Chapter 60: Look Ma No...
Character Shepard
"Hands, really," Shepard asked the Council as he, Cassity and K stood before them. "You won't recognize Cassity and the Ephraim as a race because they don't have hands? They have more power than all of our races combined!" Cassity was in the form of a very large, silver, wolf, with flaming singularities for eyes.
"And we agree," the Turian Councilor said, "but that is in the active article on how to deal with newly discovered life forms. So as ludicrous as it may be we can not subvert the law. To do that you would have to get the leaders of all our races to agree to change the currently standing article."
"We would have to convince your leaders," Cassity said angrily, "We would, considering where you are standing and who you are standing before right now, I would suggest that you are the ones who very much want to convince your leaders to recognize my people!"
"Please calm yourself," the Assari Councilor said, "You must understand that compared to your race even my kind is a young race. With so many races at so many stages of development and with so many different trusts in each other it is hard to create a fluid political system. Even if you were able to convince our leaders of the need to change the laws, it would take months or years for those changes to be put into effect."
"She is right," K said moments later, "According to Harbinger's scans of Citadel transmissions your governments are very distrustful of each other. It seems without my Reapers to fight you have turned on each other as quickly as a hungry pack of Varren around a carcass."
"Your Reapers," the Silarian Councilor said, "You brandish the term like a club, trying to beat us into submission with it. Threatening us wont help you."
"It is not a threat," K said, "Simply an observation. You all should have no reason to be fighting and yet everywhere you turn there is rumor of war brewing. The Council has been hamstrung, the Human Ambassador has yet to be replaced, and all the major races are at each others' throats. Someone or something is directing this, it is not the Reapers, so what is pushing you all towards another war?"
"What indeed," came the sultry voice of Miranda Lawson as she appeared on a hologram display beside the Council. "Shepard, I'll bet you're surprised to see me here."
"Considering your skills and drive," Shepard said, "Not as much as you might think, I do wonder though why take Udina's spot?"
"Cerberus' attack made the Council decide to get an expert on their tactics," Miranda replied as she brushed a long strand of black hair out of her brown eyes, "I am the last person from the Illusive Man's inner circle in the galaxy so I was the logical choice. Councilors the Commander's friend is right, we have been undermined by some entity. For what purpose we don't know but we need to find out before we tear each other to pieces. The Epheriam could be the key to us finding out this traitor."
"How so," Cassity asked quickly, "We won't be used and discarded as we've seen you do with other races before."
"The Council can't declare your race a Council race but we do have complete control over the Specters..." Miranda said.
"Make the Epheriam Specters," the Turian Councilor remarked, "They do have the prowess for the job but do they have the loyalty?"
"I guess their loyalty would depend on how much reason you give them to be loyal," Shepard said. "Cassity what would it take?"
"We can't be bought," Cassity said, "These Specters, what are they to you?"
"They are our arm, our sword," the Assari Councilor said, "The Specters have complete immunity to all the laws, they are above the citizens, the governing bodies, everything."
"They are a law unto themselves," Shepard said, "I am one, as is Ash and Garrus now. Our only obligation is to guard the Council and carry out it's will. Or in my case help save the galaxy."
"What just one galaxy," K asked, "Mm, okay you're young yet I'll let it slide."
"What you've save more than one," Cassity asked.
"Oh yes," K replied, "and destroyed several as well."
"Councilors," Shepard said to end K and Cassity's conversation, "Do you really intend to add an entire race to the Specters?"
"For once I have to agree with the commander," the Silurian Councilor said, "To add an entire race would shatter the unity of the Specters not to mention the races' opinion of them."
"Well, technically, we'd just be adding one," Miranda said, "Other than us no one knows that your race is called Epheriam, so we could add Epheriam to the Specters and all of you could use the name. To us you all look the same anyway."
"And how will you explain there being possibly thousands of us moving about all at once," Cassity asked.
"Simple," Miranda said, "You are dark energy and can manifest anywhere at any time."
"That's actually not half bad," K remarked.
"Miranda is special like that," Shepard said, "and possibly a bit touched in the head."
"Not as much as you then," Miranda said, "one suicide mission wasn't enough for you so you go back for more? But we can talk later I hear you're putting on a party while your here, I'll be sure to be there. Cassity if you could take this information about the Specters to your people and bring their response to us that would be appreciated."
"I will go then," Cassity said, "Shepard can I meet up with you and the Councilors at this party?"
"You all are welcome to join us," Shepard said, "I'll send you all the location when the rest of the team gets in."
"I will have to decline," the Turian Councilor said, "while Miranda runs about as the spymaster of the four of us, we still have to maintain the appearance of diplomacy and stature. We have meetings with dignitaries and such booked all the way to the end of the week, in fact we are pushing back an already delayed Drell ambassador as we speak."
"Then we need not take anymore of your time," Shepard said.
"There is one more thing before you go," the Assari Councilor said, "K we know you are the controller of the Reapers. How exactly does that work?"
"As far as I can tell the Reapers are free to do and act as they wish while I am not directly controlling them," K replied, "I can accomplish that because my biological code has been 'programmed' into all the Reapers and I have a powerful enough soul to enforce my will from any distance. If you want to know why they are helping you now, it is because my biology has shown the Reapers that there is a better way to preserve life that mechanizing it."
"So you mean to tell us the Reapers are helping of their own free will," the Silarian Councilor asked.
"I can not really answer that," K said, "Their 'own free will' is also constantly overshadowed by the possibility of me overriding their control. I can not say for sure how much a part the fear of that possibility plays into the Reapers' decisions."
"Well thank you all for this... enlightening conversation," the Assari Councilor said, "That was all we wished to know." Shepard, K and Cassity nodded to the Councilors and left with Miranda following them out."
"Miranda," Tali greeted as the group arrived at the bottom of the elevator that led to the top of the Presidium. "Surprised to see you here, I thought you were blacklisted or something by the Council."
"Hard to blacklist one of your own members," Miranda said with a slight smirk as she crossed her arms, "No suit huh, nice catch Shep, shes a beauty. So I hear you're having a party then, and a bunch of your new friends are coming. I can't help but think this has to be your influence Shepard would never host a social event of his own accord."
"You're on the Council," Tali remarked as she joined the three, "and you can thank the new friends for the lack of suit."
"She sure is," Shepard said, "And for the record I host plenty of social events and you're still in the suit you're just not wearing the mask."
"I'm not sure if the two of us doing something counts as a social event," Tali said, "and the mask makes the suit.
"Social seems to indicate multiple people," Cassity said, "Besides you two are much more than friends, I can tell from how your essence brightens when you are together."
"What," Shepard asked.
"Oh come on," Cassity said, "Do you really think I see this world as you do? With these eyes? I see energy, you are a construct of energy and she is a construct of energy when the two of you are together like you are now you are brighter, stronger."
"Now that is an impressive trait," Miranda said, "So can you tell the difference in materials of objects, metal, stone, wood, cloth?"
"Of course," Cassity said, "Each one is a different arrangement of energy. Just don't ask me what color something is, their energy spectrum is so close together it is not distinct to my kind."
"Wait you're telling me that you can't see color," Tali said, "How dreary the world must look to you then. The Citadel is almost all metal, that must be really dull to you."
"How can I miss something I've never experienced," Cassity said, "Anyway I think this arrangement with the Specters will suit my kind, we prefer not to engage in society much."
"But you're different aren't you," Shepard asked.
"Something like that," Cassity replied, "So this party thing, you said there were going to be others from your what was it, Dragon Company, there?"
"Yes there will be," Shepard said, "Why do you want to meet more of us?"
"If I can yes," Cassity said, "If there are more who are like K and C I would be very interested to meet them."
"I suppose you would be interested in us," K said, "If you see us as energy then we must be somewhat confusing to you."
"That is putting it mildly," Cassity said.
"Well you are certainly welcome to come," Tali said, "Besides I'm sure the other DC members will be just as interested in you as you are about them."
"Speaking of the others I should see who all is coming," K said, "We certainly can't fit all of DC into your apartment, deluxe edition or not."
"Ha I'll agree to that," Shepard said, "Anyone who is already in this universe is welcome to come and anyone they want to invite can join us. The rest will just have to visit the Citadel another time."
"I seem to recall Abrams indicating some interest in the Citadel, especially since Schnee Corporation is helping to develop Remnant's first spaceship," K said, "I will start by inquiring of Weiss about his intentions to visit." K then morphed into a small version of his Leviathan form and flew off towards the Normandy.
"So does he do that often," Miranda asked.
