I'm back… sorry I've been dead for so long but baseball has begun and it has been killing me to where I didn't want to write but rather sleep, and if I did write it was only like a hundred words . Also between school work and college class work I've been pretty busy. I'll try not to delay like that again but if I do at least you know what I'm doing and that I'm trying to get the story updated.
No POV
It has been 10 days since Joseph and Tali found the body of their friend Brent. Now they rest in a remote location on the Citadel and wait for the others to return. Since their discovery Tali has shown Joseph how to use overload. Joseph spent the other days maintaining the crate that kept Brent alive.
Joseph's POV
I've been working on this damned crate for hours now and I've been trying to keep it running at maximum capacity but its power source is dying. I've cut all nonessential functions to preserve power but I don't think this thing will last no more than two days. I've used some of the medical equipment that I took from the Normandy to replace some more major functions to further power preservation.
It was a pain to move this thing without anyone noticing but luckily C-Sec is not that great at their job. I don't know where exactly we are but Tali seemed to know because she was the one that moved us here. She says that no one will know we are here and I believe her this place is a shit hole it makes some parts of Omega look good. It was a rundown area that many of the poor people came to. I guessed that Tali figured that no one would question us down here. I don't know, I learned not to question her logic.
As I continued to work on the crate's systems I heard someone approach behind me. I stopped from working on the console located on the side and raised my head. "Tali" I say as I turn my head to see her walking towards me with a bag.
"What's in the bag?" I asked as I stood up to face her, wiping off the dust that stuck to the knee of my armor.
"Just some food, I figured you might be hunger after working so hard." She said as she held the bag towards me
I grabbed the bag and looked into it and saw a box. I pulled the box out of the bag and opened it and I was smacked with a wonderful aroma of Raman. I checked inside the bag and found some chopsticks, funny how this is still used today, and began to eat.
I sat down on a box on the ground and leaned on Brent's crate as I ate. I looked up at Tali to see that she was watching me. "Thanks for getting me some food Tali" I say as I slurp up some noodles into my mouth.
"It was nothing. You've been working on his crate for eight straight hours, you deserved some food." She said as she slid down next to me. "Joseph can I ask you something?" she asked tilting her head down
I stopped eating and raised my head immediately thinking "Oh no is this one of those questions. I wonder if I can run right now before it's too late."
"I wanted to know why you and Jesse follow Brent more than Shepard." She said in a somewhat soft voice. Clearly this has been on her mind and she was worried how I would take it.
I stopped eating and put my chopsticks into the box that once contained Raman and set it aside of me. I released a slight sign and laid my head back onto the crate. "Well we follow Brent more because he's our friend for one. Two he doesn't let fear compromise his judgment and three he will do anything to ensure that everyone survives any situation. I guess that to us Brent is like out Shepard." I pulled my head from the crate and looked at Tali "I have a question for you now." I say looking at her as her head tilts to the side showing me that she wasn't expecting a question.
"Why did you join us so willingly, this has been on my mind for some time now and I wanted to know? I mean we could have been mercs hired to kill you." I proclaim. I watched Tali sit there silent for a few seconds as if she was thinking about it. Finally she looked at me and from what I could tell from her body language, because 87 percent of a conversation is told through body language, she was slightly embarrassed by the question.
"I was so willing to join you because the way you fought. The moment you ran to my side to protect me from Fist's goons, and the way you communicated with each other all of you sounded as if you must protect me. Also Brent's knowledge that I was on my pilgrimage spiked my curiosity".
"Not to push this but I think there is more than just trusting us because of our knowledge of why you were at the Citadel. Also you seem to follow us more than Shepard, why?" I say trying to find other and maybe even the true reason for her sudden faith and trust in us. As I watched and waited for her response I noticed her twiddling her fingers. "If you don't want to answer it's ok."
