Orion Cafe

Omega

(Sebastian Robertson & Daniel Davies: Come Close)

A lone woman paced into a surprisingly populated bar in the Tuhi District of Omega, the hood of her jacket obscuring her face. She sidestepped a few low-ranking Cerberus Peacekeepers, one of which was speaking to a clearly disinterested Asari waitress. The general air of the cafe was one of calm, with a minor tone of apprehension. The people of Omega were clearly unhappy about the Cerberus occupation, but little could be done against such a militarized and organized force.

Arcturus Brotherhood Assassin Abigail Williams approached the bar, taking an empty stool near the Asari bartender, who looked up from wiping up something with a cloth. She draped the cloth over her shoulder and propped herself against the bar.

"Get you something?" The Asari asked.

Abby rested her hands neatly in front of herself, not looking up.

"Moscow Mule, please."

The Bartender nodded, gathering the few needed ingredients and quickly preparing the drink. She placed the chilled cup on a coaster in front of the newcomer, who nodded in thanks. Abby took a sip of the bubbly cocktail, taking a subtle glance around.

"Cerberus appears to be out in force today." She said.

"Mmm."

"It's been a while since I've been to Omega. When did this start?"

"A few months after the merc war, back in '85." The Asari made a mental tally. "So, around the start of the year. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I miss having the Eclipse around. They kept the population nice and diverse. Now, all that's left are these lousy Human soldiers." She hesitated. "No offense."

"None taken. Don't worry. I'm no friend of Cerberus." Abby raised her drink to her lips again.

"The extra business is nice, since everyone stopped going to Afterlife, but that gets outweighed by just about everything else."

"What happened to Afterlife?"

"After Aria was deposed, Cerberus turned into their headquarters. Their general is there, and hardly ever comes out." The Bartender scratched her white-splotched chin in thought. What the hell is his name?"

"Petrovsky." Abby said without hesitation.

"Yeah… yeah, that sounds right. He's turned the place into a fortress. His men made short work of the surviving merc bands, and took over the Eezo mines, where my wife worked, before they fired her. The only ones left are the Talons, run by a piece of work Turian by the name of Kandros."

Williams, of course, knew all of this, having met with Nyreen earlier in the day. She had sent the Assassin out to perform reconnaissance in the district, to pave the way for the Talon takeover, but she decided that this Bartender didn't need to know that.

Not yet, at least.

"The Talons are trying, but aren't able to do much." The Asari continued. "If anything, their operations have really only increased the Cerberus presence around here."

Abby looked over her shoulder again, spotting the Cerberus soldier from earlier. He was rather intently focused on his waitress, who could not be less interested in him if she tried.

"That happen often?" She inquired, nodding to the situation behind her.

"Yeah, but there's really nothing I can do. The one time I tried, their CO threatened to revoke my liquor license, so I have to play along." The barkeep shrugged. "I got bills to pay, too."

"Who is he chatting up?"

"That's Tabilitha. Tabby. My newest girl. She's even talked to me about quitting, but she's my best server. Kids got a memory like an encyclopedia. It saves me having to use the Omni-POS, which is down most days, anyway."

"What does she like to drink?"

"Why? You like her?"

"No. Well, maybe." Abby stumbled over herself. "I'm only asking because… well… what would you say to someone helping out with your… unpleasant customer problem?"

"I'd say anyone who can help has my credits behind them. And my appreciation. Tabby likes Human drinks. She's got a soft spot for what she calls a… mar-gar-ri-ta."

The Assassin nodded. "Whatever her favorite is, I'll take one." The Bartender obliged, quickly mixing up the cocktail. Abby reached into her pocket for a credit chit, but the Asari turned it down.

"If your plan works, whatever it is, it's on the house."

The Assassin shrugged and took the salt-crusted glass, rising from her seat. "Oh, by the way… how do you feel about property damage?"

The Asari snorted. "This is Omega, kid. What property isn't damaged?" Abby smiled and walked away.

"Excuse me. Talibitha?"

