AN: My apologies, I should actually have started this story after Summer because it's been a bit crazy for the past few months. But I'm back and settled. You'll see more updates now.

Chapter 03

"I want you to travel to a Cerberus space station with a team I have put together and invite the female human scientist on board to Omega," Aria had told Asura. "She does not have the luxury of denying my hospitality."

Asura had told herself that she shouldn't ask questions, but she did.

"What is she to you?"

Aria had not hesitated to answer and the rawness in her voice had given Asura pause.

"She can get me in touch with the man who knows what happened to my daughter."

There had been no arguing with that. Asura had accompanied Aria's makeshift teams, a seemingly disorganized band of unaffiliated mercenaries and set off to the space station where this scientist was. As she understood, it would not have been difficult to identify the individual as she was the only human woman among a group of turians. Asura wasn't with the initial infiltration team but had been told that she should stick with the extraction team.

Asura's working relationship with Aria had always been strained, even though she could not deny that it had also been advantageous to her. Asura's late mother had made her fortune in planet surveying and mining in the terminus systems, a company in which Asura was now the majority shareholder. While she did the odd investigative and muscle job for Aria, she had mostly assisted the pirate queen in negotiations around her own mining businesses. Aria had felt that her natural ability to control a room was far more valuable than her ability to kill.

It suited Asura, who tried hard to keep bloodshed as far away from her life as she could. Not only did it put Abby in danger, but it always threatened to pull her closer to the unsatiable abyss of violence that her condition demanded of her.

It was too easy for her to kill and violent jobs made her hunger worse.

Not for the first time that day, Asura spared a thought to Abby and wondered if she was alright.

As if sensing her distraction, the batarian Sanak glanced at her, his eyes sharp as he looked her over. They had not worked together before but knew of each other. He had been part of Liselle's inner team and Asura suspected that, although he might not know about her condition, he had inherited Liselle's distrust of her.

"Get ready to move out," he snapped. "The team has just reported that the docking section is clear, and you have an open path to the science labs."

Asura didn't allow his tone to bother her. Instead, she stood up slowly and ran her hand over the segments of her light armour, taking her time to check that each strap was still in place. She sensed Sanak's interest immediately as all his eyes went from her face to her body and lingered around her waist till she shifted her hands to the gun she was carrying.

"Just say the word," she murmured. "I am at your command…"

She trailed off when he unexpectedly drew a gun on her, though she could sense his arousal.

"Don't try that shit with me," he hissed. "Liselle told me if I ever feel the need to kiss you, I should just fucking kill you."

Asura didn't flinch but smiled at him, not worried about the weapon. "I take it as a good sign that you want to kiss me," she murmured, her voice low and inviting. "Let's get this over with, we all have things we want to do afterwards." I want to go back home to my love.

Abby forgave her flirting as it came as naturally to Asura as breathing. Half of the time, she didn't even think of what she was doing. It was her weapon, a method she used to gain control of any person she wanted to. Some were more resistant than others. Abby was the least likely to succumb to her wiles these days as it seemed that she had built up some kind of natural resistance to Asura's influence. Or, perhaps it was simply that Asura rarely felt the need to try and sway her. It didn't feel right, not in their relationship.

As Sanak waved them out of the shuttle, Asura allowed the krogan with her to take point. Orgun was a beast, a prime example of his species, whom she had worked with before as his large frame provided quite a lot of negotiation power. He was a good fighter to have in front with his heavy armour though it was hardly necessary as Asura soon realised that all the turians they encountered had already been slaughtered. It made her a little uncomfortable because she could see they were turian military and not a group of mercenaries. Not that she feared retaliation. Very few military ships hailing from council space were ever seen in the terminus systems. The Council all but forbid it in fear of inciting a war. That had always been a foolish notion to Asura who knew that the mercenaries out here in the terminus were too busy fighting themselves and couldn't spare the resources. The only one with the power to amass something akin to a war fleet was Aria and she always had the impression that the matriarch couldn't be bothered.

