M-Angel: Okay, we've hit and went over two hundred reviews! I am very happy.

Knight: Two hundred! Holy sh*t! *Brofists all around*

M-Angel: So I'm thinkin' of adding another character to this story, maybe another S/I character. Anybody have any S/I of theirs that they want in this story? I'm open to requests until Feros!

Knight: Why are they never quarians? Quarians kick ass. Why, Angel, why?

M-Angel: Okay, so back to the story. XD

Chapter 14: Burning

Space hides many things. Both evil and good. Secrets that can give light and secrets that can destroy entire civilizations. Two glowing blue eyes look over the map of the galaxy that continuously revolved behind his chair. Days ago, an anomaly appeared near the relay for Eden Prime. The entire map had fluctuated. He'd lost his signal there for 1.569 seconds. Nothing big, to most, but to him it was a sign of what was to come. Something big had happened. At the time he hadn't known what, but now he did.
The bug in the Citadel Council Chambers had paid off. He had heard everything that Spectre Nihlus had said. How this 'Serena Lavargus' had suddenly appeared onboard the SSV Normandy, a vessel with such tight security that even he couldn't sneak any of his agents aboard. She had claimed to work for Specter Shepard, a female Shepard. Then he had told them about what she had known. About Eden Prime's attack, before it had happened. How Saren was behind it, working with the Geth, and with a synthetic race known as Reapers.

How she had known about the Reapers was beyond him. The Reapers and Collectors was the main reason he had created Cerberus. So that he could find ways to better humanity. To strengthen humanity. Now word was out, but even he doubted the Council would do anything about it before it was too late.

He looked at the file on Lavargus one more time. Specter Ya'lara had mind melded with her. She knew all of her secrets. Everything about her now. He tapped the arm of his chair, then sat his cigar down next to his glass of brandy and smiled.

"Zi'ara," He said in his com system.

An asari woman appeared on the screen. "Yes sir?" She answered.

"Find Specter Ya'lara. Meld with her by any means necessary," He said. "Grab any and all information from her on Serena Lavargus, a human woman,"

"Of course," She disconnected.

"Miranda," He acknowledged as a woman walked into the room. "How's the hunt for a partner?"

"I have one in mind," She said handing him a datapad with a black man's image on it. "His name is Jacob Taylor, Alliance Marine. He was on Eden Prime during the attack,"

She paused. "He has an L3 biotic implant. He could be of use," She mused.

"See what you can do," He said and she turned to leave.

"Is it just me, or am I on fire!" Joker cried out as he placed down his full house on the table, causing everybody to groan.

Garrus growled as he threw his cards down. "That's five in a row," He snarled. "Nobody's that lucky,"

"Hey...," Joker raised his hands up in defense. "Go ahead, check me. I'm just that good."

I smiled at Joker and shook my head as I took a sip of smoothie. I was definitely glad that I had done some shopping before we'd gone to Therum to look for Liara. I'd only met the young asari once, and she seemed mellow compared to what everybody had said she was like. Tali was sitting next to me, fiddling with her omni-tool. I looked at it over her shoulder.

"How old is that thing?" I asked.

"We don't get new things very often in the Flotella, so everything is either barrowed, used, or handed down," She shrugged and sighed. "This bosh'tet has been getting on my nerves for months!"

She slammed her tool down in frustration. "I'm going to have to buy a used one, then update it," She sighed sadly. "It'll take weeks to get it just how I like it,"

I rubbed the back of my neck and nodded as I stood and left for the bunks. First I showered in the girl's shower/locker room and changed my clothes before heading to bed. When I got there I saw the second shift pilot was gone, and Joker was lying on his, cot sleeping. I walked over to him and cleared my throat.

"Yeah?" He said. "I doubt you're here to jump my bones,"

"Do you know where I can get a new omni-tool?" I asked.

"Storage," he said. "I ask Pressley to get you one tomorrow."

"Thanks," I said and climbed upon the top bunk. Surprisingly, I fell asleep instantly.

I saw darkness around me. As I looked up, I heard voices.

"She needs to be protected." One voice said soothingly, as I felt myself being picked up and layed on something soft.

"She's special." Said another deeper voice, apparently agreeing. "She may be the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancients,"

"Nonsense!" Came a booming voice.

"Commander Ver'tolk," reprimanded the first voice. "The seer of the priesthood has already seen where her light will go. She will do many things, which she will think unimportant. She will unlock the gate between two universes. She will stop the demons of the darkness with the help of two whom she sees has light in their hearts,"

"Bah," Dismissed the booming voice. "Nobody can defeat the demons that come from the dark. Billions of our people have perished...,"

"And more shall perish. Until none are left," Came a new, soft voice.

"Magistrate," All responded.

"Send her out," the Magistrate's voice sounded. "My daughter, Serene La'arges,"

Then a void of nothing overtook my senses...

