Hi and thank for reading this next chapter of A New Life With A Bite.I'm sorry it's taken longer than planned but real life keeps on getting in the way and I have a couple of other writing projects that grab my attention from time to time. I'd like to say a belated thank you to those who have reviewed my work so far. I know a lot of people filter out anything below 20k words, but I had hoped for more feedback, it's what makes me want to right more and more. Please Review it honestly helps me stay motivated.
Douchiesnacks – Thanks for reviewing both chapters, I hope you enjoy this one.
Ironjaw – Thrilled that you loved the first chapter. What did you think of chapter 2 and 3? I never actually got around to playing bioshock, so no chance of me including plasmids I also recently discovered I can't play ME 2 or 3 properly on my laptop which sucks big time, so I'm going on memory and other fanfics to an extent. Fortunately I think the setting gives me some leeway. Again thanks for the review.
To the 2 guest reviewers I'm glad you like it and no I really don't think my character can be called sparkly. Damn those books made vampire lame.
GreenRena – Thanks, I'm glad you approve, please let me know what you think of this next bit.
And now without further ado...
Havnoc followed the Human towards the slave mart, the scents of fear and resignation heavy in the air. He wasn't sure what to make of this...Natalia Stern. The Human female seemed to look forward to fighting beside him, and asked him to call her Nat because of this. Yet she said she wasn't treating him like a krant? Well once he saw how she fought he would decide because so far it sounded like krant. He had never seen a human female carry so much weight around so he was sure she had to be augmented some way. He didn't catch the smell of plastics or metals off her so most likely it was genetics. Nat was strange for other reasons as well...her scent promised violence and she seemed certain she could deliver it...and there was hunger as well. Nothing like the normal fear and submission he normally received from Humans, they knew they were just so many squishies to Krogan and generally acted like it. All in all Nat was making his hump itch with the questions she raised.
Havnoc switched his thoughts away from the Human walking ahead of him as he caught the scents of the Batarian slavers. Hate, anger, contempt, anticipation. The six slavers were definitely looking forward to something as they glared at Nat. Their scents changed subtly once they realised he was tracking along behind as escort. Apprehension, rage, determination. Havnoc gave a toothy grin. Excellent he was gonna get a fight after all. Those six weren't ready for combat though so he guessed their clan mates would be waiting for them. Once they passed the Batarians and the slave mart Havnoc moved up beside Nat.
"We will have trouble with the slavers Nat. I can smell it."
"I know Havnoc, me too." Nat replied calmly. Havnoc glanced at her sharply, Humans have no sense of smell. Nat grinned at him cheerfully.
"Augmented senses. How far do you think until they ambush us?" Nat's tone was eager and her scent was ready for a fight. Havnoc shook his head. This made no sense at all. Nat looked...normal.
"About 300m Nat there is a narrowing of the alley, perfect for an ambush. You're stronger than you should be and have augmented senses. Anything else?" The Human stopped and faced him with raised hands.
"Yeah, biotics." Nat smiled and her expression was feral.
"Okay now I understand why you didn't seem worried about coming this way alone Nat."
"Heh, yeah Havnoc I was planning on beating the shit out of them on my own, but it would be rude to deprive a friend of a decent fight."
"Huh with that kind of attitude you'd make a Krogan!"
"Why thanks Havnoc I'm looking forward to fighting with you. How do you want to handle this?"
"The normal way Nat. Let them ambush, we'll be ready. I'll charge and take their fire, then you can pick off what I leave, your armour isn't that great."
Nat laughed. "Havnoc my armour's not gonna get a work out. Biotic shields. My shotgun on the other hand will be seeing some use."
The slavers attacked just where Havnoc expected. He'd pointed out the spot as he and Nat approached and both had their weapons ready to fire when 8 slavers appeared from cover and demanded their surrender. Nat and Havnoc never even bothered to reply, they just charged yelling out war cries. Havnoc went right, gunning down a slaver with his first shots as he charged into the nearest group of 4. The Batarians opened fire with SMGs and ARs but his heavy armor soaked up the fire with its kinetic shields as he charged, and then he was laying about him with the shotgun, next powerfully headbutting a Batarian with so much force its helmet imploded in a spray of orange blood and gore as the slaver went down. Hearing a yelp of fear Havnoc glanced around to check on Nat, and almost stopped fighting in surprise.
