A/N: I have literally just finished this. I have college tomorrow, or shall I say today seeing as it will be 12:00am in nine minutes. I have proof read this twice now much to my dismay, but there may be some things that I have missed. If you spot them please let me know. Again sorry for the long wait, things have been hectic as usual. But hey, longest chapter yet, yayyeah! A big thank you to all of you guys that have reviewed, alerted and favourited, tis the reason I continue writing. I am not sure if I like this chapter but you guys have waited long enough. I would give you all cookies if I could! It also occurred to me the other day that what with ME3 being announced, I now actually have a deadline to complete Kill Garrus Volume 1,2, and 3! Did I say 3? Yep I did. You will all understand soon...eventually...I hope :/ But yeah have to get it done before it comes out because 1. The story just wouldn't make any sense any more and 2. I will be playing it day and night so in other words the story will not be finished and Shepard will not have her revenge. I am now going to have a well deserved Pepsi Max and sleep. Bless your face! If you sneeze while reading this then BLESS YOU! (If anybody knows who I am quoting then you are awesome and I love you)
Songs which made this possible: Cells by The Servant, Clubbed To Death by Rob D, Fluke by Zion, The Entire Kill Bill Soundtrack, Running Up That Hill by Placebo and the Kane and Lynch soundtrack.
"What's the word?" Jack asked as she studied her gaze on Omega's scenic overlook. Well, what she described as scenic.
Her asari companion scanned through her omni-tool lazily as she leaned against the balcony. "In the past couple of days Aria hasn't gave us any trouble…"
Jack took a swig of whiskey straight from the bottle letting it burn coarsely through her body. "How delightful," she hissed.
The asari shut her omni down and smirked at the biotic with her arm perched up on the railing. "You don't look delighted."
"Well thank you captain obvious, I want to know why she has suddenly stopped throwing men our way," Jack voiced. Her arms became engulfed in an electric blue and white haze. She needed to kill something, anything!
Jack pushed away from the railing and began pacing up and down the balcony with clenched fists. She hated it when she was kept in the dark and that damned asari was at ease with it. She should just blast her off the building and send her flying into Omega's core. But if she were to do that then who would keep track of all the profit she was making? Or sorting out everything that would involve Jack answering calls on her omni-tool regularly and booking meetings with various dick heads?
"Morinth," Jack exhaled sharply. "I'm going to the luxury suite upstairs, send my men to me and tell that blonde bitch I want some of the hard stuff."
Jack finished the bottle of whiskey and threw it over the side of the balcony. She faltered in her footsteps to the door when she heard a sharp smash and some random civilian scream, "What the fuck?"
She laughed darkly to herself as she continued to head towards the doorway and up the stairs.
Morinth called out to her. "I think the luxury suite is occupied."
Jack glared at the asari before a devilish grin curled along her face. "Not for long," she whispered menacingly.
Shepard walked along the sidewalk outside the restaurant that Marla had sent them all to.
The restaurant was modern and lacked an architect's touch like most of the buildings around Omega, yet it stood out. Fluorescent red and gold lights tangled themselves along the exterior walls creating a flame effect. It suited the name 'Hells Kitchen' perfectly.
Shepard turned back around to face Kasumi and Marla standing a width apart. They were both rairing to go, having not experienced some action for a few years.
Shepard had already checked on Zaeed, Joker and Jacob earlier. They were in position having already tracked the Normandy to one of Omega's docking ports. She made a silent wish that her part of the plan would go as smoothly as theirs was.
Now that she was in position with her team it was time to get the show on the road.
"Kasumi," Shepard said sternly grabbing the thief's full attention. "Whenever you're ready."
Shepard stood to the side gesturing for Kasumi to begin. Shepard was glad she brought Kasumi along, she missed the glint that appeared in the thief's eye whenever she got excited about a mission. Kasumi had her signature glint at that very moment as she nodded with the utmost confidence and began walking ahead.
Kasumi turned her walk into a smooth sprint making sure to focus on her breathing in order to prepare her body for what was to come. Saying that it had been a while since she did something like this would have been an understatement. Kasumi dearly missed her days infiltrating bases using only her skills and her beloved cloak. Shepard would never know the full extent of her actions, the deep repercussions of actually letting her get back to doing what she does best without question.
