Pre-notes: This chapter has some sexual themes that comes with Chora's Den. Enjoy.
Something I've been waiting for...
Shepard steps back from her creation and sighs, rolling the kinks out of her neck. The crib's mahogany wooden curved edges shine brightly in the dimly lit apartment. She had found it the night before in a cardboard box outside her doorway. It had been a package received from some forgettable child's company with an overly flashy name and logo. She tiredly cranes her neck toward the clock.
6:25 a.m. E-time
She chuckles quietly to herself. She had apparently stayed up all night assembling the crib; thoroughly making sure that no nut, bolt or screw lay unused, surgically connecting the parts so that it looked as if it wasn't ever separated. Even with all the work she put in it, it still wasn't done. There was only one thing missing, the mobile. It wasn't missing of course; the company had sent two; one the color of blue, decorated with four charms: a mass relay, a starship, a biotiball and a cloud. The other mobile was a light pink also decorated with four charms: a human representation of a heart, a star, a pink mass relay and a gaudy-looking rainbow.
She finds herself not knowing which to put up. Shepard doesn't really think of herself as an impatient person; but this murderous feeling of needing this finished proves otherwise. Her mind tiredly pulls thoughts around as it attempts to come up with a solution. A fleeting memory of a magazine ad screams at her from the back of her subconscious. She steps unevenly over to her counter where old magazines lay. She sifts through each, looking for the ad. As she breezes through the magazine at the bottom of the stack, "A Mother's guide to the Galaxy", does she flip across a page of an overly made up Human man kissing the blue stomach of a pregnant Asari. "Birthing a new star to the Galaxy?" The ad reads.
"Then maybe Beginnings is for you. With thirty-three different xeno-specializing pre-natal and post-natal doctors working around the clock, as well as an outstanding review from the respectable C.H.R.S. (Citadel Health Review Society) to boot; our clinic is ready to suit your needs with services that range from amniocentesis to deliveries. Whatever help you need, is yours. Pregnancy is hard, why do it alone?
All races welcome".
Shepard walks uncomfortably through the door of Beginnings, her lower stomach cramping. She hadn't looked into what an amniocentesis was. "Biggest mistake of my life", she grunts as she walks through the crowd of people, ignoring the weird looks they give her.
They had stuck a hollow syringe into her stomach to test some of the amniotic fluid in the uterus. The damned doctor insisted that the topical anesthetic be used in a small dose because of their "concern" for the baby's well being. It was a lie; of course, she had overheard the nurse telling the doctor that they were running low on it when she was filling out the paperwork in the lobby. So the doctor gave her very little, and she felt it. But regardless, the medical staff assured her that they would send the results to her private terminal by the end of the day. Now all she plans to do today is lie down on her bed and sleep until then. She could forget about the Normandy at least for a little bit.
"Oh my god... Oh my god that's Commander Shepard!"says a man.
Or not. She turns on her heel sharply to see a blond man with wide blue eyes practically running up to her in excitement. "Do I know you?" she asks warily, noticing a few heads turning her way.
"No but I know you!" The man exclaims with excitement. "You're Commander Shepard! Survivor of Mindoir! Hero of Elysium! I... Can I get a signature?" he asks as he pulls out a receipt and shoves it into her hands with an old pen.
She hastily signs it and doubles back into the crowd. The man tries to follow her but she is soon lost in the crowd.
"I-uh... I guess I'll see you later?" he shouts through the thoroughfare.
Shepard wakes up to a knock at her door. She looks toward the clock.
1:19 p.m. E-time
The knock comes again; its uneven reps vibrate through the door. "Coming", she calls as she sits up. She walks across the soft carpet, glancing at her terminal in the hopes that the test results were back; they were not. She presses a button on the wall, the door hisses open and reveals a familiar Sentinel. "Lieutenant? How can I help you?" she asks, leaning against the doorway.
The Lieutenant coughs to himself as his face turns red. She feels a little bit self-conscious about being in her short dress pjs. Kaidan forces himself to stare at her eyes, "I...uh... Anderson."
