Disclaimer: Bioware owns all.

Chapter 26

The room was expansive compared to our cramped quarters in the crate. A large window dominated the far wall cloaked by heavy floor-to-ceiling curtains. I sighed in relief upon seeing two beds, thankful I would not have to share, the memory of our trip fresh in my mind. Rarely had I so appreciated the small luxury of space. My tiny apartment seemed a mansion in comparison to that damnable crate.

I caught a putrid scent and wrinkled my nose in disgust. Ignoring Vale, I stepped into the washroom and locked the door, stripping the clothes from my body with zeal. An angry red gash lined my arm, but it would heal. Another scar upon my flesh bothered me little.

I let pain slip from my mind as I turned on the shower, basking in the hot water as I washed the dirt of days past from my body. Steam rose through the air, clouding the mirror and blanketing the washroom in a misty haze. I relaxed for a time, the heat soothing aching and cramped muscles. I was loathe to leave such deliciousness, but as the water slowly began to cool, I realized I'd remained too long.

I toweled off, the borrowed towels not as fluffy as I was accustomed to, and wrapped my nakedness in the damp cloth. I glared at my pile of dirty clothing on the floor, unwilling to wear it again, but had little choice. It was either enter the shared room in a towel, which Vale would no doubt comment on, or don grimy clothes. I opted for the former, willing to risk a snide remark for a few more moments of clean comfort.

To my surprise he said nothing, throwing a sidelong glance my way before entering the shower. I heard a bark of irritation, most likely at the chill of the water, but I cared little. I was clean, relaxed; my nerves no longer strung too taut for rational thought. Stretching out on the bed, draped in nothing but my damp towel, I took a moment to ponder my curious situation.

I still intended to contact Aria, as I'm sure she would be awaiting my report. I did not doubt she was furious at my absence, but whether she was behind the attempt on my life was debatable. Vale had not necessarily been dishonest, but he had been less than forthcoming with the truth. I hardly considered him a reliable source of intelligence, but perhaps there was some merit to his words. It wouldn't be the first time my reality had been overturned.

My stomach groaned with hunger and I sighed, reluctantly moving to throw on my disgusting clothes. I would need to eat and keep up my strength if I was to survive this disaster, and checking the meager pile of credits I carried, left the safety of our rented room to hunt for sustenance.

Darkness lay before me and I entered the evening in fascination. It hadn't been since my childhood that I'd experienced true night, and the feel of twilight on my skin once more was soothing. Strange insects chirped in shadowed corners while soft, fresh air tickled my nose, smelling of rain. I resisted the urge to relax, to enjoy the nostalgia that threatened to surface, instead focusing on my surroundings. Surely a spaceport would have a restaurant nearby?

Keeping to the shadows I scouted the area, always with the door to my room in sight. My pistols remained hidden under my shredded jacket and my knife snug in my boot. I ignored the scratch of dirt against my clean skin, adjusting direction as I saw a series of food vendors across the way. As luck would have it, one was open and I jogged across the walkway to order.

The salarian proprietor's eyes widened at my approach, as I am sure I looked affright, the stench of my clothes profound. I pulled my stash of credits from my pocket and ordered, and while he did as requested, never did the salarian's gaze leave me.

Ignoring the food vendor's stare I quickly left, food in hand, and meandered through the alleys on my way back to the room. Vale shot me an angry glance upon my return and opened his mouth to speak, but halted as I placed our supper on the room's only table. He frowned and studied me.

"You know you could've requested room service." He sifted through the contents, grease slowly seeping through the bag.

I removed my boots and the remnants of my jacket, stretching out on the bed once more. "I didn't want anyone to know which room we're in."

He snorted, pulling out a box filled with what looked to be noodles. "I'll say it again: paranoid."

"Safe." I replied, watching him through tired eyes. Vale opened his meal and obviously tested the contents. "And you call me paranoid."

He paused, waiting for the results, and turned to me. "I'm not an assassin who kills with poison."

I shrugged awkwardly, the motion difficult while lying down. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. I wouldn't waste my time by poisoning your food."

