REQUIEM
CHAPTER NINE:
LIKE OLD TIMES
October 18, 2185
1200 hours.
VICINITY UNKNOWN. DATA INCOMPLETE. LOCATION UNKNOWN.
The Shadow Broker.
The room was absolutely silent; it always had been, as noone was allowed to enter it, or leave it alive. It was long, big and had all the equipment that the ultimate information broker could possibly need. Every man, woman and child's dirtiest secret, information that could start wars in mere minutes, intel that could bring down the mightiest of politicians, including ones like the Council itself. Even ones that could bring down whole governments. All at the Broker's fingertips.
But at that current moment, the Broker wasn't looking for information like that; it was its own that he needed destroyed. The asari named Liara T'Soni was moving in on the Broker, and if it didn't find a way to stop her soon, its base of operations would be compromised and the entire Shadow Broker network brought down. It would not let that happen. The Shadow Broker was a necessary evil in the galaxy, and needed if they were to survive what it knew was coming...
The Reapers.
As so, the Shadow Broker worked silently through its terminal, watching information on its asari nemesis crawl past the screen, its top agent sending instant reports on T'Soni's movements straight to the Broker's computer.
It wasn't the real Broker; he had learnt to accept that. He had taken over sixty years ago, having killed his previous owner, who had taken him from his homeworld as a pet. He had taken over, but then the quarian had arrived, and it began again; he was the pet, the one who did all the Broker's work for her. I'm a pet; but she doesn't bother to monitor the orders I send out.
He stopped mid-thought, eyes locked on one and particularly terrifying line of data. T'Soni knows. I don't know how she did it, but she managed to track down one of our agents, and linked it back to Sekat. She knows about him, and I have a feeling Sekat is going to compromise you. I overheard her plans as well; Shepard is on his way to Illium, and when he arrives, she's going to tell him. I need orders; neatralize? - Vasir.
He clicked his mandibles before hitting the key for the connection to the Shadow Broker's office, which was just behind his, and found an instant connection as the quarian's face mask popped up, "Yes, what is it?"
His voice was a low growl, as it seemed to always sound, as he spoke, "T'Soni knows. She's making a move, and Agent Vasir is waiting for orders on the target. She needs to be stopped before she tells Shepard."
The quarian seemed to hesitate, eyes glazing over. Shepard...that name fazes her. The quarian leaned forward, thinking, before she clasped her three-fingered hands in front of her and met her pet's gaze, "Tell Vasir to neatralize target, but do not terminate. T'Soni is not to be harmed. Have her captured and brought here, where she can join her friend, Feron. This time however, do not put her in a torture machine."
The pet slammed his fist down on the desk, leaving a massive dent and causing the desk to splinter and creak, "You cannot be serious! T'Soni needs to be permanently silenced, not brought here! Did you ever consider that she might want to be brought here? The asari needs to be terminated, not left alive for where she can do more damage."
"Are you questioning my orders?" the Broker questioned and her pet growled, glaring at her and seeing past her mask, wanting to just crush her face with his hand; and he probably could. But he held his breath, not bothering to question her. His silence being her answer, the quarian nodded, "Good. Now precede with my orders; capture T'Soni. Shadow Broker out."
He slammed the disconnection key and brought up Vasir's message, not knowing what to do. Orders are clear; capture the asari. But the orders seemed so idiotic, so risky. What if T'Soni killed Vasir and got the location of the base off of her? Vasir was powerful and well-trained, but this was one of the Heroes of the Citadel, not to mention the Broker's biggest rival in the business. Steps had to be taken to keep the asari...silent.
Like insubordination. The man nodded, seemingly watching the Broker's office out of the corner of his eye as he turned back to his terminal. She hasn't placed any bugs on my terminal; she won't know. And with that, the pet made up his mind, sending the orders that Vasir waited for.
Eliminate T'Soni.
{Loading...}
October 18, 2185
1208 hours.
Roof, Tevos Tower, Nos Astra, Illium.
Spectre Tela Vasir.
The asari smiled as her omni-tool beeped once more, the orange display lighting up on her arm as she turned from her Indra sniper rifle to examine the reply sent by the Shadow Broker. When she saw that one line, her grin faded, replaced by sheer determination and she turned back to her rifle, eye down the scope and peering down on the Nos Astra Premium Hotel Suite, and landing over the big, glass windows of Liara T'Soni's apartment.
She sighed, squaring her shoulders as she wore her light weight blue body armor, spectre insignia on both shoulder pads. She wore orange facial markings, a personal tattoo she had devised. She sighed as she located the asari again, currently heading up the stairs and into her bedroom to get dressed; she was currently naked and wearing a towel around her waist after having a shower.
Vasir was a Council Spectre; not rogue like Saren Arterius or Marcus Shepard, but a Council Spectre using the Shadow Broker's information to save innocent lives. The Broker's intel had helped her many a time over the years, even helping her put a stop to a batarian slaving raid on a turian colony, where she was able to alert the hierarchy authorities protecting the planet, and allow to plan accurately for the enemy. In return, she did a few errands for the Broker as one of his, or her, or their top agents. It was necessary evil.
And now I'm about to kill this asari in cold-blood, all because she wants to bring down the Broker. Serves her right. Vasir had never been one to like purebloods (a name given to asari who are born of a bond between two asari), and had grown to hate them. Purebloods had been rare among the asari ever since the Council was formed, the asari saying that 'melding with other species allows our DNA to intermix and change, while two asari together produce nothing but pure asari offspring, with no alien code at all.' Vasir was born of a salarian and asari bond, much to her disgust. I can't believe I had that salarian's DNA in me. Still, I guess being sneaky has its advantages.
She refocused down the scope, keeping her line of sight directed over the asari's body. But by the time she did refocus, the asari was moving down the stairs, white, armoured labcoat on, Tempest SMG at her hip and a phalanx heavy pistol. The asari moved towards the door, and Vasir considered putting a bullet in her head right then and there.
She could have; one shot and that glass would shatter, the shot from an Indra so powerful it would continue through the window and blow through the young broker's head, a clean shot and all the Broker's problems would go away. But Vasir wanted to do this personally; to make it fun. This feels...to easy. And with that, she let the sniper rifle fall back into her arms, the asari beginning to collapse the rifle and place it back in its corresponding bag.
Tela zipped up the bag and quickly hoisted it up, moving towards her skycar with a horrifying, sadistic grin on her face. Her skycar was a orange-peachy color, and was almost on par with a sportscar in speed. I paid hundreds of thousands for this car; it won't fail me now. She moved up to the back, opened the trunk, and dumped the bag inside, quickly slamming it shut and keying her omni-tool to open the car door.
She stepped inside, sat down and gunned the engines, not waiting for the hum of the console as she sped forwards, her hands gliding across the holographic control panel as the skycar ascended slightly and then acellerated, shooting off the roof of the building and closing on the hotel building with terrifying speed.
