Summary: Rhys wasn't heartless, he saw the good in Jack… and the evil in Pandora. With a (hopefully) reformed AI Jack in his head, he entered the Vault of the Traveler with Fiona. They didn't expect for it to transport them to another galaxy however. Separated from Fiona, Rhys and Jack meet our favorite newly-resurrected SPECTRE. This should be fun.
Note: I'm glad everyone seems to be enjoying this little experiment! Continue your suggestions for pairings- please keep in mind my Shepard is gay so please, refrain from suggesting your favorite female for him- They're nice and all, but that's not my version of Shepard.
Chapter 2: Of Course It's An Angel
Shepard wasn't exactly sure what to make of this new member of his team. The seemingly normal looking man (well, aside from the obvious wealth) not only had a robotic arm- a rarity in all honesty, and a model he had never seen before -had just throttled a thug after taking out two others with ease. It was…. Odd.
Rhys didn't fight in any consistent way. Not only did his personality seem to do a complete shift when he was fighting, even the man's voice and tone and body language changing, but his fighting style showed no discipline. It was so brutally effective Shepard almost wanted to say he was a spec ops soldier, but there was none of the discipline that accompanied such an upbringing. He could've been a mercenary at some point in his life, which would explain the free-wheeling and gung-ho fighting style he had but Rhys wasn't that old. Hell, Shepard was possibly older than him!
In short, this normally gentile man was an unknown. That set off all the alarm bells in Shepard's head, especially as he had offered him help, but in whatever the case was…. Shepard was just curious. He could practically feel Miranda barely restraining herself from interrogating the man as they walked. He glanced back, seeing the man talking to Zaeed, and noticed the odd plug-like insert in the man's head. He didn't know what he was looking at. It reminded himself too much of Saren in all honesty.
They walked through Afterlife, heading to the mercenary sign up station. There was a Batarian standing there, handling the sign-ups. Shepard glanced at his team members. He knew the Batarian likely wouldn't mind Zaeed, as the man was a hardened bounty hunter. Miranda would be a tougher sell as a women but she wouldn't care about some Batarian's bias. He looked over at Rhys and did a double take. The man had a look of barely contained hatred for the alien. Whether it was for this specific one or the race as a whole, Shepard wasn't sure yet.
His attention shifted to the Batarian again as he noticed them approach. "You here to sign up too?" The alien said, eyes shifting to his squad before grunting, "Eh, you have a woman and some weak-ass looking guy but it's your skin," he plowed on, looking back at his console as Shepard could feel Rhys's irritation rising. "Standard fee is 500 credits each. You collect when the mission is done, and if you die, your friends don't get your share."
The mercenary was obviously was just plowing through a legal checklist- interesting for a band of mercenaries, but Shepard supposed when any organization reached a certain size you had to cover your ass legally. "You'll need your own weapons and armor… looks like you've got that covered. And no. This does make you a member of the Blood Pack, Blue Suns, or Eclipse. You are a freelancer, period. Any questions?"
Shepard wasn't one to stand around asking useless questions, not when Archangel's safety was in question. Though he was interested in questioning the mercenary about their plans so he could arrange his squad's tactics accordingly, "What do we do once we're there? How do we get to Archangel?"
The mercenary sighed, obviously just wanting them to be out of his hair, "The mercs will tell you once you get there. Last I heard, they were putting freelancers into scouting groups, trying to distract Archangel while we try to get past his defenses," The merc commented, rubbing his arm against his forehead.
Shepard was not entirely pleased with that answer, but it was Rhys who beat him to the punch, "So what, we're just, just fodder? Targets for him to fill with lead at his leisure?" He said hotly.
The Blue Sun Trooper practically rolled his eyes, or whatever the Batarian equivalent was, "If you don't like it, don't sign up for it. If you do your job right however, its easy credits. Besides," the mercenary said, a bit amused at this point, "What's the odds he can kill all of you?"
Shepard interrupted before Rhys could angrily retort, "Where is this happening at?" He said, having to play diplomat once again, though having to do it in a situation like this was certainly new to him. The Traverse region was already proving much different.
"In Archangel's base of operations. He's been hiding out right under our noses," The Blue Sun trooper said, obviously annoyed a bit by the fact that their greatest enemy had been hiding underneath them the whole time. Shepard could understand that feeling, "We can't tell you exactly where," that made Miranda shift annoyed behind him, "but we'll get you there."
The Spectre nodded in acceptance. If this base was near their own holdings, it made sense to be cautious. "Where do we go?" Shepard asked as he rolled his shoulders.
"The transit depot just outside the club," the batarian said, gesturing, "Our boys will take you from there." He looked back down at his console, "Send in the next one."
Their group turned to exit, the doors opening as they walked through them. A young man walked into the room, obviously intent on signing up to do the job as well. Shepard's gut clenched as the man's "baby-face", unmarred by the physical or psychological trauma of fighting, passed his sight. He flashed back to the slave raid on Elysium, civilians fighting desperately for survival and the raid that killed his parents and boyfriend on Mindoir.
