I own half this joint so I have an interest in keeping customers alive. Especially one's that don't make sense. Call it curiosity."
"It could cause you problems with you neighbours." He laughed again.
"I've been killing Batarians for the last 300 years. Never met one I liked yet. You Humans are a breath of fresh air, shaking things up, even if most of you are a bit squishy. Not come across many of you that can even lift a gun like that big Mantis let alone the rest of the hardware so like I said I'm curious. Can't find anything out if you're dead or slaved out now can I?"
"Huh, okay then I'd appreciate the escort. Wasn't expecting you to be a partner with a Salarian though."
"Ecktar's ok. He's smart, runs the business well let's me handle any problems. Lotta Krogan have a problem with Salarians cos of the genophage but he didn't make it. He wasn't even an egg when I arrived on Omega and the genophage was way before I was born. Too many people carry the old grudges too close to their hearts. I like a fight as much as the next Krogan but that's just...dumb."
"Well I guess we both get surprises today then. You have a name? If I might have to fight beside you seems polite to make introduction."
"Urdnot Havnoc."
"Good to meet you Urdnot Havnoc," Well there's a problem...who am I? What do I call myself? "you can call me Natalia, Nat to my friends."
"Nat? Human names are strange. You have a clan name?"
"We call em surnames mostly, take them from our parents. Mine are long dead. Their name was Stern."
"Stern Nat?" The Krogan asked politely. I laughed and it felt good.
"Other way round. Natalia Stern. But given as you're helping me out, just call me Nat."
"You treat me as krant?" The omnitool translated that as 'fight pack'. I remembered that was a big thing for Krogan.
"Humans don't think of it quite the same Urdnot Havnoc, but as far as I'm concerned anyone willing to fight with me is a friend and that means a lot to me."
"Well then...Nat...it's unusual to be called a krant mate before blooding together, but call me Havnoc. Besides I like fighting and I'm sure those worthless bastards are gonna give us one."
"Well then Havnoc let's not keep them waiting eh?" I stepped away from the shop and followed the highlighted path in my visor that would take me past the slave mart. Behind me came Havnoc's heavy tread, and I smelled his expectation for a fight. With a Krogan beside me I wasn't worried at all about the slavers. The day was looking up.