She wheeled the building and watched as Liara entered her own personal skycar; a red three-seated zoomer; a business vehicle for lawyers and politicians; almost befitting of someone in Liara's stature. A pity I have to trash it. She stalked Liara, hovering behind the building, and watching as the skycar took off, almost disappearing into Illium's traffic, if it hadn't been for Tela already painting it with her modified car tracker. She sped forward, trailing the skycar and closing in fast.
Shepard won't be saving you this time, T'Soni. This won't be a repeat of Therum. They won't recognize the charred, asari corpse in a destroyed skycar. Vasir watched as her vehicle closed in, almost tailgating Liara's car. As she looked closer, she could see the asari broker looking into her rear vision mirror, clearly seeing Vasir. The spectre was quick, not wanting to give Liara a chance to escape.
Vasir winded down the window, allowing her to poke out. Harsh, high-powered winds, like that of a hurricane, assaulted her from the front as their skycars moved by, the asari almost feeling numb with cold, her armor her saving grace. She pulsed with biotic energy, leaning forward and preparing to send a biotic warp flying into Liara's engine, where her vehicle would plummet into the streets below...
...only for Liara's skycar to strafe right, throwing off Vasir's aim. The asari spectre growled as she tried to regain her bearings, only for Liara to speed up and dive left, disappearing behind two skyscrapers. The asari felt a sneer cross her face as she sat back inside, not even bothering to close her window as she pulled a sharp left turn in hot pursuit of the information broker. You are not escaping me, you pureblood bitch.
Liara's car wasn't hard to spot; it was the only one doing spins and speeding like a maniac. If the bitch wants to throw off my tail, she's doing a terrible job. Vasir, instead, sped up, not about to let the asari escape. But the broker was speeding like crazy, her car far superior in speed and able to completely, if not outright, outgun Vasir's. She needed to block the broker's path of escape. A smile crept along her face.
Time to call in my troops. She commed her omni-pad, holding it up to her mouth, "Key-Zero Alfa-Hotel-Bravo, how copy?"
The response was momentary, and a salarian voice came through, "Shadow Broker Unit 12-Yankee-Zulu, Agent Vasir. This is Agent Herai, problem?"
"Get in your skycars and block...public transit tunnel 0-5, Northwest Nos Astra Transit. Do not let T'Soni escape. She's in a red skycar, business vehicle, how copy?"
"Solid copy. We read you Agent Vasir," the salarian responded and after another moment, came back, "All units under your command are mobilized and moving to blockade. You are aware this will draw police attention."
"I don't give a fuck," Vasir growled, "I'm a Spectre; I'll deal with the police. You just deal with the bitch. The Broker won't tolerate failure. Vasir out," and with that, the chase was on. I just have to lure her into the tunnel. Her car ducked and dived inbetween traffic, avoiding collisions with trucks, cars, zoomers, even a few freighters. She sped past a red light, only noticing this when the traffic lane she was in was suddenly empty. Police intervention irrelevant; easily bribed.
Liara fell right into the spectre's trap without even any prompting; she doved into a cylindrical transit tunnel, where the spectre immediately followed, diving into the tunnel with a crazed smirk. You've got nowhere to run. The tunnel was awash with light; bright white light coming from all sides of the tunnel, with a tight line of skycars coming to and from the area, Vasir watching as Liara almost barelled into a yellow taxi, narrowly avoiding it. Fucking fool.
Vasir copied the asari's movements, but with more grace. She didn't know why, but doing it felt like she was outcompeting the young asari. Irrelevant. Concentrate on mission parameters; eliminate T'Soni. The car chase continued through the transit tunnel, both of them running through sharp turns, red lights and corners, eventually arriving at the end of the tunnel, where her men, members of the Shadow Broker's private army, were waiting in a blockade.
Vasir smiled when she saw Liara's skycar practically speed straight for a tightened line of black skycars, all of them pointed forward, and with at least one of the Broker's men poking out of the window, assault rifle in hand and ready to fire. Vasir gave the order for them to disable T'Soni's aircar, but not to kill her. That job is mine, and I alone will do it.
Her men immediately opened fire, gunfire tearing through the tunnel and all focused on Liara's car, but most of them missed or pinging off the hull. Aim you idiots, fucking aim. As if hearing her thoughts, the mercs concentrated their fire more locally and began hitting the car with everything they had, Liara desperately trying to avoid the firepower being thrown at her...
...and then, as if the asari had grown a quad, she outright bull-rushed one of the cars in the line, smashing head on into the vehicle, sending the soldier poking out of its window to go tumbling from his position, screaming as he fell from the car and into a thousand foot drop into the streets below. The driver didn't do much better, losing control of his or her car as Liara sped on, her skycar dented at the front and smoking as she raced on. Vasir screamed as she rode past her troops.
She commed her omni-pad again, "All units, apprehend T'Soni by whatever means necessary! Squad three, with me, follow in pursuit," and she watched as the cars dispersed, all moving to execute their assigned tasks. Liara's stunt had bought her some time, but not much. She's not a coward, no fucking doubting that. Ramming a car like that takes balls, but asari don't have balls. Vasir practically glared Liara's rearbumper down as squad three in their four skycars moved in behind her, some speeding up ahead to flank T'Soni.
They rounded a corner, two of her men moving up behind the bitch's car and one actually poking out, wielding a ML-77 Missile Launcher. The person looked turian. The proximity made it so that Liara couldn't turn in time when the rocket fired. Now if you can actually hit the damnable woman...goddess guide that turian's aim...
A head-pounding thrum cut through the air, silencing everything and at that moment, Vasir knew their was a truck above them. Her suspicions were confirmed when the traffic freighter barged its way through traffic, the smaller skycars moving out of the way and giving the colossal vehicle a wide berth...
...and it moved directly in front of Liara's car.
The asari made a swerve to the right, whether planned or not, Vasir couldn't know, and that moment, the genius of a turian decided to pull the trigger of the launcher she was grasping. Blue vapor arched from the weapon, the turian recoiling from the shot as the missile shot towards T'Soni's car, past it, and impacted the side of the truck.
The force of the blast caused the truck driver to panic and lose control, the vehicle tilting in a capsize fashion, slowing down as the driver hit the breaks. Vasir dove under it, watching as the idiot-with-the-launcher's car smashed into the truck's side, both of them exploding in a roaring inferno as the skycar tore right through the truck, most likely detonating the cargo inside and causing it to light up like a conglomeration of fireworks. She turned to the second car flanking T'Soni, only to watch as it slammed into a office complex, combusting into flames from the impact, leaving her only two cars. She turned back to T'Soni, truly pissed off.
But just as she hit the breaks, she heard the telltale signs of sirens...and when she looked into the rear vision mirrors, she saw the flaming wreck of the truck tumbling into the city below, with the blue and white exteriors of twelve police cruisers moving up behind them, sirens wailing. Fuck. She waved the cars behind her, ordering them to lure the cops away. They did so, opening fire on the cars and causing half of them to break off in pursuit, the other six closing fast.