"Yes?" The waitress looked up, hoping for any escape from her predicament. Abby held up the beverage, before placing it in front of her.

"From an admirer." She said with a playful wink. Abby started to step back when she was stopped by the Peacekeeper, who grabbed her arm.

"Hey! You tryin' a pull somethin?" He barked, with what sounded like a South African accent. Abby looked at him with an innocent smile.

"Who, me?"

"No. The other cockrobin." The man sneered.

"Oh, no. I'm not 'pulling' anything. I just couldn't help but overhear and thought I could add to the conversation with a little gift."

"Well, this conversation is full up, so take yer gift and shove off." The Peacekeeper picked up the cup and shoved it into Abby's unexpecting hands. It fell to the floor and shattered, spattering the two Humans with tequila and shards of glass. The Assassin looked up at the Peacekeeper, who glared back at her.

"Pardon me, sir, but would you happen to be an officer of the law?"

"What of it?"

"Well, technically, what you just did would classify as assault."

"Oh, really?" The man chuckled. "And what do you plan to do about it?"

"Why don't you step over here," Abby gestured to the more open floor space behind her. "And I'll show you."

The Peacekeeper chuckled, catching the attention of a few of his lackeys. "Ah. You think you're tough, do ya?"

"No. I know I am."

"Is that right? Well, this I have ta see."

The officer stepped past the Assassin, who whispered a warning to the Asari waitress. She stood up and retreated to the bar, staying behind it with her boss.

"Come on then, show me what ya got, kid."

"The best way I can do that is for you to start."

(SAMURAI: The Ballad of Buck Ravers)

"Nah, nah. Never throw the first punch. Ever heard that?"

"Come on. Don't want to hit a girl?" Abby made an expression of innocence. "Show me yours, and I'll show you mine?"

The Cerberus soldier shook his head and braced himself in a fighting stance, which Abby copied. "Wanna play the hero? Alright then."

The man swung a wide left hook, which the Assassin easily blocked. She delivered a quick uppercut, a knee to the stomach, and a sharp right cross in rapid succession. The Peacekeeper stumbled, catching himself on a nearby table, alerting his fellows. They formed a small ring around the pair as the soldier gently inspected his cheek, looking up at the Assassin, who tilted her head at him.

"I hope that didn't hurt as badly as it looked." She said with a smirk.

"Think you're funny, do ya?"

"Now that I know I am."

"Alright then, cunt." The soldier punched his open palm a few times. "Let's dance."

The Peacekeeper threw a jab, which Abby was able to use the momentum of to throw him past her. The man was one step ahead, though, grabbing her collar and pulling the Assassin along in the fall. The soldier landed on top, straddling Abby and punching her a few times. Stunned, it took a moment for her to form a defense, which came in the form of a block and a gut punch. Leaving her attacker winded, she was able to buck her hips and force him up, before rolling away and scrambling to her feet. Standing up, she was met by another Peacekeeper who threw a wild haymaker at her. Abby blocked the attack, returning with a left cross, a knee to the groin, and a punch strong enough to push the woman into a table, toppling it.

The Assassin attempted to chain her defense into an offense, which was blocked by the third soldier in the group. He knocked her arm to the side and followed it with a punch that dropped Williams to one knee. The man went for a kick, which Abby pushed aside, knocking off his balance. She popped back up and brought an uppercut with her. He fell back into a fourth man, who shoved his friend aside and attempted a counterattack. Abby caught the man's fist and pulled him forward, twisting his arm until she heard a crack. While the Peacekeeper cried out, the Assassin swept his feet out from under him, letting him fall to the floor, and delivering a final punch to the dislocated elbow.

Abby looked up at the three soldiers still standing, panting from exertion, who all appeared to be dumbstruck by her fighting abilities.

"Who the fuck are you?" One asked.

"Someone you shouldn't have trifled with." The Assassin replied, wiping away some blood from her split lip.

The ringleader shook his head and produced a baton, an act his compatriots copied. "Alright then. I guess you want it rough."

"I wouldn't do that."