The female had charged into the group on the left as they planned, and the Batarians had been scattered like skittles. A bright blue shield of biotics effortlessly absorbed their fire as Nat tore into them with her powers. A Batarian was already down, hanging broken 5m overhead wrapped around a support girder that bridged the alley. Havnoc grunted in surprise as Nat just ignored a Batarian firing on her with an SMG as she jerked her glowing hands up, a pair of slavers rising helplessly into the air. Nat slapped her palms together viciously and Havnoc laughed at the impact as the slavers smashed together face first. The Human's style was impressively brutal. His own 2 remaining targets were still firing, finally overloading his shields.
Turning back to them as their fire began carving into his armor, Havnoc growled and lunged forwards backhanding one into the alley wall snapping its neck like a twig. Batarians were as easy as Humans to kill, too damn squishy. Not a real fight at all. The last one tried to turn and run. Contemptuously he clubbed it down with the stock of his shotgun and stamped on its head, crushing the helmet flat. The Batarian's body jerked like it had been electrocuted then stilled. Looking over he was saw the last slaver flying prone helplessly through the air towards Nat who had her shotgun raised. As her foe was dragged within 10 cms of the shotgun's muzzle Nat fired, and blew his head off, taking his helmet and most of his neck and upper back with it. Havnoc roared in triumph, that was a glorious kill, it was a good quick fight. He stomped over and clapped Nat on the shoulder.
"Hah! I like your style Nat. You fight brutal like a Krogan."
"Thanks Havnoc you did well yourself. I liked the backhand."
"Huh. Slavers are scum and Batarians are too squishy for a serious fight but I'll take what I can get."
"Well, keep hanging around and you might get more. These fucks don't seem to like me much."
"If they're stupid enough to come again, I'll happily kill some more."
Nat crossed to where the Batarians she had rammed together lay, as she calmly reloaded the shotgun. One was clearly dead in a spreading puddle of orange, the other moaned faintly as she stuck a boot under its ribs and rolled it over. Havnoc wasn't sure how it was still alive, its face look like it had been flattened with a press. Nat coldly aimed and fired, solving that, and turned to face him.
"Havnoc, salvage what you can off those idiots and I'll do these. Grab any omnitools as well so I can try and hack them."
He grunted at the Human taking charge then decided it made sense and got down to salvaging the low grade gear the slavers had. Nat quickly and efficiently hacked the omnitools the slavers wore and split the creds with him. His own omnitool chimed to confirm that he had received 1230 creds. The pair shoved the equipment worth taking in her kit bag. Havnoc took a couple of the omnitools when the Human insisted but told her to keep the rest of the gear and sell it herself rather than journey back down for her kit bag. The store had plenty of stock and the slavers didn't have anything he wanted.
"I'd have done this for free Nat." Havnoc commented.
"I guessed as much Havnoc but it's only fair you and Ecktar get something for helping me."
Havnoc agreed with a shrug, Nat was being straight and he respected that. The pair of omnitools would certainly trade well. He also noted again the ease with which the Human female picked up the now full kit bag. Definitely not normal. The scent of her hunger was getting stronger as well.
"We can stop on the way and get you something to eat Nat. You biotics are always eating."
Nat stopped walking, and Havnoc noted the wariness in her expression with curiousity. Why should she be nervous about getting food? His companion seemed to mentally shake herself before responding.
"Thanks Havnoc, let's see what we find on the way, I'm afraid I'm a fussy eater."
"Hah, we Krogan keep it simple, meat and plenty of it, kill it and eat it." Havnoc shook his head at the thought of diets and such nonsense that he saw advertised to various species. He hoped that Nat wasn't one of those simpletons that believed they had to eat what the holovid stars ate. She didn't look like it but you could never tell with humans, they were weird.