Omega was her kingdom and she seemed to have no desire to expand it.

The small team, which included two batarians, soon found the medical labs where some of the other teams had said security placed the humans. Orgun led them through a lab to an office hidden away in the back. Asura felt the tension of the group rise when they found a locked door. Wordlessly Orgun placed himself in front of the space, looking to Cila, one of the batarians, to open the door. She placed herself by the console as her counterpart moved to the other side of the door. Asura breathed in deeply and readied herself to use her biotics.

"Remember," she spoke quietly. "Aria wants the human alive. Don't go in shooting."

The other batarian, Chaka she thought his name was, laughed. "They can take a few hits," he said. "We know what Aria said."

Asura gave him a warning look as Cila hacked the lock. "And you adhere to her words," she said. "Or you will deal with me." She didn't allow herself to wonder what would happen if they failed in this. In the days leading up to this discovery, before Aria had any leads, the vibe on Omega had been tense. The queen of Omega had hidden her grief well. Asura suspected that the only one who had seen her crumble a little had been Abby when she foolishly went to her the day of Liselle's death. Asura had not thought it possible, but she had loved her partner even more for it, for the capacity she had for compassion. Abby had not spoken of what had passed between her and the matriarch, but she had been gone some time and returned unharmed and sombre.

Chaka sneered at her words, but Cila blinked at her slowly then turned to her partner.

"No casualties," she said. "Nothing unnecessary, Chaka." Her words made Chaka purse his lips and he pressed himself against the wall, his eyes narrow.

"Almost there," Cila said. "Three, two…" Orgun dropped his frame slightly and closed the visor on his armour. Asura blew out a slow breath as she allowed her biotics to fill her, drawing on the dark energy that always seemed to pulse both within and around her. When the door opened, they were met with a chorus of gunfire but it didn't stop Orgun who charged forward, a war cry on his lips. All gun fire concentrated on him but Asura only moved when she saw his kinetic barrier wink out. The krogan grunted in pain and dropped to the floor abruptly. Asura immediately let go of the biotic weave that she had mentally prepared and send a massive shockwave across the room. Not one, but two humans cried out as they were thrown back. One, a woman with light hair immediately tried to scramble up and reach for her dropped pistol. Asura stormed into the room and clenched her fists. The action wasn't always needed but it helped her to concentrate. The woman's hands were frozen now on the pistol and her companion…

Asura turned her attention to him and froze, her heart skipping a beat as familiar brown eyes met hers.

"You," she saw the man mouth, his gaze soon turning to fury. "What is…" Asura stormed forward and smashed her elbow into his face. Held in place by her biotics, he could not protect himself from the blow.

"Anderson!" the woman on the ground yelled. "An…" her second cry was cut off as she cried out in agony. Asura turned her head sharply to see Chaka bring his foot up and stomp his armoured boot down on the woman's hands for what must have been a second time. The pistol already lay discarded, and she had no doubt that he had simply done it for the pleasure of inflicting pain.

"Chaka!" She barked and seized ex-Councilman David Anderson by the collar. "Stand down! Cila, secure the human woman! She isn't to be harmed!" She suspected it was already too late for that.

Anderson coughed, spraying her face with spit and blood. Asura turned away from Cila, who had helped the wounded Orgun to turn on his back, and let her biotics die around the human man so that she could throw him across the room to get him out of earshot from the others. She still felt the power of her biotic weaves flow around her, her heartbeat inexplicably loud in her ears as she rushed to Anderson's side. He was struggling to orientate himself, his hands futilely flaying around for a weapon, any weapon to fight off what he must have felt was certain death. Asura's world slowed as she realised that she felt… no fear from him.

No fear.

