The Corvus danced through the streaking shells, on course to intercept the PFS Sarlik as it shredded through fighters and frigates alike. Though sheer numbers, we kept it at bay from the cruisers and dreadnaughts. I stood in the tiered CIC, eyes scanning the screens before me. Julian was attentive at my side. The Starquake swerved to avoid a cruiser round, the repaired ship showing off the new modifications. It could now fight in the space form, the lower fans retracted into the belly to leave the main guns free. I wondered how Lanster was coping with it. It wouldn't fly the same as a normal combat frigate. He seemed to handle it, for now at least.
The Corvus shot past the defending lines of frigates and fighters, entering the fray in full. Julian ordered to free the guns. I felt the ship vibrate under my feet as the main cannon trembled with each shot. The cruiser we aimed for crumbled under the constant fire, this bullet helped to shatter part of the forward port bow. The Corvus swooped past, leaving the cruiser to burn under the hail of bullet behind us. I scanned the battlefield as reports of two frigates went down, one friendly, one foe. 1 cruiser and 2 frigates remained, excluding the Sarlik.
We began our pursuit of the Sarlik, even though we knew we would never catch it. We had to herd it. The Starquake was recreating hell for it, cutting off easy escape routes with bullets. I glanced to Julian as we released our first rain of bullets towards it. It seemed to pirouette before zipping in a different direction. I glowered. Well, this was annoying already. I braced as we swerved.
"Assuming we can get onboard that thing," I said. "How to hell do we identify the Saboteur? Our usual way has been… removed," I growled, my abdomen stinging at the thought. Julian skimmed a glance.
"This is the question. We'll just have to rip spines out until we find one. If experience has told me anything, they fail to act emotional enough during times of stress. Once you know who they are, then they drop any pretence of emotion at all. They are machines, just as we cannot comprehend them and their reasons, they cannot mimic the diversity of organisms' facial expressions and emotions," Julian explained. "For now, just force them to reveal themselves. With us, it should be too hard,"
I grunted in answer as the Corvus dived, sending my stomach to my throat. The whole ship swung as we pursued the enemy ship. The radio cried that one of the enemy frigates was down, the remaining cruiser was on its last legs. With more and more ships now on available to us, we could drive the speedy Sarlik towards the waiting artillery.
My heart skipped when a bullet slammed into the side of the Starquake. I heard no mayday calls and the ship spun around and returned fire. The Sarlik had already gone by this time. I bit my finger as I waited for the status report. The report came in: no damage, shields at 64%. Relief washed off my shoulders even with the ship banked. I opened the omni-tool to scan the battlefield. The cruiser exploded as it fell against the hail of bullets.
With a pack of frigates concentrating on the final two ships, the second half of the mission could begin. The Saboteur was still out there. The remaining fighters and frigates focused fire, the Sarlik fell back. We had enough guns now to do some herding. The Corvus was the fastest ship we had, so we took point. The Starquake banked, cutting off an easy escape as we drove the frigate towards to moon. It was a tedious process. Frigates waiting to catch it should it slip the net had to drive it back more times than I wanted to count.
The net closed. The last frigate was out of action and the entire focus of the turian army turned to the Sarlik. Time was up. It tried to lose us by skimming past the Menae, but I don't think they expected a mounted artillery strike. Within seconds, batteries opened fire. The ships joined them.
The Sarlik couldn't avoid all that. I watched as the shields failed and explosions rippled over the metal skin. The ship banked to starboard, flames licking up the sides towards the tail. The ship sank towards the surface. I understood the end would soon be upon us. I pulled myself straight as I yanked the helmet over my head, tracking back towards the elevator. Julian bit his tongue, keeping his eyes forward as the battle intensified. I struggled to walk straight and keep my balance as we swerved and took the odd bullet here and there. But my eyes focused on the waiting shuttle. A small team was ready.
