Mass Effect Project Renegade
Chapter 8: Evidence Amiss
The trial ended, Saren proven innocent by Council standards and the Systems Alliance steaming from the verdict, Jack brought it on to himself and offered Udina that he and the ground team would search for evidence if he would delay the report, Udina agreed but gave Jack a time limit, to the final decision. Nihlus returned to the Council ranks, and was reported to go in to debriefing, while the ground team made their way to the wards of the Citadel. Kaidan approached on Jack's left as they were navigating through the crowds on the Presidium.
"So Commander, do you have any idea of where to start?"
Jack turned his head slightly to his left looking at Kaidan.
"C-Sec Officer Vakarian, was investigating Saren's activities before Eden Prime, he may have more to go on."
Jenkins was lagging behind the group to see the sights of the Presidium. Jack ordered Ashley to drag Jenkins back in the group; Ashley just nodded navigating through people, while grabbing Jenkins shoulder.
"Come on Jenkins, you're falling behind!"
Jenkins was stumbling on his own feet while being dragged by Chief Williams.
"Sorry it's just I've never been here."
The group entered the elevator, each of them preoccupied themselves waiting for the elevator to reach their destination, all except for Jack who was just standing at attention while watching the lights pass through the glass.
As the elevator hit the lower wards, Jack exited the elevator first hoping to find a C-Sec officer with the knowledge of Officer Vakarian's whereabouts. Luckily for Jack it was just right in the Clinic, where he heard a frantic female scream. Jack and the group approached the clinic's door and saw the event unfold. The Clinic's Doctor was being surrounded by armed thugs, all Human. Jack saw Officer Vakarian hiding by a corner ready to spring on the armed thugs, but Jack had a different plan of action, he immediately ordered his squad to stand down, while he upholstered one advanced Colt 1911, [Led Based Weapon]. Jack immediately rushed in, catching the interrogator off guard.
"Who Are you-" The supposed leader was unable to finish the sentence, as Jack fired a round in to his head, causing him to instantly drop, while Jack quick shot the three others by her. The Remaining two equipped their Shotguns and were prepared to fire; Jack however armed a Therm-Det and flung it by the Contamination Container causing it to combust and incinerate the last of the thugs.
Detecting no more hostiles Jack holstered his weapon and was approached by none other than Officer Vakarian.
"Excellent take down Commander, I was about to take down the bastards myself…. Doctor Michele are you hurt?"
Doctor Michele?
.
.
Project Renegade Member?
Dr. Michele was catching her breath from the scene.
"I'm fine, those men were trying to shut me up about the Quarian I helped, she was talking about that she had information on Saren and the Geth."
Jack immediately interrupted her.
"Where?!"
Dr. Michele jumped a bit from the outburst.
"I sent her to an agent of the Shadow Broker Fist."
Garrus interrupted her this time, to update her on the news.
"Not anymore Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker and now works for Saren."
Michele was in total disbelief of what just occurred when the information hit her.
"Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker?! How stupid can he be?"
Jack ordered the crew to vacate the premises, so he could question Michele. Michele was fixing the thrown over chair in her office before she sat at her desk.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me Commander, anyways is there something I can do for you?"
Jack chuckled a bit while shaking his head at the floor.
"You don't remember me do you?"
Michele arched her brow while giving Jack a confused look.
"I can't say I have… Should I?"
Jack looked at her with a concentrated look. A few seconds later her eyes widen as the scars opened up all over. She fell off her chair and backed up with her hands.
"No we were pulled away from the project, I was relocated… I dyed my hair, changed my..."
Jack helped her up with his right hand.
"Calm down Michele, I'm not here to kill you… I need answers."
Michele was calming herself down.
"Now I know who you are Jack… you were still young when we were pulled away."
Jack began to pace around the clinic.
"Then you know about the terrorist action that Cerberus got framed for, my battalion… no my family was hunted down one by one, and I'm all that's left, and now the Director has ordered a total black out of all operations, I am literally in the dark here. Do you know who carried out the attack anyone who had a grudge against us?"
Michele didn't know what to say her work was nearly destroyed.
"No none, I mean we were given updates on your progress but nothing more… I'm sorry Jack I wish I could help you, maybe Alex knows more, but he went into hiding on Earth, and I've heard nothing from him."
Jack's scars faded away, as he breathed a sigh of disappointment, he began to walk out of the clinic.
"Take care Dr. Michele."
Michele nodded seeing the departed subject.
"You too, Jack."
Jack followed by the others ran through the corridors of the lower wards hoping to reach Chora's Den. Jack was immediately ambushed by two of Saren's assassins both who were Turian.
