A/N: This is the first of the three endings Janus will have; happy, dark, and disturbing…I'll leave you to figure out which one this is. This ending will be divided into two chapters; Latro 1 and Latro 2. Please review.
Description of sex, don't read if offended…though if you're easily offended I'm not sure how the hell you've made it through twenty chapters of this story already.
LATRO pt.1 (Ending #1)
Miranda's perfect features contorting in anger at the memory of the scarred convict's victorious smirk back in the briefing room as Shepard had reconsidered her suggestion regarding the geth issue Miranda struggled to compose herself. After several seconds of deep breathing to calm her irritation Miranda managed to force her expression back into its customary unemotional façade. Satisfied that her comfortable mask was firmly in place Miranda keyed the door to Shepard's quarters open and stepped into the room's soft, blue glow.
Looking towards the empty Commander's desk Miranda was pleased to notice the continued absence of Chief William's picture before a movement in the corner of her eye attracted her attention. Turning towards it Miranda caught sight of Shepard's head through the glass of the display case to where he sat on the couch. Gracefully descending the few steps that led to the 'bedroom' portion of Shepard's quarters Miranda rounded the corner coming into view of Shepard, his surprise evident as sound of her approach had been concealed by the bass heavy beat filling the room. Placing the combat knife he had idly been tossing up and down to himself upon the nearby table Shepard expectantly watched Miranda approach.
"Commander," Miranda greeted coldly, "I have analyzed our recent combat data and submitted it to Cerberus. They have decided to provide us with several new weapons; the Phalanx, the Mattock, and the Geth Plasma Shotgun. Jacob is checking them over right now; I just wanted to make you aware of these new resources before the next mission."
"So, Jack was right about you, Miranda…you're still the Cerberus cheerleader sending all our secrets to the Illusive Man."
Allowing an injured expression, which she soon shifted into one of anger, to pierce her facade Miranda spat, "Of course that's what the psychotic bitch would say."
"You don't think sending intelligence on our squad's combat tactics and abilities to Cerberus proves your disloyalty to me? Apparently those 'falsified reports' you've been sending haven't been all that false. Thank you for bringing this to my attention; it has made my decision regarding the geth much easier, dismissed Operative Lawson."
"John! Please listen, I can explain…" pleaded Miranda, a look of desperate need forming on her face, "I'm just using Cerberus while they still think we're working for them."
His expression remaining hardened Shepard dismissed her excuse, "I don't trust Cerberus, Lawson…and you're wearing their uniform and sending them reports on me so I don't trust you either."
Glaring at Shepard Miranda managed to restrain her relieved laughter at having been gifted such a perfect opening. Taking several meaningful, predatory steps towards where Shepard sat leaning into the couch Miranda brought herself closer to him until her legs were stopped by the table that stood in between them. In a lightning movement made possible by her genetic modification Miranda snapped her arm out and snared the knife that lay upon the table before Shepard could even react. Locking eyes that burned with anger and desire Miranda reached her free hand up to the low cut neckline of her Cerberus uniform pulling it away from the smooth skin of her breasts; both the sudden exposure to cold air and her excitement at the risk she was running causing her nipples to stiffen visibly under the thin, now exposed, lace bra she wore.
Keeping her eyes connected with Shepard's as he swiftly reacted to her sudden movement by standing and reflexively drawing his sidearm Miranda took a deep breath, conspicuously swelling her bosom further outwards. Still staring into Shepard's glowing, red eyes Miranda reversed her hold on the knife raising her hand towards her exposed flesh. Viciously stabbing the gleaming blade of the knife parallel to her chest into the outstretched fabric her other hand held Miranda swiftly jerked the blade downwards before tearing it forwards leaving her hand holding a swathe of her uniform's material.
Bending at the waist to present her now even more exposed cleavage Miranda replaced the knife on the table; Shepard slowly lowering his own weapon in response. Straightening back up Miranda reached across the narrow space separating the two of them and opened her clenched fist. Looking away from her captivating eyes Shepard stared at the fabric she offered him before his eyes wandered up to stare at the expanse of skin revealed in place of the now missing Cerberus emblem.
Smirking Shepard settled back onto the couch placing an outstretched arm along the couch back as he broke the tense silence, "Well, that was dramatic, Miri. You certainly have my attention now…what did you want to tell me?"
Managing to summon a blush at his light teasing Miranda circled the table and settled herself next to Shepard on the couch, leaning against his side in the crook of his extended arm. Looking at him through her bangs Miranda shyly answered, "Assuming the uniform is no longer an issue can I explain the continued reports to Cerberus?"
