Chapter Twenty-Nine: Master of Shadow
The ride to the coordinates Shepard had given to Zane was pleasantly quiet. Tali stared at Zane as he became lost in thought and he looked out the window. He looked angry but also curious and worried.
"What is it?" She asked and placed her hand on his. His blinked several times like he had just awoken from a dream.
"Hm? Nothing just thinking." He said with a smile. Tali stared for several more moments. He sighed before continuing. "I'm trying to remember what will come next. It helps me prepare and I watch for warning signs if anything changes." He continued.
"What is coming?" She asked.
"You will see soon enough. Just remember that the Broker has his talons in every organization he wants them to be in." Zane said.
"Even yours?" Zane grinned then chuckled at the statement.
"Especially mine." He continued to stare out the window again. "But I have a bone to pick with the Broker and he will regret the day he became the Master of Shadow." He hissed.
"What did he do?" Zane pressed a few buttons on his omni-tool then activated a private channel between him and her.
"He was using me, I knew that. But more than that. He wanted you dead. The plan was for you to be captured by Fist then executed for the information you had. Not only that, he is a threat to me. To my secrets, to the Organization. He is a threat that cannot continue and that must be ended. Or replaced." Zane's eyes had turned to their icy color. He hated the Shadow Broker more than he probably should've. Something didn't fit with Tali. Something was being left out.
But she knew to not press the issue. Zane would tell her in time. He always did.
"Okay. Then let's get him." She said with a smile. When she smiled the ice in his eyes nearly vanished. They melted and returned to their oceanic color.
The taxi slowed down and landed outside an apartment. Zane deactivated the private channel before opening the car doors. They got out and the car quickly went on its way after Zane paid the fee. Outside the apartment was Shepard and Garrus waiting. High in the air were police cars with lights blinking.
"Something happened?" Tali asked.
"Nothing has changed yet." Zane murmured.
"We are meeting with Liara. Hopefully, those cars aren't for her." Shepard said before entering the apartment building.
The journey to Liara's apartment was met with no problems until they ran into the caution tape. At her door.
The team entered and were stopped by several cops. Several detectives were scanning the area looking for evidence. Zane looked curious and scanned the area with his own eyes. Looking for something.
"Hm, never took Liara for the sparse taste of finery. Really good archeological finds though." He commented. Liara's apartment was furnished very little except for the basics. But she clearly spent most of her furnishing in the form of relics, paintings of foreign worlds and other things that fit her old profession perfectly.
"Sorry, this is a closed scene." A cop said stopping them.
"What happened?" Shepard asked. Tali looked around and saw shattered glass and three holes the size of bullets in the large window.
"Someone tried to kill your friend Commander." A feminine voice said above them. Tali looked up towards the crest of the stairs and saw an Asari. She wore purple armor but what caught her attention was the symbol on her shoulder and chest plate. A Spectre?
"And who are you?" Shepard asked.
"Tela Vasir. Special Tactics and Reconnaissance." She said.
"A Spectre? What has you out here?" Shepard asked.
"Captain your people are no longer required." Tela said.
"But…" The Asari began to protest
"Leave." Tela ordered.
"Fine. Fuck this. Let's go boys." The police vacated the area in quick succession as the team began to separate. Tali and Zane went to the window. He seemed interested in the bullet holes.
"High velocity, far range, a powerful and very expensive weapon would do this. Not to mention a rare weapon." He whispered to himself. "I believe Shepard asked you a question Spectre." Zane said not looking at her. Tali noticed his hand hovering over his pistol but wasn't sure what to make of it.
"He is extremely paranoid about something." She thought.
"Liara is a regular contact of mine. I came here looking for information regarding a fugitive. Other than that I cannot say. Only that I need her help." Tela said.
"Understood. Well, there is no body and no blood. She is alive. Just running." Shepard said.
"With her attacker or attackers on her ass." Zane mentioned before scanning more the area.
"What were you hoping to find here?" Tela asked Shepard.
"Seeing an old friend." Zane quickly said.
"Your dog seems to enjoy talking for you." Tela said and got a little closer to Shepard.
"He enjoys talking." Shepard grinned. "Like you, Liara has information for me. Other than that I cannot say." Shepard said.
"I see. Well, we won't find her by talking. Let's get to finding anything that might lead to her location." Tela suggested and they agreed.
…
Zane kept his eye on Tela every few moments. And it didn't take long before he knew she was doing the same to him. Zane knew where to look but didn't want to be too suspicious so he would make comments to Shepard about where to look. It didn't take long to find the recording.
"I know the place. Meet you there?" Tela asked.
"That'll work. I have the coordinates."
