Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect nor am I making a profit from this.
Chapter 2
Mal snapped awake with a curse. "FUCK THAT HURT!"
"I would appreciate you not swearing in my sickbay."
He turned to see woman wearing a medical uniform. "Sorry Doc." He looked around and furrowed his brow. "This doesn't look like a hospital."
"Your currently in the sickbay aboard the Normandy." The woman said. "I'm Dr. Chakwas, Chief Medical Officer."
Mal nodded. "I'd say its nice to meet you, but I'm a mite confused as to why I'm here on the Normandy and not on my own ship."
Chakwas held up a hand and stood by her computer and pressed a button. "Captain, Mr. Shepard is awake now." She clicked it off and looked at her patient. "If you'll wait, the Captain will be here in a moment."
Thirty seconds after she finished the doors to the sickbay opened and Shepard raised an eyebrow seeing Captain Anderson enter,follwed by Hunt, Alenko and Williams.
"Shepard, its good to see you up." Anderson said.
"Why am I not on my ship?" Shepard asked.
Anderson shook his head. "Chakwas is one of the best doctors in the Alliance and Commander Hunt and his team didn't waste time getting you here."
Shepard looked at Hunt. "And Zoë just let you take me?"
Commander Hunt shook his head. "Not at first."
"Where is she?" Shepard asked.
"On your ship following us to the Citadel." Hunt said.
"After your debriefed, I'll set up a channel for you to talk to your ship." Anderson said.
Mal sighed then nodded. "Alright."
"Can you tell us what happened from your point of view?" Anderson asked.
Mal went on to say how his ship arrived the previous evening to drop off and then pick up some new cargo on Eden Prime. He told them how he went to meet the client when the Geth ship entered the atmosphere and how between them being air dropped and that ship opened fire on the colony before releasing some sort of jamming signal. He told Anderson how he and Zoë encountered Hunt and their joining him to return to the spaceport.
He explained how Zoë diffused the bombs and finding the beacon still there.
"Since the jamming was down I ordered Zoë to contact our ship and prepare for dust off, when I saw Hunt save Williams from whatever the beacon was doing. I thought I could tackle him and my momentum would carry us out of reach, sadly once I knocked him out it grabbed me in mid-air and between the pain and some kind of mental images being crammed into my skull I wasn't awake more than a couple of seconds. Then I woke up here. Your turn." Shepard said.
"I called for immediate pick up after the beacon exploded and you dropped. Your first mate argued, but I told her time was of the essence. She was having trouble raising your ship. So when the Normandy arrived we hauled you in here while a crew gathered the remains of the beacon." Hunt said. "Your first mate bolted for your ship and they met us in orbit. Captain Anderson told them to follow us to the Citadel where you'll be free to go…" Hunt hesitated and looked at Anderson who stepped up.
"You will be called as a witness to what happened, so I would advise you stay close by until the informal hearing."
Mal winced. "Alright." He said. "Now, I'd like to check in with my ship if you don't mind."
Anderson nodded. "Commander, you and the others are dismissed. You three are off duty until we arrive at the Citadel."
"Yes sir." Hunt said and with the other two saluted and left. Anderson turned to Shepard. "It is good to see you Shepard."
"Thank you sir." Mal replied and the pair left sickbay after Shepard thanked Chakwas for the care. They took a stairway up to the next deck.
"After you left, I tried to keep abreast of your whereabouts, but I lost you after you and Sinclair hit Omega."
Mal gave the older man a smirk. "I was looking to get lost." He said as they entereda room and Mal whistled. "Nice. Must have cost the taxpayers a shiny penny back home." He looked at the circular room with chairs, some controls and a huge wall display. "You get the game on that?"
"This is a combination briefing room and communications room." Anderson said, "And the Normandy was a joint project between the Turians and Earth Alliance, and to get the game we'd need to patch into a buoy. No matter what I don't think I could justify sitting there for over three hours to catch a Gravity Ball game."
Shepard smiled telling Anderson that he would have done it anyway.
"You can use this console." Anderson said and left the room to give Shepard privacy. Mal tapped in the code and waited.
"You've reached Serenity, how may I direct your call?" a male voice came over the com.
"Taylor, stop fooling around and put Zoë on." Mal said.
"Sir?" Zoë's voice came back not even seconds later, telling Mal she had probably been in the cockpit.
