Author's Note:
Well, that's the last time I post a chapter when writing an expected day of release. I apologize for the wait, but my editor has had a pretty busy week this week, and so I've had to self-edit; turns out pharmacy school doesn't leave much room for free time. For those of you following this story, it's best to check out my profile for updates or progress, as I update that daily. I've probably missed a few things, but I'll post the remastered version of this chapter when I can. Thanks again to laure for her support in editing, and thank you for your patience!
This chapter was modified 10/7/12, making improvements in logic, continuity, and character.
The Den
"Maybe we should have taken a cab?" Williams asked, shuffling her feet in impatience. The elevator to the Ward arm was even longer than that of the Citadel Tower's, although it went at nearly twice the speed. The three soldiers found themselves under the scrutiny of the rest of the passengers, given their full combat gear and weapons. By some bureaucratic oversight, the ground team had been allowed to keep their weapons and come as they were, as "evidence" for the hearing. With the hearing over, however, no one had approached them to have them surrender their weapons, and they were perfectly content to keep it that way.
"What, and miss this? Think of all the bonding time we're having," Shepard joked. Williams just shook her head in response, all while Alenko simply gazed out the window towards the Ward arms in silence.
"This isn't exactly my idea of a good time, Shepard." Williams said with annoyance.
"Still going with the "not on vacation" thing, huh? The hearing's over, and until C-Sec turns up the evidence we need, we might as well take time to enjoy the sights along the way. Garrus said that he'd be near the club, Flux, so we should probably check there." Shepard replied
"Going clubbing on duty, Commander?" she asked, almost flirtatiously.
He shrugged, playing along. "I wasn't planning to, but since you suggested it…"
"All right, you two. Get a room." Alenko chuckled, cutting off Williams' response.
The elevator suddenly slowed down, indicating their journey's end.
"Took long enough," Shepard muttered as the doors slid open, allowing the occupants out into the ward. Compared to the Presidium Ring, this Ward was definitely more like a city. Hundreds of aliens milled about, and bright holo-signs and advertisements covered the walls and hung above the "street." While the denizens appeared to be decidedly less wealthy than those on the Presidium, neither did they seem to be in hardship, dressed with the latest in fashions and walking with a purpose. Falling in line with the crowd, the team went in search of the club, Alenko bringing up his omni-tool to locate it on the map.
"Looks like the club is just around the corner here, past this clinic. Can already hear the music."
"So, we just head in there and go asking around?" Williams asked. "Because honestly I'd think it'd be hard to find someone in these crowds, even if it's a C-Sec—"
A muffled gunshot rang out from the clinic, panicking the crowd. The team instantly drew their weapons and rushed towards the door, stacking up alongside it.
"Thank God for bureaucratic oversights," Shepard said under his breath, signaling Alenko to check the door while Williams moved to his side. Muffled shouts and crashes could be heard through the thick metal, but that was all that could be made out. A sudden movement from their right caught Shepard's attention, causing him to raise his rifle… only to find himself staring at a C-Sec officer who seemed very familiar.
"Commander Shepard! Fancy seeing you here. Looking for me?" he asked, hushed as he went up against the wall with them.
Shepard chuckled at his display. "Actually, yes. You have no idea how good your timing is."
"It seems I have a knack for that." He responded, looking over to Alenko. "What do we have?"
"Door's been locked down remotely. Give me a second," Alenko said, making fast movements on the door's interface as his omni-tool provided readouts.
"Standard hack. Probably thugs shaking down the doctors for medical supplies. Should just about…there, got it!"
The door hissed open quietly, Shepard and Williams taking point from the left while Alenko and Garrus moved in from the right. The clinic was a mess, medical equipment scattered on the floor, tables flipped, and the thugs in question holding their guns to a very frightened doctor in the familiar red and white jumpsuit of a physician. Giving him a few hand signals, Garrus ducked low and moved to the opposite wall, sliding alongside it in an apparent attempt to flank them. Good plan, Shepard thought, focusing back on the doctor in distress.
"I…I didn't tell anyone, I swear!" she sobbed as the apparent leader of the group held a pistol to her face.
"That was smart of you, doc. Make things easier for us, with you being the only loose…" The thug noticed the trio entering the room, grabbing the terrified doctor now as a human shield. "Get back! Take another step and I'll—"
The thug was cut off again, though this time due to the round shot through his skull from the C-Sec officer. The doctor ducked down with a cry while the remaining three thugs panicked for cover, too late to help themselves. The squad and the officer made short work of the humans, not giving them enough time to get in a single shot at them.
