Mass Effect Project Renegade
Chapter 10: The Bounty
The Krogan and the Human Mercenary approached Jack.
"I won't ask you again Human, are you Shepard?"
Jack's eye glanced at the approaching duo, studying their movements, seeing if there is an opening if they attack. The Human Mercenary by the Krogan spoke this time.
"Hey! My buddy here just asked you a question, don't make him repeat it."
Jack eyes glanced at the Human Mercenary, studying his movements as he proceeded closer.
"What's it to you?"
The Krogan looked at the Human Mercenary, then at Jack at again.
"Brave… do you know who we are Shepard?"
Jack just took a deep breath while telling his squad to stand down.
"Let's see, a Trigger Happy Krogan, and a drunk Mercenary."
The Krogan gave out a strong laugh, while the mercenary just shook his head chuckling.
"You're not far from it, here take this."
The Krogan handed Jack a stack of credits, the action brought a questioning glance at the Krogan.
"What's this for?"
The Krogan Removed his helmet covering his face, his face was war-torn and cut up, this Krogan has seen some action Jack thought.
"You see, Shepard my friend and I were tasked by the Shadow Broker to hunt down fist, only you got to him first, it's only fair that you get the pay, as well as a proposition."
Jack arched his right brow.
"and that would be?"
This time the Human Mercenary spoke up.
"We want in on your mission to hunt Ass hole Saren, but we want to know if you're worthy, and can pass a test."
Before Jack had the chance to reply, out of nowhere a Human wearing a CAT 6 Specialist armor de cloaked while pointing an M-6 Predator at the back of Jack's head. With lightning reflexes Jack quickly turned around pushing the gun to the ground followed by Jack to tossing the Assassin at the Duo behind him. Jack Un-holstered his 1911, which gave Garrus a questioning look on this strange new Handgun, Jack pointed the 1911 at the trio who were gaining their footing.
"I assume that pathetic attempt to catch me off guard was the test."
The Assassin dusted himself off, while fixing his helmet.
"If I wanted to catch you off guard you'd be dead so consider yourself lucky Shepard."
That remark caused Jack to glare at the Assassin.
"Who the Hell are you guys?"
The Human Mercenary who was wearing a Bulky Urban-Camo armor stepped forward.
"Oh that's right I'm Former Major Nick, on my left is my associate Wrex, and on my right…. Uh, he joined up a few days ago, he refers himself as shadow. "
Jack left brow arched upward.
"Shadow?"
Shadow stood there silently for a few seconds, before giving Jack his reply.
"Got a problem with the name Shepard?"
Jack's team just looked at him, expecting a reply as well.
"It's just Shadow is usually an operative's name."
Wrex just stepped in to interrupt the so called conversation.
"Shepard there is a storm coming and you and Saren are right in the middle of it."
Jenkins approached Jack hoping to add in on the decision.
"Commander take the deal, we need a Kick Ass Krogan!"
Wrex looked at Jenkins and proceeded to give off a big laugh.
"Ha! I like you Pyjack!"
Jack sighed a defeat, he had a schedule to keep and this was just keeping him from it, so Jack came to a decision.
"All right, you three can come… But let me be clear we hunt Saren my way, or not at all… Understood?"
Nick nodded, Wrex just huffed, and Shadow just stood still, not breaking eye contact with Jack. Jack just looked at the two out of the three.
"That better mean yes."
As the Trio joined Jack's group, the group entered the elevator heading towards the Normandy, per Udina's instructions. The group in the elevator waited patiently watching the lights go down as the elevator went up. There was conversing in the group as they waited for the elevator to stop, as well as some whispering about Jack, which he tried to ignore. The elevator stopped after a minute and a half of waiting, Jack exited the elevator first, followed by the crew. In Jack's line of sight was none other than Captain Anderson and Ambassador Udina. Jack approached Anderson and Udina who stopped talking to each other to face Jack.
"Ah Shepard, I have some good news for you, Captain Anderson is stepping down the ship is yours."
Jack's eyes widened as Anderson nodded to confirm the announcement.
"She's Fast and Reliable Shepard, you need her to hunt down Saren, I know you'll take care of her Shepard."
There was a silence between the two, Jack didn't know what to expect he was just handed the most advance Cruiser in Council-Alliance Space.
"I will sir… and thank you."
Anderson patted Jack on his right shoulder, while Udina faced Jack.
"We have reports that these locations on the data pad, show clues to Saren's whereabouts.
Therrum here is the Location of Dr. Tsoni the daughter to Matriarch Benezia, she may have clues to where Saren is.
On Noveria, Intel Officers report that Matriarch Benezia, has made contact with the Authorities of Noveria and is hiding at facility on the Peak bays.
Finally Ferros one of our Colonies are under siege by the Geth and Saren 'was' reported there, until he departed from the colony and left two Geth Drop Ships, the Colony just lost contact shortly after.
However the choice is yours Commander, but remember you were a Human long before you were a Spectre, whatever you do I have to handle it."
Jack nodded knowing how fragile the situation was.
"I know how unstable the region is ambassador; I'll try not to cause a mess for you."
Udina nodded at Jack and proceeded to the elevator. Now that Jack commanded the Normandy the new members he picked up for the group now became a part of the Crew of the Normandy.
One by one the crew members entered the docking tube, Jack was however still keeping an eye on 'Shadow'. Garrus looked at Jack hoping to engage in a conversation.
"I can't believe your Captain just gave you his ship that rarely happens in the Turian Hierarchy… Does the Alliance do this often? "
Jack just shook his head while replying to his statement.
"Not Really…"
Tali decided to add in on the conversation as well.
