Chapter Eleven: Of Justice and Pain
Zane walked into his room and smiled gleefully. His bed had been replaced and was much bigger, and much better. The large blankets were made from Asari silk and were a deep color of blue with white sheets. The headboard was black with golden linings and was engraved with Asari depictions of Athame and the other goddesses of the ancient Athame Doctrine. The set cost nearly 10,000 credits on the Citadel and on Illium…everything is much more expensive.
"I'll have to thank Liara later." He said and approached the bed. He felt the silk and it was as light as air and as comfortable as anything he could imagine. He imagined it would feel like sleeping on a cloud and he couldn't wait to test his theory. He undressed down to the necessities and nearly jumped into the bed. The foamy mattress conforming to his body and enveloped him. And in no time, he was fast asleep.
…
It grows tired Zane. Tired of waiting, tired of hiding. Your procrastination is reflecting poorly on its choices. You can be controlled and if you don't act soon…you will be.
Here you remain worried about the Harvester Race when they are nothing in caparison to their masters. You know this, it knows this, you all know this. Perhaps it is the problem that has arisen in you? A distraction not entirely unforeseen but clearly underestimated.
If you do not act it will take your body and make you erase the problem. No more distractions, no more emotion, only the objective, only the mission. You have been warned.
…
Shepard exited the skycar with Garrus, Kasumi, and Tali and saw a Volus quickly trying to leave the area. Following him were two heavily armored and armed Turians. And behind them were two individuals a thin and fit Asari in police blues. And beside her was a Turian man with a large weapon on his back. He wore white and blue armor with the Organization's logo on his right shoulder pad.
The team approached as these people spoke. "Where do you think, you are going?" The Asari asked the Volus.
"I'm getting the hell out of here Captain."
"Your partner is murdered and you try to skip town? And you wonder why you're a suspect." The Turian laughed.
"I had nothing to do with that Rook I swear! Perhaps it was the Eclipse Sisters. After all, you are in open conflict with them." The Volus said and in the distance -as if on cue- the echoing of gunshots could be heard.
The Turian chuckled as he crossed his arms. "Oh, I am certain it was Eclipse I have no doubt of that. What I want to know is whether you ordered the hit." The Volus recoiled as if smacked in the face.
"How dare you! I am a simple merchant. Besides, it may not just be Eclipse what about that damn Asari Justicar she may have done it." The Volus said changing his story. The "merchant" was too squirmy. And Shepard could see that, even being as far away as he was.
"Was your partner doing anything illegal?" The cop asked.
"What? Of course, not." He quickly said.
"Then it wasn't her." The Asari said.
"You know what? I've had enough of this I'm out of here, guards, keep them away from me." The Volus said and went to leave. Behind him was a ramp that led to an awaiting shuttle seemingly ready to leave.
"I don't think so." The Turian said then clapped his hands and from the ramp, the Volus planned on leaving on two Organization men showed up weapons ready and waiting to shoot.
"You will remain here until this matter is solved and that is that." The cop said. The Turian and Asari turned and left towards the police station. They left with the Organization men blocking the Volus.
"Unbelievable." The Volus said and crossed his arms as he waited.
"We should speak to the Captain and see what that was all about. And try and figure out what the Organization is doing here." Garrus suggested. Shepard simply nodded to him and walked to the station. The door opened and the station was bustling with activity. Over half of those in the room were not cops but were Organization soldiers.
In the middle of the room were the Captain and the Rook hunched over a table with a holographic map on it.
"My boys are taking Eclipse down over on thirty-fourth they must retreat to thirty-second. Or suffer us flanking them." The Turian Rook said.
"And either way they will lose a flank. It's just up to them if that is their right or left flank." The Asari said with a smile.
"Exactly! Eclipse is used to gang wars and police raids. They were not prepared for a war with a well-trained militia." The Turian said proudly, crossing his arms. He turned his head and saw Shepard's team enter and make his way to them. "Commander." He said and stood at attention. His reddish carapace had a horrible scar on his face that spoke of a time in battle. And that was just the most noticeable scar and the Rook had many across his face. His pale gray eyes held a certain warmness to them Shepard couldn't replicate or describe. Dark purple face paint did its best to hide the scars but to no avail. Shepard couldn't nail down which colony he was from, however.
