Chapter 5: Departures
While Shepard is meeting with the Council, a very different conversation is happening at the Dark Star Lounge.
"You're just a dirty old man who gets a cheap thrill looking at young chicks," Jack told her drinking companion. Used to being the center of attention with her provocative lack of dress, she signaled the bartender to come to bring her another drink.
"So what if I am," came the unapologetic reply from Zaeed. "Let me tell you, I might have a couple of years, but I could keep up with anybody. In fact…"
"Enough war stories, old man. I've killed more than you and you must be three times as old as I am."
Feigning hurt, the consummate mercenary said, "Now girl, understand this. I'm three times as experienced as you are also, when it comes to stabbing both men," as he paused to take a drink, "and women."
Jack kicked her head back, but laughed nonetheless. "I like your style, old man. It suits a place like this, or maybe somewhere just a little less reputable."
As she began working on her third drink, some concoction designed for tourists, light-weights, and species that couldn't hold their liquor, Jack took a moment to look around. It had been weeks since she had been off the ship, and even a dive like this beat living in that engineering hold. She had stayed as long as she did because of Shepard and because of this mission, but she had done her part.
The Collectors were evil and needed to die. So did the Reapers, but Jack also thought about living. Invading a base in secret was one thing. But what could they do against that fleet, and more importantly, what did she owe to anyone? The cheerleader who wanted to get herself killed, her head would look just as pretty on a stick. A bunch of aliens who didn't know her. And Shepard.
Pounding out a shot, she whispered under her breath, "Damn him." Zaeed was too busy staring at some Asari dancer to notice, but the biotic didn't know what to make of the Commander. He confronted her, came on to her, but then abandoned her. All men do that, and most of them weren't honest enough to admit the pigs they were. Shepard wanted to be friends.
Friends don't screw other women like her, Miranda. What did she have? A perfect body for the perfect soldier. They deserved each other, as far as Jack was concerned. She had personality, and she didn't have need for anyone else, not some idiot man. She never did and never would, but it didn't mean she had soured on working with anyone.
"Hey Zaeed," she called to her drinking companion. When he didn't pay attention, she punched his shoulder, "Hey pervert!"
His attention gained, Zaeed looked back and said, "Can't you allow an old man to enjoy some pleasures. First, that bastard Vido got to live, now I can't even watch the girlies play. What is this: A convent?"
"Yeah, and you're the missionary. I bet that's how you like it." She caught his smile as she told him what he wanted to hear. What all men wanted, really. Nothing changed.
"How about you and me, tough guy?"
Zaeed looked over at the young girl and thought about how she reminded him of so many mercs he had seen over the years. Seen, and seen die. Confident, reckless, bold, and all too willing to get into a fight. For Zaeed, he had learned there were killers and fighters. While he had become a killer, he was once a fighter also and knew Jack's type: Good at getting you into a mess, better at getting you out.
"Who says I'd have you?" was his bold reply. "Not my type, but if you buy me a few more drinks."
"No chance, old man. I meant I have a business proposition for you. I hear you used to run the Blue Suns."
This piqued his interest, and it was the one sore point Zaeed couldn't avoid addressing. "I made the Blue Suns, and without me, they became a bunch of junkies and no good whores. That Vido sold them out to be flunkies for the Batarians who fund them, and all they do is cause trouble. In fact…"
"Shut it gramps, I'm not interested in ancient history. I'm talking about now. How about you and me start our own gang?"
The seemingly unlikely offer was one Jack had considered for some time. Her time with Shepard had taught her the value of having a team to work with her, but this time, it would be her time with her people. Instead of being nice to everyone, they would get the results that were needed.
She still hated Cerberus for what they had done, but now that the test site was destroyed, she could look at it a little more intelligently. They succeeded because they had power, they had respect, and no one dared to mess with them. Jack needed that, needed security, and knew she needed to find it for herself.
Zaeed called the bartender over and had him pour another drink for both Jack and himself. Rolling the glass in his hand for dramatic effect, he said, "The galaxy is going down the toilet, nobody knows it is coming, and you're worried about making a few bucks." He looked at Jack with a dubious expression saying, "We might do just as well to sit at this bar."
Gauging his interest, she felt he was hiding something and risked putting her hand onto his inner thigh. "Come on, old man. Show me what you got." She got off her chair and whispered into the mercenaries ear, "When the Reapers hit, there'll be plenty of easy marks. All ours for the taking." As if making an exclamation point, she left a little playful nibble on his lobe before sitting back down.