The skirmish over, the three humans ventured further into the room, Garrus helping the human doctor to her feet as they did so.
"Good teamwork, Commander! I'd hoped that the thugs—"
"What the hell did you think you were doing? You could have shot the hostage!"
"I-I saw the opportunity and I took the shot." he stammered, "I just reacted! If I… Dr. Michel, are you all right?"
The still shaken doctor struggled to her feet, but seemed unharmed. "Yes, I'm fine, or at least I will be. Thank you, all of you." She looked around at the group of soldiers, suddenly appearing uncomfortable. "If you don't mind my asking, who are you?"
"I'm Commander Shepard, Alliance Navy. This is Lieutenant Alenko and Gunnery Chief Williams," he said, gesturing. "Seems these thugs had something against you, doctor. What'd you do to get their attention?"
She shuddered, and looked around the room, eyes resting on the man who had held her captive. "I… I cared for a quarian patient." she said softly, as if disbelieving the reason herself.
Alenko started. "Wait, you were being harassed and threatened all because you cared for a quarian patient? Are people here that racist?"
"No! Well, some might have prejudices," she conceded, "but they were trying to keep me from telling anyone. The quarian came by a few days ago. She'd been shot in the arm, and had radiation sickness from the polonium round. She was scared, probably on the run, but wouldn't tell me who did it."
The doctor closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to help calm herself.
"The quarian was asking about the Shadow Broker. She said she had information and wanted to trade it in exchange for a safe place to hide. I told her to get in contact with Fist, an agent for the Shadow Broker." She looked back to the dead thugs on the ground, her expression darkening. "That's the last time I recommend anyone go to Fist. The information must have been important for him to try to keep me quiet," she said bitterly.
Garrus eyes seemed to focus as he brought his omni-tool up, quickly looking through his notes. "That's because Fist doesn't work for the Shadow Broker anymore. My investigation has him linked to Saren, and I know that the Broker isn't too happy about it."
"Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker?" Dr. Michel asked, bewildered. "That's stupid, even for him! It explains why he had his men come here, but Saren must have made quite the offer!"
"The quarian must have something that Saren wants. Something worth crossing the Shadow Broker to get," Garrus suggested.
"Evidence," Shepard agreed. "She must have something that proves Saren's a traitor. Did she mention anything about Saren? Or the geth?" he asked the doctor.
"I—yes, she did! She said she had information on the geth, something about Eden Prime."
"This information could link Saren to the geth," Shepard said seriously, "Do you know where she is now?"
"Fist has made Chora's Den his base of operations," Garrus said. "It's a… gentlemen's club, in the lower wards past the market district. If the quarian is looking for him, she'll have gone there."
"We'd better get moving, then. She'll be walking right into a trap," Williams spoke up, for the first time since they entered the room.
"Maybe we can surprise them. I know that the Shadow Broker hired a bounty hunter to try to get to him, a krogan by the name of Urdnot Wrex. He was in C-Sec just yesterday, brought in due to reports of threats against Fist. He left sometime today, though. Probably gone back to wait for Fist outside of the club again." Garrus mused.
"Well, we both have the same goals in mind. We could use your help on this, if you're interested," Shepard said, extending his hand to the turian.
Garrus nodded and shook his hand eagerly. "A chance to bring Saren to justice and stop more clinics from being attacked? I'm with you, all the way."
"It's settled, then. Let's head to Chora's Den. Stay safe, doctor." Shepard said, motioning to the door for the team.
"You too, Commander. Thank you again, and good luck!"
The four moved through the crowds of the street, weaving in and out of the flow of traffic. The market district in the Ward was densely packed with customers, with many lesser stands just set up in the street. Easy for someone to get lost in, Shepard thought. I wonder how Saren's men tracked the quarian down?
Shepard noticed that the team was silent for the most part, despite their new addition. After brushing past a standing line of customers, he decided to make the effort.
"You seem to know where we're going, Garrus. How often did you patrol this area?"
"Once or twice every week." he commented. "Never went to Chora's Den myself; the bouncers get nervous if an officer is around, and I like to think I'm more upstanding than that."
"The one place we go to on the Citadel, and it's a strip club?" Williams asked, annoyed.
"Mostly asari. They seem to be the most popular to watch." Garrus said, oblivious to her mood.