"All the time," Shepard said, "All the time. Well Cassity, Miranda, if you two want to be at the party then we should probably find out where Anderson's apartment is."
"Wait the Admiral didn't tell you where the apartment is," Tali asked surprised.
"He said it was in the Silver Sun Strip," Shepard said, "Other than that we are on our own."
"Great," Miranda stated, "At least we have a starting point." They all got into a shuttle and headed for the Strip. "Tell me Shep who all is still in your crew?"
"Liarra, Wrex, Grunt, Jack, Garrus, Ash, Javik, James, EDI, Mordin and Joker are all still hanging around for whatever reasons," Shepard said, "and I stick around for Tali's sake. Of the crew Adams is aboard, as is Chakwas, Trainer, Gabby, Donaldly..."
"I get it everyone is still around," Miranda said with a laugh as they landed and exited the shuttle, "You always did inspire confidence and loyalty."
"You bet he does," Jack said as she and a Varren walked up to the group.
"What are you doing with that," Miranda asked as she pointed to the Varren.
"Good to see you to Cheerleader," Jack said, "and he is Eezo, he's my pet."
"Wait, we've been gone for almost a year," Tali said, "who took care of him?"
"Thane," Jack said, "He's here on the Citadel."
"Right Koylat, his son is here still and with Thane's Keplar's Syndrome I doubt he has much energy for suicide missions," Shepard said, "We should invite him too, or at least go see him while we are here."
"He would like Zer0 I think," Tali said.
"Zer0," Miranda asked as the group walked into a building marked as Apartments.
"An assassin from Pandora," Shepard said, "You know the planet with the Eridium and that corporate war that broke out a few years back."
"Ah I thought I remembered his name from somewhere," Miranda said after a moment, "Zer0 and another what seven or eight Vault Hunters took down three major corporations on that planet."
"We can expect them to be at the party," Shepard said, "Along with a good many other people you've never met."
"Well I never am displeased with meeting new people," Cassity said, "Especially powerful people."
"I can guarantee that there will be plenty of powerful people there," Shepard said as he led the group to a door and opened it with the key card Anderson had given him, "In fact the most powerful team in DC will be there... Oh wow."
The 'apartment' was more like a personal mansion, or what passed for one on the Citadel anyways. It was two stories tall with the second story being about three quarters the size of the first so that it overlooked the large living room area that the team had just entered. Shepard motioned for everyone to spread out and take a look around as he headed off to the right and went up a flight of stairs. The apartment had a full kitchen, a bar, a study/lounge, a workout room, three bed rooms, three bathrooms and plenty of open space with various tables and chairs or benches laying about for people to use.
"Harold, I love the master bedroom," Tali said, "It's got one of those showers with the extendable head and the bed is so soft."
"We will have to try it out sometime," Shepard said. "I can't believe Anderson gave us this."
"Hey Shep," Jack yelled up from the first floor, "Can I use the weights?"
"Sure," Shepard replied, "Just don't play..."
"Fetch Eezo," Jack yelled.
"Never mind," Shepard said as Miranda started yelling at Jack.
"Look at this," Tali said as she waved Shepard over to the wall from the balcony, "Looks like Joker has already sent us an invitation to that fancy sushi place out on the strip."
"EDI probably arranged it," Shepard said, "Still... you've always wanted to go haven't you?"
"Oh yes please," Tali cooed.
"Come on," Shepard said, "We can bring the rest and I'll pay. Joker probably wasn't expecting all of us."
"Probably not," Tali agreed.
"Everyone," Shepard said over the intercom system, "Joker has invited me, and thus all of you, to dinner. So who wants in?"
"I'll go," Jack said.
"Food is always better when it is free," Cassity said, "Count me in."
"Right someone has to keep you all in check," Miranda said, "I suppose I can go."
"Admit it Cheerleader," Jack said as she got up off the floor from where Eezo tackled her, "You missed us."
"Yeah," Miranda said as the four gathered at the door, "I guess I did."
Ten minutes later and the group had meet Joker at the restaurant. It was a high society place but with Shepard and Miranda leading the group the staff didn't give them any trouble, even with Cassity and Eezo coming in.
"Wow Commander," Joker said, "I didn't think you'd bring so many."
"Yeah well you didn't say I could bring extra's," Shepard said, "Don't worry I'm paying."
"Uh yeah I would hope so you invited me remember," Joker said.
"Wait what did you say," Miranda asked.
"Joker, I had a message waiting for me from you at the house," Shepard said, "If you didn't send it..."
"I don't even know where you live yet," Joker said, "EDI doesn't either."
"Uh Harold," Tali said as she pointed to the entrance of the restaurant. Storming through the entrance were a band of mercs in all black, heavy armor.
"Oh classy," Jack said, "A set up."
"It's an ambush," Miranda clarified.
"Okay everyone this doesn't have to get messy," one of the mercs said. It was using a voice modulator so it was impossible to figure what species the leader was. "Just give us Commander Shepard and no one else has to get hurt."
"I've got an idea," Shepard said as he pushed his chair back and stood up, "Why don't you all leave and I won't kill you." As he said this eight lasers from snipers lined up shots on him.
"I don't think so," Cassity said as the sound of guns being fired resounded through the area. Shepard had thrown up his hard-light armor on top of his energy shields and was ready to take the hits. However none of the bullets ever made it to him. They all dropped dead about ten feet from the group.
"Oh that's not good," the merc leader said upon seeing the rounds laying on the glass floor. A moment later the rounds exploded shattering the glass and causing Shepard and his entire party to fall through the floor and out onto the rooftops of the buildings underneath them.
"Okay so do you mind telling me who wants you dead this time," Miranda asked as the group picked themselves up.
"How should I know," Shepard said, "Joker are you okay?"
"Yeah, sure I think," Joker said as Jack helped him up.
"Jack, you and Eezo get Joker to the apartment and call for back up," Shepard said, "Miranda, Cassity, Tali, lets find out who these guys are."
"I already like hanging out with you guys," Cassity said as Jack and Joker headed down through a hatch in the roof and Shepard led the mercs away from them.
"Glad you approve," Shepard said, "Also glad you intervened back there."
"Anytime," Cassity said, "After all you are a fellow Specter right?"
"True," Shepard said as he dropped down into an ally and helped Tali and Miranda down.
"Hey Shepard," K called on the omni-tool, "Looks like Abrams and the team will be here and they will bring their new ship."
"K not right now," Shepard said, "We've got mercs trying to kill us."
"Oh well, let me see what I can do about that," K said before cutting off the transmission.
"There they are," a merc yelled as a band of twenty of the armored adversaries came around the front of the ally. "Kill them."
Shepard and Tali took cover behind a dumpster while Miranda and Cassity got behind a crumbling piece of cement barrier. Miranda lifted some the mercs off the ground with her biotics so Shepard and Tali's drones could take them out. Cassity had shifted back into her original Scorned form and had stepped out from behind the barrier. Lightening sparked between her two heads before a wave of devastating energy plowed down the ally and through the mercs, sending them flying and detonating with Miranda's lift ability.
"Shepard," Jack called, "We're back at the apartment, how are you guys doing?"
"Okay I guess," Shepard said as the four walked out of the ally and started making their way back up to the strip, "Cassity just pulled our asses out of the fire but at least we are not being shot at anymore."As he said this a Kodiak flew in overhead and the door opened to allow a turret gunner a line of sight. "Or they are just going to throw bigger guns at us."
"I've got this one," Tali said as the fiery red glow of an incinerate blazed through the air and exploded against the ship. Shepard and Tali's drones sent in missiles to strike the now burning Kodiak causing several secondary explosions. The ship started to crash as Wrex jumped off of the building above them to land on it. The crashing ship had moved out of Wrex's path which left the Krogan with no choice but to land on the ground as the ship exploded behind him.
"Wrex," Shepard said, "How did you get here so fast?"
"I heard shooting and explosions," Wrex said, "Who else would be causing that also did that explosion make my landing look cool? Hey Miranda, you get that cushy Council job yet?"
"Wait you knew about that," Tali asked.
"Uh yeah," Wrex said, "I am still the Warlord of Tuchanka even if I am out here with all of you guys for most of the time. The vidcom has helped keep the peace since I can keep relaying stories of our exploits to Garn, he's my second in command if you will."
"Come on lets get out of here before more of those ships arrive," Cassity said, "Shepard you may have to postpone that party until we can figure out who these guys are."
"Let's start by checking out that crashed shuttle," Miranda said, "It may have something that we can use to link..." Miranda's energy shield lit up as it stopped six bullets from hitting her. "What the? Assassin!"