Zaeed took a moment to consider it, before saying, "I've already been paid. Maybe it is time to invest some money, to settle down, and to make an opportunity work." He smiled as he thought about it in more detail. "Our commander saved the galaxy once before without us, I'm sure he can do it again. I didn't sign up to be no goddamned hero either!"
With belligerence that often comes from having too many frayed nerves and too much to drink, the ideas began to flow. Zaeed and Jack thought of the myriad ways they could each make a profit in this new world, and if their consciences should inadvertently bother them, they would have simply said they were helping people who were in the right positions to more easily handle the Reaper threat.
In spite of this, Zaeed Massani retained the caution of a man who had been betrayed once before, asking bluntly, "Okay princess, but how do I know I won't wake up one morning with you painting a pretty little smile right across my throat? You're not exactly a team player, as I've seen."
Jack approved of the question, because it was the sort of thing she would have once done in the right circumstance, but she also saw the value of having a partnership. "I need you. You have the contacts, the experience you were so proud to display, and I like your style. You know to be afraid, a smarter man than most."
"And it has kept me alive, so you remember that too." Zaeed responded smartly. "What do you bring to the table for your part?"
She feigned a hurt expression like a little girl as he continued, "A mercenary crew might need a biotic operator, but anyone can toss a few felons in the air. Tell me what I want to hear."
"What I bring is me," Jack said, and she dramatically took a knife and had it out and threatening Zaeed before he could even react. Putting it down with a wicked smile, she claimed, "I'm faster than you, quick to learn, and I'll protect you."
Zaeed couldn't help but laugh at that, "So now you'll be my bodyguard?"
"I'll be your partner," she said in a serious voice. "Look, we will make this work, we will make a lot of money, and you can get some pretty girls and I'll get some pretty boys, and we'll both have the respect we deserve."
Zaeed found himself nodding along at the last line, looking at her, "Respect. Damn straight. It has been too long." He looked critically at this girl, considering the risks and opportunities, but looking at a life closer to the end than the beginning, he leaned toward moving forward.
"Sixty-forty. I run the show. No complaints, and if you ever pull a knife on me again, I separate your pretty head from your pretty body. Understood?"
She growled at the response, but Jack couldn't complain really. Zaeed had the contacts, and could probably get some of the warrants still existing for her arrest lifted with a discrete intervention. Besides, she didn't need to be the public face, she could become the power behind the scenes, and he was an old man. She had learned a little patience.
"Done. But if you screw me, we'll both be smiling."
Zaeed grinned at that, and offered a tilt of his head in acknowledgment. An unlikely partnership concluded, the two asked the bartender to bring a bottle of something strong. The Turian frowned, but went and grabbed some green concoction of Krogan make.
"We drink to seal the deal, girl. Let's see if you have some hair on your chest to drink this stuff," goaded the mercenary leader.
"I have twice the stones as you, old man. Give me that." She grabbed the tumbler full of the green drink, and even though she was a little inebriated, she was determined to yield nothing. She lifted the glass toward her lips.
"What are we celebrating?" commented an unexpected entrant with a raspy voice, scaring the life out of Zaeed and Jack alike. When they looked over, they saw a Drell who seemed to appear from nowhere.
"Thane," replied Zaeed. "How do you do that?"
Jack looked at him warily, wondering what he knew.
"I can do many things." He signaled the bartender to bring him a drink as well, and a third glass of the green liquor was placed before him. "Quietly."
Jack said, "What's your point, green man?" She was irritated that this conversation was being interrupted, and on general principle as well.
"Would you like me to relate your conversation I've been watching for the last ten minutes? It has been very interesting."
With the unique talent of a Drell, he was able to replay just a few moments of what was said perfectly back to the two companions. Krios remembered everything he ever did or saw perfectly, and when his eyes flashed away, he simply saw what was.
"And what of it?" asked Zaeed. "We're free individuals, and we can do as we please." He sensed a fight might be coming and worried of the consequences.
"Indeed," was the tranquil response from the assassin. "I wish to join you."
Both Zaeed and Jack were surprised by this, prompting Krios to continue, "You wonder why. Easy. I am a killer. We have targets. Shepard would not allow me to do what is necessary, but you will."
