A/N
Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I've been very busy lately and received some rather bad personal news so I haven't had much time to write.
Shepard splashed himself with cold water from the tap in his bathroom. Scrubbing his face with his fingers to wash away the droplets of blood.
Grabbing a towel from the hand rail he wiped his face before looking at himself in the mirror. He leaned with his hands against the metal sink, watching as the blood swirled in the murky water. He studied his reflection carefully, repeatedly blinking his eyes every few seconds to make sure he remained the same.
He wiped his hands before throwing the blood stained hand towel to the floor. He scratched the back of his neck out of forced habit, trying to come up with any conceivable reason why someone would torture someone as innocent as Perry like they did.
There was no reason.
Why are you so surprised Chase? You practically worked with the kind for fucking years.
He unclasped his armour and removed it. He removed the boots from his feet, his toes almost screaming in relief as they he freed them from the confines of his boots. Clicking his hands, neck and feet he leaned back against the counter in frustration.
He stared at the mirror, almost as if he expected a monster to smash through it and kill him. He hated the passive look on his face, his eyes showed no remorse or feeling...no emotion. His jaw remained steeled and tight as he carefully rearranged his face in the mirror. He scratched a finger down the scrubby hair running along his face.
His long hair rested freely against his large broad shoulders. He repeatedly tensed the muscles in his forearms, watching them bulge in the steamed mirror. The artwork on them raised and lowered repeatedly.
Now he saw how bad he looked, the messy state of his face. The unkempt hair on his shoulders, the dirty looking facial hair. If his mother saw him now she'd fr-
The mirror cracked violently under the force from his fist. Blood trickled down his fingers, making distinct noises as it landed in the warm water from the sink, as he ground his fist against the sharp glass. A crack of glass reflected his eyes perfectly, the dark brown stare of a scarred soul.
Removing his fist slowly he grimaced in pain as bits of fractured glass clung to his knuckles. He picked the shards out, flicking them into the water. Removing the last piece he clenched his fists tightly, hearing the distinct click of his cut knuckles.
He picked up the towel from the floor and dabbed the blood away before removing the plug from the sink with a dab of his hand.
Running his cut hand through his hair he sighed in fatigue.
"How did we get here Chase huh?"
Throwing the towel back to the floor he grabbed his armour from the floor and stepped back into his room. Laying it neatly on a long desk at the foot of the bed he let his mind wander absently.
So many problems in life...that's what they told him all those years ago. He believed them, he just didn't think every problem in the fucking universe would end up falling on his shoulders.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
He put on an alliance shirt and trousers before pulling on his ship boots. At least they felt more comfortable around his aching toes. He walked to his desk and grabbed a data-pad, checking the notes carefully he exhaled in annoyance before heading toward the door.
"Joker...patch me through to Admiral Hackett," he said into his comm.
"Got it Commander. Admiral Hackett is waiting for you near the galactic map Shepard," Joker responded.
"Thanks Joker." Nodding at troops sitting around the mess table eating he headed up toward the CIC.
Approaching the galaxy map he switched on the communicator. A loud crackle hurt his ears as the reception spiked on the other side. Out of all the technological advancements the galaxy had seen, they couldn't even fix the radio system.
"Commander," Hackett greeted.
"Admiral," Shepard replied politely.
"Can you report on the mission Commander?" Hackett asked evenly.
"Well...I don't know anymore." Shepard put his weight against the handrails.
"Sorry Commander?" Hackett's voice crackled through the comm.
"It wasn't a mercenary base...not like I've ever seen before. We found some sort of...offering chamber or something in the bunker. Whatever it was...it wasn't right."
Hackett remained silent, contemplating Shepard's report.
"These people," Shepard continued. "They tortured and mutilated people on crosses."
"Crosses?" Hackett asked suddenly.
"Crucifixes...big metal crosses." Shepard eased himself up and scratched the back of his neck. "I mean what would possess a person to hang another person from a crucifix. Were they trying to prove something?"
"I'm not sure Commander. Did you find anything else?" Hackett asked.
"There was a body...Private Perry Coombs. I found him hanging from one of the devices. They used scalpels to pin him to it...damn savages. On further inspection however I realised that he was alive."
"Did he make it Commander?" Hackett asked with a slight hint of desperation.
"He told me the pain was too much, asked me to kill him," Shepard said quietly. "I shot him...it was quick and painless. We have his body on the Normandy, when we return to the citadel we'll hand it over to alliance personnel for his family."
Hackett sighed in exasperation. "Thank you Shepard. You didn't have to help but you did. One more thing Commander...did any of these people survive?"
"No Admiral...we killed them all on sight. They were hostile toward us." Shepard stood up straight.
