(Chapter 5: Return of Her Past)
"We've been down in these tunnels for hours now Prangley," Matthews moaned, walking in stride behind his classmate, keeping as close as he could in the darkness of their surroundings. Only two small lights from their Omni-tools lit their path as their feet splashed in puddles of water below. "I'm tired, hungry…man I'm sick of this, ten minutes in and out my balls. We've been down here longer than you said we would, do you even know where we are?!"
"Would you be quiet…" Prangley turned to face him. He held his light up to make out Matthews' face, and frowned. "The exit is just a bit further down, stop your complaining."
"You said that thirty minutes ago!" He slapped the light from out his face, his voice louder than it was the first time. "I'm going back. I'm done running around in the dark with you," he spun around and started back in the way they came.
Prangley grabbed his shoulder. "We can't split up, what about supplies people need…? What about helping them?" Matthews ignored him, shrugging from his grasp. "Matthews…" he caught him again.
"I said I'm done," he pushed him off, continuing to walk away. Prangley watched as his friend roamed from his sight, as the light from his Omni-tool began to slowly fad with distance.
"Matthews…!" Prangley called for him. "Matthe-!" He tried again, but low gurgling from behind had suddenly caught his attention. He quickly turned, holding his light towards the sound of the faint noises. He began hearing footsteps lash through the water present on the ground. As whatever hid amidst the darkness began to come closer. Prangley slowly took two steps forward, his eyes squinting, as he used his light from his Omni-tool to try and see what was ahead.
Small beads of illumination soon glittered in number from the bodies of the creatures, as whatever they were approached hastily. A loud cacophony of shrieks rung through the tunnels, echoing to the point of where Prangley stood. They'd risen up within the darkness, taking in the smell of they're victim. The young biotic instantly made out what they were, catching a glimpse of the zombie like figures within the Omni-tool's light. All were scurrying towards him like a pack of animals, crawling about both the ceiling and walls. Prangely suddenly backed up, then took off in the direction of Matthews. Husk no doubt in tow behind him.
He quickly came to an abrupt stop, crashing right into Matthews. They both fell forward right into the wetness of the ground. "What the hell Pra-!"
Prangley shot to his feet in a panic and grabbed Matthews by the back of his collar, trying to pull him to his feet as well. "Get up - we need to get outta here!"
"Get off!" Matthews struggled against prangley. "What's your proble-!" The pack were on them in seconds. They flung themselves from the walls like monkeys and latched onto the back of Matthews. They completely surrounded the boys, clawing and scratching at the them violently, wanting to rip them apart. "Get'em off - get'em off me!"
"Matthews-!" A husk from the ceiling fell right on top of Prangley. It snarled in a morbid screech, scratching at his face and eyes. Prangley struggled to wrestle it off, but another had caught him by his pack pulling him backwards and biting down on the back of his neck. He cried out in murderous agony as the husk continued to chomp down, ripping open his flesh. They hung onto his body, trying to overwhelm and pin him down as they piled upon him. But he persisted, fighting them off as they came at him, and caught one by the throat while it tried its best clawing at him from the front. His hand constricted its neck and with all his might he threw it off balanced. Lifting it slightly in the air, throwing it to the floor, and smashing its head under his boot.
Others tugged at him from behind. But he easily had shook from their grasp by ditching his pack they latched onto. Their glowing eyes gleamed his way through the dark as they hissed, dropping his bag to the floor and leaping for him once more. He impulsively reacted without out thinking, and a large erratic pulse of dark energy shot at them. It blown though the husk like they were nothing, sending them reeling back. Prangley had instantly collapsed to one knee after the powerful display, his body now drained from the misuse of his biotics.
"Prangley help, help me -!" Matthews was still within the midst of the group, being aggressively mauled by the majority of the mob. Prangley peered over his shoulder, seeing faintly as the husk amassed around his classmate.
"No…Matthews," he was totally out of breath, huffing as he fought to get back to his feet. But that show of dark energy had exerted him both mentally and physically. He acted out of panic and fear, something no biotic should do. Especially someone who's talents are still developing. Now him and Matthews may pay because of his arrogant search for ambition and pride. Matthews' cries were slowly drowned out by the sound of husk as they ravaged the poor boy, literally tearing him apart.
Get up, you have to do something! Prangely shouted within himself as he tried desperately not to loss consciousness, struggling to his feet, head spinning.