The mercenary thought about what an asset it would be to have the assassin on his team, but he also knew freelancers often meant trouble. He could kill someone unrelated and start a turf war. It needed to be addressed.
"Thane, I know you're the best. But we can't have you killing whomever you like and working with us. It could get back to us and people could get hurt."
"A sensible precaution," was the Drell's measured reply, "But one without cause. I will kill only on those contracts that we approve."
Zaeed nodded his head and looked over at Jack who still didn't know what to make of it.
"But," interjected Krios, "I will take time to kill whom I need to kill to save this galaxy."
"A bloody hero and a murderer," was the witty reply from the mercenary. "Sounds like we're off to a great start."
Thane only shrugged and smiled, but he was thinking of his son Kolyat whom he had seen just a half hour earlier. He was thinking how he would give him the chance to grow up and make something of his life, giving him the opportunity taken from him and his wife. With such limited time, Krios knew he needed to go where he could make an impact, and while he wasn't a hero, he had skills and abilities. Arashu willing, his sacrifice would not go unnoticed.
It was a spot decision, and a difficult one for the Drell. He had enjoyed a good relationship with Commander Shepard and seriously considered staying on board the Normandy. But he sensed Shepard was going to be drawn into politics, and now was a time for action. He would still serve the cause, but in his own way, and helping his own people. The Drell, the Hanar, his son, and others.
His time was limited, and even as he struggled to draw each breath, now would not be the time for his death. It would come soon enough, and he knew his partners would already know about that.
"I don't need to be a partner. I need weapons, expect to be paid for my work, and I will be your hunter."
Zaeed liked the sound of that and simply said, "Good man. I'll take those terms," and considering the situation, he looked over at Jack and said, "if my partner approves."
Jack was suspicious because it didn't fit her read of the Drell, but she didn't really know him. She didn't leave her quarters, he didn't leave his. They didn't work much together, but by reputation, she knew he never missed a target, and the price was right.
Surprisingly restrained, she simply looked at the assassin and said, "I do." It was a muted response, but one that would be proven in the test of time.
Zaeed showed no such restraint, perhaps as a result of the liquor, and said, "Now we can drink."
Each lifted their glass in the air, clinking them together, and swallowed the substance. Burning like liquid fire, Jack choked and she somehow got it down. Zaeed wobbled on his barstool. Krios simply shook his head slightly, able to handle his liquor better than anyone.
Shaking his head to get back into the moment, Zaeed asked, "We have one final question, what do we call ourselves?"
Jack said, "I have the answer. We will be the Last Subjects. What we say goes, and that is it."
Jack thought of her own experience as Subject Zero as she said the name. She would be the last person subjected to this. No biotic would be tortured like she was, and her subjects would be as deadly as she has become, but it would happen the right way."
Zaeed considered the name, offering his approval, "Tough and bitchy. I like it. No one messes with the Last Subjects."
Krios said, "An appropriate choice. Especially considering the battle we have been fighting."
The mercenary responded to this by saying, "From now on, we pick our own battles. I don't want to see the Reapers succeed either, but we take care of ourselves first. I didn't get where I was by trusting anyone, but this is the only rule. It is the last subject."
Jack agreed, thinking about the road she was forsaking, "We saved the universe once. Now it owes us a little payback."
Krios said nothing, but simply nodded to placate his new business partners. "And what will we tell Shepard?"
Massani came up with the response, "We don't need to tell him a damned thing. My contract has been fulfilled, I've been paid, and I bet there's more where that came from. Maybe that Illusive Man can help us for once."
Jack had risen to agreed with her partner, but paused when he spoke about Cerberus. The problem was he was right about the idea, but she still felt uncomfortable. Shelving that question until a later moment, she said, "I'm done playing soldier for some little army. I'm ready to go now."
Thane, sensing the mood and the moment, decided not to conflict. "Well, the next question is where do we head next?"
The three of them put their heads together and began a conversation that would continue into the night. By the end, they had determined the beginning of their plan of action, one that left Zaeed smiling, Jack ready to fight, and Thane simply following along. But it was a plan, and it would give their new organization it would need in the coming fight.
Author's Note: For the record, Jack would have been even more compelling if I embraced her colorful grammar and expressions. You'll have to imagine what she really would have said, but I'm trying to keep this a bit clean. As always, thanks to everyone following along, and I hope you're enjoying the story. I'm keeping a better pace than I thought I would in terms of putting up new chapters, but the story almost writes itself.