Chapter Fourteen: Sins of the Traitor
Migrant Fleet
Ship: Rayya
Illis walked as fast as he could without bumping into anyone. He dodged the large crowds and was careful to not ruin anyone's evening. That would be difficult though. As soon their world would be turned upside down.
"Attan!" He shouted to his friend who was speaking with friends outside of the Organization. Attan looked at Illis and gave a nod to his friends before leaving them and walking to Illis.
"What is it Illis?" He asked oblivious to the situation at hand.
"Walk with me and don't make any sudden movements." Illis said guiding them through the ship.
"Illis?"
"Shut up and play along." He said as Attan kept pace.
"Alright speak." Attan said realizing whatever was going on was important.
"LOHL is in trouble." Illis said in a near whisper in comparison to the loudness of the hall.
"What?!" Attan shouted and Illis saw the eyes dart towards them. Illis quickly led his friend away from the crowds.
"Not so loud you idiot." He said with a tightened grip on his friend's arm.
"Alright sorry, what is going on?"
"The motions for Operation Trojan are in place. We don't have much time before they take control of Troy." Illis said whispering again.
"What? How? I thought Egos had everything under control?" Attan waved the situation away. Much like Titan had a few hours earlier.
"That's just it…someone is doing it under his nose…But knows exactly when the shipments are coming in." Illis said.
"What? There is no way. Unless…do you know what that means?" Attan said and Illis nodded. He knew exactly what he was asking for. But without proof, he would be kicked out of the Organization at best. And branded and exiled at worst. You don't accuse your brothers and get away with it if you are wrong. Healthy paranoia was encouraged but what he was suggesting was something else entirely.
"I know, Titan said the same thing. But I'm telling you. If they know when the shipments are coming in and can hide them from not only the Admiral but us. Then they know how we work and how the Quarians work. That tells me that they are in the Organization." Illis said in a near whisper.
"THOS assigned Egos for a reason and the Harbinger is hardly ever wrong. You know that. So, I am sure Egos will take care of it."
"I know but I'm telling you something big is going to happen in Troy and I doubt Egos will find it in time."
"How do you know?" Attan asked looking for any onlookers. They probably already raised too many eyebrows but they would have to make do.
"You know Lilhim?" Attan nodded although it was only the name he recognized. "Well, he is telling me that after all shipments are accounted for many of then disappear most don't see the Admiral." Illis said in a whisper.
"And did you think that maybe it is because they are too dangerous?" Attan asked. It made sense, and Illis always did look into things too much. Though admittedly, that way of thought did bring Illis up into the upper echelon of the Pawns.
"Yes, I did but then I got the percentage taken…as high as ninety-eight percent of material gets taken. No way THOS authorized that. I have to tell him about it. Tell him we have an issue brewing." Illis tried to leave but Attan stopped him.
"Wait! How does this affect LOHL anyway? Far as I can tell this is an issue sure, and we have to deal with it. But how does it affect LOHL?" Illis rolled his eyes and gave a sigh of contempt and annoyance.
"Because she sent the damn materials you moron! Anyone with half a brain would blame her. And THOS would have this whole fleet in flames before she is exiled or worse if something came from it."
"Alright but do not tell THOS yet. Harbinger has enough to worry about then us having superstitions. We will keep an eye on Troy and if it hits a boiling point then we will deal with it."
"Agreed." Illis said and the two nodded and parted ways.
Normandy
Docked on the Citadel
Zane's door opened and he put the datapad in his hand down. He turned and saw a fuming Garrus.
"I need help." He said between gritted teeth. Zane only knew of one thing that could put Garrus into such a state.
"With your traitor?" He asked and the Turian gave a curt nod. Garrus seemed to avoid Zane's eyes and began to pace.
"I found Fade now I just need him to tell me where Sidona is." He said and Zane's eyes grew wide.
"Sidona?" He asked.
"Yeah, the harlot betrayed my team then left Omega. She is on the Citadel I know it but I don't know where. Fade knows and I need to make him talk. And I want your help to do it." Garrus' mandibles were tense and his eyes had a fire to them Zane had never seen.