"Captain Shaik," a female baterian grinned, the chocolate coloured creature with more scars than sense. I nodded as I hopped inside the shuttle.
"Everyone ready?" I asked. The group nodded. "Excellent, let's go find us a Saboteur,"
We piled into the shuttle, preparing our weapons for the boarding. The shuttle swayed, slipping free of the frigate. As we plodded along, the frigates powered on ahead. I saw a few bullets fly. I assumed the Sarlik down. The frigates hovered overhead as the shuttle dropped us to the ground. I leapt out, Paladin out and loaded. The team of aliens behind me followed in, scanning the crash scene.
The Sarlik had smashed into a rim of a crater, the nose snapped off and a wing was sliding down the slope, creeping like a soil slump. I clambered up the slope, ignoring the steep cliffs from protruding boulders and sharp remnants of the ship. We pulled ourselves into the shattered remains of the cargo hold, the skin peeled back. I scanned the crates that had slammed into one side, the shell of a shuttle with a door lying open crushed under a crane. We moved deeper inside, poking our heads around the corners as we climbed the shattered floor to the next level.
A wall of bullets greeted us as we entered. I winced as an asari on the team collapsed under the assault, shields shattered and armour useless. A batarian, salarian, turian and drell rolled across the rumble to more cover, to allow us to fight better in the narrow corridors. I hurled an incinerate down the hall, ducking back under as my shields whined from the bullets. A concussive shot boomed in the tiny hull, my helmet my sole protection. An enemy drone swung around the corner. Instinct had me kicking the damn thing away until someone with a shotgun could disable it.
A krogan ran down the hall towards the enemy turians onboard. I followed close behind, the rest of the 10 man crew falling into position. A turian screamed just as the krogan slammed a shoulder into it, crushing her against a wall. I snapped the omni-blade out, leaping at a small male. He fired a shotgun in my face, shattering the shields and cracking the glass on the visor of my helmet. I still landed on top of him, trying to pin the turian down long enough for someone to help me kill him. I still wasn't able to fight with my fists. The female batarian delivered a blade to the head. I rolled to my feet, already diving behind cover to assess the situation. The crash appeared to have killed a fair number of the crew, most were injured, too injured to fight. I wasn't taking that chance.
"Round up these people, secure them and get them out of here. I want ground crew to meet us in 5!" I ordered.
Something still made little sense. These people weren't fighting. They knew it was over and had stopped resisting. Indoctrinated servants didn't do that. I knelt down beside an injured brass coloured female, slipping a datapad free from her uniform. She scowled at me, blind in one eye from the blood leaking into it. I ignored her as I scanned the datapad. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, given the circumstances. Although, looking at the crew list, Admiral Dysinteous wasn't running the show here. A more experienced admiral had been on board before the mutiny had begun. An Admiral Floriion had left the ship about 2 hours before the mutiny. I turned to the turian before me.
"What are your orders, soldier?" I asked. She glared.
"Fuck you, human. What are you doing here anyway?" she barked. I raised a brow.
"Here on orders from Primarch Fedorian to deal with a mutiny of a dreadnaught, several cruisers and half a dozen frigates," I answered. The turian blinked once. She glanced to the carnage around her as more people filled the frigate. "What are your orders?" I asked. She frowned at me.
"We... We were ordered to deal with an incoming incursion," she grumbled. So, it was like what the admiral of the dreadnaught said. "Admiral Floriion said it was of the utmost importance. He assigned Admiral Dysinteous to the ship to lead us," she answered. I narrowed my eyes.
"And Admiral Floriion, where is he?" I asked.
"Back on Palaven, I would think," she grumbled.
I straightened as friendly turians swarmed us, looking to drag these traitors before a court. However, I had other things on my mind. I weaved through the broken ship, the Constellation crew flanking me. None of the people here appeared to be indoctrinated. They... seemed to follow orders. Just a good bloody turian. They got the orders from this Floriion guy, so that was the only lead we had at this point. I slipped down the collapsed floor, stepping back onto the dusted surface of Menae. I put a finger to my ear.