"Rook I don't think I have had the pleasure." Shepard said hand outstretched.
"Name is Alexus Tarius from a small colony called Tallance. I doubt you have heard of it." Alexus said as they shook hands.
"What is Organization doing here?" Shepard asked him.
"Fighting Eclipse anywhere and everywhere. They are the biggest gang on Illium and we can't have that." He said.
"To which I thank you." The Asari said. Shepard turned his attention to the Captain. He would need her blessing to go find Samara.
"Captain, Commander Shepard of the Alliance. I was told you know of a Justicar Samara. I need to find her."
"Name is Anaya and I damn wish you would." She said shocking the team.
"Why? Does this have to do with her being a Justicar?" Shepard asked.
"Partly, my superiors want her locked up before a political incident takes place." She said and left the statement there. Shepard and the team didn't see the issue with this.
"And why is that an issue?"
"Justicar code says any attempts of incarceration will be regarded as obstruction and Samara cannot let that happen. And so, she will respond. Most likely violently before that happens." Alexus said.
"That is stupid! Your superiors are throwing you towards suicide you can't be blamed for disobeying!" And before the team could make a snarky comment Shepard looked at the team. "Doesn't count for you guys and we have much bigger problems then she does. Picking your orders don't apply."
"Aw." Garrus sighed. Alexus chuckled before speaking.
"That is what the Harbinger thought. He figured if we help destroy Eclipse then the Justicar will move on before anything drastic happens." He said crossing his arms and leaning against a pillar.
"You look like you have the numbers to beat them. If you don't mind my saying so, Rook." Garrus noticed. Alexus gave a small chuckle and nodded followed by shrugging.
"Not really. Illium's Militia certainly is capable and are willing but these guys and gals are new. We started this war with a single squad. Now we have close to a dozen. Not surprising, when you show you are making a difference people want to help to make that difference. We don't have the numbers but we do have the will and determination to see the job done."
"I see, well, where is Samara? Any ideas?" Shepard said looking back at the Captain.
"A Volus merchant was killed in the alleyway behind this building. I gave her full access to the scene." Anaya said with a shrug and pointed with her thump to the alley in question. Two Organization soldiers stood at attention with their weapons in full view for the public to see.
"Roman squad spotted her in a fight with a few Eclipse sisters. Last time they checked in, she was kicking their ass and my men were about to get a few shots in to help her out. If you hurry you may catch the tail end of the fight." Shepard nodded to Alexus before getting up from his seat.
"Alright well let's hurry up." He said and jogged towards the alley. The Militia soldiers parted for him and his team and gave a small greeting.
"Commander, a pleasure to see you and your team, Sir. You have full access." The alleyway showed signs of battle and a large blood splatter where the Volus died could be seen. The blood coated the walls in thick red blood. The sight was gruesome, even without the body.
As the team walked they saw Organization keeping Eclipse down with guns pointed to their heads.
"Just try and move Eclipse scum." One soldier said shoving his rifle's barrel into an Asari's back. All the Eclipse seemed to be Asari. Making Shepard assume this was an Asari-only faction of Eclipse. Lines of kneeling Asari with hands behind their backs and heads with Organization ready to shoot should anyone try to do anything.
"Okay, Gamor squad! The Rook wants these gals locked up. Get them moving!" A Quarian in Organization colors said and gave a hand signal.
"Woah…didn't know they had Quarians in their ranks." Garrus said.
"There are several of them back in the Fleet. They have grown in popularity with every good deed they do for the Fleet." Tali stated as the team approached a doorway. The door was closed and gunfire could be heard on the other side.
"Get ready." Shepard said and the team nodded their heads before cocking their weapons. "Let's do this." Then he opened the door. The first thing to greet them was the flying body of an Asari crashing into a wall beside the team. The sound of bone and skull and armor cracking and breaking could be heard as the broken body fell onto the floor her face hitting the floor first.
Shepard got beside a few Organization soldiers who had a few prisoners but many were watching a showdown. Two Asari atop some scaffolding encircled each other.