Kasumi's pace grew faster as she noted the height of the flaming restaurant and observed every nook and crevice that would support her weight when she began climbing. Finally she leapt of the ground with a graceful force and scaled the restaurants second story wall.
Her grace did not go un-noticed by Shepard and Marla who were observing Kasumi's every move from the stability of the sidewalk. Shepard was exceptionally talented in the art of combat. Her cheography on the battle field was mesmerising enough to spark respect and even fear. After taking a bullet to the head Shepard no longer had Cerberus to fall back on. That meant no cybernetics, no scar treatment and no combat training. She had to rely on her own strength as a soldier in order to recover and get her body and mind back to the way it was. In fact it was in the morning before her crew headed off into Omega's district that Shepard was up at 6:00am working out and generating biotic shields. She needed to keep her body maintained and ready.
In a week a newly awoken comatose patient would be taking their first steps by now. In a week Shepard was walking, driving, shooting and getting into fights. She couldn't fathom whether the fact was a miracle or just plain sad.
As Shepard focused on Kasumi a pang of jealousy struck as did a sting of realisation. She was considered the greatest asset to Humanity and yet she had died, twice. Shepard wasn't the best free-runner either. It was something she always wished she could have excelled in. Kasumi danced from ledge to ledge effortlessly as if gliding in the air on a world that had zero gravity. Shepard was suppose to be perfect, an indestructible being put on a pedestal for every species to see. But Shepard could not do what Kasumi was more than capable of doing. Shepard gently smiled for she realised that for the first time ever that she wasn't perfect and better yet she was no longer deemed to be God-like.
Shepard was just a soldier. A soldier dedicated to every mission she had been on and given. For once, just this once, she was in complete control. No Illusive Man and no council, only her. Shepard was on a high priority mission that she wanted to complete, a mission that was without a deadline but needed to be done. Shepard was not perfect and she revelled at the thought more than anyone of her crew mates could've imagined.
The thief adjusted her position slightly so that she had a good grip on the ledge she was clinging on to. It pleased her that even though she wasn't as young as she used to be she could still free run pretty well. Keije would have been impressed. He would have considered the mere act as a challenge and would have begun chasing after her ledge by ledge. The thought made her smile as she continued pulling herself up to the distant rooftop.
The restaurant had ten floors according to Marla, and Kasumi was beginning to feel the fatigue of such information. Looking down did not help her current situation and neither did looking up. It seemed like a never ending void of wall, one that she had to continue climbing much to her dismay.
As she continued her tasking journey, Kasumi began to thank Marla's vulgar taste in clothing. To her surprise the tight black body suit which left little to the imagination, allowed her to contort her body in whatever way she wanted to. She was thankfully able to bring her leg all the way up to the restaurants chipped off ledges without being prevented by a stiff material that had no leverage. As useful as the suit was she couldn't help but think of how someone like Miranda would've taken pride in wearing such an atrocity. The woman wouldn't be admiring how much leverage the material had that was for sure.
With a few more heaving pulls Kasumi had reached the top of the roof. She carefully threw her leg over first and performed a well placed roll that brought her back onto the balls of her feet.
Kasumi paused, letting her silver stained eyes take in the sights. The view was neither beautiful nor ugly. The word spectacular arose within Kasumi's mind but even then that sounded too kind. There was actually a breeze of air this high up. She hadn't felt the beauty of a cool breeze on her face ever since arriving on Omega. The station just had a way of being either humid or cold. A pleasant breeze would never occur amongst the hustle of the packed districts. It was good to take a breather even if just for a second, and bask in the fake wondrous lights that occupied Omega's architecture.
With one last savouring breath Kasumi looked back down from the roof to see Marla and Shepard. Even though they were the size of dust mites at that precise moment, the thief could just about see that the pair had kitted up and were ready to go.
Kasumi saluted. That was their signal.
In a matter of seconds Kasumi had left the pairs sight. She quickly strolled over to a ventilation shaft that was situated in the middle of the roof. She knelt down beside it and scanned it with her omni-tool in order to disable the locks. With a satisfying beep the thief smiled as she enabled her cloak and slipped into the darkness of the vent.
Shepard and Marla were already on their way to front door of 'Hell's Kitchen' by the time Kasumi had left their sights. Shepard would have preferred having Kasumi by her side for this mission other than Marla. However the theif was the only one out of the terrible trio that could climb a structure the size of of a citadel claw.