"Captain Shaik to all, who knows where Admiral Floriion is?" I ordered.
"Admiral Floriion was last seen on Palaven, Captain. I believe he has a meeting with the Primarch about this whole incident," a turian answered over the radio.
Now my mind swam. Floriion was the only lead we had. He had ordered two admirals to do this. We were looking for a Saboteur still, the Primarch was certain one was involved in this whole mess. And this guy, our only lead, was having a meeting with the Primarch... about the whole... plan that was... planned by... a...
"Shaik to Starquake I need pick-up and a course set for Palaven. We have a potential target for the Saboteur," I called.
"Roger that, Captain. ETA 3 minutes," Lanster responded.
"Get back to the Corvus and await further orders from Julian," I called to the group behind me.
"Yes Ma'am," the aliens saluted as the Starquake loomed overhead, a rope lowering from the cargo deck. I grabbed the rope, sliding a foot into a loop. A winch hauled me up, Shayan was there to greet me when I got into the cargo hold.
"Everything is set, Captain," he said. I grinned as the cargo door closed, the ship already turning to move out to Palaven.
"Thanks, Shayan, what would I do without you?" I asked. Shayan flushed under the praise.
I took the elevator up towards the CIC, waiting as I turned the scenarios in my head. If this guy was the Saboteur, the Primarch was in danger. If he wasn't, who was? I rubbed my eyes as I tore out onto the CIC, scanning the faces as they rushed around their duties. Mat'al stood attentive in the control ring, scanning the monitors before him. I came up beside him.
"Resuming command?" he asked. I shook my head.
"No point, I'll be jumping off again in a few minutes," I said, watching the flames of Palaven's atmosphere lick up the Starquake flanks. The sights of Cipritine would soon be upon us. "Lanster, direct to Palaven HQ. We have little time,"
"Aye, aye, Captain," Lanster responded.
"Status?" I quizzed. Mat'al flicked his gaze towards Raisha as she worked on a nearby console.
"Good for now, no major ship damage, no casualties. What of the Saboteur?" Mat'al asked. I shook my head.
"I think we're being played, Mat'al," I answered. "I think this whole thing was a ploy,"
"An elaborate ploy," Mat'al commented.
"It makes little sense. No one is behaving like an indoctrinated servants, they were just stupid turians following stupid orders," I grumbled.
The city loomed on the horizon. I backtracked towards the cargo hold, already arming the Paladin. As the elevator trudged downwards, I kept trying to solve this eternal puzzle. No one was indoctrinated. No one. At least, they weren't acting like they were. When the doors parted, I ignored the remaining shuttles and moved straight for the cargo door. A mass effect field in effect to prepare for lowering the cargo door. I heard boots behind me. I glanced over my shoulder as Marruns, Rosmeni and Drutus trudged towards me.
"Spectres," I greeted as the door lowered, revealing the citadel of the Hierarchy HQ.
"Shaik," Drutus responded. "Delern said you needed boots on the ground," I snorted, a smile lifting the corners of my mouth.
"I might, yeah. We need to find the Primarch and this Admiral Floriion. It's the only lead we have," I answered as I grabbed a rope, securing myself with my omni-tool looping a line between us.
"Not using the boosters?" Marruns mocked. I glowered.
"No," I grumbled. As the Starquake hovered over the upper courtyard we had landed in before, I leapt out, gritting my teeth as my hands tried to slide and hang on at the same time. The omni-tool loop around the rope tightened as I neared the bottom, stopping me about half a metre off the ground. I released the link and dropped to the ground, the Spectres landing behind me with just assisted landing. I jogged up to the door to enter the citadel.