"Anderson?" she asks, "What about him?"
"He...uh... Wanted to see you", he says as he scratches the back of his neck, "Apparently Anderson found a lead and wanted to... Ah... See you. But he was busy so I... See-came to see you that is-"
And now my Lieutenant has a high school crush on me. Wonderful.
Shepard closes the door on the Lieutenant. She quickly steps across the rough carpeting to her closet.
"...Uh..." Kaidan starts from behind the door, "Shepard?"
"I'll be out in a minute", she grumbles as she pulls the elastic suit out. This is why she doesn't like outgoing people... They're too... Outgoing. The woman shimmies into her Onyx armor. She can almost feel Kaidan's eyes burning through the door as he waits outside. Shepard rolls her eyes at the thought of the Lieutenant openly showing his affection, intentional or not.
Her armor pops into place perfectly, the skin-tight, rubbery material snugs around her body's curves and edges. It is a feeling she has come to love. The way the breathable suit clings to her- just the feeling of something supporting her, protecting her... there was no better feeling.
Her gloved finger glides over the button. The door hisses open, a mahogany-eyed Lieutenant wears an embarrassed smile as the Commander steps forth from the apartment.
"Bad timing?" he asks timidly.
Among other things yes, she thinks. "You mentioned something about a lead", she starts. The Lieutenant nods sharply. "Where to?"
Chora's Den... One must wonder how a utopia manages to keep itself looking formal and refined when the ever looming presence of disgust and vulgarity lies in the background spreading its legs for all to see. A place where undesirables come to waste their monthly wages on drinks and hookers.
A silhouette of a lounging Asari with her tit out, decorates the wall next to the door, further confirming Shepard's thoughts of this... gentlemen's club. The door to the bar slides open as Shepard and Kaidan approach, the deep bass of the roaring music rips its way through their skulls.
Shepard could feel lecherous eyes upon her as she makes her way through the bar with Kaidan in tow. Turian and Humans of both genders as well as the mono-gendered Asari seductively walk up to them from the dark corners of the club, blatantly propositioning both Kaidan and Shepard.
A Human man wearing nothing but revealing leather chaps walks beside Shepard, "Hey cutie", he smiles, showing his red sanded teeth. His whole face screams drug addict, his eyes are red and dry, while his skin takes a blotchey pale color. "You look like the kind of girl who has refined tastes", he continues, eyes grazing over her tight suit, "Luckily for you, that's the thing I offer. I usually charge a hundred credits to get my cock out, but for you I'd charge fifty for the whole package. Been too long since I had a good partner. What do ya say, sweetie?" Shepard gives him a withering gaze, rolls her eyes and continues walking. "Bitch", he mumbles under his breath as he slows down to Kaidan's pace. "Offer stands for you too."
Kaidan refuses to make eye contact, "Please. I'm working", he says uncomfortably.
The man gives out a dry cackle, "Ah! A working boy! I get it", he says as he draws his face closer to Kaidan's, his acidic breath practically suffocates the Sentinel, "I like that in guy. Like the suit too... One question though."
"Yeah?"
The whore grabs his ass roughly, "You a top or bottom?" he asks with a disgusting smile.
Kaidan punches his hand away, "I'm neither. Leave me alone", he growls.
The hooker whines and follows closely behind the two. Shepard sits down at a table, ignoring the way the sticky seat feels underneath her jumpsuit. Soon Kaidan joins her, visibly disgusted at the feeling beneath him. The entertainer stops in front of them, an electronic pad in his hand, "What do you guys want to drink?" he asks, as he turns it on.
Kaidan looks at the man incredulously, "You're a server too?" he asks.
"Yep. We're multi-talented. What do you want?"
"Nothing", Shepard says as she flicks a condom off of the table, "We're here for Harkin."
The man gave her a confused look, "...Harkin? I don't think I know a... Oh!" he exclaims, "Yeah! That guy comes around all the time!"
"Do you know where he is now?" asks Kaidan.
A devilish smile spreads across the stripper's face, "Yep. He's above you."