Shepard had to give it to Kasumi, she still had it in her.
Out of the corner of her eye Shepard could just about see Marla waving her arms about frantically.
"Earth to Shepard?" Marla yelled. She was frozen in an exasperated posture that left her arms flung out as if grabbing the air itself, her mouth was left wide open as if she trying her best to speak. She looked ridiculous to say the least. For a girl that had prided herself the whole morning about being mature for her age she was acting really childish.
Shepard held in a laugh and applied an innocent look to her face. "Sorry Marla did you say something?"
Marla groaned in frustration and pushed her now clenched fists to her sides. "I have been talking to you this whole time, and you wasn't even paying attention?"
"Must have zoned out," Shepard replied nonchalantly.
Marla scoffed in aggravation. She was fully aware that Shepard did not intend to make this easy for her. Marla understood that she was an outsider within the group by the way Shepard continued dismiss her plainly.
Every time Marla tried to break through Shepard's blood stained armor she failed miserably. It struck Marla that perhaps Shepard was completely impervious. If your child was killed while you were left for dead by the man, or in this case turian that you loved it was bound to affect you one way or another.
The thought sent a chill down her spine. Marla had heard of battle scars but nothing as traumatic as Shepard's story. Marla concluded that Shepard was pretty much a full blown bitch in her eyes, that didn't however stop her from feeling an ounce of sympathy and respect. Many people could not have gone through what the warrior that stood before her had. All of that suffering had to stand for something, bitch or no.
Marla regained her composure refusing to let her anger get the better of her.
"I said it might be a good idea if I did the talking," Marla repeated.
Shepard resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "And why would I let you do that?" she questioned, caution evident within her voice.
Marla's red lips twisted into a sick smirk. Her resemblance to Zaeed was uncanny to say the least. Her presence became dominant with a grin as evil as hers. It didn't scare Shepard to her witts end but it did unnerve her in more ways than one.
"The bodyguards know me and should let us through with no hesitation," Marla proclaimed.
Shepard studied the teenager. Marla had finally morphed her expression into proud smile that suited her better. At least now she didn't look like was from the depths of hell itself.
Shepard shook her head lazilly. She couldn't believe she was saying this. "Very well."
She suddenly flinched at Marla's startled reaction. The pink haired girl squelled "Yes" pumping a thin fist into the air and stormed forward to the entrance.
Shepard prayed that she wouldn't regret this.
Kasumi was quick and agile, therefore she gained the upper hand on any body guards that wished to rudely interupt her apparent intrusion.
She had landed swiftly into a dark and inconspicuous room, that was until the automatic lights flickered to life near enough blinding her on the spot.
As her eyes adjusted she could see that the room was decorated with much taste. The red walls contrasted well with the demonic statues that situated beside them.
The thief was unsure whether or not the statues had purposely been placed in certain posistions so that the lighting caused eery shadows to emit from them and crawl along the walls.
As much as she admired the masterpieces...and the high price that one would pay for such art, she couldn't get over just how creepy everything looked.
She made a mental note that if, and only if they survived this ordeal she would be inclined to take a memento. A little something that could spice up her place, or better yet be of value.
A clutter of muffled noises from outside the room discoursed her train of thought.
"I'm telling you I heard something," grumbled a distant voice.
"Yabe!" Kasumi hissed in a hushed manner.
Her arm glowed a golden mixture of orange and gold as she frantically scoured her omni-tool for the restuarants blue prints.
"Your always hearing something!" another voice stated. "You need to get it into you thick skull that when your on duty you don't have to jump at every fucking thing you hear!"
Kasumi suppressed a giggle, now was not the time, especially when it sounded like they were getting closer to the door.
"I'm serious this time," the suspicious guard defended.
Yep. Definitely getting way to close to the door.
"Goddess give me strength...where did you hear the noise?"
To Kasumi's delight the blue sprints sprung up before her indicating that the fuse box should be...
"In here," the guard replied.
The two guards charged into the room with both their assualt rifles raised. They didn't look like they belonged to a particular mercenary group.
One was an Asari and the other was a confused Batarian.
The batarian scratched his scalp gently taking in the empty room. He recieved a penetrating glare from the asari that stood beside him.
"Give me one good reason not to unload this whole thermal clip into every one of your eyes," the asari roared aiming her rifle at the dumbfounded batarian.