Maybe it was irrational, but he turned to the passing young man and called out, "You seem a bit young to be a freelancer and merc."
The young man didn't turn around, body stiff, "I'm old enough. I grew up on Omega, I know how to use a gun." The Batarian was now looking on in interest as the man turned around a bit defensive. His squad all looked at the man with raised eyebrows, "Besides, I just spent 50 credits on this new pistol and I can't wait to try it!"
Shepard's stomach dropped. 50 credits? Good pistols could cost thousands of credits, and even the most basic and bare bones one should be hundreds, not 50. He got close to the younger man, "Do yourself a favor; get a refund." He pulled it from the protesting man, found the weak point in the gun's design and easily broke it before handing it back, "Trust me, you'll thank me later."
As they turned to leave, Shepard caught Rhys's eye and was surprised to see the approval and respect in the man's eyes. Apparently, his actions had won some points in the man's book. That in turn made Shepard respect and trust the mysterious and bipolar man a little bit more.
Man, you're such a fucking sap Rhysie, Jack laughed in his head as Rhys rode in the car with the rest of the squad. I mean, why not let that kid join in the fun? He lives in this shithole, at least he'd get to go out in a blaze of glory facing me, the AI boasted.
Rhys rolled his eyes and mentally shook his head, "We both know why I don't just kill every random person I come across," he muttered, just low enough that none of the other occupants in the transport would hear him.
Bah, you're no fun Cupcake. Oh well, by the way, you wanna learn to fight? I mean, I know you always refused and were super pampered but well, the AI said as he phased into Rhys's vision, sitting on Shepard's lap, arm slung around the Spectre's shoulder. It was a rather amusing sight. We got Mister War Hero here who's gonna figure out something soon and she, he said pointing to Miranda, that bitch is fucking scary. Like seriously, I'm insane and she worries me.
The CEO didn't disagree with Jack's assessment however. He already looked rather... unique with his mechanical parts, and his personality changes only made that issue that much worse. Sooner or later someone was going to figure out something was up. Rhys felt like he might be able to trust Shepard, but he was far from trusting the cold and aloof Miranda.
"I'll consider it," Rhys relented much to Jack's happiness, causing the AI to grin widely and childishly. They landed and the doors opened and they all got out of the car, Rhys stretching his legs as they did so.
Another one of those accursed batarians showed up and began running his mouth, "It's about time they sent me someone who looks like they can fight," the alien said with a satisfied tone, "They tell you what we're up against?"
Shepard inclined his head, "The recruiter was a little vague," as Rhys and Jack mentally sighed together. They both had gotten really tired of the needless and pointless bullshit that was briefings. Like how many times did you need to be told the same damn thing, just in different ways?! Rhys was suitably interested in Archangel's encampment. It sounded like the guy had picked the best place he could for this type of situation. Jack approved at the very least.
Rhys tried to pay attention to what the alien was saying- Archangel had collapsed tunnels, they had a gunship, yadda yadda -but Jack's image kept making faces and amusing himself by trying to make Rhys laugh at something no one else could see. It was a childish habit the AI had picked up after being cooped up for so long.
"Alright, so we have a way in, but a way out could be a bit more difficult," Zaeed muttered to Shepard, drawing Rhys away from Jack.
Shepard cracked his neck, "Let's find him at first. We'll worry about whatever comes after that later."
As they walked up the stairs, Rhys started as a synthetic sounding voice came over the comms and said, "Shepard, I've scanned the plans but I cannot find another path to Archangel."
"Guess we're going with the mercs then," Shepard muttered as Miranda looked at Rhys, a bit horrified.
"Shepard, did EDI add Rhys to our comms?!" The Spectre paused in his walk before continuing with a sigh and a laugh. Miranda was not amused as Jack walked behind her snickering, muttering some insult about her being a bitch or uptight.
Rhys wasn't sure how to react to the situation as the voice continued, "The heavy mechs and gunship have considerable firepower. Weakening before leaving would considerably improve your chances."
Shepard lead them into a room with Blue Suns mercs. They didn't pay much attention to them, swiftly moving past them. Zaeed certainly seemed hostile to them so it was probably in their best interest to do so. Rhys didn't miss Shepard swiping a datapad, Jack's approval at his better observational skills resonating in his brain.
They left that room and walked out into another room, this one with a large mech in it. They all looked at it, "We need to take this thing out," Shepard muttered, looking at the thing in concern, "Anyone know how to hack?" Zaeed laughed and shook his head. Miranda shrugged and was about to say something but Rhys stepped forward.
"I'm sure I can take care of this," He said, nodding to Shepard.
"Alright, I'll trust you Rhys." The Spectre let him do his work, or rather Jack do his work, as Miranda looked once again annoyed by Rhys's presence.
Ooooooooooooo now for some fun! Jack cackled, rubbing his hands together, Now, I'm gonna ask for you to bend over Mr. Roboto, He joked, miming putting on a glove as he extended his code and entered the YMIR mech. Despite the mech being made for combat, its security protocols were not difficult for the ex-programmer to decipher and destroy.
