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Chapter 22

The whine of the engines grated on my already frayed nerves as I navigated Omega's byways with a white-knuckled grip. Sweat beaded on my brow, the heat of the industrial complex permeating the stale air of the cab. My adrenaline continued to pump wildly even as I worked to steady my nerves and center my thoughts. I needed to find safety, a haven from the chaos that had suddenly annihilated my world, although a specific destination escaped me. Ignoring the programmed navigation system in favor of manual control, I hoped to set down at a random landing pad and evade any pursuers.

I aborted the thought as the cab lurched wildly, the impact of another craft jarring me and rattling teeth. I corrected course and pulled hard on the brakes, switching off the collision alarms, and straining against force as I shot toward the upper levels. I could hear the whine of the cab's engines struggling against my recklessness and spotted the other craft moving to position on my tail. Cursing foully, I adjusted course again and crossed into oncoming traffic. I was going to make this bastard work for his earnings.

Transports shot by me, the echoes of blaring horns and alarms evaporating into the air as they passed by in a blur. I weaved in and out of the lanes, always with an eye on my tail, grip tight, and heart pounding. I rounded a bend, the remnants of a dilapidated industrial complex dead ahead, and punched the accelerator.

Metal squealed on metal as I careened through the wreckage, taking a corner too tight. The cab shuddered violently and the resulting vibrations snapped my wrist even as I jerked it away from the frame's interior. A string of curses spilled from my lips as I altered course, navigating the maze of debris within. I checked my readouts and saw that the other vehicle had followed me in and was gaining. My pathetic cab was not going to withstand such abuse much longer.

Checking the nav systems I spotted another lane of traffic running laterally along the complex wreckage just below my position. I steered impulsively to the left barely in time to dodge a wicked beam and dove straight for the traffic, the hull screeching against the remnants of rusted piping. I wrenched the controls, crazily veering to the right as the cab rolled sluggishly, and moved into position beneath the stream of transports. I punched the accelerator once more, desperately hoping to avoid a collision.

My battered cab shot through the line of traffic without incident and I adjusted course again, veering right and climbing upward. On my tail I heard alarms blaring, the squeal of calamity followed by the rumbling thunder of an explosion. My spirits soared momentarily, but as I glanced back, I saw my pursuer remained.

I swore only to be interrupted as my cab again lurched wildly, red lights flashing and bright chaos erupting on my control panel. I tried to shield myself from the sudden shower of sparks and ignored the searing pain as I gripped the controls. I caught a glimpse of a second transport to my left, its hull badly damaged from the impact. Alarm flared anew as I recognized the change in course as it maneuvered into position to ram me once again.

The impact knocked out my nav systems and I fought to maintain altitude. The engines screamed in protest even as I saw the first transport creep up on my tail. I would not survive another impact. Smoke clouded my vision as the sparks ignited on the ratted upholstery, and blindly I swerved right, desperately hoping for a bit of luck. My eyes burned, but still I furiously scanned for a landing zone. At this point anything flat would do.

I was able to make out a small transport hub just within my sights, but the landing pad appeared full. I cared not. I needed to escape this flying death trap before it was too late. Locking in the coordinates I made for the hub, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

I was thrown violently against my restraints as I touched down, the screech of grinding metal echoing across the platform as my cab careened across the pad, crashing against a parked transport. The staccato rhythm of gunfire exploded around me and I sank further into cover, pulling my pistols from their holsters. I popped off a few shots, but to no avail. Smoke billowed from out broken windows, obscuring my view. I turned and fired a few rounds through the passenger-side window, kicking it out with booted feet, eager to escape the smoke and fire filling the cabin.

Broken glass scraped against my skin, but I was too far gone to care. Adrenaline boiled in my veins and my thoughts were only for survival. Pulling myself out of the burning cab, I rolled over the broken hull of a transport, using the smoke to mask my escape. The pings and pops of enemy fire drew near, and I ignored the sharp pain that grazed my arm. Crouching behind the wreckage, I took stock of my ammo, noting with irritation that I had only a single clip left. Anger flared as I attempted to activate my cloak, and I swallowed a scream of frustration as it failed to trigger. I was almost out of options.