I awoke to the sound of my alarm on my omi-tool. I sighed as I rubbed my face with my hands. What was that dream all about? I placed my feet over the side. Who were those people? I jumped out of bed and onto the floor and made my way into the girls bathroom. I stripped and began to bathe quickly. I saw Ash in the bathroom as I walked out, with a towel wrapped around my chest. I walked up to my locker and began to dress in the Alliance-issue clothes that I'd been given. I was about to put my shirt on when Ash spoke.

"Where did you get that scar?" She murmured, touching my back. I froze.

I walked over to a mirror and looked to see what she was talking about. I turned my head over my shoulder and looked. I saw a huge jagged scar running down the center of my back, followed by two more scars next to it. It looked like an animal had gotten a hold of me and torn me up.

"I-I don't know," I said. How'd that happen?

"Huh," She said. "Must've happened when you came here, that doctor must've not seen it,"

And then she walked out, leaving me with my thoughts.

When I walked down to engineering, I couldn't help but hum a bit. As I passed Garrus I saw him cleaning his sniper rifle. I smirked at him.

"Goin' on a mission?" I asked.

"Nope," He said "But equipment doesn't maintain itself. At least, not yet." He smirked. "I can't wait for that day,"

"Ass," I said, shaking my head.

"I know. Ain't it nice?" He said, still giving me a turian smirk.

I blinked blankly at him. Is he... I continued to look at him smirking. Naw, Garrus ain't flirting with me.

"Let me guess… Joker's giving you tips on how to not be an egghead," I retorted.

He laughed. "Nope, thought of that one without help," He said and stood to leave.

I shook my head and went into engineering. I walked right up behind Tali and tapped her shoulder. She practically jumped out of her suit at me.

"Keelah!" She yelled. "You scared me,"

"Sorry," I said as I handed her a box. "Just a present for you. I hope you enjoy it,"

She looked down at the box in her hands. "But I don't have anything for you." She said.

"Tali, sometimes humans give presents to those they care about, as friends," I said. "Just enjoy," I then spun on my heel and left. Just as the door closed I heard her yell out.

"Keelah!"

I started to laugh as soon as I was in the Cargo Bay, causing John to look up from what he was doing. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"I gave Tali a present that surprised her pretty bad," I explained.

He chuckled. "We're headed down to Therum." he said and that was when I saw Wrex standing there ready. I smiled. "We'll be back in awhile." he then turned and headed for the Mako with Kaiden, Garrus and Wrex in tow.

I ran in the airlock as we left Therum, Chakwas at my side. As we entered we saw John on the ground and Kaiden on his side. The asari woman was on her knees, panting heavily. Wrex walked past us without a word or a glance. Carolyn went for John just as Kaiden opened his eyes.

"He's worn out," He said. "Used his biotics to pull Dr. T'Soni and I into the airlock at once," He panted.

I bent down, pulling out a syringe and medigel. I yanked a piece of metal from his arm and used the medigel to heal it. Wrapped it in a bandage. I went over to Dr. T'Soni. She just looked exhausted. I handed her a canteen of water, from which she drank greedily. I then heard a moan as John began to come to.

"Kaiden," Carolyn began. "Can you help me get him to medbay?"

"Sure," He went to stand but almost instantly fell down and grabbed his head in agony.

"L2 implant?" I asked. He nodded as he began to curl up around my legs.

"Ah..."

"I can help," I heard Liara's kind and soft voice say.

I looked at her a moment. "Okay." I said as the two of us carried Kaiden. Then I came back to help Carolyn with John. By then, John's cuts on his face had been taken care of by Carolyn.

I sighed as both men were laying in the medbay beds. I looked at Liara.

"You need to rest," Carolyn said to her.

"I am...," She began.

"I'll take her to the crew beds," I interrupted, taking her arm pulling her along. I heard her sigh.

"After you rest, John'll be back up. He'll want to talk,"

"Yes, I believe he said something about that," She said as she sat on the bed. I then turned to leave.

"Thank you," She said. "For being kind to me."

I smiled. "Show kindness to others and kindness will be shown to you," I said. "It's a little rule of mine,"

I watched her yawn. "Rest and then we'll talk," With that, I left. Just as my stomach growled. Dinnertime. I thought as I made my way to the mess hall.

M-Angel: Hope ya'll liked that.

Knight: This is where I'd put a really good excuse for the lateness of this chapter… if I had one. My bad, guys. Sorry.

M-Angel: BODYSLAM!

Knight: *looks up and sees Grunt* Well, hello.

Grunt: You aren't dead. Good job.

M-Angel: *From on top of Knight*Aw he likes you!

Knight: I always wanted a pet T-Rex.*folds arms behind head comfortably*

Grunt: Now, you die.

M-Angel: *jumps off* REVIEW!