Four hours later Kasumi opened her eyes and groaned. Her head felt like melon ready to split.
"Thank the Outsider...You're awake" Max came to her. "How are you felling koichii?"
"Like after being hit by a freight train" Kasumi felt immediately better feeling Max's hand squeezing hers. "But it's nice of you to stick around"
"Who would I charm without you around?" Max chuckled. He ran hand through Kasumi's hair. "You got me scared down there 'Sumi"
"Hey, don't go all sad puppy eyes on me" Kasumi smiled. "Better tell me everything that happened after I got hit."
"We unleashed hell on krogans. Then we went to the labs and found this salarian pal that Mordin was looking for. Former student. They worked on modifying genophage years ago. Turned out that idiot went willingly to Weyrloc. He didn't cared that about another war with the krogans, he was blinded by his concience."
"Woah, that's crazy."
"Yup. Mordin wanted to off the guy but I've stopped him. He was just blind, not guilty. Took all his data. Mordin made a copy just in case and deleted any traces of cure. So no invasion of lizards recently." Max winked making Kasumi laugh.
Doors opened and Tali walked into med bay. "Oh, I'm interrupting?" she watched as Kasumi quickly put her hood on.
"Not at all. Good you here. Could you stay with 'Sumi for a while? I'm sure Logan gonna want some report and stuff from me" Max reluctantly left Kasumi's hand.
"Sure. we'll have some 'girls talk' ain't it fishbowl?" Kasumi chirped looking at Tali.
"Yes, of course. I'll be happy to."
"Thanks."
Max left and Tali sat next to Ksumi's bed.
"So? How are you doing?" Tali begun not knowing what to say.
"Good, my head is ringing but beside that..."
"Kheelah I don't know what scared me more. You getting hit by that krogan or what Max did when it happened"
"What he did?!" Kasumi felt sting. What Max hidden from her?
"Well if he didn't told you...I can understand why." Tali felt awkward spilling the hard truth to Kasumi. " He kinda...went mad for a while..."
"Okay, you either joking or there's something really wrong here."
"Kheelah I'm not joking. Max just yelled at the krogans and...charged on them"
"WHAT?"
"He ran cloaked between krogans and killed them...just made them all explode... and he screamed that nobody will hurt...his girlfriend" Tali blurted last words and saw that Kasumi blushed while being pale.
"He did-"
"But the worst thing he did to the clan leader that hit you. He kinda..." Tali's voice broke.
"What? He did what? Talk to me Tali." Kasumi wasn't sure she wants to know really...
"He kneecapped him...then stuck a mine in krogans mouth and said that 'nobody touches his girl' and then...and then that krogan just exploded!"
"Dear god..." Kasumi wasn't sure what to think or say...Max was a trained soldier, a killer by profession but this...And it surely didn't fit his charm...
"You know what Kasumi...I think it happened only because it happened to you... He really loves you." Tali carefuly spoke to shaken thief.
"Yes...but...Why he didn't told me?" Kasumi felt bad that Max lied about what happened.
"Perhaps because he saw how much it shocked all of us. I think he was afraid that you'll see him as a monster or something." Tali felt similarly years ago when some batarian insulted her, and Shepard beaten the merc to death with bare fists.
"I...It's hard for me. I'm not a killer. Sure as a thief, some guards or something happened but... I've never shot so much as here, and now this..." Kasumi started breaking and Tali hugged her.
"It's okay Kasumi. It was hard for me too but...I found some balance here. When you're back to the ship and just...go for anything else than dwelling on what you did." Tali hold little thief as she was slightly sobbing.
"Uh...Thanks Tali. It...it helped, I'm okay now I think." Kasumi regained some of her old composure. "So...Since we're on that subject...How's it going with Shep?"
"Ugh...I don't know what to do really..." Tali shrugged. She had thousand ideas but after second they all sounded stupid.
"Aww come on...Think what you would like him to see" Kasumi smirked a bit reverting to her mischievious side.
"I- I would like to get out of that damn suit...Make him see me not just visor...To see my face" Tali unwilingly swayed a bit.
"And there you got it! Get yourself transparent mask fishbowl" Kasumi smiled.
"I-I'll think about it...Thanks Kasumi" Tali got up and left.
/.../
Shepard sat in the mess pondering on the rumors when Garrus sat next to him. "Did you heard the news? Max and Kasumi...that's something I didn't saw coming" Garrus chuckled lightly.
"Yeah... been suspecting it for some time." John replied still in thoughts.
"Jack told everybody that he yelled at krogans then blew them up with incendiaries. Then he executed clan leader with grenade. That's sick stuff. Impressive though."
"Jack should learn to keep her damn mouth closed" John growled. Garrus stopped eating and glanced at Shepard.
"What's up boss?"
"I don't care if she liked it. Max isn't a murderer. He snapped when Kasumi got hit... I think I would do at least the same if my girl would got hit..."
"Well thankfully Miranda was okay" Garrus replied and brought talon to his mouth realizing what he said. "Spirits..." he mumbled seeing John's expression.
"That's the scuttlebutt? Damn wrong, Birdman" John shooked his head.