Blindly I returned fire in short bursts, pinned between the transport wreckage and the platform's edge. I could make out no escape other than to leap off the landing pad, but I doubted that course of action would end well for me. Slamming in my last clip I activated my omni-tool, scanning the platform for life signs to eliminate. Oh yes, I would make them earn their pay this day.

Through the smoke I could make out a single figure approaching, and waited for a clear shot before opening fire. He fell to a single round, but I was forced into cover as another attacker let loose with a steady barrage. Swearing foully, I awaited a break in the now-familiar rhythm, taking aim even as the budding fire blazed before me. Through the flames, I was able to make out a third figure, but ducked down as mass effect rounds flew overhead once more.

Fear lurched in my throat as I heard the whine of engines rise up from beneath, the hull of another transport slowly coming into view. Sweat dripped down my brow, sooty and singed from the fire; pressing my back against the ruined hull of the transport, I took aim at this new threat. Confusion bit deep as the passenger door opened, and a familiar face waved frantically at me. Without thought I jumped in, heat and gunfire raging behind me. The Lout punched the accelerator even as my door closed, tossing out a frag grenade along the way.

Explosions rocked the platform, shockwaves sending shudders through our small transport. I righted myself in the passenger seat, pistols still tight in my grasp, and pointed them directly at the man beside me.

"Who are you?" My voice was calm, steady. Deadly.

He shot me an irritated glance before returning his attention to traffic. "Now's really not the time for that. You should put those away."

I frowned ever so slightly but remained still, pistols at the ready. "I don't think so. Tell me who you are."

He shook his head, but eyes forward. "Let's at least get somewhere safe before we get into this."

Indignation flooded my system, but I pushed it away. Only an idiot would save me from such a disaster just to kill me later. Either way I was trapped, and killing him now served no purpose. I would play his game. I would get his intel. And then I would get out.

After my mad dash through Omega, the silence of the cabin was deafening. The tension remained thick between us, and even though I had lowered my pistols, I did not holster them. Adrenaline still tore through my body and the familiar feel of the grips was painful, albeit comforting. I kept a wary eye on my would-be rescuer, countless conspiracy theories spinning intricate webs of intrigue within my mind. I collected my thoughts and identified my most promising course of action.

I would need to contact Aria, update her as to my status, and find out what in Omega's pisshole was going on. She would likely have information on this man to my left and those who attacked me. More than likely she'd be infuriated at the destruction of her bar and require answers. However, of those I had few. This Lout was the key. I needed to know what he knew.

The slight vibrations of the transport softened as we descended toward another transit hub, the landing pad empty. Traffic dispersed above us, travelers continuing on their way without a second thought. The Lout unbuckled his harness and let it fall against his seat even as he moved the craft into position. We touched down without fail, the ease of our landing welcome in comparison to my most recent attempt.

The doors hissed open and I hopped out, pistols at the ready as I scanned our landing zone. The Lout stepped out briefly only to duck back into the cab. A brief glance told me he was setting the controls to automatic and I watched as the transport took off, en route to its home port. I could only hope he was smart enough to delete the location of our landing.

He shot me a cocky smirk. "I assume since nobody's shooting at you that this is safe enough?"

I lowered my pistols once more, holstering my left, and fixed him with an angry glare. "I'm sure that will be remedied soon enough."

"Let's hope not," The Lout snorted. "I've had more than enough of saving your ass for one day."

I narrowed my eyes at the last, anger flaring again. "No one asked you to."

I shifted my weight, tightening the grip on my pistol. My hand ached, but it was a welcome pain and familiar. Air came in short, shallow gasps, my lungs still burning from smoke and fire; my chest aching deliciously from the thrill of the hunt. My body was starting to cry out in protest as the adrenaline faded, but at present, I had not the time to acknowledge the hurt.

He grunted in response and gestured to the docking bay behind us. "Shall we?"