"This should be easy with two Spectres." Tela said before leaving.
"We should be careful. This looks like the makings of the Shadow Broker getting involved. And if he deems it necessary then Liara will have a lot of heat on her." Zane mentioned.
"How much heat are we talking?" Garrus asked.
"He will send one of his many private gangs. And perhaps a highly skilled agent to make sure the problem is dealt with." Zane clarified.
"What type of agent?"
"People like me. Highly skilled private contractors. On more than one occasion have I been contacted to eliminate a problem. I only killed other criminals though or incarcerated them." Zane said with disdain. "We are highly valuable to the Broker. Assassins not on his official payroll but effective and discreet all the same. I hated those contracts so I didn't receive many of them."
"Why do them?" Shepard asked. Tali knew there was a time where Shepard would've been disgusted by Zane's statement but after all the hell they had been through and the stuff they had seen. Zane was given the benefit of the doubt.
"In the beginning, I needed the credits. Afterwards, I was told that if I didn't act then more lives would be in jeopardy then what would be lost." The ice in his eyes returned. "He used me, but in the same way, I used him. I had access to the best brokers of information and unrestricted access to the Black Market. Great tech to be found there." Zane stated.
"Why leave?" Tali asked.
"I began to notice how much of a threat to him I was becoming. He doesn't take well to those that encroach on his territory. Like him, I would pay and be paid for information. I began to learn more and more without him hearing of it or without him being involved. After your death." He gestured to Shepard. "I began to see more agents following me, watching me. Previously fair and trusted sources of information became outrageously expensive with their info. Or they had nothing for me. My Handler had stopped contacting me for info or for contracts. It was then I knew I was blacklisted. They were waiting to kill me."
"Is that why you hate him?" Tali asked. Zane grinned before shaking his head.
"No. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I hate him because he contributed to the death of a friend of mine."
"Who?"
"Valyeria. She died because he gave information to her killer. Her death will be avenged when the Broker burns for it." He said and then nothing more.
The car landed and the team quickly got out. Zane grabbed his rifle and the building began to explode from the inside out. Several floors blew up glass raining down upon them and round them. Shards shattering around them in millions of pieces.
"Let's go! Liara is in trouble." Zane said and began to run ahead with the team following.
…
Zane kept his head on a swivel and was waiting for the Broker's personal gang known as the Heat. They were known for not being discreet and loved to get explosive and loud when taking out a target. They were the extreme gang the Broker used when he really wanted a target dead.
And he really wanted Liara dead.
"Contact!" Garrus shouted and pointed across the hall. Several squads armed with rifles came out and began to open fire.
"Get them!" They shouted. "The Broker wants them dead."
"I'll send you to the Broker in pieces!" Zane shouted and fired his own rifle. A few well-placed shredder rounds pierced their weak armor and did a number on their innards.
"Ah!" One shouted before falling bleeding profusely.
"Flank that fuck…ah!" A round to the head from Garrus' rifle silenced him.
Shepard killed two. One with his rifle and then he used a concussive round to bring one to the ground before finishing him with a few rounds to the head.
Tali ran up and drained one's shields before aiming her shotgun at the merc's head and pulling the trigger. She turned to another and fired again and again and then one more time.
"Got you now. Suitrat." She heard behind her.
"Damn it." She murmured.
"Hmph." The voice choked behind her. She turned and saw an omni-blade firmly planted in the merc's back. Protruding through his stomach. A figure distorted behind the merc revealing Zane.
"Never call her Suitrat." He said and slammed the merc to the ground before impaling him in the neck. "We need to keep moving. Liara can still use our help!" He shouted.
More mercs lined the halls in anticipation of the team but were no match for the team. Tela would give "progress reports" but Zane knew they were fake. Chances were high Tela was advising on how to stall them from getting to Liara too soon.
It wouldn't work. The team made short work of every obstacle that got in their way. With each member scoring several kills with each encounter. And in no time they reached the office door where Liara's contact was.
"Here we are be…" A gunshot sounded on the other side of the door. Shepard immediately stopped and opened the door. Their weapons at the ready. A merc collapsed with Tela's gun smoking after the shot. However, at the wall was Liara's contact dead with his eyes leaking what blood was left.
Zane squatted by the corpse and scanned it.
"Multiple lacerations, several burns, shrapnel, and many broken bones. Some look fresh." Zane got up after making his deductions. "He was tortured." He then grabbed his Carnefix and pointed it at Tela.
"Zane?!" Shepard shouted. And then from another door came Liara. She looked tired and had a few cuts and bruises on her face. She also seemed to favor her hip. Her own gun was pointed at Tela and was ready to shoot and she looked pissed.