Kasumi thanked whomever designed this place. She casually stood next to the fuse box which was convieniantly placed by the door.
They still hadn't bothered to turn around yet, the stupidity of some people.
Kasumi leaned against the wall watching the two guards yelling at one another, but now the insults were begininng to get boring. She grinned madly as it occured to her that not only could she deactivate the fuse box as she intended but also have a bit of fun with her new friends.
A turian bouncer stood primitively outside the restaurant. He was much bulkier than the turians Shepard had met in her lifetime. He had a washed out grey hide and lacked a facial tattoo.
Shepard remembered what Garrus had told her about barefaced turians. They were considered to be untrustworthy, whether or not Garrus considered them to be that way she didn't know. She never asked.
The turian eyed the pair as a warning, as if he had heard Shepard's every thought. She halted her steps so that there was at least four feet between them. Marla didn't seem to share the same idea.
She lazily continued walking towards the barefaced turian with a smug grin on her red painted lips.
The turian looked down at the puny human who was tiny in structure and height. "Name?" he sighed clutching the guest list within his palms.
"Marla Massani," she drooled. If this was Marla acting then she was a damn good actress. Shepard tried to dismiss the idea that the young girl was actually attracted to the bouncer.
The turian skimmed through the list while Marla kept her eyes locked on him with a penetrating stare.
As the turian looked up he instinctively backed away when he realised just how close the human girl had got to him.
He let out an aggravated groan. "Your name is not on the list," he seethed. If he had a credit for every time a pathetic human tried to get into the restaurant he would...
"That's a shame," Marla breathed innocently. "Perhaps we could come to another arrangement?"
The turian was not expecting that.
Neither was Shepard.
Marla refused to look away from the turian's golden eyes as his gaze began to aqquiant itself with her body.
Shepard didn't realize that until now that she was gawking at them with her mouth hung open. Surely Marla wasn't serious? When she said she had a plan to get in, not once did it occur to Shepard that Massani's daughter would try to seduce the bouncer.
Her hand slowly crept to Jessie, but her back was bare. It dawned on Shepard that Kasumi wasn't just sent in to disable the security systems but to plant their weapons. Shepard was certain that a high class place like this was bound to have a security check for any kind of weaponry. On the other hand Jack could have probably demanded to come in with rocket launcher and the security would of allowed it.
By the time Shepard snapped out of her trance Marla was leading the eager turian away from the door to an empty alleyway near the restaurant.
Shepard was speechless. That, should not have worked.
Before they faded out of sight around the corner Marla shouted reassuringly, "You go ahead Shep, i'll be inside soon."
And with that said Shepard grinned and made her way into 'Hell's Kitchen'. She couldn't believe that Marla's plan actually worked. Her conscience was telling her to run back outside and stop Marla from doing something she would regret. She was Zaeed's daughter for God's sake. No. She wasn't going to go out there. She was going to be selfish. If Marla wanted to be treated like an adult, then she will.
As much as Shepard believed in her somewhat rash decision she made a silent prayer that Zaeed would never find out about the little incident.
The lights inside 'Hells Kitchen' were fairly dim. Shepard didn't understand how it was possible to eat if you couldn't see anything clearly.
In the middle of the room was a red circle stage with a distinctive metal pole. Perhaps eating wasn't the only thing this place was famous for.
Loud edgy music blasted from an unknown source setting a tantalising party scene. It would be easy to say that it reminded Shepard of 'Afterlife' but this place had it's own unique feel to it.
A couple of of aliens situated themselves around the stage with their omni-tools at the ready. Three turians, two batarians, a human and an asari all looked transfixed by the stage's bright azure lights that floated on the surface and created a relaxed atmosphere.
Shepard however felt tense, tenser than usual.
The knowledge that Jack was within the very building made her muscles itch in anticipation. It wouldn't be long now till she had that bitch within her grasp.
Shepard did a double take on her surroundings. A few guards were dispersed in certain areas of the restaurant. The observation should have worried her, but it only increased her anger. More time would be wasted on the small time security workers, therefore creating a longer wait for the woman she so desperately wanted to make beg for mercy.