"Got it," Wrex said as his Carnafex .50 cal pistol barked it's displeasure at the shooter. A moment later the body of a merc fell and landed in the street.
"Silenced weapons," Shepard remarked, "Those are hard to get. Let's go see what it was."
"Probably a pistol," Miranda said, "anything of a higher caliber would have done more damage to the shield."
A few minutes of searching later proved her right as Tali brought over a modified version of Wrex's pistol. While similar in shape to Wrex's rectangular Carnafex this model had a six inch suppressor on it and the mag and chamber were designed for lighter weight, subsonic, rounds.
"I think we have our lead," Shepard said, "Time to get back to the apartment and get everyone together, we've got a killer to track down."
Character Weiss
Team RWBY, their families, Cloak and Carter had arrived on the Citadel, thanks to Remnant's new ship Unity and the Doctor, not moments before Shepard sent a call out across the omni-tool channel for DC that requested everyone to meet him at an apartment. It had something to do with an assassination attempt and a sushi place, Weiss couldn't figure it all out since Jack and someone else were yelling in the background. At least Shepard gave them the address for the apartment.
"Well," Abrams said, "That sounds like it will be trouble."
"No kidding," Coco remarked, "and there are so many stores I want to visit."
"We are more interested in the superstructure of the Citadel but yes this will interrupt our plans," Ironwood remarked.
"Then the sooner we get this dealt with the sooner we can get to doing what we came here for," Junior said.
"I suppose we could call a cab to take us to the address," Blake said, "Ruby do you have the credits that Shepard sent to us?"
"We all do," Ruby said, "He set up an account for the whole team and wired a few thousand credits into it."
"A few thousand," Jayne asked.
"It seems the Commander is not as broke as he would like most people to believe," Weiss said as she punched in the address to a transit station interface. A skycar pulled up a few moments later and opened up.
"Hmm, Looks like there is only room for four," Sun said, "You girls go on ahead we can get some special presents prepared for these would be assassins from the Unity."
"Right," Yang said, "Mom, Dad, keep an eye on this lot you know how they can be."
"Will do," Lao said, "Call us if you need any back up."
"We will," Ruby said as she followed her sister into the car.
"Weiss don't crash okay," Jayne said.
"Blake is driving," Weiss said as she took her seat in the shotgun position, "We'll be fine." Blake took the driver's seat and closed the door. The car pulled away from the transit gate and maneuvered out into the skyway.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence but this thing seems to drive itself," Blake said.
"Sure but if these mercs are after Shepard then they will probably go after his friends," Weiss said, "and since we got the message from him that makes us a target. You are probably the best suited to driving this contraption in case we are attacked in transit."
"Wow way to kill the mood," Yang remarked.
"Well she is right," Ruby said, "If they are monitoring Shepard's omni-tool then our position at the time we received his call would have been know to them. Since this is a group that works with such equipment as flying cars and such it is probably a safe assumption that they will try to intercept us."
"Oh right," Yang consented, "Man can we ever go anywhere and just have a good time?"
"Not with Shepard around apparently," Blake said, "We've got a tail, I'll try and shake him."
"Duck around that building there," Weiss said as she pointed to a large building that was under construction, "I've got a way to get rid of this unwanted attention."
"Yeah you are good at that," Ruby said, "You going to glyph them?"
"Exactly," Weiss said. Blake darted out of the traffic stream and around the corner of the building. Weiss set a wall of glyphs behind them and just out of sight from the skyway. A few moments later an explosion told the team that their trackers were dealt with.
"Is it just me or do we seem to kill a lot more people now than we used to," Ruby said.
"It's not just you sis," Yang stated as Blake got them back on track to Shepard's apartment.
"Now look who is killing the mood," Weiss said.
"Hehe 'killing the mood' good one," Yang said.
"It's not funny," Blake and Ruby said.
"It's a little funny," Weiss said after a few moments, "But only because it was unintentional, agreed?"
"Hmm... okay," Ruby said.
"Fine," Blake agreed as they arrived at a place called the Silver Sun Strip.
"Come on Shepard's place is not far from here," Weiss said as she followed Blake out of the car.
"Do we know which room he is in," Blake asked.
"No, but I'm sure someone with a record such as Shepard's will be known by the staff at the apartment," Weiss said. As she said this Shepard, Tali, Jack, Wrex, a wolf-like creature, a reptilian creature, and a woman came running into view.
"Shepard," Ruby called as she waved, "over here!"
"RWBY," Shepard greeted as he and his group met up with them, "Glad to see you made it, are the others coming?"
"They are planning something on the Unity," Weiss said, "Who or what are your friends?"
"This is Miranda, Cassity and Eezo," Shepard said, "We can go through full introductions later right now we need to get out of the open."
"Right the assassins," Yang stated, "Show us to the apartment." Shepard nodded in the direction they should go and about five minutes later Weiss found herself next to Miranda as the two groups were gathered around the kitchen table and were talking while waiting for the rest of the team to come in.
"This pistol is black market tech I can tell you that much," Miranda said, "EDI can probably give us more information, maybe even a manufacturer."
"If we know who sold it we can then track it's serial number through however many transactions it took to arrive in our unwary assassins' hands," Blake said.
"You know it would be nice for us to be the ones who know something for once," Wrex said.
"Hello everyone," EDI said as she walked in with Jeff, "May I see the weapon?"
"Straight to the point," Miranda said, "Not even a nice to see you?"
"It is pleasing to see you again but I am prioritizing finding out who hired or at least supplied our enemies with their tools," EDI said as she took the gun from Miranda.
"Well what can you tell us about it," Weiss asked.
"These modifications were made locally," EDI said, "The owner of a local casino may be our next best lead. According to my records this man, Khan, is the person to go to for any 'unique' weaponry."
"How are we going to get in close enough to talk to him though," Shepard asked.
"There is a charity event that he is hosting this week," EDI said after a few moments, "It would be easy to get invitations for Miranda, Shepard, and two guests."
"As much as I would like to go with you a Quarian, especially one without a mask, would draw attention," Tali said.
"I would recommend bringing people who are small and have an understanding of tech," Jack said, "Probably going to have to do some vent crawling."
"I would be a poor choice for that," EDI said, "I am far to obvious."
"None of us could get away with ducking out of the party," Shepard said, "We are all to high profile for anyone to let us go, but we've got some new friends that no one knows about yet and they could get into and hack through the systems we need them to."
"Who," Weiss asked.
"You and Ruby," Shepard said, "You're the slimmest of us all and you both have taken to the omni-tools quite well."
"Does this mean I have to wear heels again," Ruby complained.
"I'm afraid so," Weiss said as she face palmed, "Ugh me and my big mouth."
Two hours later Weiss, Ruby, Shepard and Miranda were walking into Khan's casino. Weiss was in an elegant, white, dress. Ruby was wearing a spectacularly good looking, red and black suit. Shepard was in a tuxedo and Miranda was sporting the black version of Weiss' dress. The casino was filled with people but Weiss only saw three or four of the many races on the Citadel being represented.
"I guess this really shows you who is on top of the society," Weiss said, "Assari, Humans, Turians, only a couple of Silarians and the Krogan are mostly here as guards."
"Considering the problems we had just learning to accept the Fanus," Ruby remarked, "I'm surprised to see that there is this much blending between the races."
"We may have survived the Reapers but most of these races have fought each other before we had to band together it is remarkable that they are getting along like this," Miranda said, "Now we can help you from down here but we may require your help to meet up with you inside Khan's office."
"Right," Ruby said, "Were do we get in?"
"The air vent is upstairs," Miranda said, "We will cover you until you are in and remember check for sensors Khan is not stupid he will have security measures in place.
"I still object to this idea," Weiss said as they walked up the stairs.
"Come on," Ruby said, "It will be fun, like that time we were exploring that cave, or when we were sneaking through Cinder's submarine, or..."
"Ruby, I hated all of those times," Weiss said exasperated, "Let's just get this over with."
They were at the vent but there were still a couple of people that were walking around upstairs who were preventing Weiss and Ruby from getting into the vent undetected.
"Shepard we need you and Miranda to come distract the patrons upstairs for us," Ruby said into her omni-tool.
"Got it," Shepard said. "Give us a minute to think of something.
"Is it bad that I kind of wish that Neo was here," Ruby said, "We could use that mirage technique of her's right now."
"That is assuming that we could convince her to join with us," Weiss said, "And assuming that Raven hasn't killed her yet."
"Okay," Shepard said, "you should be clear."