The walk to Khardesh district took 30 minutes and block 24 was up on level 19. Nat was obviously still new to Omega because even though she tried to appear bored, she looked around constantly and her scent told of her curiousity. They bought portions of roast varren skewers from street trader on the way, and he was amused the Human could eat almost as fast as him. Her hunger scent dulled slightly but not much, but they both enjoyed them, and commented on the sights as they walked.
Climbing to the higher levels of Omega, the atmosphere and environment changed as they moved into more prosperous regions. There weren't any Batarians around and no vorcha either. Here Turians were commonplace, along with Asari, occasional Krogan and plenty of Humans. A smattering of Quarians as well. There were plenty of shops, and eateries around catering to both levo and dextro areas, as well as hotels and hab blocks and as Nat looked around again he wondered how she ended up down in the warrens of the lower levels when it was plain she was new to the area. There weren't any docking bays down there. Havnoc left Nat at the apartment block that was her destination after swapping comm codes. They parted with friendly shoulder thumps and he stomped off sure he hadn't heard the last of the strange Human.
I watched the Krogan stomp off back the way we came. How much did he work out from my scent? Did he have any idea just what I was hungry for? The varren skewers had actually helped a little so it appeared I could at least still eat food. That would help me blend in anyway. Here in this district there were so many people...lots of prey. At one level I was a little shaken by how easily my perspective had changed. It would be too easy to go wild, the sensation of feeding was so good. I have to keep control, and that's never been a problem before...but I never felt a hunger like this...it's nothing compared to when I first woke up, then I had no control at all, but I could eat. Like a snack or two to tide me over. Using my biotics was what had started the hunger, I need to learn to fight so I can go without the biotics if necessary. Gonna need better weapons and armour then. Need to work out how to beat IR scans...so much to ponder, need to hide and blend in. The aliens won't have a clue what I represent but any Humans...well if they make me as a vampire I am so fucked. There's only me and I have no doubt modern weapons can put me down. Very weird sensation you know...my heart does actually beat, just very slowly so I guess that means I'm alive not dead. Standing in the open is so not the time to be thinking about this.
I turn away and using the code I ripped from Jainethia's omnitool, make my way inside the apartment block carrying my kitbag. Yeah I found out her name...seems disrespectful not to use it. She had the worst luck to be there when I was dumped on this rock. I head up to the 4th floor looking for apartment 4G, hoping I don't run into anyone who knows her. There are lots of Asari around here and I get the impression a lot of the maidens who dance in the clubs bed down in this area. Jainethia's omnitool had contacts and club names in it so there's a real chance of meeting someone who sees this bodysuit and expects me to be an Asari. Could lead to all sorts of questions, I don't want to answer. Shit I hope she doesn't share the apartment. Come on, come on 4E, 4F...aah there 4G. I ping the lock with my omnitool, and the lock's hoptics flash green as the door unlocks, and slides open as I walk forward.
There was no one home. Damn, I almost crapped myself as I tripped a sensor and some form of orchestral music I'd never heard before started playing quietly as background noise. A quick look confirmed there's no one else in the small apartment. A single bedroom, with a messy double bed that smelt of Jainethia, and no one else thank God. Wardrobe, drawers. I'll check them later. Through a door to a compact ensuite bathroom with a shower unit, toilet, basin and a medicine cupboard. Back out into the main living room which is maybe 6m by 4m, big enough for a lounge area with double sofa made from some alien leather which is a deep teal colour. There's an entertainment suite with holo projector and wall mounted display unit opposite the sofa. The other end of the living area has the main door, am archway through to a small kitchen area and what must have been Jainethia work area. There's a work desk with a comm terminal, and drawers to check out, and against the wall next to it there's an armoured closet. I guess that was her gun or equipment locker. There's a small equipment chest next to it to explore as well. Still that would all wait for now. I made sure the apartment door was securely locked and then headed for the bathroom. The shower was calling.