All the commander could do for now was wait. The deal was that she wasn't to do anything until Kasumi gave the all clear. Shepard was yet to hear from the estranged thief who had been silent for nearly twenty minutes. Slightly pissed off that she was completely alone, Shepard took a seat in a booth that reeked of solitude and made no effort to stand out.
Shepard wasn't the most patient person in the world, but she would be damned if she was considered to be unreliable. Hence why she kept herself calm and seated instead of blasting her way through as many guards as she could in order to murder Jack.
A stripper appeared suddenly and centered herself on the stage oozing confidence from every pore. She was young and vibrant, couldn't have been that old. One hundred maybe? The definition of her fringe was minuscular to say the least, not that it wasn't elegantly polished but it did lack the 'gets better with age' look.
Her age didn't seem to bother the over-eager patrons much. They were already transferring credits into the girl's omni-tool, probably trying to get her going.
The asari birthed a smile of confidence as she slowly draped the curve of her spine against the cold pole. The stripper in question certainly knew how to put on a show. The hazy blue lights seemed to dance around her instead of it being the other way round. The girl had everyone's attention, Shepard included.
She always was jealous of the asari race. Which human woman wasn't?
Deciding on the spot to stay put until Kasumi confirmed that everything was ready, Shepard kept her gaze on the entertainment before her. She could only hope that the wait wouldn't be too excruciating.
Kasumi's breath hitched slightly as the guards paused. They had been arguing for a while now, it was inevitable that they would soon realize how childish they were acting and get back to their patrol.
Unfortunately for them Kasumi enjoyed playing games. Yes, she could always just activate her cloak and be done with it, but that option would leave her more bored than she was now. That would never do...
The thief brought her omni-tool up once, being careful not to ruin her little surprise. In under a few seconds Kasumi had quietly locked the door that provided a bright red glow to her delight.
The fuse box remained untouched. She was more than willing to change it's present state.
Kasumi delicately hacked into the system, making sure to target only the room she was in.
The power faded out instantly with a violent hum.
"What the fuck?" the asari spoke out loud with caution.
Kasumi focused on the clanging and clicks of the assualt rifles to discover the guards whereabouts.
She snuck up behind the asari in the darkness, inches away from her.
"Peekaboo," Kasumi sang in an excruiciating tone.
The asari didn't even have time to yelp in surprise before the thief dealt a deadly blow to the back of her fringe.
The thump of the guard's body resonated within the room.
The batarian did not like what he had heard one single bit. He brought his rifle to eye level even though he couldn't see a damn thing.
"Ava?" he called out frantically. He cursed under his breath and made a stampeding run towards the door. It was locked.
He leaned against it strategically trying to buy him self some cover in the formidable darkness.
"Shit. Where are you?" he pleaded. "Show yourself!"
Kasumi giggled before tapping the batarian on his shoulder.
The guard evidently jumped back and sprayed bullets in the opposing direction. Each bullet lit up the room slightly presenting a flash of Kasumi here and there.
"Fuck," he whimpered. "What do you want?"
Everything became deafened in the silence that followed, all he could hear was the uneasy sound of his own intakes of breath.
Kasumi took pity and crept up towards the guard. "Sorry, it's nothing personal," she exclaimed before attacking his weak collerbone. Within seconds his limp body slumped towards the floor.
At least he wouldn't be waking up with a thundering headache like the asari.
Kasumi turned her attention towards the door. She enabled her cloak before she unlocked it and proceeded down the hall. She couldn't control the cheeky grin and adrenaline that consumed her. It felt good to be back in action.
Shepard was in the middle of gouging a lemony drink she had ordered as Marla approached her table. Her pink hair was out of place and so were her clothes, she didn't seem to take notice.
"Had fun?" Shepard asked regardless of how uninterested she was.
Marla leaned her tiny frame into the booth. "Just business as usual Shepard, nothing more."
Shepard raised a questioning brow about to speak until her omni-tool bleeped to life.
"Shepard, it's Kasumi. You'll find your equipment in the bathroom. I'll be down soon once i've disabled the security systems."
Shepard gave an audible sigh of relief. "Copy that Kasumi, we will make our way there now."
Shepard shut the omni-tool down and instantly began working her way across the floor to the restrooms.
Marla remained seated as she watched the commander leave. "Hey Marla, thanks for getting us in. I ordered a drink for you while I was waiting. Really? Aww Shepard you shouldn't have," Marla muttered sarcastically.
