The VIP club is in another league of its own. The music penetrates my bones, and my tendons vibrate to the beats. The floor's luster reflects the multicolor lights. Dancers of many several different species are on the floor. I pick up on everything. The stimulus is nearly drowning. I was never a club goer, but I now understand why drinks are so important. I need to maintain my control. A big inhale for four seconds, hold for the same amount of time, exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of eight, then hold. I feel so much better.
Shepard's voice bangs on my right ear drum. I hold my thumb against the earpiece. "Will you be alright? You seem troubled."
"I'm fine. I prefer more quiet evening activities. Can we hurry this up? I feel ridiculous in Thane's jacket. I don't like how much it shows my chest." I said.
"You look so handsome in it" Kasumi said. I thank her for the compliment.
"I'm amazed it fits" I radioed over.
Thane's alien smoker voice comes through "My tactical coat is several sizes larger compared to leisure wear. Serves a range of purposes. I appear larger which intimidates my captives during investigation, provides unrestricted movement, as well as concealing a variety of tools and weapons. Please be mindful of the toxin coated blades. I did not have time to remove them all."
"WHAT?!" I yell.
"You were not picking anyone up in a sweatshirt and jeans" Shepard said.
"Is that a challenge?" I ask.
Shepard radios over "Go to the bar and get a drink" I was told it was bad to listen to dead guy's instructions. I'll do it this one time. I have a good feeling.
I go up to the turian male bartender "Can I have a glass of water please?"
"Get a real drink!" Shepard drills into my head.
"You're clearly not from here. Most don't ask politely, if they bother to ask" the bartender said.
"Kindness is important to me therefore I'm kind. Plus, it's best not to put the drink master in a bad mood" I said.
"Smart human, except the kindness part. Not getting that here. What brings you to Omega?" he asks.
"Work. My boss pulls me along whenever he can. Pay is terrible. I make him feel guilty about it whenever I can" like right now.
"I can hear you. The earpiece is always on" the former spectre said.
"He sounds like a real piece of work. You seem capable. A merc group would pay you a lot for protection if you're up to it" my favorite bartender said.
I reply to both conversations at once "I know."
"Hurry it up and start flirting" Shepard barks.
"Hey, we are buddies now, right? Can you give me advice on attracting asari?" This feels humiliating.
"It depends on what stage of life they are in. Matriarchs are a no go unless they approach. The young ones, which is what you want, believe me love dancing. I wouldn't worry. You seem really popular" he points out. I look over my shoulder. A see two dozen hungry pairs of eyes looking at me. I pay the man for his expertise with a solid gold coin. He seems surprised but not overly so. Gold must be cheaper here.
"Where did you get that?" Shepard asks.
"I heard of a story where a rich man gave a bellhop a gold coin as a tip, then hyperinflation happened, and the bellhop bought the hotel he worked at with that very coin. I make them and keep one on me at all times" I said. I walk to the bathroom and make sure I am alone. No one is taking a squat. I rest the base of my palms on the sink and examine my oddly shiny eyes.
"Shepard, I regret all the women I've swooned away from you. I abdicate my position of the sexiest man on the Normandy. COME DOWN HERE AND SWITCH POSITION WITH ME!"
"No, I want to see the magic happen. If she does make physical contact, I'll walk straight to you" he said.
I ask "Don't you mean run?"
"You're live long enough. Samara believes she likes to savor the experience. Have fun" my regret in not saving his life is gone. I breathe out my frustrations and exit the bathroom. Navigating the moving bodies into the center of the dance floor. I listen to the music and sync to it. I feel the energy in my body start to come alive. It presses my muscles, and my skin begs for it to come out. My body follows the direction within and surrenders to the beat. Moving in a series of patterns as I am overtaken. The music goes faster and the urge to move increases. I'm getting attention. Human women mostly and a couple turain ones as well. There is this one asari with a near non-existent aura making her way towards me. Her alarming eyes scare away the competition. I spy her approach, welcome her, and make small talk.
"Hey you" I continued my sweet sexy moves.
"Hey. What is your name?" she moves closer.
"I'd advise getting too close. She's unlikely to drain you now with a crowd of witnesses but it would not be her first time" Samara warns me.
"I'm *********. You?" I ask loudly. The music makes it hard to hear.
"Mornith. What is your story?" she smiles.