"I am not declining but why me and not Shepard?"
"You have had more practice in this field. And from one vigilante to another. Please help me." He asked.
"I am your man Garrus. Let's get this bitch."
….
Tali was talking with Joker. Getting his take on how the engines were working on his side of the ship. And fixing some of the coding issues with his console.
"So, there you go, Joker, you are set to go." She said.
"Thanks, Tali. Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Any chance I can see your face?" He asked with a small smirk.
"Going to let me drive your precious ship?"
"Never." He said with a fake growl and then a smirk appeared on his face.
"Then there is my answer." She laughed. He gave small chuckle and turned back towards the window looking at the Citadel's view. Tali turned and saw Garrus and Zane marching towards the airlock.
"Where are you two going?" She asked approaching them as they waited for the doors to open.
"Nowhere." Garrus spat. Zane rested a hand on his shoulder to calm the Turian.
"What he means to say is we are just taking a stroll." Zane said and Tali looked him up and down.
"With full combat gear?"
"We like to come prepared?" Zane gave a toothy smile and she shook her head and narrowed her eyes at him. The look of confidence fell apart soon after.
"Don't lie to me, Zane."
"Yes, Lady Zorah." He said like a child. Garrus -even while angry- facepalmed and let his mandibles spread into a smile.
"Now where are you two going?" She asked again and Zane was about to answer before Garrus interrupted him.
"He is helping me on a personal matter."
"Can I help?"
"I don't see a reason why not. Garrus what do you say?" Zane asked and the Turian thought it over.
"Fine, need someone to watch over you when I am not looking anyways." Tali smiled under her mask.
"Wait for me." She said and nearly ran to her locker.
…
The two of them waited for a little bit before Garrus broke the silence.
"If she isn't here soon I am leaving without her. Sidona maybe somewhere else entirely!" Garrus said. He had been threatening to leave as soon as Tali was out of sight.
"If I've told you once I've told you hundreds of times. We are not leaving without her! We said she could help. The least we can allow is for her to get her shit. Besides it isn't her fault the elevator is slower than a Vorcha's brain power." He replied and Garrus chuckled and the sound of feet could be heard.
Zane looked and saw the girl walking to them. She wasn't walking slowly but there was a grace in her movement he hadn't noticed before. It was almost planned out with how the light reflected off her suit and helmet. He was entranced, charmed, enchanted, and so much more by her and the way she moved towards them.
"Damn…" Garrus said and trailed off and it knocked Zane from his thoughts. He quickly tapped the Turian's arm and the three of them were ready to go.
"Let's do this shit." Zane said and the triple threat began the decontamination protocol.
…
Zane walked through the doors to the station and saw everything was kind of different. More guns, more people, and more Organization then he thought possible.
"They really know how to get around." He said out loud and heard someone choke on something. He looked and saw a very familiar man behind a desk drinking coffee.
"Zane?" Achilles asked and got up from his seat. He put down the cup in his hand and walked towards Zane and gave him a bear hug.
"Achilles…nice to see you too." Zane said as his lungs seem to collapse from the pressure. His mask and hood didn't help with the lack of breathing either. Once the hug was released the team saw Achilles then smack Zane upside the head.
"You moron! You don't call, you barely message me, and you don't even visit! Where the fuck have you been?"
"Busy." Zane said.
"I know you have been busy with Shepard but come on I expected more than simply a single message after two years of silence."
"Sorry, bud you know how I am."
"Yea a total moron with a heart of gold. Nice to see you, Zane." Achilles and walked back towards his desk and took a seat. "I know this isn't a social visit what do you need?"
"I heard you got something on Fade." Garrus said and Achilles nodded, he had a grim look to match Garrus' own.
"Indeed, warehouse down a floor. The name 'Fade' has been thrown around there a lot recently. The Organization has been leaving it alone so I assume it to be true."
"Why would they leaving it alone lead you to believe that?" Zane asked quirking a brow.