The pink temptress yanked Shepard's drink into her hand and downed it with force only to be surprised by how strong it was. Marla gave a long exhale and squinted her eyes in response. She liked to think that she could handle the hard stuff, but that was something else.
Her bony hand flew up to adjust her shirt before she stood up and power walked after Shepard. All this revenge bullshit was hard work.
Shepard was already inside the restroom when Marla appeared. She was pretending to apply make up while she waited for some of the customers to exit.
Marla closely examined her surroundings. "I take it they are in here?" She pointed towards a cubicle that clearly read 'Out of order'.
Shepard smiled at the young girl and nodded. She had to admit Marla was doing good for a beginner.
They both entered the cubicle with haste before anybody could walk in and see the pair acting suspiciously. As far as Shepard was concerned she would rather have customers presume that Marla and her were lesbians rather than two well equipped bad asses about turn the restaurant into a bloodbath.
Shepard prodded at the briefcase on top of the toilet. It chimed open presenting Jessie. The rifle glistened under the peach lighting filling Shepard with a deep sense of appreciation. She intended to keep her promise to Zaeed and rake a heavy kill count with the beauty.
As Marla dived in to retrieve a shotgun it reminded Shepard of the other promise she made to Zaeed. It was this promise that she would have to fight hard to keep. If Marla followed her orders by the second then hopefully everything would be fine. The thought didn't bring Shepard any relief, especially since the young girl that had to follow her orders was completely rebellious.
"I'm afraid she is busy right now with more pressing matters. If you want to talk business, you talk to me."
Shepard's head snapped into the direction of the mysterious voice. She recognised it. A voice that was deadly and promised things...
Shepard hesitantly stood on her toes and peered over the cubicle door that concealed Marla and her from sight.
She blinked hard at the asari who was stood against the sink, admiring her reflection in the mirror while speaking into her omni-tool.
Morinth.
It took a moment for Shepard to register it. She had let Samara kill her. She watched the painful battle with her very eyes. Yet there she was talking without a care in the world.
Shepard had to think fast. Screw rationality.
With a swift kick to the door Shepard crashed out into the open with Jessie trained on the ardat-yahkshi.
Morinth jumped back at the sound astonished by the familiar face pointing a gun at her.
"Don't move," Shepard ordered.
Morinth obeyed reluctantly. "Shall I save you the whole 'I thought you were dead' speech?"
Shepard cringed inside, but refused to let her expression falter. "I think it would be more appropriate if I laid that particular speech on you, don't you think?"
Marla had frozen the minute Shepard busted through the door without warning. She gave in to her gut feeling and remained out of sight with her shotgun at the ready.
Morinth didn't flinch at Shepard's words and seductively placed her hands on her hips. "You know I honestly thought that Jack was just being paranoid." She eyed Jessie with what looked like awe. "Looks like she was right."
Shepard took a step closer forcing the asari to back herself up against a wall. "How are you alive? I saw Samara..."
"You saw Samara what Shepard? Kill me?" Morinth laughed one of remorse. "She was so consumed with hate that she couldn't even recognize her own daughter."
Shepard was baffled and refused to speak. She was more than interested in how the fuck someone who's neck got snapped was standing in front of her alive and well, however she didn't want Morinth knowing that. The asari leeched on to attention like a drained vessel, the poor girl craved it.
Thankfully Morinth continued under the leering gaze of Jessie. "Have you heard of clones Shepard?"
Shepard nodded slightly. "I've heard of them, they exist but are illegal due to clones being castrated of their rights."
"Clones have no rights Shepard, that is a complete bullshit. I had a clone designed for me. If you are an asari like me then you can meld your memories on to your clone. Hence why she knew about my mother and resembeled me in every way."
Shepard's mind was overcome by what she was hearing. "What exactly are you saying?"
Morinth smirked out of pleasure. "I'm saying that you and Samara killed my clone that night, nothing more."
"Why bother with all that Morinth? Samara will only just find out that your still alive and come after to you."
"Oh I doubt that," Morinth voiced with enthusiasm.
"What the fuck is that suppose to mean?" Shepard prodded through gritted teeth.
Morinth approached Shepard slowly until Jessie's barrel dug itself against her bare stomach.
"It means, that a lot of bad things can happen to people in four years."
