Paths to Vengeance
Chapter 17 heists and legends part 1
Authors notes I don't own Mass Effect Bioware does and this fic is a slight crossover with the film War, just so you all know.
Also I recommend that all my readers check out the fics written by Angels Anthem, Appa Appa Away, LongLiveThe Clones, XxheavendragonxX, Aurora Lunar 0Love This0, Icehockeychic4 and Canadiancloneluver as they are seven of the best writers on this site in my opinion. And please if you read this fic let me know what you think of it good or bad comments let me know as I want your opinions on it.
And lastly I recommend that all of readers have a look at the work written by Guardian Kitch as the work that author has written is very, very good.
Well that's enough of an authors note on with chapter 17.
The Normandy
As Rogue sat in his quarters and crossed Vido Santiago's name off his list Shepard entered his quarters and said "We need to talk right now".
Rogue only said "What do you want to talk to me about Shepard, politics, sports?".
Shepard replied "None of those, now I want the truth Rogue tell me what really happened to Zaeed on Zorya? Tell me now or I'll you over to Crawford and his taskforce right now?".
Rogue was silent before he replied "OK here's the truth, after Vido was killed Zaeed went crazy with anger and he tried to kill me and in the course of defending myself, I killed him, that's what happened. But don't worry Shepard, we made a deal and I'll see it through, we'll stop the Collectors and then we take down Cerberus, just like we agreed".
Shepard nodded in agreement and then said "We are heading to the Boltzmann system next, Kasumi wants my help with a heist she has planned and I think you can help out with this mission, you know a lot about the criminal underworld and that's info I need for my cover. And I could use a bodyguard as well".
Rogue nodded and said "I'm in Shepard, don't worry about that and by the way thanks for letting me look through the Cerberus files here". Shepard only shrugged off the thanks as it wasn't needed at all and left the room as Rogue started to do some push ups on the floor.
The Citadel Henry Radcliff's mansion
As Tashya Radcliff and her team entered the mansion her father and his second in command Alan were there to greet her, with a hug from her father and a kiss from her husband Tashya knew she done very well and waited for her father to say what was to be done with Zaeed Massani.
Her father then said "Take Zaeed to the interrogation room, I'll question him myself and tell Demitri I'll need his assistance. Now Tashya you and Alan take the rest of the day off, reward for a job well done".
With that Tashya and Alan left the mansion as Tashya's team brought the bound and blindfolded Zaeed Massani through their boss's main office and into the interrogation room. And as Zaeed was restrained to a board of wood at the back of the room that was covered in blood, he felt the blood on his back and he didn't who had him or why but he knew who to blame and that was Rogue, the assassin shot him and left him there to die.
And he was now wearing nothing but his trousers and boots and was blindfolded and had no idea where in the galaxy he was now.
Suddenly the blindfold was removed and Zaeed found himself face to face with the leader of the Roma 1 mafia, Henry Radcliff and the man had a sick smile on his face.
That alone was enough to scare Zaeed.
Bekenstein orbit a few hours later
As the shuttle left the Normandy Kasumi remarked that the outfit she got Shepard for the mission was something he should wear more often and Rogue smirked at that comment.
Shepard then asked "I assume that Solomon Gunn is my cover name?". Kasumi nodded and said "You run a small but talented band of merc's out in the Terminus Systems, exactly the type of person that Donovan Hock respects, I took the liberty of giving you a reputation. Papers witnesses, articles in various magazines and the extranet. Just don't talk business with him and you'll be fine. I've also gotten Rogue a cover as well, yours is Roberto Sanchez, the second in command of Gunn's merc's and top body guard. They wont question you having a guard with you at all, pistols can be kept as long as they are concealed".
Shepard then asked "Now tell me Kasumi, what are the details for this heist exactly?".
The thief answered "Our friend Hock is throwing a big party here for all of his closest friends, some of the worst liars, cheaters and mass murderers you'll ever want to meet. All of them are bringing gifts for the man himself. Now Shepard, our gift is a lovely golden statue of your old friend Saren, rendered with perfect detail and filled with all our armour and weapons. Once we are inside we'll make our way to Hocks vault somewhere in the back of the ballroom. Then we case the security and start going through them 1 by 1. The statue should be there waiting to be cracked open and armed up. Then we simply walk into the vault and take back Kejiis greybox, and I'll finally get to say goodbye".
Rogue then said "Keiji meant a lot to you didn't he Kasumi?".
Kasumi answered "Was that obvious Rogue?. Keiji's greybox holds a lot of priceless memories personal memories, its all that's left of what he was. But what he uncovered is very dangerous, I wouldn't bring you both here with me if it wasn't".
Shepard only asked "What's in it that makes this greybox worth all of this?".
Kasumi replied "It holds Keiji's memories, everything from all of the plans and codes he stole, to all the time we spent together, wrapped in those memories is the secret he stole. He never told me what it was, but whatever it was, itgot him killed".