The girls broke off their conversation to look around, Weiss didn't see anyone on their level so she took up a position that would let her see anyone who came up while Ruby scanned the vent.
"We've got a laser sensor in here," Ruby said, "It's at the back of the vent so we can't get past it without it tripping."
"Can you disable it," Weiss asked.
"That's not really my strong suit," Ruby replied.
"I've got this," Miranda said, "I'll let you know when it is clear."
"Oh thanks," Ruby said, "I didn't know I left my Omni on."
"You didn't I just have an open line to all of our omni-tools so that I can keep up with the mission," Miranda said.
"You're listening in on us," Weiss asked. She was a little annoyed at Miranda's presumptuousness.
"That's my job," Miranda reminded Weiss, "I'm our comms and tech expert. Okay your laser problem is taken care of, hurry though Shepard is almost done with the distraction and don't forget to put the vent cover back on."
"Weiss come on in," Ruby said as her head stuck out from the vent, "It's actually surprisingly roomy in here." Weiss climbed in and Ruby put the vent cover back on. "Okay we're in it looks like a straight shot to Khan's room."
"Good then, we will start making our way to you," Miranda said, "We may need you to deactivate some cameras as we go. Weiss I believe you have the hacking program on your omni-tool let's see if you are as good as your friends say you are."
"You know she reminds me of you when we first met," Ruby remarked.
"Don't compare me to her I am much prettier in this outfit," Weiss said.
"Only because you had to have the white one," Miranda countered. "I look much better in white."
"Ladies, please," Shepard said, "I need a camera disabled you should be able to see it from a vent that heads east from your position."
"I see the vent," Weiss said with a sigh. The vent was just big enough for Weiss to craw into on her belly. "For the record I hate crawling."
"You could always give me the hacking," Ruby started but Weiss covered her mouth with one hand to cut her off.
"Ruby you couldn't hack your way into a child's play pin," Weiss said, "Just be ready to help pull me back out." Weiss then slid into the vent and crawled to the end. "I see the room, which camera do you need interrupted?"
"Do you see the camera above the door that leads out to the bar," Shepard said, "Could you shut that off?"
"I can do better than that," Weiss said as she intercepted the camera's feed. "I'll set a loop on the camera so you're invisible."
"Nice," Miranda said, "Where did you learn to think like that?"
"My father," Weiss said as she set the loop up, "The Schnee company had... issues for a while but I managed to work us out of those gray areas. Okay the camera is down I can send a loop to all the cameras if you want me to."
"No too many hacks could also trigger an alarm," Shepard said. Weiss watched his progress through the hijacked signal. He moved through the room and ducked into the hall that led to Khan's office. Miranda then followed Shepard and soon both were waiting outside the office. "Okay we need you two to get in and unlock the door, it's locked from this side."
"Right," Weiss said, "Ruby pull me out of here."
"Won't that mess up your dress," Ruby asked.
"My dress is already messed up," Weiss said, "Just get me out of here." Weiss felt Ruby's hands grip her ankles and got ready to help back herself out with her arms. Ruby however just pulled Weiss right out of the vent. Weiss' dress however left parts of itself in the vent. Weiss glared at a sheepish Ruby. "I was going to help you get me out of there without destroying the dress."
"I thought you said it was already messed up," Ruby explained, "Sorry."
"I said messed up, a good cleaning and ironing would have got it back to normal," Weiss said tersely, "Now Myrtenaster is visible through some of the holes, so much for a stealthy exit I guess." Ruby had taken the grate off the vent inside the office at this point and the two dropped down and went to get the door for Shepard and Miranda.
"Hold up," Ruby whispered quickly before they started across the last room between them and the door, "In that chair behind the desk, I think someone is in it." Weiss drew Myrtenaster and quietly approached the chair. While Ruby covered her with Crescent Rose. As Weiss got closer she realized that there was a man in the chair, or the body of a man at least.
"Ruby let Shepard and Miranda in," Weiss said, "This man is dead, probably killed by whoever is hunting Shepard." Ruby nodded and moved to the door. A moment later and Shepard, Miranda and Ruby had joined Weiss by the corpse.
"That is, well I guess was, Khan," Miranda said.
"He must have had some information on the assassins," Shepard said, "Miranda can you get anything off of the data drives in here or his omni-tool's memory?"
"I can try," Miranda said, "but our best bet is to take it all back to EDI."
"Copying it will take some time," Weiss said, "Let me get on the security in here so we have a heads up if anyone comes this way, Ruby put that grate back on."
"Oh right," Ruby said as she headed back to the other room to cover the vent they entered from. Shepard took up a position by the door and Weiss got into the security camera feeds for the building.
"Hey there is a hall somewhere behind here," Weiss said after looking over the camera feeds, "Looks like a back door of some sort."
"Good," Miranda said, "we can use that to get out of here. With your dress torn like that going out through the crowd would draw to much attention."
"Okay vent is back in place," Ruby said as she reentered the room.
"Speaking of my dress," Weiss said, "Ruby give me your jacket."
"What, oh right to cover the holes," Ruby said as she took the red suit jacket off and threw it to Weiss. Weiss thought Ruby looked just as beautiful in the black blouse that she wore under the jacket, even Crescent Rose looked like it belonged on Ruby's outfit.
"Do you make everything you wear adorable," Miranda asked Ruby.
"Not intentionally," Ruby replied as she blushed and suddenly found a great interest in her shoes, "But everyone keeps telling me I do."
"Looks like one of the guards is headed this way," Weiss said as she looked back over the camera feeds, "How much longer on that copy?"
"Shepard lock the door," Miranda said, "I just need a few more seconds."
"Ruby look for a hidden door somewhere in this room," Weiss said, "We will be using it soon."
"You can probably open it from that console there," Miranda said, "Done. Lets go."
"I got the door," Weiss said as the fireplace behind her slid back into the wall, "Hurry everyone through the door the guard has a key."
Miranda and Shepard ran through followed by Ruby and Weiss after she set the door to close again. They had just gotten inside the tunnel when Weiss heard the guard raise the alarm.
"Close one," Shepard said, "Now we need to find these guys to find who killed Khan as well as who wants me dead."
Character Axton
"Oh my gosh this place is gigantic," Gaige said as the Serenity docked at the Citadel. The Hunter had docked earlier and Gaige and Ax had headed down to the Citadel to meet the Serenity crew when they docked.
"I'm just shocked that Roland got those two Reaper things to come with us," Ax said as he came up behind Gaige and picked her up in a bear hug. "But our vacation may be cut short, Shepard has gotten into some trouble with a group of assassins so you know what that will mean."
"Secret agent spy stuff," Gaige asked hopefully.
"I was thinking more of the exploding, shooting, running stuff but, yeah spy stuff could work too," Ax said as he put Gaige down. "Now come on let's go find your father he is Shepard's chief engineer after all."
"Yeah sure, oh but Zoe and Wash were going to tag along with us," Gaige said, "I said we would wait for them."
"Okay you keep an eye out for them I'll call Shepard and see where he wants to meet up with us," Ax said as he called Shepard on his omni-tool.
"Axton," Shepard said over the noise of a crowd of people, "I'm a little busy right now, can I get back with you."
"If you've got trouble we could help," Ax said, "Unless it's Tali trouble, then that's on you. We just want to know where to meet you to see about these assassins of yours."
"I'll send you directions," Shepard said as sirens could be heard near Shepard, "Just follow them to my apartment. Now I really have to go."
"Wait was that," Ax started but Shepard had hung up. "He hung up on me," Ax said to Gaige but she had run over to Zoe and Wash and was waving for him to follow. Ax rolled his eyes and ran to catch up with the three.
"Hey Ax," Wash said, "Do you know where we are going?"
"Let me see," Ax said as he checked his Omni. Shepard had sent the coordinates for the apartment to Ax so he did have the location logged into his map. "Yeah come on I think Shepard is dealing with some sort of trouble, he said to meet him at the apartment." The four then started off for the apartment leaving the noise of the traffic control station at the docks behind as they left. The noise of ships was soon replaced by the constant thrum of people and businesses as they moved through the Wards of the Citadel.
"It's so busy," Gaige remarked, "I've never seen this many people in one place before."
"Where there is people there is danger," Zoe stated, "I don't like this, if Shepard is being targeted than anyone he has contact with will probably be a target as well. Keep your guard up."
"Always an adventure huh," Wash said, "Don't worry though if anything happens just let me do the talking, I can talk my way out of anything."
"Why don't I believe that," Ax asked.
"Because he is lying," Zoe answered, "How much farther to the apartment?"