It was exhilarating and provided such sharp contrast to the pained whimpers she heard from the human woman on the other side of the room. Anderson's dazed gaze met hers as she dropped down beside him and grabbed his arms, straddling his hips as she pinned his hands above his head. He tried once, twice to buck her off but could not manage as, still holding onto her biotics, Asura could not be beaten by mere strength. She saw a reflection of herself on the metallic surface of an overturned table and could see the black depths of her eyes.

She was a goddess of hunger and desire. She could kill this man, take his life. And he would beg her to do so, crying.

His fear brought her back to herself. It was there now, like a slice of ecstasy, yet he still met her gaze with defiance and accusation.

"If you harm one more hair on Kahlee's head," he said. "Your powers won't protect you from my wrath."

Goddess, Asura thought. Thank the goddess I fed… She dropped her lips to his ears and hissed in a whisper.

"I'm trying to stop that from happening," she breathed. "Your life is in more danger than hers! Cooperate with me, it will save you!"

"Traitor," Anderson hissed. "You were Shepard's ally!" Yet, she felt his arms relax and she knew he would not try to fight again. Asura sneered as she climbed off him and violently turned him on his stomach, securing his hands with the hand cuffs that she had brought.

"I am no one's ally," she hissed. "Shepard brought her violence to my house." She wove a biotic shield around them as she stood up, hauling Anderson to his feet with her.

"Kahlee!" He yelled immediately as it gave him a view of the other human. "Kahlee, what have you done to her?!" Cilia and Chaka were picking her up from the floor, her legs barely able to keep her upright. Asura could sense the pain that she was in and it alarmed her immediately. The batarians had not answered Anderson but she wasn't going to give them that luxury twice.

"Report!" She snapped. "What have you done?!"

Cila was the first to answer. "This stupid asshole broke her hands," she snapped in irritation. "Fuck it Chaka. And why the hell is he still alive!" She raised her pistol to Anderson's head.

"The orders said the only human on board," Asura snapped, but allowed more of her dark energy to flow into her shield. "Nothing said anything of two. They might both be needed. Orgun, are you dying on me?"

"Kill him," Chaka hissed as he drew a hand back and slapped Kahlee behind the head. "Be silent!" The woman had been breathing loudly, soft whimpers escaping her lips as she closed her eyes against the pain. Asura spared a glance at her fingers and winched, feeling sick at the sight of their mangled positions. She doubted all was broken but there were ones who clearly stood in directions nature had not intended for them.

"Chaka," Orgun rumbled from the ground and took off his helmet, allowing him to breathe easier. He was oozing blood from several places in his armour where the bullets had penetrated but luckily, it didn't look as if any of his vital organs had been hit. "Stand down and give her to me." He put the helmet aside and pushed himself to his feet where he swayed for a moment, then steadied himself. A few moments of breathing later, he seemed better and stomped over to the two batarians. "Asura, we were not told of a human man."

"Exactly," Asura said and tightened her grip on Anderson. "The decision to kill him is not ours."

The krogan rumbled approval. He pulled Kahlee from the batarians hands and slung her over his shoulder. It made her whimper in pain. Anderson made to move forward but Asura held him in place.

"Kahlee," he breathed. "Kahlee, speak to me." His voice brought the human back to herself as she shuddered in the krogan's grip.

"I'm… I'm… okay," her breathing was ragged. "I'm okay."

Asura didn't think so and wanted to get medigel into her as soon as possible. She could not let go of Anderson because she didn't trust the batarians with him, but she also needed to make sure for herself that the woman was alright.

If she dies… if Aria is displeased… She doubted the others had as much to lose as she did. Asura didn't bluff herself into thinking that Aria wouldn't take her displeasure out on Abby for any of her mistakes. She felt Anderson begin to strain against her.

"I am Admiral…" Asura didn't give him a chance to declare himself but swept his feet out from under him and threw him to the ground. Her heartbeat was still impossibly loud and the urge to inflict more violence on Anderson was overwhelming. She breathed through it, grabbed his head as he tried to raise himself and slammed it down onto the floor with what looked like more force than she actually used.

