Pre-notes: Once again there are a few semi-sexual themes. Chora's Den, you know how it is...
Oh... And torture too... Damn... For a Paragon, Shepard's pretty messed up.
Only a few hours left...
Shepard steps in sync with Jared as they head towards Fist's room. She had approached her boyfriend-or at least that's what Jared told her to call him- with the intent of joining the "gang". She told him that she was being discharged from the Alliance military for excessive fraternization and therefore needed a job to keep her house. To say the stripper was ecstatic would be an understatement; he barely gave her time to finish her sentence before he grabbed her hand and practically dragged her into Chora's Den to meet her new boss.
"You're gonna love it 'ere!" he says as they push through the crowd, "I'll even put a good word in for you-dn't thank me; we'll be spending a lotta... time together..." he whispers, showing his red teeth through a side smile.
"That's... generous... Thank you."
"Okay, so don't be nervous; Fist is gonna ask for a private dance. It'll only be you and him. I also heard that 'e'll give ya a bigger salary if ya su-" Jared starts before Shepard cuts him off.
"Yeah... I'm good without that", she says...
Just Fist and I... Shouldn't be too hard...
"Fist!" Jared calls, knocking on the door, "Got a new worker for ya and boy is she a looker!" Jared turns to Shepard and smiles, "Shouldn't be too long now."
The door hisses open, an impatient looking man with a close-cropped buzz cut steps through. "G'damn! I told you not to bug me!" he grunts, brown eyes drifting to Shepard. "Who's the slut?" he asks.
"My name is... Lisa, sir. It'd be a pleasure to...work... for you", she purrs in a seductive tone, "Been waiting for a chance."
"Well now's your opportunity", he purrs back, "Come on in, and we'll see if we can't get you a job." The man turns and walks back into his office signaling for 'Lisa' to follow him. Shepard gives Jared one last look before following.
"Good luck!" Jared calls as the door closes.
"I'm likin' it so far", Fist says as she grinds her hips in his lap. She roughly grabs hold of his collar, pulling his face closer to her, letting her hot breath mingle with his. "Liking this too. Like it when girls are forceful", he says taking in her smell of perfume. Her eyes drift up to the holo-clock on the wall.
12:49 p.m. E-time
Early in the morning, Shepard had received more information about Fist's hit on the Quarian. She had Garrus use his C-sec codes to sift through Chora's Den surveillance cameras to get more info on Fist. They eventually narrowed down the timescale to 1:00 p.m. E-time.
Shepard looks back down at Fist, "You like girls who are forceful?" she asks, pulling his face to hers, giving the impression that she'll kiss him.
"Mmhmm."
Fist licks his dry, twitching lips as hers draw closer. When their lips stand barely a centimeter away from each other, a grin crosses her face, "Then you're gonna love this." The hand holding his shirt tightens as she launches his head backwards before ripping him back; her fist meets his face halfway. A wet cracking sound becomes drowned out by his own screams that echo throughout the room. Shepard repeats the action: throwing his head back and smashing her fist into his face as she pulls him back. Fist gurgles and groans as she stops, blood bursting from his nose and mouth. She leans in closely to his ear, still purring in a seductive tone, "You ordered a hit on a Quarian. Where is she? Where's it taking place?"
The man mumbles something unintelligible. Shepard leans her ear closer to hear. "Come again?"
"...fu.. Fuck off whore."
She grabs his close cut hair and throws the man to the ground in front of her. Her foot buries itself into his ribs the second Fist hits the ground. She kicks again, ignoring the shallow cries from the bleeding man. "Not the answer I was looking for. Tell me where the hit is going to take place!" She launches another kick into the man in the fetal position. "It's simple Fist. You of all people should know how these things work. You tell me what I need to know and I bathe you in medi-gel and you're free to go", she says, "Don't you think it'd be worth it?" She stands above the man, waiting for an answer. He mumbles and shakes his head. Shepard sighs and continues kicking, "You're really starting to piss me off, Fist. Just tell me where the damn Quarian is and I let you go! No one is going to save you. I know you tell your employees to not bother you. I also know that this room's sound-proof so you can have your way with the strippers discreetly. I'm using your own securities against you", she says, giving his ribs another kick, "Have something to tell me?" Fist ignores her. She rolls him onto his back, "Dammit, Fist! My life is on the line and my survival depends on this! There's nothing I'm not willing to do right now!" She yells, her foot hovering above the man's crotch, "Tell me where the damn Quarian is!" The man remains silent, her foot rises up into the air, "One!" She yells. The man still remains unresponsive, "Two!" Shepard's leg twitches with anticipation as she raises it higher, "Th-"
"OKAY!" Fist cries weakly, "It's gonna be in one of the alleys near the markets!"
