Chapter 12: Best hope
Councilor Anderson's apartment wasn't usually a lively place. Mordin, however, had managed to turn it up quite a bit as he went on and on, over and over, again and again the speeches he had prepared for Shepard's defense. Trying to come across every logical scenario, every counter argument and running through the list of evidence that Tali had managed to procure for him, finding a way to disprove every reasonable doubt of Shepard being involved in any way with the murderer. It was also rather fortunate that salarians never slept. His voice worked as a lullaby for the rest of the crew that resided with him, the familiarity of his voice creating the illusion that they were all still in the Normandy.
Amongst them, nobody would be more lively than Jack, the most powerful and promising biotic humanity had ever produced. However, she wasn't feeling up to her usual violent, unpredictable self. She felt helpless and trapped. There wasn't much she could offer to this group of investigators, hunters and scientists. Her best quality was hitting something as hard as possible and if that route failed, hitting it again, harder. There was, however, that one tiny detail that she was the only one that could identify the killer, but that brought her little solace. Coming across a specific someone on the citadel was as easy as finding a needle in a haystack.
Former C-sec and specter candidate, Garrus Vakarian was pacing up and down. He was upset with Samara's lack of information from her trip to Sha'ira's and the cryptic messages she answered his questions with, were anything but helpful. He sized her up one more time as he paced around the room, then shook his head. When his omni-tool lit up, as his hands were crossed behind his back, it came to him as a surprise. As he brought it up, he saw that he had an incoming transmission from the least likely individual, or, better yet, collective. Legion? he spoke into his omni-tool.
Garrus Vakarian? the robotic voice chimed.
Yes, I hear you, Legion. This is unexpected. What have you got for us? he inquired.
We have been going through news feeds for most of this day cycle. After the consort's apprentice was found dead, a former STG member gave public statements over a number of networks. Seems that he was involved with the deceased. If the victims are related, then we have reached the consensus that he is the next probable target, the Geth explained.
That's some detective work. Try to find if there's anything linking the three of them directly. Transmit the salarian's ID and current location to me. We'll try to set up someplace close and wait for Billy there, while you verify the connection, the turian appraised the situation. We should ask Mordin if he has more information on this guy.
We already have, Legion interrupted. His consensus was 'huge cloaca'.
Right, Garrus remarked after an overdrawn period of silence. Well, so much for that. Everything else, though ... thanks, Legion.
The Geth dropped the comm line, leaving the three investigators to think their plan through. So what's the conse-I mean, what's the plan? Jack was first to respond.
We set up on a vantage point, clear surveillance of the area. Not too obvious. Then, we should lay in wait, until we spot anything suspicious, Samara took the initiative. We should inform the salarian that his life is in danger.
That's a negative. If he acts anything out of the ordinary, Billy might grow suspicious and not pay him a visit at all. We don't want to tip him off. We just have to make sure we stop him, before he has a chance to hurt the victim, Garrus repudiated her.
Shit, bird. I think you got some Shepard on you, Jack remarked, obviously impressed with his determination.
The Presidium was a place of happening for anything of galactic importance. For that reason, it was always lit bright as day. Sha'ira's chambers were stationed there, as well as the embassies and, more importantly so, Citadel tower, a place where the council members would come together and confer on anything worthy of their attention. If anything criminal happened in Presidium, it was mostly white collar. It was as if the light itself held the darker sides of human and alien nature alike, away from this place.
In lower Kithoi, though, it was dark as night could get. Three lonely figures stood atop a roof, overseeing the ground bellow. They were silent and unmoving. It was difficult for Jack to contain herself like that. She wanted to pace about, but she was told not to, then she tried wasting some time with her omni-tool, but she was told that its glow would attract attention. She was sick and tired of this stakeout and it was becoming increasingly more apparent to her that the little toaster that could, had just fucked up.
Look, over there, Samara spotted something on the opposite roof, but didn't move from her prone position. She simply guided Garrus' already set up sniper to her point of interest.
I see it, but I can't tell what it is. It's too damn dark, the marksman pointed out.
So how can we tell if it's Billy or not? Jack asked.
If it's someone, it could be anyone. It could be, he paused, thinking it over. It could be maintenance.
Your voice lacks conviction, Samara assessed.
I can't just shoot him, not when I'm this blind, he shook his head. I have to be certain.
How are you gonna do that? the human biotic wondered.
I need a distraction. If it's nothing, then it won't move. If it's just some guy, then he will be surprised and try to see where it came from. If it's Billy ... he will go for cover immediately, the marksman explained again.
Won't Billy's hiding behind cover defeat the purpose of our stakeout? again, Samara pointed out.
That's why you girls are here. As soon as the distraction's made, he will know we found him. I will wait for him to show up behind the cover. He'll have to, sooner or later, but he may have an escape route. Nobody saw how he got up there. You'll have to find him, in case I don't, he elaborated.
We're wasting time, Jack said, standing up. So here's your fucking distraction, she shouted as she released a biotic blast towards the dark figure on the roof across. She didn't hit it, it wasn't her purpose, but it seemed to know, as soon as the blue light started heading its way, that it had been discovered.
Shit, Garrus shouted as he saw the figure dive behind a large dark block before he could draw a beat on it. He's fast. Go after him. Now! The two biotics required no prodding. Jack was the first to start her run of the roof, jumping as hard as she could, blue lightning flickering around her. She slammed against the ledge and barely managed to grab a hold. Meanwhile, Samara seemed to make it across, levitating through air nearly effortlessly.
Bitch, Jack remarked and dropped on a terrace, on the floor below. Samara, on the roof above searched behind Billy's cover, only to find an open hatch.
He's gone, she informed the group. Jack, he should be on your level.