Shepard stifled a laugh at the turian's comment, but couldn't help a grin as he watched Williams scowl at him.
"You know, Garrus," Alenko said, "Fist will probably be suspicious that his men haven't returned. Do you think he'll be expecting trouble?"
"Maybe, but he doesn't know how many of us there are. And I don't think he'll be expecting Wrex to come back."
The four stopped after walking into an alley, the rhythms and pulses of the club reaching their ears. Turning left, they were greeted by a brightly lit blue holo-sign in the silhouette of an asari. The words "Chora's Den" flashing brightly above the beckoning asari as the team found the entrance to the club. A hulking krogan could be seen outside of the club, idly waiting on the square walkway as they approached. A sudden movement to the right caught Shepard's attention, and he ducked down behind the steel guard wall.
What might have been confusion crossed Garrus' features. "Uh, Commander? What are you—?"
"Someone is cloaked across the walkway – see the flickering?" he whispered, gesturing to the ripples in the air. Alenko and Williams nodded, drawing their rifles while Garrus moved to draw his, putting his pistol back in its holster. "Looks like they're making a move towards the krogan. Firing at them might alert Fist and his gang, but we don't have a lot of options. Ready?"
"We've got you're back, Commander," Williams said, raising her rifle.
"Drop them. Weapons free!" he ordered, spraying the opposite walkway with rifle fire. Taking impacts from the fire, the rippling air revealed two turians, both seeming surprised at the sudden firefight and rapidly returning fire with shotguns. Out of the corner of his eye, Shepard saw the krogan leave his position by the door and charge toward the turians, who were now oblivious to their original target. His shields taking a hit, Shepard ducked back down behind the rail, while Alenko and Garrus kept up the pressure. A cry from the other side confirmed a hit.
"One down!" Garrus exclaimed, crouching back down while his Vindicator rifle vented heat. "Wait, what is… Commander, you'll want to see this."
Shepard stood back up, finding that the krogan across from them had the other turian lifted in the air, holding him with one arm by the throat as the turian struggled in vain.
"So, you're the assassins that Saren sent after me?" he rumbled, a low dangerous chuckle emanating from his reptilian maw. "Weak." Taking the stealth unit from the turians hip, the krogan threw the turian off of the walkway with a casual toss, the would-be assassin screaming as he fell into the abyss below.
"That was unnecessary," Garrus remarked, but they made their way towards the krogan regardless, the alien in question simply eyeing them as they approached.
"I should have known Saren would send a couple of cowards to get a man's job done. I saw them coming, but I suppose I should thank you for keeping them distracted," he said, pocketing up the second turian's stealth unit.
"I take it you're Urdnot Wrex?" Garrus asked.
"Maybe. Who wants to know?"
Shepard cut in. "I'm Commander Shepard, of the Alliance Navy. My team and I are going after Fist, and we thought you might want in on the action.
"Commander Shepard?" The krogan mused. "I've heard a lot about you." He lowered himself to look Shepard in the eyes. Williams drew her weapon again, but Alenko motioned her down, letting the conversation proceed. To his credit, the krogan didn't even flinch at the movement.
The krogan grinned again, flashing a mouthful of sharp teeth. "We're both warriors, Shepard, so I'll give you a fair warning. I'm going to kill Fist."
Shepard stood his ground, meeting the krogan's gaze. "We have the same goal in mind, then. We need information from Fist first, but after that, he's all yours," he said evenly.
Wrex barked a laugh. "I like you human. My people have a saying: Seek the enemy of your enemy, and you will find a friend."
Shepard extended his hand, which Wrex gladly shook. "Welcome aboard, Wrex."
The krogan popped his neck, his grin turning malicious. "Let's get moving. I'd hate to keep Fist waiting."
With that, the group moved back towards the door of the club, the music still going despite the gunshots that had occurred moments before. Shepard turned to the team. "There'll be civilians inside; be sure that you only shoot those who are armed. We want to avoid getting any negative attention from the Council while we're here."
Wrex snorted. "There's no glory in killing the weak, especially those who can't fight back."
Shepard turned to look at the group assembled. "Is everyone ready?"
"Good to go, Commander." Alenko and Williams voiced.
"Then let's do this."