Stripping off the armoured bodysuit I could smell my scent on the fabric, along with faint older odours, blood, fear, urine. It badly needed a wash, especially with all these aliens around with powerful senses. It was a relief to let my breasts swing free of the tight compression. Jainethia had been close to my height but with a flatter chest. It was a tight fit, and might look awesome for any males around but was uncomfortable after a while. I found a sonic clothes fresher and happily dumped the body suit in it, then climbed into the shower. Oh my God. I've always enjoyed showers but now my skin was more sensitive. I found a shower wash that wasn't overwhelming, it had a pleasant citrus smell and settled back for a long pummelling against my back easing the tension in my neck and shoulders, washing myself gently and careful of my new anatomy in the water that cascaded over my shoulders. Finally clean, and feeling more relaxed I found a wonderfully soft towel and patted myself dry. I had intended to just raid the apartment and go, but the tension of everything since I...died and was reborn was exhausting. Thankfully it was obvious Jainethia lived alone so I had an opportunity here. I wrapped another towel around my hair and headed for the bed. It was messy but the sheets were still pretty fresh, just a lingering scent of the Asari that I easily ignored. I don't know what fabric her sheets were made from but it felt wonderful against my skin. I pulled a quilt over me and after making sure my shotgun was lying within reach collapsed into a boneless sleep.
I lay in the big bed and try to plan. I'd slept for almost 8 hours. Strange dreams that I couldn't quite remember, maybe my subconscious talking to me. I couldn't stay here long. Jainethia had to have friends who would miss her, at least I kind of hoped so, while at the same time part of me hoped she was an antisocial loner. Unfortunately that didn't seem likely, Asari are very social creatures. Getting up, I freshened up in the bathroom then started looking for something to wear. I feel terrible stealing clothes from a dead woman, but I need options, and as fantastic as the bodysuit looks, it's so distinctive I'm sure someone will recognise it. At least she was a similar size. Asari clothing ideas are pretty revealing by human standards but they really don't have the hangups that many Human women do. Of course that might have something to do with being gorgeous on a genetic level as a species. I'm looking for civilian clothes, I'll keep the armoured body suit until I can buy something else. After rummaging around I settle on a pair of tight fitting black pants that feel like very soft leather that I can wear with the big combat boots. Practical as well as hot. I find a tight fitting crop top in azure, and pulled it on. Oh God, it showed almost my entire midriff, did I mention Asari don't have body hangups? Still my abs look incredible and my waist is tiny so I can pull it off, as long as I don't blush to death. Gonna need a jacket, I feel almost naked, but the rest of her clothes show even more, and don't even mention Jainethia dance costumes. My new body is fantastic and I feel more comfortable than I can ever remember, but I'm never wearing stuff like that.
I spend some time checking out the terminal in the living area. I'm grateful I don't find anything that suggests Jainethia was into anything that could come back and haunt me. I do find another cred account that I hack, 1200 creds into the kitty. Next I explore the armoured closet. My best find was a deep red jacket that reminded me of motor cycle leathers, maybe Jainethia had a bike or something? I pull it on, it's surprisingly comfortable and I notice that it has magnetic attachments for weapons storage on its back. I guess Jainethia liked to have protection even in casual gear. There are no more weapons, but I do find some medigel. Next I hack the equipment locker and discover Jainethia's stash of red sand. There are almost 3 dozen small packets of the drug. I don't do drugs. I always hated being out of control, but I'll take them. They might as well be currency on Omega.
I repack the kitbag with the armour bodysuit, secondary armour panels, medigel, red sand packets, the Mantis and Vindicator – I holster the heavy pistol on my left thigh and the M-23 Katana on my back, and then stash the rest of my salvaged merchandise. The bag is pretty full but at least I don't look like a walking armoury right now, although hopefully I still look bad enough to avoid casual muggings. Although come to think of it at least that would mean dinner was coming to me. Looking around I couldn't see anything else I needed and it was time to leave, no point in pushing my luck. I would head to the local shops and sell what I could of the excess gear I had acquired since "waking up". Next I would need to find a place to live of my own, and then work out how to earn a living on this shit hole.
