Chapter 9: Bad hair day
It is unsettling enough, waking up in unfamiliar surroundings. For Jack, waking up in accommodations that are miles and miles ahead in comfort than what she was usually accustomed to, it was nearly frightening. If not for Mordin's voice coming from the next room, still working on his opening speech, Jack would have been hysterical. As it was, it only took her a minute to settle down and remind herself that she was in Anderson's apartment. The bed was grand and comfortable, the sheets, made of silk, caressed her body, as she moved under them, with an alluring softness. She wasn't one for luxuries, though. Jack was fast bored with it and jumped out, only to stumble on the bottle of ryncol she had left next to the bed the previous night.
What the hell, she told herself and brought it up, taking one long gulp after the other, until she could leave the bottle down empty. She hiccuped a couple of times and the buzz didn't take too long to hit her. It wouldn't last long, sadly, she realized. Her advanced metabolism would filter it out, clearing her head and sending her straight to hangover. She decided to look for that visor she had bought. She'd have to go out again and play detective, if Garrus ...
Speak of the devil, she murmured as her omni-tool seemed to pick up a transmission. She turned it on.
Jack, we have another body. I'm on my way with Samara. C-Sec hasn't made the scene yet. Meet us there, OK? the voice from the omni-tool seemed intent on splitting her head open.
Yah, I'll ... I'll bee thur, she slurred a response.
Are you ill? Garrus asked, concerned, after a small, yet overdrawn pause.
Shuddup, Garr's! You're un t'talk, she continued her nonsensical blabbering.
Whatever, Jack. I'm sending you the coordinates, the turian turned the communicator off.
The biotic's hand searched around for the visor. The buzz wouldn't last much longer, but it sure felt good while it did.
The door to the apartment opened and both Garrus and Samara were surprised to see Jack walking in. She looked pale and worn and had her visor on, despite the low lighting in the room. So what's this big thing you got me out of bed for? she mocked.
Garrus pointed out with his hand to the bedroom. Why don't you take a look?
She went towards the direction the turian had pointed her to. Into the room, she could see a human woman, her arms and legs cut down to ribbons, her face disfigured, her chest mutilated, her abdomen cut open, the intestine smeared all over the bed, even her genitals were carved open for everyone to see, from the ovaries to the fallopian, all the way to the uterus. Jack wasn't prepared for such a gruesome sight. She felt shock for approximately 3 seconds, before turning immediately to nausea. She hurriedly looked around for the bathroom and dove in as soon as she spotted it. In the room next door, Garrus and Samara could hear her coughing and hacking erratically.
She didn't sound that good when I talked to her earlier. She might be coming down with a human flu, the marksman conveyed his assumption to Samara.
I'm not sure. Shepard had been spending an increasing amount of time in her company. I've heard that human females tend to get sick during the first three months of pregnancy, the asari relayed her estimated guess to the turian.
Jack's pregnant? Garrus shouted, nearly panicked. The flush could be heard from Jack's direction.
I'm not pregnant, she shouted, before coming out to join the other two. Hell, we haven't even had sex yet, she concluded, more a complaint on her part, rather than a statement. Yeah, yeah, I know, hard to believe right? Fuck you, she preemptively bashed on them both.
Right, Garrus retorted after a moment of hesitation. So, on to our findings. Samara? he passed.
The asari nodded her head and started. The human woman was an acolyte of Sha'ira. No political contacts, no known links to the turian diplomat that was found dead yesterday. Same method of operation, although it lacks the carving of Shepard's name onto the victims chest. As per the email, 'Billy' only clarified carving the name on his first victim. One of us should approach the consort and see if our two victims had come into contact regularly.
I'll do it, Garrus offered. I promised to visit Tali once I got the chance and she's on my way.
I think it'd be best, if I did, Samara interjected.
Are you sure? the turian double checked.
I am acquainted with the consort, she clarified. It would be more prudent, if I was the one to approach her.
Very well, Garrus conceded. Jack, is the bathroom clean? We can't leave any evidence of being here behind.
I flushed, OK? she barked at him.
Then let's get out of here before C-Sec finds us and pins the murder on us, as well as Shepard, the marksman pointed out.
As the group was about to leave, Samara raised her hand in front of Jack, halting her. You are not going to attack me this time?
Jack knocked her hand out of the way. You wish, battletits.