"Your life is hanging by a thread," she said as she put a knee on his back to keep him down. "Not a word. We don't care who you are, you hold no power here." She dropped her voice as she brought her lips to his ear.

"These batarians won't hesitate to kill you and they won't care who you are! I am trying to keep you alive!"

Anderson, who had been resisting her touch, settled down.

"Okay," he finally seemed to see the grace of the goddess as he allowed her to pull him up without a struggle. "Alright." His dark eyes sought out the woman, but Orgun had already started walking with her back to the shuttle with Chaka walking before him. Cila was waiting for her though she still looked displeased with Asura's capture of Anderson. The human didn't offer any resistance and walked as fast as Asura allowed him to so that they could catch up to Orgun. Kahlee's face was pinched with pain, her arms shuddering occasionally from the agony her hands must have been in.

Damn you, Chaka, Asura thought. I'm telling Aria of this. Not that she knew whether or not the matriarch would care.

They returned to the shuttle and to his credit, Anderson said no more, even when they moved past some turian bodies. The other team had cleared the station and Asura doubted that there would be any witnesses left. If there were any, they wouldn't have long as Sanak announced that they were going to blow up the space station when they left. The other team, who had come in their own shuttle, had discovered a self-destruct system and were in the process of activating it.

He sneered at Anderson when they put him in the shuttle but didn't ask any questions. He simply wasn't the type. Asura strapped Anderson in, grabbed her travel bag then went over to the human woman. She could feel Anderson watching her, sense his hate and anger.

How wonderful would it be to feast on you now…

She pushed her need from her thoughts and focused on their intended target. Orgun had carefully set Kahlee down on the floor beside the chairs and she had had the sense not to move or struggle. Her light, nearly white eyes, immediately flashed to Asura, her fear also palatable. Instead of feeding into her desire to meld, it triggered a different emotion in Asura. Her heart ached a little when she knelt beside and opened up her bag to look for her first aid kit that Abby always made sure she had.

"We're setting out," Sanak snapped from the pilot's side. "Brace yourselves."

Asura didn't immediately, but shifted closer to the woman and put one hand on her chest to steady her as the batarian fired up the shuttle's engines. She could feel Kahlee's heart beating against her palm. Asura made sure to meet her gaze as she smiled gently, allowing her influence to flow out to the woman like an embrace.

"You have to relax," she murmured as she felt the shuttle's thrusters activate. "Take a few breaths with me. You will follow me, yes? What is your name?" She knew it, but wanted to make the woman think about it to distract her.

"Kahlee…" The woman whispered, blinking tears. "Kahlee Sanders." She blinked, surprised suddenly that she spoke out loud. Her light eyes flashed with suspicion.

"Who the hell are you?"

Asura didn't dare give her name, but braced herself as the craft's movements shifted abruptly. Kahlee's expression tightened as she pressed her wrists into her body, her face becoming paler. Asura waited for the pressure in the cabin to become less before she withdrew her hand from Kahlee's chest and drew out her emergency pouch.

Kahlee was still looking at her, her brow now beading with sweat even though she had started shivering.

"Who are you?" she demanded again. "What's the meaning of this?"

From across the room, she felt David Anderson shift. "This is about Aria," he said. "You work for her..." There was a resounding slap as Chaka got up and back handed him, sending a fresh spray of blood from what was surely a broken nose. Asura didn't need to reprimand him because Cilia stood up and bodily dragged her partner back to his seat.

"Brother, you are walking a thin line tonight!" She snapped. "Sit down! And you," she turned back to Anderson. "Shut your mouth or next time I will shut it for you." The batarian turned back to find Asura staring at her. The asari was displeased that he knew this and wondered if Shepard had imparted that information to him while they were hiding from the Alliance in Abby's clinic. She didn't comment on Chaka's violence, but turned her attention back to Kahlee Sanders, hoping that she was doing the right thing.