An hour later and I'm on level 12, there are people of various species around and Omega is moving into its evening. Wherever I look there are people moving hurriedly to and fro in the corridors and alleys. Advertising holos are blasting out, bright lights and thumping music spilling out of the bars and clubs. This level is much closer to space and when I look up I can easily see the stars through Omega's environmental shielding. Mind blowing if you take the time to think about it. I'm not because I am getting hungry, one of these poor bastards is going to be dinner sooner or later. I got plenty of attention as I walked here, and I even took the opportunity use the map software and take routes that would offer a good chance of an ambush to try and find dinner. I suppose that would have given take out a whole different meaning. Sadly, either I do look intimidating enough, or more likely anyone who considered attacking me couldn't get into place fast enough, but now that I've reached this busier area, dining on an unlucky ambusher isn't an option any more. I remember in the game that Morinth cruised the bars and night clubs looking for her prey, I think I might end up doing the same.
My kitbag is much lighter now, I just managed to unload the rest of my salvage at a shop run by a Quarian. Ironically my omnitool translated the store's name as 'Wanderer's Wares.' The Quarian running it was a male, one of those of his species who just never returned from his Pilgramage. He was very happy to talk when he realised I didn't care about him being Quarian. His name is Ranolt Gran vas Jaspeer. Apparently most of his trade is with fellow Quarians who end up on Omega and hear about him, or those need his electronics and engineering skills enough to force themselves to be civil. I can't help thinking that it takes some bottle and determination to run a shop when most everyone regards your entire species as thieves and vagabonds. Ranolt finds it amusing that a lot of the gear he buys and sells has changed hands many times.
He is a bit of a rogue and Omega seems to suit him, certainly he has done okay, surviving in Omega over 12 years now. Amazing what you learn when you listen to someone who wants to talk. Ranolt forked 5500 credits for the rest of my salvaged gear, and I now have a grand total of just under 15k. While I was there I asked him about renting accommodation around here and he happily sent some details to my omnitool, pointing out the block he lives in has a Turian landlord and has some rooms. I'd quite like to chat with him again, but I won't be staying in his block, or even feeding there if I can help it, too much risk. I do think I'll be back though, Ranolt can't offer great prices but he quite plainly isn't bothered by what route his stock takes to him, and he does have a good dry sense of humour. I can't say I ever thought I would feel a sense of kinship with a Quarian, but seeing as how just about everyone out there will regard me a monster, merely being a thief or a scavenger seems like a luxury. I left him with a friendly wave and a promise to return again. He might not be a friend but a useful contact for sure.
Next stop is a block of apartments a little way from Ranolt's place. I look it up online and it's owned by some Asari. From outside it doesn't look like much but according to the advert it's secure, every apartment has 2 bedrooms, a terminal and is furnished. The apartments aren't cheap, 6000 a month, but security and privacy come at a price. I'll need to sort out a job sooner rather than later but I guess if the worst comes to the worst I can always go hunt Batarians in the lower levels. Did I mention I have a thing about slavers? I really don't like them. Thinking about the lower levels makes me wonder if anyone found Jainethia and the Human junkies yet? I hope not, the longer that takes, the happier I 'll be. Anyway this place should do me fine, assuming the landlord turns up sometime soon. I move across to the block entrance and lean against the wall.
5 minutes later a skimmer pulls over and parks on the blocks adjoining pad, before the gull wing door opens and an Asari steps out. She's dressed in normal Asari attire, sexy and stylish, but she's definitely not done out like a club dancer. The clothes say money, and her bearing says power and experience. She walks across confidently.
"Ah, you must be Miss Stern? I am Pashya Kloat, I work for the owner administering her property."
"Hello, yes I'm Natalia Stern, please just call me Nat," I reply a little surprised. "I'm sorry from the ad, I was expecting the owner to meet me."