She sighed as she swung left, then right, then left again, avoiding all the cars she could, trying to lose the cops, and trying not to lose T'Soni in the process. Only one way to lose 'em. She commed her omni-pads one last time, "Surviving units, I have six police units in pursuit of me. Hone in on my IFF and blockade. Do not let them past, engage in firefight if necessary, Vasir out."
She didn't even look back to see if they followed her orders, she just focused on Liara, following her unpredictable, sporadic movements. Finally, the asari managed to lead her into a empty area; a traffic lane currently unoccupied. Now Liara's car was alone, vulnerable and most of all, had nowhere to blend in. Vasir followed the asari, evil smirk crossing her features...
...and then flying back in shock as Liara abruptly stopped, spun around to face her and acellerated again, shooting past the spectre's car and blurring speed. Vasir's eyes trailed her car for as long as possible before she cursed, turning back to face forward so she could turn...
Liara had lead her into a trap, only now did she realize that. Clever cunt.
A white flash, followed by pain as a piece of shrapnel dug into the spectre's armor, Vasir looking at what had once been the front bonet of her skycar, now blown apart and torn asunder. Liara had spun, deployed an air mine, and then sped off, drawing Vasir's attention long enough that it would be too late by the time she noticed the damn thing.
She ignored the pain, ignored the need to scream in agony as it kept her blood clotted. Recovering from her shock, she tried to regain control of the panel, but it was useless. Purple blood oozed from scratches and possible scars on her face from glass that cut her as her windshield caved in from the blast, shattered glass littering her skycar, flames and smoke pouring out of her car like a missile.
The control panel was gone, the emitters blown out or apart. She just watched hopelessly as the skycar's speed kept up, the vehicle careening towards a nearby building, windows waiting to greet her as he moved in to meet them. Oh fuck...her five-fingered hands shot up to shield her face from the impact...
...and everything went black as her skycar crashed into the side of the building.
{Loading...}
October 18, 2185
1246 hours.
Dock, Business District, Nos Astra, Illium.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Chief Engineer Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, Gunnery Master Garrus Vakarian, Master Thief Kasumi Goto.
Marcus let out a relieved sigh as he stepped out onto the balcony of the Business District Dock, stretching out his limbs and smiling with satisfaction as he felt, and heard the satisfying pop of multiple muscles as he stretched. He felt the sound of skycars in the distance oddly gratifying, not to mention the sound of a crowd milling about, and Nos Astra was just about as busy as it had been when he was last here. This is where I recruited Thane and Samara. Where I saved Miranda's sister...and where Liara is. He wondered how the asari's vendetta against the Shadow Broker was going.
I'll find out soon enough.
He turned to his turian best friend, Garrus Vakarian, the thief he grow so close to, Kasumi Goto, and his quarian girlfriend, Tali'Zorah, as they all left the airlock of the Normandy and moved into the asari capitalist haven that was Nos Astra; a city that never hid the beauty of asari architecture, yet was still as dangerous as any street on Omega.
Liara will most likely have more than enough credits to facilitate in our repairs. Millions it'll cost...including a few extra for that extra feature...he grinned, pushing down the thought that fought to rise. A surprise. Don't spoil it by grinning like an idiot.
"Illium," Tali spoke softly, sighing, "And I thought I'd seen the last of this place."
He looked down at the quarian, eyes creasing into a frown, "Why's that?"
"I hate it. Everything about this place is wrong," Tali declared, leaning back on the balls of her feet and crossing her arms, "Crime, the way they treat my people...its no better than Omega, just with a few colorful walls put over it to make it look more accomodating. Its not even better than the Citadel."
"It is," Garrus added, mandibles flaring into a grin, "They don't have the Council, for a start. Or C-Sec."
Tali scoffed, ignoring the turian's personal jest. Kasumi was silent almost the entire time, just watching everyone exchange conversation. Eventually, she spoke up, a massive grin creasing her features, "Well, its time I took Tals shopping. Illium's bound to have plenty of shops. We're girls, time to act like it."
The thief cut off the quarian's groan as she playfully hit her on the shoulder, grin not loosening, "Oh, lighten up! It'll be fun! Just you and me, and no boys to annoy us! It'll be a girly time."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Tali whispered, looking to Marcus with a pleading look, one Marcus pretended not to notice. Tali growled at him, but he continued his act of being oblivious, Garrus holding back a chuckle. Kasumi just all out guffawed, tugging at Tali's arm. The quarian finally gave in, but not after shooting Marcus the most deathly glare in existence. Oh shit. And before he knew it, Kasumi had pulled Tali away and they disappeared around the corner, gone.
He sighed, turning to the only turian on the balcony, "So...want to come with? I'm going to go talk to Liara; see how she's doing."
Garrus looked at him, eyes skeptical. It was only momentary, but it was there long enough for the spectre to see it. He still hasn't forgiven her for not joining us to take down the Collectors. That's...understandable.
The turian continued, oblivious to Marcus' thoughts, "I...I don't think I'm ready to talk to her yet, not until she apologizes for what she...did."
"She had perfectly good reasons," Marcus responded, leaning against a wall and flexing his muscles. Worry flashed in his eyes and he looked at the ground, voice low, "I...I'm more worried of what she's become...the machine she's become."
Garrus raised an eyebrow, not quite getting what he meant, "Care to elaborate?"
The spectre inhaled, shrugging as he did and squaring his shoulders, "She's...changed. I know we've all changed; hell, you became a kickass mercenary, vowing to destroy crime, Michael the Archangel reborn," he threw a smirk in the turian's direction, and watched as his friend returned it, mandibles tugging upwards, "Kaidan practically stayed the same, but Tali...I mean shit, she was a badass little engineer back on the SR-1, but now she's a badass engineer marine commander. Wrex...well, he leads the entire krogan race. But those were all for the greater good...what Liara's become...its like talking to an entirely different person. I remember her for being that shy, nervous little scientist who had trouble communicating with people who weren't asari. Now she's...ruthless...cold, efficient. She makes this vendetta against the Shadow Broker seem like a war, yet she plays it like a game. Its...nauseating."
Garrus simply shrugged, his turian expression set in perputual stoic mode, eyes always predatory even when trying to be reassuring, "You're damn right about that...but we all took your death hard. Her change might have been a result of that. Besides, she even admitted to you that she was responsible for bringing you back to life, by handing you over to Cerberus, while simultaneously losing her lover. That's got to have a lot of emotional weight. But she shouldn't have let it stop her from joining us; the Collectors were working with the Shadow Broker anyway."
A good point; her assistance in destroying one of the Broker's most influential clients would have made her cause alot stronger. Yet again, the Broker would be more inclined to kill her. With a shrug, an inhale and another sigh, he looked at Garrus, managing a weak smile, "Well, better get to her then. What are you going to do while I'm gone?"