"Of course, Miri, please do continue." Shepard replied with exaggerated graciousness, laughing at the woman's uncharacteristic hesitation.
"Despite all the salvage we've found on this mission a full half of our funding has come from Cerberus; without those funds we will be insolvent within the week and unable to afford necessary equipment and upgrades. I file reports with Cerberus so that we may continue taking advantage of their resources until such a time as our deception is discovered by the Illusive Man. The geth is no different; it does us no good sitting in the AI core, destroying it like the quarian wants is a waste, it is too dangerous to be reactivated…but we can get money for it. Cerberus offers by far the highest reward for an intact geth but there are other options as well, such as the Migrant Fleet or the Alliance. If you'd rather send it to one of those choices that's fine, I was simply shopping for the best value."
Gently brushing hair from where it fell across her face Shepard bent his neck to place a kiss on Miranda's forehead, "You're right, Miri. I just…when Jack said…I'm sorry, okay? I just didn't want to leave myself open to betrayal and being abandoned again."
"I understand, John," Miranda whispered softly before her voice adopted a more intense edge, "But now you need to shut up."
Moving to straddle his waist Miranda placed her cool hands on Shepard's scarred face, tilting his head up to look into her warm, brown eyes before crushing her lips to his in a possessive kiss. Grunting with effort around their dueling tongues Shepard leaned forward from his relaxed position his hands sliding around Miranda's thighs. Managing to stand while still holding Miranda against him Shepard was glad when the woman wrapped her legs around him taking some of the strain off his arms.
Walking carefully over to the bed Shepard gently laid Miranda down as he moved to kneel on the bed between her legs. Leaning over her Shepard reached a hand out to her chest lightly tracing the bare skin where the Cerberus symbol had been, causing a shiver to race down Miranda's spine. His fingers wandering, brushing the torn edges of Miranda's uniform as her breathing grew heavier Shepard abruptly grasped the ragged material with both hands and tore the front of Miranda's uniform open to her navel. Running his hands up the expanse of pale skin revealed by her tattered suit Shepard deliberately brushed against the woman's hardened nipples through her bra as his touch wandered to Miranda's neck. Insinuating his hands under what remained of the neckline Shepard eased the constricting fabric from Miranda's shoulders pushing the remnants of the clothing low enough down her arms that she could slide free of the suit's confines.
Stepping back off the bed Shepard undid Miranda's boots pulling them from her feet. Once again taking hold of the suit's newly made opening over Miranda's toned stomach Shepard pulled the Cerberus uniform down as Miranda arched her back, raising her hips off the bed's surface to allow Shepard's to remove the obstructing uniform and silk undergarment. Ridding himself of clothing quickly, with as little ceremony as he had spent on her, Shepard climbed back atop the bed his fingers lightly rubbing Miranda's swollen nether lips as he placed a trail of kisses along the inside of Miranda's now bare arm following the curve of her shoulder and neck until he reached her mouth.
Kissing her deeply Shepard eased forward as Miranda's flesh parted accepting him into her while they each swallowed the other's groans. With slow, steady movements Shepard drove into the Cerberus agent, their combined heavy breathing the only thing audible to either of them over the pounding of blood in their ears. Lifting her legs Miranda locked them behind Shepard's hips pulling him towards her, demanding unmistakably that he increase his steady pace. Willingly acquiescing to Miranda's desire Shepard sped his movements as Miranda rolled her hips upwards to allow him deeper access. Feeling a deep, feral growl echo through the muscled chest pressed against her own, softer chest Miranda's voice raised itself in an answering cry of pleasure as her inner muscles clenched around Shepard driving him past restraint as he began to frantically move against her sweaty, quivering form until he let out a sharp gasp and fell still.
Rolling off of Miranda to lie on his back beside her Shepard turned his head to face her, a soft chuckle escaping his normally grim demeanor, "Don't get me wrong, Miri, I like what you did with your uniform…I just thought further alterations would complete the new look."
Turning her own head to face him Miranda gently pressed a kiss against Shepard's scar torn lips before pulling back, "I agree completely, John. Now that I am out of my uniform, it being in fact beyond repair, do you still think me a Cerberus spy or can you trust me to do what is best for this mission…and for you, my love."
"You're right, of course, we need the money that geth is worth." Shepard sighed, pulling Miranda back into a kiss as his hands once again began to wander over her smooth skin.
A powerful ally, easily manipulated, and a quite satisfactory lay…the perfect man. Miranda reflected, a smile pulling the corners of her mouth up as Shepard's hands and kiss became, once again, insistent.