Guards recognised me as I passed, but they also recognised the two turian Spectres with me. They held more respect than I did, but I didn't care. I had to find the Primarch and get answers. I asked for directions as we passed, guards calling after me with instructions to where the Primarch was or how to get there. We turned down a hall, heading for some office space in the core of the building. The Primarch's office loomed before us as I kicked in the door.
What greeted me was the Primarch on the floor, a dark blue/grey male turian with yellow markings on his mandibles and nose, pinning him down by his neck. He spared me a look, shiny scars down the left cheek and right eye. I pulled the trigger, instinct taking over from my senses. The Primarch yelped, rolled away as the second turian dodged. Drutus and Marruns stepped between the two turians, armed and ready. Rosmeni and I tried to corner him.
"Are you all right, Primarch?" I asked. He coughed, rolling himself onto his knees. I glared at the dark steel blue turian before me. "Admiral Floriion, I presume. You've been causing quite the commotion," The turian snorted.
"This is not the Primarch, he is a fake, a fraud intent on destroying everything the turian people stand for," Floriion responded. I narrowed my eyes.
"Like… a saboteur?" I quizzed. Floriion straightened, eyes narrowing. I blinked once. I listened to that pulse in my chest, that horrific thing that drove me to the brink of insanity. The pulse became words, became images. I glanced to the right away from Floriion, to look to the window beside him. The voices changed direction, now resonating to my left. The source of the voice was not the Primarch. On top of which, I could make out a word from the hushed voices. 'Sabium'. I fired to distract myself from possible flashbacks. I missed, but at least I now know who to aim for. I jumped backwards just as Rosmeni threw a warp at him. As I lined a second shot up, my vision blurred. He seemed to be in 3 places at once. I grit my teeth.
"Sensory Overload!" I barked as I threw Marshal out in a desperate attempt to have a machine track the bastard down. Marshal aimed for a turian, I raised the pistol. That was when my vision left me. I was plunged into darkness. If that wasn't terrifying enough, my hearing abandoned me. Then taste, then touch. I didn't know if I still held the gun or not. My sense of smell failed. All 5 of my major senses were dead. I gagged, panic overwhelming me. I couldn't feel the beat of my heart in my chest, couldn't smell the faint metallic scent that Palaven carried. Nothing. Nothing at all. I couldn't even tell if the shadow tendrils of indoctrination had consumed me. I was too afraid to move. Flickers of insanity cackled in the darkness around me.
It came back to me in a snap. I flung my head around, my sense of balance recovering like a tumble dryer. Sprawled on the floor, the sensation of pain was sharper than what I was used to. I crawled away with the room swimming. I felt the pistol in my hand through pins-and-needles sensations that had flooded my body. I rolled onto my back, raising the Paladin with twitching fingers. The turian before me was growling, a robotic sound thick in the sound as small wires worked to heal the damage to his face and torso. I flinched as a loud bang echoed overhead. The Saboteur flew off his feet, crashing into the floor. I looked up in time to see a group of mechs shuffle into the room, armed with shotguns. I pushed myself to my feet as the mechs took aim again.
With another blast of the shotgun, I dived on the Saboteur. He struggled, cables rising from his body like a nest of angry snakes. I slammed the omni-blade into his spine, wincing as another shotgun blast shattered my shields. My hands grabbed it. My senses weakened, sight fading. Another muffled shotgun cured that. I gripped the spin and pulled back. Another hand reached down to help. The Saboteur roared beneath me, cables trying to choke me, I held my breath, trying to shrug off the wires squeezing my limbs and threatening to rip them off. I clung on and pulled.
With a wet squelch, the spine ripped free. I tumbled backwards, saved from falling by someone behind me crashing into the wall first. Marruns grunt above me. I looked to the spine, watching the last lights die on it. With the fight over, I sighed, relieved as I straightened myself out as my senses returned to normal. My first true fight with Sensory Overload, those mechs were lifesavers. I glanced as the turian shaped Loki-mechs hobbled away, the threat extinguished. At least one thing could be certain, mechs were not affected by Sensory Overload, a small discovery which could make the fight against Megan and other SS:SO Saboteurs easier. I knew what was going on the requisition order when I got back.
