Chapter 6

"Why can't you do it?" A smooth voice yelled, angrily reverberating through Sean's head.

Sean looked down at his hand and saw he was holding a pistol. The pistol was an ancient revolver from the 2000s. One single shot was loaded into it, an execution shot. His entire body shook as he looked forward. There strapped to a chair was a salarian. The salarian was badly beaten and gagged. Blood streamed from his nostrils and from multiple cuts on his face.

"You know what he did! He deserves it." The voice hissed in his ear. "Do it!"

Sean lifted the pistol and pointed it at the salarian. Tears began to stream down its eyes as it desperately shook, trying in vain to break loose of its bonds. Sean slowly squeezed the trigger. He then quickly turned the pistol and fired the shot into the wall behind the salarian. The salarian stared at him in shock. It breathed a sigh of relief. Two loud bangs sounded immediately afterward. The salarian toppled to the floor, green blood gushing from the holes in its head. The eyes of the salarian stared up into Sean's as the life drained from it as quickly as the pool of blood expanded around it's head. Sean trembled in horror.

"Pathetic." A man said, his voice icy. He yanked the empty revolver from Sean's hand and returned it to a secure metal case. The man had short brown hair and an average stature. Nothing was distinct about his features. But something about him made Sean cringe. He couldn't help but shiver whenever the man spoke.

"I told you he couldn't do it!" another voice said angrily.

"I have faith in him. Give him some time." The smooth voice said.

"Take him back to the furnaces." The brown-haired man commanded

Sean was lifted and drug off to into darkness.

Sean bolted up from his bed, sweating profusely. He paused for a moment, trying to contemplate what he had just dreamt. It seemed so different, like a dream, but creepily vivid. He shook away the dream and turned to the clock. It was early in the morning, too early to be up. Sean sat up and rubbed his eyes into focus. He mustered up the energy and walked to his computer. One new message appeared, from Kate. Sean smiled and opened it. It read:

Great to hear back from you. I would like to talk to you sometime in the next weeks. Please keep me up to date if you're on the Citadel.

Kate

Sean sighed as memories flooded back to him, ones he had tried to keep pushed down for so long. He wiped away a tear forming in his eye and stood up. He quickly pulled on shorts, a tee shirt, and a jacket. He pulled out a small slip of paper and jotted down a note about the meeting. Slipping it into his jacket pocket, he made his way out. He opened the door and meandered through the engineering deck. He was surprised how quiet the ship was. He walked into the core of the ship and rested his arms over the rails, staring into the fluctuating core. For some reason it's quite humming and arching energy seemed to calm his mind. He breathed out slowly, letting all his worry leave him.

"I didn't expect to see you up so late." Tali said, causing Sean to jump. "Oh I'm sorry." She quickly said.

"Don't be. You just caught me off guard that's all." Sean said embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So what are you doing up so late?" Sean asked turning to Tali.

"I'm always up late working on the engines." Tali said walking to the side of Sean. She rested her hands on the bar and turned towards him. "What are you up to?"

Sighing Sean said, "I couldn't sleep. I guess I'm just new to the whole spaceship thing."

"Yea I was like that once. But where I came from silence was a bad sign. It usually meant something went wrong. But now I kind of enjoy the silence."

"I see what you mean, I mean it is quite peaceful."

There was a long silence. Tali finally said, "I think I need to clean the engines."

Awkwardly clearing his throat Sean added, "Yea, sorry about dragging you away."

"Don't worry. It was nice." Tali said smiling under her mask.

"Thanks." Sean said smiling. He pushed himself up and walked into the elevator, taking it up to the Crew Quarters level. Sean leaned back against the cold, steely wall and sighed. He was homesick. Well about as homesick a vigilante can be. It was hard leaving his past. He tried to hide it with his carefree exterior, but deep down it hurt him more than he'd care to admit. He nervously popped his knuckles and stepped out of the elevator. He scanned the empty hall and took a seat at one of the empty tables, resting his head in his hands. He heard a swoosh from the forward gun door opening and turned to see who it was. Sean smiled to himself. He knew the only person inside the forward guns was Garrus. Obviously the commander had enough feelings for him to talk to him this late. Shepard stepped out and blushed when she saw Sean.

"Maim." He said, giving a curt nod.

"What are you doing up so late?" She asked walking over to him.

"Couldn't sleep. Apparently no one does here." Sean said smiling. "So what have you been up to?"

"Not much. How have you been, you know, adjusting to the ship?" Shepard asked, leaning on the table.

"I'd be lying if I said well." Sean said. "It's just so different, you know? But don't worry it won't affect me."

"That's good to hear."

"So, where are we headed? If you don't mind me asking."

"Right now, nowhere. I'm waiting to hear from my employer. Why do you ask?" Shepard asked, redirecting the question.

"Oh nothing." Sean said claming up.

"Come on." Shepard pried.

"Just some personal business. I mean if it can fit to your schedule." Sean said cautiously.

"I try to keep my entire crew happy. Where is it?" Shepard said smiling.

"Well, um… The Citadel." Sean stammered out.

"I'll look into it." Shepard cheerfully replied. "Until then, get some rest. You look like you need it."

"Alright thanks Commander." Sean said standing up.

Sean slowly made his way back down to engineering. He peaked in and saw Tali asleep at her consol. He smiled to himself as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her, as a gesture of good faith. Tali shifted and pulled the jacket closer to her chin. Sean couldn't help but laugh quietly. He didn't know, there was something about Tali; something that made him act different. He liked the feeling, something about Tali reminded Sean of Kate. He guessed it was his way of coping.

You miss her. His mind stated.

Yea I do a lot. Sean replied

Do you really think Tali will help right now?

Truthfully I don't know. Something about her makes me feel different, like Kate.

You're the boss. You just need to know that she may not be into you as much as you are in her

You're right.

Of course I'm right! I'm your mind!

Sean smiled as he exited the core room and made his way back to his room. The doors slowly opened and the lights dimmed. He walked to his room, jumping onto his computer and quickly typed out a reply to Kate. After he was finished he made his way back to his cot, lay down and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note: Just threw some new characteristics into Sean. Let me know what you think about it.

Well here's the second-to-last of the daily updates. Hope you're enjoying it as much as I am writing it!