"I have noticed that if a name like 'Fade' is thrown around but it has nothing to do with the actual person they shut it down. Makes it easier for both us and them to hunt down the real man. This one has been going on for quite some time." Achilles said and wrote down the specific location on his omni-tool then sent it to Zane.
"Why wait and not get Fade now?" Garrus asked.
"Perhaps they are preparing for just that. I can't really say. The Organization is an enigma on the best of days. Like you are Zane." Achilles laughed as Zane smirked.
"Thanks, Achilles I'll be sure to…" Then a gasp was heard behind them.
"Oh shit." Achilles said and the team turned to Sophia who had a twinkle in her eye. She ran to Zane and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What is it with the hugging today?" He thought and was frozen. "Do I hug her back? Do I try and breathe as she crushes my airways?" She finally let him go from the hug but kept her arms wrapped around his neck and looked up at Zane.
Sophia had shorter hair but still long enough to cover one of her eyes. Her blue eyes still entranced him and he was doing everything he could to fight the urges he was getting. Her skin had some more color to it and added to the seductiveness. Her body had been made thinner and muscular only adding to her already sexy body.
"Reaper, you came back!" She said and he was utterly confused. Achilles told him that Sophia never quite got over the whole "Reaper" thing. Zane just figured he was giving a line of bullshit. There was no way he left that kind of impression. After all, she did most of the outrageous things. But then again, Sophia was alone, truly alone. Her family abandoned her, her ex, was someone she never wanted to be with again and so that left the Reaper. Her only other family was C-Sec and she kept a distance from them as to not get attached. According to Achilles, her only friend seemed to be Achilles and he was her boss.
"Yes, though not for long Sophia I am here to help a friend." He said and tried to pry her arms from his neck. But no avail. The girl stepped on her toes to get to his ear.
"My offer for a massage still stands with extra…benefits." She whispered and his eyes grew wide. His blood coursed through his veins faster than it had for a while. The feeling only grew when her lips touched his skin. He only got these sorts of feelings when he was around Tali. But even then, it was never like this. A fight or flight instinct multiplied by thousands was the best way to put it.
"I will have to think about that…enticing offer." He whispered back. Whether he would think about the offer was another matter but she was getting in the way of their current task. And the only way he knew to end this was if he placated her.
"I can't wait." She said and stepped away.
"Sophia got that report yet?" Achilles asked the girl and she shook her head. "Then get to it." Achilles ordered and the girl was about to leave before turning around and kissing him on the cheek before running off.
"Well, that was something." Garrus said breaking the silence. Zane stood there rubbing his cheek unconsciously.
"And here I thought it was going to be a normal day." Zane said laughing.
…
Tali narrowed her eyes at the girl that had just left. She knew the girl would be trouble. Zane was hers and only hers. That bosh'tet would not have him. Not without a fight.
"Can we leave?" She asked and the boys seemed to still be in shock. Their eyes following the figure that was long gone now. "Now!" She said a little louder getting their attention.
"Yes, yes you are right. Warehouse got it. I know the place." Zane said and Garrus nodded.
"Let's get this bastard." Garrus stated and Zane cracked his neck. A grin forming on his lips.
…
They walked and looked around the tightly packed floor. People moved and it obstructed the whole team's view of where they had to go. Zane knew exactly where the warehouse was but getting there was a different matter.
"So many fucking people." He said between gritted teeth. He could navigate a crowd and he knew how to use a crowd to his advantage. But as a side effect, he never felt comfortable in a crowd. He was always waiting for someone to come up and stab him in the back and then walk away before Zane could do anything.
"I didn't do anything!" He heard off in the distance. The voice belonged to only one species.
"Yea I'm sure. That is what they all say." The sound of an asshole could be heard as well. He knew a lot about that species too.
"This clanless filth stole from me I know it." And then the voice that made every other voice seem like an angel in comparison. The sound of someone with a cold that had lasted the better part of three decades speaking was grating on his ears and no doubts everyone else's.
"Give me a moment." Zane said to the other following him. He made his way past the crowd until he found what he was looking for. C-Sec human questioning a female Quarian with a Volus victim. His fists clenched with hate.