"Very well Shepard. I'll see to it that Private Coombs family receives the news of his passing. Thank you for your assistance in this matter Commander. Hackett out." As the comm shut off Shepard blew out a soft sigh.
"Joker...set a course for Noveria. Once we deal with the situation there we'll head to the citadel."
"You got it Commander," Joker answered light-heartedly.
Turning he made his way down to the cargo bay. As the elevator doors opened a near empty cargo room greeted him. Near the mako he spotted Garrus working, staring at some data-pads with a confused expression on his face.
Striding over he stood behind him in a relaxed manner. "Garrus, have a moment to talk?"
"Certainly Commander," Garrus said turning around.
"Look...I know we got off on the wrong foot so to speak. I just wanted to say I'm glad to have you aboard, all help is good help." Garrus put down the data-pad and shook Shepard's hand.
"Thank you Commander."
"Please, just call me Shepard." Shepard smiled politely as he released his hand.
"How do you think we're doing Shepard?" Garrus asked.
"How do you mean?" Shepard scratched his forearm before dropping it to his side.
"With Saren. Do you think we're close?" Garrus watched carefully as Shepard walked past him and leaned his back against the Mako.
"To be honest...I wish I knew." Garrus caught the frustration in Shepard's sigh.
"I think we'll get him Shepard. With this crew, this ship and you at the helm. I think it's only a matter of time before we catch that treacherous son of a bitch," Garrus stated confidently.
Shepard flashed him a genuine smile. "Well I'm glad to know you're just as determined as me Garrus. Why do you want his so bad if I might ask?"
"Back when I was with C-Sec, I almost had him," Garrus said hotly.
Shepard turned toward him, his interest piqued. "Really?" he asked.
"Yeah...back when there were words of him going rogue against the council. They assigned me to investigate the reports. Almost had him too until my superior officer told me to wipe it under the rug." His mandibles twitched with angrily.
"So what you do?" Shepard asked.
"I investigated him by myself...took it into my own hands. Had some good leads too, that was when I met you," Garrus said evenly.
"Well at least you tried Garrus. That's more than a lot can say," Shepard said politely.
Garrus nodded gratefully. "I like it here though. There's no red tape, no restrictions you know? We can do what we want to catch that bastard," Garrus said, mandibles flexing.
Shepard grinned. "Careful though Garrus...you don't want to go too far down the unbeaten path trust me." Garrus nodded in agreement.
"So for someone who seems to hate the red tape so much, how do you end up at C-Sec?" Shepard asked with a smile.
"Followed after my father. He was C-Sec through and through."
"Ah, the old passing the buck, from father to son. I think I understand now," Shepard stated.
"Yeah...I even had an offer to become a Spectre once," Garrus added.
"Really?" Shepard said scratching his arm again.
"It was for the trials. They chose the people with the most potential from various pools. I was one of them...hah lucky me. My father stopped that from happening though," Garrus' mandibles began twitching again.
"How so?" Shepard asked.
"Like I said he's C-Sec through and through. And he hated the Spectres...he'd hate you Shepard, no offence."
"None taken Garrus," Shepard said politely. "I can see why he'd hate the Spectres...all the power they give us with no restrictions or rules. Yeah that's a recipe for disaster if I've ever seen one," Shepard quipped.
They both shared a friendly chuckle. "I guess it was for the best though...I probably wouldn't have this chance to personally catch him if I joined them."
"There you go Garrus, look at the bright side. I'm glad to know I have your support." They shook hands again before Shepard began to walk away.
"Hey Shepard," Garrus called after him. Shepard turned with a friendly smile. "Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way? I'd say that beats C-Sec." Garrus nodded.
Shepard smiled widely before heading toward the ship's core.
Picking the data-pad up, Garrus felt a feeling of relief fall over him. He felt like he had a place on the ship and the backing of the Shepard to boot. He also now liked the Commander, he first thought of him as a lumbering brute but after their small discussion realised he wasn't so bad. He just came over as consuming and slightly unnerving at first meeting but Garrus could tell there was good in him.
Hell if there wasn't why would he be chasing the biggest threat the galaxies ever known.
Garrus roamed his eyes over the data-pad before getting to one knee near the Mako's thrusters.
"Now for these calibrations."
The low humming of the element zero fuelled mass effect core quietly filled Shepard's ears as he entered the engineering section.
"This ship refines element zero in a way I've never seen before," Tali said to Chief Engineer Adams, reaching down for another tool from the box.
"Yes she does Tali. She is by far the most impressive ship I've worked on." Adams' eyes sparkled in amusement at the near giddy quarian engineer in front of him.