But for now, I had more immediate concerns.
"Primarch, you are all right?" I asked. Fedorian nodded, pushing himself to his feet.
"Spirits, what was that?" he wheezed.
"Saboteur, specialisation Sensory Overload. Fools and disables your senses. It's something you want to avoid," I explained as turian guards swarmed the room, looking to ensure the turian Primarch was safe. "The Saboteur is dead, Primarch. There is at least one other turian Saboteur, most likely a diplomat of some form," Fedorian frowned as he shooed the worried hands off.
"Maneus Floriion was a diplomat," Fedorian said. I straightened. "He may have been an Admiral but he has been retired from active duty for years. He has been in the Palaven government since he was removed from active duty,"
"So we have the diplomat down... good," I nodded. "Then you still have one in your army somewhere. Continue your investigations. Any leads, you have my number," I shook his hand. Fedorian nodded.
"Thanks again, Captain. I wish you well for the future," he said. I grinned as Rosmeni lifted the remains of the Saboteur with a biotic field, Marruns carrying the spine in his hand as we left the room. We kept a strict pace, marching, near power walking, towards the Starquake. The Spectres had no problems keeping pace. Once out in the open, a waiting rope thrown out to haul us back inside the Starquake. I grabbed the rope, eager to get back onboard, the Spectres were not far behind.
I ignored the waiting box for the remains to be packed in and thrown into the nearest sun. I ignored the teams looking for weapons and armour. My Paladin and Locust were given to Eden, who rushed off to do an ammo and gun count. I marched to the elevator, waiting as it lifted me up towards my destination. Once on the fourth floor, I made an immediate turn into the med bay. Saere looked up from her desk, concerned.
"Captain?" she quizzed.
"RIT. Now," I ordered, walking to a bed. Saere was on her feet, wheeling over a 1.5m high tower of equipment from the corner of the room. She warmed it up, looking with furrowed brows.
"Is it bad?" she asked as I tossed the last of my armour on the bed next to me.
"You know those shadow tendrils I mention sometimes? They're permanently there now," I winced as I lay down, pulling the enclosed headpiece over my head. Saere plugged it in.
"I'll let the XO and Commanders know, Captain. Any orders?" Saere asked before the flicked the machine one.
"Make sure we don't need to do anything, throw the Saboteur into the sun and contact Shepard to drop off Kai and Gideon," I said as I got comfortable.
"Aye, aye," Saere answered, the click of the machine one of the last sounds I heard before the white noise surrounded me.
After my stomach had settled from the tormented RIT, I pulled the fresh uniform on over my head, listening to the hiss of the bathroom venting the excess steam. Back in my quarters, I glanced at Marshal as he followed me with a screen with the mission report as I tackled my hair with a brush. With so many other ships helping, the Starquake got off, just a few scratches, maybe just a plate missing here or there. I shook my head out as I left the room, aiming for the CIC. There was still two things left to do before I stopped for the night.
In the CIC, I spotted the Normandy on the upper level cameras. Their cargo door closed and our shuttle shuffled through the space between us, they'd docking in a few minutes from my estimates. Mat'al spoke with Shepard on a video link in the Control Ring, although Shepard had turned polite with the no fuss salarian. Why couldn't he be like that for me? I stepped forward, showing myself to the pyromaniac on the other side. His pretence of politeness dropped.
"Dell! I heard you had a successful kill! How did it go? You look like you are in one piece," Shepard smirked. I scowled.
"Well enough, no one got hurt, ship is fine and we've earned some R&R for a few days. Thanks for looking after Gideon," I answered, fighting to keep the dryness out of my tone.
"Ah he was fine. Shy at first but he warmed up to the crew," he grinned, a menacing look. I frowned.