"I didn't…" The Volus interrupted Lia before she could utter another word.
"The hell is going on here?" Zane asked the trio.
"Sir this is a C-Sec matter." The officer said raising his hand.
"Didn't answer my question." He replied.
"This clanless filth stole my credit chit!" The Volus said pointing to the Quarian.
"And I am trying to figure out what happened to it." The officer said with a sigh.
"Doing a fantastic job are we not?" Zane said sarcastically. The officer's jaw tensed and his eyes narrowed in contempt.
"Sir I don't need your lip now be on your way." The officer ordered and Zane left without another word. He did, however, raise a finger to the Quarian to wait a moment. And raising two other fingers behind the backs of the human and Volus. The universal sign to "fuck off" made the Quarian giggle.
…
Tali and Garrus followed Zane and he seemed to be on a mission. He pushed past the crowds and people alike, not stopping for anything. People stared but he ignored them. Tali wondered if this was what he was like when he was the Reaper. A single-minded person who stopped at nothing to complete their mission.
He went into a store and began to talk with the employee. The Salarian laughed and nodded before giving Zane a credit chit. Tali was only able to catch the tail-end of the conversation.
"Morons, am I right?" Zane said and the Salarian laughed.
"Well not everyone is like us."
"If only." Zane said as he left the store. He gave a nod to her and Garrus and began walking through the crowds again. The Organization had made a clear area around the trio so the crowds could get involved. And they separated for Tali, Zane, and Garrus when they approached.
"Here moron. You left the chit at the store the clerk was keeping it for you." He said and threw the chit to the Volus.
"Well, she could have stolen it." Was all he said and Tali wanted to take his olfactory systems and make them smell like his organic waste.
"I'm shutting this report but you better find a permanent residence or you're going in for vacancy." The office threatened. Tali saw Zane's eyes turn to a new kind of ice. They were glazed over with a special kind of hate she had never seen before. His fists were so tight the gloves protested from the strain.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" He said and the two men turned to him.
"What?" The Volus turned.
"What are you on about?" The officer asked.
"The girl is harassed by quarter pounder here." He pointed at the Volus. "And you have the audacity to throw in a threat for vacancy?" The officer was shocked speechless and the Volus began to fume. "Oh, yes and as for you. You little methane-breathing midget. You falsely accuse her and then have the nerve to say she might have done it?" He kneeled down and got in the Volus' face.
"Why just hold on a min…" The crowds saw Zane rip into the duo.
"I think you both can go fuck off."
"How about I throw you in for causing a public disturbance?" The officer threatened and Zane's eyes did not relinquish his hate.
"Then you will have to deal with us." A voice said from the crowd that had formed. And at least two squads of Organization Militia appeared
"Oh, for the love of…" The office then turned and walked away. Followed closely by the Volus.
"I…I don't know what to say." The Quarian was speechless and so were Garrus and Tali. They knew Zane could feel very strongly about what was right and wrong but there was something about this time. Something that set him off. He made it his personal mission to protect the Quarian girl from those two and they were not sure why.
Zane's eyes turned gentle as the men walked away. The Militia squads made a perimeter to give the girl and Zane some space from the crowd that was quite large now. Zane smiled and walked up to the girl.
"Don't mention it, Lia. It is always a pleasure to meet a Quarian." He said just like he had to Tali so long ago. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a small credit chit and tried to hand it to her.
"No please I couldn't…"
"Yes, you can and you will. I insist. You live in a shelter for fuck's sake. Go to a Silo's Hotel and tell them the Reaper sent you. Pay them with that chit and you are good to go." He said and began to leave.
"How do I pay for rent?" She asked and he laughed.
"You won't need to." He said and left her as Militia approached her.
"We can give you a job no need to worry about it. Help is always welcome and I'm sure you can help us immensely."
…
They entered the warehouse and several Krogan were waiting for them. From behind them, a Volus was revealed.
"Fade?" Garrus asked and the Volus shrugged.