"Well, this just gets better." Tela commented.
"Guys? What is going on? She is a Spectre."
"She is also a Broker agent." Liara said.
"I'll let…"
"The sniper rifle used to try and kill Liara was very rare and very powerful. I narrowed it down to three weapons. Geth Javelin, the impossible to handle Widow, or the immensely expensive and Spectre exclusive Black Widow. Want me to guess which one did the deed?" Zane asked. Tela backed up as the team formed a wall and pointed their weapons at her.
"Impressive. But my journey will not end here." She said.
"No, it ends when I shoot your skull." Zane said and fired. Tela ducked and the shot destroyed the glass. Before Tela could react Zane collided with her and drove her out of the building.
"Zane!" Tali yelled but he was already in an intense fistfight.
"You fucking prick!" Tela yelled and rammed her fist into his jaw.
"Bitch!" He exclaimed and headbutted her as hard as he could. Blue blood jetting out of her nose. She screamed but quickly kneed him into the gut. Her biotics slowed their descent and she used the time to get on top.
He tried to punch the Asari's face but she dodged it with ease. But the second punch wasn't as easy to dodge. "Damn it!" She yelled when his fist connected. Her biotics flared and she placed both hands on his chest and sent a wave of biotic energy at him.
The energy made him slam into the ground. His back ached from the impact and he swore he felt something break below him. He was dazed and the wind was knocked out of him. Tela landed beside him but before she could finish the job Liara sent a biotic blast at her.
"Shit." Tela yelled and ran away. Liara then landed and for a moment looked at Zane.
"Go." He whimpered. And without another word, she sprinted after the Spectre. Zane laid there in pain and gasping for breath. The lights seemed too bright and he felt his head pound for several minutes.
"Zane, you alright?' Tali asked when she crouched over him.
"Yea." He whimpered again. "Help me up please." He took a deep breath and braced for the pain when she grabbed his hand. The pain spiked but he was on his feet and he had his breath back.
"Liara will need our help." Shepard said.
"Not in her angry frenzy." Zane thought.
"Get'em the Broker wants them all dead!" More mercs appeared. Guns loaded and ready to fire.
"She'll have to wait." Garrus said and the team separated and got into cover. Bullets sped through the lobby and pinging off the walls.
The mercs seemed to take a defensive stance. Zane noticed they were more interested in stalling then finishing the fight quickly.
"We have to hurry this fight along!" Zane yelled before cloaking. He ran in relative safety and flanked the mercs. Garrus sniped one and Shepard shot another. Tali shocked one with overload before Garrus cleaned up another kill. Zane de-cloaked when he was behind two mercs and stabbed one.
"Argh!" The merc shouted. Blood-curdling in her throat. Zane took another second to aim his pistol and fired at the adjacent merc with his Carnefix. The impaled the merc became dead weight on his omni-blade before he deactivated the blade.
"Let's go." Shepard ordered and led the charge. "Zane, what do we expect?" He asked. Zane searched his brain and tried to remember everything he could.
"Long chase scene. With the Broker's mercs trying to halt us at every corner." He said. Another group of mercs got in their way but were quickly dispatched.
"Excellent." Shepard sarcastically said. The team ran out of the main lobby and were met with Nos Astra's skyline once again. The smell of ash and fire replaced the clean air that it once had.
"There!" Tali yelled and pointed towards the parking lot. Liara was pinned behind cover with Tela firing her pistol but not hitting anything. The Spectre seemed to be stalling as well with her feet carrying her backward.
"She will soon escape." Zane said and rushed forward. He pulled out his M4 and began firing short controlled bursts. Tela looked and saw the approaching team and fell back even further. Her barriers lighting up to indicate hits.
"Come on!" Zane mentally exclaimed. Tela only sped up her retreat until she leaped off of the lot.
"The hell?" Shepard said before Tela was seen speeding away in a skycar.
"Over here!" Liara shouted and entered a skycar.
"Tali and Zane with me." Shepard ordered.
"I'll get a taxi back to the Normandy." Garrus said in a tired -if somber- tone.
"Just like old-times hey Zane?" Liara asked as he got in the backseat.
"Vanguard is at it again." He simply replied and Shepard sped off. Remembering Shepard driving skills -or lack thereof. Everyone grabbed an oh shit bar and held on tight.
…
The chase was drawn out with Tela doing everything she could to stop them from chasing her. However, Shepard reckless driving turned out to be an asset in this instance. Because just like how no one in Vanguard knew what Shepard's plans were neither did Tela.
Tali held on tightly to the bar and Zane held onto her hand and the bar.