A smile spreads across Shepard's face as she kneels down beside the man, "That's what I needed to know. Thank you ", she says as she cracks his nose back into place. The man screams at the top of his lungs, spit and blood gurgling out of his mouth as his throat contracts. She looks back up at the holo-clock...
12:57p.m. E-time
"Well good luck with the medical procedures." She sets a medi-gel kit beside the man and makes her way for the door, a little wary of the blood decorating her civvies. She stops... how the hell was she going to explain being covered in blood.
A knock at the door pulls her from her thoughts. "Fist?" a deep voice calls from behind it. Shepard looks desperately for a place to hide as the man knocks again, "Open up, Fist!" The door slides open as she dives behind the couch. A Krogan clad in jet black armor lit up with bright green piping walks through. "Ahh Fist", he rumbles, "Girl troubles?" He asks with a chuckle. The man on the floor attempts to crawl away as the giant draws closer, shaking the floor with his steps. "I'm not sure what made you think you could escape the Shadow Broker- c'mon Fist you know better than that... Betraying him for Saren? Not your best idea... But it was your last. No one gets away with betrayal in this business." The man on the floor screams for mercy as the Krogan launches into the air above him, coming down fist first into the man's skull. A blood red field of biotics explode around him as he connects; crushing Fist's head.
"Annnnnd my job is done", he says as he stands and shakes the pieces of skull and clumps of skin and hair off of his three-fingered hand. "You can come out now, Shepard." Shepard remains still as the Krogan's heavy footsteps thump closer to the couch. His heavily-armored head peers over the sofa, "You think you can infiltrate Chora's Den and expect an agent of the Broker not to know? Come on, Shepard."
"So who are you?" Shepard asks as they rush through the bar.
"Urdnot Wrex. I'm a bounty hunter for the Shadow Broker."
Shepard steps by Jared sprawled out in his own blood on the floor, his hand stiffly wrapped around a gun. "And you massacred the entire staff to get to Fist?"
"Yep... Well almost all of them. There was this girl working for C-sec. The dumb girl walked in front of her co-worker's gun! I slapped her miserable ass with just enough medi-gel to crawl to a cab", he says with a laugh. "And as for the rest of the staff... they're very multi-talented."
The two step out of the bar, walking along the metal trail, "How did you know all of this? About me? About the girl?"
"Working for the Shadow Broker has its perks. If you're high enough on the ladder, you never walk into something blind."
"What do you know about the Shadow Broker? Other than the fact that he's your boss?"
"Pretty much nothing. No one ever speaks to him; he's not a guy you want to mess with either."
"Why's that?"
"He has leverage on everyone. He could destroy your reputation, your career, in less than a minute—hell; he could even kill you within a day if he wanted to... That's why I'm here. No one betrays the Shadow Broker."
"Are you loyal to him?"
"As long as he pays me. I need him for the money; he needs me for the kills."
"Well you seem to be capable."
"That's what my advertisement says."
Shepard chuckles lightly, "You have an advertisement?"
Wrex pulls a datapad out from a pocket in his jet black armor.
Some asshole kill your family? Caught your boss screwing your sister? Then maybe you need a Krogan to kill his miserable ass.
My name is Urdnot Wrex and I kill dumbasses on a regular basis. With biotics or strength powerful to rip a Yahg in half, I doubt you could find a better suited "businessman" to fix your problems.
Worried about law enforcement? Don't. Being friends with the Shadow Broker has its benefits, especially when government and political parties hide like Pyjacks at the mention of his name.
Worried about my qualifications? Don't. With more than six hundred years of killing dumbasses and perfecting my biotics, you'll find me more than capable of hunting down your competition!
Powers
Nova.
Carnage.
Krogan charge.
Krogan regeneration.
Weapon training:
My Savage shotgun.
Preferred armor:
Heavy as hell!
So why wait? Gut that piece of shit today!
"Very... Nice"
"What's with the drone?" a Turian asks, puffing smoke against the Quarian's ruby mask.