"I'm going to give you some medigel," she said. "It should help with the pain till we can get you to a medical facility." Kahlee was staring into her eyes again, her expression losing some of its intensity as Asura's aura started working on her. She swallowed dryly, shuddered then blinked slowly as more tears escaped her eyes.

"Please," she spoke and Asura had to admire the strength she showed in that moment. "Tell me where you are taking us. And, what this is all about. If it is Aria, it is Omega..." She flinched when Asura put the end of the hypodermic against her neck and released the trigger. Asura had doubled the dose, hoping it would push her over the edge of consciousness.

"Is this about Grayson?" Kahlee whispered and for a moment Asura thought that she was going to try and reach out to touch her. "Is this about him?" Asura didn't recognize the name but put a gentle hand on Kahlee's forearm, pressing her arm down.

"I am going to take care of your partner. Try and get some rest." She raised her voice to the others. "Nobody touches her or you'll have to deal with me." In all honesty, everybody actually looked relieved that she had taken charge of the woman's welfare. Orgun, still oozing black blood from his wounds, had the decency to offer her a hand to pull her to her feet.

"I will keep an eye on her," he rumbled, prompting Asura pat his shoulder when she was on her feet.

"Thank you," she said. "Can I give you some of this?" She held up the medigel syringe but the krogan shook his head.

"Works too quickly," he said. "Then someone has to dig out the bloody shrapnel. I'll live without medigel. If you have more, use it to shut that human up before Chaka breaks his neck." He studied her closely. "I don't think Aria will mind." Not commenting, Asura hurried to Anderson's side. She trusted Orgun not to make a move on the man but he was right, the batarians were a risk.

Anderson was still glaring at her, his face awash with blood. She could still feel the fury radiating from him. The strange thing was, in that moment he actually reminded her of the clinic varren Abby had claimed as hers a few months ago. Oz was a fairly placid creature, more intelligent than Grom and past his prime. One wouldn't think him capable of violence when one saw him interact with Abby or roam around the clinic when there were no clients. But when he was provoked, he became an entirely different beast all together.

She could see the beast in Anderson's eyes as she approached him, could feel the fury he felt and the frustration at being captured. And, she could sense his fear but she knew instinctively that it wasn't directed at his own safety but rather at the woman lying on the floor by Orgun's feet. Asura could have softened the situation but didn't want to, still irked by what he had said to her.

I am not one of Shepard's followers, she thought vehemently yet she was caught off guard by the sudden flare of guilt she felt at that. I wouldn't have had Abby if not for her. Nor would I have found the strength to break away from Lenelle without Jane Shepard's input.

Anderson's lips were thin as he watched her hunch down beside him, his eyes sharp as he met her gaze. He looked as if he wanted to say something but then changed his mind when Asura found his gaze move in Chaka's direction. When he turned his look back to her Asura prepared another medigel hypodermic and administered the medication.

"Is this about Grayson?" He asked finally, blinking at the effects of the medication. At the dose she had given him, he would have started to feel drowsy almost immediately. A quick glance at Kahlee showed that she was already asleep.

"Aria knows more than I do," she said. "Her business is with your companion. When you wake, I would urge you to cooperate with her."

Anderson's eyes were still surprisingly sharp as he stared at her.

"And your stake in this?"

In the process of checking the position in which he was sitting to make sure that he wouldn't accidentally choke himself if he fell asleep, Asura shrugged.

"I'm merely here to see that she lives," she motioned to Kahlee then paused. "That I extend that grace to you..." She hesitated. "Let's say it was done in gratitude for the part you played in not allowing my partner's clinic to become a warzone when the Alliance took in Shepard."

Although Anderson was fading, Asura could feel his gaze still burn into her.

"If I die here, even if she dies, the Alliance won't spare you."

His threat felt empty and he said it with the last of his strength. Asura watched with very little empathy as he faded to unconsciousness and for the first time found some comfort in the words she whispered to his slipping consciousness.

"They'll never know," she said and felt the spark cruelty in her heart she tried so hard to ignore.