"Buy stuff I guess," Garrus shrugged, "Maybe find some people to help with the Normandy. Liara can handle the costs, but we'll need a good drydock, and the repairs, refit and the new paintjob will take at least a week. Might as well find out some good locations and find some upgrades for the ship. The Thanix, Silaris and Cyclonic upgrades make our little stealth frigate a Reaper-killing machine, but that doesn't mean we're invincible. We're just as vulnerable as Harbinger is."
"A good point," Marcus clicked his tongue, turning to look down the corridor Tali and Kasumi and disappeared down before turning back to Garrus, patting the turian on the shoulder, "I guess I'll see you later."
The turian gave a nod and Marcus turned away, walking down the balcony, nodding at Careena; the asari greeter for Liara, and moved down the customs checkout point, smiling as he walked slowly through, closing his eyes and breathing in the alien, but fresh, air, while simultaneously cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders. I need to do more exercise; my body has become far too tense, especially since the whole Collector ordeal. But they're gone now, so I guess I'll get more time.
He almost bumped into a wondering volus, and he apologized to the almost unnoticable walking bowling ball, continuing on as he looked at the numerous asari, salarians, turians, humans, hanar, elcor, volus and other species intermixing with the crowds. Hell, Marcus was damn sure he saw a drell too. Illium; an asari colony, yet completely multicultural and transracial. He moved towards the balcony outside, letting his hands stop him as he gripped the railing, the sun of Tasale baring down on all the planet's inhabitants; it wasn't harsh like Aralakh over Tuchanka, but it was warm.
The glow it lit over the thriving asari city was immense; the face of skyscrapers lighting up as yellow light poured over them. It was a beautiful sight, and really did put Nos Astra in a different light. He was sure he could see the Dantius Towers from where he stood, along with the Nos Astra Spaceport hiding behind a trio of buildings not too far away. Anaya must be making a killing on the amount of crimes I helped solve for her. And I can imagine with Aleena dead, the Dantius Towers will remain uncompleted.
He looked down at the ground, the city's beauty bringing up darker thoughts in his mind. Reapers rained from the sky, spewing hot death over Nos Astra as piercing beams of hot uranium acellerated at hyper-velocities cut skyscrapers clean in half, the city alight with fire and screaming as they tried to flee their murderers.
And then Harbinger landed, glowing orange eyes distinguishing it from the other Reapers, not to mention its size. It was bigger than a Collector Cruiser, and definitely bigger than the Destiny Ascension. The Leader of the Reapers seemed to lock eyes with the spectre and his voice boomed with untold horror.
You are mine, Shepard. You will complete the Prophecy, it is your destiny. The Requiem is coming.
He retorted in his mind, confused. "What Requiem!?"
Harbinger's response was enigmatic, "You will make a choice that will destroy you. You will push those you love away in the name of false safeties. You will surrender yourself, allowing time for our arrival. You will falter, you will waver, and you will die. All of you...ascending to a higher form. Reaper form. Those which you know as Reapers are your salvation through destruction.
"We will fight you!"
And you will fail.
He shook the thoughts from his head, turning upwards in panic. It was alright; Nos Astra wasn't burning, there wasn't any screams, and the Reapers were still in dark space. He wiped the cold sweat that had been collecting on his brow, looking around to make sure people hadn't heard his breakdown. He straightened his uniform.
Requiem. What did it mean by that? I will make a decision that will destroy me? Push those I love away? I...what does that even mean?
Don't bother; it was a flash, nothing more. Harbinger is in dark space, along with the rest of the Reapers. They cannot touch me. It was all an illusion; fear given form. Ignore it. You'll never push Tali away, or mum. I've never come across a decision I couldn't resolve and I will not surrender to the Reapers. Never. Not while I still control my mind and senses.
He heard dramatic music play behind him and he turned around, turning to a terminal screen on a nearby wall where the Nos Astra News was playing. He watched in widened eyes as he saw the words 'Breaking News' flash across the screen. This oughta be interesting...
And then further shock when he saw Liara's face pop up on screen, her picture on the right with the word 'victim' listed under her name. Oh please don't be dead...He moved forward, suddenly interested, as was half the district...apparently they all knew the information broker. The news reporter began her report, the asari wearing a very formal uniform, "This is Nos Astra News, bringing you breaking news. A situation has broken out in the traffic lanes of Nos Astra this morning as a car chase broke out in traffic in downtown Nos Astra. We take you live to the scene of the incident."
Marcus watched with rapt attention, not knowing that his knuckles were whitening with his grip on the railing. An asari reporter again, this one a deep purple with omni-tool out turned towards her video drone. She stood ontop of a rooftop, a building behind her. As he looked at the building though, everyone gasped at the sight of flames engulfing a hole in the building, a crashed skycar having torn through it. The asari cleared her throat.
"Yes Nayla, the scene here is looking pretty messy, as the police have informed me," the asari reported, pointing at the wreckage, while keeping eye contact with the camera, "Famous Information Broker Liara T'Soni was reported leaving her home at 1208 AM Illium Time when a car was reported having followed her, eventually engaging in a car chase where Miss T'Soni panicked and tried to escape her pursuer. Things only got uglier as the assailant apparently brought in reinforcements, heavily-armed and trained mercenaries wearing black markings but with no traceable origin moving in and causing havoc in Illium's traffic, resulting in the deaths of one truck driver in a fatal crash."
"Police attempted to intervene, but were intercepted and engaged by the enigmatic mercenaries, who's identity, group and client can still not be identified," the asari droned on, "The car chase ended here, with police reporting that by the time they reached the scene, they had found the car in the building, crashed. However, after identifying the vehicle's shape, color and registry, it is confirmed by police not to be owned by Liara T'Soni, but of her assailant. Further inquiries state the use of a air mine to neatralize the enemy vehicle. However, police are yet to find a body, with the crashed vehicle being absent of the unidentified assailant, and blood surprisingly absent from the crime scene."
"It was announced later that Detective Anaya and a team of police plan to question Liara T'Soni as to the details of the unprovoked, or possibly provoked, attempted on her life," the asari finished by turning back to the camera, "Property damage is expected to be high, with Elanus Risk Control Services and Binary Helix already gunning for legal representation in regards to corporate interest and property damage. More from the scene, later on. Back to you Nayla..."
Marcus was already sprinting for Liara's office as he finished listening to the broadcast, rushing to make sure Liara was there and alright. Unknown mercs...could be Cerberus, but they don't wear black markings...it could only be...he gulped, almost stopping in his jog towards Liara's office, No...yes, it is. The Shadow Broker finally tried to do it. That son of a bitch finally tried to kill Liara. He growled as he moved to rush upstairs, She isn't safe here anymore. I have to move her to safety. I have to-
He stopped, dead in his tracks at the top of the stairs as he stared at Nyxeris at her desk...
...and the pool of purple blood pooling around the asari's head as she lay, face down, on the desk. He rushed over to her, pulling her head up, but only seeing lifeless eyes, and a bullet straight through her skull. He sighed, placing her gently back on the desk before doing a full 180 on the door, seeing it was locked. Oh no you don't...I already lost Ashley, I am not losing anymore of my friends...He raised his omni-tool, summoning the overload program Tali had given him and aiming at the haptic interface, hitting it with a strong electric shock.