Do something damn it! He demanded again. His hands slowly balled into fists as he attempted to utilize his biotics once more, this time with control. A small glow had begun to engulf both hands as dark energy gradually climbed up his arms. But as it did a severe pain shot near the base of his skull, where his implant is located, causing him to fall back to his knees in agony.
"Ugh…!" He clamped down on the back of his head from the strain, his body couldn't take anymore. He peered up and saw dozens of the small little beads of light that embellished the skin of each husk. All clustered together of where they took down Matthews. His screams for help were gone under the mound of husk, and Prangley immediately knew what had become of him. Prangley began to creep away from the scene, on his hands and knees, knowing if he remained he would no doubt draw the bulk of the hoard his way.
Matthews was lost, there was nothing Prangley could do to change this and he hated himself for it. Leaving his friend to save himself, a coward move, a betrayal. What am I suppose to do…? He fought to pull himself back up onto his feet once again as he asked himself. He clumsily staggered further away really feeling the effects of what he had done. His chest had tighten, but not from the physical pain that throbbed throughout his body. But from the realization that his classmate, a friend, had just been killed right in front of his eyes… because of him.
His eyes shut tight, fighting back the urge to collapse, he needed to keep going. Stopping would only give that horde time to catch up, if they were following. Their gurgling noises slowly faded with distance into the darkness of the tunnels as he swayed along, still in a bit of a hazy daze. He opened his eyes and could feel a light misting within them, he witnessed himself beginning to cry. Soon he finally collapsed under complete fatigue. Matthews…how could I have just… he gasped as his head fell to the moist ground, as he gradually lost complete consciousness.
...LOADING...
Jack's snoring began to rumble over the sound of Shepard's heart monitor. Her forehead rest on the edge of the bed as she sat in the chair at his bedside. Both her hands held one of his, as she deeply slept in the awkward position. She was exhausted, sleeping only in two hour intervals when she could find the chance. Between keeping an eye on her students, keeping their skills sharp, and lending aid where she could. Good sleep became a bit of a luxury. It was rare to even get an undisturbed 30 minutes over the loud gun fire and shouting that could be heard out in the distance. But here, in this room now, it was quiet. Only the heart monitor soft beep would disrupt the silence, but the sound only comforted the biotic further as her hands clasped tightly around the hand of her lover.
"Jack…" A voice called. Jack only mumbled, wiping away the saliva that seeped its way out the corner of her mouth. "Jack get up," the voice became louder and a bit annoyed, as the person speaking shoved her a little.
One of Jack's eyes slightly opened in response, instantly recognizing who pestered her. "Touch me again Barbie and I'll break those pretty fingers of yours," she grumbled, letting out a short yarn, then began to doze back off to sleep.
Miranda sighed. "As much as I would like to sit and go back and forth with you, we really need you to move. You're in the way. The nurse and I must change the commander's bandages."
Jack sluggishly pulled herself up into the chair and dragged her hands down her face, peeking out through the slits between her fingers, looking at the asari nurse who began on Shepard. She dropped her hands then peered over at Miranda. "Hmm…they got you working with boss man, eh?" She asked wearily.
"Yes, I'm the best suited. I did bring him back from the dead after all," she said with a hint of arrogance folding her arms. The expression on her face subtly changed, knowing full well why she was actually sent to baby sit Shepard. His road to recovery looked very good. There was no purpose for her being here when the on hand personnel could easily handle everything without her. Miranda was no fool, she knew the sole reason she was placed here. This new council of officials were keeping tabs on her, they being very wary of her, and it was blatantly obvious. They're doing what's in their power to keep an eye on the ex-Cerberus agent without rousing suspicions or showing hostility. Another pro-human organization like Cerberus is something no one wants to see again.
"What's up with you Barbie…?" Jack stretched out within the chair.
Miranda shook away the thoughts reeling inside her head, then smiled. "Nothing," she turned to watch the nurse slowly began to unravel a few of Shepard's bandages. But then glanced back over her shoulder at Jack. "Shouldn't you be off terrorizing those students of yours?"
Jack gave her a smug look, pursing her lips. "Taking some down time princess, unlike you my abilities are actually needed around here. I do more than just look pretty yah know."
Miranda had frowned. "Huh, you assume you look pretty. And what makes you think I'm needed less than you are…?"
"You've forgot, I've seen your ass in action," Jack grinned.
"And?"
"And, those huge milk cannons you got hanging from your chest are much more effective than your biotics will ever be." The nurse snickered off to the side a bit, as she continued to work on Shepard. Jack only smiled.
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy…?"