"Tali, it is good to see you. Too rarely do you leave engineering; the rest of the ship is lessened by your absence." greeted Morinth as the quarian tentatively entered the starboard observation room, careful to speak in a believably formal tone that Samara might have used.
"Thank you, Samara." Tali quickly responded to the seated asari's back, her usual embarrassment at praise forgotten in the worry caused by Ashley's message to Shepard.
Moving to stand beside the meditating ardat-yakshi Tali let the silence stretch out as she mentally composed her words. "Samara, I need help…it's about Shepard."
"Of course, Tali, I will aid you in whatever way the Code and my Oath of Subsumation allow."
Taking a deep breath Tali began relating the troubles she now faced to the serene, wise asari, "You've heard about Ashley…Chief Williams, right?" seeing Morinth's curt nod Tali continued, "Well you know that after Horizon she sent a message to Shepard...here, it's on my omnitool; I'll forward it to you."
Ending her imitation of justicar mediation Morinth called up her own omnitool and quickly read the note, her eyes widening in interest as she realized its importance. Looking at Tali for the first time since the quarian had entered her sanctum Morinth pressed her for information, "Was it not said when the Commander attempted suicide that this message from Chief Williams was the cause? This letter certainly does not seem like something that would induce suicidal thoughts."
"No, you're right…the suicide, that was my fault. I thought Ashley's interference would distract Shepard from the mission so when I got this from Ashley I took it to Miranda instead of forwarding it to Shepard."
"Go on." Morinth urged.
Glad at the opportunity to unburden herself Tali slid down to sit next to the asari; both of them staring into the void outside the viewport as she continued her story, "Miranda said that to show this to Shepard would hurt the mission so she rewrote it into the message that Shepard almost killed himself over."
"I don't understand...how did Miranda think that would help?"
The regret in Tali's voice was painfully forlorn even through the light garbling of her mask's speaker, "Because I was supposed to replace Ashley. Miranda knew I loved Shepard and said that this was my chance to make him love me back…and I fell for it."
"I see." Morinth nodded before continuing her questioning, "But why do you bring this to me now? All this happened in the past, what has changed to drive you to seek aid?"
"Ashley just sent a second message that says she still loves Shepard in far more absolute terms that the first message did."
"Ah, and you don't know what to do with this new message, correct?"
"Yes." Tali nodded.
"According to the Justicar Code there is only one option open to you that will not deepen your involvement in this injustice." stated Morinth, pleased at the web of twisted, Justicar sounding, platitudes she was weaving, "Matters of the heart are not in the power of outsiders to correct...but there is one way in which the damage caused by your collusion with Miranda can be repaired."
"What is that?"
"You must undo the influence Miranda has gained over Shepard as a result of your selfish actions and Miranda's scheming. I will help you in this endeavor. However, due to your previous involvement in this injustice it would be best if I were to handle this quest alone while you provided assistance only as required."
"Thank you, Samara, oh Keelah, thank you." the relieved quarian exclaimed.
"Do no thank me, Tali. Miranda committed a transgression and it is my sworn duty to bring her to justice for it." Morinth replied serenely, pleased at her ability to transform the growing triumphant smirk on her lips into a beneficent smile.
"Shit, Shepard…you smell like sex." Jack sneered as Miranda and Shepard entered the Normandy's briefing room.
Having the grace to at least appear embarrassed Shepard shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of the assembled team before Miranda took charge of the situation, "Very observant, Subject Zero…now, if we could move on to the reason for this meeting?"
Pulling himself together Shepard assumed his command voice, "Thank you Operative Lawson. Okay team, the plan now is to drop by a Cerberus base where we'll deliver the geth and collect the bounty on it…"
His voice faltering after this statement as he saw the disgusted sneer on Jack's face widen Shepard felt an insistent nudge from Miranda's elbow urging him to continue. Steeling himself Shepard averted his eyes from Jack and continued, "After disposing of the geth we'll fly to the Omega Nebula and board the Strontium Mule to recover whatever it is the Blue Suns found in it worthy of their time. Assuming that it's valuable we'll cash in on whatever it is by selling it to Cerberus. With the money from those two operations we will then dock at Omega station and purchase those upgrades we couldn't afford last time we were there. Questions…no? Okay, crew dismissed."
As the specialists quietly exited the room Jack shook her head slowly as she turned to follow the rest of the team out. As she left the briefing room without looking at Shepard Jack left behind a final comment in the room's otherwise silent air, the sheer force of disgust in her voice echoing off the Normandy's metal walls, "Fucking pussy whipped idiot."
Shepard stalked the empty halls of the Normandy, his fury mounting. Entering the echoing stillness of the CIC Shepard stopped and looked around at the abandoned stations before sighing heavily, "EDI, gather what's left of the crew in the briefing room."
