Hello everyone,
I hope you like this one as I am trying out something new with my favourite character Thane Krios!
Disclaimer: None of the Mass Effect characters are mine. I wish they were.
A Deadly Contract
The skyline of Verexia was ablaze with neon-lights, each competing for attention in a kaleidoscope of colors. Hovering vehicles zipped through air-lanes while street-level was a cacophony of urban hustle. It was here, amongst the intermingling of species and languages, that the galaxy's deals - both legal and sinister - took place.
In a dim-lit bar situated in a less glitzy part of Verexia, Thane Krios reviewed the holographic file projected from his omni-tool. The details shimmered in front of his sharp, reptilian eyes: "Charissa Jones, Age: 30, Occupation: Genetic Research Scientist."
At first glance, she seemed an unusual target for someone of Thane's skill set. His assignments usually involved political figures, crime lords, or war heroes; not scientists. The attached image showed a woman with soft, contemplative eyes, her hair pinned up revealing a slender neck. But it was her achievements, hidden behind that unassuming facade, that made the Council nervous.
The ambiance of the bar was a lulling drone of conversations, clinks of glasses, and a distant hum of an old tune. But Thane's focus was solely on the information scrolling in front of him. She was a leading figure in genetic mutations and cross-species genetics, holding numerous patents, some of which could change the balance of power in the galaxy.
He looked up and took a sip from his drink, allowing the liquid to soothe his parched throat, a constant reminder of his Kepral's Syndrome. The thought of eliminating a scientist, presumably involved in research, was a unique situation for Thane. What had she discovered? Or was it something she was about to?
His contemplation was interrupted by a discreet beep on his omni-tool. A message displayed: "Ensure she doesn't reach the annual Galactic Science Convention on Illium. Some believe she's about to unveil something groundbreaking."
That gave him a timeline. A deadline. A ticking clock.
He finished his drink, laying the glass gently on the table, its resonance a soft chime in the dim ambiance. Standing up, his fluid motion was almost feline, a testament to his Drell agility and years of meticulous training. Every step, every movement hinted at a coiled power, a dance of controlled precision.
When he reached his apartment, Thane seamlessly moved through the dimly lit space, activating a series of holographic displays. Maps of building layouts, guard rotations, and ventilation systems illuminated the walls. Slipping into highly fortified locations, bypassing cutting-edge security, and neutralizing threats without being detected was all in a day's work for him. But this contract, this scientist, brought an unfamiliar edge to his preparations. There was an unusual weight, a feeling he couldn't quite pinpoint, as he delved into the details of his mission.
Late into the quiet of the night, Thane's search led him to a video clip, a bright thumbnail amidst the dense, dark data streams. He clicked on it, and suddenly the room was awash with the hues of a grand conference hall. At its epicenter stood Charissa, with a backdrop of intertwined DNA helixes gracefully rotating behind her.
Her voice, soft like a murmur of a distant stream, yet carrying an assertive undertone, filled the space. She was discussing a groundbreaking approach: the fusion of Drell and Asari DNA. Each word, articulated with passion and precision, was like a drop of knowledge expanding into ripples of possibilities. The audience, an eclectic mix of various species, leaned forward, their collective gaze magnetized by her vision.
Thane, too, found himself leaning in, drawn to her enthusiasm, her clarity of thought. The luminance of the projection screen danced across his green-scaled face, highlighting the emotion in his eyes. He observed the light play of her fingers as she gestured, the way her eyes shone with an inner light when discussing potential breakthroughs, and how she modestly nodded in acknowledgment when the audience applauded her insights.
Suddenly, the weight of the galaxy didn't seem to rest on military might or political maneuverings, but in the hands of individuals like Charissa, who saw beyond stars and sought answers within strands of DNA. The idea of extinguishing such a beacon was suffocating.
Hitting pause, the room descended into darkness again, leaving just the faint glow of the frozen video frame. Charissa's image, mid-sentence, eyes full of dreams, seemed to pierce through Thane. The calculated, cold assassin in him wrestled with the emerging realization of what her loss could mean to the universe. He had always approached his assignments with clinical detachment, but this... this felt personal. The gentle scientist on his screen wasn't just a target; she was hope.
For a moment, memories of his past missions blurred, replaced by fleeting instances of when he believed in greater purposes, in dreams bigger than one's self. If Charissa represented the hope of the galaxy, then what did he represent in this dance of fate?
He was at a crossroads. This wasn't just a mission. It felt like a reckoning of his past, his beliefs, and perhaps a chance at redemption.
The darkness of the room deepened as hours passed, the subtle hum of the ship his only companion. Thane tried to find rest, but the compelling image of Charissa, combined with the torment of his internal conflict, kept sleep at bay. In the vast silence of the night, he faced the echoes of his soul, questioning and reevaluating his path.