"Well, this is just my day." Zane said with a laugh. He never really liked Volus though he wasn't sure why.
"Who wants to disappear?" The Volus asked.
"Personally, I'd prefer if you made someone reappear." Garrus replied. The Volus shook his head.
"We do not provide that service."
"I'd make an exception for us." Zane said.
"Or what?" Zane cracked his neck and pulled out his M4 and aimed it at the Volus' head.
"Or I spray your methane reserves all over this warehouse." The Krogan looked at each other and the Volus made motions for them to attack.
"Come on you idiots…get them." But the Krogan shrug their shoulder and left.
"Thanks, guys." Zane said and Garrus bent down to get face-to-face with the Volus.
"Now about that exception?" He said.
"I…I." The Volus stuttered.
"Zane how long before we can get him to talk?"
"Depends do we need him intact? Or alive for that matter?"
"Only to give us the info." Garrus replied.
"Five to ten minutes. I am feeling slow today." Zane held his rifle with one hand and activated his omni-blade. Zane knew the Volus would break just from the threat. Torture would not be needed.
"I am not Fade. Please, I swear. He is in the factory district!" Zane smirked under his mask.
"Well, I figured he wasn't Fade." Garrus stated.
"Defenses?" Zane asked although he knew what to expect.
"Blue Suns, they are protecting him. They get paid a vast sum for their protection."
"Nothing we can't handle." Zane said and Garrus and Tali nodded.
"So…can I go now?" The Volus asked.
"Sure, but if he isn't there we are coming back to finish the job." Garrus said and pointed his pistol at the little man.
"Oh…great." The Volus said in an uncaring tone. It made Zane chuckle a little bit.
…
The team got out of the skycar quickly. Blue Suns were oblivious to them until the car had already been parked. They approached the small squad and saw Harkin talking with them. He narrowed his eyes at them and then realized who had found them.
"Garrus? And oh shit Reaper!"
"You fucked up now." Zane said and pulled out his pistol and shot a merc in the chest. Blood coated the wall behind him. Smoke escaped the muzzle of Zane's Carnefix and stood there pointing it at Harkin.
"Well don't just stand there. Get them!" Then the traitor officer ran away.
"Huh, the man retreats like his hairline…quickly." Zane laughed as he took cover.
"Ha!" Garrus laughed and grew stern. The Blue Suns were the first to fire…they were not the last.
…
The team of three cut through the warehouse like they were fighting the weakest gang in the history of the galaxy. None of them could stand up to the three of them.
"Zane get the one on your right!" Garrus ordered and Tali saw Zane kicked a Turian back and then impaled him with an omni-blade.
"Clear!" Zane said and entered a room. It looked like a lounge for employees refurbished to be an armory. A window showed the loading area and it was the last room and the last possible place for Harkin to hide.
"You know he is just waiting for us, right?" Zane told Garrus who nodded.
"I am sure but it won't stop me. He will tell me where Sidona is and then…I don't know."
"And if he doesn't tell you?" Zane asked though he knew what was more than likely to happen.
"I should kill him on sight but he isn't worth the bullet. So, I'll beat him within an inch of his life." Zane knew Harkin was a coward at heart and would squeal the moment pain was threatened so he would be easy to make talk.
"And Sidona?"
"She dies."
"Do you really think that to be necessary?" Garrus shot his gaze to Zane. A look of hatred in his eyes.
"Why don't you? What if she killed us, Zane? Killed me, Tali, Shepard, everyone? Wouldn't she deserve to die?"
"As someone told me. Justice doesn't have to come with the edge of a blade or the impact of a bullet. You kill her, it is because you wanted to. No matter how you justify it Garrus." Zane said. Paraphrasing a similar thing Garrus had told him when they were getting Doctor Heart
"I…I can't Zane. Please don't press this issue. I'll pull the trigger and I'll live with the consequences. I need to do this." He said and Zane shook his head but dropped the issue.
"Well, let's get this waste of flesh." Zane said and readied his weapon. He ejected the thermal clip and was ready to go as they entered the final room.