"Damn it, Shepard!" He shouted as they nearly crashed into a large truck. A chuckle erupted from Shepard's throat almost mocking him. "It isn't funny!"
Shepard slammed into Tela and she did the same in turn. A tug-of-war for the skycars ensued until Liara took things into her own hands.
She pulled out a Phalanx pistol and aimed it. "Get down." She said and opened fire. The shot pierced Tela's hood and smoke and fire began to spew from its interior. Liara only kept on firing before the skycar seemed to malfunction. Tela could be seen shielding her eyes from sparks and flames as her console sparked and smoked.
She soon lost control of her skycar and crashed into a nearby hotel. Shepard had peeled away from the crash site to land in a safe place.
"We got company." Tali said seeing several cars filled with mercs making their way towards Vanguard.
"Just like old times. Just replace mercs with Geth." Zane said and popped his neck and fingers before grabbing his rifle.
Shepard landed and Vanguard quickly got out of the skycar. They were soon met by gunfire and quickly found cover. Tali and Zane got side by side and began dispatching enemies by the pair.
"Well, how are we, Lady Zorah?" Zane asked as he aimed his rifle and fired a short burst. The result was an Asari merc that was advancing soon fall down bleeding and dying.
"Meh, our date could've lasted longer." She said before sending her drone to annoy a few mercs. As they focused their attention on the drone Zane quickly dispatched them.
"Well, who says our date has ended?" He said before having his rifle spit out another thermal clip.
"If this is your idea of a date I'd hate to see your idea of a honeymoon." Tali said while laughing. She used an overload on a shielded enemy and Zane dispatched him with a headshot. She then saw a glimmer out of the corner of her eye and turned. The glimmer turned out to be an invisible merc. Tali was quick to aim and shoot her shotgun. The gushing blood told her she had hit her target.
"What? There would only be a few more explosions on the honeymoon." He said laughing.
"Bosh'tet." She said while smiling and shooting another merc.
"Yea but I'm yours." Zane said and soon they after they had cleared out their side of the parking lot. They turned around and saw several more mercs dead and dying. With Shepard and Liara ready for more with their weapons smoking and Liara's biotics showing before fading.
"Is that all of them?" Liara asked.
"Affirmative." Zane said. His M4 spat out another thermal clip and he checked the magazine and cursed. He replaced the magazine and placed the old one in a pocket on the inside of his jacket.
"Let's move out." Shepard ordered and the team moved through the hotel. It didn't take long for the team to notice the hotel was one of pleasure. Scantily clad Asari and high-roller clients hid in fear with sexual vids playing in several rooms.
"It must cost a fortune to stay here for five minutes never mind a single night." Zane said to himself. He then sniffed loudly. "What is that smell?"
"Mabari lotion. It is very…er useful for these sorts of places." Liara replied.
"Ah. It smells nice." Zane said nonchalantly.
They followed a blood trail that led to an open courtyard. People sat and ate like a gunfight hadn't happened less than a mile away. Nevermind the car crash.
Tela could be seen approaching a table. Zane pushed through the team and fired in the air. The sound shocked Tela and the customers as they tried to run away. The Spectre then used a biotic charge and shot over to a waitress and grabbed a hold of her. She then used the poor girl as a hostage.
"Stop right there Shepard." Tela said and pointed her gun at the temple of the girl. Vanguard created a wall and pointed their weapons at the Spectre.
"Its over." Zane growled.
"I've had enough of you. Now shut up or she dies." Tela said and pressed the gun deeper into the girl's head. The glistening of tears streamed down her face and made her makeup run with them.
"Please, I have a son." She whimpered.
"Ah. Well, I hope you see him again. A mother's death can be so traumatizing. Or so I'm told." Tela said with a smirk. And now Tali wanted her dead even more so. But the rage in Zane's eyes couldn't compare.
"You hurt a hair on her head Tela and I will skin you as slowly as I can." Zane hissed. "You will see your son again. I swear it." He told the girl and she nodded slowly in thanks.
"Hmpg don't make promises you can't keep. Reaper." Tela smirked. "Oh yes, I know who you are. It took me some time but I figured it out. The profile fits. Your employer has been looking for you for a very long time."
"He'll have to keep looking because you won't live long enough to tell him." Zane replied.
"Enough of this. Shepard order your people to put their guns down. I am walking out of here and she is coming with me until I am clear." Tela said.
…
Zane looked at the ground and noticed a few things. It was all connected and not segmented into tiles. Secondly, it was made from thessil. An expensive metal only found on Thessia. It had a unique property in that it could carry energy through it without the energy losing its effectiveness for long periods.
Zane activated his omni-tool and put it on sonic mode.
