Chapter Six: The Next Objective

Haestrom

She looked at the architecture and was in awe. The thought that she stood in the footsteps of another Quarian from so long ago crossed her mind for a moment. And then the thought she stood in the blood of a fallen Quarian from so long ago crossed her mind. The happiness and excitement were canceled by the hopelessness and sadness. She reached and placed a finger on her ring. The ring was under her suit so it wouldn't get lost and was always close to her. No matter what, it wasn't like she removed her suit often.

"I wish you were here Zane." She said sadly and quietly.

"Sorry, ma'am?" An Organization soldier asked her. He was a Quarian by the name of Attan if memory served correctly.

"Nothing Attan sorry, just talking to myself." She said quietly and got back to work studying the data.

"Of course, LOHL." He said.

"LOHL?" She asked and the man began to fidget awkwardly.

"Oh, sorry it is a code word in the Organization means 'our charge' for lack of a better term." He said but it seemed…strange she was going to ask when Kal'Reegar came through the door.

"Geth found us time to get moving. Rook, get your people in position just like I laid out."

"Yes, Sir. Attan and Illis with Tali. The rest of you hold the Gateway!" The Rook whose name was simply Titan said. He was a large man with a larger machine gun in his hands. He quickly got on his radio. "Scout Folo do you copy?" The sound of gunfire could be heard.

"They found me. Won't be able to make it to you. I'll hold them off best I can." The link was cut abruptly after that. Attan nodded to her and Tali knew she had to get moving.

"Be careful you guys." She said to Titan who nodded.

"Always ma'am. Alright, Adas squad let's stomp these parasites! We walk!" He shouted raising his weapon high in the air.

"In defiance!" Then the battle was heard in full swing. Tali grasped the ring under the suit a little tighter.

"Where is that crazy bosh'tet when I need him?" She whispered and then grabbed her shotgun and pumped it. She was as ready as she would be for battle now.

…

Two Hours Earlier

Normandy

Zane stood in the Conference Room confidently. His arms crossed as Jacob, Miranda and Shepard all thought about what to do with him.

"We need all the help we can get." Jacob and Shepard both said.

"Yes, but I am just saying we know nothing about him. Everyone we take on we know a little bit about. We don't have any psych evaluations nor any idea what he has been up to." Miranda said sternly.

"That is the point, Miranda." Zane piped in. She glared at him as a response.

"Miranda, I have fought with and against Zane many times when taking on Saren. And when I say he knows what needs to be done I mean it."

"What about his personal life? How can we be sure that he is mentally stable?"

"Miranda two things. Number one, Zane isn't mentally stable. He fought Saren and a large group of Geth single handily. While nursing several broken ribs, bones, a sprained ankle, and I am sure many other things that Chakwas would know. And number two, I have learned it is probably best to not wonder what he does in his personal life." Shepard said and smirked at Zane who chuckled.

"Nothing that you need a black light for I swear." Zane laughed.

"Where do we put you then?" Jacob asked him.

"Anywhere where my stuff can fit. I will need a lot of space."

"What stuff did you bring?" Shepard asked.

"Several communicators, a vidscreen, a small bed. Which I will warn you now. I plan on replacing when we get to a commercial center. As well as a footlocker for my clothes." The young man said leaning against the bulkhead.

"That is quite a bit of stuff for a military vessel." Miranda commented and Zane rolled his eyes with a small smile.

"I am a busy man I have contacts all over the galaxy. My stuff keeps them in contact with me. Furthermore, even I need to have some fun occasionally when I am not killing things. And I just work for the Alliance military I am not military."

"I recommend the storage room." EDI piped up Zane looked at the small blue sphere.

"Oh? What storage room my AI friend?" He saw the team look at him surprised that he knew she was an AI. "What? Oh, don't be that surprised I can hear the synthetic emotion in her voice patterns. It is quite good. Now, what storage room is she talking about?"

"It was to be the crew barracks but complications arose and its now a storage room." Jacob said.

"What about the stuff in storage what will you do with that?"

"Most of it is useless and can be spaced. Other stuff will be given to the owners here on the Normandy and whatever is left will be sold." Shepard decided.

"Sounds like a plan." Zane said trying to think of the room EDI was talking about. "That was supposed to be the crew barracks. What the hell happened?" He thought.

"I will show you to it. Right, this way." Jacob said knocking Zane from his thoughts. The two left leaving just Miranda, EDI, and Shepard.

"Look I am just saying I don't trust him." Miranda piped up.

