A/N: Well I got chapter 7 done thanks to the free time Christmas breaks give me. I've had it done for a couple of days just haven't gotten to submitting it. I don't really have anything else to say so here's chapter 7 without further delay.
P.S I don't Mass Effect but Bioware does
Chapter 7 Shore Leave
Joseph's POV
It has been four days since Brent was shot and he still has shown no progress of improvement, and it was only two days before that Shepard announced some shore leave for everyone. We all decided that we could spend our leave on the Citadel since there is stuff to do there.
We were only a day away from the Citadel now and Jesse and I have run through our usual schedule. These past four days have been tough on the both of us though, we have been checking on Brent's condition every day to see if anything has changed… it hasn't. Now I'm once again in the Engine room trying to kill time.
I've spent most of the days in the Engine room or spending it with Liara. Jesse just remained by himself, he didn't even talk to Ashley until today. I didn't think that he would have been so badly affected by this.
It was nearly time to go to bed and I've done nothing today but spend it standing in the Engine room staring at the drive core. I don't know what to do anymore, everything is going south for us. When we entered this world we thought we knew how to handle any situation but recently I don't think we can. Brent knew more about Mass Effect than any of us and he's the one in the Med-Bay with life support.
"Joseph!"
I jump from the sudden voice in my ear. I turn to see Liara her face illuminated by the light of the drive core, god was she beautiful.
"Joseph you ok you've been staring out into space for some time" She said as she laid her hand on my shoulder
"Yea I'm fine just thinking." I reply as I place my hand gently over her hand
"You know you can talk to me." She said
"I know" I say as I give a smile "it's just that I could lose my best friend." I finish as I turn my gaze upon the drive core once again.
"Is there any way I could help." Liara said standing in front of me to catch my attention
"There is actually. How about when we land at the Citadel we take a walk around the Presidium." I say has I take hold of her hips with my hands
"Sure I would like that." Liara said as she leaned close to my face and gently kissed my lips before pulling back "I'll see you tomorrow" She finished as she winked and left
"You two are so cute" Tali said from the corner of the room
"Thanks" I say as I blush slightly "I'm going to be turning in for the night. You got everything under control here?"
"Yea I got it. Go get some sleep you have a busy day tomorrow."
I chuckled and I turned to leave for the elevator and began to make my ascension to the Living Quarters. "I guess things aren't too bad" I whisper to myself as the elevator began to rise
I entered the Living Quarters to see Jesse sitting up in his bed.
"You're still up?" I ask thinking he would already be asleep
"Can't sleep" He simply said staring off in the distance
"Thinking about Brent?" I ask figuring it was the only thing that could keep him up
"Yea, I'm just worried is all?"
"It's understandable since you haven't known as long as I have."
"What does that have anything to do with me worrying?"
"I say that because no matter what happens Brent pulls through." I say as I got my bed ready
"Joseph he was shot excuse me if I don't worry." He said as he stormed over to me as I was sitting at my bed that rested only six feet away
"Calm down dude I've thought about it but I don't it consume me. We must stay strong for Brent, you know what he would do if he knew we were crying of him."
Jesse backed down as he released a small chuckle "He would kick our asses."
"Yea he would you know he doesn't like the whole grieving over him thing." I say as lie down in bed "Now get some sleep we get a break finally and I want to wake up early to enjoy it."
"Yea you're right." Jesse said as he turned and returned to his bed "I'm taking Ashley through the Presidium tomorrow."
"Ha, I'm taking Liara to the same place maybe we could take our girls through there together."
"Maybe, we'll see. Goodnight dude" Jesse finished as he turned over to fall asleep
"Night bro" I say as I fall asleep
The Next Morning
I was enjoying the sweet embrace of sleep until I suddenly hit the ground.
I rolled and leapt up and saw that Jesse flipped me out of bed
"Finally dude I've been trying to wake you for minutes now. We've docked at the Citadel, throw your casuals on it's time to go." Jesse said as he turned and made his way for the elevator "I'll see you later." Jesse finished as he disappeared
I smiled as I grabbed the clothes set out before me. "Well at least he was nice enough to grab me some clothes." I said to myself
After throwing on my clothes I entered the elevator and began my ascent.