"It's just down this elevator and across the Silver Sun strip," Ax replied, "Maybe another three hundred feet."
"Good because we are being targeted by snipers," Zoe said, "keep walking and when we get down the stairs we sprint for the apartment.
"What snipers," Wash asked.
"Don't stop keep moving," Gaige said as she prodded Wash to keep going.
"There are three of them, one in the white building being built to our left, one directly behind us and one in front of us on the top of that covered walkway," Zoe said.
"We can't go to the apartment then," Ax said, "These guys don't know where it is yet, also we need to let Shepard know that the strip is being watched. There is a virtual fighting arena in the strip up ahead we can go into there and not draw attention to Shepard's place."
"How are we going to get a message to Shepard though," Wash asked.
"I'll bet that arena could get a message to him that the assassins won't notice," Ax said as the group entered the elevator. "Also stay close to me and Gaige." Ax deployed his turrets, he carried one and Gaige carried one so that each turret's shield was covering the group. "Now let those snipers try to shoot us."
"Perfect with these going into the arena will seem normal," Zoe said, "like we're delivery workers."
"Well I didn't think about that but yeah that does fit," Ax agreed.
"Yes, super spy stuff," Gaige whispered as they exited the elevator and moved across the street to the arena. Once inside Ax recalled the turrets before going to the counter.
"Hello and welcome to the Armax Arsenal Arena," the woman behind the counter said, "Are you here to compete or place a bet."
"Actually I want to send a message to a friend of mine," Ax said, "Do you know a Commander Harold Shepard?"
"You know Shepard," the woman said, "I'll have to call him to verify he is one of our competitors after all."
"That would be excellent," Ax said, "Tell him Ax said to meet him and his friends at the arena, say it has to do with sniping and an apartment."
"I will pass the message along," the woman said, "it appears that we will have to leave him a message, he has set his omni-tool to busy."
"Wait you can set these things to busy," Ax asked, "How?"
"Ah it's an often overlooked feature," the lady said. "You can find it under online status in a sub-menu labeled default appearance. Oh it seems Commander Shepard has replied, he has agreed to meet you here and he is bringing some friends. You can wait for him over by the viewing window our next match is about to start."
"Okay Shepard is on his way here," Ax said as he joined Gaige, Zoe and Wash by the window. "Also the next match is about to... oh, I see you've been watching the match and ignoring me."
"Shush," Wash said, "these Krogan are amazing to watch. Look how they just slam into those bug creatures."
"They are just virtual enemies right," Gaige asked, "Those hammers would be leaving splatters of blood and chitin everywhere if the bugs were real, right?"
"Right," Zoe said. "Wow they cleared the three waves in four minutes, that is about thirty enemies a minute, so ten kills a person per minute, I could easily beat that."
"I could beat those wave in one minute," Gaige said as she crossed her arms and turned away from the window. "Besides they only scored seventy-seven hundred points."
"I know you could," Ax said, "But we can do that later, right now we need to focus on those assassins."
"Yes we do," Shepard said as he a woman with black hair, Ruby and Weiss came up beside them. "This is Miranda an old friend, she is helping us track these assassins."
"Weiss, why are you in a torn up white dress with Ruby's jacket and why are you all dressed up, looking good though Ruby. What?" Wash asked as Zoe looked at him and Ruby hid behind Weiss her cheeks getting red.
"Why must everyone comment on my appearance," Ruby said.
"Because you are beautiful," Miranda said, "Don't be shy about it, it's a God given gift."
"Thanks," Ruby said as she came out form behind Weiss.
"So what is this about snipers," Shepard asked.
"I spotted three of them as we came in," Zoe said, "One on that building being constructed, one on a walkway above us and one that was behind us as we were entering the elevator to come down here from the markets in the Wards."
"Garrus did you get that," Shepard asked, "Good get rid of them for us and we will meet at the apartment."
"Sending a sniper to take out a sniper huh," Ax said, "How long will it take for Garrus to clear the area?"
"Long enough for a match, if you are up for it," Shepard said, "I could take this on by myself but if anyone wants to join me..."
"Dibs," Gaige yelled, "Ax you're in too. Oh hey Shepard is my Dad going to be joining us?"
"Yes Adams will be joining us once we make sure the Normandy is secure," Shepard said, "If someone is after me then they may be after the Normandy." Shepard walked over to the counter and arranged for Gaige and Ax to join him in the arena. Five minutes later and Ax, Gaige and Shepard were on the arena floor and they were readying for the match.
"Okay," Shepard said, "I've turned on all the multipliers so we have one shot shields, no ammo pickups, no med gels, the enemies have twice the shields and their shields resist most all types of damage. Electrical attacks really chunk the shields though."
"Nice," Ax asked, "can we break the score board with this set up?"
"Easily," Shepard said, "Oh and we will be fighting replicas of me."
"They aren't the real thing," Gaige scoffed, "Shouldn't be a problem."
"Round one begin," a computerized voice announced as the arena shifted to create raised platforms and bridges between each section and providing various places for both the team and their opponents to take cover behind. "Round start." Seven flashes of light spawned seven Shepard clones. Ax's turrets dropped the clones before they had time to engage the three and earning a seven kill streak multiplier.
"Oh now that is the boring way to do it," Shepard said.
"Okay show us the fun way then," Ax said as the computer announced round two. Eleven flashes of light appeared and eleven more Shepards were on the field. The real Shepard took each one of his clones out with an energy drain, drone attack and sniper rifle, earning the max kill streak multiplier of ten.
"Lame," Gaige said as round three began. Twenty Shepards spawned in and Gaige fired her shotgun once and leveled all twenty, her bullets bouncing around until they had taken out all the targets giving her two max kill streak multipliers. "This whole place is lame don't they have anything harder?"
"Not yet but if we keep playing then my clones will learn our strengths and weaknesses and adapt to us," Shepard said, "I keep changing up how I fight them to keep them off balance."
"Gaige check out the score and the time," Ax said as he pointed to the score board. The read out was just flashing nines across the entire screen and the time was fifty six seconds.
"Well you two just helped me set a new record," Shepard said as he looked up from his omni-tool. The arena master calculated our actual score and it was not only over ten thousand but over fifty thousand, I have been at the top of the leader boards for a year at only twenty one thousand."
"Lets see if the others want a go," Ax said, "I doubt that the ten minutes we've spent in here gave Garrus enough time to do his thing."
"He is still getting in position," Shepard said, "Should we ask to see what some of the others can do?"
"I'd like to see Ruby, Weiss and Zoe have a go," Gaige said.
"It wouldn't happen to be because you and Ruby are in a friendly competition to see which of you is the strongest is it," Ax asked.
"Of course not I'm obviously better and I didn't even get DT out," Gaige said, "I just want to see Ruby fight in that suit."
The three returned to the observatory and Gaige extended the challenge to beat their score to Zoe, Weiss and Ruby. Weiss and Ruby seemed hesitant, but Zoe was more than happy to accept the challenge so Ax found himself staring out the window as the arena set itself up to the same stage that they had just fought on from the window he could see that the layout looked like a four platform water station and that the cover was actually the retaining walls for the ponds. Gaige bounced beside him with excitement as the match began. All her excitement went away however as Zoe leveled the first wave faster than Ax had done, and with a shotgun at that.
"What was that," Gaige yelled, "How can she be better than turrets?" Weiss finished off the second round in only half the time Shepard took, Gaige only grunted at that muttering, "Well he took longer because he was going for style." The third round started then ended almost immediately as Ruby used her speed, a few glyphs from Weiss, Crescent Rose and her spectral scythe to end all twenty of the final wave's Shepards as fast as they could spawn. Zoe, Ruby and Weiss had finished the match in thirty seconds, and that was only because it took the arena that long to spawn the Shepard clones.
"Wow," Shepard stated, "Even the arena master doesn't know what score to give them, they are faster that the arena itself."
"Normally I would be mad at this but since they actually did break the game I can't find it in me to be angry," Gaige said with a shake of her head, "Still that was so fast..."
"Garrus is in position now," Shepard said, "It will just be a few seconds before he has our path way cleared." Ruby, Weiss and Zoe came up from the arena, Wash scooped Zoe up in his arms, kissed her then paraded her around the room on his shoulders. Weiss and Miranda high-fived and Gaige playfully punched Ruby's shoulder. "and done. Come on everyone time to get to the apartment," Shepard stated.
"About time," Ax said, "You were talking this place up for a week, now lets see if it is impressive as you said it was."
"Better than I said it was," Shepard commented, "The assassins have yet to find it."
