Edited on 17 MAY 2015
All the love for my beta Sindrandi.
A bridge of silver wings stretches from the dead ashes of an unforgiving nightmare,
to the jeweled vision of a life started anew.
Aberjhani
Garrus set down the data pad he was using to look at the cannon schematics and shifted his eyes toward Shepard. Her face was slightly gaunt and the bags under her eyes highlighted her face's thin features.
His sub-vocals keened softly with worry.
Garrus knew that the mission was hanging heavily on Shepard's shoulders, but there was more to it. She hadn't been the same ever since Cerberus brought her back. Her personality and work ethic were all intact, sure, but her vitality was missing. The certain quirk of her lips and spark in her eyes didn't show on her face, and that bothered Garrus more than he'd like to admit.
Shepard was never particularly easy to read. Granted, he was shit at reading human expressions in the first place, but, he at least knew to expect a sly remark when her lips curled in at one corner and the points of her blunt teeth showed, or to be prepared when the sparks in her eyes shone with mischief. Without those cues, he didn't know what to expect, and it made him nervous.
Garrus jumped slightly when Shepard opened her mouth to speak, oblivious to his inspecting gaze.
"Sorry to interrupt your endless calibrating, but I've just received a new dossier from the Illusive Man." He knew she was trying for teasing, but it came out flat.
Vivian handed over her data pad to Garrus. He was shocked to see the name that reflected from the screen.
"The Warden?"
"So, you do know her?" Shepard asked, taking the data pad from him.
"I wouldn't really say that I know her per say... But I have met her on multiple occasions. She's Aria's right hand. Though from what I've seen, they're practically polar opposites."
Crossing her arms, Shepard leaned against a stack of weapon cargo crates, "Well, can't say that isn't relieving."
"Tell me about it. That asari is a piece of work." He scoffed as he leaned against his workbench.
"Why is she called the Warden?"
"Ah. That's the name the people gave her. Kind of how the people gave me the name of Archangel." He rubbed his neck bashfully, "She was named the Warden because she policed the streets by keeping the merc groups away from the civilians."
"I see. But I thought you said she was Aria's right hand. I don't imagine Aria being okay that."
"I don't think Aria really gave a damn. As long as it didn't interfere with what the gangs were doing for her. But I do know that even though they seemed separate in that regard, several hot rods that were stupid enough to piss Aria off found out quick enough that they are indeed a partnership."
"So they're business partners?"
Garrus nodded, "More or less. You know how Aria likes to say that she rules Omega with an iron fist? Well, the Warden is her Iron Fist. And the people know her as such."
"I see." Vivian straightened up, stretched her back and rubbed her eyes.
Garrus keened again. He could practically feel the exhaustion weighing on her.
"I'm going to have Joker set a course to Omega. Make sure you get some rest. I want you on the ground team with me," she said.
Garrus couldn't help to be a little startled. He hadn't thought he'd be going back to that place so soon.
Shepard didn't miss his reaction though. She turned back towards and sighed.
"Look Garrus, you don't have to if you don't want to. I understand there are a lot of ghosts down there that you may not want to deal with right now, and I won't forc-"
He held up a talon to stop her, "No, Commander. It's okay. I'm here for whatever and whenever you need me."
She looked stunned, but quickly she regained her composure and blessed him with a genuine smile.
It was amazing how her smile could light up a whole room. Garrus smiled back with a flutter of his mandibles.
"I appreciate it, Garrus. I'm glad to have you back."
With that she headed to the cockpit, leaving a grinning turian in her wake.
Vivian was used to the sideways glances she always caught walking into Aria's domain. The club was packed as usual and the bass was so strong it felt like it could almost knock her heart off its rhythm. Afterlife was a dark, yet high energy place. Every inch of it was crawling with bodies.
She made her way up the stairs leading to Aria's throne with Garrus and Miranda trailing behind her. The guards waved them through, obviously not concerned with their presence.
Aria didn't as much as look at them when they stepped in front of her. She jerked her head to her right. Her eyes never left her data pad. Only after Vivian sat down did she turn her attention to her and ask a short, "What do you want?"
"I'm here to pick up the Warden as a new recruit for my team," Shepard stated simply.