"Well I've heard some rumors but didn't really believed them...So who then?" Garrus tried to get out of dodge.
"Tal-Oh fuck no. You're not getting anything from me Garrus!"
"Tali?! Hah!" Garrus waved his mandibles. "Knew she had crush on you but never thought-"
"Wait what?" John felt like hit by a krogan battlemaster now.
"Oh come on. I've talked to her back on SR-1. She never stuttered except when you were around. And turians see in wider range of colors so I can see slightly through her visor. She always blushed after talking to you..." Garrus replied like explaining to a child.
John dropped fork from his hand and manually closed his jaw. All what Max and Kasumi were saying...All the suggestions...Damnit.
"You sure she's not just another fan of Hero of the Citadel?" John tried to counter his shock with humor.
"If you ever suggest it again I'll hit you Shepard." Garrus went dead serious. " She had your back day in day out. Like me."
"You're right Garrus...You all so right..." John stood up and went to his cabin when EDI informed that Samara was looking for him.
/.../
"Shepard. I'm glad you spared time for me." Samara spoke with her usual calm melodic voice.
"Of course Samara. How can I help?" John wasn't exactly cheerful but Samara's aura had calming and focusing effect on him. Maybe he should try some of her meditations?
"Do you remember when I told you I've been pursuing a criminal? Informations you obtained helped me to pinpoint where that criminal is now. She is known as Morinth and she resides on Omega."
"I'll set the course immedietaly." John was about to leave when Samara spoke again. "Shepard...there is one other thing..." Justicar lost her usual calm. "This criminal is an Ardat-Yakshi, an asari with rare genetic disorder. She kills whoever she mates with. But each kill gives her more power. She's a serial killer with great power and addiction to it."
"I see why you want her taken care of."
"But that's not the hardest part...Morinth is my daughter." Justicar broke stare with Shepard.
"I'm sorry Samara...I understand. We'll be there as fast as possible."
"Thank you Shepard...This means a lot to me."
/.../
Shepard went out with Samara to Afterlife. He did some goodwill to Aria T'Loak taking out groups of mercs being her competition so perhaps she would kindly share some intel on Morinth.
Self-proclaimed Queen of Omega was as usual, lounging on her leather coach.
"Aria? I got a favor to ask. In light of our cooperation I believe you don't mind." Shepard started walking up to her.
"Depends on a favor. And keep Justicar out of our business if you could"
"She's with me. Now, You have an Ardat-Yakshi roaming here..." At those words Aria stood up and paced a little.
"I knew it was her...Nothing leaves a victim so...empty. Her last kill was a human girl from the tenents but don't know the details. Look for Helena Blake. She helps unfortunate lowlifes here."
Shepard nodded and left. He quickly found the woman. A middle aged woman of posture more fitting a ballroom not seedy Omega. She looked familiar.
"Commander Shepard? News said you were dead...Maybe you remember me? I'm Helena Blake. I used to ran a syndicate that you well...ended. I promised to leave way of crime and I did."
"There's anything else to do on Omega?" John asked recalling ultimatum he gave her years ago.
"Oh yes, I'm a social worker believe it or not. I'm uniquely qualified as I know how criminals operate. Thanks to this I'm helping people to stay from the crime and find a way to make an honest living."
"That's more noble than I thought. But I've been told you that you can tell me about a victim of a killer. Recently decased young girl."
"That would be Nef..." Helena saddened. "A driven sculptor that had a way to get out from here and make a career. Few days ago she's been found dead. Brain hemmoraged and grimace on her face. Nobody cares but it was a murder. Her mother is in shumbles now..."
"Could you take us to her? We're onto this killer." John asked.
Helena led Shepard and Samara into destrict of tenents. She buzzed into one of the doors.
"Diana? It's Helena Blake. It's...about Nef." Blake spoke and doors opened. John saw a middle aged woman with tired face and teary eyes.
"Who-Who are you?"
"It's okay Diana. They're looking for the one who hurt Nef" Helena walked in and tried to calm down Nef's mother.
"Can you tell me anything unsual about you daughter? Something happened recently?" John asked.
"N-no, Nef was driven but shy...not many friends or places to go. Then about a month ago she started constantly hanging out in some VIP club with this asari...Morinth or something..."
"I see" Samara spoke. "Morinth loves artists and any other isolated people with a spark"
"Nef was so unfocused in that time. She always talked about this Morinth like she was a goddes...She probably gave drugs to my Nef..." Diana spoke sobbing again.
"Morinth controls through sheer will, but drugs and clubs are her lifestyle. Debauchery and hedonism entices her." Samara spoke.
"Can we examine Nef's things Diana? We may find some clues" John spoke again to Diana.
"Yes, please. Anything to help catch that monster!"
"We will be respectful" Samara added and walked into Nef's room. Typical little space. Drawings and unfinished little sculpture. And a holo journal. Listening to it John learned that Morinth indeed killed Nef. She hunts in VIP club where a certain name have to be dropped as a code. Then Nef confessed that she was taking drug, Hallex, together with Morinth. Finally she mentioned a vid 'Vaenia' that sounded like some asari fetish vid that Morinth loved. Lastly she mentioned that Ardat-Yakshi talked about elcor artist Forta...