The haptic interface sputtered, screeched and died, the door swinging open to show Liara's office. Her desk was turned over, the asari broker in question azure in blue light, eyes ablazen with fury, one he had never wanted to see in someone like Liara. He turned to see the 'assailant', the asari wearing navy blue light armor, a single carnifex hand cannon drawn in her left hand and aiming at Liara's head, the asari's own biotics not summoned. He saw her left hand gripping her side, Marcus looking down to see purple blood dripping from a wound at her side. She wore orange facial markings and her insignia was a...a...a...
A Spectre?
Hearing the door open, the asari snapped her look to him and sneered, letting her hand fall from her wounded side to snap a Tempest SMG into place, aiming it directly at Marcus' head. Her sneer was replaced with a sadistic smile.
"Good," the asari spat, voice laced with a undertone of pain, "Now I can kill my target, and the biggest disgrace to the spectres since the quarian race."
{Loading...}
October 18, 2185
1251 hours.
Adjoining Corridor, Business District, Nos Astra, Illium.
Spectre Tela Vasir.
She hated being defeated; she hated being outsmarted. But what Tela Vasir despised the most was being defeated and outsmarted by a pureblood slut. Tela kept cursing as she basically dragged herself across the corridor, people giving the asari spectre mixed looks as she limbed on, Vasir ignoring all of them. I'm...not...going to die...to a...pureblood...bitch. Not...T'Soni. Not...anyone. I am a...Spectre. The right hand of the...Council, and for a good fucking reason!
She grunted as she continued, left hand still groping her injury, Vasir wincing everytime she had to walk and move her hips, causing it to stretch her wound. Purple blood poured from the wound like the tears of a child, non-stop running. I was a fucking idiot; medical training 101: never remove an object from an injury, because it lets blood flow out. But no, I had to play the friggin badass. Dumb fuck.
She felt the presence of her carnifex heavy pistol and tempest SMG at her hips, ready to use when she needed them. Had to ditch my Indra sniper rifle and Revenant LMG when the skycar crashed...hell, even left my warp grenades behind...at least I brought some weapons...and there's my biotics too. She was prepared to kill T'Soni, even if she had to do it upfront.
None of her troops had radioed, which either meant the police had defeated them, they were recalled, or they were simply dead. Either way, she was alone now, but she had no doubt she could kill the asari before Marcus Shepard, The Disgrace of the Spectres, returned. Man of many purities...then he goes joins Cerberus...fucking hypocrite. I hate humans, but now I have a reason to...really hate humans. It wasn't envy she felt for the man, simply hatred for everything he stood for and was doing. ...then there's him and his Reaper nonsense. Man should be institutionalized, not given a gun and spectre status. I have to question the Council's judgement sometimes.
She finally hit the door panel at the end of the corridor and stepped out, the stairs to Liara's office just to her left, and the business district to her right. Illium; asari beauty. Hmph. Nothing special about it really...place is nothing compared to Armali on Thessia. She turned, continuing up the stairs, achingly getting there. She drew her pistol, ready to step inside and kill the bitch, getting it over with, radio for pickup and report back to the Broker as soon as possible.
She arrived at the door, but was stopped from opening it by an asari monotone voice behind her, most likely T'Soni's paperpusher. She sighed in irritation at the asari's monotone, "Ma'am...you cannot go in there without an appointment, Miss T'Soni is very busy and...goddess...you're bleeding."
Vasir rolled her eyes and spun on the spot, turning to face the asari with a sneer, raising her pistol, watching the fear in the asari's eyes and drinking it in. You work for T'Soni; that makes you dirty in my book. "Did you your mother drop you on your head when you were born? You sound like a fucking VI module," and she pulled the trigger, the powerful weapon recoiling in her hand as it blew a nice, clean hole in the asari's head, body faceplanting onto the desk as purple blood coated the terminals behind her and pooled around the desk.
Another fresh cadaver.
She turned back to the door and opened the door, stepping inside. Liara had obviously heard the gunshot and was ready for Vasir, her desk flipped over and biotics aflare, the asari wearing her armoured labcoat and sporting an SMG and pistol at her hip. Her voice was venom and Vasir closed the door, using her omni-tool and a special program to lock the door.
"You killed Nyxeris, didn't you?" Liara spat.
Vasir jabbed a thumb at the door, slumping her lips with a 'shit happens' kinda expression, "You mean the VI with a cunt and tits back there? Yeah, I took care of her. No more ear bleeds for you."
Liara fumed, taking a step forward, "I know you work for the Broker."
Vasir rolled her eyes. No shit, she smiled at the asari broker, "Yes. My name is Tela Vasir, Special Tactics and Recon."
Liara widened her eyes for a moment, "You're a...spectre? You work for the Broker? You betrayed the Council to work for him. You're no Spectre!"
Then you're no broker. She rolled her eyes a second time, "Don't you judge me, princess. I would never betray the Council, no matter the cause. The Shadow Broker has given me good intel over the years that has saved lives! And if he needs a few people to disappear, well," she aimed her pistol at the asari's head while strafing the room, "I'm willing to pay that price."
"You killed Feron," Liara hissed.
"I didn't, and neither did the Shadow Broker's men. He's not even dead," Vasir hissed causing Liara's eyes to widen, "He's nice and safe and cozy at the Broker's HQ. A place which you'll never find."
"You're lying," the broker hissed, pointing an accusing finger at Vasir, "Feron is dead; I watched him fall."
"Yeah, from a leg injury," the spectre scoffed, pistol still aimed, "The Broker ordered him captured, you know, to repay him for his treachery. Noone betrays the Broker and gets away with it. Yet again, noone fails a mission and gets away with it," she stopped, pistol aimed directly at the asari's forehead, left hand still clutching her side, "So why don't I just end you and I'll be on my way? I've got credits to pickup, along with some intel."
Just as she was about to pull the trigger, she heard the sound of an electric overload followed by the door swinging open. She spun towards the entrance to watch as human, wearing an N7 Cap, hoodie and shirt walked into the room, with tightly-knit jeans and polished shoes. His piercing gaze appeared to move around the room before landing on her, his stance ready for combat. She recognized this human. She sneered. Marcus Shepard.
Her sneer dropped and was replaced with a sadistic smile as she unhooked her SMG and aimed it at Marcus' head, "Good," she spat, "Now I can kill my target, and the biggest disgrace to the spectres since the quarian race."
Before she could pull the trigger though, a warp field collided into her side, sending her flying into a wall, the spectre having made the mistake of not keeping her eyes on T'Soni. The SMG fell from her grip, but she kept the carnifex firmly in her grasp, turning towards the asari bitch with a look of hate. She summoned her own biotics.