In front of him stands a young Quarian crossing her arms defiantly. "I don't take chances", she replies. The bright pink combat drone floats lazily beside her, shining light upon her Colossus exo-suit in the darkness of the alley.
The Turian chuckles amusedly, spewing smoke out the sides of his mouth, "For such a demure Quarian, you're pretty hostile when you're angry." He runs his talon down the side of her shoulder, "It's pretty cute."
Tali slaps his hand away, "Don't touch me", she says, taking a step back. "Where's the Shadow Broker? Where's Fist?"
The Turian notes the girl's hand twitching closer to the shotgun on her lower back. "They'll be here... Actually-" he says, pulling his wrist up in front of his face. His holo-watch lights up.
1:01 p.m. E-time
"It looks like they're late... Shame."
A roar cascades through the alley. Both the Turian and Quarian turn to see a Krogan in jet-black armor charging directly at them. Tali dives out of the way as the giant steamrolls the screaming Turian into the wall.
"Never seen a Krogan in action before", calls a woman at the edge of the alley.
The Krogan chuckles as he tosses the lifeless Turian to the ground, "Well it looks like it's your lucky day, Shepard."
"I should've known that bosh'tet would've set me up", says the Quarian as she levels her shotgun at the Krogan, "But that doesn't explain who you people are." Two drones flank the girl as she glances between the Krogan and Human. The bright pink drone drifts agitatedly around her legs while off to the side, a sentry turret glides back and forth, suspended in the air. The bright white drone hovering around her head seems to twitch in anticipation.
Wrex laughs roughly at the girl's callousness, "A shotgun and three defense drones... There anything you don't have?"
"An answer", she says coldly. "I have been on the run from assassins and mercenaries for the last few days. Forgive me if I seem a bit pessimistic, but give me a reason and I'll have Chiktikka, Mabaren and Navie tear you to shreds."
"This girl has spunk."
Shepard walks closer to the girl, "Understandably. My name is Shepard. I'm on trial for the murder of Nihlus Kryik. I need that info you have to convince the Council of my innocence."
"So you're not allied with Saren and the Geth?" she asks, slowly lowering her shotgun.
"No."
The girl hooks her Avalanche shotgun to the magnet holster on her lower back. 'Chiktikka' and 'Navie' fizzle at Tali's neural command. Mabaren zooms over to the girl's hand and shuts down; folding into a small oval of metal that she stuffs into her pocket. "Then maybe I can repay you for saving my life... My name is Tali'Zorah nar Rayya."
Tali's light purple omni-tool glows slightly as the audio plays throughout the Council chambers.
"Eden Prime was a major victory", says a bone-chilling voice. "The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit." The words seem to vibrate through the room and the people standing amongst its grandeur.
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."
"Nihlus was investigating... He's been eliminated. The Council won't know about this. We will not have any interference."
The room comes to a suffocating silence. The triumvirate as well as Shepard's group- Udina, Anderson, Kaidan, Ashley, Garrus, Wrex, Tali and even Shepard herself wait for something to take place...
Tevos shatters the static atmosphere. "This... is hard to comprehend... Saren had trained Nihlus since he joined the Spectres..."
"You wanted proof? There you have it!" calls Udina.
"Then there can be no doubt. Saren's gone rogue and Shepard is innocent..." says Valern.
Sparatus growls at the idea of being proven wrong by a Human, "And what about the abduction of a C-sec officer and a Doctor? Or the raid on Chora's Den? Regardless of Saren's actions we can't just dismiss those charges!"
"She did what she had to", the Asari councilor says. The way she spoke those words and the tone that it was said in gives Shepard an uneasy feeling. The thing about Asari is that they're unpredictable. Most view them as a beautiful people; scientists, artists, sensitive women with amazing creativity. All of these things are true, of course, but the thing people seem to forget, ignore, or are generally too naive or stupid to notice is that they're thinkers. You might think Salarians would take that role in stride, being the scientists of the galaxy, but Salarians are somewhat predictable. They focus more on stability of their race; preservation for their future. Apart from the Genophage, they mostly keep to themselves- with Asari, it was the opposite. They thought whatever they well pleased to and made no effort hiding it. Shepard may be proven to be innocent- for the murder of Nihlus- but that doesn't stop the cold chill from running up her spine. "The galaxy needs people like that- we need people like that." The Asari flashes a smile to Sparatus, "Most acceptable for Spectre induction..."