"No it's just; somehow I have developed some kind of feelings for Brent." I jumped a little as I was just struck with this news. I further listened to Tali as she continued "A dashing young man who is selfless, generous, and determined comes to my rescue. I thought that since he was human it would prevent this but I find myself caring greatly for him" I looked at Tali and I saw her lean her head down as she stared at the ground. "But he cares for Shepard from what I can tell."
I just stared at Tali unable to respond to the words that she released. My mind started to run in overdrive to come up with something but nothing was presented to me. I thought that she could talk to him but that would cause further problems. I also thought of me talking to him but that would be too awkward. So I figured I would have to let this play through and hope that it sorts out itself.
As I sat there thinking I realized that I haven't responded to Tali. I felt like I would face a squad of mercs than continue this conversation. "So how do you think Shepard and Jesse are doing on their mission to Feros?" I ask trying to raise another conversation to diverge from the one we were on earlier.
Tali looked at me knowing that I was making an attempt to avoid her statement but instead of dragging it out she followed me in my divergence. "I don't know how they are doing but I hope they are ok." She said
"Oh I wouldn't worry about them" an unknown voice said
I jumped up and looked at the direction of the voice. There in front of us was a taller man with crimson armor. He didn't have his helmet do you could see his pale skin and short dark brown hair. This guy was taller than Brent by a few inches and had an aura of blue continuously coming from him. Whoever he was he was definitely a powerful biotic.
"Who are you?" I demand as I prepare my own biotics. While Tali draws her shotgun and aims it right at him.
The man continued to approach us "Now, now there's no need for violence. I'm Nathanial William Roy, Commander of the Red Hounds located in this sector it's a please to meet you." He said giving us a slight bow.
I was unmoved by the man's introduction. "What do you mean this sector?" I say giving Nathanial a glare
Nathanial slowed his walk to a crawl "For every relay there is a Red Hound commander assigned to them. I'm the commander of this sector."
"Before we continue further I want to know why you are glowing blue." I say to him
Nathanial stopped for a second and chuckled "Well aren't you the knowledge seeker, fine I'll tell you everything you will need to know. I'm glowing like this because all Red Hound Commanders are implanted to the extreme. The only way to reach our level of command is to survive the implants which 99 percent don't. The implants strengthen our biotics which is another requirement. Now this next bit isn't related but it is fun to know. Red Hound commanders are implanted with an implant that the Red Hound Grand Master created himself. The Grand Master is the founder of the Red Hounds and is the strongest of us all and even though he is an old fart he can shoot the wings off of a fly without even trying. Anyway back on topic the Grand Master created an implant that more than quadruples the wearers' average biotic power and control. The most resent module increases the power by ten rather than four. Mine is the newest module and the glowing is a side effect. However even with the implants I'm ranked as only the fifth strongest commander among our ranks."
"Well then now that my history lesson is over, tell me why you're here?" I comment
Nathanial stopped walking towards and was less than 15 feet from us. His composure changed from friendly to serious in an instant "You know why I'm here; I'm here for your friend. Now I would rather not kill anyone so if you would be kind to hand him over."
I continued to glare at him and responded "I can't do that"
Nathanial looked at me and then at Tali as he released a heavy sigh "You can't win this fight Joseph" he said as his biotics began to flare
I jumped a bit "How do you know my name"
Nathanial's composure didn't change from its serious state "I know who you and your friends are."
"You don't know us!" I shout as my body began to glow blue
"Don't I?" a malevolent smile came across his face "You see that machine that your friend is in." he said pointing to the crate that held Brent. "There are components in that machine that scan his brain. I was given updates about information that it discovered, well up till you found it necessary to deactivate it along with the other unique functions. I know that you're from Earth. I know that his body is capable of tremendous biotic power but he is incapable if maintaining it for extended periods. Based on reports and feeds I have collected I know that you are much weaker than him bioticly but are able to maintain your biotics for a much more extended period. Now… here is where it gets really mind blowing. I know that Brent's DNA is twisted with asari's somehow and yet he maintains his human appearance and characteristics. This explains his natural control of his biotics and since you are similar to him I' m going to assume that your DNA is similar as well. Do not assume that I don't know you when you don't even know yourself." He said returning his facial expression to its serious state
Chills ran through my body and it became hard to breathe. All this information overwhelmed me greatly for I wasn't prepared to take a hit like that. It made sense, when we entered this world our DNA must have mutated from the change and it would explain our biotics as well. This information allowed me to piece together answers for some of the questions that have risen but it also raised others.