I'm on it, she barked and dove into the apartment, shattering the glass doors as she went. A couple that had been watching her since she dropped on their patio, were terrified as she breezed past them and out the door. She looked around for anything, but the only clue she got was a noise coming from an elevator shaft. He's going down and moving too fast. Anyone at the entrance? Jack asked, her concern evident.
I'm almost out, Garrus' voice rang in her ear.
I'll be there in 5 seconds, Samara replied. The asari ran towards the side of the building and jumped off. After a few seconds in free fall and nearly ready to smack against the sidewalk, her body was covered in a biotic barrier that slowed her fall, allowing her to land safely and effortlessly on the ground. She saw Garrus run out of the opposite building, his sniper rifle tucked around his back, as she reached the entrance. She looked around, but found no trace of anyone else.
Did you see him? Is he out yet? the turian asked. Samara was about to shake her head when a loud explosion sent her and Garrus flying. It took her far more than a second to get back on her feet and the first thing she saw, was Jack hauling her up.
Come on, we're losing him, she prompted. The asari wobbled about for a few seconds more as the human seemed to run off in the distance, then rushed to follow her, her marksman companion already a couple of feet ahead of her.
Who the hell, is this guy? Garrus wondered, barely making out Jack's figure in the distance.
I don't know. All I made out were his chicken legs, Jack remarked.
Chicken legs? the turian inquired.
Yeah. You know, like yours, the human explained.
Billy's a turian? he stopped dead in his tracks for a second and that was all that Samara needed to overtake him. They followed Zero into a dark alley, but came to a dead end.
Where did he go? Samara asked.
He climbed up that fire escape ladder faster than I could blink, then went over the wall, Jack guided them over Billy's course with her finger.
We need a short cut, Garrus remarked.
One short cut, coming up, Jack cheered, her entire body flashing blue, then slamming her fist against the wall in front of her. Her power, when coming up full force, was something to be reckoned with. In the past, she had used her power to tear apart anything ranging from Ymir mechs, to bulkheads. The wall was relatively small time in comparison. As it crumbled around them, she rushed right through the dust and debris, continuing the pursuit, but blindly this time. I can't see shit! Where the hell is he?
Up there, came Samara's voice from behind her.
Billy seemed to jump from wall to wall and stick to it with incredible accuracy and precision, not to mention agility. It reminded Garrus of the Geth he had come across before, the ones he had first encountered just after he had joined the Normandy, when he and Shepard had tried to rescue Liara T'Soni from them, but also a krogan warlord. He shook his head. You're just trying to deny the fact he's one monster of a turian, he told himself. How the hell can he do that? he thought out loud.
He can't climb it, if I tear it down, Jack pointed out, ready to have a go at the building itself.
I can't let you do that, Samara stepped in.
Out of my way, battletits. I'm doing this for Shepard and so are you, she tried to shove the asari from her path, but she stood still.
Not like this, the alien tried to dissuade her. The sniper rifle already in his hand, Garrus fired a shot at Billy. The figure seemed to stop for a moment, the force of impact evident from its reaction. The figure wobbled, but stood atop the ledge it nestled in, then seemed to move inside.
What is this guy made of? he asked, more to himself rather than actually expect an answer. He's inside, let's go, he prompted them both. I'm betting he can't go far after that. He ran to the front entrance, Samara on his tail. Jack decided it would be best to just fuck it all and make a new entrance. Head to the roof. It's the only other exit, Garrus ordered the justicar.
What will you do? she asked.
I'll try to get to Billy, before Jack does.
Jack was the first to reach the apartment Billy had crawled into. She readied her shotgun and walked to the door. It opened as she came close, the room behind it completely dark. Billy was careful. Never stepping out in plain sight, always keeping himself partially concealed. In spite of being the only one to catch his trail, Jack had not been able to ascertain his identity, never catching a glimpse past the shape of his legs. She thought she could see something now, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
I see you, she warned the shifting shadow. Don't you fucking move or I'll blow you back to purgatory. She saw the shape move and fired a warning shot. To her surprise, she saw the very air around her ignite, a gust of fire wind ready to consume her. Not even enough time to raise a barrier to cover herself and little more than her civilian clothing to protect her, she braced for a horrible end. That is, until something seemed to smack into her, sending her flying through the apartment next door and slamming her forcibly onto the ground. Fire tongues seemed to go in and lash at the ceiling for a few seconds, before dying out.
Stop and smell the fumes, next time, Garrus reminded her. At first, thinking it was just a euphemism for the turian being nasty, Jack grimaced in disgust at him. Samara, he beckoned.
I'm on the roof, she replied.
Tell me you have a visual on something. Anything, he pleaded.
I ... I ... she stammered.
Come on, Garrus said, as he rolled off Jack and rested on his back, catching his breath for a minute. Come on, he pleaded again, but this time not saying it out loud.
I have nothing. He may still be in the building, Samara hoped.
No, he answered her, rolling his head. This explosion was too good a cover for him to not make an escape. If he's half as good as I think he is, we lost him.
We can't lose him, Jack snapped, picking herself up. Her head was ringing, her legs were wobbling and it hurt just to breath.
It's over, he stopped her, grabbing her by the arm.
It's not over 'till I say it's over, now move, she ordered him. She tried to shake his hand off, but he held strong.
Jack, he said softly as she kept struggling. Jack, he said again, this time louder, more commanding. We lost him. Let it go.
She gave one last jerk of her hand and the turian just let go. She walked away, flushing red with anger. Garrus had no more fight left in him for the day. He had been nearly blown twice in the past hour, had to run through half of lower Kithoi and keep in check the galaxy's most unstable biotic. The universe could go to hell for the next half hour, he was just gonna lay there and rest. Their best hope so far, had proved fruitless.