"Yeah, I'm still alive." Mal said. "So don't get comfortable in my chair."
There was silence and Mal could almost see his first mate moving to the co-pilots seat.
"I'm sorry that I let the Alliance take you sir." Zoë's remorseful voice came back.
"Its fine. No harm, no foul. Anderson's in charge of this ship." Mal said. "So, what's the damage?" he asked deciding to get it over with.
"Bester's dead. A Geth rocket managed to enter as he was closing up the cargo hold. Doc said he died on impact." Zoë reported. "There was some structural damage, but the girl proved her worth."
Mal cocked his head to the side. "Girl? What girl?"
"Bester had a girl from the colony and was showing her his engine. She was still aboard when I ordered Taylor to take off." Zoë answered.
Mal cursed his dead mechanic. "Let me get this straight, while we were fighting Geth, Bester was getting some tail, instead of repairing the coil."
"Seems that way sir. The girl, who you have to meet had it fixed before we broke atmo." Zoë's sounded happy.
"If that moron wasn't dead I'd shoot him myself." Mal said then thought of something. "Did you offer her the job already?"
"No sir. I told her I would fast track her application for the newly opened job as Serenity's mechanic and all decisions on hiring and firing were yours."
"Damn right they are." Mal growled. "Is she better than Bester?"
"By leaps and bounds." Zoë answered. "I told her if it didn't work out we'd get her passage back to Eden Prime."
Mal nodded even though he knew Zoë couldn't see him. "We'll talk more once we dock at the Citadel. I'll need to stay with Anderson until after he meets with the council. So meet me at C-Sec Academy."
"Will do sir. Captain Anderson said we're to dock near the Normandy." He could hear the hint of a smile.
"Tell Taylor to keep it casual. Last thing we need is for Citadel control to get pissy." Mal said.
"When you're clear to return to the ship, both the Doctor and Taylor wish to speak with you."
Mal sighed. "I figured it was getting to be that time. Alright, tell them I'll talk." Mal straightened. "And Zoë, keep my ship safe." He cut the call and sighed. "Great. Just what I didn't need to hear."
XX
Citadel SpaceMal strolled into the cockpit to hear the conversation about the Destiny Ascension. He also heard the pilots comments of flying next to an antique.
"And yet that antique is keeping pace." Mal said smiling as the pilot jumped a bit. "She may not look like much, but she has it where it counts."
Mal leaned in and looked out to see. "And the Ascension might be big, but I think the Asari are compensating for something."
Behind him he could hear Williams laugh and Alenko's chuckle.
"You might be right." Hunt said from where he stood behind the pilot.
Anderson shook his head. "Don't voice that where anyone else. We don't need to start a shouting match."
The pilot chimed in, "Don't worry Captain. Who would I talk to other than myself?"
"Joker." Anderson groaned.
Mal shook his head. "That explains so much."
Joker looked at him. "Remember, your life is in my hands."
"And remember your career is in mine." Anderson said getting a look from the pilot.
Mal looked out and saw Serenity coming into the docking bay right next to the Normandy's and he let out a breath of air.
"Now comes the hard part." He muttered, but Hunt heard him and gave him a questioning look.
"Talking to the most evil force in the 'verse."
"I didn't know my ex-wife was here." Hunt said.
"No, this is far worse. Politicians." Shepard said getting a groan from Anderson.
"And I want my gun back." Mal said turning to follow the captain.
XX
Citadel, the EmbassyMal stood on the balcony listening as Ambassador Udina yelled at the council while Anderson, Hunt, Williams and Alenko stood before the hologram projected images.
Rolling his eyes he looked around the Presidium and had to admit the Citadel was rather fancy.
He had spoken with Zoë upon leaving the Normandy and gave her the Callahan to put back in his room. His pistol was strapped to his thigh and he wore his battered N7 leather jacket.
No one can take that away. They can take my rank, my job, but the training is there and I earned the right to wear this jacket, minus the rank bars. He thought. The black leather jacket with red stripes was one of the few items he carried out of the military with him.
He watched as numerous species moved about freely, C-Sec officers patrolling heavily. Meanwhile in the other wards crime runs rampant. Mal thought of the areas he usually visited in the Citadel when Serenity was there.
