AN: Sorry for the wait. Both of us have found our lives turned upside down lately, so please forgive our 'delayed reactions'. :P Anyway, thanks for reading, enjoy the story, and tell us what you think! ~ HE & GR
Distant voices swirled together, becoming more like an annoying drone, a buzz that made it painful for my ears to listen. But amongst the mass of voices there was one that was familiar, that stood out from the sea of noise…The Illusive Man.
When I realized it was him, my muscles tensed and I tried to move, but I found that I was held down by cool metal restraints. Rage and hatred burned through my veins as I struggled against the metal that held me. For awhile I tried to free myself, but when my muscles started to protest, I gave up. Screaming in frustration I let my body go still. The air was thick, and for some reason it seemed like my lungs had to work twice as hard to get in minimal amount of oxygen I needed.
"I see you're awake Shepard," came the Illusive Man's voice, penetrating the veil of noise. I opened my eyes only to be greeted by intense pain and blinding light. Hissing, I squeezed my eyes shut, earning a chuckle from the sadistic man.
After a few moments I opened my eyes again; this time it only felt like someone shot a grenade launcher in my skull, and the intensity of the light was low. I could see shapes, blurry fuzzy blobs of shadows that seem to spin with the noise, but nothing that could help me.
"Where am I?" I demanded after finding my voice. Even my own voice brought me pain because my throat was so dry and sore that it felt like the vibration was cutting my throat with each word I formed.
"You're in no position to start demanding things, Shepard," The Illusive Man said from somewhere close by.
"What do you want from me, Illusive Man?" I asked after I took a few breaths, each like a knife as my lungs sucked the air in.
"What do I want?" He laughed maliciously. He got closer to me, for I could smell the smoke from his cigarette and feel it tickle my skin, and he spoke. "I want my money back!"
"What?" I snarled, thrashing about under my restraints again. He laughed and stepped away from where I lay.
"That's right Shepard I'm getting my money back,"
"But why?" I sneered, trying to force some of the pain into my words.
"Because you turned your back on me Shepard," he explained; there was enough venom in his voice to kill an army of elephants. "And you should know never to turn your back to someone who can kill you!"
"But-" Before I could finish I felt a needle force its way into my skin. In the next moment I felt a searing hot liquid catch the blood in my veins on fire. In a matter of seconds, before I could fully comprehend what was happening, my entire body felt like it was being engulfed by the scorching white flames of a fiery beast. My body tensed. I tried viciously to free myself from the restraints; each movement was more painful than the last.
The blurry shadows began to spin together, growing larger and larger spreading across my vision. Explosions of reds and yellows mixed with the spreading darkness. Inside my skull it felt like a mass of missile launchers were going off, sending wave after wave of pain through my body. Finally unable to take it my body seized up and an ear piecing scream ripped from my chest.
Then the violence began to fade, the noise, the heat, and the pain, everything. Just beyond it all, the alluring darkness was calling for me, begging me to come. Not wanting to feel the pain any longer I fell into it, and it wrapped its cold numbing arms around me as the world completely faded away.
"Oh, it's about freakin' time!" Jack grumbled loudly as Admiral Anderson finally made his appearance.
"About time, yes. Interminable wait." Mordin's large eyes blinked rapidly in anger until his omni-tool beeped, immediately capturing his attention. Miranda sighed and rolled her eyes. Grunt grunted his amusement at the little Salarian.
"I'm sorry for the delay," Anderson said, his face tired and worn. "The... negotiations took longer than expected."
"Yes, yes," Samara interrupted, motioning for him to get on with it. "But what did the Council say?"
The Admiral sighed. "The Alliance has agreed to help. We will provide you with one operative to help in your search for Shepard —." Anderson paused and held up his hands as everyone in the Normandy's conference room began shouting.
"One!" Jacob slammed his fist on Anderson's desk. "We need a whole army to go after her!"
"This is absurd!" Miranda interrupted, her face lined with anger. "Shepard is more valuable than just one agent! Considering everything she's done, she deserves to have the entire Alliance looking for her!"
Grunt roared and Thane hissed, stepping closer to Anderson. "You can do far more for her, Admiral. You should do far more."
For once Jack was silent.
Tali and Garus stood stunned, staring at Anderson as if he were a traitor. Finally Garus spoke. "How could you only get one?" he snarled, rage boiling in his eyes. "We need more!"
"I am with Garus," Tali said, her voice quiet. "It seems as if you have betrayed us, Admiral."
"No! That's enough!" Anderson roared; everyone in the room fell silent, startled. "I have not betrayed you, Tali, or Shepard. If you would let me finish, I think your opinion would change." Reluctantly, everyone nodded, so he continued. "I have called someone in who is especially qualified for this... job." He touched a button on his desk and the door slid open.
"Kaidan," Tali breathed. She ran forward and locked her friend in a hug; he laughed softly until she shoved him roughly away. "What took you so long?"
"I—," he started, but Garus grabbed him away and shook him angrily.
"Where have you been, Alenko?" The Turian's expression softened and he laughed when he saw Kaidan's dazed look. "Sorry." He stepped back to let Kaidan get his bearings. "Well?"