"Above-?" Shepard looks up to see a purple pod protruding from the ceiling; inside, two shadows move spastically back and forth mutely.
"You put your prostitution pods in the bar?" Kaidan asks disgustedly. The man replies with a blank nod. The Sentinel buries his face in his hands, completely disgusted.
"Yep. Harkin's been keeping this up for about an hour now. Poor Iris", he giggles. "Well he should be finished soon. Enjoy the dancing", he says with a stained smile before he turns and walks off, revealing an eyeful of something they both didn't want to see.
The two soldiers sit there for an uncomfortable five minutes before Kaidan breaks the silence, "So... we just wait..?" he asks.
"If you're uncomfortable, you can leave. I can do this alone", Shepard says, wary of the club's vulgarity.
Kaidan considers arguing, but decides against it. He stands and walks out uncomfortably but not before their stripper/server, Jared-or at least that was what was tattooed onto his ass- gives Kaidan's a smack.
Shepard smiles lightly and turns her attention back to the pod as Kaidan warningly points at Jared before the door closes behind him.
"You my next bitch?" Asks a bald, inebriated man as he rounds a corner with a beer in hand. His glazed and uneven eyes glance appreciatively over her body. A woman Shepard figures to be Iris limped out from behind him, giving Harkin a forced smile before she stumbles away.
"You know Garrus?"
The drunk snorts, "The skullface with a sense of justice?" he slurs as he sits down in Kaidan's seat. "Yeah I know 'im. He works at C-sec-" he cuts himself off, anger and frustration mixed with a little bit of inebriation spreading across his face, "Goddamn C-sec. Joining was tha biggest goddamn mistake I 'ave ever made."
Shepard leans back in her chair, adjusting herself appropriately so that her hair doesn't touch the cushion. "I'm not interested in your life story", she says spitefully.
Harkin glares and pulls his mouth into an impish grin, "Feisty", he growls, "I like that inna woman. It'll be fun tamin' you."
Shepard ignores the comment, "Where's Garrus, Harkin? I need to find him."
"And why should I tell you? What do I get out of it?" he asks suggestively, his hand drifting too close to his crotch.
Shepard pulls Faith from her hip and holds it in front of her, showing the drunk ass the beautiful silver curves and edges of her pistol, "You see this gun?" she asks. Harkin nods. "You tell me where Garrus is and I won't show you how I earned my reputation", she says cooly.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Harkin asks as he downs the rest of his beer.
"Commander Shepard."
The man chokes on his drink, eyes watering as the spicy liquid burns his throat. "Co...Commander Shepard?" he asks through painful coughs.
"The very same. Do you have something for me to follow, or do I have to shove this up your ass and fire?"
Harkin glares at her, "He's 'round Dr. Michel's place", he spits out.
Shepard stands, pleasantly surprised that the sticky seat doesn't come with her. She brushes by Harkin's seat, "Glad we were able to keep this civil", she says.
She walks about one step more before Harkin draws her attention back to him, "Tha great Commander Shepard", he purrs, as he turns his head to face her, "Expect me ta bend you over one day, Princess."
Shepard turns back to the door, "It'll be a cold day in hell before that..." she whispers under her breath.
The journey to the Michel's place is short. It's mostly just a flight of stairs followed by a walk across the Wards to arrive at the medical office. On the way, Shepard had texted Ashley to meet them there. The Commander and Lieutenant come across the Chief gazing out into the Serpent Nebula from the Ward's railing, her eyes trained on the Destiny Ascension. "Commander. Lieutenant", the girl nods.
"We keep you waiting long?" Shepard asks.
"Nope. Just got here. Any reason we're here?"
"We're looking for a Turian named Garrus. He might have a lead on proving my innocence", Shepard murmurs as she approaches the door to the medical office.
