Book 5

Siha: Rise of Rakhana

Part III

"Silver and Fire"

The scene out of a flamboyant magazine in which there was nothing but skin, live music, dance, color flashes of light and lots of bodies moving from bar to upper levels, lower floors, tables, dance areas. More than one stood on platforms, swaying to music. More than a fair share of asari in scant clothing. Not a strip club, but it was close. Bouncers along and among the edges and crowds respectively, moving with vigilant eyes, heavy sidearms attached hips, chests, where the physiognomy allowed per alien...Most male, a large percentage was also female.

Feron right in his wetsuit, hand on a hip whilst opposite hangs his omni-tool, set for hacking and quick comms. Liara leading with white trenchcoat over white-band pants, supple ripples to the leather that trims the edge of the bottom, concealing a sidearm with its lift—a Clandestine-9M with triple-zoom sight and laser guide system to enhance accuracy against organic matter…She has a separate one for synthetic. Casnar in his modest crew 'onesie', a grease monkey in appearance come for a good time—but hypervigilant with his emerald eyes, hands ready.

Moving with catlike prowess, the three make a unified effort to ease their way through the crowds towards their intended destination—The staging above the main dance hall, under a big screen featuring closeups of asari assets wearing little more than G-strings or trendy underwear. Enticing as it may be, Casnar, Liara, and Feron keep their eyes about them as they search for a pathway through the writhing throngs, moving in a serpentine fashion to avoid any altercations with the mingling security. Aria T'Loak's stage of an office is high up over the dance and bar hall, from where the dominant ruler of Omega has view of the most popular club in the Terminus Systems.

Stairs greet toes with even lifts over the rough lines. Years of boots, shoes, glass and ware breaking against these—even bullet holes and biotic blasts, claw marks—has the staircase marred with some of Omega's history. Aria could have given it some rehab, but has not gotten around to doing so…She still has a few centuries to do it.

Casnar and Liara move as a pair, Feron behind passing faces of more than a few armed personnel turning in their direction. No one stops their progress to the top, however. Casnar wonders at this.

He looks to Liara, "…You are expected."

She gives a slow lift of her shoulder nearest his face, gazing coolly, "…Aria and I," she replies, "…Have an understanding."

"You mean she welcomes you here."

"Yes," Liara slows to a stop, "…I bring information, she gives me protection and berth."

"You and Aria are allies—how long have you known her?" asks Casnar.

"Only a short while, but she needs me as much as I need her network."

"Ah," Casnar motions with a rotation of his elbow and wrist for her to proceed, and Liara takes the offer, "…Mutual benefits."

"We are not to be confused as friends."

Casnar and Feron stop as Liara does. At the step below the height of the second turn of stairs, a turian with a rifle against his shoulder appraises them while he raises a claw, "…Hold a moment. Who's calling on Aria."

"Casnar Soterios," Liara raises her palm to the drell beside her, "…and Feron Saeah—Aria knows him—and Liara T'Soni. She has a friend of mine, a prothean named Javik."

The bodyguard makes a low audible from his chest. A second, batarian this time, comes by at the issuance. "Requesting Aria," he says into a mic on his shoulder pad.

The big screen of asari tits and shaking ass-curves makes Casnar's eyes hurt.

He wonders if Tetonbaum is bedding Braith back at Liara's flat…No offense to Tetonbaum, but since the shard, the high th'ane has been acting insane.

Focus on getting to Gruinn Tiira Leeis, he thinks, …Kasumi can handle her husband.

Feron regards some of the bodyguards on the next balcony. A glance at Casnar, Feron had thought to comment about the thicker security.

Liara gasps when she sees Aria…leading Javik by a leash from the rear of the room, fringe of purple, crests of green and black linked scales ascending over his head, come from another stair that may lead to more rooms in the back.

Attention turning to Liara, to the focus of her eyes, "…What is that?" Casnar hisses out as he takes in the sight of the pair.

"Why is she walking Javik on a leash," mutters Feron, stepping up one stair.

"This prothean here," Aria's snide voice releases, an unsurpassed scowl on her elegant face, "…Talks more than he should…" She tugs him forward, nodding to a bodyguard by three sofas overlooking the lower dance arena, "…Take the leash off, Bara," she snarls.

As if a new thought dumps itself into that purple deposit of cartilage covering her skull—white with pink makeup patterning—Aria gazes at Casnar, but says to Liara, "…Actually let's make a deal." She holds one hand upraised. A finger pointed among the inward curl of the others signs to her man: Hold off…

"A deal!" exclaims Liara, incensed, "…A deal for what?"

The other points same finger from knuckless glove…at Casnar's golden mug.

"I want Green Eyes," Aria says, lowering hand to the loop of leash, hooked on a belt wrapped round her slender waist, "…That one has a handsome price on his head."

Casnar backs a step down, "…We're going to be leaving, Liara," he warns in advance, "…Get your prothean…Biotics again, maybe?"

"Aria," not wanting to rely on that against another asari, Liara tries to reason, "…Stop playing me. Javik comes with us. No deals made. We were understood."

Aria removes the hand from her leash and tosses the cord to Javik's fist…His head raises from his chest, and it is then that Liara, Feron, Casnar see the prothean's eyes turned golden, "…Be a good boy," orders Aria, Javik's power glowing about his grip on the leash, "…Bring me the big one."