When I exited the elevator I saw Liara waiting for me with her same clothes she always wears but she still looks beautiful.
"So where too first?" She asked with a smile
"Let's go look at the gardens first." I say throwing a suggestion out in the air
"Ok" Liara said as she took my arm
So with a destination set we left and waited for that damned elevator that led to C-Sec. Finally the elevator arrived and we entered. On the way down we heard news of the lost communication with Feros.
"That's our next mission isn't it? I wonder what happened there." Liara asked
"No telling, but we'll find out" I lie but still give a smile as I look at Liara
Finally the elevator stopped and we exited into C-Sec Academy. Instead of taking the Rapid Transit we took the elevator that led to the embassies across the room.
After yet another slow elevator ride we exited to the Presidium. I swear I'm going to be driven insane by these things. As we exited the elevator we were greeted by bright lights and the sound of people walk around. I looked around and saw that large pool they have, the sight of the water always makes me want me to jump in, don't know why just an urge.
We walked past the embassies and started to cross a bridge that led to the Consort. As we walked past it a human made a comment about Liara being a Consort herself which to me is the equivalent to calling her a hooker and I wouldn't let that go without say. So I stopped and lifted the human with my biotics and brought him closer to me.
I turned to face the guy "What was that, why don't you say that again."
"Put me down or else." The man threatened
"I don't think you are in any position to threaten me, now apologize to my girlfriend for calling her a consort." I say as I glare at him
"Joseph put him down please he's just being an ass." Liara defended
"Fine but only because you asked" I say as I gently set the man down
We began to turn when I heard him make one last remark to a passerby "I see she wiped him already."
As we walked away my hand glowed blue and I lifted the guy in the air again and he screamed as I threw him into the water.
"Was that necessary?" Liara asked as she gave me a funny look
"Was what necessary he just magically glowed blue and jumped in the water? I wouldn't have done that I am far to mature for those kind of actions." I say sarcastically making Liara release a small chuckle.
We continued our way around the Presidium when we saw Jesse sitting on a bench with Ashley near the elevator to the Citadel Towers. We were easily a hundred feet away so I decided to be a slight ass.
"Jesse, Ashley, hey!" I shouted across the Presidium as I waved my hands in the air
I could see Jesse put his face into his hands which just made me laugh as the half of the Presidium looked at me as I walk over to Jesse and Ashley.
"I should kick your ass right in front of your girlfriend." Jesse said seriously as he removed his face from his hands
"I don't think you could." I say shrugging my shoulders as I sat on the bench "So anything happen to you?" I ask as I shove Jesse a little
"No nothing happened." Jesse replied looking at me like I was an idiot "We're not on Omega nothing just happens in the Presidium."
"Man you are a kill joy." I say
"Tell him what happened, Jesse" Ashley suggested pushing up against him
"What, what happened" I asked my curiosity peaked
"Nothing happened" Jesse said as he stood up
"What happened?" I asked turning to Ashley who I knew would answer me
"We were coming from the wards when a group of turians tried to shake us down. There were three of them and one of them grabbed me but before I could kill his alien ass, no offense Liara, Jesse punched him right in his face knocking him out. The other two went to grab Jesse but he swept one's feet from under him and close lined the second. The turian he close lined got up and tried to pull a gun on him but he kick it out of his hands and upper cut the guy in the jaw sending him flying. He struck the ground and was knocked out immediately. After that the turian whose legs were swept grabbed the second turian and dragged him off. When he was done with them he smacked the turian who grabbed me conscious and held him up by his collar, and made him apologize to me." Ashley finished
"Damn Jesse" I say shocked he was even capable of that
"It was nothing ok, I just don't appreciate people grabbing her." He replied like it was nothing
"I can understand that but you kick the living shit out of three turians who one of which had a gun. You've moved up in my book dude." I say clearly impressed "Tell me where did you learn how to fight like that?" I asked next, wondering how the hell he could do that. I mean he could never do anything like that as long as I've known him.