"You are going down Justicar!" The Eclipse dressed soldier swore before she aimed to shoot. The other Asari dodged the gun before it fired and palmed it in one hand and unleashed a great ball of biotic energy into the Eclipse soldier's gut with the other hand. The Eclipse Asari flew across the war-torn area before falling through a stack of wood and tiles. She was slow to get up and managed to make it to a single knee before she was put into a stasis field.
The other Asari revealed herself in full. The blue woman had the air and aura of age and elegance like many Asari did but also beauty and sexiness again, like most other Asari. Her chest had very little in actual protection but the red armor covered up the important bits. And based on what Shepard had seen she didn't really need good heavy armor.
She snapped her fingers and grabbed the kneeling Asari's throat. A ball of biotic energy building in the other palm.
"Where is she?" The lady asked. A voice of soft and sternness flowed from her purple lips. And with it came a deadly promise if she wasn't answered.
"The things she could do to me…do you think I would tell you?" The Eclipse responded. The older Asari blinked once.
"The name of the ship. Your life hangs upon the answer." She said this time in a strict -but motherly- tone. The soldier went to spit in the woman's face but it was easily dodged. The choking Asari had a look of fear and regret in her eyes. The older Asari looked at her almost remorseful.
"Please don't. I'm sorry!" The merc pleaded.
"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess." The Justicar said and with the large bit of built-up energy she crashed it into the merc's head and let it go. The snapping of the woman's neck could be heard several feet away and made Shepard physically cringe from the sound.
"Alright, the show's over Roman squad let's get these harlots moving." An Organization member said and the team moved out with their prisoners. The Asari had a look of shame and defeat and they moved with bowed heads.
The Justicar walked to Shepard's team slowly and with the air of calculation. "My quarrel was with these Eclipse Sisters. The Organization has seen it necessary to help me but you are not with them. So, I ask you, are you friend or foe?" She asked her eyes studying the team closely. Shepard would have to be careful to not offend her.
"We are friends. I am Commander Shepard of the Normandy and I need your help with a very important mission Samara. I have a list of the best the galaxy has to offer and you are on that list." Shepard said carefully. Samara scanned the team for a moment before speaking.
"Shepard, you humble me. I would offer myself to you but I am in the middle of hunting a very dangerous individual." She said and Shepard mentally cursed.
"What did this person do to invoke a Justicar to travel out of Asari space?" Garrus asked.
"She is a murderer plain and simple. She has killed several times and will kill more until she is brought down."
"That's extreme, how do you know that?" Shepard asked.
"I have said too much already. Needless to say, this person came here and then left. I need to know where she went next. And I will not abandon this mission until I have a solid lead on my target." She said almost remorseful.
"I wish you would go with the human Justicar Samara." Anaya approached. "I have been ordered to place you under arrest."
"I will submit but only for a single day." Samara said.
"I won't be able to release you by then." Anaya replied with hesitation.
"You won't stop me." Samara said coldly.
"I think I can help you both out. Samara, if I could get you that ship would you consider my offer?" Shepard asked.
"You have my word." She said and Shepard looked to Anaya.
"I'll get that ship and we will all be out of your hair." And with that, it was settled.
…
"Commander I think we can help you." Alexus said motioning to him at the table. The team walked to the table which highlighted the base of operations for Eclipse. And it was very large.
"That is a lot of base Shepard." Garrus said.
"Agreed." Shepard said and looked at Alexus as the Turian chuckled.
"I can help with that. You will still have that long way to go but I can take care of hostiles. My boys have been keeping Eclipse down all around the base. Most of their soldiers are out and fighting. You will be dealing with recruits mainly. And when you start your assault we will besiege the base."
"You are not besieging already?" Shepard asked hearing the echo of gunfire. It seemed damn close to a siege to him.
"Ha! This is nothing just you wait until the big guns come out." He said with the Turian version of a smirk.
"Alright, it's a plan Rook. We make our way to the base." Shepard said and the team walked out.
"Well, this should be fun." Kasumi said with a grin. Tali chuckled.