"You don't have to but nonetheless he is worthy of giving him a chance at least. He may surprise you." He said and Miranda sighed in contempt but gave a weak nod.

"He seems quite respectful but still, I would recommend Yeomen Chambers talk to him." She said then her avatar faded away.

"Thank you, EDI, I'm sure she will do that immediately." Shepard said and grasped the bridge of his nose as he took a deep breath. "Just a break why can't I get that? First chance I get I'm retiring I swear."

…

Zane looked at the open room and was surprised. It was much bigger than he expected. And once the crew's stuff was out his stuff came right in. Getting everything hooked up didn't take long. And Zane was quick to get rid of listening devices. He would give them to Shepard and leave another box of them in Miranda's office when the chance arose. But for the moment he could simply take in the moment.

"Back into the thick of it again." He said with a smile as a beeping sensor went off telling him a visitor was in front of his door. He quickly sent a command for the door to open. The annoying sound stopping immediately.

"Got to change that at some point. And I need to make sure the rooms are soundproof." He thought as the door slid open. In the doorway was a young, thin woman with short red hair. She had a face plastered with a smile on it. And he admitted it certainly looked genuine. He walked up to the woman hand up in greeting.

"Hello Sir, I am Yeoman Kelly Chambers." She said her hand out in a similar fashion.

"And I am Zane. What can I do for you, Kelly Chambers?" The two shook hands.

"I just like to get to know everyone that joins."

"Ah and I'm sure it has nothing to do with you giving me a psych eval? I'm sure Miss Lawson looks forward to your report. Well then, let's get started. This should be fun." She seemed surprised by the enthusiasm.

"You knew about my other job?" Zane smiled at the comment.

"There is much I know Kelly. I keep many secrets and know many other secrets." He said with a smirk that she smiled at. Her eyes seemed to hold a look of intrigue and interest.

"I look forward to learning about those secrets." She said as they began to take their respective seats. Zane sat on his bed while she sat close to him on a chair that she pulled from the wall.

"Now to begin…how do you feel about being on a Cerberus ship?" She asked and Zane smiled to himself.

"Fun indeed."

…

Shepard looked at the new dossiers that had come not long ago. He focused on one in particular. As he put the command into the galaxy map to go to the specified location. Haestrom was the next place they would have to visit and fast.

"Tali will be next that's for sure. She will be the easiest to get to join us. If she is done with her mission." He thought but then something nagged at him from the back of his mind.

"But being on Haestrom could be a problem. That is Geth territory and if she gets hurt. Well, that would not be good for anyone." He thought, rubbing his forehead with his index finger and thumb. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. And the train of thought continued.

"Not only would we lose a great asset but also a great friend but if Zane sees it or learns of it…yea not good if she gets hurt." The Commander knew that Zane was very protective of his friends.

The memory of when Ash's brains splattered against the running water on Virmire turning it red echoed like a nightmare. And then the scream of rage, anger, and pure pain from Zane as he rose. His face purple with bruises and blood running from his nose. The blast from Saren's biotic blow showing on his features. The yell of pain as he fired his gun at the Spectre before eventually having to stop from the amount of agony he must've endured in those few moments.

Shepard blinked away the memory the pang of guilt hitting his stomach and chest like a tidal wave. Ash and Zane may have been comrades but they were not close friends not like him and Tali were. And if she was hurt or worse killed. Then Zane would stop at nothing until those responsible burned for it. No matter how much he had changed, that part no doubt remained. That was in his DNA and was intangible to his very being.

"Commander?" Kelly knocked him from his thoughts as she entered the CIC. She seemed to have been waiting for him to end his thought process.

"Yes, Kelly? Sorry, I was just thinking. What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I wanted to inform you I have completed my first session with Zane. I wanted to know if you wanted a report before I sent it to Miranda?"

"Yes please." He replied and she grabbed her datapad and put in a few commands after a moment she began to read from it.

"Well, to begin I would ask if you gave him a psych evaluation of me first off. Or at least if he was told to give one. The way he talked, asked questions, it was like he was…testing me probing me. Like he wanted to confirm something. He also knew about my sister's pet clinic which I found shocking. And even more surprising, he knew I was evaluating him as soon as I knocked on his door."

"Yea I meant to tell you he knows quite a bit. He used to work for the Shadow Broker and some thought he was the Shadow Broker." Shepard said and Kelly nodded in understanding.