"What!? No!" screams the Turian.
Valern joins in on the smile, "The girl has outstanding wit and intellect. She did whatever it took to get the job done."
Shepard finally steps forward, drawing the attention of the political gods before her, "I'm ready to take on that responsibility- Humanity is ready to take on that responsibility."
"I agree with Shepard, Councilors", says Udina, "Whenever Humanity has a chance to prove itself, you shun it! Give us this chance!"
The Asari and Salarian councilor turn their pressuring gaze back to Sparatus. The Turian growls and lowers his mandibles in frustration. He gives an angered snort before nodding. Tevos looks upon Shepard with an emotion of pride, "Commander Shepard: step forward."
She does what she's told; putting one armored leg in front of the other until she stands tall above the garden concealed by glass below her. She gives her team one last look before she faces the triumvirate. Crowds of people of all races seem to swarm to the balconies above her like ants to honey. Each bares a face of confusion, excitement, anger or positivity.
"It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above rank and file."
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden. They are the protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"You are the first Human Spectre, Shepard", Tevos says with a smile, "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."
Spectre Shepard bows her head, "I'm honored, madam councilor. It is a great day for both the Humans and the Council. I believe it will mark the beginning of a new alliance between us."
"So it will..."
"So...", the Spectre says, raising her head, "What happens now?"
"The evidence you gave us was irrefutable", speaks Sparatus, "Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."
"I recognized the other voice, the one speaking with Saren... Matriarch Benezia." The Asari visibly tenses as the name slips past her lips.
Shepard picks up on her skittishness, "Who is she?" she asks.
"Matriarchs are powerful Asari who have entered the final stage of their life. Revered for their wisdom and experience, they serve as guides and mentors to my people. Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she had many followers. She will make a formidable ally for Saren."
"She'll be brought in too", speaks Valern, "What I'm more interested in is the Reapers. What do you know about them?" he asks.
"Nothing more than what Tali brought to us... I might have heard their name somewhere on the extranet. I'll try to learn more about them."
"Actually..." the Quarian speaks, snatching everyone's attention, "I looked through the Geth's memory core when I heard the audio."
"And? What did you find?" asks Valern.
"It mentioned that the Reapers were responsible for the Prothean's disappearance fifty-thousand years ago... They're a race of machines the Geth seem to revere as gods. They think the Conduit is the key to bringing them back."
"That seems a little bit far-fetched…"
"Artificial Intelligences don't follow organics without a good reason."
"That would make sense but do we even know what the Conduit is?"
"No", Shepard says, "But if it's something that can bring the Reapers back then it's not something we can let Saren get his hands on."
"This whole discussion on whether or not there are 'Reapers' is irrelevant right now. We have other concerns." Tevos waves away the crowd forming on the balconies. "Saren has gone rogue and allied with the Geth."
"We also have two criminals to deal with", the Turian councilor hisses, "A cop that abandons his post and a murderous Krogan to boot..."
"Wait... What?" Garrus says. "We assisted Commander Shepard in her investigation!"
"Sure", says Wrex, "The Shadow Broker will get me out in a coupla hours anyway."
Anderson creeps closer to Shepard, "Spectres have the authority to give immunity", he whispers.
She nods and holds her chin high like a Spectre should, "I give them immunity. They saved my life."
Tevos grins, "Loyal", she purrs, "I see the makings of a fine Spectre."
"Thank you, madam councilor, and about Saren..." She looks to Anderson who gives her a nod of approval, "...I would be honored to hunt him down."
The Council draws quiet; its members look between one another. "Thank you, Shepard. Do you have a ship?" they ask.
"The Normandy", Anderson says, standing next to the Spectre.
"Excellent. We'll have our people search for leads. When they find one it'll be sent to you. For now, we're sending you to Pinnacle station to receive Spectre training. If there is nothing else..." Tevos says, giving a few moments for anyone to continue, "Then this meeting is adjourned."
Shepard turns to her group as the triumvirate leaves. Kaidan pushes his way to the front; a smile pulls at his lips. "A Spectre", he says, "Congratulations, Shepard!"
"Thanks, Alenko. It's a little surreal right now..."
"I can imagine. But if anyone deserves to take that title, then it's you."
Ashley laughs, "Way to be a fanboy, Lt." She playfully jabs him in the shoulder as Shepard steps past the two. "Careful you don't make your crush too obvious."
