Disclaimer: I don't own and I'm not making a profit from this.
Chapter 4
OmegaMal strode down the ramp a smile on his face, which left the moment he saw a familiar Batarian. "Hello Anto." He said, "What does she want this time?"
Anto Korragan was Aria's bodyguard and Mal's personal pain in the ass.
"Get your ass to her and find out." Anto growled.
"I don't work for Aria and she knows I don't come like a pet varren. That's why she has you." The captain said. "Tell your mistress I'll be there after I'm done with my business."
Anto scowled, "When Aria commands all of Omega obeys."
Mal smirked. "Go on you varren, I have work to do." He said deliberately turning his back and speaking with Zoë.
"We need to meet our contact at Afterlife. After that I need to see what Aria wants." Mal said to his first mate.
"Yes sir." She said.
"Tylee you and Tika stay with the ship. You won't need parts and I'd prefer to keep Serenity ready to leave at moments notice."
"I wanted to get a new scanner for sick bay. Your friend Cletus suggested a dealer here on Omega." Cheyenne said.
"Alright, but avoid back ally's and stay in lighted areas." Mal told the doctor.
"I shall accompany the doctor." Sienna said, the Drell's gravely voice intoned as she stepped out of the cargo bay's shadows.
Kasumi stepped around her and smiled. "Thanks for the lift Shep." She said activating her stealth field and vanishing. Zoë growled when she saw the captain jump indicating that Kasumi had pinched his ass as she slipped past.
"Goodbye Kasumi." Mal said with a chuckle. "Well Ms. B'Accarin any clients you wish to see while we're here?"
the Asarin Companion gave him a flat look. "No captain, not here." She said and turned to return to her shuttle quarters.
Mal looked at Zoë and shrugged. "Well since our goodwill ambassador has returned to the ship, lets head to Afterlife."
He watched as the robed Drell and the human doctor headed for the more populated sectors while he and his first mate headed to what many believed the heart of Omega and the domain of Aria T'Loak.
XX
"So Doctor, what does this sensor do?" Sienna asked as they waited for the merchant to return.
"The scanner as a two fold purpose. The first it analyses blood and it can make synthetic blood." Cheyenne said. "So if you get hurt I can take a sample of your blood analyze it and create more of it synthetically. Once its in your system it mixes with the actual blood and changes to become it with no difference."
Sienna seemed impressed.
"I asked at the station what they had and the captain's friend suggested we check the markets here."
"In my life I have seen many wonders in my travels but I am always amazed by the wonders of medical science." Sienna said.
"Have you traveled to many places?" Cheyenne asked.
"I have traveled to many worlds, seen the worst of many species. I have done many deeds I am not proud of." The Drell seemed lost in thought and was muttering to herself.
She snapped out of it. "I now travel, hoping to see a different side of the universe. To make amends for the evils I have seen and done."
Cheyenne was stopped from asking as the Elchor merchant returned with the data on the scanner.
XX
"Are you sure we can trust him, sir?" Zoë asked as she looked across the table to the scar covered Batarian.
"His credits are good." Mal said the music muffling their discussion. "And we do need the cargo."
"But from reports, Feros has gone silent after reports that the Geth were attacking." Zoë said.
"Geth we can deal with. We do need the money and this is the best offer we've had. We didn't get full pay for Eden Prime and the passengers while a steady income, won't keep up in fuel and parts."
"Yes sir." Zoë said.
Mal looked back at the Batarian, "You don't mind me asking, usually when I encounter one of your kind, they scream Butcher and either shoot at me or run away."
The Batarian chuckled. "The fallacy of youth. I know what you did Captain. I am also a realist in that while you hate a majority of my people you do not strike first." The Batarian took a drink from his glass. "I also know that you are a fair and honest man who will do the job as long as it doesn't involve slaves, drugs or WMD's."
"There are other things a well, but you understand that otherwise we wouldn't be talking." Mal confirmed.
"I need you and your ship to take supplies to Zhu's Hope colony on Feros. They were recently attacked by the Geth and are now recovering." The Batarian said. "Other ships will be routed as they become available. With Exo-Geni on the ropes other companies are hoping to establish ties with the colony."
Mal smirked. "And where is the cargo?"
"Its being dropped off near the relay on your way out of the system, it's protected by pair of drone ships. Your ship will have no trouble picking up the cargo containers."
Mal took the file and passed it to Zoë. "The cargo containers are big square ships that can be magnetically attached to other ships so as not to take their cargo space. Many colonies use them, hell pirates pick them up cheap and use them as bases on planets and moons after some modifications."