"Sergeant Shepard." A voice intruded on his thoughts, and it was annoying. Turning around he saw Ambassador Udina was standing there, the look on his face was as if he smelled something foul.
"Its Captain." He said. "Captain Shepard." Correcting the man.
Udina's face became more pinched. "Well Captain, I think it would be best if you left quietly. The last thing we need is controversy around this already touchy situation."
Mal looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "You're removing an eyewitness of the events on Eden Prime, because you're worried about controversy? What the fuck does that mean?"
Udina scowled. "With Hunt's name being considered for SPECTRE the last thing we need is you, the Butcher being associated with anything."
Mal's eyes narrowed. "I hate that name."
"Well I hate having you a criminal…"
"Alleged criminal." Mal cut him off. "I was never convicted and I think ambassador, someone in your position would know how to be diplomatic. You speak like a Krogan youth on his first battle. Loud, obnoxious and spewing little or true facts."
"How dare you! I can have you arrested and…"
Udina's threat was cut off as Shepard drew and rammed his pistol under his jaw. "And I can blow your head off. Which do you think would matter more?"
"Shepard!" Anderson barked and the freighter captain looked at the one man he respected. "Don't give him the satisfaction."
Mal growled and holstered his pistol. "Wouldn't want to dirty Winona anyways." He looked at Anderson. "Well since the Ass-a-dor thinks I'm not needed, I'll see you round the 'verse." He nodded to Hunt, "Good luck becoming a SPECTRE." He gave Alenko and Williams nods pretending not to notice them remove hands from their own pistols before exiting the door.
He heard Williams hiss to Alenko, "He named his pistol Winona?" before the door hissed shut and he was in the hallway.
"I need a drink." Mal muttered and decided to head to Chora's Den where the atmosphere was better than the shiny white of the Presidium.
XX
Chora's DenThe pounding music, smoke and dim lights welcomed Shepard as he entered the bar. He glanced around at the various Asari dancing in alcoves, or atop the display behind the bar. The bar was filled with humans, Turians and there was a scattering of volus, Salarian and he even saw a Krogan near the back.
Stepping up to the bar he waited until the flustered girl turned his way. "Bourbon."
She went to fill his order he turned to study the rest of the bar. He spotted a familiar face and growled. "Harken."
He noticed the man was clearly drunk and was wearing a C-Sec uniform. Shaking his head he accepted his drink as he continued to look around. He saw a Turian with insignia that marked him as a General drinking and looking sullen.
His gaze landed on the Krogan who found his way to the back offices blocked by several shady and rough looking mercenaries.
His omni-tool chirped getting him to sigh. He tapped it. "I'm not in jail." Mal said.
"Sir, where are you?" his first mate's voice came back muffled by the surrounding noise.
"Since my presence would cause controversy I stopped by Chora's Den for a drink before coming back to the ship."
"Just one sir?" came Zoë's question.
"Yes, and I barely sipped it as you called me just after I ordered it." Mal said defensively. "I'll be back as soon as I finish it." He paused. "We need to do some thinking when I get back."
"Yes sir." The connection was cut. Mal shook his head and downed his drink and tossed a credit on the bar, he turned to leave but stopped seeing Commander Hunt and the other two entering the Den.
"Are you stalking me Commander?" he asked, "Because I am sure there are laws against that sort of behavior."
Hunt chuckled. "No. we had a very short meeting with the council and are now looking for someone."
"Well, I'll leave you to your manhunt." He chuckled. "I have a first mate to reassure I didn't sign up for a new tour." He waved them off and stopped seeing several bodies. "Those weren't there when I went in."
shaking his head he headed for the markets, thinking to take a walk before going to C-Sec Academy and then to the docks.
XX
C-Sec AcademyMal sighed as he waited for the officer to take his statement. Next to him the young female Quarian in a deep green with pink trim and markings bodysuit fidgeted.
"I want to thank you for rescuing me." She said her voice was soft. "I shudder to think what would have happened to me if you hadn't stopped those Salarian's."
"I would recommend getting a gun and learning to use it." Mal said. "The 'verse isn't a friendly place, and I would think a Quarian traveling alone would know that."
The young Quarian fidgeted some more and wrung her hands together.
"Why were they trying to drag you off any ways?" Mal asked. "Salarians don't strike me as slavers."