"I think that's all Commander. But now I must ask you for a great deal of trust." Samara spoke to John. "If we just march in, she'll flee and I'll lost first chance in 400 years to catch her. I need you to go to that club, dressed as civilian. Then lure Morinth toward you. She will take you to her place and try to seduce you. I will follow you and enter at the right moment."
"Unarmed bait? Well we have to go back to the ship anyway to get rid of my armor...I'll pick something up from Max, just to keep me safe and we'll try it."
/.../
Max was feverishly working on something in the Armor when Shepard walked in. No music, no smile.
"Bro, have some rest man."
"No, I can't. I keep seeing that image. Blue comet hitting Kasumi. Ellie being blown up by that mine..."
"Don't turn into me Max." John spoke tiredly. "Don't start dwelling on the past and be blind on present. I did it for years and what I got? Kicked in the teeth from people I cared about and broken heart? 'Cause I was blind and couldn't see who really cared? Family I still have? Tali who I should choose instead of Liara?"
Max stopped working and turned around.
"You told me this. Don't dwell and move on. Now I'm telling you the same thing Will."
Silence lasted a while. Max move up and clasped John with one-armed hug. "Thank you John. Thank you man."
"That's what family is for..." John felt relief helping troubled sibling. "Now...I'm not to burst the bubble but I'm in deep cover op. Gonna have to walk unarmed into Omega's club. Then seduce an asari killer and still manage to not get killed."
"Asari killer?"
"Look, Samara is chasing an asari...mutant, basically she'll kill you with sex. Gotta be a bait and get her close so Samara can take her out."
"Alright...And you want something to cover your ass while she'll be gettin' onto you? Lethal or not?"
"Dosen't matter really if it will stop her immediately."
Max nodded and started rummaging through boxes and crates.
"Only thing that'll work would be an electricity. Heavy one." He pulled out a hand brace made out some metal pieces and wires. "Get yourself something with sleeves and gloves. I'll put it onto gloves. One shot on each so don't waste it. I'll set it to be armed with flick of wrist, then just touch anything to send jolt. Taze or fry, we'll see. I can't be sure with quick job"
"Okay, I'll bring you jacket and gloves."
/.../
John felt uneasy walking through Omega without guns or armor. Samara walked with him fully armed but still, he felt naked. Only safeguard were his marksman gloves. Max grafted tasers into their palms, with fast flick of wrist he armed them. Had to be careful to not activate them accidentaly.
"This is where we split up. I'll observe you Shepard so don't worry. You have make her come to you not otherwise. She's sick so typical shivalry would bore her. Show some of your bad side, pick a fight, intimidate some brawler. Be aggressive." Samara spoke. "And remember about things that Nef talked about - the Hallex drug, vid called Vaenia and artist named Forta. Use this to attract her to you."
"Alright, let's do this." John shrugged and walked up to the bouncer.
/.../
Getting Morinth to notice him was easy, scare a krogan at the bar, kick two lowlifes looking for troubles and persuade bartender for a round on the house. That went well. When asari with similar azure skin like Samara approached him, he knew who she was. Getting her on his side was harder, he had to play aggressive asshole. He chuckled in his mind on that. Max would probaby told him to just be like before joining Alliance. A self-centered jackass.
Shepard managed to sound interesting enough for Morinth, she asked him to come over to her apartment. He agreed feeling tension building up. once they entered, Morinth wasn't interested in much of a flirting. She almost jumped on Shepard and dragged him to her couch.
"Tell me you want me..." He heard her voice and then he saw...those. Her eyes went black. Like endless wells. He couldn't move and he was feeling like drowning.
"Tell me you'll do anything for me..." Shepard was trying to resist her. He was losing.
"SHEPARD!" Tali's voice rang in his head muffled by Morinth purrs. But it was enough.
John snapped from the stupor and flicking wrists he armed shockers in his gloves. Morinth's eyes went back to normal, she sensed something was wrong. But then Shepard gripped her head with his hands. A spark of electricity went through Morinth's body and stink of burning skin erupted. John watched as Morinth opens her mouth in mute scream of pain and surprise while her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
"Shepard!" Samara ran into the room. She saw Shepard clutching Morinth's head in his hands. She smelled burned skin.
John tooked his hands off Ardat-Yakshi. Now she was nothing but sack of burned meat. He tossed her off him and took a deep breath.
"Shepard..." Samara whispered in shock.
"Is she dead?!" John rasped. Justicar checked on the killer. No life was left. Only huge burn marks on sides of her head showed what happened.
"Shepard...My mission was to kill Morinth..." Samara sad both sad and angry looking at her daughter.
"I thought it'll just taze her...Better off this way." John shivered and stood up. "No parent should kill or bury own children. There is enough misery and burden. I won't be haunted by her death. You would."
Samara closed her eyes for a moment. Opening them she spoke, "There is truth in your words...However death of my daughter will haunt me nonetheless."
"I wish I could offer you something more Samara...but I can't. Let's get out from here. We both could use some rest"
"Yes."