"Yeah..." Ashley says, offering an empathic tone, "I heard about that... I'm sor-"
A woman screams from behind the door. The wicked sound of gunfire cascades throughout the Wards, sending the people into a panic; bustling and screaming as they stampede away. Shepard punches the switch, Faith in hand. She looks back to see her team, weapons in hand. Should've worn my tech armor, she thinks as the door slides open. The clinic is small. A red haired woman cowers behind a bed, eyes tightly closed shut; most likely to not see the dead Human man sprawled out on the floor in front of her; a fleshy crater taking the place of an average skull.
A familiar Turian crouches behind a supply crate, mandibles spreading out in anticipation. His sweaty talons constrict around his Reaper sniper rifle. He peers his head out from behind the cover. Two armed men stand at the other end of the clinic. Garrus steps from his cover, levels his sniper rifle and fires. A spear of light shoots forth across the room, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake. The bullet explodes through a man's head, decorating the wall with bits of hair and skull.
"Dammit!" The last man screams as he fires his assault rifle. The bullets rip through Garrus' shields; stray shots bury themselves in his arm. The Turian yelps as he doubles back into cover. "How do you like that, skullface?!" laughs the mercenary. His humor is stopped short as he catches sight of Shepard. He screams as a sphere of ice flies at him from across the room. The liquid nitrogen breaks across his torso, continually growing across his body until it thoroughly encases the man in a tomb of ice.
Shepard gestures for Kaidan and Ashley to check on the doctor and the officer as she walks closer to the frozen man, a green translucent light starts to form around her arm, shaping into an omni-dagger. She steps up to the frozen man, his eyes move rapidly in fear under her gaze. "Shepard", she whispers, "My name is Shepard". She thrusts the emerald blade under the center of his ribs, cracking the ice around his torso and spewing a fountain of blood onto the floor. She pulls the blade free of the dying man and steps back to the others, her green bloody omni-dagger disappears. "Are they okay?" Shepard asks as Kaidan helps Garrus off of the ground. Ashley gently pulls at the doctor's hand, guiding the trembling woman to the rest of the group.
Garrus flinches as Kaidan's hands brush against his arm. "I'm fine, Commander", he groans through his teeth, "Glad you showed up when you did".
"Me too. I heard that you had a-", Shepard starts before the Turian collapses into Kaidan's arms. "I..veacople..f...leadsss", he mumbles incoherently as Kaidan struggles to hold him upright.
"We need to get him medical treatment. Kaidan, there's a taxi outside; I'll send you enough credits to make it to the Normandy." Her green omni-tool lights up as she transfers the money.
"The Normandy?" Ashley questions, "We have a doctor right here", she says, pointing at the woman.
The doctor takes an unsteady breath in, "My name is Doctor Chloe Rachel Michel... I run the clinic here."
"It's good to meet you, I still need to have Garrus temporarily transferred to the Normandy, though; I have a few questions for you... And we still have this mess", she says as she turns her head to see three puddles of blood draining from the three mercenaries. The Lieutenant makes for the door, the Turian's awkward shape not making the journey any easier.
"I understand this situation might incite such questions", Michel murmurs in her heavily accented tone of voice, "Let me say that Fist sent mercenaries to keep me from telling Garrus about the Quarian."
"Quarian? What are you talking about?" Shepard asks.
"A few days ago, a Quarian came by my office" the medical officer starts, "She had been shot; she was nervous, wouldn't tell me who did it. I believe it was Saren's men, she mentioned information on him that could potentially expose him to the Council."
"She has information on Saren?!"
Ashley looks at Shepard, "That's probably why Garrus was here. I have to hand it to the Turian", she says, "he's definitely persistent... But what is C-sec gonna do when they find out we took one of their officers?"
"Not well... Especially if they find us here..." she says, "Rachel, we'll continue this conversation later, we need to get you to the Normandy. I can't allow C-sec stepping in. Are you okay with that?" she asks
Michel looks down and contemplates. If she leaves with them there could be major consequences. Shepard doesn't enjoy putting her into that position... But it's vital. The woman's striking green eyes catch Shepard's hazel, "What keeps C-sec from finding us? You sounded like you're in association Garrus. If so, C-sec would be tracking you for his disappearance. They could board the Normandy."
