Location: Med-Bay observation, Cerberus Frigate 'Albatross', drifting the outer orbit of the Newton System in stealth mode.
Petrovsky watched with relief as Miranda Lawson spoke to Banes. She looked out of place in the admittedly spartan med bay with that white personnel were required to wear labcoats or at least the proper medical uniform, but seeing as how she was actually bringing the crazed scientist back to life, Petrovsky made an exception.
A week ago he was ready to kick Banes off the ship; or better yet, send his body to a Cerberus lab for study. But after reading the classified report operative Lawson divulged he felt sick enough to consider an extended shore leave. Jeremy Roberts was one of his best operatives, but he never understood his compulsion to drink. After reading the full classified documents on Banes, Petrovksy understood very well. Banes was a monster but it took one to create him. Petrovsky struggled with the fact that his people were even capable of what Miranda described. Biotic experimentation on children? Petrovksy was disgusted. But the members of the now defunct Tier Six were originally his people, he was just as responsible for their results. He only prayed Elena and the others had less shameful experimentation under their belts
"Rest in peace my friend," he muttered to no one in particular as he shut the holo-pad containing the post-mission report on Jeremy Roberts. At least the L4 implants and the bare bones of a project dubbed Phoenix were now in their possession, Jeremy's legacy.
"Amazing isn't she?" Dima said as he entered so quietly that Petrovsky didn't realize he was there until they were shoulder to shoulder. Peeking from beneath his shaggy hair Dima smiled as they watched Miranda. "One week under her care and he finally wakes up."
"Where are we in our search for the others?" Petrovsky asked before Dima got too carried away with his admiration.
"We contact local agents and keep an eye on Alliance chatter. So far nothing, but with the news of one of their own dead it is only a matter of time before the others make their move," Dima relayed.
Petrovsky watched as Miranda sat at Banes' footside, continuing their conversation. Since the soundproof room offered them some privacy, he couldn't hear their words. But from her relaxed posture he guessed they were comfortable with each other. "Good," he said absently.
"I know operative Roberts was a friend of yours," Dima said with something akin to remorse in his voice, "if we had known what Banes would do—"
"What's done is done, Dimitri," Petrovsky said as he clasped his hands behind his back. "See to it that we bring the others in alive. If possible."
"Yes sir," Dima replied and turned to leave. Petrovsky didn't have to turn around to hear the conflict in his voice.
"And Dimitri," Petrovsky spoke. The other man stopped in his tracks and turned around. "You did good. I know how much you wanted to kill those men after what they've done to your team. But we cannot afford a full rebuttal from the Alliance."
Dima shook his head and looked up from beneath his curly hair. "General, orders are orders. My rifle does not fire unless you command it."
Petrovsky knew it was meant to be encouraging but something about the reminder unsettled him. Every time he sent men to their deaths it was on his hands, he knew that, accepted it even. But knowing that his orders also took away their right for revenge, their right to strike back like they have been born and bred to do… It added yet another perspective to his over-burdened mind.
o~O~o
Location: Med-Bay room 332— Cerberus Frigate 'Albatross'— drifting the outer orbit of the Newton System in stealth mode.
Banes' vitals were strong. The new drug regiment would see him stabilized and mobile within the hour. Some of the techs praised her work, but Miranda hated the fact that credit for Banes' recovery rested solely with her father. His breakthrough in regenerative bio-chemical engineering brought Banes back to life. Too bad it came at the expense of her childhood. Even now, just being around medical equipment made her blood run cold. But she forced herself to suck it up and vowed to never show such childish discomfort.
His skin no longer matched the color of his sandy blonde hair and better yet he was conscious and very talkative.
"I knew if I acted out enough, our old friend would have no choice but to bring you in on this," Banes teased as he started disconnecting the medical equipment from his arms.
"You could've asked," Miranda said and crossed her arms. She didn't want to touch any of the equipment let alone try and stop him.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Banes replied, as he struggled to sit up. The tangled mess of IV's and drug tubes now hung from the side of his bed.
Miranda watched him carefully, not willing to interfere while gathering as much observable data as she could on his condition. The last time they met he was not a biotic. Now he was showing alarmingly strong biotic problem was she had no idea what was sustaining it. Unlike regular biotics there were no eezo molecules circulating in his nervous system. No trace of red sand or other hallucinogens and certainly no help from any biotic amp. Pouring over Jeremy's early research to induce biotics in unexposed teenagers proved fruitless since Banes was only part of the control group. He didn't go through the horrific experiments the other teens suffered and eventually died from. She was also hesitant about his loyalty to Cerberus. Yet despite his childhood altercation with the group his service record marked him as one of the most loyal operatives when The Illusive Man took charge.
"I hope they took care of my L4 research while I was napping?" Banes asked, running a hand to mess his already tousled sandy-blonde hair.
"It's in good hands," she said absently as her gaze dropped to his arms in puzzlement. A faint matrix of black lined his arms. None of the scans revealed why but she agreed with the doctor's suspicion that it had something to do with his newly acquired biotics.
Banes stood from his bed in nothing but dress pants. His defined physique could rival the average marine, chiseled muscle definition and washboard abs helped: all strength with none of the bulk. Perhaps in another life he was a surfer or a model, but unfortunately neither in this one. The black veins were thickest at his biceps but died out before they fully touched the center of his chest.
He shuffled about, strewing gowns in every direction as he searched for his prized possession. "Now where did they put my suit?"
"Here," Miranda replied and tossed him a sleeveless white, gold and black Cerberus tank with wide lapels to cover his shoulders. She personally threw the old suit out the airlock. They were a team and there was no excuse for not wearing Cerberus colors.
Banes caught it and held it up, his grey eyes steeled in disapproval. "This is new."
"Get used to it. Cerberus is changing." She stood, her work here was done and she had some traitors to catch. "I have work to do."
"Lawson." He called out her name, it muffled against the fabric of the shirt as he poked his head through the top.
Miranda stopped and looked back to him.
"Thanks," he said sincerely. For the first time in too long she heard the real man underneath the crazy scientist persona. However the moment passed quickly as a feral smile took over his features, "but I'm going to find the rest of them."
Miranda shifted to one leg and watched him appraisingly. On one hand she wanted to be in charge of this mission, enough people have put it at jeopardy already. But Banes actually delivered results and could be a valuable asset. She also didn't know anyone else here. Not that she trusted Banes whatsoever, but a familiar face aboard this ship wouldn't hurt. Plus it would give her the chance to study his strange new ability in detail. The hard part was selling it to the Illusive Man who was adamant about getting Banes back to Chronos Station.
"You'll need the Illusive Man's approval," Miranda said.
Banes cackled as he moved towards her, each measured step bringing him closer until he was inches from her face. His breath caressed her ear as he leaned in close. "I wasn't asking."