"Not to worry, my boss couldn't make it and told me to get you settled in, assuming you like apartment, she's a bit busy at the moment." The Asari waves away my surprise gracefully, and steps to the block entrance, placing her palm against a pad beside the doorway.
"Oh okay." The pad scans her palm and blinks green, before there is an audible click as a security mechanism deactivates. I know the ad said secure but biometric locks? That's more than I expected. I follow Pashya in, noting a camera system covers the entrance foyer that leads to ground floor apartments plus a lift and stairs. I follow her as we head up the stairs.
"If you don't mind we'll use the stairs, the lift works fine, but they're always so slow. I know some of the tenants use them but I don't bother. All of the owners blocks always have stairs to prevent anyone getting trapped in the lift in the event of an incident."
"Incident? Do you get many?" The Asari gives a throaty laugh.
"No, but this is Omega. You pay for security here and it's good, but no system is completely unbreakable. Best we can do is make it difficult. Of course anyone busting in here does so at there own risk, quite a lot of our tenants are...formidable."
"Really?" I can't help myself, the question slips out before I can stop it, despite guessing from Pashya description that discretion would be better. The Asari agent stops and cocks her head at me questioningly.
"Really. Currently some of the tenants work with the owner from time to time so they get a preferential rate. If they're not enough, most people don't target the owner's interests, it's not...healthy."
"Oh...well I guess this place really is private and secure then." I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this but don't really know what to say next. Pashya carries on walking and I follow her up to the top floor, wondering if I ought to be leaving instead but I expect the exit is locked biometrically.
"Here it is, apartment 6, Miss Stern. Come on in," She unlocks the door with her omnitool this time.
"Tenants are welcome to code their apartment locks as they wish, the biometrics are first line security but we understand people like their privacy." She closes the door behind us and leads in to the lounge. I look around, it's pretty minimal, stylish, but I'm paying attention to her not the décor as my bump for trouble is throbbing.
"Miss Stern, one of the many things I do for the owner is vet applicants for the apartments to help ensure the safety and security of the tenants, and the owner's interests. When you registered your interest I ran the normal checks and apparently you don't exist."
"Umm..." I'm busted. Shit. Now what? Am I about to be jumped? Weirdly the agent still seems very calm, not like she's expecting all hell to break loose. I force myself to try and calm.
"Now, on Omega not existing is not that unusual, seems like almost everyone has an alias,but there's a difference with being unknown on Omega, and being unknown on Omega plus any Alliance or Earth databases. That makes you unusual and my boss likes knowing about anything unusual on Omega. Anything you want to say?"
"Uh, I'm new here, only arrived a couple of days ago." Shit I am so screwed.
"Is that so? How did you get here Miss Stern? You didn't arrive on any scheduled transport, I already checked."
Shit who is this Asari that she can have all this information so fast? I've got a really bad feeling. It's not like I can just tell her the truth. Well maybe some of it.
"Um honestly Pashya, I don't know, I woke up and I was on Omega."
"You woke up and found yourself on Omega?" The Asari demanded incredulously. "And where the hell were you before that?"
"Um I don't know?" I replied hesitantly, thinking very fast, if I claim amnesia it's gonna have to be now, only problem is she's a damned Asari. Their whole mind meld thing just kills me. "The last thing I remember is an explosion I think, pain, then blackness, then I woke up here."
"Anything else?" Pashya stared angrily at me, arms folded, foot tapping.
"Well since then I've been trying to work out what to do next. Where to live, how to earn some cash, how to get off this rock...no offence but I don't really want to stay on Omega."
The Asari gave a grunt of laughter and her body language eased up. "Yeah kid there's plenty that say that. Okay I think the boss will okay you, but she's gonna want to meet you. Come on, based off what else I know so far she might be willing to help you with the work thing."
"What else you know?" Oh crap.
"Yeah Havnoc told me you have an attitude in a fight. He was impressed, said you're a strong biotic,and have a nasty sense of style."
"You know Havnoc?"
"I know most everyone on this rock. Have to when you work for the Boss." Somehow you can hear the capital B.
"Oh...um who's your boss?" Please don't say it...please don't say it.
