Chapter 20: An Overdue Visit
Angelica Hunter was a famous woman for many reasons, the biggest being her family lineage. She was the granddaughter of two Alliance heroes and legends, the great-granddaughter of a naval icon and the daughter of another Alliance luminary. She was the niece of two renowned Alliance captains and of course, a member of the now mythical Shepard family. There was also the fact that many of her relatives happened to be highly regarded SPECTRES, including her mother. The fanfare that often accompanied her arrival anywhere public or even aboard a new ship was often excessive and only served to annoy her. She had worked exceedingly hard during her career to earn her own accolades and identity. The title of Biotic Sorceress that she now wore was a direct result of her labors and the trials that she'd faced and conquered since becoming a soldier herself.
She was recognized as the most powerful and skilled biotic in the entire Alliance and quite possibly the most exceptional human being alive…in Alliance and Citadel Space anyway. She knew better than to claim such a lofty position when it came to distinguishing herself within her father's domains. Her father, the Terminus Hunter. The Mercenary King of Cartagena and the Ruler of the Nemean Abyss. Even though she carried his name, most chose to ignore it. For all intents and purposes, she was a Shepard. Both the Alliance and Citadel preferred to ignore the other half of her parentage as a matter of convenience. Their relationship with Malcolm Hunter was after all, tenuous at best.
Angelica on the other hand, never shied away from her father's legacy or reputation. She knew full well who he was and how he'd gotten his notoriety, none of which mattered to her. In her mind, the Terminus Hunter was simply her dad and his friends were an extended family of sorts. She had grown up visiting him and spending time with all the Terminus Wolves and always felt welcomed, for the most part. Her father had an enormous following that included his Wolves, Fangs and Vorcha, all of whom were completely devoted and firmly loyal. His children were considered outlaw royalty of sorts due to their parents' colorful backgrounds which only added to their popularity within the chaotic regions of space that they called home. Unfortunately, that particular distinction didn't extend to Angelica and she didn't always find herself welcome in the darker corners of Cartagena where her half-siblings roamed. The Alliance and Citadel governments weren't the only ones who considered her a Shepard and she found the discernment to be far more bothersome and even dangerous in places where her grandfather was actually despised.
Despite that, she enjoyed spending time in the more anarchistic regions of space. It was always a pleasant change of pace to wander places where she wouldn't be met with fanfare. Some may have given her the cold shoulder but others were far more welcoming, especially the young people who looked up to her father. The children he'd rescued from Equinox, the new generation of superhumans, the people like her. The Abyss for all its faults was someplace where she could be herself and interact with people whom she didn't completely outclass mentally and physically. She could talk, laugh and spar to her heart's content without worrying about hurting someone if she didn't hold back. And even if there were those who resented her presence, they kept their feelings to themselves. Half Shepard or not, Angelica enjoyed the same benefits of protection that Mal's other children received. Despite being the granddaughter of the Head of the Alliance Navy and a soldier herself, she was free to roam anywhere in the Terminus Systems and the Nemean Abyss where her father had a presence. His name was enough to keep her safe and during times when it wasn't, a few well placed assassins did the trick equally well, without her ever knowing.
"You've grown your hair. I like it." Virgo fondly remarked while gently stroking a strand of her former pupil's locks.
The pair were currently standing in a corridor aboard a Terminus Wolf cruiser that was being escorted by three squadrons of frigates, two of which were operating under stealth. They were both enjoying the view outside a window while approaching Cartagena Station.
"I keep it tied up most of the time. Long hair is harder to manage in the field and a nuisance when it comes to helmets." Angelica explained.
"Our little Angel, an Alliance soldier." Virgo mused. "Your other parents must be proud. We've heard about your recent exploits. But you should be careful. Raiders aren't to be underestimated, especially these days." she cautioned.
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Virgo. I can take care of myself just fine. You can tell Dad he shouldn't worry either the next time you pounce on him when he's alone." Angelica joked. "And try to be more considerate of Tess while you're at it." she sternly added.
"I haven't disappeared with your father yet, have I? I think I've been quite courteous these past few years." Virgo countered before pouting causing Angelica to grin in spite of herself. "So tell me, are you excited?"
"Of course! The triplets are officially turning seventeen! I'll bet they're excited too, not to mention all the Wolves!" Angelica exclaimed.
"They aren't the only ones. The entire station is in a stir. Mal has been planning this celebration for quite some time and he's invited a rather staggering number of people, including all of our treasures." Virgo explained warmly.
"Calling all of the children that you and my father rescued from Equinox 'treasures' had to be your idea. Dad couldn't have come up with anything so sweet or eloquent." Angelica teased.