"Please," Jack sniffed. "Jealous of your fat ass…? Tell me something, how long did it take you to fit into those spandex that are obviously two sizes too small. From where I'm sitting it looks like you have a permanent wedgie. Is your ass hurting?"
Miranda turned back around, facing jack and placed a hand on her hip. "I'm sorry that you were never fortunate enough to experience puberty, being stuck in a 13 year-old boys body must be really hard for you," Miranda countered sarcastically. "I empathize with your condition. Both your mental and physical one."
"Ooh…nice. Barbie still got her claws."
"Knowing I'll be seeing more of you around, I must keep them sharp," she winked. "And what's with this new Barbie thing…? What happen to cheerleader?"
"What can I say, you finally stopped your sucking up to that Illusive piece of shit."
"So, Barbie is a better alternative for a childish nickname…?"
Jack laughed. "Have you looked in a mirror. If I didn't know better I'd say you stole her ass and tits. The two of you are basically twins-"
"Miss Lawson!" The asari blurted alarmingly. Miranda had quickly looked over and saw the nurse in a confused gaze, fixated on the commander's torso. She'd removed the dressings on his abdomen wounds and now stood shocked looking down at him. Miranda's eyes widen when her eyes lied on the wounds as well. His damaged tissue was faintly pulsing with a light glow of green circuitry around each deep opened wound. "I-I've never seen anything like-"
"What the fuck is it Lawson…?" Jack had gotten up, peaking over Miranda and the nurse's shoulders.
"I'm not sure…" Miranda placed a glove over her hand and began to examine his wounds closer. "S-synthetics," her jaw clenched, instantly thinking back to Paul Grayson condition. Could this be the same as in his case - the similarities. No… she pushed the thought from her mind. Grayson's case was too gruesome, the reaper tech took over the man's mind, disfiguring his body to extreme lengths. But here the circuitry neatly merged with Shepard's endodermis, and as far as she could tell there were no signs of complication. She looked up at the EEG monitor, but nothing was amiss as in Grayson's circumstances. Shepard's brain activity was completely normal. "Nurse, I want a tissue sample," she said with haste. "I want it to be analyzed - the results are for my eyes only. I'll finish up here."
The nurse nodded. "Yes Miss Lawson," she carefully cut and collected a small portion of the commander's damaged tissue from his abdomen and was off to the labs.
Jack came to stand next to Miranda and pressed her fist into the side of the mattress, leaning in, and watched as Miranda began to cover Shepard's stomach with clean bandages. She made sure to conceal all traces of what was just discovered. "W-what's wrong with him?" Jack asked hesitantly, again worried about his condition.
"It's too early to say…I-I've seen something similar but-"
Jack perked up a little, "You've seen this before, then what the hell is it?" Her fists were now opened. Her fingers firmly clutched at the bed sheets.
"I said I've seen something similar," Miranda emphasized her point.
"What happened…?"
"I don't know all the details, but I know reaper tech was involved and the patient was indoctrinated. Later he was killed...taken down by the Alliance inside Grissom Academy…"
"You mean Paul Grayson…"
"You know of him?"
"I know the story, another one of Cerberus experiments gone wrong. Fucking ass- wholes," she spat, frowning. "So, is this like what you've seen…with Grayson?"
"No," she dressed the last of Shepard's wounds, and looked up at a concerned Jack. "Shepard was never implanted with any tech of any kind. Besides his cybernectics, which I placed within him myself. Cerberus did nothing to alter Shepard, we had strict orders in dealing with the commander. I'm absolutely sure there's nothing inside of him that may have caused this."
"So, no Reaper shit in his head?" she looked down into Shepard's face, whom was still knocked out cold.
"No. As crazy as the Illusive Man was, he forbade me to implant anything that might affect Shepard mentally or physically,"
A small sigh of relief came over Jack. "What now Barbie? We still don't know what's up with him."
"What now is I wait to get those results and we keep an eye on him. Make sure nothing changes," Miranda covered Shepard up with a blanket.
Jack looked up at Miranda. "How long will getting those results tak-"
There was loud stumbling outside the door, which caught both Jack and Miranda's attention. "Ma'am…!" a panting Rodriguez knelt over in the doorway, breathing heavily.
"Rodriguez…?" Jack scowled with a questioning expression. "What's going-?"
"It's Prangley…and Matthews." she gasped. "We can't find them-"
"What…?! What the hell do you mean?"
"Last night…Prangley said h-he was planning something. I said I couldn't help because lieutenant Cortez was showing me around his shuttle…so I think he asked Matthews," she tried to catch her breath. "…n-no ones seen either of'em since. We can't find'em."