The young Quarian took a breath and behind the tinted visor her eyes seemed to dim a bit. "They kept asking me for some sort of data. But I have no idea what they were talking about." She shifted. "They said I was the third Quarian they had and they were pressed for time."
"Did they say what happened to the other two?" Mal asked gently.
"Dead." The Quarian said. "I just don't understand why everyone hates my people like they do." She said. "I came here hoping to find work as a pilot, but I keep getting told that no one would hire me."
"Shepard!"
Mal turned as a C-Sec officer approached. "You said that there were two dead Salarian's in the markets."
"That's right." Mal said. "Shot them both as they were trying to kidnap this Quarian." He jerked his thumb towards the female Quarian.
"Well you must have missed. While there was some blood, there were no bodies."
"That's not possible. I shot them both in the head." Mal said.
"Well I've alerted the patrols to keep an eye out and to watch the clinic. If they turn up I'll let you know."
"So that's it?" Mal asked.
"We're overworked and understaffed. Looking for bodies that don't exist are stacked as a rather low priority."
Mal shook his head. "So, next time drag the bodies here and dump them on the floor if we want any action taken."
The man gave an shrug in apology. "And since one of the victims is a Quarian, the higher ups probably won't look to hard into it."
As they were talking Mal noticed the Krogan he saw in Cora's Den being escorted in by a trio of C-Sec officers.
Shaking his head. "You have my name and contact info." He told the officer.
The man nodded. "You and the Quarian can go."
Mal headed for the elevator that would take him to the docks and was surprised when the Quarian entered next to him.
"Yes?" he asked.
"My name is Matika'Zorel nar Valen." She said introducing herself. "You may call me Tika."
"Um…okay." Mal said hesitantly. "Captain Malcolm Shepard." He said extending his hand to shake.
Tika shook it.
"You have a ship up here?" Mal tried to remember, but the only thing he could recall was that she said she had been looking for employmen.
"Hopefully. I'm a good pilot. I can fly nearly anything." She said.
"Sounds like a talent to have." Mal said.
"I can start immediately." Tika said.
"Now just a minute!" Mal said. "I already have a pilot." He said.
"I can be your shuttle pilot. And I work cheap." She countered.
Mal sighed. "We'll see." He said as the elevator slowed and they stepped out.
"You fly in that?" Tika asked seeing the Normandy.
Mal chuckled. "Nope. My ship is the Hotaru in the next dock."
He watched as the Quarian moved and took in the sight of the older ship.
"Oh wow." He heard her breath. "We have seven of these in the fleet." She said.
Mal smiled. But that was wiped off with her next sentence.
"They breakdown a lot to the point they have become couriers between the bigger ships."
"Just wait till you see inside." Mal said and strode towards his ship, he saw the boarding ramp into the cargo bay was open and a young woman was working on a gears that opened and closed the cargo doors.
"And what may I ask you are doing to my ship?" Mal asked.
The young girl spun around, her twin pigtails whipping around. She wore a bright yellow shirt under tan bib coveralls. In her hands were a hammer and a torch.
She shut the torch off and pulled the welding goggles up. Mal blinked at the amber eyes.
"I'm fixin' the ruttin' thing." She said. "It took a Geth rocket back on Eden Prime and I was able to seal it until we hit the Citadel." The girl blinked. "Your ship? Oh shit, Captain Shepard!" the girl put her tools down and ran into the ship. He heard her shouting for his first mate and the others.
She came out wiping her hands on a rag. "I'm Tymora Lee Scott. Sorry about that. You can call me Tylee or Scotty. Ms. Zoë said I needed to talk with you about the job and I wanted to at least finish the repairs before we met so I could show you my work. And…I'm babbling. Shutting up now."
Mal raised an eyebrow. "And you did all of that without taking a breath, impressive."
Hearing footsteps he looked to see Zoë in pants, and wearing a vest over a white shirt. "Sir." She said looking more relaxed.
"Your girl was just explaining what she was doing to my ship." Mal said.
"It needed to be fixed sir." Zoë said.
"I am aware of that." Mal countered. "Now then, Ms. Scott, what have you all done to my ship?"
"I managed to get more power out of the thrusters. I made some minor repairs. The doors were the biggest thing." Tymora said.
"She also fixed the coil, as well as the intercom in the engine room." Zoë said.