"I wouldn't sell Mal short if I were you. He does stumble across a nice name from time to time even if he doesn't realize it." Virgo playfully replied while smiling. "It will be nice to see them all before they scatter to the winds again."
"What do they all do anyway? Half of them are my age, right?" Angelica curiously pondered.
"Oh, a little of this, a little of that." Virgo replied in a coy and evasive manner that instantly told Angelica that she wouldn't be getting a straight answer any time soon.
"Fine, keep your secrets." she quietly fumed. She'd have plenty of time to ask a few of them in person once she arrived at the party.
Less than an hour later, the duo found themselves traversing the colossal market district of Cartagena station which was bustling with even more activity than usual.
"I'm sorry about this Angelica but I promised Mal that I'd make sure a few final details were on schedule." Virgo stated in an apologetic manner while leading the way through a crowded plaza.
"Is the whole station celebrating?" Angelica asked in astonishment after witnessing a small army of vorcha haul a gargantuan birthday cake with the Hunter Triplets likenesses across the square.
"More or less, though many are simply using the event as an excuse to shirk off work and drink." Virgo replied with a hint of disdain. "Their eighteenth celebration will likely be even more chaotic."
"This is unbelievable." Angelica whispered in awe before observing a pair krogan walk past with a pair of presents that were suspiciously shaped like guns. They stopped briefly to glare at her before continuing on their way after catching sight of Virgo whose gaze was twice as menacing.
"They're from Wrandok's clan. Try not to pay any attention to them. I doubt your paths will cross once the celebrations are underway. The entire mansion is serving as the venue and there will be plenty of places to avoid mingling with them." Virgo assured her.
"I don't need you to protect me, Virgo. How many times am I going to have to say that? And by the way, I could've gotten here on my own. There was no need to come in person and meet me halfway with a cruiser and three squadrons of frigates." Angelica irritably responded while folding her arms.
"We all agreed it was for the best. These are dangerous times, Angelica. Very soon…just let us spoil you when we can, alright?" Virgo pleaded before tenderly brushing her cheek.
"I hate it when you do that. You and Dad." Angelica sighed causing Virgo to smile before leading the way onward.
After reaching a large building in the market area that had a variety of crudely drawn beasts decorating the front of the structure, the pair pressed forward inside where a disturbing scene was unfolding that would've undoubtedly been too much to bear for the more squeamish.
"Hurry up! Mal said sixty! We already running late!" a furious looking vorcha wearing a blood stained apron shouted.
A moment later three of his subordinates beheaded a space cow and immediately dragged the carcass from the center of the room and into the back of the store. The resulting blood only added to a gore filled scene that was already decorating the entire shop's interior. Frenzied vorcha everywhere were butchering and dissecting various space bovines while their compatriots wrapped and packaged the results of their hard work and prepped them for delivery by carrying the meat off and loading it into shuttles in the rear of the shop.
"Retch, would this happen to be your idea of sticking to a schedule?" Virgo calmly asked while narrowing her eyes on the vorcha butcher.
"Not my fault, not my fault, NOT MY FAULT!" the vorcha called Retch desperately insisted. "Deliveries late! Supplier got jumped by pirates! I have to call backups, take time! We still make it!"
"For your sake, I hope so. You wouldn't want to see an army of ravenous superhumans and krogan banging down your door and I'm certain you wouldn't want a mob of your own people added to that equation." Virgo warned him. "I suppose the barbecue will be delayed now, fortunately for you I have backups as well." she added before summoning her omni-tool and sending a message.
Meanwhile, Angelica decided to greet the old vorcha whom she hadn't seen since she was a little girl during her walks around the station with her father. "Retch, did you actually forget about me?"
"Gelica? Gelica!" Retch shouted in a jovial manner. "You got big! Big like Liv! You woman now!"
"I'm glad someone noticed." Angelica laughed. "I'm guessing business has been good?"
"Business always good with Mal and the Wolves. We barely keep up with orders." Retch explained.
"To be fair, most of it goes to feeding the krogan among the Wolves and the Fangs." Virgo suddenly interjected. "The boys may need their protein too but I refuse to let them all gorge on animal flesh when there are better alternatives."
"Glad to hear it. Sometimes I worry about what Vince eats while he's out there alone-I mean, never mind." Angelica quickly stopped herself. Virgo simply smirked at her before leading the way outside but not before making a few thinly veiled threats to Retch regarding his deadline.