"In the Migrant Fleet, you have to either earn your ship or at least buy a decommissioned one, to become a Captain."
Jack raised his right brow while looking at Tali.
"Are you saying I didn't earn it Tali?"
Tali's eyes widened behind her mask and started to fidget around.
"What?! N-no, I didn't mean it like that… Of course you earned it, I was j-just-"
Jack placed his right hand on Tali's head.
"Calm down Tali, I wasn't being serious."
Tali took a deep breath trying to calm down.
"Oh.. Um.. Right…. Keelah…"
Kaidan approached the Commander in the decon chamber of the Normandy's entrance.
"So Commander what's our first stop."
"Therrum" Jack answered quickly.
Ashley wanted to question Jack about the mission.
"Any intel on the Doctor, Commander?"
Jack pulled open the Data pad, revealing the intel on T'soni.
"Only that she is a Prothean expert, and is the daughter to Matriarch Benezia."
Ashley rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"So she might be siding with her Mother on this… this mission is reassuring."
Garrus budded in on the Conversation, which gave Ashley a annoyed look.
"Do you think Saren will be expecting us to find Dr. T'soni?"
Jack turned off the Data pad while turning to Garrus in the Decontamination chamber.
"Saren will be expecting us to go after him, however he doesn't know how, which gives us the advantage, then fry the bastard."
"HELL YEAH!" Shouted an eager Major Nick.
"Decontamination Complete, Log the Commanding Officer is aboard, XO Pressley stands relieved." The Synthetic Voice announced to the Crewmembers in the Chamber. As the Crewmembers exited the Decon chamber, Jack ordered Joker to take off. The Crewmembers separated, Jenkins and Kaidan made their way to the stairs, while the others made their way towards the elevator, as for Jack made his way to the Comm room. As Jack entered the sterile room, he looked up at the Voice Command control.
"VI Seal the door."
The Comm rooms door panel lit red. Jack scouted the rooms for bugs, and disabled the output communications from leaving the room, incase Joker was listening. On a last safety precaution he disabled the Normandy's VI in the room. Jack activated the Comm Panels outgoing Communication and entered in the numbers in to the panel: 539921. Several dots could be seen on the holographic interface, which signaled Jack to stand by. A few moments later Jack heard a male voice on the other end.
"This is Cerberus Command, may I ask who I am speaking with."
"Commander Jack Shepard, Hell Dog Platoon Leader, I have successfully infiltrated the Alliance N7 Program, I also have intel and updates for Cerberus." Said Jack.
There was a pause for a moment, the voice on the other line spoke up.
"Verification?"
Jack checked behind him making sure no one was listening in on the conversation.
"Project Renegade, Zero, Zero, One."
"Verified, what can we do for you jack?" Spoke the Cerberus Operator.
Jack put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, he inhaled in feeling a bit anxious on the news of the Future of Cerberus.
"Patch me through to the Director."
The Operator acknowledged the command as Jack could hear tapping on a control panel.
"Confirmed, please note that the Director has taken up a Operative Name, Code Name The Illusive Man, stand by."
Jack found it strange to now call the Director The Illusive Man. A few seconds later the holo lights up, showing the The Illusive Man. The Illusive Man was sitting in his chair lighting a cigarette as well.
"Commander Shepard…"
Jack stood at attention, in presences of the Head of Cerberus.
"Illusive Man I forwarded the reports to you, has Cerberus received them?"
The Illusive Man inhaled his cigarette while looking at the data pad, his face seemed interested on the intel gathered by Jack.
"Yes I'm reviewing them as we speak… Good work by the way…. Reapers? Sentient machines, that wiped out the Protheans…"
Jack was worried on the status on Cerberus, so he decided to ask.
"What are my orders Sir? Is there any new information on what happened to our Organization and why it was framed?"
The Illusive Man put out his cigarette, and forwarded the intel to Jack.
"Yes several leads, but your main mission is to find the Conduit, before this Turian, Saren does. Jack I don't mean to sound dramatic, but it could be the end of all Humanity if Saren brings back these machines."
Jack was at conflict right now, he didn't want to get sidetrack on the innocence of Cerberus, but he has to protect Humanity at any cost, if that meant hunting down Saren before he finds the Conduit then so be it.
"This will side track me from our previous mission, so what are those leads?"
The Illusive Man took a drink of his scotch, before looking at Jack.
"Our Operatives have found several fake 'Cerberus' facilities."
A questioning look appeared on Jack's face.
"What do you mean Fake?"
"Meaning they're pretending to be us, if you have time Jack I want you investigate these facilities and wipe them out, get any Intel on these Facilities as well. Wiping out these Facilities will also gain Cerberus ground in those systems, for future operations, bolstering us up back to full strength… I don't know who these pretenders are, but if they have information on the real culprits, then we're looking at a much bigger picture. Good Luck Shepard." Said The Illusive Man.
The Illusive Man ended the channel, while Jack sighed from the new operations.
Reapers, A Spectre who I thought killed along with his relative Desolus, and Pretending Cerberus cells… I have my work cut out. At least Cerberus will keep in Contact.
Jack wipes the Comm Room, so no one can trace the connection, following that Jack reactivates the VI and proceeds to the Elevator. As Jack headed to the hanger bay thinking of the difficult mission that lies ahead, the fate of the Galaxy and the fate of his organization. Jack see's Garrus Calibrating the Mako's weapon system, Ashley working on her Assault rifle, Nick leaning up against the workbench, Wrex pacing around, probably thinking of what to do with his spare time. Jack sets off to the engine core, seeing that Nick and Shadow were out of sight for some reason.