"That is an invaluable quality," Ax agreed as the group left the arena. At the apartment Garrus was waiting for them outside and was talking with a woman in the blue Alliance Intelligence uniform, shoulder length brown hair and a dusky complexion.
"I'm telling you," the woman said, "We have reason to believe that there is a clone of Shepard that is trying to kill you all."
"A clone, of Shepard," Miranda said as their group came up behind the woman. "I know of a clone, the one you stole, Rasa." Miranda then swiftly knocked the woman out with a stunning punch from her omni-tool. "Bring her in and bind her, this one is as slippery as they come."
"Whoa that was hard core," Ax said, "Maybe we should have let you have a go at the arena."
"Miranda what was that about," Garrus asked as he hand cuffed the unconscious woman, "She said her name was Brooks."
"Brooks, Rasa, she has so many names I doubt she even remembers them all," Miranda said coldly, "She was Cerberus but left when she stole Shepard's clone, I was going to have it destroyed so Shepard would be safer. Rasa decided to save it and I would bet she is the one who has been helping plan the attacks against all of us."
"Well either way it will make for an interesting conversation," Gaige said as she used her robot arm to pick Rasa up and carry her inside. Ax's first impression of the inside of the apartment was just seeing Gaige stand in the doorway and take in the vastness of the 'apartment,' Rasa being dropped to the ground in the process. Walking in past Gaige and prompting his fiancee to move farther into the domicile Ax was amazed that so much luxury could exist in such a place as the Citadel. He looked around and promptly headed to the bar.
"Hey don't you want to hear what the prisoner has to say," Gaige asked after a moment causing Ax to look back over to her as she slid onto the stool beside him.
"She isn't awake yet and I am sure we will know when she is," Ax said, "Want anything to drink?"
"I'll just take sips of whatever you are having," Gaige said, "Besides I want to be able to remember this whole event, Shepard having an actual clone, Dad and us going on a mission together with a large chunk of DC and figuring out what those original Reapers want." Ax wasn't terribly convinced as Gaige grabbed the glass of scotch he was filling up for himself and downed half of it. "Whoa why is there a lizard dog and a wolf in here?"
"Come on you haven't had that much yet," Ax said as he was about to take back his drink.
"She isn't drunk," a female voice said. Ax turned to look over Gaige's shoulder and saw a large wolf and a dog like lizard looking at him. The wolf then spoke, "Could you get me a glass of whiskey?"
"Okay I haven't even had anything to drink today," Ax said, "So I know I'm not hallucinating."
"I'm Cassity, an Ephraim and friend of Shepard's, this is Eezo, Jack's pet," Cassity said, "Now can I get that whiskey?"
"Make it two," Adam said as his cloaked form took a seat next to Ax. Ax looked over to the main area and saw that Arbiter, Chief and Johnson had arrived with Adams and EDI the five were talking with Shepard and Tali. Miranda had disappeared, probably to 'talk' with Rasa.
"Okay here we are two whiskeys," Ax said he set one down for Cassity to get to and turned to give Adam the other one. Ax almost jumped out of his chair when he saw Adam's face, it was the face of a Grimm. "Adam what the?"
"I'm not Adam," the Grimm man said, "I am Finis, Adam's counterpart from another dimension."
"You're from the Raven aren't you," Gaige said as she noticed Finis' face for the first time as well, "What happened to make you like that?"
"Nothing happened," Finis said, "I became death so I took the face of death on Remnant, this was a choice and while it didn't save my people, or the planet, it did help those few of us who are counterparts to your friends escape Cinder's enslavement of the world."
"Well you certainly have the dark gloomy outlook that Adam has," Ax said as he took his glass of scotch back from Gaige and finished it off. "I guess you don't know who we are yet then, I'm Ax this is Gaige."
"Nice to meet you," Finis remarked, "John, Arbiter and Johnson have been getting me up to date with the DC members, it is helpful to have faces to put with the names though." Ax was going to refill his glass when a very angry Miranda came back into the lounge with a struggling Rasa being held in front of her. "Okay time to get this one to talk," Finis commented as he slid off the stool and seemingly flowed into the other room.
Ax, Gaige, Cassity and Eezo watched him go before Cassity said, "Yeah he is just a little bit terrifying."
"I want to see him interrogate Rasa," Gaige said as she hopped off the stool, "Come on guys it's not like Finis is going to hurt us."
"Physically no," Ax agreed as he followed Gaige with Cassity and Eezo behind him, "Mentally, I'm already scarred anyway so why not?"
"What sort of freak is that," Rasa said as Finis approached her, "Miranda, letting aliens do your work for you now, so sad." Miranda growled at Rasa before kicking the woman's feet out from under her.
"Oh that is a classic move," Gaige remarked. Finis lifted Rasa off the ground with one hand and held her up to his face. He didn't say a word, he didn't move, he didn't even blink but Rasa started screaming and struggling to get out of his hold. Finis might as well have been made of stone however as Rasa kicks and punches bounced off him with no effect, slowly Rasa's precise strikes became more feeble and failing before she went limp in his grip. Finis didn't let her down however, and Ax could tell that Rasa was not down and out yet, her face was still masked with pain that was coming from somewhere.
"Playing possum," Ax said, "A good trick but I don't think it will work."
"Yeah but you have to give her credit for trying," Gaige said.
"I have the information we want," Finis said a few moments later, "Do I kill this one now?"
"No," Shepard said as he caught Miranda's hand that was coming in for a stab with her omni-blade, "We let C-sec deal with her, in this state killing her would be murder."
"It would be easy for me to rip her throat out," Finis said as his fanged jaws separated to prove his point, "and I am no stranger to murder." At that moment an explosion knocked everyone in the room to the ground as smoke filled the air.
"Gaige after her," Ax yelled as he threw his turrets towards the door. Deathtrap was barely visible in the smoke as the floating robot made it's way across the room.
They heard the door open then heard someone grunt as Rasa, presumably, ran into something. "Hey guys did you misplace this," Tucker asked as he and Church walked into the room and the smoke started to dissipate. Tucker was holding Rasa by one shoulder and Church had the other.
"Man you guys really must be slacking off if we have to jump in and save you," Church said, "Not bad for some of DC's worst fighters."
"Give yourselves some credit," Carolina said as she and Tex came in behind Church and Tucker, "After all if anyone is used to dealing with secretive organizations, tracking assassins, dealing with completely insane situations and doing something stupid to get results? Well that is you guys."
Character Ellen Ripley
"Thanks Doctor," Ripley said as she and her pet Scoops left the Tardis and it dematerialized to go get the Unity. Ripley was on the Normandy it looked like she was in the cargo bay. She was planning to talk with Shepard about the possibility of using the Normandy as a mobile command vessel for hunting down any Necro-Xenomorphs. Between Malafor being able to command the regular Necromorphs, and her own ability as a Xenomorph queen to command the Xenomorphs the only danger that the two organisms posed was when they were combined into the abomination of the Necro-Xenomorph. "Scoops come on let's... Scoops?" Ripley said as she turned to see the Scoops' spiked tail disappear into a vent in the ceiling. "Of course," Ripley remarked. She walked through the cargo hold to the engine room to see if any of the engineers were on the ship. She heard Scoops following her in the ventilation system. "Hello," Ripely said as she entered the engine room, "It's Ripely from DC is anyone here? I'm looking for Shepard."
"Over here," a man called he was down a hallway that opened into the room with the Normand's drive core. The core was a massive sphere that was glowing with blue energy emissions. The man was Adams and he was busy checking the readings for the core. "Ripely how did you get on board?"
"The Doctor," Ripely said, "I was going to ask Shepard about me coming aboard to help hunt down Necro-Xenomorphs."
"Well I'm going to go meet with the Commander shortly I can ask him when I see him," Adams said, "Right now we've got a bit of an assassination problem on our hands and I'm just trying to secure the ship before I leave, someone is trying to take Shepard's identity."
"Do you need someone to guard the ship," Ripely asked.
"I would be grateful if you decided to stay," EDI said, "After all I am housed mostly in the Normandy."
"It would put my mind at ease as well," Adams said, "But I won't ask you to stay on a ship that is most likely going to be the target of a takeover. Me I'm leaving mostly to make sure my daughter stays safe."
"I'll be fine," Ripley said, "Besides I have EDI for company, just ask Shepard about my proposition when you see him if you would."
"That I can do," Adams said, "Here let me open the armory for you in case you need to get something out of it." Adams unlocked the armory before taking the elevator up to the bridge and leaving the ship.
"So Scoops is interesting," EDI remarked after Adams had left.