"It starts with tragedy, hardships, a religious experience of sorts, lots of weird stuff, some deaths, and now I am having the time of my life" this is fun. I'm going to have to do this again without a serial killer beside me.
"It sounds like a sad beginning. You're fortunate to escape the darkness. I find myself drawn to it" she said.
"Must be how your brain lights up. I like novel activities. The different flavors are intriguing. Got any ideas?" I give her a flirtatious smile and instinctively my eyebrows rise slightly.
She comes close to my left ear. I am scaroused. "I could give you the best moment of your entire life" I have a flashback to a youtube video. Mornith offers to meld with Shepard and said his nervous system would be saturated with ecstasy. It would kill me. I can come right back. Hmm… decisions to be made.
"That is how she kills her victims" Samara said. We are lucky Mornith couldn't hear that.
"It might be worth it" I said outloud.
"NO!" everyone shouts into my ear.
"Why don't you come back to my place, and I can show you exactly what I'll do" she offers. The music changes. I need to do something first. It only takes a moment.
"Hang on I need to do this really quick" I ball my fists and keep them near my lower ribs. My torso moves side to side and my shoulders raise and lower with the beat. The infamous shepard shuffle.
"This is what my boss thinks dancing looks like. It looks idiotic doesn't it" Kasumi's laughter can be heard in the background of my earpiece and Shepard's growl.
"It is... amusing" she said.
"Alright. I am done dancing. Bring me to this best moment of my life thingamajig. What are we going to do pretty lady?" I don't even try anymore.
"Follow me and I'll show you" she seductively looks down and turns away. I follow her out of the club. She disappears into a narrow alley that I would never have known existed if she didn't go into it. It is dark and my shoulders only have inches of freedom. She vanishes from view.
"We have your position. She is on the next left" Thane said.
"This way" her voices echoes off the rusty metal walls.
I play this game until we exit the maze. I am back onto the street. I look around. Out of the corner of my eye I see her enter an apartment building. I scoot between passersby and make my way to her. I am in the lobby, and she is in the elevator. The door is closing. I can't get to her in time. Just before the doors close, she says "top floor" I find the stairs and look up. That goes really high. Better start climbing.
I'm huffing and puffing like a chain-smoker who just finished the hundred-meter dash. TWENTY frickin floors. It is much worse than it sounds. She is making me work for it. I'm getting tired of this crap. Wait I could have just flied up. Crap I was too focused on the chase. Whatever focus on the girl. It's for the mission I tell myself. My rewards will come soon. I push the door and find myself in a hallway. It is rather pleasant to my surprise. It's not five stars or trashy. Just a normal carpet floor and pale green drywall. I look around and one door is open an inch. That is the one. I knock on the frame.
"You better have a glass of water with my name on it" I yell. Is this the right room?
"I'll have it ready in a moment. You're going to need it. I plan on sucking you dry" she said.
"Yay!" my fists clench in excitement. I entered the apartment, and she is sitting on top of the kitchen island. Her legs are crossed and she waves the water around, enchanting me. I get it now why others like the blue women.
"Should I save this glass for afterwards?" she smirks.
"********* we are in position. Be ready for us. Understand?" Shepard asks.
"YES"
Mornith puts the glass down and hops off the table. Her slender legs catwalk to me and her strong shoulders remain still and back as she inches closer. I might have to call this. I'll die and go to another universe. Shepard does not need me. This is the best way to get out of my volunteer responsibilities. I'm going to miss everyone. I better have a huge funeral. They can launch me out into space. My body will fall into a star. They are abundant and delicious sources of energy. Only fair to give a piece back. Mornith comes closer... then closer... and Thanes breaches from the window. Kasumi uncloaks and knocks the back of Mornith's head with a baton. A sickening loud crack is heard. Shepard and Samara rush in. Mornith laughs when she finds her mother standing over her.
"Hahaha. What happens now? Are you going to kill me? Mother" Kasumi and Thane shutter at what they are going to have to watch. A parent killing their own blood. There is nothing quite like it.
"Samara, we have her. We can take her in. You don't have to do this" Shepard points out.
"I am aware, commander, and I have tried in the past. A dozen officers fell in her escape. I will not make the same mistake" her voice is cold.
"Do you even know what I am? I didn't ask to have this curse. I'm not doing anything our ancestors haven't been worshiped for" Mornith said.