The rest of her errands went far more smoothly and after confirming the delivery of three high-end, luxury sky cars that Angelica was certain were birthday gifts for her younger siblings, they finally began making their way to the Hunter's Haven district of Cartagena where the entire community was in a euphoric uproar. There was already dancing, music and all manner of partying going on in the middle of the streets but it all paled in comparison to the epic celebration that was already underway at the Terminus Hunter's mansion. The music that was blasting from the bash could be heard all across the station while the holo-displays, pyrotechnics and vid-screen images that dotted the exterior could be seen from the furthest corners of the the districts that laid on the other end of the region.
"It seems we're a little late." Virgo chuckled while she and Angelica casually made their way through the revelry outside the estate and into the mansion itself. The Fangs working security already knew who they were and promptly allowed them to pass while quietly wishing that their shifts would soon end so they could join the festivities as well.
After crossing the threshold of the front door and entering the foyer, they were quickly met by another massive spectacle as teenagers of every species tore up the dance floor in what used to be the living room in addition to every other floor in the house. There were frenzied dances taking place on every level of the mansion while luminescent orbs of light floated in the air and constantly changed color and intensity.
At the center of the chaos, Angelica caught sight of her younger brother Lucas dancing quite intensely with his girlfriend, Rain, while surrounded by a mob of cheering friends.
"The ultimate power couple." Virgo humorously remarked. "I'm glad Mal eased his restrictions so that they could have some final time together before he leaves. Sadly, I'm afraid you won't be able to get near them amid this onslaught of well wishers." Virgo loudly informed Angelica while guiding her through the celebrations. "We should head for the adult section so that you can greet your father and the others before you wander off into this chaos."
They continued to make their way through the crowds of screaming teenagers before eventually slipping into the backyard where all of the adults were gathered and throwing their own celebration while sitting around various tables that were decorated with pictures of the triplets and sharing drinks and stories.
"And I kid you not, she actually said the Boss wanted to name him 'Lion Hunter' and I'm like 'Hey, sounds pretty badass.' You would've had my vote, Fearless Leader!" Mason shouted while the senior members of the Terminus Wolves and a crowd of other mercenary vets laughed and voiced their approval.
"See! I told you!" Mal yelled in triumph. "Just wait. Once we hit pup number nine, I'll finally get my say-"
"Don't even think about it, Mal." Tess replied in a serious tone before breaking down and laughing with everyone else.
"I think you've subjected Tess to enough. You've more than proven how much of a man you are." Rika humorously chastised him.
"And I've grown quite tired of playing the role of midwife." Taya added causing even more laughter.
"Perhaps it's time we considered intervening for all our sakes. Helping you raise these children has proven to be more dangerous than our battles against the Trio." Hildy serenely joked.
"Tell me about it. Chasing Little Leon out of my house since he was old enough to sneak in and put the moves on Keiko, I'm burned out Boss." Mason quipped.
"Why's everybody ganging up on me? It takes two to tango. That's actually a saying you know." Mal replied defensively.
"Indeed, perhaps we should consider tying Tess down instead." Libra humorously suggested rousing even more laughter from the crowd while her friend grew embarrassed.
"Don't listen to them, Sweetheart! You and Mal can keep pumping out as many as you want. You're no worse than krogan and your brats can at least read." Zaeed belted in slightly drunken daze.
"That's it, old man! You finally crossed the line!" Brix shouted while staggering to his feet in his own drunken stupor. "Mal said you were the one who taught him how to kill krogan, well let's see you try it on me."
"Sit down, I'll deal with the old bastard! You're too stupid and drunk to do anything! And you're even more worthless when you're sober!" Tag barked.
The two krogan promptly collided with each other and initiated a bout of headbutting before tussling further and crashing through a table full of appetizers while the crowd cheered them on.
"My credits are on Brix!" Blaze gleefully shouted.
"Mine are on Tag." Gage added while smirking. "And make sure you have my money ready. I'd hate to have to kick your ass in front of Maura and your boys."
"Your concerns are worthless. For one you'd lose. And regardless, I happen to be betting on Tag myself." Maura announced as a small stampede began forming to observe the drunken brawl.
"You really know how to support a man, don't you?" Blaze sarcastically quipped.
"After all these years, they're still fools of an uncanny caliber." Zade lamented.
"You know, you complain an awful lot for a guy who's supposed to be as cool as they come. I wised up, didn't I?" Lance humorously inquired.
"That is debatable." Zade replied sardonically causing Rouge, Nox and Lira to burst into laughter.
"Tag is the favorite by a big enough margin for me to make a killing if Brix wins." Sye mused. "Jaylen, spot me a few credits."
"No." Jaylen and Ryla both replied.
"What is it with you married couples? Bunch of tight wad…"
"I'll loan you the money, fool. And you will give me half the winnings." Vex sternly proposed.