"And to think I thought it would be a simple mission." She said grabbing her shotgun.
"When is it ever?' Garrus asked.
"Fair point." The whole team said in unison.
…
Zane stared at his soaked figure in the vidscreen. The drips of water from his long-awaited shower fell deftly onto the ground under his feet. He looked at the blank screen that showed his reflection. The look of fear had rescinded only partially. And the look of dread was deep behind his eyes like a stain.
He quietly continued to dry himself off as he thought about the Voice speaking to him. The threat was clear and hit home. Zane didn't know what the Voice meant but he knew it wasn't good.
Fear is beneath you.
"Ah!" Zane exclaimed hearing it again. It hardly ever spoke to him while he was awake. Only in dreams and moments of unconsciousness. When the Voice spoke, it was followed by a cascade of whispers. So many whispers that a sentence couldn't be made out. A culmination of hundreds of voices spoke as the Voice sent its images detailing what it wanted to say.
So, quick to fear. It is pathetic, why did it pick you? Of all the people that would've sufficed. You were chosen. Why I wonder.
"What are you?" He asked not sure if it would answer. He figured this was how indoctrination was like. The mental image of a smirk appeared in his mind. An ominous -almost evil- smirk that sent a shiver down Zane's spine.
Literally…Deus ex machina.
"God from the machine?" Zane said out loud. And the image of laughter echoed in his mind. "What do you want with me?"
To stay on track, you fool. I am the only bridge between you and it. You burn me then your link will be lost. I am your friend believe it or not. I'm the hand that guides you to do what you must. Heed my words and you can still retain your…humanity.
"Where is the Rogue One?" He asked the Voice and the image of fangs at his neck showed in his mind. Angrily biting down on him.
You ask the wrong questions! Or rather, you ask the wrong people! You depend on your "network" to get the job done. They are incompetent in the field that you are an expert in. It has been hiding for over 50,000 years you think it will show itself to someone because you sent that person? I said it waits for you. Not for your contacts, not your friends, not your crew, just you, it will only show itself when you are there.
"I understand."
So, you say. While you and your team fight, think about all you know. Think about how the universe seems to work. About how the universe loves its ironies.
But know this…if you don't find it before your precious suicide mission. I can guarantee you, it will end in disaster for not only you but for your friends. For the galaxy and the future cycles to follow.
The image of a figure leaving appeared to Zane and the whispers hushed. He was grateful for the silence. The feeling of fear remained in his mind. He knew he had to find the Rogue One. But with so many pointless and broad clues he felt like he was looking for a needle in a galactic haystack.
"Nothing is ever easy."
…
Tali ran and slid to cover. She pumped her shotgun and the thermal clip was seen flying away from the weapon. She rose from cover and blasted the helmet of an Asari off.
"Stop them!" An Asari leader shouted and then the building shook from an explosion.
"Commander this is Alexus. The Militia is officially beginning the assault. If you can help us by keeping the focus divided. Keep in mind that all Eclipse Sisters commit a murder to achieve their uniform. Trust no one. I will keep you patched into our comms in case you need to communicate with us. Rook out." The Turian said and another explosion shook the building. The Asari leader stumbled before her head explode from a sniper rifle shot. Tali turned around and saw Garrus kneeling using a crate for stability.
"Let's go, team." Shepard ordered. The team opened a door and saw a young Asari girl. She looked like a mere child by Asari standards.
"Please don't shoot I am not really one of them. I only shot at the ground I swear."
"Says the woman with an Eclipse uniform." Garrus said his rifle trained on her.
"Oh shit." She said and reached behind her. Tali was first to shoot her. The girl was flung several feet back hitting the wall with a *thud* before collapsing to the ground.
"Alright, no time to stop we have to keep moving. Militia can't hold combined Eclipse off forever."
…
"If I wanted excuses, Yun, I would've hired a politician. Not the foremost leader in psychology and sentient-brain-theory!" The voice said in a deep menacing voice.