"So..." the Spectre says as she approaches Garrus, Tali and Wrex, "What are you going to do now?"
The Krogan lets out a low gruff from inside his helmet, "The Broker wants me to join you. 'Pparently he wants Saren dead."
"I'll take all the help I can get. What about you, officer?"
"I don't think I'm an officer anymore, Shepard", Garrus says dryly, gingerly rubbing his injured arm. "If you don't mind... I'd like to join as well. I can't let that bastard get away with what he's done." The Turian offers his talon to partake in a Human gesture.
Shepard grabs his hand and shakes it roughly, "Good to have you aboard, Vakarian." She faces the Quarian, picking up the girl's twitchy fingers looping around each other. It's a little bit too obvious she's never been in the presence of so many aliens at once. "Miss Zorah, I'm not going to ask you to join me. I wouldn't want to interfere with your Pilgrimage."
"You know about the Pilgrimage?"
"Yes. It's when you're old enough to fend for yourself. They send you out into the galaxy to find something worthwhile to prove-"
"She's coming along with you, Shepard", Udina orders.
"Any particular reason why you're telling me what to do, Udina?" She asks bitterly.
"Yes I do, Shepard. This young woman aided us in exposing Saren's treachery to the council. How would it look if Saren sent an assassin after her? How do you think the Quarian flotilla would react to that? How do you think the council would react to that? You're bringing her, Shepard", the ambassador says, "My reputation is on the line."
So that's what it comes down to.
Shepard knew she didn't like Udina for some reason. Now she knows why. The man doesn't give a shit about anything or anyone but himself. A woman could be beaten in front of him and the only thing he'd be worried about would be making sure blood wouldn't be splattered on his suit. "Alright Udina. Tali, would you like to join us?"
"I would be grateful, Shepard."
At the end of the day a person must learn something of value. Some people learn that a minute wasted is eternally lost. Some people discover the value of friendship. The lessons you learn are ultimately the things you are left with when your back is against the wall. Shepard... Shepard learns that maybe you can depend on your crew. They'll always come through.
The blonde woman stops at the C-sec elevator knowing that on the top of the lift awaits the Normandy, her gleaming metal coat shining brightly for all who pass by. Her newfound crew fills the elevator.
Maybe it's time for a rest...
"Go go go!" Screams a C-sec captain to his officers, "I want you there five minutes ago- move!" The officers run haphazardly through the academy, shoving by people as they storm to the embassy elevator. "I said move it, schoolgirls!" The Turian yells, "We got a Volus broker being held hostage by some crazy ass kid so you'd better run!"
Or maybe not...
Shepard halts as she stands in front of her team. She spins on her heel and follows the crowd of officers.
"Where are you going?" Ashley calls from behind her.
"Go on without me. I'll be there soon!" Shepard grabs the Turian captain's shoulder and spins him around to face her. "What's going on here?"
The captain smacks her hand away in disdain, "Who the hell are you?"
"A Spectre. Mind answering my question?"
"Oh shit", he says, "Heard about that. Congratulations. About ten minutes ago, we received a report that some Human kid went into Barla Von's office and the next thing we hear is a scream followed by an onslaught of biotics. Some officers there tried to reason with the asshole but he's either ignoring them or he doesn't notice. I'm sending my team there now to intimidate him; maybe convince him to surrender."
"I'm coming with. Spectre business."
"Alright. Might get messy. Follow me."
Post-notes: aawwww I'm done! Thank God!
Yes. Krogans have red biotics. If Hudson can "artistically" explode everything we've ever loved in three different colors, I can make biotics different colors.
I finally introduced more characters! I cannot wait until my characters can have an actual conversation on the Normandy!
I was hoping one of you would pick up on the reference I made with Tali's drones. One is named Chiktikka who apparently is a pet from... Neverwinter Nights? Is that right? Anyway, the sentry turret is name Mabaren which is a reference to Dragon Age's Mabari dogs, and the defense drone was named Navie after... Well you'd better know... I'll give you a hint if you don't: "Hey! Listen!"
Yes that is my original character I mentioned at the end. Can't wait! :D
Review. Follow. Like my page on Facebook (Mass Effect by Celestiallight) so you can see my inspiration and concept art I leave around there.
P.s. people say I'm annoying in my post-notes. They don't realize that I don't give a shit lol. YOLO.
-CelestialLight*