The first thing that the clients heard from the team walking through the crowd was the sound of Wrex's shotgun discharging into a batarian bodyguard. Dancers and customers alike rushed screaming for the exit as the body slumped to the floor. The thugs were all who remained behind, ready to defend their "lair" by flipping tables, getting behind the counter, and attempting to fight back with pistol and submachine gun fire that barely grazed the team's military grade shields. After a flurry of gunfire, the last thug fell in a heap amongst the now battered tables and chairs that littered the club floor. With the threats dealt with (and a satisfied grunt from Wrex), the group moved to the last two doors that led to Fist's private room.
Signaling the group to stack up on the door, Shepard moved to the door release mechanism. "They didn't even lock it down. He knows we're coming, we might be walking into a trap. Alenko, Williams, be ready."
The doors slid open, revealing two men wearing civilian clothing. Probably just dock workers, he thought. "Stop right there. Don't come any closer!" one cried, raising his pistol.
"We just killed a roomful of thugs back there, and you're threatening us?" he asked, genuinely amused. "I think you should look for another line of work."
The two men hesitated, lowering their guns uneasily.
"Uh yeah, we'll do that!"
"Yeah, uh, I didn't like working for Fist anyways!" they said in unison, running past them out the door. Wrex glanced back at them with disgust.
"It would have been faster to just shoot 'em." he grumbled.
"Weren't you the one who said there wasn't any glory in killing the weak?" Williams asked the krogan haughtily.
"I didn't say there would be honor in it," he replied, and didn't continue the conversation.
"Settle down, Williams. Fist is still in here, and he's waiting for us now. Alenko, get the door."
"On it, Commander," he said, bringing up the door control schematics on his omni-tool. Muffled noises could be heard from the other room. "Good to go, it's open."
"I'll take point," Shepard said as he raised his rifle. "The rest of you, follow my lead."
Moving past the threshold, the team walked into the apparently abandoned lounge. The room was dark, lit only by several floor lamps for ambiance. Shepard looked around the corner of the wall closest to them… only to duck back just in time to avoid a burst of machine gun fire.
"I just have to do everything myself, don't I!?" a voice called out, probably Fist. Signaling to the team, Shepard opened fire with his Avenger rifle as he raced across the room to the adjacent wall, his shields dropped by Fist's weapon. No sooner did he move into the room than two MK II auto turrets sprung from the floor, targeting the team. "Turrets! Find cover!" Shepard shouted, dropping down into a crouch behind the wall.
"Come on out! I'll make this quick!" Fist taunted as he fired a Revenant machinegun alongside his turrets.
"Little shit just likes to run his mouth," Wrex growled, unable to get a clear shot as the turrets suppressed him. "Anyone have a grenade?"
"We just got back from Eden Prime, we used most of the ship's supply there!" Alenko called out, connecting several rounds with the shields of the turret on the right.
"Actually, I managed to get one from the thugs in the clinic," Garrus spoke up. "It's always good to have a back-up plan if things go—"
"Just throw it!" Shepard yelled, popping out of cover again to suppress, managing to destroy the weakened turret on the right.
Garrus tossed the grenade over the flipped table he was hiding behind, landing it squarely between Fist and the leftmost turret.
Fist looked down at the object, an almost comical look of shock plastered on his features as he moved to dive out of the way. "Oh, shi—!"
The explosion destroyed the second turret, knocking the criminal to the floor as the blast shook the room. Smoke alarms blared and the fire sprinklers showered the room, in an effort to put out the flames from the grenade and turrets. The encounter over, Shepard looked around at the team to check for injuries.
"Is everyone all right?"
"Took some hits to the armor, but I'm good, otherwise," Garrus spoke up. Various affirmatives from the other members of the squad allowed Shepard to breathe a sigh of relief. He quickly stood from his position and walked slowly over to where Fist lay on the ground. Amazingly, aside from a few scorch marks on his hardsuit and a few burns, Fist looked alive and well, but still cowered on the ground.
"Wait! Don't shoot, I surrender!" he begged, raising his hands in defense. Shepard drew his pistol and aimed it at Fist. Alliance protocol was strictly against shooting unarmed hostages, but after Fist nearly killed him and his team, he didn't think the man deserved any graces.
"I'm only going to ask this once, and you're going to tell me. Where is the quarian?"
"She's… she's not here. I don't know where she is!"
"Is that it? He's no use to you now. Let me eat him." Wrex offered.
Fist's eyes widened and he held up his hands again. "Wait, wait! I don't know where she is, but I know where you can find her! I told her I'd set a meeting up with the Shadow Broker."
