Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or any of it's characters or anything. And to get this out of the way now, I do not own any of the songs mentioned or their artists, including but not limited to: Eminem, Metallica, Ab-Soul, or Kendrick Lamar. I only have rights to my OCs, so if you use them at least be like "can I use these?"

A/N: I feel like writing once more, so you guys get another chapter. I don't have a set schedule for new chapters right now, it's mostly whenever I have ideas about where I'm going. For now, I'm trying to shell out short chapters frequently, rather than long chapters once a week.

And now, I'm going to tell some tales of intrigue, but I don't have six years worth of content to post beyond vague ideas. However, I have some to put to paper, and the rest will be more timeline. I may fill in some more of these vague ideas at a later date. But enough babbling. Enjoy.

Omega, Sahrabarik System, Omega Nebula

August 23rd, 2177.

Omega is in it's morning phase when we arrive, people bustling to get wherever it is they're going. We aren't given much thought despite our blood-stained clothing and Delta's massive frame, which I guess must be more common on Omega than we considered. We sell the shuttle to a random salesman who didn't question it's condition, and get enough credits to purchase some clean clothing, as well as a temporary apartment. Once we're inside, we nearly fall over from exhaustion.

"Man, I feel like shit. But soo good." Delta rambles.

"I know what you mean man. we're free. Really free." I ramble back.

"You think so man?"

"Yeah, I do." We sit in silence for a while, savoring the taste of freedom, mixed with a bitter grief at what it cost us. Delta breaks the silence first.

"So, what now?"

"I got into contact with a friend on the way here." I say. "He said that he could get us some credits, as well as a new line of work, if you're interested."

"Well, I can't go back to the Alliance, considering I was grabbed off of a damn base. Your friend sounds like he's looking out for us. How do you know him?" Oh boy.

"We have a.. Complicated history. And I'm not very happy with him as of late." I reply. He seems to accept this.

"Alright. So what are we waiting on?"

"A knock on the door." I answer sarcastically.

Only to hear a knock on the door.

... Dammit.

I get up and answer it, greeting my least favorite Salarian.

"You little shit."

"I know," He answers."But you know I couldn't get involved. It would've caused a whole lot of problems."

"And the other stuff?" I ask. "I read the medical reports Mr. Spook." He smiles at the name.

"There were certain things I could affect, without drawing attention to myself. And I did." He explains vaguely, walking in. "Nice place."

"It's temporary." I turn to Delta. "This is the guy I mentioned."

Delta nods. "I heard you have an opportunity for us."

"Of sorts." He responds. "You two know of the Shadow Broker." We nod. "He has a massive network of informants, spies, mercenaries, and assassins. I've recommended you both very highly to him, and he learned of your previous captivity. He's offered to deny any who try to learn about you, as well as a paycheck in exchange for.. Your abilities."

"Wow. How highly did you recommend us?" Delta asks.

"I just shared some of the medical files and combat reports Cory forwarded me. The Broker believes you two are very capable, and would like to put this to the test." I consider this.

"When do we start?"

"Tomorrow. He has sent ahead some durable, functional weapons and armor in a gesture of goodwill."

"Seems like he's taking a big gamble." Delta interjects. "And how do you know all of this, anyways?"

"My employers are powerful people, Mr. Yusarn. They've worked with the Broker before." I chuckle at the mention of Delta's last name, which causes him to flinch.

"I guess we don't have much choice." Delta says.

"Well, we could simply pay the Broker to keep you two off record, but this arrangement is far simpler. And the Broker pays the most in terms of salary. You two could become trusted agents."

"Well," I start. "It could be our best course. What do you think Delta?"

"I think that it could be a good arrangement, for now. Be sure to let him know that we don't plan on anything permanent, or killing any good people." He directs this last statement to our houseguest, and I nod at it.

"I will make sure he understands this." He promises. "For now, get some rest, and the gear should be here in the morning." With that, the man leaves, once more leaving me with many questions and little in the way of answers.

The next morning, we find a large crate waiting for us in a package center a few blocks away. After carting it from the UPS-esque building to our apartment. Inside, we find two sets of black armor, tailored to our body sizes, two weapon packs containing Avenger and Scimitar-style weapons for Delta, and Predator, Mantis, and suprisingly, Shuriken-style weapons for myself. 'Guess subs had some popularity before 2185.' Each weapon was a crimson color, stamped with the Elkoss Combine logo. The armor was similarly stamped on the interior.

It also contained two Omni-tools, a Logic Arrest for Delta, though mine was a Savant due to the training I'd gotten in using them. "Fancy gear." I comment, nearly drooling, and Delta nods approvingly.

"Expensive too. You have some good friends, Echo."