"Based on your reaction I'm assuming that you didn't know any of this." Nathanial said as he began to approach me.
Soon he was in front of me and Tali had her gun ready. Nathanial put his hand on my shoulder "Now let me have Brent and you and the Quarian here can live."
My mind snapped to attention at his words and I remembered I must protect Brent. I immediately threw his hand off my shoulder and pushed him back with my biotics sending him tumbling a few feet back.
He jumped up anger clear in his eyes. "Fine if that's how it's going to be!" he shouted as his body and eyes began glow blue energy. Tali shot her shotgun at him but the bullets failed to pierce the energy that had built up already.
"Tali get back and stay in cover bullets can't get through to him, he's too strong!" I shout to her as I prepared my body. I looked over to see Tali hesitate "Tali get out of…" I began to shout when I felt a sudden force strike my chest sending me flying back twenty feet. As I hit the ground I rolled and was immediately thrown into the air. I glided up and was thrown down with such force I almost blacked out.
"Joseph!" I heard Tali shout as I was dragged across the ground. Soon the world became fuzzy. I turned and saw that Nathanial was dragging me by the collar of my armor. I noticed some blue energy spark in the air. I tried to swing my arm but my body had taken such a toll so fast that my body was weak so the hit was more like a tap.
"I told you to let me have him now I'm going to have to kill you." Nathanial said as he picked me up.
As he held me my head rolled back but I pushed it forward to see the man's face. As I looked at him he head-butted me in the face and threw me across the metal floor, sending me sliding across the ground. I crawled up and saw blood dripping on the floor. As I began to stand I felt a fist meet my face sending me back to the ground. As I pushed my hands forward I could see more blood dripping down.
"Joseph run!" I heard Tali's voice shout but it seemed distorted
I felt a foot kick me sending me onto my back. I looked up to see Nathanial standing over me. I noticed more blue energy spark here and there in the air. He bent down and grabbed me by my armors collar and heaved me up off the ground to his eye level.
"I told you to leave." he said as he brought his glowing fist back. The world began to fuzz again as I looked at him. Blood running out of my mouth from the damage I took. I knew that Tali couldn't kill this man and I also knew he was going to put everything he has into this next punch.
I looked past Nathanial and saw Tali standing there staring at me. As Nathanial reared his fist back some more I heard Tali's voice shout my name once more as Nathanial brought his fist towards my head.
My life flashed before my eyes, I guess this is what Brent must have gone through when he was shot. I saw everything my life before we entered this dimension and the new and better life I had picked up here. My flash back ended as quickly as it begun and I saw Nathanial's fist near my head. The world was running in slow motion so I watched in every detail as his glowing fist neared my head.
As I felt Nathanial's fist make contact I also felt it suddenly stop dead. I soon felt myself hit the ground and get picked up. The next think I knew I was next to Tali who seemed awestruck.
The break in the ass kicking allowed me to regain focus, also the medi-gel Tali applied helped. I used my arm to drag myself up allowing me to sit up. Tali ran over to me and placed her hands on my shoulders to help me stay balanced. The world was blurry but began to clear. At first I could see blurs of blue hitting in areas all over the place but I was unable to identify them. However soon I was able to see a lot clearer. I looked out and was almost breathless.
The person fighting Nathanial was a person I wouldn't thought I would see fighting in some time. The person was Brent. I don't know what happened or how he got out or even how the hell he is up but he's fighting Nathanial.