…
The mech began to falter and spark the damage it took to its metal hide began to show. It was the last YMIR mech of the three that attacked them. Harkin's last line of defense before the team made it to him.
"Target identified." The mech said and pointed at Zane. He cursed but managed to find new cover.
"I got 'em." Garrus said and aimed his sniper rifle at the mech's arm. He pulled the trigger and the rain of bullets at Zane stopped immediately. Zane grinned and appeared out of cover. His M4 had the blue hologram of disruptor ammo shining as he looked down the sights of the rifle. He pulled the trigger and the ammo chewed through the mech with ease.
"Nah…I got him." Zane said as the mech blew up.
The team ran up the platform as quickly as they could. They didn't want Harkin to warn Sidona when he realized that the jig was up. They got beside the door and Zane counted down from five on his fingers.
"Go." He said and Garrus opened the door. The team breached the small room and saw Harkin turn away from a console.
"And to think you almost had me." He said and made an effort for the door. Zane aimed his rifle and pulled the trigger immediately. The bullet pierced through Harkin's leg with electric pulses being sent through the wound.
"Ah!" Harkin shouted and fell into a wall.
"We are going to have a chat Fade." Garrus said and grabbed Harkin by the throat and pinned him against the wall. "You helped a female Turian named Sidona to disappear…make her reappear."
"That... is bad for business Garr…" Garrus slammed Harkin against the wall dropping him to the floor and stomped on the wounded leg. He put increasingly more pressure on it Harkin's screams echoing off the walls around them.
"Enough of your shit Harkin! Tell me what I want to know!" Garrus said as the man tried to claw his way to safety but couldn't. Zane tapped on Garrus' shoulder and gave a knowing look. The Turian huffed and got off the leg and backed away.
Zane grabbed Harkin by the collar and shoved him towards the terminal.
"You know what you got to do." He said in a low tone. Harkin nodded and began to talk on the terminal.
"Yea…don't worry I'll send some of my guys. Don't worry about anything we will get this all sorted out." The call was cut and Harkin turned with a look of disappointment on his face. "She will meet you at the Orbital Lounge. Middle of the day where there is a lot of people. So, is that it can I leave?" He asked and Zane put a hand on his shoulder.
"Leave? Yes, but not by choice." Then with his sonic-tool, he knocked Harkin out with a single punch. "I'll warn C-Sec that Harkin is here. They can get Fade while we go get Sidona." He said and Garrus nodded and they walked through the carnage the warehouse was in.
…
The car was silent as they made their way through the Citadel. Tali got on her omni-tool and sent a message to Zane.
Are you really going to let him do this?
-Tali
Zane looked at his omni-tool and he shook his head before typing into the holographic device.
I hope he doesn't, but there is very little I can do Tali
-Reaper
She didn't believe that and she doubted Zane did as well.
Just talk to him.
-Tali
Zane gave a small sigh and shook his head.
And say what? "Hey Garrus, I know this bitch killed your friends and sold you out but please don't kill her" come on Lady Zorah.
-Reaper
Tali was disappointed and look up to him. Zane was looking at her and something in his eyes said that he was regretful. A small -if sad- grin was on his lips.
"Trust me." He mouthed and the car landed in a lot. The team came out slowly and steadily. They looked around in unison making sure no one saw Garrus pull out his rifle from the compartment.
"Alright, I'll set up over there. Get her talking and I'll handle the rest."
"Garrus…" Tali began.
"This is not up for debate!" Garrus said and began making his way to his vantage point. Zane put a hand on Tali's shoulder.
"Don't worry about him. We can still fix this." He said and then made his way to the lounge. It was packed with people going about their day. He scanned the crowd and soon found a lone Turian female. She seemed to be on edge and paranoid.
"That's her Zane, sitting on the bench. Get her over to you." Garrus said in the comm. The female looked around and saw Zane looking at her. Her eyes perked up and he motioned for her to move to him.
She had a grey carapace and fearful amber eyes. Sparse green facepaint across her mandibles gleamed in the light of the lounge.
"Sidona?" He asked and the fear tripled.