"The reason I didn't join you, didn't come with you was that I honestly thought that you all were working for Cerberus. I thought that Shepard had betrayed what we had stood for." He choked up at that, struggling for his composure. Abruptly he took a deep breath and shook his head. "I am sorry I didn't believe you." He met the eyes of everyone in the room. "But I am here now, and I want to help. I need to make up for my mistake." With only his eyes betraying any emotion, he straightened to attention, awaiting the group's response.
"Shepard Commander would approve." Everyone started slightly at Legion's assertion; it was unusual for the Geth to speak around outsiders. "We welcome you, Alenko Captain." Kaidan hid his surprise well, merely inclining his head to Legion in thanks.
"I agree with Legion." Tali was clearly reluctant to side with her Geth comrade, but her voice was firm. "Kaidan is worth an army in any situation. He should be here for this."
"Well, Pretty Boy," Jack said sarcastically, coming over to slap him on the shoulder; Kaidan smiled wryly at the nickname. "It looks like your part of the team now! Everybody good with Pretty Boy tagging along?" She draped her arm over him and turned them both to look at the others. Miranda and Jacob traded glances, then nodded their approval.
Grunt grunted. Jack raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm going to take that as a 'yes'."
"I think that Captain Alenko would be an excellent addition to our team," Thane said in his quiet proper manner. "It would be an honor to serve with someone such as you, Captain."
"Thank you," Kaidan managed to choke out, clearly taken aback at the praise.
"In agreement with Thane. Excellent addition. Welcome." Mordin nodded briefly at Kaidan, then went back to studying his omni-tool; Anderson chuckled softly at the Salarian's distraction.
Samara inclined her head as well. "It would be a pleasure."
"It looks like you got the job, Pretty Boy!" Jack said, slapping him on the back this time. "There is just one thing you need to know." She was suddenly serious, her dark eyes meeting his. "You betrayed us once. Just because we say that you can help does not mean we accept you in all things. You are still a traitor, and we will be watching you. Very carefully." The last words were low and menacing; they sent chills up and down Kaidan's spine.
"What Jack means is that you have to earn our trust." Jacob added as Jack whirled and abruptly left the room. Mordin wandered absently after her, clearly lost in his data and thinking the meeting was over because of her departure. The door hissed shut behind them and Kaidan turned his eyes to Jacob. "I will earn your trust, or I will die trying."
"I hate to interrupt, but there is one more thing you should know." Everyone looked at Anderson. "The Alliance has agreed to help and provide assistance in the form of Captain Alenko, only if the following conditions are met." The Admiral locked eyes with every person in the room. "In exchange for our help, we require that Officers Miranda and Jacob be taken into custody for the duration of the mission. The convict Jack is to be turned over as well."
"You can't be serious?" Miranda blurted.
"Unfortunately, I am," Anderson replied, talking over everyone's objections. "The Council and the Alliance are in agreement on this. You both worked for Cerberus, and though I believe you can be trusted, no one else does. Because your allegiance is not clear to them, this is their solution." He sighed. "I am truly sorry, but those are the conditions. If they are met, Captain Alenko will be permitted to assist you. You will also have free reign of the Citadel; anywhere your search takes you, you will be able to go." His eyes were apologetic as he turned to go. "The Council and the Alliance expect your answer within 12 hours." The room was silent as he left.
"I'll do it." Jacob said, nodding at the others. "Just find Shepard."
Miranda sighed. "I will go as well. If it means we get the help we need to find Shepard, I will go." Tali squeezed Miranda's shoulder gently.
"What about Jack?" asked Thane, his large eyes blinking slowly. "It is not likely that she will go willingly. Without her consent, this plan could fail." Grunt growled in agreement.
"Damn straight, Scaly," Jack said, suddenly reappearing through the door. "But, because Shepard's life depends on having help from those bastards, I will go." Everyone stared at her. "What? I'm not all bad." She paused and considered that. "Well, not all the time."
"I think we're ready then." The group shifted slightly, stood proudly, almost at attention when Kaidan spoke softly, determined. "Admiral?"
Anderson nodded and tapped another button on his desk. A group of human security officers came in and flanked Miranda, Jacob, and Jack. The readiness and pride that had been so tangible a moment ago vanished as the three were bound and led to the door.
"Wait," Kaidan ordered. The guards stopped as he came forward. "Thank you," he said quietly to the tree prisoners. "I have no words to say what I want to say, but thank you." He took a deep breath as his voice choked with emotion. "I will find her and I will come back for you." Kaidain looked them each in the eye. "I promise."
Jacob nodded, Miranda bowed her head to him, and Jack snorted. "Pretty Boy, not even I would come back for me!"
Everyone jumped as Grunt's roaring laughter shook the room, and Jack actually smiled as they were led away.
"Well," Anderson sighed as the door hissed shut behind the prisoners. "I guess that is that." He straightened his uniform and turned to the others. "Captain Alenko, ready your team. You have a go."
Kaidan straightened and saluted, his gaze steely and determined. "Yes sir."