"Alright, Tela we'll put our weapons down." Zane said. He noticed the conversation was going nowhere with her and Shepard.
"See, I knew this could go civilly."
"Damn it, Zane." Shepard muttered as he began to put his pistol down.
Zane slowly put his rifle down and laid it gently on the ground. And then in a moment he activated his sonic-tool and pressed against the floor.
The rippling energy spread across the metal floor. Shaking the floor enough to be a disturbance. And even bending the metal awkwardly.
"The fuck?" Tela asked in confusion and to regain her balance she let go of the girl. Zane grabbed his rifle an opened fire. "Fuck!" Tela shouted as her barriers began to flare.
She retreated to cover with the rest of Vanguard opening fire.
…
The battle was long and drawn out. Tela used her biotics and charges to their full advantage and tried to call in mercs but that plan didn't last long.
"Oh no, you don't!" A voice over a radio shouted before several gunships zoomed pass the hotel. They shot down several merc-filled skycars and skytrucks.
"What the hell?" tela shouted.
"This is Everiin, nice to see you again Commander. Heard a tale of mercs chasing a small team around Nos Astra. Had to check it out. The Organization always has your back." The voice said.
"Thanks for the assistance Everiin."
"Anytime. Rook Alexus sends his regards." Then the gunships retreated out of sight. Assumingly to take out more Shadow Broker reinforcements.
"It's over Tela give up." Shepard said.
"No!" She shouted and charged at Shepard. The blast knocked him to his feet. She stood over him and pointed his pistol about to pull the trigger when she was thrown several feet away. Liara's biotics flaring.
Tela went flying towards Zane who caught her with his omni-blades. She gasped for breath as she was impaled on the searing hot blades that cut through her armor like butter.
"Why did you do it Tela?" He asked but knew the answer. He just hoped there was a different reason.
"You know more than most. Working for the Broker is just as useful as it is lucrative. No matter how many sleepless nights you may suffer as a result. I regret none of it." She said as blood streamed out of her mouth.
"May you become the guardian angel you meant to be in the next life. Rest in peace." He said and took her off his blades. He scanned her omni-tool and found several messages from the Shadow Broker.
"What is it, Zane?' Shepard asked.
"EDI, I have several messages from the Broker can you trace a location from them?" Zane asked.
"I can indeed. It will take me some time but it can be done." Her synthetic voice said.
"Thanks."
"So, this is it? So, close after so many months of looking, of fighting, of not sleeping. This quest can be over?" Liara asked almost awestruck.
"Yep." Zane said and she turned and walked away without any more words. He smiled and knew what she was feeling. It was the same thing he was feeling. Shepard followed after her and before Tali could follow he grabbed her hand. "Let'em have their moment." He said simply.
"You okay?" She asked and he wasn't sure what to say.
"For almost three years I have been swearing to kill the Broker for helping to kill Val. I just didn't think it would come so soon. Or that it would ever happen. Or that I would ever take a role in it." He said.
He looked over and saw Tali seemingly morose for some reason and figured it was because he brought up Val. He doubted she enjoyed hearing of his first love. He gave her a tight hug.
"What's that for?" She asked when he let go.
"I love you. More then I have loved anybody."
"More then…"
"Tali, you have nothing to fear. At this point, I am avenging the death of a really good friend. You are my one and only. My number one." He said and placed his forehead on her mask and peered into her eyes. "Never forget that."
"I won't." She said and they smiled.
"Come on. We have a Shadow Broker to catch." He said and held her hand as they soon followed in the direction Shepard and Liara went.
Several hours later.
Hagalaz, if hell had an alternative name that was it. The planet was a literal hell hole. Making Tuchanka seem tame in comparison. Two extremes that kill unless you are in the "Goldilocks zone" where it is constantly in the middle of a storm to end all storms.
"This will suck." Zane said as he looked down at the ship that drifted in the storm. He dared not look past the ship or risked emptying his stomach on the shuttle's floor.
He still had a fear of heights thanks to Illium.
"You alright?" Tali asked.
"Just peachy." He responded softly. He flipped his hood up and then pulled his mask a little tighter. He made it a point to where the mask Val had given him. Even now, he could still barely smell her fragrance on the cloth.
The shuttle got closer and Zane took the time to memorize the layout of the ship's deck. He looked at every exhaust port, every exit hatch, every electric conductor and mapped out the ship. He tried to remember where they would meet resistance but after nearly three years of not playing the original games, he had a hard time remembering. There was also the fact that this encounter may not play out like it was supposed to.
…
The first several feet were easy to traverse. Simple minded VI drones and a few patrols were all that stood in their way. Vanguard dispatched them with ease and Tali got the feeling it was just too easy.