Jack growled. "Damn-it Prangley…" she glanced back down at Shepard.
Miranda lightly punched Jack's shoulder, getting her attention, then gestured towards Rodriguez. "Go, you should be with your students they need you," she expressed. "I'll keep an eye on Shepard for you."
Jack nodded back at her. "C'mon Rodriguez."
"Yes ma'am." Both Rodriguez and Jack went out the door, but Jack looked back into the room only for a moment.
"Thanks, Lawson." Miranda thought she caught a hint of a smile from the biotic, but Jack had disappeared before she could be sure of it.
...LOADING...
"Alright," Zaeed grinned, reloading a clip into an avenger rifle, closing the shuttle's weapons locker. "I could use something to shoot at. I've been inactive more than a day, sitting around here is making me god-damned paranoid."
"Great," Garrus nodded, watching the mercenary as he handled the weapon. "We needed a third man for this one."
"Happy to obliged, it's been some time since you and I partnered together. I can show you some new tricks I've picked up," he peered over his shoulder, seeing Vega approaching the hatch door. "Here comes the pup now Vakarian, you sure he can keep up with us elites."
"He may surprise you Zaeed, he was able to keep up with me this long-"
"Elites huh…?" Vega overheard Zaeed's comment, stepping into the shuttle and taking a seat. He leaned back and crossed his legs with a smirk. He sized Zaeed up a bit. "Mi amigo I know you and scars are good, but better than me…? I doubt it." A sudden snicker escaped Garrus, shaking his head in disagreement. "What, you think you're better than me Vakarian?"
Garrus' mandibles twitched into a smile. "We already proved I am Vega. You couldn't hit a motionless target a few yards away with a sniper rifle, enough said."
"I can't help that I've mostly trained in close combat, besides the scope wasn't properly aligned-"
"Sounds like excuses to me," Zaeed added with a laugh. "Give me a damn target, and a sniper rifle, and I'll hit it every time with my good eye closed. No god-damn questions asked," he locked his rifle in place on his back. "So, are we heading out ladies?"
"Mmm…not yet, Estaban still needs to tune up the bird-"
"Yeah…plus we need to get briefed and obtain our coordinates. We meet with Hackett in 10 - so we prep for now," Garrus said
Zaeed sighed and slumped down into a seat. "More waiting around, sitting on our damn hands then?" He folded his arms and shrugged, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. " Fine, wake me in 10 then. I have to catch up on my beauty sleep anyway…"
...LOADING...
Hackett glowered at three marines now standing before him. His eyes narrowed as he slightly bit on the side of his bottom lip. The intensity in his stern gaze was projected mostly towards the commanding officer of the bunch, as she and her subordinates stood at attention within the admiral's presence. "You say there were two…?"
"Yes sir…kids, sir…" one of the privates hesitantly, but openly admitted. Which made his captain's jaw and fists suddenly clench at the confession. Knowing the consequences of her actions were about to come to light.
"Children!" The admiral's voice rose a small notch. He took a step in closer to the captain, looking her straight in the eyes. "You let children jump the border wall, not sending anyone after them?" His voice was calm, but his tone expressed apparent frustration. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, marines shirking duty deliberately.
Kirrahe shook his head with disapproval. "Unacceptable," he plainly stated. "Protocol dictates any attempts of unauthorized personnel leaving this compound must be reported and apprehended immediately," he glanced Hackett's way. "Breach in protocol is no doubt grounds for punishment, this is disgraceful." The two privates hung their heads at the major's words, breaking any eye contact. But their captain stood firm with no signs of flinching, It was as if she still believed what she did was the right move.
"The major is correct," admiral Hackett agreed. "We set these rules so something like this won't happened captain McKinley, and from my accounts, this is twice now you disobeyed direct orders from your superiors," he sighed, still peering the captain right into her eyes. "I have no choice, but to strip you of your rank-"
"Sir, if I may…" she quickly interjected. Hackett nodded. "With all do respect," she began callously. "I think what I did was the best course of action, both times," her body tensed with unyielding confidence, refusing to acknowledge her wrongdoings. Hackett only manage to rise a brow, a bit baffled at her sureness.
"Best course of action…?" the major frowned. He brought up his Omni-tool, scrolling about the screen of it with one of his finger quickly and soon found what he was looking for. "Several men under your command died, leading you to put a biotic support team in direct danger as you disobeyed an order to retreat from the area. Not to mention that support team was made up of students…children! And now this!" Kirrahe deactivated his Omni-tool and shook his head once more. "Both times, you have done nothing but risk lives for your vanity and undermined your superiors-!"