"Face to face?" Wrex rumbled. "Impossible. Nobody meets the Shadow Broker. Even I was hired through an agent."
"She didn't know that, though. When she shows up, it'll be Saren's men waiting for her."
Shepard had heard enough. Grabbing Fist roughly by the collar of his armor, he hoisted the man up to eye level, glaring at him.
"You're trying my patience. Give me the location. Now."
"Here-here on the wards! The back alley by the markets, just past the entrance to Chora's! She's supposed to meet them right now. You can make it if you hurry!" he babbled, looking in every direction but Shepard's face.
Satisfied, Shepard released him leaving him on his feet.
"Now, that wasn't too hard, was it?" he turned to walk away. Come on, let's get—"
A shotgun blast rang out, causing the team to raise their weapons again as Fist's body dropped to the floor. Wrex lowered the still smoking shotgun with a satisfied grin.
Williams seemed shocked but ready, leveling her rifle towards the krogan. "Drop the gun, krogan."
"I had a job to do, and I got it done." he replied, not even flinching at her display.
"We don't shoot unarmed hostages." Shepard warned, but made no motion against him. The thug had gotten what he deserved.
"How many people do you think died because of him?" Wrex growled. "I just did the Citadel a favor. Besides, we have to save that quarian. If we don't, we lose the data."
Shepard lowered his weapon, but noticed Williams was still aiming her rifle at the krogan. Come on, he thought. Let it go.
"Stand down, Williams. We have to save that quarian."
"I…" she hesitated, letting out a frustrated breath. "I… understand, sir."
"Good." Shepard said, with finality. "Now, let's get moving. That quarian's going to need help."
"Where's the Shadow Broker? Where's Fist?" the young quarian asked the turian, trying not to show her nervousness at the choice of meeting place. It seems too quiet, she thought. Where are all the people?
"They'll be here," the turian responded coolly, cupping her helmet and realk as his hand drifted down along her body. "Now, about that evidence…"
"No way," She batted his arm away from her, causing him to look up in irritation. "The deal's off."
The agent looked perturbed but simply nodded in the direction over her shoulder. She turned to find two salarians in full armor step out behind a crate, their omni-tools and pistols raised. Hurriedly, she looked around and saw a computer terminal nearby. That should work. Making a split-second decision, she raised her own omni-tool and fired an overload command to the computer, causing it to discharge and knock the salarians to the floor. The turian drew his rifle and fired after her as she took cover behind another crate, dropping her shields. Thankfully, none of the shots breached her suit.
"Come on out, girl! You can't hide from us forever. If you give up now, we might even let you live!" The turian called, walking forward with his back-up close behind.
Her breathing heavy, she drew her shotgun and was just about to fire when suddenly three humans, a krogan and a turian appeared before her. The human in the lead wore steel black armor, with the symbol 'N7' visible on his chest. The other humans were also heavily armored, and the turian appeared to be wearing C-Sec armor. Keelah, I hope that they—
"Let them have it!" The leading human said, bringing his rifle to bear as the rest of the group raised their own weapons and began firing at the three thugs. The "agents" were caught off guard but began returning fire and tech bursts from their omni-tools, with some measure of success as she saw the female human's shields begin to flicker under the assault. They don't have any cover, she realized. I have to help them!
Bringing her shotgun around the corner, she laid into the turian who had tried to take advantage of her earlier. Overwhelmed by the onslaught, the turian's shields fell, and she had the satisfaction of seeing his surprise at her appearance before her next shot nearly took his head off. Yes! I got him! she smiled inwardly, but another part of her was shocked at her display. Keelah, I just killed someone! I—
A final shot from the leading human's rifle brought the last hitman down, the salarian falling to the floor unceremoniously. Cautiously, she stood up from her crouched position, adrenaline still flowing through her veins as she looked on to her rescuers.
"Fist set me up! I knew I couldn't trust him!" she cried angrily, balling her fists.
The human looked at her, concerned. "Were you hurt in the fight?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I know how to look after myself… not that I don't appreciate the help." she added, gesturing to the now dead thugs. "Who are you?"
The man smiled. "My name's Shepard. I'm looking for evidence to prove that Saren's a traitor."
She nodded appreciatively. "Tali'Zorah. And it seems that I can repay you for saving my life. But we need to get somewhere safe."
The turian cleared his throat. "We could take her to the human embassy. Your ambassador will want to see this."
Shepard motioned her to come with them, in which she gladly followed. With these soldiers, I feel safer already.