"This seems easy." She said out loud.
"It is. It shouldn't. This is the Broker's Shadow mercs. The best of the best. And yet we have met with little resistance." Zane said.
"That can only mean a trap ahead." Shepard deduced.
"I believe so." Zane replied with a nod.
But even though they knew it was coming the mercs still played it safe. Only sending small groups and squads to meet the team. It was almost a taunt in some way. An insult that the Broker considered them so low on his list of importance that small squads were sent to fight them.
And then they reached the final doorway.
"Here they come!" Shepard yelled as they began to be surrounded. Mercs came from each port like ants from an ant hill. And they seemed never-ending.
"Liara, you and me get the right flank. Tali and Zane cover left!" Shepard ordered.
"On it." She replied and got to cover as streams of gunfire shot over her head. Zane was soon beside her and began to shoot back.
Tali fired at a conductor and the resulting discharge either stunned, killed, or leave the enemy defenseless. The duo then quickly dispatched several mercs with the new-found ease. But the reprieve didn't last long.
"More incoming!" Zane shouted as a new wave of gunfire hit their cover and more mercs showed up. Rockets and machine gun joined the wave. Tali tried to get some shots down range but the sheer amount of gunfire soon shortened her shields to a dangerously low degree.
Zane rose and the gunfire turned to him. His shields dissipated just as he ducked back into cover. He cursed and became angry at the situation.
"We can't keep this up." He said. He looked around but couldn't find an alternative.
"I have an idea." She activated her omni-tool and switched on her energy drain program. She peered around the corner and saw the conductor at full capacity. She shot the program and all the energy leaped from the conductor to her omni-tool. Then with another button pressed the energy leaped to Zane.
He glowed a shiny blue as his shields overcharged and a wicked grin appeared on his face.
"Oh, yea." He laughed and stood up. The gunfire bouncing off his shields with ease. He held his finger on the trigger and turned the tide. Tali joined in and sent her drone forward. She also overloaded other merc's shields and got some shots in where she could.
The merc group that opposed them didn't stand a chance and were soon dealt with. Zane turned and used the last of his remaining overcharge and dealt with Shepard's mercs. The mercs fought back valiantly and Zane's shields soon gave way. When the last merc fell and Zane's shields gave way a bullet pierced his shoulder.
"Ah fuck!" He cursed and put a hand on the arm.
"Here." Tali said and quickly applied medi-gel. His face soothed its features and he gave a thankful nod.
"The latch is open." Liara said and the team quickly entered the Shadow Broker's lair.
…
The Broker seemed to make a tactical error. He had sent so many mercs after them outside that he had very little competent troops inside.
The Broker seemed to be a trivia genius because a military genius he was not. Zane smirked as the last merc in their way fell down to his gun clutching his abdomen.
"Who… Who goes there?" A whimpering voice asked. The team ran and saw the Drell Feron. Liara, overjoyed to see her friend, soon tried to help him only to realize it was futile.
"Until we take care of the Broker. Anything we do will only hurt him more than help him." Zane told her and Feron repeated the statement. Which Liara reluctantly accepted.
"Then let's finish this." Shepard said and they made their way to the last door in the hallway.
The room was dark and ominous much like how Zane remembered. He clutched his rifle closer to his chest and was ready for the shadows themselves to attack. A deep laughter came from the center of the room and the team focused on a lone table where a big figure sat.
"You have come far Shepard and company. But it ends here." The figure said in a monotone voice.
"How does it feel to lose Broker?" Zane asked.
"There is still a lot of time in the game Reaper." The Broker said. "I know all there is to know about all of you. I am omniscient, I know all there is to know. While you scurry in the dark and know next to nothing." The Broker said in arrogance.
"Oh? You are a Yahg a preflight species that was banned when your people killed the Council's representatives. This ship predates your species discovery so I am guessing you were abducted either as a trophy, pet, or slave. How am I doing?" Liara asked and smirked. The Broker's heavy breathing turned into a barely contained growl.
"Oh, how about this. You killed your handler and then mantled that handler's assets. The Broker at the time was okay with this and allowed it. But it wasn't enough you began to move against the Shadow Broker and he or she was too late to stop you. You killed them and mantled them as well. You crave power and nothing else and that is the only reason you remain the Broker. Who is in the dark now?"
"Enough of this." The Broker growled and slowly rose from his seat.
…
Tali was unprepared for the power and raw strength of the Shadow Broker as he bashed and threw the large table. He threw the table at the team and she was knocked to the side.
"Ah!" She heard and saw Zane had been hit by the large table. He was buried by the table remained still. "Zane!" She yelled her heart racing and fear clouding her mind.