As the Terminus Wolves and the rest of the crowd gathered around the fight, Mal simply shook his head in amusement before finally noticing Angelica. "Angel, when did you get here?"
"We've been here for quite awhile now, the fact that you hadn't noticed wounds us both quite deeply." Virgo replied in feigned distress before puckering her lips suggestively at him.
"This is exactly why we should have sent Taya or Maura to pick her up." Libra scoffed as the latecomers approached Mal's table. "Angelica, it's good to see you again. You've grown into a very beautiful young woman. Just like your sister." she added appreciatively before embracing her. "Poor Mal." she quietly snickered.
"You mean poor bastard that I end up getting my hands on tonight if he happens to get to friendly. I'm just drunk enough to do some damage and not be held accountable." Mal laughed before being elbowed by Tess.
"Come here, let me get a good look at you." she demanded. "I guess you're not the same little girl who used to give me hugs all the time anymore. I really will miss those days."
"Tess, do you want a hug?" Angelica impishly asked before promptly squeezing her without waiting for a response.
"That's more like it." Tess replied warmly.
"Angelica, it's good to see you." Leo greeted.
"You too, I hear you've been putting Lou through hell recently."
"Perhaps, but only for his betterment. Lucas has all the makings of a superb warrior. It was only fitting that Mal and I be the ones to bring out his full potential." Leo explained.
"Is that why you approved of him and Rain too?" she teased.
"Don't even get him started on this." Mal grumbled. "The loon here is already planning their wedding. A wedding that I'll be paying for." he firmly announced.
"We've been over this before Mal, Rain is my daughter and I'll be the one covering the expenses. And the centerpieces will be cherry blossoms held within vases made of-"
"Wrong again. I'm paying and the centerpieces are gonna be carnations in a-"
"Don't test me, Mal." Leo warned.
"Or what? You'll throw your lame ass cherry blossoms at me?"
The two men eyed each other for several seconds before colliding in an instant and initiating a wrestling match in the middle of the yard.
"Not this again." Tess sighed in exasperation.
"Maybe we should call TED and have him intervene with the riot foam." Libra suggested.
"Say it, say it damn you! Carnations!" Mal demanded after getting Leo in a headlock.
"Never!" Leo choked before diving backwards through their table causing Mal to release his grip.
"Fight number two at the big guy's table! My credits are on Mal!" Lance excitedly shouted while leading a portion of the crowd toward Mal and Leo's brawl.
"Angelica, now would be a good time for you to mingle with the others. The younger grownups are in the lounge. Vince should be there already and don't worry, these childish skirmishes tend to happen quite often whenever we all get together and liquor is involved." Virgo assured her.
For a moment she was actually worried until she saw her father and Leo laughing in between their demands and scuffles on the lawn. "You really do know how to throw a party, Dad." she quietly mused before leaving the yard.
"How long has it been since you and I shared a drink?" a tall, strikingly beautiful, woman with olive skin, dark hair and piercing grey eyes pondered while sipping a cocktail with a friend she hadn't seen in awhile. They were both seated at a small table in a massive lounge that occupied one of the lower floors of the Hunter Mansion and were drawing more than a few stares due to the woman's popularity and chic appearance. She considered the silver floral patterned halter dress that she was wearing to be one of her more simple ensembles. Her admirers disagreed.
"It was that board meeting, right? Mal forced me to sit in while he went out to see that fight with the guys." Vince replied in annoyance. "I hate when he pulls crap like that. You must be grateful you don't have to put up with his childish BS anymore, Adriana."
"A little but truthfully speaking, I miss him more than I thought I would and home in general. Illium can be a trying place to live and do business in even with our Den and the Fangs close by." the woman explained.
"Come on, you mean to tell me being the CEO of Lupine Industries doesn't have any perks?" Vince joked.
"If you're insinuating that I don't enjoy the executive privileges, you're mistaken. I enjoy fulfilling this role far more than serving as some shock trooper or enforcer." Adriana informed him before smirking.
"That backhanded wit must serve you pretty well when it comes to business negotiations." Vince responded coolly.
"It does." she casually replied before taking another sip of her drink. "Vince, you could've joined me or anyone really. You're no fool and you possess a great many skills that aren't limited to just fighting. Being a superhuman doesn't mean you have to be a soldier." she reminded him.
"I had my reasons, Adriana. And I'm not the only one who decided to join a military arm of our organization."
"I can only assume you're referring to Dylan. In his case joining the Wolves made perfect sense. Shooting things has always been his one and only talent." she scoffed.
"Well, he did manage to charm his way into your good graces too. No easy feat, you are one of our goddesses after all." Vince teased.