"Huh? You mean you don't know?" Pashya sounded surprised and amused.
"Uh how would I know? I just got here remember." I snark back.
"My Boss, and the landlord is Aria...Aria T'loak. She runs Omega so you want to be very well behaved when you see her. Don't fuck with her. Hear me?"
"Yeah I hear you. Don't fuck with Aria." Shit, shit, shit. I'm doomed. Aria T'loak, Queen of Omega, and I just managed to get her as a landlord? Shit. Assuming she doesn't kill me out of hand. Should I run for it? Nah the door will still be locked and even if I toast Pashya, Aria will just have me hunted down. I'm actually gonna have to meet her.
"That's right Miss Stern, Omega's only rule. Don't fuck with Aria. Somehow I assumed this was some play to get to see Aria or some other dumb thing, but I can see you really didn't know this place is hers did you?" I shake my head numbly, before asking a question.
"Pashya I'm confused...if you thought I was some kind of danger,why come alone to meet me?"
Aria's agent laughs merrily before speaking gently. "I didn't Nat. Come on out." I'm curious as she speaks the doors to the bedrooms are open, so where could back up be hiding? I get my answer as there is a shimmer in the far corner of the room and accompanied by thousands of little blue sparks a Turian in full battle armor appears.
"Holy Shit!" My instinct is to reach for my biotics to pick up this guy and throw him through the wall but I restrain myself, as I back up hand reaching for my shotgun which unfold in my hand as I point it the Turian. At the same time my instinctive biotic shield shimmers into place around me. The armored trooper takes a step forward and snaps his Assault Rifle in line with my forehead.
"Stand down Travus!" Pashya yells in the tone best described as Command Tone Sergeant Major. She takes a step forward but carefully avoids putting herself in the firing line, as she points at me.
"Stand down Nat!"
"Fuck that," I spit back "This is supposed to be where I'm gonna live and you have a goon in a cloak keeping you company? How the fuck am I supposed to know he's gone when we leave eh?
He drops the AR and fucks off before anything else." This is the last thing I need but my temper is up now, plus I'm still getting hungrier. I worry my control might slip. The Turian interrupts my worrying, his strange dualtone voice grating.
"Not gonna happen Human. Put the shotgun down, or I'll put you down." My only response is that my left hand starts glowing biotically, as Pashya yells at the Turian to shut up before turning to me again.
"Natalia, please...put the gun down. I apologise, I thought Travus's arrival would be amusing, I didn't realise you were so...tense." She sounds more than a little stressed at the sudden change in events.
"Tense! Why the fuck shouldn't I be tense when I go to check out a room and get all this! He puts down the weapon and leaves...or I show you exactly how strong a biotic I am."
"Not happening." The Turian snarls back at me.
"Fuck You!" I yell back. "You don't think I've got a right to be tense after waking up on fucking Omega?" I demand of the Asari. "Almost every fucker here seems to be trying to kill me."
Pashya is about to respond when the Turian interrupts with a sneer."I guess you're just not very likeable Human, like the rest of your cowardly species."
Pashya snaps back around to him, making me twitch at the sudden movement, but I don't pull the trigger. Travus doesn't control his trigger finger as well. The 3 round burst from the AR stops dead against my shield before dropping to the ground.
"I'm a biotic, asshole. For your sake you better have more than that." My shield flares around me as the Turians opens up full auto, burning through his heat sink in less than 10 seconds. I stand there, power pouring into the shield, part of my attention on Pashya as she screams and ducks for cover, hands covering the strange organs Asari use to hear, before she tries to get the Turian to cease fire, her voice drowned out by the weapon's insane noise in the enclosed space.
Another part of my awareness keeps track of my shield pleasantly pleased that the Turian's fire isn't overloading it although I can sense an appreciable drain on my energy. It seems like a long 10 seconds until his clip burns out, and maybe 90 rounds slam into my shields. I don't bother to duck, and it's not like he can miss at this range firing from a settled stance at a standing stationary target. Finally his fire stops, and he moves to eject the spent heat sink.