Tymora looked down and blushed. "Twern't nothin'."
Mal shared a look with his first mate. "How old are you?" he asked.
"Jus' turned nineteen." Came the answer.
"Do your folks know where you are?" Mal asked.
The girl lowered her head. "They died a year ago when a cargo hauler crashed. I've been alone since then."
Mal felt bad. "We'll give you a trial month. If you work out the jobs yours." Tymora lifted her head and smiled.
"You get a room and meals and a percentage of whatever we get paid for the jobs." Mal said.
He found himself being hugged. "Thanyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" was blurred together. She released him then hugged Zoë and then Tika before hurrying into the ship. "WAH-HOOOO!"
Mal chuckled. "You think she's excited?" he asked Zoë who nodded and then looked at Tika. "She followed you home?"
Mal chuckled. "Aye. Zoë Sinclair meet Matika'Zorel nar Valen. Tika this is the first mate of Serenity. She's in charge when I'm off getting into trouble."
"Ma'am." Tika said. Zoë looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Talk, get to know one another. I'd say sit and braid each other's hair, but that's libel to get me shot."
"Got that right sir." Zoë muttered.
"Where's Taylor?" Mal asked entering the cargo hold.
"Last I saw he was heading for his bunk." Zoë said.
Mal sprinted the stairs to the walkways and headed down a corridor. He stopped outside a door and hit the chime.
"Its open!"
Mal hit the release and it hissed upwards opening into a small room. A young black man was putting things into a duffle.
"Glad to see you're alright Captain."
Mal nodded. "I take it this is where we part ways Jacob?" Mal asked.
Jacob Taylor nodded. "What I saw on Eden Prime…"
"You're going back to the Alliance?" Mal asked.
"I need to do something." Jacob said. "Don't get me wrong, the past year was good, but…"
Mal nodded. "While I was waiting with the Alliance, I sent a message to the Patriarch. We only get half the pay."
"Whatever you can get me will be fine. I didn't do anything but fly." Jacob said.
"So you're getting off here then? We could drop you somewhere else." Mal offered.
"No, thanks. But I think I saw the Glasgow and the XO is an old friend from my academy days. I'll catch a ride to Earth with them since they do a roundabout."
Mal nodded. "I'll make sure your money's in your account." He extended his hand.
Jacob shook it. "I'm sorry if I'm leaving you in the lurch."
Mal waved, "Its fine. You told me this wasn't permanent when I hired you."
"Yeah, but with Bester getting fragged and the Doc talking about leaving." Jacob said.
Mal laughed. "Well we already got a mechanic and I think I have a replacement pilot, not sure how good she is, but she's eager and pushy to get the job."
"Thanks for the job, an if you need me down the road and I'm disillusioned with military life you've got my com address."
"Take care Mr. Taylor, and keep an eye open." Mal said and left heading towards the rear of the ship in search of his ships doctor.
XX
The talk with Mordin Solace as usual left Shepard with a headache as the doctor spoke rapidly and went off on tangents. Mal found the doctor taking stock of the sickbay and the Salarian admitted it was time to move on. He admitted he had been thinking of it months before Eden Prime.
"Well Doc, I hate to lose you but like I told Jacob I understand. This was never a permanent stop for you."
Mordin blinked and admitted he thought Mal would have argued.
"This isn't a prison doc. Hell its home for some, a momentary stop for others. Are you getting off here, or can we drop you somewhere?"
Mordin admitted he was going to leave here and would see where his travels would take him next.
"Well, thanks for all the times you patched me up. Whatever your past is that's bothering you I hope you find whatever your looking for be it salvation, answers or whatever. I didn't ask and I still won't but all I can do is wish you safe journey."
Mordin thanked him and told him that he wished him well. He then told Shepard he was going to restock the sickbay and to keep his last pay as he felt he hadn't earned it.
XX
Serenity, Dining Area"What a day." Mal said dropping onto his chair.
Zoë was nursing her coffee and looked at him. "So we lost three and recovered two new crewmates."
Mal nodded. "I checked on some of her work, Tylee is a thousand times better than Bester with all his Academy training."
"And our new pilot has spent the last two hours familiarizing herself with the controls of the ship." Zoë said and looked over her mug, "I like her."
Mal chuckled and nodded. "She has enthusiasm that's for sure. I think we'll head out to Cletus's and get her cabin refit."
