MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA SERIES II
Chapter 27
Garrus paused in the hallway that led from the forward battery to the mess hall. He saw Andromeda in the med lab sitting on a table with her back to him talking with Dr. Chakwas. As if she knew he was looking at her, she turned her head. Her blue eyes fell upon him. He felt his heart race as if her eyes were piercing right through him. Feeling himself become flushed, he quickened his step and moved away. Trying to look back as he walked, he bumped into Joker who apparently was coming down to grab some food. Luckily the collision didn't cause the brittle bone disease pilot to fall down. Panicking, Garrus grabbed Joker. "I-I'm sorry. Are you alright?" He became concerned over how delicate the pilot's body was. How was he going to explain to Shepard that he caused harm to Joker by bumping into him?
"I'm fine, Garrus. Look? No harm no foul," Joker smiled at him. He peered over Garrus' shoulder to see what could have distracted the Turian and took notice of the med lab. He was pretty quick in putting two and two together. "You want to see her, don't you?"
"Who?" Garrus became flustered.
"Duh. Come on. It's me. Joker? You don't have to act so coy. I know the Commander doesn't really like the idea, but, you can't stop liking someone. You just do. You know?" Joker patted him on the shoulder.
"I-I'm just glad that she- "
"I mean what girl would possibly get herself killed on Omega of all places to get to you? Right?" Joker continued with a playful grin.
"I was on my way to engineering to check on the engine logistics. I'm glad to see Andromeda is okay. Excuse me," Garrus sidestepped quickly to avoid any further conversation on the matter. He didn't like be put on the spot. Then again, it wasn't oblivious to everyone. No, he couldn't like her. Was she really his type? A human to add on top of that? He was confused…but then again, he did start a war on Omega mostly because of her…
"I'll tell her you said hi!" Joker called back to him, which made him walk faster to the elevator.
Once he reached engineering, he paused as he looked out at the cargo bay to see the shuttle resting down below. How he almost longed for the days when he was working on the Mako. Deciding to see about their newest crew member, Zaeed, he moved past the engineering door to the small maintenance room that the bounty hunter took over. The room was loud with the constant running of the fan but it seemed the merc didn't mind. He made it like home by placing different keepsakes items throughout the space. The one-eyed merc was sitting at his desk staring at a rifle in front of him when he noticed he had a visitor. He studied Garrus carefully. Garrus decided to be the first to speak, "You busy?"
"Just thinking about past missions. Gotta minute? You may learn something," Zaeed stood up from the table.
"I'm sure I will," Garrus moved in the room closer.
"I heard Shepard knew Archangel from before. I was on Omega when he showed up. Never got a job on him though," Zaeed moved over to where a much older helmet was propped up. Garrus tensed up. How much did Shepard tell others about him? This was awkward. He walks in and Zaeed instantly talks about Archangel? "Knew a lot of men taking jobs to kill the son of a bitch. I never saw the point. He and I wanted the same thing: a whole lot of mercs dead. Hell of a sniper, though. And he kept himself alive with all the mercs in Omega after him. That ain't easy."
Garrus chuckled as he walked over to the first weapon Zaeed was looking at. The assault rifle appeared old. "Never heard of him, but seems like a great guy to have on our team."
"Uh-huh," Zaeed studied Garrus carefully. "Don't touch. That gun is probably almost older than you. It's Jessie. Saved my life more than once. I killed a bunch of Batarian mooks one time. I don't think I ever discharged a clip."
"Nice gun," Garrus moved away. "You said you want to kill mercs? I thought Shepard said you were one per Cerberus' dossier."
"I was. Vido and I started the Blue Suns a long time ago. Great job till that bastard got greedy."
"You founded the Blue Suns?" Garrus tensed up.
Zaeed took note, "Don't worry. That part is behind me ever since Vido tried his little coup twenty years ago. It's not common knowledge. Vido had me wiped out from all the records. The Suns got meaner ever since he took over."
"You can say that again," Garrus mused as he walked around to look at the other objects as Zaeed spoke.
"He ran the books. I led the men. It worked well for a while. Then Vido decided to start hiring Batarians. Cheaper labor, he said. Goddamn terrorists, I said. He turned my men against me and put a bullet in my head." He walked over to the wall near the back of the room and leaned up against it casually. "I heard Shepard picked you up on Omega right before me. One hell of a place. What were you doing there?"
Garrus picked up a Krogan helmet that was smashed in to look at it. He paused for a moment and then answered with a smile, "Oh just seeing the sights."