With that the rest of the trip to Hocks mansion was made in silence and when they arrived the three of them headed to the door as the statue of Saren was waiting for them. The Eclipse guards then told Shepard and others to stay where they were for a moment as they ran a security scan on the statue as Donovan Hock himself walked down the steps towards them and told the guards to let them through as he was certain that the three of them didn't come halfway across the galaxy to cause trouble.
Hock then faced Shepard and said "We haven't been properly introduced, names Donovan Hock".
Shepard extended his hand as he said "I've heard a lot about you, name's Solomon Gunn and this is Roberto Sanchez, my second in command".
Hock merely kept his hands behind his back as he sad "I've heard alot of you both as well, if the extranet is to be believed of course, go on through with my apologies both of you. But your friend will have to remain outside here".
Rogue then said "Explain why our friend has to stay outside?". Hock replied "I don't like the look of your friend Mr Sanchez, so she stays outside, simple as that".
Shepard then said "No problem, this is your party after all". Hock nodded as he said "Enjoy the party" and walked off.
The three of them then walked off to the side as Rogue asked "Do you know why he sent you away Kasumi?". She shook her head and explained "We never met in person and very few people in the entire galaxy know what I look like, just taking extra precautions I'm sure".
With that Shepard and Rogue entered the mansion as Kasumi activated her tactical cloak and followed them inside the buildingfrom a safe distance.
The Citadel Henry Radcliff's mansion
Henry Radcliff looked on as Demetri cranked up the voltage of the switchboard as more then 40 volts of electric current were going through Zaeed and as it was switched of 5 seconds after turned on Radcliff asked "Do you know the writings of Shan Yu?".
Zaeed only asked "Why are you starting a book club here Radcliff or are you trying to torture me?". Radcliff laughed as he said "Yes today we meet you, and you Mr Massani you are quite a man, an extraordinary man, but as we know these aren't times for extraordinary men, business is not war, heroics are unnecessary as they complicate delicate matters".
Radcliff then walked off to the other side of the room and he opened a box and said "For you Mr Massani I have a special machine here just for you?. Very precious to me".
He walked back over to Zaeed and showed him the wire as Zaeed said "And people say that we humans are not descended from animals".
Radcliff ignored the comment as he handed the wire to Demetri and said "Let us see if we can meet the real you". He paused after he said that and said "If you don't want to meet your true self, Zaeed then tell me know where Rogue went and I'll grant you a quick but very painful death?".
Zaeed answered "If I knew where he was I'd kill him myself, and that's the truth". Radcliff only motioned for Demetri to connect the wire to Zaeed's chest as it made Zaeed scream out in agony and it brought a big smile to Henry Radcliff's face.
Bekenstein Donovan Hock's mansion
As Rogue, Shepard and Kasumi entered room leading to Hocks private vault they saw the statue of Saren was there waiting for them. When they saw the all the security on the Vault they knew what they had to do now get a DNA sample from Hock as well as a voice sample and the password and lastly cut the power to the barriers protecting the door.
Ksaumi sent Rogue and Shepard's Omni Tool's to scan for the power cable to barrier that ran under the floor of the ballroom. With that finding and shutting off the power was easy. Rogue then decided to talk to Hock and get the voice sample as he already knew a lot about Donovan Hock and 1 subject he liked in particular.
Rogue walked over to Hock as the man said "Mr Sanchez I hope you and Mr Gunn are having a good time here, I really hope the scene at the door earlier hasn't soured the evening has it?".
Rogue answered "It hasn't at all Mr Hock, the party is great and I love the artwork here. I thought myself and Mr Gunn were the only ones who knew about ancient warlords".
Hock smiled and said "I always found history fascinating Mr Sanchez, tell me what do you of Shan Yu?".
Rogue replied "Shan Yu the dictator?". Hock explained "Yep. Fancied himself quite the warrior poet. Wrote volumes on war, torture, the very limits of endurance, he said live with a man for 40 years, share his house, all of his meals, speak on every subject. Then tie him up and hold him over the volcano's edge. And on that day you will finally meet the real man.
Rogue then asked "What if you don't live near a volcano?". Hock answered with a smile on his face "I expect that he was being poetical. Enjoy the party Mr Sanchez".
As soon as he was far enough away Kasumi said on the com "I got enough of a voice sample. How did you know Hock was a fan of Shan Yu anyway Rogue?". The assassin answered "Experience most like him, love psycho dictators and warlords, they see it what they have to aspire to in life".
With that Shepard walked over and said "I got the password, all that's left now is the DNA sample in Hocks bedroom". As Shepard and Rogue walked over to the door leading to Hocks private quarters they got in with help from Kasumi as he used her earlier hacking into the guards communications to pass herself as Chief Roe and get them access to the private rooms.
Getting the DNA sample was easy and with that the 3 of them went to the main room leading to vault and with all the security disabled all they had to left was get their weapons and armour and enter the vault.
As they entered the elevator that led to the vault they all knew that they had to be ready for anything.
The Citadel Henry Radcliff's mansion
Demetri poked Zaedd and got no response from the unmoving, not breathing body and turned to Radcliff as he said "Yep, he's dead".
Authors notes well that's chapter 17 completed please let me know what you think of it read and review no flames though ok.