Shepard squeezed the trigger relinquishing a bullet into the asari's frame. The mere thought of Samara out of action due to a pathetic piece of trash like Morinth angered Shepard completely.
Marla had jumped out of the cubicle as soon as she heard the shot.
"Shepard are you okay?" she stammered.
"I am," Shepard growled. She looked down at Morinth who was clutching at her wound and yelping in pain. "She's not."
Marla looked overcome with shock. Shepard was completely ruthless. "Remind me not to get on your bad side," she murmured.
Shepard knelt down next to Morinth in a teasing manner.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions Morinth, and your going to answer them," Shepard ordered curtly in a low voice.
Marla sat herself on top of a neon red counter. She observed Shepard, taking in every movement and word. The commander could be pretty damn intimidating when she wanted to be.
"Why do you work for Jack?"
Morinth wriggled on the tiled floor defensively. "Is it true that you begged when your ever so trusting crew beat the shit out of you-"
The asari's voice was cut off as Shepard shot another bullet into her knee cap. It shattered with a crunching sound from the impact.
Shepard grabbed Morinth's face violently. "I'll ask you again. Why. Do. You. Work. For. Jack?"
Hot tears flooded down Morinth's face. The pain was excruciating like someone was continuously sawing at a nerve that refused to break.
"She...helped me with Samara," Morinth gasped in between heaving breaths that were doing nothing to ease the torturous feeling that flooded her leg. It was almost making her forget about the bullet that was shot into her stomach, almost.
"Is that so?" Shepard spat staring down at Morinth with venom in her eyes. "Get up."
Morinth unleashed an aggravated sigh. "Are you crazy? I can't even move this leg!"
Shepard stood up abruptly grabbing hold of the asari's golden dress.
She gripped it tightly and to Marla's surprise she dragged the screaming asari out of the restroom back into the restaurant.
The young girl followed Shepard as soon as she heard frantic screams that were no longer coming from Morinth but from the customers.
Shepard looked to her side pleased to see Marla ready for her orders.
The restaurant's customers were understandably frightened when Shepard appeard with a blood ridden asari in one hand and a rifle in the other.
"Marla, follow me to the elevator. Keep you pistol trained on anyone who gets too close for comfort."
The pink temptress grinned in response. "Got it."
Aliens of all races were screaming and running for the exit, some were even frozen where they stood. Luckily no one was willing to play hero today.
That was until two batarian guards barged their way down a curving flight of stairs with assualt rifles at the ready.
"Fuck," Marla hissed. "We've got company Shepard!"
Marla breathed in and out slowly, remembering everything her father had told her. Steady...aim...
The first batarian's head splattered against the restaurant's imaculate walls causing the young girl to pump her fist into the air.
Shepard's head snapped back at the shot to see Marla firing another round.
Zaeed had taught her well. But she had no armor, no sheilds and more importantly no cover what so ever.
It was like Marla's rose tattoos rooted her to the ground making her aim perfect. It was quite a sight to be hold. A flower of complete and utter carnage.
Shepard called for the elevator. "Marla we need to go before more turn up."
The girl ignored her. "I can take them," she yelled pinning a few more of the guards that showed up.
Shepard wanted to facepalm herself. Everything was going too well, of course it would be the teenager that fucked things up.
The elevator doors opened. "That was an order, Marla." Shepard's voice strained under the gunfire. She had to yell much louder than usual.
Marla budged but not from her own will. A bullet found her thigh and knocked her back.
Guards were now swarming in from all possible angles. It would be so much simplier and easier to just leave the rebel behind.
That was until she heard Marla scream her name, begging for her help.
Shepard ferociously growled a bloodthristy roar that toar itself willingly from the depths of her lungs. Finding a sudden divine strength, Shepard grabbed all of Morinth's dead weight and literally flung her into the elevator. When she was awarded with a satisfying cry of pain Shepard unholstered Jessie and charged towards Marla.
Bullets were richocheting off of a metal table that Marla had managed to sink behind as she clutched her wound feverishly.
Shepard had seen worse, it was the look of Marla's face that worried her. It was as if she had given up.
With a jerk of the wrist Shepard began spraying bullets around the large room. Like Marla she had no armor either.
Every guard fell one by one. The real problem unveiled when they found cover and regardless of their wounds continued firing at Shepard.
Luckily for her, she was fast where they were slow.