His first opinion of Tali had been one of distrust and animosity, but after getting to see her expertise and knowledge first hand he had grown to respect her. Her friendly if shy personality also increased his likeness for her, she was an engineer's engineer.
"Adams." They regarded one another with a firm salute.
"Commander...I'm surprised to see you down here ," he said politely.
Shepard brandished a friendly smile. "Well I guess I've got to get to know the ship...and it's crew."
Adams noticed the jokey tone and returned his smile. "Ahh...a burden for any Commander, meeting the crazy people who work in engineering."
Shepard laughed for the second time, a near record for him in one day. "You do know Adams, you don't have to salute me every time we speak."
"Thank you Commander. It's just a force of habit I guess."
Shepard nodded before turning his attention to the young quarian next to him. "And how are you settling in Tali?"
"Very well, thank you Commander. This ship is incredible." Tali looked back at the large mass effect core, spinning on its axis. It looked both beautiful and intimidating.
Shepard chuckled at Tali's eager approval of the Normandy. "Thank you very much. I can't say she has the same affect for me that she does for you but I'm glad you like it."
Tali studied Shepard behind her mask momentarily. His friendly nature was unexpected, especially after seeing his meeting with the council. She immediately assumed he didn't really give the slightest care about his crew.
But coming all the way down to engineering to speak with her must have meant he did actually care for the personal well-being if his crew.
"Tali here is the best engineer I've ever served with Commander."
Shepard looked at him in slight surprise. "Really?"
Tali nervously shuffled her feet back and for as both pair of eyes looked at her.
"Seriously, I would take her over half of the engineering crew on any other ship I've ever served on. Her ability to see problems, no matter how small is incredible. She is worth three top-level engineers in my eyes and I'm truly glad you brought her on board."
Tali smiled bashfully, wide enough that Shepard saw it from underneath her mask. "I think you are to kind Adams."
"No I think he's right Tali. I have a good feeling that you'll be a very productive member of the crew and I'm very glad to have you aboard." Shepard smiled before leaving the pair to their duties.
Seeing Wrex sleeping in the corner on what appeared a self-made hammock caused Shepard to yawn loudly. Deciding a decent sleep would do him good before Noveria, he headed back to his quarters.
The hologram display shimmered in her eyes as she worked at her desk. Files on all Normandy crew members came up before her golden tinted eyes, she smiled and clicked on a particular name.
"Ahh," she mouthed. "There you are Chase. So nice to see you again, your appearance has seen better days though." Delving further into his file, the door slid open behind her.
"Have you found him Alyssa?"
She turned and beamed at her visitor. "Yes dear...he is alive and well."
"I already knew that Alyssa." His tone became sterner, not in the mood for her cocky attitude. "Where are his current whereabouts?"
"Stationed on the Normandy. If you had let someone infiltrate the ship when it docked we could have listened in more closely." She became slightly muffled by his impatient attitude and rudeness.
"We both know there was no one suitable for that sort of mission." He leaned on the desk next to her. "It does not matter, it will only be a matter of time before he docks at the citadel for supplies."
A mischievous grin spread across her face, delighted at his way of thinking. The file continued to scroll down the screen, displaying everything about Commander Chase Shepard before their eyes. His combat history, training, awards, criminal charges. Even private information detailing his medical information, state of being and health. Frequently updated by the seemingly ever curious and detailed Dr. Chakwas.
"Set it up Alyssa." He headed back out, the door closing behind his back.
"Oh I will. And it will be glorious, the great Shepard." She laughed bitterly as she went to work.
"Nothing more than a glorified traitor to his ideals. We will have our revenge."
Her mischievous grin reflected back at her from the screen as she typed with inhuman precision and dexterity.
As he entered his quarters, Shepard noticed the chain lying on his bed from where he threw it in his anger.
He walked toward it and sat on the bed beside it. Eyeing it curiously, he traced his finger delicately over the design. It looked dirtier than when he first found it, much like his soul. It seemed to carry all the bad things he'd done with it, like some sort of sick reminder.
But he couldn't let it go. He'd gone through so much to get it, there would be no point in throwing it away. No, this necklace was as important to him as his tags. Two things that belonged to him and no one could dispute it.
Picking it up he slid off the bed and knelt before it. He pulled his foot-locker from under his bed, opening it he carefully placed it inside. Laying it flatly on top of a picture inside.
Closing the box he slid it back under the bed and proceeded to remove his clothes. He fell on the bed, hugging the pillow up against to his face. Tentatively, he drifted off into a painless slumber.
A tree appeared in his dream, like the one he used to visit on the cliff. A nice place. Somewhere where there were no responsibilities, only him and the natural breeze on his brow.
He missed those places. It'd been so long since he'd been home.
Now he didn't know where his home was.