I followed him into the bay adjacent to an industrial complex, well used and active. A quick visual scan of the area revealed recent use and I suspected we had arrived during shift change as workers were scarce. I took a moment to make sure the area was secure before activating my omni-tool. The Lout was on me in a heartbeat, hand grasping my wrist and mangling my connection. The strength of his grip sent spasms of pain through my arm, my injury no longer numbed by adrenaline. I struggled to maintain my balance even after he released me, cradling my throbbing wrist in an attempt to ignore the agony within.

"What–"

"Are you trying to get us killed?" He hissed.

"I need to report to Aria. She would know who's behind this."

"Of course she knows. She's the one who ordered the hit."

Icy shivers ran down my spine even as denial formed on my lips. While I recognized I was expendable, as was anyone in her employ, I also knew I was an expensive asset. Aria was a businesswoman. She wouldn't throw away a costly investment without reason.

"No."

The Lout began pacing, moving across the floor as if he were a hunter stalking his prey. "What, you think you two are friends?"

"No."

"You think you mean that much to her?"

"No." I shook my head. I had always known my place.

"What, then?"

I met his eyes, irate fire blazing in mine and blanketing the pain of my injuries. "You tell me."

"She has eyes – watches you, her people – she keeps tabs on all her underlings."

I nodded, my fierce gaze still holding his. "I know."

He frowned in frustrated confusion, green eyes momentarily flashing with anger. "No you don't. Guy was a setup. He was used to lure you out into the open."

I maintained a neutral façade, but inside my mind worked furiously to process all that he had said. "That makes no sense. Why would anyone suspect a lowly bartender of killing Guy?"

He snorted in derision. "You don't get it, do you? You are known to Aria's enemies and have been for some time." I opened my mouth to protest, but he held up his hand to forestall me. "Maybe not by name, or by your face, but your reputation is certainly known."

I remained still as death, digesting his words and ignoring the vile sickness pooling in my belly. It could not be true. Aria and I had taken steps to ensure my anonymity, taking extreme measures at times, but I had never questioned the need. Even as I held his gaze I was unable to fathom what went wrong, and the feel of the unknown began to itch and fester like an old wound. My world was not as secure as I had believed, and the reality was overpowering.

"You didn't think you could succeed for so long without garnering some attention, did you? Aria's invisible pet."

"Why would she be after me?" I asked, unsure if I wanted to know the answer, unsure if I wanted to believe him.

The Lout paused in his pacing. "She's covering her ass. If she eliminates you, there won't be anyone to trace your targets back to her."

"And how are you involved?"

The pacing resumed and the Lout ran a hand through short-cropped hair. "We should get going." He jerked his head in the direction of the docking bay. "This way."

"No." I didn't move, unwilling to go further until I knew more. "Why are you involved?"

He muttered something unintelligible followed by what sounded like a turian curse. "It's nothing important, now will you –"

"Who do you work for?"

"Damn it, woman! You really do want to get us both killed."

I said nothing, but met his gaze once more, eyes flashing in anger as my tentative hold on control threatened to fall away.

"I work for an independent contractor," he spat. "I was hired to take out that Guy, but you got to him first. Congratulations. Let's go."

I nodded and stood, jerking my arm out of his reaching grasp. He shot me an irritated glare, but said nothing more as I followed him into the docking bay. An enormous electromagnetic seal dominated the massive room, showering the multitude of crates in a deep blue glow. The Lout picked his way through the maze, grunting in approval when he happened upon an ordinary-looking container.

"In here."

"What?"

He shoved me toward a small opening in the side of the crate. I looked at him with reproach, but he ignored my ire and shoved me again. "Get in."

I tripped and stumbled into the small space, the feel of confinement closing in on me. I crouched down, a mess of emotions and bewilderment at my upset reality. I had gone from comfortable security to stowing on board a crate with a nameless Lout, the wrath of my employer hot on my heels. And just when I thought my day could grow no worse, he sealed the hatch and locked us inside. In the dark. Together.