"I understand Harbinger but you are talking about something we have very little actual data and evidence on. Saren's ashes provided very little and Sovereign was covered up for the most part. And the Council still isn't playing nice. We don't have many of its parts with us as you know Sir." Yun told the vidscreen. He heard a sigh of contempt but not directed at him. Yun guessed it was just the situation. The Harbinger -and by extension, the Organization- had worked hard to give him everything he needed to study indoctrination. To see its effects and the early warning signs of indoctrination for when the Reaper Fleet appeared. And all he had were "maybes" and "theories" it was frustrating to the whole team.
"How much more funding does your work require?" Harbinger asked. Yun felt sorry for the individual behind the screen. THOS believed it was a matter of money when it wasn't.
"It isn't the money Sir but a lack of data. The parts of Sovereign we do have, give some data. But the amount it gives us I estimate to be less than one percent of what the whole Reaper could achieve." Yun said looking at the three large pieces of Sovereign in his lab. They were ray shielded of course, under Harbinger's orders and any testing done was done with the utmost care. No risks were to be taken and so simulations were running day and night to see what the effects had on the brains of organic beings.
"I understand." The Harbinger said and Yun was prepared to make a bold statement…
"Now if I had a whole Reaper…"
"Absolutely not!" The voice commanded.
"Not a live one just…"
"You would still be in great peril look at those pieces in your lab. You know they still work and echo the indoctrination signal. Now imagine an intact Reaper. Any safety precautions we have now would be useless. Work with what you have Yun." And with that, the link was cut. Yun gave an annoyed sigh and looked at his data trying to piece together the greatest puzzle of his field. And he wasn't talking about indoctrination.
As much as THOS could be a pain in the ass Yun thought of the masked figure as an honorable man. And one who was trying to do right by his people and by the galaxy. Yun had been studying Harbinger as well as indoctrination. And every day a clearer picture of who that person was became clearer.
Yun had deduced THOS had a disdain for liars and sycophants. That he would sooner give his life than see the galaxy in ruins. And that he hid his face for reasons more than just for anonymity. It was psychological -even if he didn't know it- and was strategic. By keeping his face hidden how does one cut the head of a headless snake? The problem Yun faced with determining an identity or at least a background was Harbinger's resources.
Yun thought Harbinger worked for the Shadow Broker but then why was the Organization working against the Shadow Broker? Perhaps he had a wealthy business? But then how could he afford to keep all the Organization stocked with supplies? He would have to be the wealthiest man alive. And not even Henry Lawson had the money to afford the whole Organization. Two other theories existed about the money. And they were he came from a very wealthy family but then the same problem about the sheer amount of wealth it took to keep the Organization remained. However, this theory fit with Yun estimated age for THOS which was early to mid-twenties. The only other way he got his money was he had managed to accumulate several powerful and wealthy partnerships around the galaxy -or at least the Citadel- and had managed to convince these people to support him. If so, then the Harbinger's power of speech was something to behold. Or he figured out several alternate ways to achieve his goals.
So even with a picture becoming clearer, there were many blank spots he had to learn. And Yun looked forward to learning more.
…
"Get down!" Shepard ordered as the gunship did another strafing run across the bridge. Mass accelerated rounds and missiles crashed against the thin bridge. The structure was on its last legs and it was showing. Tali did her best to stay as small as possible and Garrus was useless against the gunship. It was heavily armored and was ready for a war.
"Don't worry Commander Shepard we got this." A male voice with a Quarian accent said. And behind the enemy gunship a white and blue gunship appeared. "Everiin-leader…firing now." The new gunship fired what seemed like two smaller versions of the railguns from Haestrom. The fast firing weapons chewed at the enemy gunship. The enemy had to back off and find a better vantage point.
The enemy got higher and turned to meet the new foe. It fired several missiles. They were dodged with ease by the expert pilot. "Everiin-leader, this is Everiin-two you got another hostile closing on your position." Another voice said- this one a female Turian- as another enemy gunship appeared. The enemy pinched the friendly gunship forcing it to fly high in the sky.
"Everiin fire your rails on my mark." The leader said
"Affirmative." Several replies came. The ship flew higher reaching the highest skyscraper. Then eventually surpassing it.