"That was a long time ago and I'd prefer you not bring it up." she quietly requested. "It seems Mal's children have all begun to mature. I ran into Nate earlier, who isn't so young anymore. The swagger on that boy, he must be trouble for all the inexperienced little girls around here." she suddenly joked in an effort to change the subject.
"Damn it, did he make a pass at you?" Vince asked in exasperation.
"Vince, I receive unwelcome advances quite frequently in Nos Astra and everywhere else I travel. But what that boy presented was pure, unbridled confidence wrapped in a pretty package and dipped in charm. I'm actually considering giving him a chance in a few years." Adriana replied while smiling.
"We have got to get him fixed." Vince muttered causing her to giggle.
"I noticed that Lucas and Rain are still happy together. I'm glad. I was a little worried given how popular they both are and with how many harpies there are circling him."
"There was never anything to worry about. Lou may be popular but there isn't a girl on this station who'd risk incurring Rain's wrath. Besides, he's not the 'player' type. He loves her and he'd never do anything to jeopardize what they have." Vince fondly explained while thinking of his younger brother.
"Do you think Mal will choose him as his successor? He does seem to be the natural choice since you aren't planning to throw your own hat in the ring." Adriana pondered.
"Probably but they've all still got a lot of growing to do. It wouldn't be right to pick him before the others have had a chance to show what they're made of." Vince explained.
"We've all begun making our bids you know, organizing support for our chosen candidate." Adriana casually informed him.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Vince replied incredulously. "Adriana, politics are exactly what's wrong with the galaxy. Just let Mal choose, back up whoever it is and be done with it."
"I'd love to subscribe to your simpleminded approach but unfortunately we all have to consider what's at stake. Heshtok, Cartagena Station, Terminus Wolves Inc. and everything else that Mal has built. We can't allow it to fall to ruin or worse yet into someone else's hands. We'll need the right Hunter running things and you and I both know they aren't all up to the task." Adriana firmly explained.
"So, what? You'll challenge Mal's decision if he picks someone you don't approve of?"
"No, but we'll all insist that he remain in control until a better candidate changes his mind. We'd all prefer it if he simply continued running things himself but he's already made it clear that he plans to hand things off within the century. I can't for the life of me figure out why. He's the best leader we'll ever have and he even holds a seat of power on-"
"That's enough, Adriana. Ears everywhere, remember?" Vince cautioned her. "Mal has his reasons."
"And of course you know exactly what they are as usual. The only one of us who ever knows what the big picture is." she replied in annoyance.
"Are you gonna throw that in my face again? I get enough of this from-"
"From your girlfriend?" Adriana finished for him.
"I'm not even surprised that people know at this point." Vince sighed.
"You're walking a dangerous line, Vince."
"You think I don't know that? Mal means everything to me but-"
"That's not what I meant. I seriously doubt Mal would object, in fact I firmly believe that you're the only man in the galaxy that he'd ever trust with one of his daughters. The problem is the daughter that you picked. She's a Shepard, Vince. We all know how closely her family is tied to the Citadel and how the Citadel feels about Mal. I'm asking you as a friend, please watch yourself around her. Her mother and Mal don't exactly have a pleasant history together either." Adriana cautioned.
"I'm not gonna leak info to her if that's what you're worried about. That's not the kind of relationship we have." Vince insisted.
"Good because I'd hate to have to kill you." she replied in a serious tone. "And that wasn't my only concern." she quietly added.
"There you are!" a cheerful and familiar voice suddenly shouted, instantly breaking up the conversation. "This party is really something or should I say parties. From what I can tell there are at least three of them raging right now." Angelica happily stated after approaching the pair.
"I'm guessing you had a pleasant trip. Other than the huge escort that Mom brought with her to pick you up." Vince joked before hugging her. "Angelica, you remember Adriana, right?"
"How could I forget? She's still over-the-top beautiful and as glamorous as ever." she earnestly stated while observing the striking young woman sitting before her.
"That's always flattering to hear from the much sought after Biotic Sorceress." Adriana humorously responded. "It's always a pleasure, Angelica." she politely continued before standing. "I suppose I should start tracking down the birthday youths and wishing them well. It has been awhile since I've seen them and I do owe them each a hug. Vince, we'll continue our discussion later. Don't count on me forgetting." she casually continued before gracefully strolling off.
"What was that about?" Angelica asked after watching her leave.
"Just the usual." Vince evasively replied. "So, are you ready to try and navigate the madness of a Hunter bash?" he quipped.
"I thought you'd never ask." Angelica eagerly replied. She couldn't wait to dive in headfirst.