"I guess this makes up for them being assholes."

The next item in the crate was a datapad, containing an audio file from our newfound employer.

"Echo, Delta. This is the Shadow Broker." The voice sends chills up my spine. I knew the creature that makes that sound." Important people have told me you can be depended on to get things done. This first assignment will see if this is so.

"You are to bring down a local criminal ring on Omega, who have been pushing tainted Eezo to the Eclipse and Blood Pack mercenaries. The removal of this ring and their products will bring you significant compensation. The details are on this datapad and will delete an hour after they are opened. Shadow Broker, out."

"Wow," Delta says. "We have something big here, man. We could get whatever we want with someone like this on our side." I nod, starting to read the information listed.

"We can do this, Delta." I say, looking at our objective. "We're not running scared anymore. We're well-equipped," I motion towards our care package." And we have more than the ability to use them now. We will prove ourselves here." He nods, and starts to read over the datapad himself. Delta is a huge guy, but he's deadly intelligent in the art of warfare as well now. I can see the smile on his face start to spread as the plan forms.

"Well it sounded good in my head."

"Delta, I nearly had my face taken off!"

"You're fine. You lived."

(Undead POV)

"Time for things to move towards awesomeness."

Subject: Cory Weston, A.K.A. Epsilon, A.K.A. Echo, and known associates.

Files: movements and activities

Restrictions: As per agreement, only SB, UKXZ, and fans who review requesting the files to be written in detail have access to these files. Unauthorized access is prohibited and punishable by Hanar hit squads.

August 24th, 2177: The mission is completed successfully, the ring eliminated and the warehouse containing the tainted Eezo destroyed. Operatives Delta and Echo are uninjured. Payment forwarded to relevant agents for delivery.

August 30th, 2177: Operatives request apartment on Citadel in exchange for another assignment. Request is granted upon completion of objective, the removal of a varren infestation caused by Blood Pack mercenaries running an extortion ring on Omega residents.

September 22nd, 2177. Operative Echo makes a name for himself by saving a Volus from a Human assassin. Accessing relevant data... Received.

(POV Cory)

Me and Delta have been on the Citadel for a little over three weeks now. We live in a functional 3-bedroom apartment on Aroch Ward, which I didn't know existed until we had the place. The game hadn't gone into the names of every Ward, so I am interested in the previously unexplored zones. I find that the wards are all set up similarly to Zakara Ward, but concentrate slightly more on certain things. For example, Tayseri Ward is more accommodating to the arts, while Aroch has a focus on residential areas, meaning many on the Citadel lay their heads down here to sleep.

It's on one of my exploration trips that I find someone having a bad day.

I see a Volus desperately trying to run, while a man in black armor is pursuing him. The crowds of Zakara are bowled over by the armored man, who is rapidly closing on the Volus. I step into the man's path slightly as I see him pulling a Carnifex-based pistol from his hip. I let the Volus move past me, and just as the Human is about to pass, I simply extend my arm out. The sprinting man's unarmored throat slams into my extended forearm, and the combination of his own momentum and my rigid posture sends him tumbling to the ground. A boot to the side of the head sends the man to la-la-land.

"Thank.. Thank you.." The Volus says, wheezing even more than usual. "Who.. are you?" He asks in between breaths.

I look back towards the people who were starting to gather. "An echo of the people who used to help others." I say, glaring a little at the people who didn't even question the odd chase.

Well... Then.. Echo... My name is... Rupe... I thank you... Once again... For your help." he says, starting to catch his breath.

"Don't mention it." I say as I start to walk on.

"Oh, but I will... Mention it." He says."My last name... Is what you should... take notice of. It is... Elkoss, and I promise.. Echo of Citadel, I wont forget... What you've done for me here."

I turn back in shock. "I didn't recognize you, Sir."

"Please... Call me Rupe... Take care, Echo."

Later that day I find my actions all over the news: 'Unknown man saves Elkoss Combine C.E.O.' I smile at this. 'I've actually done something helpful.' I consider this. 'I have been taught to be cold, ruthless, a murderer, both by those as Titan, and by circumstance. But I still want to keep my morals. For everything I've been through, can I still call myself a good person?'

End file.

October 1st, 2177. Operative Delta tasked with clearing Red Sand distribution center in Zakara Ward while Echo provides overwatch. Group disbanded, rival group seized product and paid for work done. Echo makes objection to the conclusion.

November 15th,2177. Operative Echo tasked with stealing Asari artwork from private owner on Bachjret Ward. Had to forge underworld connections to get Echo to do the job. Accessing relevant data... Received.

A/N: Always good times. I split up this chapter and to preserve average chapter length. I will continue with more soon. Stay tuned!