"I learned a few things from Ashley here, but I became really good because of the training that came from Garrus and Wrex." Jesse said "Say have you seen everyone else lately?" asked trying to change the subject
"No I don't think I have." I say
"Some of them didn't leave the Normandy. Shepard stayed in the Med-Bay, Joker stayed along with Chakwas. Kaiden left with Wrex and Garrus, to where I don't know." Liara stated
"Ok well I think I might head back soon." Jesse said
"What why? I asked
"Because things here are getting annoying, I mean I thought I could enjoy just a single day with my girl but I can't and now I have a splitting headache." Jesse said getting worked up
"Is it because of the turians?" Ashley asked
"No it's because of everything, there are too many things running through my head and I just can't…"
Before Jesse could finish his sentence Ashley grabbed his face and pulled him in and kissed him.
I watched them embrace each other before thinking it was probably a good idea to leave before this got any more awkward.
"Me and Liara will go to the wards or somewhere away from here." I say as I grab Liara's hand and back away
By the time we left Jesse and Ashley, a couple of hours have past and we still haven't had much of a romantic day like I hoped. I hope I can find better luck in the wards.
We entered the wards and I decided I might be able to get her to go to the club at the bottom wards.
After a little walk down the stairs to level 28 the club door was right in front of us, its music pulsing outside its walls.
"You want to go in and dance or we can go back to the Normandy if you want." I offer
"No I think it was time we danced" Liara said giving off a devilish smile as she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the club.
Jesse's POV
I've been sitting by myself for a few minutes now since Ashley left to find Garrus and them leaving me here… alone.
"Well I got nothing to do here." I say as I stand up and headed for the lower wards where there a few good shops.
I took the rapid transit and left for the 33rd level of the wards.
Upon arriving I looked around and saw that this place was the same as any other place, same walls, same flooring, but a lot less people down here. As I was looking at stores and exploring this floor I bumped into some old friends, those same three damn turians who now have a fourth member who bore the same clan marking on his face as his friends.
"Well, well look what we have here. You think you're better than us huh human because you beat us that once?" the turian I forced to apologize said to me as he got in my face
"Listen don't mess with me right now, I'm in no mood for dumbasses who are looking for a fight." I say as I try to pass them but am immediately cut off
"You're not going anywhere." The newest turian said
"Listen I have a headache right now and you guys are not helping it." I say rubbing my temples.
"Listen here human…" a turian said as he grabbed my shoulder
On instinct I grabbed the turian's hand and twisted his arm followed by a shot to the elbow breaking his bone. Then another turian swung at me but I blocked his strike and followed up with a strike to the side of his face breaking one of his mandibles, and then I finished him with a strike dead center in his face knocking him out. The third turian managed to land a punch to my side sending me to my knees but he made a flaw when he followed with another shot that was aimed at my head. Before the punch could land I grabbed his hand and upper cut him knocking him out and breaking a few of his teeth in the process. The fourth and newest turian trembled from how fast I dispatched his friends…
"Listen if you walk away you won't get hurt but if you try to hit me I will break something of yours." I say giving him a serious stare
Unfortunately he didn't listen to my warning and he went to kick me but I caught his leg and brought my fist down on his knee shattering it. As he fell he went to grab me but I grabbed his arm and dislocated it from the shoulder, leaving him and the turian with a broken elbow to pick up their friends.
"Next time leave me alone." I seriously say as I turn to leave for the Normandy, so much for looking for something here.
As I walked away a group of on lookers ran past me to help the injured turians and a turian C-Sec officer looked at me but didn't say anything. I guess he knew that they were in the wrong. Man is it possible for me to avoid trouble.
It was a few minutes after the fight and I was now on my way up to the docking bay where the Normandy is located. There I can hopefully get some rest or kill time, damn this headache is killing me.