Aria laughed, but didn't sound amused at all. "I didn't know you had a side job in comedy."
Vivian stared unblinking, "I don't."
Aria's voice turned even colder. "Don't fuck with me, Shepard. How you thought that you could waltz in here and even consider taking the Warden from Omega is beyond me." She stood up and tossed her data pad on the leather couch, "She will not be joining you on your suicide mission."
"Actually, that's not for you to decide, Aria."
Vivian followed Aria's incredulous glare to the staircase where a slender feminine form was heading towards them.
At first Vivian thought it was a turian female, but the closer she came, the more she realized The Warden was no Council species. The woman had the sharp spurred hips of a turian but the strong, defined legs of a quarian. Her skin shone like moonlight in the dark club and her lilac irises sparked like fire.
The woman was like nothing she had ever seen before.
"You must be Commander Shepard. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
The Warden's words rolled off her tongue like water. Each syllable was clearly enunciated. Her accent was echoed by very soft sub vocals. Vivian couldn't help but be struck by the authority in her voice.
Vivian stepped forward and firmly shook her hand, "Likewise. So you're the Warden then?"
"Yes. Please, call me Eden," she said as she pushed back a tendril of thick black hair behind her pointed ear.
"Okay. Last name?"
"On my most recent records I have gone by Eden Gentry."
"That'll work."
"Is someone going to explain to me what the hell is going on?" Aria interrupted roughly.
"Aria, please," Eden chided with a frown.
"Don't please me. When were you going to tell me this?"
"I am not a child. I do not answer to you."
Aria frowned deeply before giving Eden her back.
Vivian had to keep her chin from hitting the floor. Aria was way too paranoid to turn her back on anyone.
"I thought I would have earned more respect from you after all these years…"
Sighing, Eden stepped towards the fuming asari. "Peace, Aria. I did not tell you because I knew this would be your reaction. Come, my friend. You know Shepard's mission is of great importance."
She took another step forward and placed her hand on Aria's shoulder, "I need to do this."
Vivian was shocked when Aria's face softened, only slightly, and she gave a defeated sigh.
"Have it your way. Go die for glory. See if I care," Aria murmured before seating herself back on the couch.
"Thank you. Now, Shepard." Shepard's attention was brought back to Eden. "I am sure you have questions for me. I know that my public record is not extremely descriptive."
Vivian nodded, "Yeah, jack shit is more like it. But, the dossier did mention that you offered to do this mission gratis. Whatever your reason for that may be, I'll need to know your qualifications."
Eden chuckled as Aria grumbled over her 'not even getting any fucking cash out of this'.
"Yes. Well, I have been a soldier all my life." Eden stated.
"With what military? Human, quarian, turian?" Shepard asked.
"I spent quite a time with the turian military but that is not where I began, no."
Vivian frowned slightly, "What does that mean exactly?"
"I will be blunt with you, Commander Shepard, so we can save the confusion and speculation for later on. Whether or not you believe what I say is completely up to you."
Eden smiled slightly, "I am old, older than most can fathom. I have learned many things through my years and have experienced much.
I do not play at being mysterious, it is simply too long of a story to tell.
All you must know, Shepard, is that I am a soldier who will follow your orders. I will be your weapon made of flesh, and I will do everything in my power to help you light the impending darkness."
Vivian found herself stunned. All she could do was continue to gaze into the sharp face of the woman, searching for the years that she claimed to have seen.
Eden tilted her head slightly, "Is this acceptable, Commander?"
Aria spoke up, and her voice was quiet and very serious. "Shepard, Eden is the best goddamn soldier I have ever seen." She looked into her eyes, "Years ago, it was her that helped me take this station and turn it into a kingdom. You should consider yourself lucky to have her on your team."
Eden gave a small smile of gratitude to her old partner before Shepard answered.
"Yes. It's acceptable. Welcome to the team, Eden."
With that, they sealed the deal with a firm handshake, Shepard gave Eden their docking bay number, and left her so she could pack up her things.
As they headed back to the Normandy, Shepard found herself in a chipper mood as she started planning their next recruit pick up with Miranda.
This Warden was going to make things interesting.