"Shepard. Liara T'Soni send a message regarding Thane Krios. There's been a development on a timetable." EDI's voice woke John.
"Oh you gotta be shitting me..."
"If you wish to find Krios, you have to immediately contact Seryna wokring in cargo office" EDI continued.
John understood it's not a joke nor nightmare. He ordrered EDI to gather all operatives ready for combat in briefing room. He glanced at the clock. One hour of sleep. Perfect.
Standing in armor he watched as grumpy combatants filled the room. "Alright, before someone calls for my head for this: We're on the clock. Our recruit, an assassin, is to make a hit and we need to know where to pull him out. I've been contacted and told that we need to move now. You're all on this 'cause i don't know where we're going. Clear?"
An angry grumble went through the room as confirmation. "You stay ready with a shuttle. I'm taking Max, Samara and Tali to meet our contact and get the details."
Max leaned to Kasumi's ear, "Good thing I brought light wine to the dinner"Jester whispered and Kasumi giggled.
/.../
Seryna turned out to be former chief of security for Nassana Dantius. A dirty businesswoman who once tricked Shepard into killing her sister - a slaver. Once John confirmed that Nassana was on his shit-list and he wanted Krios, Seryna eagerly provided cooridnates to Dantius Towers. That's where Thane went, looking after Nassana. Seryna warned Shepard that Dantius employed Eclipse for protection and suggested to enter through roof of lower tower of Dantius penthouse, one that was still under construction.
John took skycar and set course to the towers while contacting Garrus to bring the rest of the squad. As they touched down, a group of security mechs attacked them. John kept Max, Samara and Tali with him sending rest trough the building. He lead his squad through catwalks and opened bridge, fighting mercs and gale force winds. A concussive shot toppled Tali but Max caught her before she could fall from the bridge. John sighed relieved seeing she was okay.
"Thanks Max!" Tali shouted. "Anything for a lady!" He laughed and rolled another grenade at attacking Eclipse.
John moved his team into other tower stumbling upon salarians, workers locked in a maintenance room. They said an assassin killed mercenaries that were to execute salarian workers and locked them safely here.
"Killer with a morals? Thought we were the only ones" Max chuckled.
As John saw rest of the squad making a lot of noise and fire below him, tying up Eclipse with combat, a lone mercenary was standing looking out the huge glass window, turned back to them.
Shepard pointed his gun at merc's head and poked him. Mercenary turned around and cursed.
"Where's assassin?" John asked.
Merc only crossed arms on his chest, "If I knew, he'd be dead."
"Where's Nassana then? How to get to her?" Shepard was tired and pissed off, not in the negotiative mood. Mercenary only leaned against the glass. "I'm not telling you shit-" A heel kick pushed him through the glass and send screaming, down 80 floors. John glared at Max who kicked the merc.
"What? Sleep depravation makes me cranky" He shrugged actually been furious about whole deal interrupting a nice chat he was having with Kasumi in her room.
"Sometimes I worry about you man..." John spoke shaking his head yet fully understanding. He may done the same a second later.
"I don't. I don't have to even worry for you since Tali's around" Jester chuckled ignoring Tali's stare and presumed blush under her visor.
Reaching Nassana office was quite easy since all merc were dead or wrapped in fight with other team. entering the room John saw Nassana in some fancy dress, standing surrounded by 4 Eclipse mercenaries. Nassana glanced at the team.
"Shepard... How ironic. you killed my sister once, now you're here for me."
John wanted to hit the smug bitch but had to play some game to get time. Right before he entered the room he heard a little noise in ventilation above him. This better be Krios...
"We have a different definitions of irony...You think I'm after you?" John crossed arms on his chest and just stood ignoring guns pointed at him.
"Don't flatter yourself sugar" Max added with innuendo in his voice.
"You killed my security, wrecked my towers..." Nassana spat. "Is it credits? Name your price then."
"How much you can offer?" John shrugged
"Double whatever you're getting, even triple if you'll say who ordered it"
"We're way above your pay grade sweetheart" Max chimed in realizing what John was playing.
"What are you doing here then? Why are you after me?" Nassana cried in fury.
"I'm not after you. I'm for him" John was looking above Dantius's shoulder. He saw a shadow slipping from the ceiling. Assassin broke neck of human in front of him, punched in the throat other and shot simultaneously two asari. Eclipse mercenaries fell and Nassana only managed to turn around. She felt a barrel of gun toted to her belly. A muffled shot rang and businesswoman fell on her expensive desk.
"Impressive work. Thane Krios I presume?" John asked the assassin. He was standing with his eyes closed and hands together like he was praying.
"You're file said anything about him being mute?" Max asked Shepard.
"Sorry, but prayer for the wicked must not be forsaken" drell spoke in calm hushed voice.
"Don't pray for her. She doesn't deserve it."
"Not for her. For me." drell opened his eyes and walked closer to Shepard. In light of dawn, John saw green skin and big lizard like eyes. Thane wore fitting trenchcoat over light armor all in reddish black.
"You seeked me out. Here I am."
"My name's Shepard. I'm putting together a team to stop Collectors. Heard of 'em?"
"By reputation. I heard they're attacking human colonies. It's unsettling, but to get to Collectors you'll need to pass through Omega-4 Relay. No one ever came back." Thane spoke unfazed staring at the rising sun.
"So I've been told. But I'm known for going back alive from suicide missions before."
"Ah... a suicide mission you say...That'll be adequate" Krios turned to Shepard, "I'm dying from a disease. I have some time left before my skills would deteriorate. I've done a lot of bad things in my life. Maybe helping you will give me a chance to atone." Drell extened hand to Shepard "I'll work for you. No charge."
Shepard shooked green hand and commed squad to withdraw and back to Normandy.
/.../
"Welcome to Normandy Thane, I wasn't exactly expecting a monk instead of bragging killer but you showed what you can do." John spoke to Thane as they entered briefing room.
"A mistake made by many. Empty bravado yearns no gain." Thane replied. "Where should I alocate myself? Any arid place is available?"
"An empty room near Life Support systems tends to have more dry air than rest of the ship" EDI chimed in. "Ah...an AI? Thank you." Krios made a little bow and left carrying small bag.
"EDI? I don't give a fuck whether it's apocalypse knocking on the doors. Everybody is ordered to go to sleep and not interrupt others. Or I'll keelhaul person responsible for disturbance." John heavily walked to the elevator and shed armor in his cabin then throw himself on the bed.