Hackett held his hand up, cutting off the major. "Major please, there has been too much arguing already." he expressed with composure. He placed a hand inside his uniform pant pocket as he used the other to straighten his collar. "Captain McKinley will be striped of her rank, and will hereby have no continuing association with the alliance military," he stared at McKinley keenly, and she returned it with the same intensity. "Your men will be assigned to a new squad leader and you will stay within this compound as a civilian, nothing more. Am I clear…?"
"Crystal-"
The tent flap swung open as an enraged Jack stood within the entrance, fists balled. "You…" was all she said as her eyes lied on McKinley.
"Sorry sir," a soldier standing guard said, coming in after her. "I told her to wait outside but she blew pass me," he grasped Jack's arm. "Ma'am you have to leave…" he gave her arm a firm tug. "Now-!"
He was unable to get out his last word as a pulse of her biotics gusted from her body, forcing him away, making him let go. "This is twice now you've put my kids in danger," she began to stride in, as her eyes stayed fixated on the ex-captain.
McKinley's grey orbs peered back, as her hands appeared from behind her, taking a more relaxed posture, preparing herself for anything unexpected from the other woman. "They're your students and this is war. I'm not here to baby sit-"
"That's enough!" Hackett demanded. "This will not go on any further. The captain is being issued punishment for her disgruntle behavior, acts of violence will not solve anything."
"Two of my students are gone - if this bitch would've done her job-"
"Who's their instructor…?" McKinley asked rhetorically. "Where were you?"
"Lady you and the rest of your damn men wouldn't be alive if it weren't for me and my kids. You owe them your sorry ass…if they're died you're dead. " Jack huffed, somewhat emotionally. "I'm done, you're not worth my time or energy. I'll look for them myself."
"I can't allow you to do that," the admiral responded.
"It's already done," she countered, turning to leave. But bumped right into the huge frame of James Vega, whom was accompanied by Zaeed and Garrus.
"Hey, tattoos," the lieutenant greeted with a grin. Jack brow only quirked in annoyance to the poorly thought up nickname, as she angrily pushed her way pass him and the others without a word. "Shit, what did I say…?"
"Jack?" Garrus tried calling out to her, but she continued on her way.
"Hmm…looks like you're not the only one who have a stick of up the ass, aye Vakarian," Zaeed snickered.
"Ha, real funny Massani,"
Zaeed laughed. "I thought so."
Hackett let out a long sigh. "McKinley, privates, dismissed. We'll go over this another time." McKinley grimaced, but did as the admiral asked, the two privates in tow behind her.
"What was that about…?" Garrus watched as the three left.
"I have two kids gone MIA and I've just discharged a soldier," Hackett leaned over the projection table.
"Yeah, don't forget about the crazy biotic bitch that's just stormed outta here on a war path…" Zaeed commented. The admiral wearily glanced up at him.
"You said kids, you mean Jack's students…?" Garrus questioned.
Hackett nodded. "Two of them-"
"Snuck beyond the barricade." Kirrahe added. "It wasn't reported until now."
"Prangley," Vega uttered.
"Lieutenant, you know the two that went missing?" The admiral asked.
"We might only know one," said Garrus. "Prangley, he wanted to be a part of reconnaissance and help gather supplies, we denied him. Now he may be following the information he overheard."
"Damn," Hackett groaned. "I need to resolve this, but men power is already stretched too thin as is."
"Admiral if I may suggest, maybe bringing Jack along…" Garrus proposed.
"Would she even be willing?"
Zaeed folded his arms, becoming impatient. He was ready to get flying and go on to shooting things. "Who cares if she's willing or not. We'll hogtie her and throw her in the back of the god-damned shuttle if we have to. The point is Vakarian here may know where the boy is. We'll take the girl and help her find him and the other one, while getting to shoot shit in the damn face…everyone wins. Now can we please move on, my damn fingers are beginning to itch."
Garrus exhaled. "As tactful as Zaeed here is…he's right, we need to get a move on."
Kirrahe nodded. "I'll upload the coordinates directly to your shuttle. Once there you'll meet with a second team running security on an small outpost. They'll fully brief you and help with recon. I'd like to note these men have no military ties they are strictly paid mercenaries."
"Paid mercenaries at a time like this?" Zaeed curiosity was peaked a little.