"If you taught him anything he shouldn't have, you piece of shit, I will kill you," I threatened. Shepard laughed.
"Na, na, he's fine. No one let me teach him anything, I need to pass on the glory that is the Cain. How else will he realise what a wonderful gun it is?" he winked. I glared, making him laugh before I glanced to a camera of the cargo hold as the shuttle docked. Gideon jumped free and ran for the elevator.
"Then your crew has my thanks. Try not to get your ass kicked by Collectors," I smiled. Shepard sulked.
"Only if you don't hospitalise yourself again with Saboteurs, see you soon," he saluted, earning a glower as his face vanished. I turned towards the rear exit to the CIC, able to make out Gideon running down the hall. The Normandy banked on the cameras, reaching FTL and disappearing into the stars. Gideon burst into the room.
"Mum! Mum! Are you ok?" he asked, crashing into me and crushing me with a hug. I grunted as I struggled to stay upright, holding the boy as he held me with a death grip. "Did you get em? Did you get hurt?"
"I'm fine, Gideon, don't worry," I crooned. "The Saboteur is dead. He won't be bothering anyone now. Did you have fun on the Normandy?" I asked. Gideon pulled a face.
"He's friendly enough, I suppose. Kept asking about you though, like, how you had been. He also told me a few stories back from when you were on the Normandy but I think he was lying," Gideon shrugged. I shuffled.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Kept saying you didn't stop hiding when you were onboard. Didn't speak to anyone and was dead quiet," Gideon shrugged. I coughed. Ok, that was nowhere near as bad as I thought.
"He wasn't lying," I heard Val chuckle. I scowled at him. Gideon spun around to face him. "Your mother didn't grow a spine until a few months before you appeared," Gideon spun back, eyes wide. I nodded, despite every instinct resisting me.
"Wait... that's true? So... you did get stuck in bathroom because you broke the lock?" Gideon gawked. My jaw tightened.
"I did not!" I snapped. "I didn't break it, I was trying to make sure it was bloody locked! Damn thing malfunctioned on me!" I turned, snarling at where the Normandy had once been. Gideon pressed his lips together, trying to stop himself from laughing. I glared at him, threatening to strangle him. Gideon fled the scene, yelling 'please don't hurt me'. I glowered after him as Val walked over. "Bastard,"
"Who; me, Gideon or Shepard?" Val asked with a grin.
"All of you," I grumbled. Val chuckled, pulling me into a hug.
"I'm glad you're ok. Heard you went for RIT without a fight," he murmured. I grunted, tightening the hug for a moment. He patted my shoulder. "How are you?"
"Like shit, but at least I'm not indoctrinated shit," I sighed. "Mat'al, we need a requisition order for mechs. They appear to be unaffected by Sensory Overload. Also, have the mechanical guns and blades come in yet?"
"The mechanical guns are ready to be shipped. The blades are on their way as we speak," Mat'al answered. I sighed in relief. At least we'll have something we can use against Tech Incap, even if we were going back into the dark ages in terms of weaponry. It would be necessary carry both a small blade – at minimum – and a gun with bullets. I prayed we didn't have to fight on Dekuuna or worse. I knew there were worse planets out there.
"Good, return to your duties. Lanster, I need to make a quick call to the Council then we can FTL away from here," I called, turning towards the door. Val followed me, scanning the faces that passed us by.
"Julian said he'll send a few people to fill in the spots after the last attack," Val explained. "I've already passed on the coordinates for the meeting point. We'll pick them up after you have finished your calls,"
"At least there are benefits to having a pain in the ass brother," I grumbled.
"Well, more than a few," I leaned on the wall as Gideon hopped into the elevator. I raised a brow. He held up his hands, a sheepish smile on his face. I folded my hands, leaning back on the wall. "Ah... well, when you were unconscious, the Citadel child services came," My spine straightened, a cold stone formed in my stomach. I snapped my gaze to Val. Val clicked his mandibles, the predator creeping free. "But Uncle Julian used his Saboteur Specialisation and convinced them to never contact you ever again," The tension froze, understanding the words yet not comprehending them.