"Sir?" Zoë asked.
"She's a Quarian. The least we can do is try and make things easier for her."
Zoë nodded. "We need a new doctor." She said.
"We managed before Mordin and we'll manage after. He's leaving the sickbay in better shape than it was before."
"Sir, before the doc joined the crew, we had a cabinet crammed full of Medi-gel and another with different sized bandages and gauze."
Mal nodded and gave a chuckle. "If we hadn't met him when we did, you would have inherited this ship a lot sooner than planned."
The pair fell into a long comfortable silence before Zoë asked, "What are we going to do now sir?"
"Well, first see if there's any jobs."
"We're not going to Barla Von are we?" Zoë asked with distaste.
"No. I prefer to stay away from anyone publicly associated with the Shadow Broker. I thought I'd check in with Snitch down in the Brown Sector, see if he has any jobs for us."
"Sir, last time we did a job for Snitch we had to keep Serenity in space dock for nearly a month." Zoë protested. "That's one Turian I'd just as soon shove out an airlock than trust with anything."
"I know. But flying under the radar means we take jobs where we can find them, and with us avoiding working for the Broker and since we're avoiding Alliance jobs our options fall to the seedy underbelly of the galaxy."
Zoë sighed.
"And since we refuse to run weapons, drugs and slaves we can't be too picky on anything else we haul." Mal continued.
"We could take on passengers." Zoë suggested.
Mal looked at her. "Your serious?" he asked surprised to hear her suggest it.
"Its honest work and could be a steady income with the right passengers." Zoë spoke her mind. "And we do have those empty cabins off the cargo hold."
Mal thought about it.
"Alright." He said after several minutes of thought. "You and our new mechanic see what we'll need and then we can hit the various markets around the Citadel."
"Sir, we could also think about renting out one of the shuttles."
Mal looked at his first mate. "You've been thinking this out, haven't you?"
"Its good business. We rent it out to a doctor or surveyor or someone respectable. It would give us a chance for other ports that had been closed to us before." Zoë pushed on. "We only use one shuttle anyways."
Mal stroked his chin. "It could work." He mumbled. "Alright. Put together an ad and I'll stop and post it."
Zoë nodded, "I would suggest hiring a new doctor. It would be efficient if we were to have passengers."
Mal shook his head, "I take it you'd like me to update the kitchen as well."
"It would be nice to eat something that didn't come out of a can or packet sir." Zoë said.
Mal sighed. "This will likely eat up the last of our funds." He told her in warning. "And our pay for the last job is only going to be half of what was agreed upon. Serenity needs fixin' before we can leave port again."
"It's a good thing sir. And we do have the moon we could use. There were several rich deposits of Ezo, silver and other metals and none of the digs are even close to being tapped out."
Mal nodded. "I'll let you do that. You were better at keeping the books." He said. The two had found a moon shortly after their discharges and helped an old man fend off some pirates who tried to steal his claim. When the old man died months later due to injuries, he'd left the moon to them. It had been a blessing with keeping them in supplies as they sold off several excavated loads. It was also home when they needed it.
"Now if you don't mind, I'm off to get some rack time. Its sounding like I'll have a long day." Mal said standing up.
"Goodnight sir." Zoë said and watched him go. Once he was out of sight she released a breath and after a few moments activated her omni-tool. She had several things to do before she could sleep.
XX
Zakera WardMal walked easily amongst the denizens of Zakera Ward. The dim lighting, the atmosphere felt real, better than the bright shiny feel than the Presidium. He passed several shops, the bright neon signs in several languages giving a soft glow and a background hum. He half listened as the news reports blared from nearby consoles, one announcing the inclusion of Dillon Hunt of Earth being admitted as a Council SPECTRE.
"Good for you Hunt." He said as he watched the replay of the proceedings and nodded at the first mission for Hunt to track down and capture former operative Saren.
A part of Mal's mind whispered That could have been you. But Mal was kind of happy it wasn't. he hated being someone's show dog. He saw the coverage of Shepard adding a C-Sec officer, a Turian to his crew as well as a Quarian and a Krogan who Mal noticed was the same one he'd seen at Chora's Den just yesterday.