"Comforting."

I turned to the ceiling and breathed deeply. "Yes."

"You're not going to eat?" Vale asked as he shoveled noodles in his mouth.

I stretched once more and stood, pulled a mealbox from the bag, and returned to the bed. Inside was another order of noodles, heavy sauce dribbling down the container's sides. I took a bite, noting idly the slight difference in flavor from the same dish I would order on Omega. The noodles were a bit softer and the sauce richer, but overall the dish was the same according to my unsophisticated palette.

"So do you have any ideas on where to go from here?" I inquired between bites.

"I've got a few ideas – know a few people," he said enigmatically.

I cocked an eyebrow, but bit my tongue on a retort. "When is the next shuttle back to Omega?"

He paused, fork half-way to his mouth. "You really think you'll be welcome back there? Aria will shoot you on sight."

"Perhaps."

"You still don't believe me, do you." It was a statement, not a question, warning in his accusatory tone.

"It's not about that –"

"That's exactly what it's about."

I set my meal aside and met his eyes, anger burning within his gaze. "You've not given me any reason to trust you and frankly, our chances will be better if we separate."

"Yes, I warned you of impending death because I had nothing better to do at the moment."

I cocked an eyebrow, recalling the memory of our exchange at the bar. "You warned me, but if it wasn't for spectacular timing, your warning would have meant nothing. I would have survived without it."

"And what about the landing pad? Who was there to pick you up?"

I nodded, calm and focused even as Vale's ire steadily rose. "You did and I've already thanked you for your timely intervention." He opened his mouth to spit out more arguments, but I held up my hand to forestall him. "It isn't about trust, Vale. I don't trust anyone, that's why I'm still alive."

He snorted again. "A bit melodramatic, aren't you."

"Aren't you?" I narrowed my eyes as I considered him, resentment simmering beneath my skin. "I never asked for your interference and your involvement has complicated my situation. I need to resolve this."

Green eyes glared at me, and I remained still under Vale's upraising gaze. He turned back toward his meal after a time, and we resumed eating in uncomfortable silence. Tension filled the air, and while irritation seemed to be the status quo between us, I hardly believed the notion was comfortable. And so it was by surprise that Vale broke the silence, his voice soft, almost distant.

"I have a contact on Illium that might be of some use to us."

I moved to set my empty mealbox on the table and took the chair across from him. "When are you leaving?"

He met my eyes once more, anger still heavy in his gaze. "You're coming with me."

I frowned at him them, simmering resentment transforming to anger. I disliked being ordered around, save by Aria. She and I had known each other long enough, shared a mutual respect, and so I took her commands in stride always knowing I had the option to turn down a contract even though I never did. An order coming from Vale, a man I hardly knew, was insulting. I made my displeasure known.

"You don't tell me what to do," I hissed, the tension coiling around my body as my anger stirred.

He held my gaze, both of us vying for unspoken control, neither willing to look away first, but it was he who broke the silence yet again.

"I'm tired," he grumbled, setting aside his fork and moving to his bed. "I suggest you consider your options, Jin. You don't have many left."

I said nothing, preferring to remain silent rather than mewl and complain like a petulant child. I turned my head toward to window, heavy curtains blocking any view, and considered his words. From the corner of my eyes I could make out his movements, only partially aware that he was disrobing. I cared not as I had seen many a naked man before, but I shifted my gaze even further away to avoid any potential implications. I did not need Vale's imagination running wild if he saw my eyes on him.

He switched off the lights and a blanket of darkness filled the room. The uncomfortable silence was soon filled with his soft snores and I wondered at his ease of sleep. It seemed he was able to rest anywhere in any condition and once more I questioned the capabilities of such a man.

He knew I did not trust him, although I cared little what he thought, but it unnerved me to no end that he was correct. My options were few. I could return to Omega and attempt to resolve the mess I was in, or I could remain with Vale and gather more intelligence. Either way, we would need to leave this spaceport. Our appearance – our mere presence was highly suspicious.