As I approached the Normandy I entered the first two doors and click to open the third that actually led into the Normandy when the decontamination voice thing startled me, I forgot it kicks on like that.
I entered the Normandy and saw that it was quiet and most of the people were gone, most likely enjoying their shore leave. As I began to walk down the walk way I looked back and saw Joker in his seat sleeping by the looks of it. Even with this headache I couldn't help but be an ass. I snuck up to Joker's chair and jumped in front to see him sleeping still, unfazed by my attempt to scare him.
"Joker wake up, I need some time to kill." I say as I shake him in an attempt to wake him.
However instead of him waking his head fell down he collapsed to the floor with a dart in the back of his neck. Scared for his life I checked for his pulse and found that he was alive just unconscious.
Alert to the fact that something bad has happened I walked quietly across the CIC room. I reached the door that led down stairs when I noticed something on the ground. I bent down and swiped my fingers through the mysterious liquid and rubbed my fingers together to distinguish the texture. I looked at it closely and concluded that it was in fact blood.
"Where are the marines stationed here?" I quietly asked myself as I looked around
I opened the doors as quietly as possible and made my way down the stairs. It was soon that I could hear voices. I stopped at the end of the stairs and rolled in front of the elevator. I leaned on the corner and looked over to see two armed figures guarding the Med-Bay.
"So why exactly is the Shadow Broker so interested in this human that he would have us infiltrate an Alliance Frigate to capture him?" Asked the guard on the right of the Med-Bay clearly a Salarian
"All I know is that the Shadow Broker thinks he could get some very useful information from him and he also has multiple offers of payment from private organizations like Cerberus." Replied the guard in the left who, just by his voice, was human
"I wonder what is so special about him that the Shadow Broker himself and a group like Cerberus would take an interest in him."
After listening to their conversation I knew I have heard enough, but knowing I couldn't kill them both without alerting whoever was inside the Med-Bay. I decided that it was best to create a small noise hoping to draw one of them away.
Looking around to figure out how to do this I simply tapped on the wall of the elevator.
"Did you here that?" the turian asked
"No, if you heard something go check it out, geez you're jumpy." The human replied
The Salarian left the door and began to approach me. I slowly stood up and prepared myself for him. The moment the Salarian turned the corner I grabbed his gun and punched him in the throat dropping him instantly. Unfortunately for me I didn't kill him quiet enough because the human guard ran over to my spot and following him were three other fully armored figures. The human turned the corner and I immediately punched the gun from his hand, followed by two punches to the side of the head to daze him before I snapped his neck. The other guards came around the corner and I was able to kill one with multiple punches to the torso followed by another strike to the throat dropping him. I went to strike the second when I felt something strike me in the stomach. I looked down and yanked it out to look closer, and I saw that it was a tranquilizer round. I threw to side as I felt its effects take hold of me. I grabbed the guard I was previously fighting and head-butted him which wasn't a good idea since he had a helmet on but the tranquilizer was clearly affecting my better judgment. Nevertheless it was enough to send the target stumbling and give me an opening for a strike to the throat, since it was these guys only weak spots thanks that damn armor they wore. When I was about to set my sights in the third assailant I was struck by three more tranquilizer shots in the chest that brought me to my knees.
I fell on my back as the world around me began to go blurry and four figures stood over me.
"What should we do with him?" asked one
"Nothing, the broker doesn't want anyone dead." Replied a human looking figure
"Why is that?" asked another who appeared turian
"I don't know why don't you ask him the next time you see him?" The other figured stated clearly sarcastic "Orders are orders and I for one don't want to piss of the Broker."
As the figures continued their conversation everything suddenly went black as I could no longer fight the effects of the tranquilizers…
A/N: Well that's my 2nd cliffhanger I've done I think. What will happen to Brent and can his friends get him back, find out in chapter 8.
So now I'm trying to think how chapter 8 will go. I will get it up as soon as I can, thank you for staying with the story and I hope you'll catch the next chapter.