"What do you mean by they'll... never contact me again?" I asked.
"Uncle Julian said his specialisation is Mind Manipulation. He could convince them everything was fine and to close the file. They'll never bother you again. Although, Uncle Julian didn't look too good after it. He was bleeding from his eyes and nose and stuff," Gideon shuffled as we reached the top floor. He backed out. "So uh, I-I said thank you but I think he would appreciate it more from you..." he shrugged. "Y'know, so he stays friendly and we can do our work,"
"I... yes, I suppose I do," I managed, watching him disappear into his room.
I walked to my room, dazed as I tried to piece everything together. Julian, my arse of a brother, the man who hated Gideon from the instant he saw him, protected him? No, he wouldn't have done it for him, he would have done it for me. Still, I did not expect it. He had threatened to kill him if he brought me into danger. I shook my head. I'll call him later, the Council were more important. Inside my room, Val leaning against a wall out of sight as I dialled up the number. I waited for it to connect.
"Good morning, Captain, I am relieved to see you on your feet. How did the recapture of the errant ships fare?" Tevos greeted. I saluted.
"It went well, although most of the ships were damaged, including the dreadnaught and the Sarlik. More positive news is that a turian Saboteur has been defeated. We will put in a requisition order for mechs," I answered.
"Send the requisition through and we will get what you need. I am surprised, you always were nervous of mechs falling out of your control," Valern answered. I strained a smile.
"Sensory Overload is more than we can handle ourselves. Mechs appear to be unaffected by it. Also, is there any news on Capta- I mean, Rear Admiral Imperious?" I corrected.
"Rear Admiral Imperious escaped the dreadnaught with only minor injuries. He mentioned in his report you did not follow him onto the second half of the dreadnaught," Sparatus said. I shuffled, noting Val's intent stare. I tried to ignore it.
"I uh... discovered a small problem I need to address, fear not, it is under control," I waved off the concern. "Any orders, Councillors?" I asked, eager to drive them away from the issue.
"None for the moment, although we have received some interesting news," Tevos brushed her chin with her fingers. I blinked. "I was unaware we had a descendant of yours, an Admiral Julian Shaik, as member of a special ops team of ours? News to us as the only special ops team we have are the Spectres and we only have one human Spectre," she drawled. I blinked. My mind drew a blank, as empty as space itself. I couldn't think about what to say. I raised a finger as if to answer. My mind panicked. My finger landed on the hang-up button. The Councillors vanished from the screen before me. Val chuckled as I punched in Julian's number to ensure the Council couldn't call me back. When his face appeared, his expression softened.
"Delly," he greeted. "Everything is well?" he asked.
"Yes, no damage aside from a few scratches. Thank you for the help. I... should warn you that the Council is becoming suspicious of you. They may have people following you," I said. Julian's predator like grin sent shudders down my spine.
"I know," he chuckled. "I've already taken care of them. The poor Spectre will report that I do not play nice when I don't want to,"
"What the hell did you do?" I snapped. "I'm the one who will suffer the repercussions of it!"
"I knocked his ship around a little, scared and threatened them. No physical harm, so don't fret too much now," he shrugged. I scowled at him.
"I would thank you for getting the child services off my ass, but now I'm more pissed you may have put me into more hot water with the Council," Julian smiled, a slow lifting of his lips.
"You are attached to the boy. I could tell by his desperate attempt to arm himself that these people had been causing problems. If there is one thing I do not tolerate, it wouldn't annoy my sister," he said. I scowled.
"I appreciate it, big brother," I sighed with a twinge of sarcasm. He smile widened. "Now, I need to jump into FTL to keep the Council off my ass from asking too many questions, that and pick up the new crew. Have fun doing whatever the hell you do,"
"And you stay safe, for my sake. If not, for Gideon's sake," he pressed.