"What is she talking about?" Kasumi asks.
"Of course, she didn't tell you. Not that it wouldn't matter. Her precious code won't allow it. Its more important to her than her own daughter" Mornith said.
"Enough. You will pay for your crimes. In obedience of the code I end your terror" Samara points her gun towards her youngest daughter's head.
"Are we really going to let this happen?" Kasumi asks us. The three of us guys glance at each other, silently debating on whether this is the right move. Mornith uses this moment of hesitation and the largest biotic blasts I have ever seen throws everyone back. The strength of the field makes Jack look weak. A struggle between Mother and daughter ensues. Both equal and locked in a stalemate.
"Commander, eliminate her this instant" Samara said.
"Please let me go. I didn't do anything wrong. Whatever she told you is a lie" Mornith pleads.
Shepard is caught in the middle. Who does he point his weapon towards? After a moment, Shepard kills an asari.
The life in her eyes is extinguished. Her body lays motionless on the ground as blood leaks from the entry wound.
Mornith is dead.
"Thank you commmander. I-I" Shepard interrupts the justicar.
"No. None of this. I should have been told the whole story from the start. We are going back to the Normandy and you will be explaining this to me in my office. Say your goodbyes quickly" Shepard stands there frozen in anger. Kasumi, Thane, and I take the cue to leave. The room felt chilling. We take the elevator down. The space is uncomfortably quiet. I try to break the awkwardness.
"Thane. Um… Would you like your jacket back" it didn't do anything to change the tone of the moment.
"Hmmm. You may keep it. I have several others." Thane said. I would have thanked him, but it didn't seem the right time.
Kasumi breaks the silence. "We should go find Mordin."
"Good idea" We speedwalk to the Normandy. No one wished to risk Commander Shepard and Samara catching up to us. Not one word was spoken until we made it back to the ship. The decontamination procedure removes the filth from our bodies but not the fresh experience from our minds. We exit and go our separate ways. I thanked Thane for the coat, and he said, 'you are welcome.' I am going to have to make some alterations to make it less, stand outy. I plop down next to Joker.
"Oh hey, how was your first time on Omega. Did you see the dancers?" the pilot asked.
"Oh yeah. Dancing was fun" I replied.
"You drunk or something? You seem spaced out?" he asked.
"I detect no alcohol in *********'s bloodstream but higher levels of cortisol. What has transpired"? Edi asked. Joker looks at me worried.
Joker states intensely towards "Where is the commander?"
I answer "He is with Samara. We just returned from the mission. Her daughter was a serial killer. Was."
Joker catches my meaning. He asks me if I'll be ok. I tell him I don't know what to do. I don't think I can do anything to make the situation better. Jokes aren't appropriate. No maxims or words of wisdom. I can't do anything.
"It's good you care, but this situation is a pile of bullshit. Nothing can be done except to wait. Time will distance you guys out from this moment" he said.
"Ok. I'll try to forget what just happened. I thought I should let you know. Shepard is pissed. Maybe don't bring this up? That goes for you too Edi" I said.
"I am programmed to understand how biologicals process emotionally difficult situations. I do believe silence is the best option" Edi said.
"That is a relief. Did you guys see Mordin come in?" I ask.
"Yeah, he came by a while ago and is in his lab. He seems happy. Patients must be feeling better" Joker said.
"That's Good. If you need me, I'll be in the recreation area. Talk to you later" I get up from the leather chair and head down. I pass by Kelly my way who mentions she is available to talk then continues working at her console. I make it to the rec room and lay down on the couch. I massage the tension out of my forehead.
"You look like you could use a drink" Kasumi uncloaks.
"I'm debating it" I said.
"Are you going to be alright?" she asks.
"Oh yeah. I am really empathetic and can pick up on others' vibe. I dislike when others feel bad because then I feel it and it sucks" I said.
"I hear you. Things will get better. We just need something to take our minds off of it. I'm pouring myself a drink and will read in my room. If you need anything let me know" she said.
"I will. Thank you asian ghost lady" Kasumi chokes on her drink and her laughs spit any remaining liquid out of her mouth and onto the floor. I laugh with her and feel the good emotions. She quickly wipes up her mess and heads out. I lay my head on the armrest and take the moment to decompress.