"Consider that before you threaten me again."

"The thing is, Mr Kadeus..." Abby was saying. "You are going to have to impress upon your children that they cannot feed Nospot scraps from the table. I know they have seen it in the old earth movies but it is simply not viable in a turian household. Dogs, like humans and asari are…" She fumbled with the terminology for a second. "Levo-protein based life forms. Turians are…"

"Dextro-protein," the turian answered embarrassed, rubbing at the ridges on his head. "I know, I know, you explained it to me last time round. I do not know where he got the food this time Doctor."

Abby had heard that excuse plenty of times, even in her previous life.

I didn't see the bear was missing a leg. I didn't think a corn cob would be dangerous…

"Nospot is a Labrador Retriever," Abby said and there was a hint of sympathy in her tone even though she continued to be strict. "They are ridiculously good at finding food. Go through your house again, your disposal system, the cupboards, make sure none of them are accessible to the dog. And then, please, tell your children that if they are eating on the floor or busy with food, to rather just remove him from the room until they have cleared it."

She could tell he was a little irritated with her statement.

"My children are six and ten, I understand it is comparable to your human years."

Abby's expression didn't shift, because she had heard that excuse a million times as well.

"And you are the responsible adult who purchased them this beautiful puppy," she said. "At great cost, I should add. I've recently seen the list of black market prices for earth pets and I am…" She sighed, because that was a project she didn't yet have the energy to become involved with. "Well, let's just say it takes a village, Mr Kadeus. Your house is the village and this puppy is your child. Dogs are hard work. If you need help trying to educate your children, you are more than welcome to send them here. I'm trying to organise information session on levo-protein based pets in dextro households… Yes, I now the title needs work." She coughed a little embarrassed. "The thing is that I want to help."

The turian's expression softened somewhat as he nodded then looked up at the ceiling and sighed deeply.

"It looked so easy to have a dog from those movies. Now I understand why they only sell fish on the Citadel."

Fish, in Abby's opinion, weren't necessarily easier pets. Still, what he said resonated with her and she thought back to the time she thought that Mass Effect was simply a game.

"Life isn't a story, Mr Kadeus, and it's not easy," she pointed out though not unkindly. "I will call you when you can pick up Nospot. In the meantime, I'm sending you a list of the vendors I've found to have the best options for dog food and a list of treats your kids can give him. When you… figure all of this out, it will be worth it. Dogs are… well. They are the best kind of people. He'll teach your kids a lot about responsibility and… companionship." She smiled and reached out to carefully touch his arm, fully planning on withdrawing if he didn't welcome the contact.

"You didn't make a mistake; your household just needs to adjust."

The turian nodded slowly and pulled away from her.

"The bill…" he began when suddenly her clinic door opened and a massive krogan stormed through.

Abby's heart leapt a little and too late she realised that she had, once again, left her shotgun in her office. Not that it would have helped, against a beast like that.

"Everybody," the krogan rumbled. "Out. This is Aria business."

The few clients she had didn't hesitate to get up. Abby's mouth dropped open, her surprise quickly turning to anger.

"Just wait a moment," she began. "What…"

Asura pushed through the door behind the krogan, looking both irritated and apologetic.

"I'm sorry," her voice was very tense. Abby could feel the anxiety and anger roll off of her in waves. "I was trying to convince the batarians to stay outside."

Abby's brain was slowly catching up with what was transpiring. She saw Kadeus glance up at something slung over the krogan's shoulder. What he saw made him winch and without another word he quickly hurried out of the clinic behind the other clients. Abby didn't follow his exit but stared at the cargo the krogan was holding. Or not cargo…

Her stomach turned.

"By the goddess, Asura," she snapped, the elation she had felt at seeing her partner slowly leaking away to alarm. "Whoever that is, take them to Mordin's clinic!" The krogan came to stand in front of her, smelling faintly of blood and a unique odour she had come to associate with those of his kind.