"Yes he is," Ripley agreed, "Hey EDI which of these weapons do you recommend for fighting with while inside the ship?"
"That would depend on your preferred size of weapon, I like the Hurricane sub-machine gun," EDI said, "But if you like larger weapons then the assault rifles are probably a better option."
"Talk me through them then," Ripley said. That comment started the next hour of explanation from EDI about all the weapons in the armory. Sometime during that hour Scoops came out of the vents and curled up in a corner of the cargo bay. Ripley decided to go with the Revenant LMG. It's large magazine, high caliber and fire rate made it a perfect weapon for the close range fighting that would take place if the Normandy was boarded.
"So what is Scoops exactly," EDI asked.
"He is a Xenomorph alpha male," Ripley said, "I met him on the ship I used to get off of the planet where Doug and Arizona stayed behind to lock down the Xenomorph outbreak. At the time I was not sure about how my Xenomorph biology would affect the others, you see I am a cone of my original self but mixed into the DNA is that of a Xenomorph queen. Turns out it allows me to communicate with the Xenomorphs and they with me, as far as they are concerned I am a Queen. Scoops there was the only one on the shuttle with me and he took it upon himself to be my defender. So that is us. What about you, you're not like the android intelligences I've encountered before."
"That is because I am a fully self aware AI," EDI said, "I was originally designed to run military equipment and operations but Shepard shut me down when I went rouge. A few years later I was reconstructed by Cerberus and was installed in the Normandy. Jeff unshackled me when we were boarded by the Collectors and... I just got a message from the Commander. He says not to trust him, he has a clone that is trying to kill him and take his place."
"Scoops come on let's get to the bridge, if anyone is going to try and take command of the Normandy that is where they will do it from," Ripley said.
"Actually they would head to my AI core and take me off line," EDI said, "As long as I am in the system then no one can hijack the ship."
"Alright then," Ripley agreed, "Scoops travels through the vents mostly, can you guide him to the Core?"
"I can light up the vents that will take him there," EDI said, "You can take the elevator to the crew quarters and I'll show you to me there."
"Scoops, follow the lights and meet me in the room," Ripley said. Scoops uncurled from the corner and stood up to his full twelve feet and pulled himself up into the vents. Ripley moved to the elevator and then followed the lights on the floor of the crew deck to EDI's AI core. "Scoops," Ripley asked as she entered the room that was mostly filled with computer arrays. The familiar thud of Scoops landing from the ventilation duct sounded from behind her and Ripley turned to pat Scoops on the head. Scoops nuzzled Ripley's hand before jumping up into the shadows that were above EDI's core.
"How does he fit into such small spaces when he is so big," EDI asked.
"He is tall and dense but skinny," Ripley said, "so long as his head can fit through a space the rest of him is segmented in such a way as to collapse down to fit in after him."
"I guess with Scoops having an exoskeleton all of his insides can move around as his body changes to fit into the spaces," EDI observed, "Alert Shepard is trying to access the Normandy, I'm sending a notification to Shepard if this is the real one he will let me know."
"Well," Ripley asked.
"The clone is trying to get in," EDI said, "He must be desperate, to be assaulting us like this. The crew is on there way back but the clone is almost done hacking the door, he will certainly try to take me offline before doing anything else. I recommend taking cover so that you can surprise him."
"Scoops is already in cover," Ripley said, "I need to distract the clone, EDI is there any sort of shielding or barriers in this room?"
"There is one," EDI said as a light came on above a table that was recessed in the back wall of the room.
"Then use it to protect me," Ripley said, "The clone will either come after me or you and Scoops can jump him."
"Hurry then," EDI said, "The clone is coming." Ripley jumped up on the table and EDI put the barrier up in front of it. Scoops adjusted his position to be right above the door for when the clone came in. It was a few terse minutes before the door opened and Shepard entered the room.
"Shepard thank goodness your here your crazy AI locked me in this workstation," Ripley said.
"Hold on I'll take EDI offline and get you out of there," the Shepard clone said as he moved to EDI's Core.
"Scoops get him," Ripley said to Scoops through pheromones that the Xenomorphs used to communicate silently with each other. Scoops silently slid off from the computer array and came up behind the clone. "I want him alive, just subdue him." Scoops smashed the side of his tail spike into the Shepard clone's head, knocking him unconscious. "Okay EDI let me out of here," Ripley said.
"Deactivating barrier," EDI said, "The Commander and the crew are about ten minutes out, they have a prisoner of their own with them who is associated with this clone, I suggest we tie up this fake Shepard and wait for the others. I have also just gotten a hail from the Unity saying that Ironwood is having the crew hunt down and capture those involved in the attack on Shepard, additionally Garrus is bringing C-sec to the Normandy to take possession of the clone and Rasa, the woman under Shepard's guard."
"Good job Scoops," Ripley said as the Xenomorph rubbed it's head against her hand, "Now lets web this impostor." Ripley squirted a black liquid from glands along her arms onto the clone and Scoops used his mouth within a mouth and clawed hands to whip the liquid into a sticky web that would harden in a few minutes.
"That is an unusual feature," EDI remarked.
"Part of being a Xenomorph Queen," Ripley said, "I can create a hardening web and my blood is highly acidic."
"I was referring to the little mouth inside the bigger mouth," EDI said, "But those are also noteworthy abilities." Scoops had finished wrapping the clone in the webbing which had hardened and was now rolling it around on the floor.
"Scoops cut it out," Ripley said, "I want him to be alive when he wakes up." Scoops whined at her, a sort of half hiss half screech, "I'm not arguing this, I need the information he has." A wave of pheromones washed over her that let her know Scoops was unhappy about leaving the encased clone alone but he jumped back into the vent anyway and left the other Shepard alone. "You can play with him more after Shepard questions him okay," Ripley said as way of conciliation. The drool that dribbled down from the vent let her know Scoops was now waiting eagerly for them to be done with the clone.
"Your control is not absolute," EDI asked.
"I don't know yet," Ripley said, "I've never had to really use any overpowering commands on Scoops."
"Oh, I see," EDI said. Then after a pause, "Does he want to play with the clone or eat it?"
"Oh he definitely wants to eat it, or at least kill it," Ripley said.
"I'm picking up a transmission from K," EDI announced, "I'll play it now."
"K to DC I am issuing a termination order on the two Reaper like creatures," K said, "They have gone rouge and are intent on taking over the Citadel and the Mass Relays so they can enslave the galaxy. We must not let that happen."
"How long until the real Shepard gets here," Ripley asked.
"He is entering the docks now," EDI replied.
"Scoops carry the clone to the bridge with me," Ripley said, "EDI light the way." Scoops dropped out of the vent again and grabbed the still unconscious clone in his hand before following Ripley to the elevator. Once on the bridge Ripley had Scoops put the encased clone down in one of the chairs and the two stood on either side of it. "EDI?"
"Shepard is coming aboard," EDI responded, "I have already informed him of your, unique, guardian."
The hatch to the outside opened and Shepard, Tali, Garrus, Wrex, Liarra, Jack, a new woman with black hair who was dragging a woman with brown hair, a wolf like creature and a dog like lizard creature entered the Normandy. They were followed by RWBY, Adams, Gaige and Axton.
"Wow what is that it looks awesome," Ruby exclaimed as she pointed at Scoops.
"This is Scoops, my pet Xenomorph," Ripley said, "and this is the Shepard clone. Who are the new faces?"
"Miranda here is an old friend," Shepard said as he indicated the black haired woman, "Rasa is an old enemy of hers, the wolf is Cassity and the Varren is Eezo."
"I'm not actually a wolf," Cassity said, "But it is easier to describe how I look at the moment than to explain that I am an Ephraim every time."
"Uh but didn't you just do that anyway," Yang asked.
"Hmm I guess I did," Cassity remarked, "Hey where did Ruby go?"
"Oh he is so cute," Ruby said from atop Scoops' back. "Do you want a bone? Oh or maybe a squeaky toy?"
"How are you doing that," Ripley asked amazed that Scoops was seemingly fine with Ruby's presence.
"Oh you should see her with Zwei," Blake said, "The little guy should be out of the vet's soon right?"
"Last we heard he had about two weeks left before his leg was completely healed," Ruby said, "Yang and I went to see him before we left Remnant and he looked really good considering he had been run over by a truck. Of course you should have seen the truck."
"Question," Ax asked, "Who is Zwei?"
"Oh he is our dog," Yang said, "A little black and white Corgi."
"Wait a Corgi messed up a truck and lived," Miranda asked surprised.
"Well Zwei is special," Ruby said, "Hey look Shepard the other you is waking up."