The Batarian laughed. "That they do. Now then, you will pick up two of them and deliver them to Feros. Once delivered you will return here and collect your pay." He held up a hand, "You can of course inspect them to verify you carry what you agree to haul."
Mal smiled. "Well then, it looks like we will be able to work together."
"Good. Lets hope this will lead to a long standing business relationship." The Batarian said. "And for future reference you may call me Porthos."
XX
Illyana sat at the console in the shuttle and clicked off the communications screen. She had just spoken with the Consort and her orders remained the same. She was to stay with Serenity and maintain her cover as a Companion.
She thought the Matriarch's interest in the human Shepard was a waste of time and resources. Commander Hunt, the first human SPECTRE would be a better subject and use of resources. She shook her head and decided to do some reading. She wrinkled her nose at the trashy novel Tylee had left for her and brought up several Asari ones on a data pad.
XX
Mal walked up the steps towards Aria's balcony that overlooked all of Afterlife. He'd sent Zoë back to get Serenity to get it ready for takeoff. He smirked at Anto who scanned him.
Aria was sitting on her couch drinking and raised a curious brow at him. "You took your time." She said.
Mal stepped around the Batarian and sat near her. "I'm not your pet to be summoned when you get an itch." He took a shot glass and studied the amber liquid before sipping it. "So what's got you snarling like a Krogan?"
"Leave us." She orders and casually flicks a switch; that brings up privacy screens that enclose her balcony. She stands and spins, straddling Mal's lap in a very fluid move.
Before he can speak she claims his mouth and kisses him violently. When she pulls back their both gasping for air. Aria places a hand on his chest. "You've been naughty."
Mal gives her his lopsided smirk. "You wouldn't like me if I behaved."
"True." Aria admitted then sighed. "This will be our last time. I cannot afford a weakness and you are a weakness Malcolm Shepard. You make me feel and I can't, not with other forces conspiring on Omega."
Mal looked at her. "If I'm a weakness, what is Liselle?"
"I've sent her away and erased all files referencing our relation." Aria said sadly. "Things are in motion that will force me to harden myself, harder than I've been. I need you to understand."
Mal looked at the former Pirate Queen and saw a rare vulnerability. "I understand. Then lets make this a time to remember."
Talking was non-existent and the captain didn't return to his ship until late the next day.
XX
Mal sat in the cockpit with his feet propped up on a console a satisfied smirk. Zoë who was piloting while Tika had gone to catch a few hours of sleep the Quarian had spent the night simulating pick up of the cargo containers and after really doing so, had been ordered to hit her bunk for some shuteye.
"You can stop gloating sir." Zoë said as she made some adjustments. Serenity had entered the relay and was bound for Feros, which would be another three hours.
"Gloating?" Mal asked looking at his first mate.
"Sir, I've served with you for several years. You were summoned to see Aria and you were gone all night which indicates you are more than likely sporting new bruises on your person just like the last time you and Aria made the beast with two backs and Embraced Eternity."
"Why Zoë, you sound positively jealous." Mal said to which his first officer rolled her eyes but continued to handle the ships controls.
"So, you being a kept man, how long before she sends someone after us this time?" Zoë asked.
Mal's smile faded a bit. "No one. We're done." He said softly. Zoë tapped the auto-pilot and turned to look at him. "Sir?" she asked.
"Aria doesn't need any distractions or weaknesses." He lowered his feet and sat up straight. "So there will be no more frolicking under the neon lights."
"What does that mean when we visit Omega next time?" Zoë asked.
"It means you'll be going to Afterlife while I get a cold shoulder and seek sustenance and comfort elsewhere."
"So you might be speaking nicely to our goodwill ambassador?" Zoë asked with a smirk.
"And get shot? I'd rather kiss a Krogan." Mal said with a slight chuckle.
"That can be arranged, sir."
Mal stood. "I'm going to check on the magnetic clamps." He was to the hatch when he said, "And it would be best if you kept my…fornication with Aria under wraps. We don't need wagging tongues."
"Yes sir." Zoë said and watched him leave. She felt for the captain, as he and Aria while not a couple had a good understanding of one another.
XX
Mal sealed the cargo hatch and looked around Serenity's cargo hold. With the two containers bound for Feros he had also picked up several cases of alcohol to sell. The Peruvian Ice Brandy he planned on selling on the Citadel. The Krogan Blood Wine he could sell there or he could take it to various colonies. It was the Salarian Coffee he knew would sell well. It was stronger than coffee from earth and he knew many military outposts stocked it once Earth connected with other Citadel races.