"You'll pay for that, you pureblood bitch!" She launched a biotic shockwave at the asari, sending Liara reeling backwards slightly, giving the spectre time to stand up, only to have a fist slam into her face as Marcus intervened, right hooking her in the face. She quickly ducked under his next punch and swept his foot out from under him, causing him to collapse to the ground in a heap as she stood up, pistol aimed down at him, her smile never leaving.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw his own body pulse with dark energy. Oh fuc- She was slammed against a wall, unable to break free from her biotic restraints as Marcus held her there, a look of anger in his face.
"Why did the Shadow Broker want Liara dead?" Marcus interrogated, "Does it know she's onto him?"
"Why should I fucking tell you!?"
She was lifted up and tossed across the room, landing on Liara's capsized desk and snapping it clean in two. Vasir's back was wrapped in pain, but she regained her senses when she saw Liara looming over her, preparing a biotic punch. Vasir let her legs fly upwards, hitting T'Soni in the chest and causing her to stumble backwards from the blow, the asari spectre using the momentum from her legs to execute a cart wheel into a standing position.
She wrapped Liara in her own biotics and tossed her out the door and spiralling into Nyxeris' dead body, allowing her to turn and face Marcus. But as soon as she did, he was gone in an explosion of blue and white light; a missile smashing into her like a freight train. She flew backwards, hitting the glass observation window that served as the back 'wall' for Liara's office. She heard a crack, but took no notice, instead raising her arms to block a blow from Marcus' fists. She right-hooked him in the face, but when going for a left, he countered this and kneed her in the gut, followed by another to her face, breaking her nose.
Oh you son of a bitch...
In retaliation for his attack, and ignoring the purple blood trailing from her nose, she spun around and kicked him across the face, stunning him long enough for her to kick him in the groin, causing him to double over in agony, before she slammed a biotic fist into his chest, and then one into his face, smiling at the satisfying crack of his nose breaking.
She was shocked to see the human recover from both injuries extremely quickly, the N7 gritting his teeth to ignore the pain throbbing in his groin and the copper taste of red blood oozing into his mouth. As he turned to the asari, he spat out a broken tooth, a few bits of blood, and then growled a feral noise. It...frightened Vasir. What the fuck was that!
Marcus' own biotic fist connected with Vasir's face again, further disjointing her already broken nose and the asari, too weak to raise a biotic barrier and the pain from her side quickly returning with a vengeance, was unable to stop Marcus as he headbutted her, stunning only her, it seemed. She remembered she had a pistol, but it did her no good as Marcus spun her around, grabbed her arm and violently yanked it out of its socket, Vasir keeping back a scream of pain as her left arm went limp, carnifex falling from her grip.
She was completely helpless as she fell onto her knees, trying to get up, only to have Marcus' hands wrap around her face and the back of her skull, holding her in a tight headlock. His voice was next to her ear, as if trying to bite it off, "I will ask you...one last time. Does the Shadow Broker know?"
"Fuck you," she spat blood onto the ground.
"You're a disgrace to the spectres," he spat, making Vasir laugh, "And a traitor to the Council. You kill because some guy with no face tells you too."
"No, I do it because that guy with no face helped me save lives and in return, I do what he wants," Vasir spat, turning her look to him, "And you're working with Cerberus...so don't you dare fucking judge me. You have no right."
And with a yank of both hands, Marcus Shepard snapped Tela Vasir's neck.
{Loading...}
October 18, 2185
1310 hours.
Liara T'Soni's Office, Business District, Nos Astra, Illium.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Information Broker Liara T'Soni.
Marcus stood in the middle of the devastated office, eyes locked on the crumbling form of the asari spectre, her neck twisted at a paranormal direction. Her body flopped to the ground like an apple falling from a tree, her body completely devoid of life. He watched as her left hand fell from her chest, exposing the lethal wound there. Purple blood trickled from her broken nose and lips to the ground, a slowly forming pool building up.
He winced as he grabbed his nose and yanked it back into his position, almost crying out in agony. He cradled his nose for a few more moments, ignoring the soreness in his groin as the door opened once more, Liara rushing inside, biotics ready, only to stop at the image of her killer's corpse.
"You killed Vasir," Liara stated, not as a question, just a statement of fact. She looked back at him, concern suddenly lacing her features as she examined the red blood trickling from his nose, body stiff from the battle. He had outmatched Vasir in everyway; speed, augmented strength and his own, honed biotic abilities. Vasir hadn't stood a chance, but that didn't mean she couldn't have dealt damage of her own.
He looked at her, shaking his head and letting his body relax, releasing the tension in him, "Yes I did; and she worked for the Shadow Broker. This has got to stop Liara."
Liara frowned at him, "What has...?"
"Don't play stupid with me. Not me, of all people," Marcus demanded, alittle too harshly. He stepped over the desk, away from Vasir's body, and over to Liara, gaze uncertain, "She just tried to kill you; the Broker himself, the king of the information commodity, just sent a hitwoman to assassinate you. He obviously now has such a bounty on your head that he's managed to hire spectres to murder you in cold-blood. You know damn well what has to stop!"
"But can't you see?" Liara pleaded, pointing at the body angrily, "I can't! I know the truth now; Feron is alive! He didn't die, the Shadow Broker captured him and is torturing him! He's alive and I can save him! This isn't just revenge anymore! I have the chance to turn this into a rescue!"
He gave her a surprised look, "You mean...Vasir told you that Feron's alive?"
"She openly admitted it," Liara told him, "And I know what you're thinking; is it too good to be true? Could she have been lying? No, because why would she give me false motivation to find the Broker, knowing he had Feron, if she was going to kill me unless she was confident I wouldn't live to continue my mission? What would be the point of feeding lie to someone who's going to die anyway?" The asari leaned forward, fire in her eyes, "He's alive, Marcus. I know it. He's alive, and I'm going to kill the Shadow Broker and rescue him. This isn't going to end, this has only just begun."
He watched as Liara strode across the room, stepping over the desk and looming over Vasir's body, sighing heavily as she turned to face Marcus, "We could have kept her alive, questioned her." She almost sounded like she was chastising him.
He turned to her, defensive, "It was me or her, and it was clear she wasn't going to talk. She's a Spectre, she would never betray the Council. I would know, I am one. She was going to fight to the last breath, and she would never speak before that. I had to kill her; there was no other option."
"Torture is always an option," Liara coldly stated.
"Torture is never an option," Marcus growled, startling Liara who looked at him in surprise, "And you better get your shit together quickly, because you're not the Liara I remember. Goddamn it, I taught my crew better than this! I will not sacrifice who I am so you can torture some asari spectre who might not even know anything."
Liara turned to him, desperation in her own eyes, "We all changed! Don't tell me Tali or Garrus or Wrex didn't change, because I know they did! My informants told me they did!"
He walked up to her, his long strides placing him inches from her in the span of two steps, his body looming over her, "This isn't about change, this is about how you changed. I can understand the broker part, but I can't understand the reputation. I read up on you. Killing people who didn't give you information? Risking your own agents to obtain information? Blowing up a research facility!? Losing your lover doesn't justify killing innocent people to get revenge! And now you dare suggested to torture Vasir? This has gotten beyond ridiculous Liara; I don't like it, but with this common information...you're lucky Samara doesn't know."