"No. My turn." A flick of concentration and his weapon is yanked out of his hands. He tries to reach for it and another flick of my mind has him gasping as my biotics restrain him in place with no give.
I disengage my shotgun and holster it behind me, turning my left hand palm up, glowing with power. The rifle floats in mid air and then with screech of alloy shearing and twisting folds in half as I manipulate it with my mind.
"You want to know if my biotics are strong? I could just as easily be doing this to this fuckwit."
I fold the weapon over again twice more, compressing the weapon destroying it utterly before relaxing my control and let the fragments rain onto the stylish graphite color carpet in the apartment. The Turian is still trying to move, and I am forced to admit I am almost impressed by his determination, not that its doing him any good. I float him off the ground and I'm debating what to do next when the Asari speaks.
"Nat please don't. You've made your point." The panic is gone and her voice is calm, controlled although it is strained. "It was my mistake to bring Travus, he's had an issue with Humans since Relay 314, and I know it. This is my fuck up, don't make him pay for it...please, Travus is a good trooper and a loyal employee to Aria. She is gonna be pissed enough at me without losing him as well."
I'm still angry, but I know part of that is the hunger talking. The longer I keep using my powers the worse it will get, and I need Aria on my side. I step forward to the floating Turian whose piercing predator eyes stare at me angrily as he is held helpless in space. I keep a bit of my attention focussed on the Asari but she isn't moving.
"The Relay huh?" There's a flicker in the eyes. "I wasn't around then, can't say I learned much about it, except I can understand why you'd be pissed. Human warfare can be very unconventional, amongst ourselves and against others. Your culture might call those tactics cowardly, Humans would say they were efficient. It was a fucking mess either way." There's another flicker, not as intense.
"I'm gonna let you go Travus, but you understand that you owe your life. Not to me...to her. Right now if Pashya wasn't here you would be dead. You make damn sure you honour that debt, got it."
I relax the control on his body slightly and he is able to nod slightly. I know Turians take shit like that seriously.
"You can keep your other weapons. You're not gonna be stupid now are you? That would get both of you very dead." Making Pashya hostage to his good behaviour and his honour should be enough. I really fucking hope so. Travus looks at her for a moment then at me and gives a definite head shake.
"Good, brace yourself." I release the field and let him drop with a grunt and a loud thud on his hands and knees.
"Get up Pashya,it's all over. Relax." I can hear foosteps running up the stairs. Probably the neighbours coming to kick ass and take names. Weird this had all taken less than a minute.
"Can you do something to stop the neighbours kicking in the door? I can here them coming."
The Asari looks startled for a second before she hurries to the door in time to answer it as someone hammers on it. There's a rapid conversation as she confirms everything is all right twice before sending away whoever it was that responded. Then she closed the door again,leaning against it with a sigh of relief.
"You have good hearing Natalia."
"Yeah it helps at times...so we ready to go and see Aria now this is all straightened out?"
"Yes...I will explain my mistake, she will know already about this."
"The neighbours?"
"Yes...they take her interests seriously."
"Well I guess we better not keep her waiting then."
I turn back to the Turian and offer him a hand to help him up. There is a long pause as he looks at it then at me, before reaching up and I pull him up with an ease that has his eyes go wide.
"Come on Turian, let's go keep Pashya out of trouble."
Another pause the an almost imperceptible nod before we both turn and head out the flat letting Pashya lock up behind us. Somehow I don't think I'm gonna be able to call Tavus a friend anytime soon, I think I'll have to settle for wary respect at best. As for Aria's agent? Well she seems polite and calm so I hope we're cool, if she really is one of Aria's lieutenants then making an enemy there won't help me. Maybe I can ease relations a bit by deflecting some of Aria's flack? Dunno, that might not be a good idea. Anyway, I'm really not in Kansas anymore, although this is more like seeing how far the rabbit hole goes. Aria is no Queen of Hearts, but she is the Queen of Omega. Hopefully she won't be yelling "Off with her head."