"Aria said to bring them here," he rumbled. "Where should I put them down?"

Them, Abby thought and realised abruptly that the krogan was carrying a body over each shoulder. It sparked her alarm to turn to anger.

"I am not a people doctor!" She snapped and stepped away from the krogan, turning to search for Asura. Her partner was locking the door behind her, her movements tense as she turned back to Abby. The veterinarian didn't like the look in her eyes because it seemed to pulse with defeat.

"Aria is not giving us a choice, Abigail," she said and quickly joined her side. "And… I think you should look at them. Please." There was a subtle shift in the room, like a hum that nobody could hear. Abby felt it in the way her breath quickened, the way her eyes suddenly seemed to want to look at no one but Asura. And she felt it in the calm that threatened to wash over her until she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Asura don't," she warned and turned her back on the ardat yakshi. "Who are they?" She didn't want to know but she moved to the krogan anyway, pulling the soft cloth away from the nearest person's face. A mop of pale hair spilled out, prompting Abby to reach out and wipe the strands out of the woman's face. She could feel sweat on the woman's brow when her fingers brushed her skin and it made her shudder.

"I don't think that matters now," Asura breathed. "Abby, please, help them. It's been a few hours and I am concerned for the woman. Her hands…" She trailed off, prompting Abby to close her eyes and blow out a soft breath. She was familiar with human medicine, more so than she had been in her life before because she had spent so much time working in Mordin's clinic when she was still trying to familiarise herself with the technology and medication here. Silently cursing Aria and whatever madness she had pulled them into now, she motioned to the krogan, who was also injured, to the back of her practice.

"Examination room on the left," she said though it was really the only one she had at the moment. "Put them down on the floor." She pulled the bag off of her other patient, noticing the man's pale parlour despite his dark skin tone. "Gently, if you can. What kind of injuries am I looking at?"

"Mostly superficial," the krogan rumbled. "A few broken bones, no more."

Abby muttered at this.

"That is entirely dependent on where those broken bones are," she said as Asura joined her, taking her hand before she could move with the krogan.

"Just wait a moment, Abigail, I need to talk to you quickly," she said. "It's urgent."

Struggling not to bark a laugh, Abby fixed her love with a stern look. "I would say so, why did you bring them here? Mordin's clinic is much better equipped to deal with human patients. Especially if they are very hurt."

Asura's expression was pained. "I don't think it's anything you can't handle," she said. "Aria insisted that we bring them here. She's on her way right now, if I read her correctly. Did you recognize the man?"

Shaking her head, Abby watched Asura's face as her lips thinned and her grip tightened around her hand.

"That's David Anderson, Shepard's friend. I… I was the one who hurt him, but I did it to save him. The batarians wanted to kill him and leave him where we were."

Feeling nauseous suddenly, Abby swallowed. Anderson had been in her clinic before under very different circumstances. She hardly remembered him, her memories dominated with images of treating Jack.

"And where was that?" she whispered but what she really wanted to ask was what Asura had been doing.

"It doesn't matter," Asura said vaguely, briefly breaking eye contract. "Not now, not while they need your help. I'm sorry that I couldn't stop them Abby, but we need to do this."

Still shaken, Abby swallowed against her rising cotton mouth. She looked to the room where the krogan had shuffled in and felt the weight of her decision to have them stay in Omega nearly choke her.

You did this, she told herself. Not Asura. You are the reason they are here.

"Come with me," Abby said. "And, be ready to call on Daniel, I might need some supplies from his clinic. If they can't bring it here, you're going to have to go and fetch it. Were you hurt?" She dreaded the answer but was immediately thankful when Asura shook her head.

"No," Asura said. "But Orgun was. When… when you are finished, perhaps you can look at him too?"

Ironically, one of Abby's first "patients" in this world had been a krogan. She suspected however that whatever befell this krogan was significantly more complex than space mites.

"I'll try," she said and realised that even with the humans, that was all that she could do.

The End of Chapter 3.