"They can, but a missing person's report can only take place twenty-four hours after their disappearance. I'm hoping we can find the Quarian before then", says Shepard.
"Kidnapping a doctor and a C-sec officer? Commander, there's no way this is going to end well!" Ashley starts, "You already have two charges against you!"
"I know that, Chief. But I will gladly stand trial for something I actually did." The Commander turns back to the doctor, "Michel? Have you decided?" she asks.
The woman nods her head shallowly, "Yes Commander, I will."
"Good... We need to get out of here."
Shepard walks sorely through her house, exhausted from the day's events. She opens her terminal and checks for messages from Michel. With luck, the desired message waits to be opened at the top of her message feed.
Sender: Rachel.
Subject: Catch drinks later?
Sorry for the moniker, Commander. When an agent of the Shadow Broker takes personal interest in you, it definitely warrants a few precautions.
Fist is a powerful crime boss. He's clever and level-headed. There's no way he'd agree to meet you under such short notice and I don't suggest you fight your way through, he'd escape too quickly... I've heard from my cousin that Fist takes walk-ins for employment. I'm not sure what takes place there, but it might be the only way in.
Whatever way you choose, it is imperative that it be done soon. Saren probably ordered him to kill the Quarian and if Fist has truly left the Broker, then his time is short. The Shadow Broker doesn't leave loose ends.
In either event, thank you for bringing me to the Normandy, the crew is making me feel very welcomed.
Best of luck.
P.s. Garrus is doing well. He's awake now and being tended to. They explained the situation and he agrees that coming aboard was the best idea.
-Dr. Michel
Shepard leans back in her chair. If an assassin was after Fist, this gamble she was taking could be ruined. She needed this data. She taps her fingers against the holographic keypads, letting her know her plans. The second message on the news feed catches her attention...
Sender: Beginners.
Subject: Your Beginnings...
We once again thank you for taking the time to stop by. We—
Shepard reads through the message, hounding through the useless words in attempt to find the results from the amniocentesis she took earlier.
-We are glad to inform you of the cost for a traditional amnio-
"Nope...Nope...Nope..." she mumbles to herself.
-results show that your healthy baby is a-
A smile spreads across Shepard's face. Finally receiving an answer
Shepard lies down in her bed, listening to the crib's music box-like melody. It's a beautiful but sad melody, something that could calm even the most pained hearts...
Her tired eyes close as the void draws her in. The bright pink mobile spins delicately in place above the crib.
Post-notes: Aahhhhh this was a nice chapter :). I enjoyed writing it at my own pace... It's a girl :D! I recently played The Citadel DLC and came up with some great ideas to pursue upon as well as an original character based off of one of my friends...
I'm so happy you guys are enjoying this story! And I'm so happy that I enjoy writing it. With Dementia, it was always such a hassle because almost no one would comment on it...and the ones who did, I had to beg them to. With Routine Mission, I gave myself a storyline I know by heart as well as some freedom to bend it the way I like it to bend. It also probably helps that I do around 3,000 words per chapter (except the first one) instead of around maybe 600 with Dementia. My writing is better, I'm a lot more comfortable with this writing style, and I have a lot of time and support to do this. My writing/reading life is pretty perfect... Except the fact that Moranth hasn't continued Conflict of Interests in about a year. Ugh hurry the hell up lol. I'm dyin.
I've been getting a lot of private messages (most of them polite) from people stating that I'm not portraying Ashley correctly, it's true. She was not like this in the game. It might seem a bit random but have you guys seen Boy in the striped pajamas? You know how the mom seemed a little bit biased against the Jews? And then all that changes when he helps her son? She matured. She grew up. Her character is developing. I like to think I'm doing the same with Ashley. I just wanted to clarify that. And for those of you who asked: no I wasn't offended.
Review. Follow. Like my page on Facebook (Mass Effect by Celestiallight) so you can see my inspiration and concept art I leave around there.
Thank you guys again for reading. I really love this little "relationship" we have ;).
May your Internet lead you to great stories…
-CelestialLight.