"You will pay for your transgressions!" The Broker yelled behind her but she ignored him. She scanned Zane with her omni-tool and sighed in relief when his life signs were stable. He was just unconscious.
Tali turned and helped in the fight. The Broker had an omni-shield that blocked all incoming bullets. He only revealed himself to fire his machine gun that he held with one hand. The bullets spewing from the weapon's muzzle at breakneck velocities.
Tali used overload and energy drain on the shield and it eventually shorted out. The Shadow Broker roared in anger and was met with three guns firing at him at once. Shepard charged the beast and collided with him. The two battled for dominance with Shepard getting three hard punches in.
"Enough!" The Broker yelled and backhanded Shepard away. Shepard flew across the room and collided with a wall. He slumped down its length and was slow to get up.
The battle went on like that for several more minutes with Shepard charging and getting backhanded for his attempts but not before getting several punches in. The Broker looked tired and bloodied but so did Shepard.
"Shepard, get him to bring up the shield again!" Liara said. Tali followed her gaze and saw the large culmination of an electrical discharge waiting to happen.
"Ah damn it." Shepard sighed and ran into the Broker again. The two fought again and soon Shepard was backhanded again. The Broker quickly activated his shield. Liara then sent a large biotic blast at the dome above the Broker. It began to crack and Tali fired at it with her shotgun.
"Ha!" The Broker said and charged at the team. The glass shattered behind him and he escaped unscathed.
"No!" Liara shouted and the Broker steam passed her and swatted her away. And then he did the same to Shepard followed by Tali who managed to dodge at the last second.
She was certain that he would turn around and crush her. But instead, he stood over Zane's figure and threw the table away with ease.
"You have caused me enough grief." He hissed then his omni-shield turned into a blade.
She got up and ran at the back of the Broker. She leaped onto his back and grabbed her knife and began stabbing at his back and shoulders. The Broker was quick for his size and she couldn't get to his neck or head.
"I've had it with this game!" He shouted and grabbed her hand and threw her away like trash. She slammed into a nearby wall the impact dazing her. She peered her gaze to Zane certain she would see the Broker's blade kill her mate.
"Never touch her again!" She heard and saw Zane leap to the Broker's face. His blade embedded into the Shadow Broker's chest. With another one forming and embedding into the other side of the Broker's chest. The two fell to the ground. And then Zane turned into an animal with his blades.
Cutting, stabbing, impaling, and disfiguring every part of the Broker's face. The Broker's hands stilled but his breathing could still be heard.
"This is for Val." He said and his blade became lined with an electrical current before he stabbed both into the Broker's chest. The current coursed through the Shadow Broker's body. The beast's body convulsed and smoked from the inside out. And then it was done.
…
Zane limped to Tali and helped her up. His leg hurt and his head pounded but it was over and the nightmare was over for the moment.
"You okay?" She simply hugged him in response.
"Broker we had a power surge. Are operations operational?" They heard and the large screens began to blink with more requests appearing and multiplying. Liara approached cautiously.
She was uncertain at first and then with a blink, a look of determination befell her.
"This is the Broker. We had a simple power surge. As you were. I want sitreps on all projects and operations in the next solar day. Shadow Broker out." Liara said. Zane approached and gave a polite nod.
"The Shadow has a new master. Or should I say, mistress?" He said.
"Now what?" Shepard asked.
"We prepare for an invasion to end all invasions." Liara replied and Zane nodded in agreement.
"And I have some music to face." Shepard said in a somber tone. Referring to his hearing on Earth.
"I'll try and help as much as possible." Zane said.
"And before you leave for that. Return, I may have some things gathered for you to see." Liara said with a nod as the group left.
…
Shepard returned a few days later and the Broker's operations seem to be moving along as if nothing was amiss. Shepard met a small drone that thought he was the Broker but he heard voices inside the Broker's main office.
"An alliance will be most useful. With your people and my information and agents, the Reapers won't know what hit'em" Liara was talking to a screen with the logo of the Organization on it.
"Agreed Shadow Broker I am glad you agree." The voice said. It was distorted and was deeper then a normal voice would be.
"Oh, please no need to be so secretive Zane. I know it's you." Liara said and the voice laughed until it was indeed Zane's laughter.
"Why am I not surprised? I had to keep appearances. Or lack thereof. But seriously I am glad for this alliance. The only way we win the upcoming war is if everyone fights together in unity." Zane said.
"Agreed. Goodbye Harbinger."
"Farewell Shadow Broker." Then the screen went black. Shepard walked up to Liara and gave a soft kiss on the back of her neck. It may be the last one for a long time.
"So I see you found out Zane's little secret."