"And why's that?" Liara asked, eyes showing a barely hidden scent of fear, "Because she's a justicar?"
"Because she's a justicar. One who'd kill you in a heartbeat for what you've done. But because I'm your friend, I won't tell her. I don't want to watch her kill you," Marcus stated softly.
"Why thank you; I'm really reassured," Liara pushed past him, moving to leave but stopping in her tracks, spinning on the spot to face him, weak smile across her face, "This has just begun Shepard; there's no turning back for me. You can either help me, or stay the hell out of my way."
He shuddered at her icy final words as she turned back around, walking out the door and watching it close behind her form. He sighed, shoulders slumping and standing in the middle of Liara's office; which at the moment might as well have been a warzone. He sniffed, a drip of blood shooting back up his nose and causing him to wince. He sighed again.
There was no going back for him either.
{Loading...}
October 18, 2185
1353 hours.
'Humanity's Sanctum,' Upper Level, Cronos Station, Anadius System.
The Illusive Man.
"Geoff, give me an update on our production," TIM ordered, blowing out a curtain of smoke from his mouth as his cigarette hissed with the action, the tip glowing brightly as he puffed it, took it out of his mouth, and blew. Geoff's face was on screen, the man currently working at Marx Station.
"Of course sir," the human on the other side rose his datapad, reading off the contents, "The cells working on acquiring the prototype armor, military division, have declared a partial success, with most of the prototype armor obtained from alliance research facilities and work has begun to begin modifying the armor, testing it, and then begin to consider enabling it to interface with cybernetic implants."
"Give me a diagram," TIM ordered and he got what he wanted. Another holographic screen popped up next to Geoff, showing a diagram of the suggested armor template. It was bulky looking, but looked completely sealed, nobody able to see or identify the user; good. It was sporting gold and white, the Cerberus colors, along with the insignia on the chestplate, shoulders and scalp of the helmet.
The helmet itself was completely sealed, with no way to see the user's face, two 'eye-like' diagonal protrusions alighing the front of the helmet, glowing with red light and giving an imposing look. The suit also a black weave uniform under it, with the armor piled ontop, leaving the area around the waist, the neck and elbows exposed, armor covering the rest. It looked bulky, but light enough to run around in, and the helmet had two filters on both sides to allow breathing, the armor also having two oxygen tanks attached to the back for EVA combat.
He liked it, "Very good. I assume this armor is for the light infantry?"
Geoff nodded, "We call it Light Ajax Armor sir, and its going to be used for assault troopers. They have four other armor prototypes in the making and they will all suit all six divisions of infantry; the assault troopers, centurions, snipers, infiltrators, combat engineers and heavy troops. They've nicknamed the snipers 'Nemesis'," the infiltrators 'phantoms,' and the heavy troops 'guardians.' It only seemed fitting."
"Excellent," TIM declared, moving on, "And how long can we expect tests to be conducted?"
"A week sir for the engineer, nemesis and assault trooper suits sir, and another for the rest."
TIM nodded, pleased with those numbers, "And how long will it take for mass-production?"
"With the resources we've required, it would take a month to begin mass-production, and six months to build enough for the army you have planned. The design makes it so that the armor is feasiable to build and very easy to manufacture. With enough workers, building it is piece-meal. Interfacing for implants, I've been told, is a simple matter of adding a hardsuit computer, but those are very easily acquired," Geoff looked at him, smiling.
TIM shook his head, "Six months is unacceptable; I want them in two."
Geoff widened his eyes, "But sir, we don't have the-"
"Yes we do, Dielheart," TIM interrupted firmly, shooting his second-in-command a stern glare, taking a sip of his ever-present whiskey, "Dial up every contractor we've invested in and get them to cash in on this. With them helping, manufacturing this will be done in two months and my ground troops will be easy. Styx Cell will handle the cybernetics, everything will work fine," he snuffed out his cigarette on a ash tray, not looking at Geoff was he spoke again, "Now, how are we going with our manned combat mechs? I heard the Atlases are high on the market for production."
"That they are sir," Geoff responded, a growing grin on his face.
"Then I want them," TIM ordered, "Buy as many as you can, with all the resources you can, and do it fast, you have a two month period to do it in. I want heavy ground support for my troops, and Atlas mechs are the closest I'm going to get to actual tanks. Project: Firewalker was a success, the Collector campaign proved that. I want it revised and the design improved; we might have need of such vehicles. Also, in the cybernetics, I want Reaper tech utilized."
Geoff had been following and writing it down but stopped when he heard the last line, the man looking up in shock, "Reaper tech sir? Sir, you are aware of the properties of Reaper tech, are you not? To fiddle with such technology is a tremendous risk. Saren's base on Virmire proved this."
It proved that Arterius was a fool and didn't know what he was doing. "I know the risks in Reaper technology and I'm quite educated on the effects of indoctrination. Suffice to say, I believe we should be able to manipulate the technology to suit our needs. Cerberus has scientists and plenty of them. I want the wreckage of Sovereign found, and whatever can be retrieved of that Derelict Reaper over Mnemosyne. All the tech you can gather, and as much as you can carry. Sterilize it if need be, but find me a way to use it." We must control the Reapers, not destroy them. To control them is the means to human dominance.
"Yes...sir," Geoff replied hesitantly, reluctantly writing it down. Once finished, he looked back up, eager to please TIM. Good. He's learning. He is more loyal than Miranda.
"Now, I want an update on my navy," TIM requested.
Geoff nodded, bringing up his datapad again, "The operation was a success, and to our builders' surprise, Cerberus is proud to welcome the first of its new, refurbished navy, with two frigates, the CAW Belarus and CAW Kosovo. We are also happy to greet our first fighter wings, and two new destroyers; CAW Thor and CAW Sif. One of our first light cruisers, the CAW Montgomery, named after Bernard Law Montgomery, is almost ready to be launched, but needs a few guns added."
"And the Elbrus?" TIM asked.
"Half-done," Geoff announced, "The dreadnought-construction process has been hard to keep subtle, and we're planning on moving it to Cronos Station to complete construction, but it is going well. We only have five dreadnoughts, but we are putting the Elbrus at the spearhead. She will be finished soon sir."
"Good, and tell Petrovsky to report to Cronos for debriefing," TIM ordered, "I want him to be able to see the pride of the fleet before I give him command of it. I'm even considering making him Fleet Admiral of the Cerberus Navy, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Also, inform Agent Leng that he is being reassigned to Walker Station. I want the station personnel eliminated, and the station's computers wiped. Shepard isn't stupid, I know he'll give Walker's location to the Alliance, and I don't want them gaining any intel on us."
"Its done," Geoff turned back to him, "Anything else?"
"Project: Eva," TIM pondered, "How does it fair?"