"Captain."
Mal managed not to jump and turned slowly to see Sienna sitting in a meditative pose.
"Sorry if I disturbed your meditation." Mal said to which the female Drell shook her head. "I enjoy the vibrations of the ship here where it the most open."
Mal spotted Tika so technically with him and the engineer here the Drell didn't break any of his rules.
"We'll be at Feros in a few hours and we'll be there for at least five hours. If you wish to touch dirt and wander around and stretch your legs."
Sienna bowed her head. "I believe I will. I understand the planet is riddled with Prothean ruins."
Mal chuckled, "And many corporations have spent a lot of time raiding those ruins." He shook his head, "the surface has been picked and plundered. I heard from an old miner that they've started tunneling down."
Sienna bowed her head. "The greed, of any species is sad that many worlds once flush with life are now barren is a sad thing. Even more so when one is doing it for the sake of progress."
Mal wasn't sure how to respond so he looked at Tika. "And what is my mechanic doing?"
"Nothing much right now Capn'." Tylee said. "With the refit all I need to do is check on things." She eyed the Mule a 4-wheel ATV that was currently suspended in a special hoist. "I could however tinker with the Mule. Zoë mentioned you bought it second hand."
Mal smiled. "My mini-Mako is as solid as the day it came off the assembly line." He looked up at it, "Although you can tinker as you say, just make sure you put it back together before we hit Feros. We might need it."
Tylee made a squeal of happiness and went to the controls to lower it. Once the ATV was down the mechanic rushed to get her tools.
Mal headed aft, pausing to look in on the doctor in sickbay. He saw her going over and organizing it to her specifications.
"Tylee get your new gadget hooked up properly?" he asked and watched as the doctor jumped.
"You scared me captain." Cheyenne Sixkiller said.
"Sorry doc. So did Tylee hook up you machine?" Mal asked.
Cheyenne nodded. "Had it done within the hour of its delivery, which reminds me I need blood samples from Zoë, Matika and yourself so I can have it analyzed and prepare some synthetic substitutes."
Mal took a step back out of the door. "Yeah, I'll get right on that." He cocked his head. "I need to go, I think Zoë needs me in the cockpit." And he was gone before the doctor could say otherwise.
"Phooey. I didn't get to tell him about my decision to stay." She shook her head. "I'll wait till we get back to Omega then." She smirked. "Uncle David will be happy at least."
Mr. Whiskers was curled into his basket watching his owner with a bored look while content to have somewhere to stretch out.
XX
Mal shook his head as Serenity landed in the middle of the colony. "Place looks like its been thru the grinder."
"Couple of large explosions." Tika commented as she shut the ship down. "Looks like the ships took some heavy hits."
Mal patted his pilots shoulder. "Keep an ear on the comm.'s."
"Will do captain." The Quarian said as she activated the communications console and pulled out a datapad.
Mal strode down the catwalk spotting Illyana.
"Going to take a look around?" he asked.
"No. I'm just watching Zoë and Tylee." She gestured to where the mechanic and first mate were putting the mule away. He stepped down the stairs and Zoë reported.
"Both containers are disconnected with no problems." She reported.
"Good. Lets go find the leader of this colony and get a receipt. I'd rather be gone before the Geth get an urge to return."
He looked at the others and saw Sienna with a bag. "You've got five hours. Keep a link open in case we need to get out of here and need to find you."
The Drell nodded and pulled her hood up from her cloak and with a parting wave strode down the ramp.
They found a heavyset man waiting near the cargo containers. "Captain Malcolm Shepard are you Fai Dan?"
The older man shook his head. "No. I'm Brimley. Fai Dan was killed earlier when that SPECTRE destroyed the Thorian."
"The who did what now?" Mal asked then shook his head. "So whose going to sign for this?"
Brimley gestured towards the other side of the camp. "There's an Asari. She's been trying to help everyone. Her and that Salarian merchant have stepped up since most of us are still weak from the Thorian."
Mal let him ramble as he spotted the SPECTRE.
"Commander Hunt." He strode towards the man who was surrounded by colonists.
"Captain Shepard, what brings you to this neck of the 'verse?" the SPECTRE inquired.
Mal jerked his thumb back towards the cargo containers. "Delivery. I was supposed to see a man called Fai Dan, but I was told he was killed."
Hunt nodded. "We ran out of neutralizing gas for the Thorian controlled colonists and had to kill several of them to get to it."
Mal wondered if the 'verse hated him.
"I'll sign for it." Hunt said. "I'm here until an Alliance cruiser arrives to take over."