I watched as Brent fought Nathanial with a ruthless technique. Brent wasn't in that blood rage or insane state and his biotics aren't dark blue but rather bright blue. I was dumbfounded as I watched Brent fight. As I watched him I realized that Brent didn't have his armor only his sleepwear a shirt and shorts "He can't keep going like that with his body hitting that armor he could reinjure himself." I say as I struggle to stand only to feel a hand push me back down. I looked up to see Tali stare at me. I looked down knowing that I she was right.
No POV
Brent charged Nathanial and struck him in the shoulder. Immediately Brent swept his leg kicking Nathanial in the side. Nathanial stumbled and caught Brent's fist that was aimed at his face and pushed Brent back. Brent stumbled back before he immediately slammed into Nathanial with his shoulder. Soon after Brent grabbed Nathanial by his collar, swept around him and slammed him down onto the ground. Nathanial hit the ground with such force that he bounced and Brent caught him with his biotics and threw him into a nearby building.
Nathanial stood up holding his head and charged Brent. Brent was expecting Nathanial to move so fast and caught him off guard sending Brent rolling to the ground. Brent stood up coughing and gasping. Nathanial prepared another charge when he was hit in the side by a piece of metal that was originally on a building, but Brent ripped it off threw it.
Nathanial regained his balance and slammed his hands on the ground creating a wave of biotic energy like a wave on the ocean. The sent the wave charging at Brent who ran towards it. Brent was fully enveloped in biotic energy and smashed through it. Nathanial went for his pistol that rested on his side. Before he could use it though Brent grabbed it out of his hand and crushed it into a ball as he dropped it on the ground. Nathanial charged Brent, grabbed him by the arm and struck him in the side. Brent threw Nathanial away before he could inflict further damage with his superior close quarter skills.
Soon Nathanial recovered and lifted Brent in the air but soon afterwards Brent released a pulse of biotic energy that broke that lifts hold. As Brent floated to the ground Nathanial began to run towards him and leapt towards him and punched him in the stomach. Brent fell to the ground holding his stomach. Nathanial approached him; bent down grabbed him and lifted him. "You fight pretty damn well kid but I can't kill you, so I'll just take you and kill your friends before I leave."
With those words in the air Brent's biotic energy began to change. Nathanial noticed and brought his fists towards Brent's face hoping to knock him out. But before he could Brent blasted Nathanial with a pulse of biotic energy. Nathanial was sent flying back as Brent's rose from the ground.
"You won't touch my friends. I won't let you touch my friends and I won't let you live to torment others!" Brent shouted as his eyes turned a dark blue but the biotic energy surrounding him maintained its bright blue color.
"Oh did I pinch a nerve." Nathanial said as he smiled "I doubt you can…"
But Nathanial would never finished that sentence because Brent charged Nathanial and grabbed him by the throat, launched him into the air and slammed him down into the ground collapsing the metal upon impact. Nathanial had attempted to slow himself down but Brent's biotics over powered his so Nathanial's biotics offered him no momentum change. Nathanial rolled onto his back but he wouldn't have been able to stand because the impact had shattered his legs. Brent then, still in this odd between state, jumped with his biotics and slammed onto Nathanial's chest shattering more of his bones. Brent then stood over the dying man and knelt down, grabbed Nathanial by his throat and slammed his fist into Nathanial's head causing it to collapse leaving the section of metal flooring where his head was further dented. Brent rose and turned to check on his friend.
Joseph's POV
By the time the fight ended I was recovered enough to stand, walk, and see straight. I watched as Brent made his way over to us. I watched Brent wipe the blood on his black shirt.
As soon as Brent walked over to me "Are you ok?" he asked in a concerned voice completely changing his previous attitude.
"I'm fine." I simply reply
Brent nodded his head and looked at Tali who was still in shock "Are you ok as well?"
Tali simply nodded her head. Then Brent turned his attention away from us and to the crate he emerged from.
I watched Brent for a second before I had a sudden outburst "Hey!" I shouted as I limped over to Brent "How the hell are you even walking around or fighting for that matter. You are supposed to be too injured to do anything."