She pinned her scope onto a turian who was causing her more trouble than he was worth. His skull cracked audibally. Shepard shivered in delight.
While the guards were distracted Shepard made a heroic dash for cover.
She collided with the metal table to Marla's surprise.
Her face lit up. Shepard actually came back for her. Although by the looks of the deadly stare she was shooting at her, it was probably just so she could finish the job herself.
Marla bit her lip and tried to speak over the wandering bullets. "Shepard I'm sor-"
"Save it!" Shepard retorted loudly. The commander ignored the young girl and placed the tip of Jessie above the table.
She could get a good view through the scope from this angle.
"Marla when I say go, you sprint for that elevator faster than you've ever sprinted before. Understood?" Shepard kept her eyes pinned on the the guards through her scope preventing her from seeing Marla's sour expression.
"What about you?" Marla questioned. She covered her face as debris began to blast around them from the never ending fire.
"I'll be right behind you, trust me."
Shepard's voice rang true. Therefore Marla waited patiently behind the cover every so often applying pressure to her wound. For some odd reason her authority stood for something. She could understand why everyone followed her into battle. She was without a doubt a natural leader.
Suddenly short bursts of fire came from Jessie. It lasted for ten seconds until the room became engulfed in silence.
"Go!" Shepard screeched in what sounded like a war cry and rioted towards the elevator along with Marla.
The pair crashed into the elevating box with force as they heard bullets firing once again.
Shepard slammed down the button for the tenth floor.
A few bullets just about slipped through the doors and penetrated the walls causing Shepard and Marla to fall back up against the sides.
The doors finally sealed shut with a hard knock and slowly but surely the elevator began its crawl.
Morinth was still where Shepard had left her to her surprise. Things seemed to be back on track for now.
Marla braced herself against the railing inside the elevator. All you could hear inside the cramped space was heavy breathing, it was beginning to get unbearably annoying.
"Hey Shepard," Marla called out weakly.
Shepard casted a glance at back at her with a blank expression washed over her face.
"Thank you...for coming back for me."
Shepard felt powerless all of a sudden. A minute ago she wanted to slap the girl, scream at her, even leave her to die for her own stupidity. Yet the way Marla looked at her with those crystal green eyes...
There was respect there and a genuine apology.
"I promised your father that I would bring you back in one piece. As long as your leg don't fall off from that wound then technically I have kept my word."
Shepard smiled as Marla laughed. She had never heard her laugh the way she was now. There was no spite within it and no sarcasm.
Marla went to speak, that's when the elevator stopped. Both women jerked into a battle ready stance.
The doors opened at a nail biting pace to present,
"Kasumi!" Shepard exhaled with relief.
The thief scanned the sweating pair and the asari in the elevator. The more Kasumi looked the more she tended to notice. Bullet holes conquered the wall inside the elevator, Marla was wounded to the point where the blood was saturating her entire leg and the asari looked way too familiar for her liking.
She raised an eyebrow, "Dare I ask what happened to you two?"
Shepard half-smiled and proceeded out of the elevator with Morinth in her tight grasp.
"I'll tell you what," Shepard sighed. "Help me drag her and I'll tell you all about it."
Kasumi creased her eyes before grabbing hold of the asari.
Marla followed in pursuit, limping with as much effort as she could muster to keep up with them.
Shepard began to explain the situation to a surprised Kasumi who was hanging off her every word. Shepard was sure that if the thief had known the amount of havoc that was occurring on the ground floor then she would have tried to help.
The commander could faintly see a massive door at the end of the corridor. Jack had to be in there.
Her legs instinctively picked up their pace.
They slowed when she reached the door with the others, Shepard wasn't surprised that it was unlocked. She was sure that Jack had been expecting her.
Shepard dragged herself inside. The room was beautiful with golden drapes, pure white sofas and gawking chandeliers. But it was empty.
Marla's voice came from behind her, knocking Shepard's train of thought. "I don't like this Shepard."
Shepard dropped Morinth's body on the floor informing Kasumi to do the same. The asari wasn't going anywhere in her state
Shepard walked further into the massive room that contained yet another strippers pole in the middle. To her surprise it didn't clash with the decor.
"Shepard." The voice came from above her on a creme balcony that overlooked the entire room.
A tattooed woman stood powerfully against the railing. She eerily smirked at the group before her.
"Fucking took you long enough."