"One of the many I'm sure."
"Did he tell you about…"
"Him being from the past? No. But I learn soon enough. I confronted him about it. He came clean and then we moved on." She said while reading more reports.
"Did the Broker know?" He asked.
"No. There was much he didn't know. The Broker was unaware of Zane's past but he had suspicions, he was unaware of him being the Harbinger. And he had a hard time finding a name to the Reaper. Though he did learn it after he joined you to hunt Saren." She smiled. "Zane is really good at keeping secrets that he wants to keep."
"So how did you find out?"
"Simply had a different perspective." She smirked. "Anything else you want to know is over there on that console." She pointed to a console on a far wall.
Shepard walked over and saw it contained several notes about several notable people namely his crew.
But before that, he wanted to know what the Broker had learned of the Harbinger.
Harbinger
Arrival was sudden with the rise of the Organization. Current reports detail human male that leads from the shadows. Information network rivals mine. Current attempts at infiltration were successful but at a fail rate of 86%
Harbinger should be dealt with as soon as possible. If not made an agent then killed.
Update: Harbinger has made it clear we are enemies. Kill ASAP.
Update: All assassins were killed and returned in pieces. Refrain from further instigation until more intel can be gathered.
End Report
Shepard smiled at the dossier. Zane was fighting against the Broker harder than he originally thought. He then moved to his crew. He soon found interesting reports and even some cute ones about Tali's research in human mating customs. He just hoped Zane and Tali were good for each other. They deserved it.
And then came Zane.
Zane "The Reaper"
Email Chain
Request to become an agent: You know who and what I am Broker. I and offering my services to you. You help me I help you.
Re: Request to become an agent: Why would I let a vigilante help me? How could you help me?
Re: Re: I have my own information network. Not as robust as yours but it is there. I know more than most about some things. Perhaps even you. Perhaps even about you. How is the view on that hellhole of a planet?
Re: Re: Re: Point proven. I should have you killed. But you have intrigued me. And my agents say you are trustworthy. I will resort to their judgment on this. I'll be in contact.
Song playlists
Favorite bands/artists: Hollywood Undead, Blind Guardian, Disturbed, Primal Fear, Dream Evil, Sabaton.
Most-played playlists (all updates took place several days ago): Nothing to See Broker (update: Think of Her), Piss Off Broker (update: Geth Killer), You're Tenacious Broker (update: Fire Thumper), It's a Secret Broker (update: Mass Effect Defect),
People of Note
Normandy Specialists: Seems to have an unnatural affinity for the crew. Like they are all old friends/colleagues. No record of prior engagement. Must learn more.
Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya: Love interest (she shares sentiment) highly protective and very dangerous when she is injured. If she is to be dealt with, kill him first.
Achilles Tuum: No record of him previous to six years ago (con artist?) seems to have a personal relationship with the Reaper and both know each other on a personal level. Helped lead the Reaper to a life of being a criminal killer. Sidenote: Tuum is Turian for human. Strange that would be a Turian's surname. Nevermind his first name is that of a human warrior from the bronze age. Was he adopted?
Valyeria Kadaras "The Viper": Previous love interest. Worked with the Reaper to take down the Xishuun. A gang that once controlled the lower wards of the Citadel. Was contacted by [error_name_unreadable] to help take her out. C-Sec was called to her location and the Reaper's (same location) and an explosion ensued. Reaper survived and Valyeria was pronounced dead. No body was produced. [error_name_unreadable] was found by Reaper and killed. Have had little contact with the Reaper since.
[Error_Name_Unreadable]: [Error_Logs_Erased]
Juhani Sladr "Valkyrie": N7 operative that was shadowed by Zane to help train him. A close relationship mended by several months of travel. She helped Zane attune his skills and destroy a Batarian slave and terrorist ring named the Hegemony's Bargain. There were no survivors. She is currently stationed on Earth.
End Report
Shepard was surprised by how much in the dark the Broker was on Zane. But then again, Zane had done a good job keeping his secrets.
Shepard's omni-tool beeped and he saw he got a message.
Commander Shepard, you have been summoned by the Security Council of the Alliance. You are expected to show up in the next solar week. Or else you will be tried in your absence.
-Alliance Command
Shepard sighed and he looked to Liara. She looked at him as well with a sad face. She must'be just gotten the news.
"Good luck." She said.
"You too." He replied and then left the ship. The music was about to be faced and if he was lucky he could get them to see reason. Maybe the Reapers could be halted before they got close to Earth? It was worth a shot at least.
A/N: Well here we go ladies and gents. One. More. Chapter. Hope you like the dossier I created for Zane. I tried to make it similar to the other dossiers in the game.