Brent looked at me for a few seconds "You know… I don't know what happened" Brent said smiling
I looked at him dumbfounded "Really that all you got for me. My friend who was shot and kidnapped suddenly burst from his container and saves my ass, and all he has to say is I don't know what happened. Thanks that sums up everything!" I shout throwing my hands into the air and almost falling over due to my weakened state.
I was ready to shout some more when I heard Tali in the back shout that she found something. I guess during my outcry she searched Nathanial's body. She walked over to me with a data pad. I took the device and broke through its security locks with ease and accessed the data on it. I ran through the data, most of it was information on the crate that Brent was in. As I scrolled through I found something that answered my question of how Brent recovered so quickly. "Hey Brent I withdraw my question but I raise another. How do you feel to have had the chemicals that cause Krogan and Vorcha to regenerate injected into you?"
Brent looked at me blankly clearly that was quite a surprise. I chuckled a little as I thought of how he will react from the news of having asari DNA. "It turns out when the Brokers agents took you and placed in the crate the Red Hounds outfitted it with a chemical similar to the chemical in the Krogan. So in turn that explains why you regenerated so fast."
Brent and Tali looked shocked but Brent seemed more relieved. I scrolled through the data pad some more and found some more information regarding other subjects. I downloaded the files onto my Omni-Tool for future use, and then erased the data pad.
"I think we should get out of here and wait for Shepard to return." Brent recommended
"I think you're right" I say as we begin to walk away to find a transit.
30 minutes later and taxi ride later
We arrived at C-Sec after a long silent ride to find Anderson waiting at the docking bay.
"Anderson, sir" Brent said saluting
"Brent" Anderson said saluting "I see they found you and I also see that you've recovered."
"Yes sir and better than ever" he said smiling
"Good to hear" Anderson said removing his salute
"What are you doing here Anderson?" I asked
"I'm waiting for Shepard. *sigh* The Council is going to ground the Normandy." Anderson said leaning on the wall near the elevator
"What they can't do that!" Tali shouted clearly becoming upset.
Brent and I looked at each other knowing what was going to happen. However we didn't think it was going to happen this soon. We thought there was going to be time to do the side missions, more time to finish things like getting the information for Tali and stopping the Doctor for Garrus, things like that.
"So when is Shepard going to get here?" Tali asked
"Well the last time I checked in she was coming out of the Relay and was approaching the Citadel."
"Fuck that soon" Brent whisper, I heard him but no one else seemed to
I looked at Brent and then back at Anderson.
"I need to take care of some things real quick so I'll see you later" Brent said as he began to leave. I tried to stop him but he ignored me and soon he disappeared as he entered the elevator that led to the Presidium.
"Any word on Jesse, Anderson" I asked curious on how Jesse did on his mission to Feros.
"Well according to the report your friend blew up a Thorian creature that was controlling everyone in the colony."
"Blew it up, how did he pull that off?" I asked
"Shepard said he used an explosive device he created, he calls it J-5. Shepard said that there was little left of the Thorian after the explosion."
I busted out laughing; leave it to Jesse to create a new explosive material capable of killing something like the Thorian. He was always an explosive happy person.
"Well I'm sure that the material will come in handy one day." I say
"I'm sure it will. I'm planning on having it repurposed and produced. Based on the report Shepard gave me, this J-5 will prove useful to the Alliance. Anyway I'm going to Flux when Shepard arrives tell her to go there to meet me."
"Understood sir" I say as I saluted him.
When Anderson left, Tali soon followed leaving me in C-Sec where my mind began to wonder on the things that we will face. Soon we will face Sovereign and Saren… this will prove to be either very interesting or very disastrous. I wonder if our intervention will prove a benefit or doom this world. I don't know I guess I'll find out when it all unfolds.
That is the end of Chapter 9. Once again I'm sorry for the delay, but its spring break so I'll have more time to write.