"Fine, fine. Stay safe," I hung up, shaking my head. Val laughed as he crossed the distance to me.
"Lanster, get us into FTL before they call back," he laughed.
"Roger that, Commander," Lanster sniggered. I felt the ship vibrate under my feet. I sagged against the desk.
"So, what was all that over this dreadnaught mess up?" he quizzed. I coughed, shuffling under his keen stare,
"I didn't like the thought of jumping in space. Call me paranoid. I'll get over it, don't worry," I assured, my hands finding his chest to either keep him at a safe distance or to assure him. Whether it worked or not, I didn't know. Val frowned, analysing my expression. He pulled me close, dropping his chin onto my head.
"Spirits, you had me worried," he murmured. "Between Sitoln and this whole fight... Thank the spirits you are so stubborn," I shuffled against him, able to drop the tension my shoulders had been holding for hours.
"I'm a Shaik, stubbornness in our blood," I grinned, moving away to mount the stairs to the second level. I yanked the long sleeve top off, revealing the light lilac tank top underneath. I grabbed a datapad. "But even we have things we don't want to deal with, mine being the Council,"
"And how are you going to squeeze your way out of this one?" Val asked. "They' will learn about Julian at some point,"
"I know, but for now, I have to keep him away from them. For their sake," I sighed. "And... I suppose after helping Gideon when I was unconscious, I owe him that much at least,"
I wasn't sure what to do for that situation. At least Julian and his crew was now back on the Constellation and disappearing back into the galaxy. But I doubt if he could ever escape the eyes of the Council now. I flicked through the datapad, falling on the new dossiers of the crew that would join me. Julian had overseen their RITs, so the threat of being infiltrated were lower. Two new additions to the Combat Team were an asari and krogan. In science, two salarians and a batarian, along with a human, an asari and salarian for engineering. Intel had been filled with a turian, quarian and volus. That could interest… But the more… frustrating addition was in the miscellaneous team. Algenis Sen is a drell who specialised in adaptive immunotherapy for Kepral's Syndrome. He would work with the science teams on indoctrination prevention, but more importantly, he was my 'bodyguard'. Whenever I was alone – and he did not have other duties to see to – he would watching me. We did not want a repeat of Sitoln.
I glanced to the clock on the bedside table. It approached 11pm. I grumbled. Why did doing the post-mission checks take so long? Ah, because the entire crew and the ship were used, so all the ship diagnostics along took several hours. That and my RIT took about 3 hours in itself so the checks couldn't be completed until I verified everything. It also took a few hours to find a location nearby for Shepard to drop off Gideon and Kai. And then the weapons and armour needed checking... I shook my head. So much to do... but I knew what I could do now. I bit my lip. C'mon, Dell, have some confidence! I glanced to Val as he glanced at his omni-tool, a small frown on his face. I walked up to him.
"Another report?" I asked, wrapping an arm around his waist. He snorted.
"What else? I'll get a summary made tomorrow. Batteries need realignment," he sighed. "It's going take me weeks to get back into the routine. The last time I was out this long, I was in prison," I grinned.
"Oh c'mon, jail isn't that bad, is it?" I asked. He scowled down at me as his hand dropped to my shoulder. "How about a small adjustment to the routine?" I asked. He blinked, brow plates raising.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked, suspicion riding on his voice. I smiled. I pushed him backwards. He yelped in surprise, falling back on the bed. He took 5 seconds to recover but a suave smirk soon grew. He leaned back, mandibles flared wide. He fluttered his brow plates. I laughed, collapsing over him. He wrapped an arm around my waist, dropping kisses as I reached down to him. We fell back, Val waving his omni-tool to dim the lights.
The Fact Sheet and Saboteur Sheet have been updated for this chapter. Please see profile for link to Archive.