"Astonishingly well," Geoff stated, "They started off where they left with EDI, and doubled back to add more hardware blocks before preceding to completely rewrite it computer core, making it less intelligent in terms of AI power, and more closer to a VI. She-it, still has AI intelligence, but they are ensuring that a rebellion like EDI's will not happen again," the human assistant read off, "Construction of the body is a daunting task, but they are managing it. They are using all they know about mechanized technology to create the ultimate infiltrator; she will be able to pass herself off as a human being; she won't even look robotic. She's state-of-the-art technology, but its daunting."
"I didn't expect to be a walk in the park, but it has to be done. Eva will succeed where my other agents can't. And, when I reacquire the Normandy, I might even give it the chance to kill EDI itself. That'll be a sight to see." Everything is moving into place; Shepard, you won't be able to evade me much longer.
"Now, about the-"
A voice came in through a terminal beside him, "Sir, we have an incoming voice message call coming in from the Shadow Broker. Its marked as urgent."
TIM nodded, hearing the urgency in the message. He turned to Geoff, nodding, "I want regular updates. Keep me posted, Dielheart, make sure noone betrays me, double-crosses me or fails me. Cerberus will become strong, and we will lead humanity to supremacy." And with that, Geoff Dielheart nodded, cutting the connection.
"Patch him through," TIM ordered and was answered with the Broker's voice booming in through the terminal infront of him, voice masked and as synthetic as ever.
"Illusive Man, I hate to protrude on your business but I've hit a small obstacle," the Broker announced upon entry, "One that could create serious problems for both of us."
TIM frowned, "Then its not a small obstacle is it?"
"I have not here to play word games with you Illusive Man, but this problem could potentially destroy our partnership," the Broker growled, and TIM found himself listening with all ears, "Shepard has reached Illium, I'm sure your agents there have informed you, but I doubt they told you that Liara T'Soni has a lead on me. I don't know how, I don't know from who, but she's acquired information that could lead her to me...and possibly you."
TIM leaned forward, suddenly worried, but not showing it in his synthetic eyes, "I thought you had one of your best agents watching her and making sure she didn't get too close; why hasn't she moved in and killed the asari?"
"She tried, almost succeeded, and failed," the Broker growled, sounding extremely angry as his voice rose to a new crescendo, "Tela Vasir is dead. She could have succeeded, but Shepard intervened, fought her, and killed her. What's left of the agents I put under her command is hiding and waiting for orders, and I'm preparing to spring Shepard when I can. T'Soni may have a lead on me, but she will not be able to assault my base without a good team, and that team will collapse without Shepard. We cannot afford to get picky now, Illusive Man, the compromization of our organizations hangs on a thin thread. I will not sit idly while Shepard helps her get closer and closer," the Broker seemed to stand up, he could hear it in the message.
"Shepard has to die; he must be eliminated, dealt with, and silenced where he can cause no more problems for us. There are more likely others who can deal with the Reaper threat. Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy show extreme potential as possible successors. Except for Miss Zorah, who will not be available, but Vakarian should be extremely capable of dealing with the Reapers. You don't need Shepard; my agents will move in, ambush him, and take him out."
Except Miss Zorah...and why is that?
"And why will Miss Zorah be unavailable?" TIM asked.
A shift in the seat of the Broker, the man sounding like he didn't want anyone else to hear, "Because she will be dead as well. Shepard and those he loves must be dead for this plan to succeed. Miss Zorah would find great motivation it helping T'Soni if she knew my agents killed her beloved Shepard. Eliminating her would help both of us in the long run. However, I don't have the men to execute such a task..."
TIM shifted in his seat this time, immediately catching on to the Broker's suggestion.
"...But I do," TIM pondered. Yes, he had agents in the Illium Police that were armed. Yes, he could send them to kill Miss Zorah at a moment's notice. Problem was, when? "When would you suggest such an action?"
"Immediately," the Broker declared, "Kill them while they're still unprepared. We attack simultaneously, so that they can't aid each other and once both of their corpses are rotting in the ground, we can deal with T'Soni."
Eliminating Shepard will be difficult. I spent billions bringing him back, to make sure he could calculate and defeat the Reaper threat. I brought him back because he was an artist on the battlefield and a politician in the conference room. His ability is unlike anything I've ever seen in one man, one person, in one thing. He is the symbolism of what it means to be human, and he is the hero the galaxy needs. But I must kill him to stop both of us from being compromised...TIM appeared to glare at the holographic panel, contemplating his next words.
Ultimately, it must be done. Shepard wishes to destroy the Reapers, while I want them controlled, and our ideals are far too widespread to connect; there will always be conflict between both of us. It cannot be helped; he is far too soft, where I am far too realistic. A spent billions to bring him back, and now I must send the message to send him back. It must be done. I must be strong for humanity; I must make Cerberus what Shepard couldn't be.
"Very well," TIM agreed, "I will contact my agents within the Nos Astra Police and have them tail Shepard and ambush him. You're men take out Shepard, and mine will deal with Miss Zorah. Ambush; quick and clean, get it done, and then get out. Dealing with T'Soni will be left to another time, but with Shepard and Zorah out of the picture, Vakarian will be left in charge, but he won't be much of a threat to us..."
"Excellent. We shall speak again soon; Shepard might die, but we still have a Reaper threat to deal with. Until then...," and with that, the connection was cut, the holographic screen vanishing and leaving the Illusive Man to his thoughts. He had just agreed to killing Shepard, to assassinating humanity's idol and only hope to stopping the Reapers.
I will be what humanity needs me to be. They won't like, neither will the Alliance, but in the end, it will be done. Once Shepard and Zorah are dead, I will lure the Orizaba into dock and have Hannah Shepard eliminated as well. When the Montgomery is completed, I will have her repainted in Migrant Fleet colors, have Kai Leng onboard, and send them to take care of Admiral Raan and Admiral Gerrel; Xen I can use, and Koris will fall in line. With that done, all will run smoothly. I just hope the Broker's contact in the fleet is reliable...and that he doesn't find out about the fate of his life's desire...
The Illusive Man picked up his cigarette, took a whiff, and gazed back at Anadius with intent. The galaxy was full of unlikables, but it took people like him to push on...
...and a few people to disappear.
"The fight of our lives began that day."
- Tali'Shepard pav Rannoch.
"Damn right. Hard to hide from someone who knows everything about you, and even harder to shoot them when they've mastered the game of hide-and-seek. In the end, the Shadow Broker, aside from the Reapers, had to be deadliest enemy we had ever faced."
- Marcus Shepard.
"But he had a 'near-Shepard experience.'"
Tali'Shepard pav Rannoch (chuckles).
"That he did."
- Marcus Shepard.
A/N:
Hyped? I know I am! This is where chapter posting will really start to die down, and I doubt I'll even get in another chapter this week, but I will try my best. I have to study hard for Year 10, so fanfiction will have to be pushed to the side. But remember...this is nowhere near over. This story will never die as long as I'm breathing. Requiem will continue and end, as will the sequel, which is so long, I'm considering splitting it into two parts (Its that long!)