Mal presented the datapad with the cargo manifest. "You know not to make it sound weird, but are you stalking me?"
Hunt chuckled. "I was here first Captain, so it would be you who is stalking me."
Mal shrugged. "I'm heading back to Omega, any plans for there?"
"No. after this I have a favor to do for an admiral and then back to the Citadel before heading to Noveria."
Mal nodded taking back the signed pad. "Good journey." He said as he headed back to Serenity.
Have a couple hours to waste might as well tinker around with my ship.
XX
Mal was inside a panel when he heard laughter. Sticking his head out he panel he spotted Zoë walking up the ramp with a member of Hunt's squad.
"Hey Williams, just can't stay away."
"Shepard…why are you upside down?" Ashley Williams asked.
"Just checking on some systems." Mal said slipping back into the panel and moments later lowered down to the catwalk then slid the panel back into place.
"So, you're still with Hunt." He said wiping his hands on a rag.
"The Skipper is a good person." Ashley said.
"Sure he is, all the way down to his Alliance issued underwear." Mal said then turned to his first mate. "Sienna should be back soon from her walkabout. The Doc went out to help the colonists, I'm going to retrieve her. Tell Tylee to close up the panels on the engines she's tinkering with and kick the rest of Hunt's crew off my boat."
Zoë cocked an eyebrow, "Other than Ash, who else is here?"
Mal chuckled. "Tika's visiting with the Quarian crew member of Hunt's. I think they were comparing Pilgrimage notes. I think the Asari maiden is talking with our ambassador."
"You have an ambassador?" Ashley asked and both captain and first mate looked at her and laughed. "What?" Williams asked.
"Ambassador is the captains way of not calling me a whore." A voice said and Ashley saw Liara with another Asari. "He seems to think that as a companion I am nothing more than a high priced joy girl."
Mal looked at Liara, "Hope you had your credits worth." He looked at Illyana, "And you better have your shuttle locked down, we're lifting off soon."
With that he strode down and exited the ship.
"What is his problem?" Ashley asked.
"The captain is a complicated man." The four women turned to see the Drell monk walk back up the ramp. "He is a man of deep emotions as well as convictions."
They were quiet as they thought about the man who'd just left.
XX
Mal entered the medical center for Zhu's Hope. Many of the beds were filled with wounded colonists, some were bodies covered with sheets waiting to sealed into caskets.
Mal spotted Cheyenne with the CMO from the Normandy who spotted him as he approached. "Captain Shepard, this is a surprise." Dr. Chakwas said causing Cheyenne to turn.
"Hey doc, can I came to collect my own doctor." He said.
Chakwas nodded. "I need to head back to the Normandy as well. We've done all we can here."
Cheyenne looked sad. "So many wounded, not just by the Geth but from other colonists."
Mal shook his head. "An Alliance cruiser should be here shortly. You've done good now its time to go."
"Done well." Chakwas said correcting Shepard's grammar.
He gave her a smirk then motioned for Cheyenne. "Time to go." He looked at Chakwas. "Take care doc. Don't let Hunt drag you into an op that's too big to handle."
He left the center, Chakwas was thoughtful as she remembered something Captain Anderson once told her.
XX
Mal strode up the ramp hitting the controls and sealing the ramp behind him. He tapped the inter-ship. "Tika, are we all aboard?"
"Yes captain." Came his Quarian pilots response.
"Then take us out of the world." He strode into the cargo hold were Tylee was working on a hover sled. "What do you have there?" Mal asked his mechanic.
"Found it in a scrap pile. The colonists said they got it from the wreckage of a Geth ship, but none of them could get it to work. So I brought it back with me and its fascinating."
Mal shook his head. "Just make sure it can't possess the ship." He warned her and climbed the stairs and soon entered the cockpit.
"Tika." He said
"Captain." She greeted. "Sent the message to Omega like you ordered on lift off. Porthos said to meet him at Afterlife."
Mal nodded before taking his seat. "Then we have a couple of hours to waste once we hit the relay." He smirked. "Ever play cards?"
XX
AN: I've been told this story is crap. To nameless guest who thinks so, stop reading. I don't need you spewing your vileness because you're jealous.
Mal and his crew will cross paths with Hunt and company again.
Now, some have mentioned Dillon should be Dylon…this is a point for later in the story.
Mal's crew isn't finalized yet. Some will leave and there will be other familiar faces.
Again for some reason the ME style stories are coming easier. Not sure why as I am currently playing Deadpool, Skyrim and Jurassic Park along with Lego Lord of the Rings and WWE13 for mindlessness.