Hunt's got some interesting companions, bet the ambassador is foaming at the mouth. Mal thought with a dark sense of humor of mentally picturing Udina stroking out at all the aliens being included on the new ship and unable to influence any of it.
Mal stopped at a vendor and got a cup of noodles. He'd posted the ads Zoë gave him and had been told by his first mate that she and the other two were going to do the shopping that he could return later.
A figure dropped down to the bench next to him and he turned to see the hooded head.
"Goto." He greeted. He'd met the thief and her partner Keiji when they'd crossed paths on a job. Zoë didn't care for the thief, but Mal thought that had to do more with Kasumi's kleptomania than with the woman's personality.
"Malcolm Shepard, as I live and breath." Kasumi said in a slightly accented voice. And as she moved her head, he saw her face a bit in shadow. "How ya doin' Shep?"
"Eating." He said holding up his cup of noodles. "Staying out of trouble Kasumi?"
"Never." She said with a slight laugh.
"Where's your other half?" Mal asked.
Kasumi pouted a bit. "Keiji took a job for the Broker." She told him and Mal managed to suppress a wince. "So that means you're bored and happened up me to keep you entertained." Mal said.
"Its not like I hunted you down." Kasumi said. "I was wandering when I saw you." She said in her defense then looked around, "No Zoë?"
"She's getting supplies and things for Serenity. She took our new pilot and new mechanic with her, apparently for a girls bonding tradition or something like that." Mal said.
"Nothing happened to that delectable Jacob did it?" Kasumi asked.
"To Jacob, no. he decided to resign with the military. We lost Bester at Eden Prime, he got blown up by a Geth rocket."
The thief shrugged, she had never liked Bester. "At least that cute bottom of Jacob's is safe…you don't think some military nurse will claim it do you?"
Mal shook his head. He could always depend on the thief to keep him on his toes. "I am not talking about Jacob's ass." He said.
"We could talk about yours then Captain Tight-Pants." Kasumi offered with a grin.
Shaking his head, he tried to change the subject. "So other than boredom what brings you into my orbit Kasumi?"
"Well, since you won't let me oogle your tight britches, I came to see if I could hitch a ride to Omega."
Ignoring the flirting, he decided to focus on business. "I'm sure we could do that. You'll need to speak with Zoë about passage. She's turning Serenity respectable with us ferrying passengers as well as cargo."
Kasumi seemed to pout, "Do you know what the going rate for the captain's cabin is? I get lonely without my Keiji and can't sleep at night."
Mal chuckled. "Yeah-no. not happening Kasumi. Your boyfriend has a habit of sticking those knives of his into people who get familiar with what's under the skintight cat suit you wear. And I prefer not looking like a pincushion with those stilettos of his."
Kasumi giggled and gave a fake pout, "Ah, but Shep we could be so good together." She said and then smiled, "Well, perhaps Zoë would be willing to share her bunk."
Mal shook his head and focused on business. "We'll be at the C-Sec docks for the rest of the week while repairs are done and we stock up." He told her.
Kasumi nodded and swiped his noodle cup and vanished before he could protest.
"Damn it. I wasn't done with that!" he called and heard her mocking giggle from nearby, indicating she had used her stealth field.
With a sigh he went to get another cup, knowing that he was going to need it.
XX
Presidium, CitadelHe leaned against the rail and looked out over the lake. He had to admit that it was a sight to see.
"Shepard."
He turned to see Anderson approaching.
"Sir." He said. "Sorry to hear they took your ship."
Anderson nodded in thanks.
"I got your call, what do you need?" Mal asked as the other man joined him looking out over the pristine lake.
"I have a friend that needs a favor." Anderson began.
"What kind of favor? Its not hunting that former SPECTRE with Hunt is it?" Mal asked, wary of being dragged into something that would drag him back into the Alliance circle of influence.
"No. I know better than to ask that. No, you remember old Bobby Sixkiller?"
"Your medicine man?" Shepard asked for confirmation.
Anderson nodded. "His granddaughter is in a spot of trouble." Anderson paused and looked around and lowered his voice. "She needs to get off the Alliance radar for a while."
Mal looked at him. "I'm not one to cast stones, but what did she do?"
"She killed a man. A politician who tried to force himself on her, and the end saw him dead and her on the run. She lost everything."
Mal closed his eyes. "You do know aiding a fugitive is trouble?"