"That would explain a lot. I will also say he is fiercely loyal to you or at least the mission. He trusts the crew and believes in us to complete our mission. But I have a nagging suspicion he… Is constantly worried about something, paranoid even. It is in his eyes, the way he observes everything around him. I don't even think he realizes he does it. Another thing, Zane is hiding something. I don't know what. I think it must do with his past. He didn't like it being brought up in our conversation. He always shifted away from it or deflected with humor. For the moment that is all I have I will give you updates when necessary." She said with a smile.

"Thank you, Kelly." Shepard said and went to the elevator. He took the elevator one level down and as soon as it opened he turned left. The room was he was heading towards was shut and music could be heard.

It will outlive us all both you and I
No rules without exception this one cannot die
Regardless of genres expression shape and form
It sometimes just catches its breath before the storm
It is only rock'n roll
No way it won't happen
No way but they can try
No way to kill my darling
Rock'n roll will never die

"Some things never change." He thought as he pressed the "enter" button on the doorway. The music died down considerably before the hologram blinked green and opened to him. He looked around the spacious room. Shepard noticed Zane had made the room seem much larger than it actually was. On the right wall was the vidscreen that was turned off at the moment. The bed on the opposite wall and a desk beside the window overlooking the drive core. On the wall beside the doorway was a footlocker. Above it was several weapons racks with many weapons upon them. He saw an Avenger rifle, a Vindicator battle rifle, a Mattock marksmen rifle, and a longsword and even an old gladius sword on the racks. On Zane's "bed" was a box filled with many technical supplies beside that was a much smaller box filled with listening devices.

"Hello Shepard, always a pleasure." Zane said breaking Shepard from his scanning of the room. The younger man stood straight and had his arms behind his back. Assumingly clasping them together.

"I see you settled in pretty quickly." Shepard said and the young man smiled and shrugged.

"What can I say? I work fast."

"How has life been treating you?" Shepard asked his friend. Zane relaxed a little bit more his arms coming to his sides and had a relaxed feeling to them.

"Well, all things considered. I shadowed another N7 operative. Saw some things I wish hadn't seen and others I'm glad I did see. The road was tough but was worth it. I learned much and am ultimately happy with the outcome." He said. His lips holding a faint smile that only faltered when he mentioned the things he didn't wish to see.

"Who did you shadow?" Shepard asked maybe he had heard of or even knew the person.

"A younger woman twenty-five years old now. Anyways, her callsign was simply Valkyrie. Surprisingly she wasn't a fan of the weapon of the same name." Shepard didn't know that callsign.

"What did she specialize in?" he asked Zane.

"She was an infiltrator actually. But hated to sit back and watch. Or snipe like many do. She went in cloaked and appeared with a pistol in one hand and an axe in the other." That was certainly unorthodox. But N7s were trained to be unorthodox.

"How long did you shadow her?" Zane put a hand to his chin and thought for a moment.

"I'd say a little under a year. I joined up with her a month or two after your untimely demise. Nice to see you better by the way. And then I followed her all over Alliance space. Wasn't that bad though. If it wasn't for the Alliance dreadnaught, the fact she made killing an art form, and her N7 designation you wouldn't think her to be a soldier. Let alone an Alliance one. She was funny as hell though. A girl after my own heart I joked to her. She got a kick out of it." Zane said and Shepard was surprised by this. Usually, N7 troops were the best of the best for a reason. One that was laid back was rare indeed. Shepard wasn't a drill sergeant of course and was more relaxed than most. But for someone to deal with Zane took someone to be more laid back then what was normal. A trait not many N7 soldiers have.

"I take it you learned much?"

"More than I can describe. Maybe I will show you out on the field. You know, leave some surprises for you." Shepard smiled but then a thought came to him and the smile turned into a frown. He had to tell Zane what he was thinking best to get it out of the way early.

"I am still not happy about Horizon Zane…you sent those civilian to their deaths and you know it." Zane looked away with shame and his fists clenched.

"Come on Shepard we both know the Collectors would've found another colony we needed a lead or a head start at least."

"What about 'I will never endanger an innocent or a member of the crew'? Remember those words?" Shepard asked reciting the words spoken to him when him and Zane almost shot each other over Terra Nova. Zane had possibly endangered not only innocents that day. But Shepard, Garrus, and Wrex as well.

"That was before I learned that no matter what I do I can never save them all! The Citadel, the Normandy, the time spent with Valkyrie. So much death I tried to prevent and for what? For my hands to be covered with their blood, staining them. I know what I did Shepard don't patronize me! I have to live knowing I sent some to die so the many could live! It isn't a decision I make lightly!" Zane had a tear in one eye and the other held a rage in it. A rage that could only ever belong to Zane. Zane blinked the tear and rage back. "I'm sorry my friend I didn't mean to snap. But don't tell me what I already know."