"Why not? You think we're afraid of ya?" He demanded.

"No." Abby flexed her wrists, exposing her Hidden Blades. "But you should be."

The soldiers exchanged glances, but appeared undeterred by the threat. When the first attacked, Williams was ready. She blocked the baton swing, pushing the weapon out of the way, before pivoting her free Blade and stabbing the man in the shoulder. She retracted the other and punched him square in the mouth, making the Peacekeeper stagger backward and crash into the bar, though her Blade went with him. In the next attack, Abby was able to skewer one of the soldiers in the leg, but the other shoved her away and to the floor, making her lose her grip on the knife. The Assassin was able to deliver a sharp kick to the handle of the Blade, driving it all the way through the woman's leg. She squealed and fell to the floor, while the leader grabbed Abigail by her jacket collar and forced her into the bar. He pinned her in a stranglehold while she tried to push him away with one hand, feeling around for a weapon with the other. The Bartender, still watching, slid a large whiskey bottle toward her, and she grasped the neck, shattering the nearly full glass object against the man's head. The soldier stumbled towards a column near the center of the room, which Abby shoved him against. She repeatedly bashed the back of his head into the metal support, threw a punch from each fist, then finished him off with a knee to the face.

A few minutes of collecting themselves later, the four Cerberus Peacekeepers were dragged out of the cafe by Abby and a few other patrons. The most coherent of which, the one with the broken arm, hesitated in the entryway, watching as Abby cleaned off the Blade she retrieved from his friend's leg.

"Get out. Never set foot in this bar again." Abby ordered, returning her Blade to its place. "Tell your boss, the one who threatened the owner… tell him what happened here, and who did this to you. And tell him Cerberus' days on this station are numbered."

The man looked up. "Who should I say you are?"

The Assassin smiled. "He'll know."

Before the soldier could inquire further, the pneumatic door closed with a hiss. Abby turned around and headed back to the bar, a slight limp in her step as she passed a pair of waitresses cleaning up broken glass and spilled alcohol. Eventually, she eased herself onto her barstool, where the Bartender quickly prepared another Moscow Mule. The Asari then produced a clean(er) bar rag and poured a few drops of vodka onto it.

"You got some moves, kid. Here." She lightly patted the dampened cloth against the gash on Abby's lip. The Assassin took the improvised first aid tool from her, nodding in thanks, before taking a sip of her new drink. "You know, if you knew anything about Biotics, you'd make a half-decent Commando." The Bartender rested her elbows against the countertop, studying the young woman in front of her. "Who the hell are you, anyway?"

"Someone who's here to help with the… Cerberus problem." Abby said, wincing as the alcohol burned her cut. "Is there anything you can share about the Afterlife 'Fortress'?"

"Information is valuable, Human." The blue-skinned Bartender began. "That said, considering what you just did, I'm happy to provide." The Assassin sipped her drink. "There's automated turrets guarding the entrance, supported by Mecs and Cerberus soldiers. Not those light-clothed idiots you just pounded the snot out of. The ones with armor and guns. Then, there are the energy fields. I'm sure you've seen them." Abby nodded. "Those are wired directly to the main power generators at the center of the station, which are guarded by more soldiers. "Don't know how you plan on getting past them."

"I'm sure I'll think of something."

"Maybe you will before Cerberus comes around and shutters this place for good." The Asari growled.

"I don't think that will happen."

"Why not?"

"Tell your staff and patrons… the Talons are on their way."


Meanwhile

Docking Bay D24

SSV Normandy

Commander Shepard frowned as she read the crew attendance list given to her by EDI. It was rapidly approaching 12:00, and she still had one crew member unaccounted for. Her annoyance, helped along by tiredness and a lingering hangover from the previous night, mounted as she tapped on the 'Absent' tab.

"Of course."

WILLIAMS, ABIGAIL.