"Fire now!" The leader ordered with the two hostiles directly on his tail. And several streams of blue were seen just under the leader and hitting the enemy. And in no time the hostiles fell from the sky fire and smoke appearing from their engines. From the skyscrapers, not one, not two, not three, but five blue and white gunships chased after the falling gunships to finish them off.
"Like I said Commander…we got this." The leader said following his wingmen.
"Way to go Everiin. Good work." Shepard said and the team continued towards the last section of the enemy base.
"Walk in defiance Commander Shepard." The reply came as the team entered the last building.
…
Shepard pushed the Volus gently. The Volus seemed to fall in slow motion before his face hit the ground.
"Huh…what? What happened."
"You need some rest friend." Garrus said and the Volus looked at him and then the rest of the team.
"I…I think you are right. Yes, rest now create dominion later." And like a drunk who had more than they could bear. The Volus hobbled out of the room.
"Remind me to tell Zane about this when we get back." Tali chuckled as they approached the final door.
"I seriously doubt he would believe you." Kasumi stated.
"You have no idea the shit we have seen. He would believe a high Volus wanting to take over the galaxy." Garrus laughed as Shepard opened the final door.
The team walked into the room cautiously seeing only a single Asari pacing back and forth. Her demeanor showed a calm exterior. However, below that, the stomping of the feet, the way she clutched her drink and the datapad. It showed barely contained anger and rage. And the valve keeping it in was about to break.
"It's all gone to hell since we got that…thing off-world." She took a final gulp of her drink and threw it across the room. The shattering of the glass echoed off the walls. "First the Justicar and then the Organization." She put the datapad on the desk beside her. Tali saw a flare of blue and knew what was to come next. "And now you show up. At least before I fall I can turn all of your heads to mush!" The Asari exclaimed and threw several toxic canisters at them.
"Cover!" Shepard ordered and the team dove out of the way. The canisters screamed passed them and exploded in an orange mist. Several doors were heard opening and several Eclipse soldiers came out-weapons in hand- ready to kill.
The team spread out and began to fire at anyone with yellow and black armor. Tali ducked below a crate hanging from a crane and slid into more cover. She rose up and shot a merc in the chest without a second thought. Kasumi appeared beside her and threw a flashbang at a group of several mercs.
The mercs covered their eyes too late and screamed in pain and annoyance. Kasumi turned invisible again and appeared in the middle of the group. She used her dexterous figure to dodged the group as she began to shoot her submachine gun at them. Soon the squad fell to her rounds.
Another merc fell when a hole appeared on her forehead from a high-caliber round. Garrus was heard laughing in the comm as he reloaded his sniper rifle. And then a second merc's head snapped back from a shot between her eyes. "I love this rifle." He said as he looked for another target.
An Eclipse merc tried to get the drop on Tali but had accidentally hit a tool onto the ground. She turned quickly and saw an Asari aiming right at her. With one hand, she swatted the Asari's submachine gun away and brought her own shotgun to bear. The Asari kicked the gun out of Tali's hand and tried to aim her pistol at Tali this time. Tali ducked under the arm of the Asari and reached down her leg and pulled out her knife.
Tali blocked the backhand from the Asari with her forearm and slashed at the Asari's neck. The blade caught the bosh'tet's neck but it wasn't fatal so Tali stole a move from Zane's playbook. Tali used her leg and kicked one of the Asari's leg out from under her. As the Asari fell Tali impaled the knife deep into the Asari's throat.
"Woah." Tali said, surprised by how well she managed to do that. She took her knife back and sheathed it again. She was quick to grab her shotgun and was prepared to kill another merc. But only one remained and that was the leader.
Her and Shepard were in the middle of hand-to-hand combat. The merc used biotics where possible but Shepard was too good at dodging the strikes. The merc went for Shepard's face and missed. Shepard struck the woman's abdomen and then her throat. The Asari was heard gasping for breath and she backed away. When she looked back at Shepard she saw the muzzle of his pistol before he pulled the trigger.
"All right team. Let's get that ship and location and get the hell out of here."
"Don't need to tell me twice." Garrus said exhausted from the fighting. It had been a long day of fighting and killing. And the Normandy deserved a break.