"The reapers aren't their problem," Kirrahe cleared his throat. "So they say."
"Guess they missed the memo where the reapers don't discriminate on who they harvest," the lieutenant smirked.
"Yeah," Garrus chuckled. "C'mon we need to catch up with Jack…"
...LOADING...
"Thruster, engines, safety harness…all check," Cortez flipped up multiple switches as the shuttle's thrusters roared to life and the engine began to hum. The shuttle lifted from the ground, taking flight within the sky. "Alright guys and gals we are underway, ETA in 15."
"Good, it's about time," Zaeed settled in his seat, he looked at Jack who stood gazing out the shuttle's window. "Why don't you take yourself a sit down, you're making me nervous."
"Hey, psicópata cool it alright. She's worried about her students, let her think in peace."
"What the hell you call me boy," Zaeed gleamed across the shuttle at Vega.
"Psicópata…?" Vega clarified. "It means psycho. You psycho."
"How 'bout you both shut the fuck up," Jack muttered still peering out the hatch window.
"Sorry chica."
"Pfft…damn suck-up," Zaeed looked back over at Vega whom seemed to be gawking right at Jack. He snickered. "Stare any harder and you just might start burning a hole right through the girl's ass." Garrus began to lightly laugh to himself as Vega quickly averted his eyes, becoming flushed. "Awe…he's blushing," Zaeed teased. "Look you got a little admirer Jack."
"I wasn't look-"
"C'mon, we both know you were staring right at her ass like a god-damn idiot."
Vega shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't like that." he said in a hushed tone.
Zaeed leaned in, placing his elbows on his knees, smiling. "Let me tell you a little secret…you're not her type boy."
"Fuck no he's not," Jack peered over her shoulder with a slight smirk. "I don't screw meatheads."
Zaeed winked. "See I told ya, but don't feel down about being rejected. She's boning the commander and competing with him would seem a bit unfair for you kido."
"I don't think I'm a bad lookin' guy, and I'm smart too. I'm not focused on my body all the time." he sat up in his seat folding his arms. "The commander and I are both strong and confident men. I mean, what does he have that I don't have-"
"A large cock," Jack simply implied. Zaeed burst out in laughter, almost choking as he tried to catch his breath, causing Jack to began to giggle a bit as well.
Vega shook his head, trying to hold in his own laughter. But was too put off by her comment to let it out. "You two are asses."
"Wait, wait," Garrus said, halting the conversation. He became confused on what was being discussed. "I don't get the joke, what's a cock." Garrus question made it hard for Vega to hold onto his laughter any longer, and the three humans immediately began to chuckle together.
Zaeed caught his breath. "Don't over think it Vakarian," he began to snicker again. "A cock is just a type of…chicken."
A puzzled expression came over the turian's face. "So, Shepard has a larger chicken than the lieutenant…?"
"Hah ha ha…something like that, yeah." Zaeed along with the other two burst into laughter once more.
"I still don't get it…"
...LOADING...
The shuttle had soon come to arrive in an hot zone, as there were much more violent sounds of gun fire apparent. Turbulence grew heavy as Cortez began to gradually land. "We're coming in hot, hold on back there." The cabin rocked as Cortez began to bring them into the landing zone. There was a person bellow hailing the shuttle with two beaming lights in each hand. Cortez followed the directions given and came into a safe landing. The engines and thrusters soon died down and the shuttle's hatch hissed opened. The four in the shuttle gradually exited.
Zaeed stretched as he jostled around Vega, Jack, and Garrus, stepping out the shuttle. "Finally," he sighed.
A man with a shaved head appeared to greet the four. He wore a black chest plate of armor with a hood attached to it, and a small red insignia that decorated it. Resembling the Omega talon's logo. He was accompanied by another whom wore the same. They both walked up to the group. "I'm lookin' for a Garrus Vakarian," he said, as his white orbs glanced between the four. But as they lied on Jack, he stopped. "J-Jackie is that you…?"
Jack peered up, brow furrowed. There was only one man whom called her Jackie, but he was dead. Or believe to be. When she glared at him, her heart seized inside her chest. "Murtock…?"
I know it's been a very, very long time since I've last updated. But that's because I've started my EMT training and things have been hectic, plus I've moved in with my GF whom loves to take over my laptop. But enough about me. As always I thank everyone who is enjoying this story so far and I hope to update more frequently. So I hope you have enjoyed reading this far. If you have any questions or see anything wrong feel free to comment or PM me, or just share your opinion.
Moses Out!