Standing indecisively in front of the galaxy map Shepard looked out over his barren domain, lord of what little he saw. Chuckling grimly to himself Shepard's dark musing was disrupted as the elevator door opened disgorging several of the specialists on their way to the briefing room. As the away team slowly filtered past their grim commander Thane separated himself from the pack; motioning for Shepard to follow him into the more private confines of the armory, Jacob having already reported to the briefing room.
"What is it, Thane." Shepard demanded, irritated by the alien's perpetual calm.
"You know the choices that lay before you, correct?" inquired the drell.
"Of course I do. It is up to me whether we attempt a premature rescue of the crew or leave them to die in whatever horrible way the Collectors devise while we further prepare ourselves for the final showdown."
"Correct…a heavy burden to bear." Thane's stated evenly.
"No shit, but I guess that's what everyone wants me to do; to make those decisions." Shepard spat, irritated at the drell's pointing out of the painfully obvious weight Cerberus, and the galaxy, had forced him to once again shoulder. Voice lowering as he recalled a memory Shepard continued, "As if the first time around with Kaiden wasn't bad enough…now I have to do it again."
"I do not know this 'Kaiden' you speak of but let me share something important with you."
"Make it quick, Thane. I'm urgently needed in the briefing room to condemn either the crew or the away team to deaths." Shepard replied sarcastically.
Bowing his head Thane began, "You see the weapons surrounding us, the ones we take in our hands and use to kill the targets whose lives we decide to end? These guns, having no choice in that matter cannot be considered evil, they are merely tools."
"Obviously, Thane."
"Hear me out, Shepard. What arrogance is it that drives the sentient mind to presume that it has anymore choice than the gun? Are we not as reliant upon circumstances as anything else? To be evil requires a conscious choice; one that mortal creatures are incapable of making. Look at Jack, her choice was shaped by Cerberus torture; is Jack evil or simply, like the gun, a tool created and used by a greater force…by fate, for lack of a better term."
"That's all very interesting, Thane, but we're a little too busy right now for another course of Intro to Philosophy."
"Agreed, Commander. Just think upon what I've said. Fate controls your destiny; the choices you think that you have made were, in fact, made by forces beyond our ken. Take solace in that knowledge that the painful decisions you have made in an attempt to defeat the Reapers, both now and before your death, were preordained as a part of your geas, and this latest choice you face is no different. Whoever you choose to save is meant to live while those that die are simply meant to die."
Leaving a perplexed Shepard blinking in confusion behind him Thane gave the commander one last, solemn look as he left the armory. Making an effort to push aside the drell's words Shepard slowly followed the assassin towards the briefing room muttering as he went, "Fucking lizard sounds like a bar full of philosophers."
Entering the briefing room Shepard surveyed his assembled squad before speaking, "Okay team, this is it. We either hit the relay now in an attempt to save the crew or we abandon them while building our team for a future strike against the Collectors. Thoughts, anyone?"
"Shepard! You can't just abandon the crew; they trusted you to protect them. We have to save them." Tali exclaimed.
Watching Kasumi and Jacob nodding in agreement with Tali Miranda interjected, determined to counter Tali's opinion, "Don't be so naïve, quarian, there is no guarantee the crew will be alive when we reach them or that we could even accomplish that mission once through the relay. The primary objective has not changed despite the crew's abduction, we must defeat the Reapers. Waiting until our team is as strong as possible before hitting the Omega Four relay gives us the best chance of achieving that paramount objective."
Nodding in agreement with Miranda's words Shepard looked around the circle of operatives, "Anyone else? No…okay, we'll continue building our team. The Normandy itself as well as our weapons and armor still need upgrades if we are to face off against the Collectors. Once I determine that our strength is equal to the task we will hit the Collectors, and hit them hard; but not before then. The crew's sacrifice, and our likely sacrifice as well, will be meaningless without victory…and I will not accept that outcome. EDI, take us to Omega, the rest of you compile lists of required supplies and upgrades. Team, dismissed."
Leaving the briefing room Miranda allowed a smile of satisfaction to cross her face as Project Lazarus seemed to near a successful conclusion. News of this latest success at controlling Shepard should secure Oriana from Cerberus retaliation as per Miranda's agreement with the Illusive Man for undertaking this suicide mission. And, even if the Illusive Man betrayed her and decided to go after Oriana, the only people who knew anything about Oriana's new life, Shepard, Mordin and herself, were aboard the Normandy and heading to their deaths… and the dead are the best keepers of secrets. Eager to file her latest report Miranda headed towards the encrypted terminal in her office.