"Shepard…Malcolm, I wouldn't be asking if this was important. You usually stay out of Alliance space and that's what she needs." Anderson said. "I'll pay for her passage and do what I can in other areas you need."
Mal took a breath. "What's her name?" he asked, already making plans.
"Cheyenne, her name is Doctor Cheyenne Sixkiller. She's a trained surgeon and had her own clinic until this mess came down."
Mal wondered if there was a conspiracy but shook it off. "Well, I guess its fortunate that we happen to need a doctor on the ship. Our last one decided to continue his walkabout and left us with a vacancy." Mal said.
Anderson gave him a look, but didn't comment on it but instead continued. "I'll owe you for this Shepard. Cheyenne is my goddaughter and I can't let her come to harm over this."
"I know what its like sir." Mal said with a wry grin. "We'll be in port a couple more days, if you want to get her to us there, or is there somewhere we are to pick her up?"
Anderson took a breath and released it. "Right now I have her hidden here on the Citadel."
Mal thought about it. "Here's what we're going to do." And shared his plan with the older man who looked at him in surprise.
XX
C-Sec Academy, DocksThree days later found Mal standing outside of his ship along with Zoë.
"So, you want to tell me about the passengers, or am I going to be pissed?" he inquired.
"No sir. Two passengers, no set destination." Zoë said. "The first is an Asari. She saw the ad for the rental of the shuttle, and she agreed to a monthly lease."
Mal looked at her. "And does this Asari have a name, or will I have to make one up?" the captain teased.
"No sir. And we talked about you and names." Zoë said in a flat tone.
"Is this about me naming my favorite gun Winona?" Mal countered.
"Not at all sir. Its just you aren't the best at giving name."
Their talk was cut short as an Asari stepped out of the elevator a hover sled behind her carrying numerous cases and crates.
Mal studied her and noted she sported several tattoos that made him think of some he'd seen as tribal. She was wearing a soft gold gown and sandals.
"Captain Shepard?" she said, her tone was aristocratic and melodious.
"Ma'am." He answered taking her extended hand and kissed the back of her knuckles.
"I am Illyana B'Accarin." She said. "Has your first mate explained my duties and what I needed the shuttle for?"
"She was just about to tell me, and I admit I am a mite curious." He said.
"I am a professional companion, I was trained by the Consort and am looking to visit clients beyond the Citadel."
Mal blinked. "A companion?" he was going to say something offensive, but Zoë stomped on his foot prevented that. He went with something else.
"Well there are several rules, I'm sure my first mate explained them to you?" he said instead.
"She did. I am to see my clients in the shuttle, and I am not to service any of the crew." She said.
"Right." Mal said. "I'll go over the rest of the rules after lift off to the other passengers."
Illyana nodded. "Then I best get all of this to my shuttle."
"Zoë will show you the way." Mal said and gave a slight bow of his head and watched as his first mate led the Asari away. He shook his head. Companion, now that's a fancy word for professional whore. He thought to himself. He heard that the Consort had several apprentices. Shaking his head he saw a figure wearing a robe step off the elevator and make its way towards him.
"Captain Shepard?" the voice was female and had a slight croak to it. A gloved hand came up and pulled the hood back to reveal a blue-green reptilian like female Drell.
"I am." He said. It was rare to see a female Drell outside their own system that they shared with the Hanar who had saved them when their world died.
"I am Sienna. A monk if you will. Your first mate said I could book passage."
"And what's your destination?" Mal asked.
"Nowhere special. I just want to see the galaxy before I die." Sienna said. "And no I'm not sick, I just wish to travel." She said.
Mal nodded. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you where you'll be staying. I'll give you the tour after we're in space and you'll be given the rules of the ship with the other passenger and meet the crew."
Sienna nodded and stepped up the ramp, following the captain into the depths of the ship.
XX
AN: Two new faces, two cameos from ME2 characters. And a kind of cameo from another TV show. Wonder who will spot it. For some reason the Mass Effect stories are now coming easier while my muse is practically on strike for the other ones. And would the nameless guest please stop sending me hate letters and yelling at me in all capital letters. I post what's flowing. Sorry if its not a story I own that's not showing up. At least I'm posting something you douche. To my regular readers and fans, thanks for the support. We'll learn about the new faces and where they will fit in as time goes by.
CUO
ESM