Shepard felt ashamed to have snapped at Zane but he would not apologize so he changed the subject. The silence deafened the room for a moment. "So, I see your rifle now folds."

Zane grinned and looked happy at the change of subject. "Yea I wanted to change it and I found a guy who knows the mechanics better than I. He changed it for me in no time."

"And the boxes on your bed?" He asked and the man chuckled.

"Listening devices your benefactor left me. You can take them to Miranda or I can. I don't care." Shepard smiled as it seemed the team was slowly getting back together. Then all would be as it had been…maybe.

…

Tali ducked under another stray round. Attan fired his rifle and destroyed a Geth Trooper and Illis killed a Trooper and Hunter. Tali rose from her own cover, shotgun ready as she blasted away the chest off one Trooper and the head of a Rocket Trooper. She used an overload program and put so much power into the target -a Geth sniper- exploded in a fury of white fluid and lightning.

"Nicely done LOHL." Attan said and Illis hit his friend's arm who laughed. She didn't know what was funny and she didn't have time to ask.

"We have to move ma'am." Illis said pointing to another large team of Geth.

"Couldn't agree more, there is a building not far from here. Good sight lines we can use it to protect Tali." Attan pointed out.

"No, we would be surrounded in no time. We should use the old quarry it should have a good reinforced position and only one way in and out." Tali said the two men looked at each other.

"It isn't a bad idea and there are only the three of us. Come on, Attan, we follow the boss-lady." He said and Tali led the way to the quarry.

…

"When I heard we had a new member I never expected you." The old woman said in the hallway looking at Zane. He stood in the doorway about to reenter the room with a can of an Asari soda in hand. He turned towards the voice and saw the older doctor standing in the doorway of the elevator.

"Doctor Chakwas! Oh, my, how could I have forgotten? I swear I meant to see you again I just got side-tracked." He said walking towards the older woman and gave her a hug which she returned.

"Yes, I am sure. Zane, always side-tracked. You still owe me your check up from the Citadel." She said with a smile and his cheeks turned red.

"This again Doctor? I am better now no more issues."

"Zane, you have many issues very little are physical." She said as she scanned him with her omni-tool.

"Ouch." He replied and she smiled.

"But indeed, I see you can walk properly. And it seems you still prefer battle than a safer past time." Zane flinched when she hit his thigh to check for reflexes.

"Safer doesn't mean fun."

"Hmph…says you." She said and Zane couldn't stop the chuckle. "Well I can say safely your checkup is done and it was only two years late."

"Better late than never?" She shook her head as she turned and left.

"See you soon Zane I'm sure." She said as she entered the medical bay. A grin growing on his face as he returned to his room.

…

The Normandy was closing in on Haestrom. Zane paced the entire time as soon as they entered the system. He remembered everything about the mission from the game but all of it was in jeopardy now. Nothing was as it had been now that he was here. If a butterfly wing can have consequences, then he was a damn nuke. The only question was, were the changes done now? Or was there more to come?

"You ready?" Shepard asked him and he gave a crisp nod.

"Yes, Sir." He cocked his rifle and placed it on his back. And then he checked both omni-tools and then he activated his blades to check them for any malfunctions.

"Found a new calling Zane? Going for a swordsmen vibe now?" Garrus asked and Zane chuckled before the blades disappeared.

"That is so cliché. Besides I used omni-blades two years ago, remember? Oh, that's right I kill most enemies before you can look through a scope." He smiled at the Turian.

"Is that a challenge Zane?"

"It's a fact." The duo laughed as they entered the shuttle.

The ride was bumpy at first and Zane started out towards the planet below. And while he did so he knew that somewhere, down there was Tali and she was in trouble. And if she was hurt or worse killed. Haestrom would get a makeover of the Alderaan variety.

The shields on the shuttle were giving away just being in the star's path and they had to move fast and quickly. The pilot was good and approached the LZ fast and hard. Zane looked down and saw the battle taking place. The Quarians were holding their own and were kicking ass.

"She has to be safe with them, right? Right?!" He mentally screamed his fright not shutting up.

"Alright, we go in, help the Quarians, get Tali, and get out." Shepard ordered Zane was quick to crack his neck before getting his rifle.

"The fun shall begin soon." He thought and the shuttle landed on the surface.

A/N Song: Dream Evil: No Way