"She'll probably walk in right at 12… with that shit-eating grin of hers…"

Shepard paced around on the ship's Bridge, eyeing the airlock door intently. She wanted to be the first thing Abby saw when she eventually boarded, though the Commander was still debating on saying anything to her. Some of the Assassin's words yesterday had truth to them, but this bordered on insubordination. Something that Shepard, while having participated in similar activities, wasn't a fan of.

"Something wrong, Commander?" Joker asked.

"We have one unaccounted for."

"Let me guess… Chambers? No… Miranda. Wait… she's here…" As the Pilot listed off names, Shepard approached him with an irritated glare. "Uh… Oh, I know! The one you told to be here at a specific time and to absolutely, under no circumstances, leave the Citadel and go to a certain other station, where she has a crucial task to complete." Joker pivoted his chair around to face the Commander. "That sound about right?"

"Joker." Jane growled. "I'm not in the mood."

"Well, I'm sure Abby isn't either. Or, wasn't. Whichever. Point is, don't tell me you didn't expect this."

"Part of me did. But I wanted to be proven wrong. Now, I've got one teammate AWOL just before one of the most important missions of the war."

"Respectfully, Commander." EDI cut in. "The mission Miss Williams is on is one of the most important for her as well. I have been helping Abigail with collating data on the Templars, and General Petrovsky truly is one of two final targets. Her eliminating him brings her one step closer to ending the Assassin-Templar War for good, which has been ongoing for centuries."

"Who's the other target?" Shepard asked, eyeing the watch on her Omni-Tool.

"A one Kai Leng. The personal bodyguard for the Illusive Man, and the operative you encountered on the Citadel and Thessia. Operative Lawson's tracker indicates that he is currently at Cronos Station."

"So, we take him down there while Abby handles Omega?" Joker offered.

"No. Aria said Petrovsky's turned the station into a fortress. If Abby truly did go there, she's either already dead, or about to be…"

"What?" Ashley appeared behind the Commander. "Abby, dead?"

"No… at least, I don't think so." Jane clarified. "But she isn't here. And now it's past my deadline." Shepard turned around to face her Marine friend. "Any ideas?"

"I'd ask Traynor. The two of them have gotten pretty chummy lately."

At the Commander's nod, the two left the Bridge and entered the CIC, where Specialist Traynor could be found at her station.

"Traynor!" Ashley barked, making even Shepard jump.

"Huh?!" Samantha's head shot up. "Oh, Lieutenant… you startled me."

"Abby. My sister. Where is she?" Williams demanded.

"She-she's not here? I could have sworn I saw-"

"Traynor." Shepard interrupted. "We know she's not on board. She was with you for most of the night. Where is she?"

"I-I don't know, Commander. I'm sure she'll be along soon. You know how she is."

"I do. Which is what worries me."

"Sam, don't make this difficult." Ashley said. "Just tell us where Abby went."

With the pressure from her two superiors mounting, Traynor finally caved. "Omega. She left after everyone was asleep last night, and she made me promise not to tell anyone."

"Goddammit." Shepard shook her head.

"If she's not dead yet, I'll kill her myself." Ashley declared.

"She only left because you wouldn't let her, Commander. Abby told me everything. About your dismissiveness towards her mission. About-"

"Well, it's not my fault her mission is going on in the middle of a Galactic war!" Shepard said defensively.

"She also told me about what you did back in '83." Samantha continued, silencing the pair. "As a Spectre, going against the Council and the Ambassador, to leave the Citadel and go to Ilos. You disobeyed orders to complete your mission, and she did the same to complete hers. All due respect, Commander, but if you take us to Cronos Station and leave Abby by herself on Omega, you're an even bigger hypocrite than she said you were… and I'll lose all respect for you."

A fire suddenly ignited in Ashley's eyes. "You dare say that to-"

"Ash, stop." Shepard said. "She's right." She shrugged. "You're right, Traynor. You and Abby. I've taken time away from the mission to help squadmates with their personal dilemmas… what makes Abby any different?"

Shepard stepped past Ashley and up to the Galaxy Map. "Joker… plot a course for Omega."

"Aye, Commander."

"Hopefully we can catch up before she gets herself killed…"