Jack immediately initiated first contact hand to hand moves, his right leg moved behind the Turian's left pulling his bowed leg forward, causing him to fall on his back, next Jack uppercut the other Turian in the jaw, punching him in the gut, followed by a stomp on the Turians left leg causing multiple fractures , finally on the Turian's knees Jack snapped his neck quickly while stomping his right foot on the incapacitated Turian on his back causing blue blood to shoot out of his mouth. ET: 3.26 Seconds.
As the group approached the den the door to their dismay was sealed, Garrus suggested to slice the door through the control panel, while Jack just took a few steps back then charged at the door. The steel door flung through the other side of the room crushing three guards. The group had their mouths agape from the scene, Jack just turned his head to look at the shocked group.
"What the Hell are you waiting for an invitation shoot them!"
Jack upholstered his handgun firing multiple rounds in to the guard. The last guard was a Krogan bouncer who was in a blood rage and began to charge at Jack. Jack grabbed the Krogan's head and twisted it making a sickening snap. The action immediately caused a few glances from the crew. Jack proceeded to the next door.
The room in the next door was occupied by two dock workers drawing their m3 Predators at Jack.
"Stop right there don't come any closer!"
Jack just looked at the two, obviously he thought they had no experience with weapons.
"Unless you want to be on my to kill list I suggest you get the hell out of here while you still have the legs."
Both of their faces went white as they avoided Jack and left the Den.
Garrus looked at Jack.
"I never thought of it that way."
Jenkins added in the discussion.
"Killing people isn't always the answer."
The group approached the last room, Jack took notice of Fist trying to activate his defenses. Jack threw a Chaff grenade frying the sentries. Fist cowered in front of the table, holding his hands up in front of his face. Jack picked him off the ground and pointed the gun at his face.
"Where's the Quarian?!"
Fist was shaking a bit.
"I don't know what you're talking about I swear!"
Ashley looked at him crossing her arms across her chest.
"He's lying."
Jack pointed his Colt at Fist's left foot and fired a round in to it, causing Fist to scream in agony.
"AHH SHIT! Okay I know who you're talking about but I don't know where she is!"
Jack pointed the Colt at his Right knee cap firing another round, which caused Fist to fall over holding his knee.
"GOD DAMN-IT! Okay no more, I told her that I set her up a meeting with the Shadow Broker."
Garrus had a confused expression, on his face.
"That's crazy the Shadow Broker only works through agents."
Fist stumbled up trying to gain his footing.
"I know that, that's why I sent her to Saren's agents, when she gets there they'll be waiting."
An angry expression grew on Jack's face as he lunged his left hand around Fist's neck while he used his Right to point his Colt at his head.
"You Son of a Bitch! Tell me where that meeting is or I'll blow your Fucking head off!"
Fist was on the verge of passing out from the fear.
"Lower wards back alley, if you go now you can save her—" Fist never got a chance to finish that sentence as Jack discharged a bullet through Fist's skull.
Jack signaled the others to move quickly to get to the alley.
As they exited the Den Jack decided to pick up his speed to beat the Assassins. As Jack reached the alley he saw the Quarian slap the Turians hand off her veil, in that instant he ordered the Assassins to move in for the kill.
Jack moved in quickly but the Quarian took the situation in her hands by tossing a stun grenade at the Assassins. Confused and Dazed the Assassins were stumbling over eachother which gave Jack the advantage. Jack quickly executed the Turian by shoving his combat knife in the Turians front neck. Jack took the knife out of Turian's neck and tossed it right at the Slarians head, piercing his helmet. The Last Assassin tried to make a break for it, but not before Jack fired around in the Salarians leg. The Salarian was begging for mercy, but Jack kicked him in the gut causing the Assassin to fall on his back, while Jack slammed his foot in the Salarians head causing it to explode.
Jack took the knife out of the Salarians head, then proceeded to approach the shivering Quarian. Jack offered her a hand, but the Quarian was hesitant at first to grab it, but then proceeded to accept the offer.
"Th-Thank you, ….. Bosh'tet Fist set me up!"
Jack was examining the Quarian for any injuries.
"Don't worry I took care of him, were you hurt in the fight?"
The Quarian dusted herself off.
"I'm fine, and I guess I owe you two things then…. Who are you?"
"Commander Shepard System Alliance, and you are?"
The Quarian smiled behind her mask.
"Tali…. Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya."
Shepard saw behind her as the group was just arriving.
"Tali I heard you have evidence against Saren we could greatly use that."
Tali nodded in agreement.
"Yes, but not here, I need to be somewhere Safe-"
Tali fell off her feet and landed on her behind.
"Ow - Bosh'tet, I think I sprained my Ankle while I ducked for cover-."
Jack Immediately picked Tali up, he placed a hand under her legs and one behind her back, the action caused Tali to blush.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Jack looked down at Tali.
"Would you prefer to walk to the embassy on that foot?"
Tali was burning up inside, she wondered why she was acting like this?
"N-no, but I uh-…"
Jack ordered the others to watch his six as they made their way to the elevator.