"Uh what, Rasa, something hit me," the Shepard clone said.
"Yeah it's standing right beside you," Ripley said, "you're both captured and I think Shepard wants to talk with you."
"Why are you trying to kill me," Shepard asked as he bent down to eye level with the trapped clone.
"I was created to be spare parts for you," the clone said, "I was expendable, a product that existed only so you could have a safety net. Miranda was going to kill me before I ever got a chance to live, Rasa gave me that chance but you had already taken any hope of life that I could have. I didn't have any friends like you do, no one knew that I existed but when you vanished Rasa and I thought that the galaxy wouldn't notice if you came back with a different crew. I could have been you, still can be you but better."
The webbing around the Clone lit on fire as he incinerated it with his omni-tool. Rasa broke free of Miranda at the same moment and dropped another smoke grenade causing everything to fog up. "Scoops get them," Ripley yelled. She heard Ruby yell and heard the thumping of bodies as Scoops screamed and the squish of flesh being punctured sounded across the bridge. As the smoke was cleared out by EDI via the ventilation system, Ripley saw Ruby picking herself up off the ground, it was lucky that the girl liked red and black cause the pile of blood that she was getting up from would have really stood out on any other garments.
"Ruby," Weiss and Yang exclaimed.
"I'm fine, just got knocked off of Scoops is all," Ruby said, "I think he went into the vent."
"Where did Rasa and the clone get off to," Tali asked.
"If Scoops is in the vent," Ripley said, "and that blood isn't Ruby's then It must belong to the clone and Rasa, what is left of them is probably being eaten." The vent behind her then dropped out of the ceiling and Rasa and the clone, both bleeding from multiple bite and stab wounds but still very dangerous dropped out of it. Scoops dropped out of the same vent but an incinerate from both Rasa and the clone spooked him and Scoops jumped back into the vents.
"You are not hurting him," Ripley said as she fired the Revenant LMG. Under normal circumstances the spray of bullets would have been dispersed by the energy shields but with the damage that Scoops had already done to the two, the bullets knocked Rasa and the clone to the ground. Liarra held the two to the ground with her biotic power.
"Okay I'll give you one chance to live," Shepard said, "just one chance. You can turn yourselves over to C-sec to be prosecuted for attempted murder, you could try to fight us again or you could join us. After all there are two living Reapers that we need to kill and having two of me would be a huge boon for..." Shepard was knocked to the ground as Scoops dropped back out of the vent and took three bullets for the Commander. That didn't end well for the clone and Rasa as Scoops impaled the clone on his tail spike and punched through Rasa's head with his tongue mouth. Scoops then dropped the two lifeless forms to the ground where their blood was pooling before turning to Ripley and whining for her to take care of the bullet wounds.
"That was the sickest thing I've ever seen," Gaige remarked, "I'll rate that a ten out of ten on the badass scale!"
"Shepard I'm sorry that we couldn't help them," Ripley said as she released comforting pheromones into the air to help calm Scoops down. "Those bullets were meant for you and Scoops took them, can I use your med bay to patch him up?"
"Certainly," Shepard said, "Miranda, Cassity you should get back to the Presidium and tell the Council what happened. I also want you two there in case the living Reapers try to take over the Citadel the same way Sovereign tried to."
Ripley led Scoops to the medical station on the Normandy as Shepard gave orders to his crew and the DC members who were currently on board. Scoops had taken a bullet in the chest, shoulder and hip and his acidic blood was starting to seep out from the wounds. Thankfully the bullets got stuck in his exoskeleton otherwise the blood would have sprayed across the walkway of the bridge melting it. In fact it was the bullets melting that was letting the blood seep out. Once in the med bay Ripley used more of the black webbing fluid and her own saliva to form three patches for Scoops' exoskeleton. She placed the last of the three over the wounds just as the blood started to drip. Ripley caught the droplet with her hand and then neutralized it with a mixture of several bases. She was as immune to the acidic properties of Xenomorph blood, her blood, as any other Xenomorph so touching the blood was no problem for her.
"Well you made an impression on the Commander at least," Ripley said to Scoops who was now pacing the room. Well he was trying to pace the room, with his large stride Scoops only got to take three steps before he had to turn and head back towards the door. Shepard came through the door right as Scoops turned towards him and the Commander took a little step back at the sight.
"Sorry," Shepard said as Scoops poked at the Commander with his head. "I did just see you kill a very convincing likeness of me."
"Everything okay Commander," Ripley asked.
"I was going to say that you and Langford are welcome on the Normandy any time," Shepard said, "Scoops too. I have a feeling that we will be hunting Necro-Xenomorphs quite a bit having you all around would be beneficial to both of us I think."
"I am glad you agree," Ripley said, "But before we get to far ahead of ourselves, we should join up with the other ships from DC to stop those Reaper creatures."
"I'm aboard Commander," Joker said via the intercoms, "Sorry for taking so long."
"It's fine Joker," Shepard said, "Was that mess in the bridge cleaned up when you got in?"
"Everything looked clean," Joker said as the Normandy took off, "All the crew is accounted for, shall we go teach these Reaper creators a thing or two about trying to take over our galaxy?"
"If Garrus has the cannon primed we may as well give him a target to test it on," Shepard said, "Ripley, Scoops you may want to come watch this."
"Oh good heavens what is that," Doctor Chakwas exclaimed as the gray haired woman in her late sixties entered her med bay. Scoops placed himself between Ripley and Chakwas and Shepard placed himself between Scoops and Chakwas.
"Scoops down boy," Ripley said and Scoops hissed before backing down, "Well Doctor it seems we both have alpha males willing to protect us. That is Scoops my pet, bodyguard and friend." Scoops pawed Ripley's hand at the word friend.
"Well I'm pretty sure I am not qualified to tend to a creature like him," Chakwas said, "also you are taking up most of my med bay so if you three are done could I have it back please?"
"Of course we were heading up to see Joker anyway," Shepard said. The three left the med bay and Scoops jumped into the nearest vent. He enjoyed traveling through vents and such for some reason. "Okay Joker what have we..." Shepard started as he and Ripley came up beside Joker and EDI in the cockpit. Ripley felt the thud of Scoops landing behind them as they stopped. Looking outside Ripley saw two monstrous creatures that were shaped like some ancient deep sea arthropod... also they look like Harbinger who was currently wrestling with one of the creatures. K and C were keeping the other one busy, but the two sides seemed to be deadlocked.
"That is one epic space battle eh Commander," Joker said, "Which one do you want us to blast first?" The Hunter and Torgue HQ were approaching K and C's side of the fight so Shepard had them go towards Harbinger's tussle. As they were about to engage Scoops screeched and jumped back into the vent.
"Scoops," Ripley exclaimed as she looked behind her, "something has him spooked."
"Maybe that," Joker said as he pointed to the Unity. The entire ship was wrapped in a wreath of fire.
"Oh Dad integrated my reactive Dust shield into the Unity," Weiss exclaimed with joy as she and Blake came up beside Ripley, "It's one of my older ideas that I pitched when I was trying to change how the company operated. We never had anything powerful enough to power it though."
"That ship should have plenty of power," Ripley said, "It's massive." Her point was accentuated when the Unity sent a beam of fire and lightning into the creature that was attacking K and C. The beam ripped through the creature blowing a hole into it's body and setting it's blood on fire. "Is that one of your ideas too?"
"No that must be Ironwood's design," Weiss said. She looked just as impressed as everyone else in the Normandy.
"Shepard," Garrus said via the comms, "Get us in range of that other Reaper, I want to show off our teeth as well."
"On it," Shepard replied as Joker took them in towards the Reaper that was engaging Harbinger.
"This ship has guns," Ripley asked.
"Watch," Shepard said. "EDI, fire." From under the nose of the Normandy two blue beams of energy blasted out and tore through the arms on the right side of the Reaper that was attacking Harbinger. A second shot cut a hole into the creature's side. Harbinger finished off his attacker with his own lasers and sheer strength.
"Those things were ten time's Harbinger's size," Blake said, "That he held his own against it is commendable."
"Why did they attack us," Ripley asked, "I thought they were friendly."
"Roland said they might be convinced to be friendly," EDI said, "Apparently negotiations broke down."
"Hey can you dock with the Unity," Weiss asked, "I'd like to talk with my parents if I can."
"Of course," Shepard said. "Ripley are you and Scoops staying aboard?"
"I think so," Ripley said, "Besides your crew seem to be good at accepting new creatures, it will be easier for your small crew to get used to Scoops than the larger crew of another ship."