Irritated at my ignorance, I scooped up my jacket from off the floor and pulled it on. Vale's constant snores drifted steadily on the air even as I opened the door and slipped back outside. It had cooled since last I was out and a heavy mist lingered overhead. Wrapping my arms about my midsection, I made my way through the shadows and alleys toward the food vendors. The stalls had long since closed, but I did not mind, my need for knowledge driving me forward until I found a local diner still open. I stepped inside, caring little for the questioning glances the late shift staff occasionally through my way.

Visually scanning the layout I noticed a small terminal in each booth, a smattering of salarian patrons dotting the diner. I seated myself, ordering only water from the server who approached, and activated the terminal's display. Satisfied with the security of the connection, I searched for information from Omega, scanning transport logs, ship manifests, even merc communications, but found nothing to sate my curiosity. If anyone was searching for me, I would find no evidence in public view.

Frustrated, I switched gears and did a local search of the area, finding little of interest other than the spaceport's launch schedule. I clicked on the link for further details. A listing of departures and arrivals scrolled down the display, all leaving for Omega on the morrow. I had half a mind to book passage, but a stirring in my gut gave me pause. Aside from the fact that I had no money and no clean clothing, were anyone on Omega searching for me, my intended arrival would not go unnoticed. No, I would need to return home unannounced, unremarked. I frowned in irritation as I realized such a goal would only likely be accomplished by stowing aboard another freighter, and I was in no hurry to relive such a horrid experience so soon after the first.

My mind drifted back to Aria as I sipped on my water. I had little doubt she knew exactly who Guy-Arnold was, but I couldn't help but wonder if she had known what would happen upon his death. Aria was privy to information that detailed Omega's inner workings. Nothing happened on that station without her knowledge, a fact that she reminded others of quite frequently. And so by that logic, either Aria had knowledge of the intended assassination attempt or her spy network was not as thorough as it should be.

My thoughts darkened as Vale's words filtered through memory, and I shuddered to think of the third logical option: Aria planned the hit.

The server approached me again, but I waved the salarian away, fatigue pulling at my eyes. I glanced down at my chrono and, realizing an hour had swiftly passed, took my leave of the diner. Once again I stayed to the shadows, retracing my path through the night. A cool breeze wafted through the air, hinting at rain even as light droplets fell from the sky. The corners of my mouth curled up into a surprised grin, the feel of rain upon my skin for the first time in over twenty years.

I marveled at the sensation, turning my face to sky for but a brief moment as wonder enveloped me. The shower lasted only minutes and slightly damp, I resumed my trek in the shadows, relishing the feel of rain once again. I slipped back into the hotel room, tired awe evaporating as I recognized the anger on Vale's face, his posture rigid on the bed.

"Again? You left again? Where were you?"

As before, I sat on the bed and pulled off my boots, tossing my jacket on a nearby chair. "I found a terminal at a local diner."

He said nothing, but his expression spoke volumes.

I shrugged nonchalantly and shed the rest of my filthy clothing, noting with satisfaction the shift in his gaze. "I checked the spaceport's launch schedule. There's nothing going to Illium for another two days." I crawled under the covers, hiding my nakedness, but baring my irritation. "Why do you care where I go anyway?"

"I don't want you getting recognized." He leaned back down in his bed, yanking his blankets up.

"Oh, I understand. You don't want anything to happen to your payday." My voice dripped with sarcasm and I could hide my indignation no longer. "You've already made it clear that my safety and my cooperation lead to your dream of wealth. I can see how jeopardizing that dream would cause you concern."

He flicked off the light once more and I heard the rustling of covers in the dark. "You know nothing."

I glared at the ceiling in the dark, frustrated with Vale, with his answers, with his constant ambiguity. Never before had I had experienced such difficulty in dealing with an individual. If I could not charm them or manipulate them, I could eliminate them. Vale, however, I could not charm, could not manipulate, and could not kill as of yet. And so I stewed into the early morn, fatigue finally taking hold even as the sky brightened in the distance.