Jack started cackling as he exited the mech's code, making Rhys suddenly very, very worried. "Jack, what did you do?" He whispered as quietly as he could, the others waiting to know if they were successful.
Oh, I just added a little surprise for our dear friends when they deploy it onto the battlefield. Jack said gleefully. It'll turn on them when they deployed it. Oh, and I may have used that dumbass CLAPTRAP bot's personality as a template, Jack said, way too proud of himself. Rhys groaned but was… honestly a bit eager to see how these mercs would react to a CLAPTRAP.
"I reconfigured the mech- it'll attack the mercs when they deploy it." Rhys said turning to Shepard, who he found hacking into the safes in the room. He raised an eyebrow and the man shrugged.
"We have limited funds and honestly, our mission is more important than whatever these mercs need it for. It's a small justice," He said casually causing Rhys to crack a smile, especially since he felt Jack following Shepard's hack and burrowing deeper, pulling whatever money Shepard had missed into his own accounts.
"Anyone have any ideas on what the merc's plan of attack is?" Rhys asked as Jack returned and they turned to leave the room. It was best to discuss this while they were in a room devoid of mercs.
Shepard paused, head tilting to side, "Well no one particularly likes or respects the Blood Pack. Fears, yes- they're made almost entirely of krogan and vorcha so most likely they're going to go last. If the first wave is successful, they likely don't want to give the Blood Pack any bragging rights."
Miranda nodded approvingly, "I wouldn't either in their position. According to our sources, the Blood Pack's vorcha are already attempting to take control of the infected areas of Omega from the Blue Suns."
"The Blue Suns will go first," Zaeed said confidently. Everyone looked at him, "They're the only group with the discipline to pull of this strike-team of theirs. The gunship was also theirs someone said. Speaking of, we should probably find that thing soon," He suggested, "Don't want for the assault to start and them be able to use it."
Rhys nodded his agreement and the squad made it way down the hallway, ignoring the Blood Pack's headquarters. Jack was amused by the way Shepard kept hacking whatever he came across, I like the way this guy thinks! Loot the bandits, am I right? Who gives a damn about them anyways! Jack said as he followed behind Shepard, able to worm his way into the devices far better than any organic could.
I've got personal details, bank accounts, drug stash locations, man, you'd think people would realize that anything digital can be hacked, Jack snarked as they walked, Shepard working his way into a locked room, grabbing weapon upgrades and more resources, I am absolutely wondering what mission these guys are on that allows for this type of thing. Most militaries aren't gung-ho about doing stuff like this.
Rhys considered this carefully; Shepard certainly seemed like a military man, but Zaeed was a bounty hunter, hired by whoever the others work for. There seemed to be a level of distrust between Miranda and Shepard that he wasn't sure what to make of. She was obviously more by-the-book, but she didn't seem like military- or at least her uniform didn't, while Shepard's definitely did. It was an interesting quandary he'd have to address later at some point.
One of the freelancers eventually directed them to where Cathka was. His assistant waved him over to where the batarian was. The armored merc began chatting with Shepard, cigarette in hand, the Spectre grilling him for information so they could know what the attack plan was. Rhys was instead looking over the tools that were laid around, Jack examining the data about the dropship. Huh, looks like it ain't quite done yet, thing got beat up and is at only about half its strength, the AI commented.
They were jolted out of their examination as a freelancer's voice came over the comms, "Target is in our sights, we're go for the assault."
Cathka's attention slipped over to the console and he shouldered his way past Rhys, "Check, Bravo team, go, go, go!"
The nearby mercs all began moving out, obviously part of the infiltration team. "Archangel is going to have quite the surprise waiting for him- but that means no more waiting for me," Rhys realized they'd have to move soon, and they had no way to sabotage the ship- but if they could stop Cathka… he grabbed a tool of the table and passed it over to Shepard.
Shepard took it with surprise, but when they locked eyes, an understanding passed between them. Cathka needed to be removed from the equation, "Gotta have it at one hundred percent in case Tarak needs here a-ARGH!" Cathka cried out as he was knocked out by Shepard, falling face-first in the shuttle. Rhys's respect for the soldier kept going up- sure, Rhys was averse to cold-hearted acts, but war was war. Sometimes you had to have the stomach for unsavory actions to win.
As they vaulted over the wall, Shepard cracked his knuckles in anticipation. Miranda looked at the group of mercs, one of them sporting a large grenade launcher. "Looks like Archangel doesn't have long left Shepard."
"Well, let's give these mercs a surprise of our own," He said confidently, pulling out his weapons. The rest of his team did the same, Rhys's suddenly insane sounding laughter cackling behind. He really needed to figure out what was up with his teammate.
Note: I'm sorry I'm not continuing any farther this chapter! This mission is about 40 minutes long at a minimum and I'm only about halfway through it! Next chapter will finish up this mission in an explosion of blood and Jack-tinged laughter. Also, your reviews and comments have been very helpful, so please, keep leaving them! I love them all! Seeya next chapter!