"Don't say that name!" She whispered. Zane held his hands up defensively.
"Okay, okay as you wish." He said.
"So, what now? I thought this wasn't to be an issue? What happened?" She asked in a paranoid voice. And he hesitated, she was young only in the mid to late twenties. Did her life deserve to be cut so short?
"You are in my line of fire Zane just take a step to the side." Garrus said and Zane thought about what to do. This girl was paranoid to her wit's end. Killing her might be a mercy…but did she deserve mercy? Did she deserve death in the first place?
"He is here…you have led him to me. I got to go." Sidona went to turn and walk away but Zane grabbed her hand. "Hey!" She exclaimed and tried to get her hand free but his hand was clasped like a vice. He pulled her to him and held her close and still. It was probably too close to her and maybe even for him but he had made his mind up. She wouldn't die without him trying to save her life.
"You move then you're dead. I am the only thing between you and a bullet."
"Oh fuck." The two of them moved to a railing a few steps away. Zane was careful to remain in the line of fire the entire time.
"Damn it, Zane! If she makes a break for it I am taking the shot."
"I didn't want to do it but I had no choice. They had my family. Said they would be killed unless I gave up the team." She said a tear falling down her face.
"Lies! Her family died when she was a child." Garrus was fuming now.
"You never told Garrus about your family. He says your family died when you were young." The woman choked out a laugh as she wiped away the wet drops that had already fallen.
"Yes, my Turian parents did die. But I was taken in by a human couple and they raised me. They had a child of their own and I was his sister. They are my family and I had to kill my friends to keep them."
"Were the mercs true to their word?" Zane asked.
"Yes, but I couldn't look at them anymore. They were a reminder of what I let die. I am a broken person now. I am barely alive as it is. I don't eat, don't sleep, don't talk to people. I am a shell of who I was before." Tears streamed down her face.
"Let me kill her…put her out of her misery." Garrus said nearly begging.
"What is there left to kill Garrus? She is living in torment. Paranoia and guilt run her life now. Will you let hate and rage rule yours?" Zane asked and Garrus was quiet.
"My team, they deserved better."
"But they didn't deserve you to be a murderer on their behalf." Zane said and a tense quiet remained.
"Tell her to get out of here." Garrus said and the communication was cut.
"Make good on this Sidona." Zane said and left with Tali close behind. He used the crowd to his advantage and had vanished before Sidona could ever turn around.
…
The team made their way towards the Normandy in silence. Garrus hadn't said anything since they got into the skycar and flew back to Zakera ward. He constantly looked angry the whole way back but also sad, regretful even.
"You guys go back to the Normandy I have to ask Achilles something." Zane said as he went to his friend's desk. The Turian rose his head enough to see Zane standing there a hand on the man's desk.
"Yes, Zane?"
"So…Captain now?" Zane asked and the Turian nodded with a laugh.
"Yea got it shortly after you went AWOL on me."
"I didn't go AWOL I had things to do." Zane chuckled. "What happened to Captain Bailey?" He asked. Achilles' face became confused.
"Who?"
"Bailey…you know tall guy, chiseled face, brown hair, has an ex on Earth I believe and a son I think." Then realization came to Achilles but then a saddened look overtook the face.
"He… he died Zane."
"What?"
"Yea it happened a few months ago, it was my first real job as a full-time officer. It was to be a simple operation. Red sand dealers were setting shop not far from here and we were sent with a full team of heavily armored and equipped officers. We went in had a firefight and before we knew it we had won. No casualties. But one remained…he was wounded but alive. I didn't see him but Bailey did. He pushed me out of the way and the bastard took the shot. Clean headshot." Achilles was silent for a few moments.
"I'm sorry Achilles I didn't know."
"Well, you would've if you hadn't disappeared!" He snapped at Zane and rose from his seat and began to stare Zane down. Achilles took a deep breath and sat back down. "Now I got a job that I am only assuming now should be his. Get out of here Zane. I got shit to do." Zane backed away hurt but he understood that his friend needed space. And with silence, he left his friend to work.