Bubbles crinkled along the glass, a racetrack of streams in green liquid. Through the mask of gushing bubbles, a faint hint of what lay beneath. My heart fluttered peering through the thick screen to glimpse what progress happened during the night. If any. My heart settled, noticing muscle growth. Was this what it was like before, when this first happened? My jaw clamped together. No, no this would be different. A second chance at normality, if such a thing existed for a Shaik. The mum's skeleton formed to its fullest, much to Miranda's surprise, in only a month. Shepard had taken double just to get a skeleton that could take muscle. Mum's words echoed, a precursor; her growth had been spectacular in the Collector base, as had Uncle Julian. Was this what they meant? Miranda watched her progress, every attempt to find a reason for mum's new body's rapid growth. She found nothing. It didn't matter. It just meant we had less time to wait. Although once the organs formed in earnest, we would see just how well mum's body cloned and grew.
In the month since my narrow escape from Sitoln, Sassy decided it was time to stop playing around. He reasoned I was too stupid to listen to them, so giving me the tools to defend myself with was the best defence. He and Marruns took turns training me. Sassy forced me into a full exercise routine, despite any complaints I made later. He then took me on sniping training with the Widow. Marruns enjoyed his training; assault rifles and pistol training. He dragged me down into the cargo hold, telling me sneak around the bay without getting shot by him. Sassy gave him air rounds for the Mattock. Then Sassy enjoyed the idea and set up a perch with the Black Widow with concussion rounds. Bruises covered every inch of me. Sassy then turned Kala on me through giving her hacking and coding exercises to complete. And Sassy refused to delay the following day's work because I couldn't finish the previous. If nothing else, my mind and body had no time to worry about mum, the Reapers or anything else for most of the day. Only in the early morning and late evening could I have time to sneak a peek at how mum's new body progressed in the cloning device. Mum's old body lay in the cryo-pod with a blanket over it, to protect me from the sight of where they took muscle and bone samples from God knows how many points around her body.
Kala and EDI, now that is an interesting conversation. Kala cut communications with EDI as soon as we jumped back on the Normandy. In the hours after, the AI's communicated through a complex array of messages that made no sense. Kala remained separate from EDI and vice versa until the pair sorted themselves out. By the time my RIT finished, the AI's had come to a 'gentlemen's agreement'. As a 'peace offering' EDI offered Kala a partition of her own server should Kala ever need additional processing power. Kala in return provided real-time, active field data; either through systems she hacked or through the mech. EDI didn't have the same level of access as Kala, she couldn't go into the field and had limited data from the ground crew. Kala had no such restrictions. Shepard wanted to put distance between the AI and me. He learned the hard way not to do that. As far as I knew, the alarm clock in his bedroom continued to play 'Nyan Cat'. EDI lost connection to it when I severed the connection.
With mum's new body growing better than I ever hoped for, the real problem lay ahead. Nyryntha. My eyes lifted to a vertical screen hovering in the middle of the sequestered section of the med bay. The 8th edition of an attack plan glared on the screen, another failed attempt that rode on too much luck and not enough hard evidence. We had nothing to lure the Reaper towards us and nothing to tempt it towards a set location either. But before we could do that, we had to find the damn thing. We didn't have the resources the Starquake had, and even if we did, from what trickle of information we got from the now silent ship was they couldn't find her either. No one had seen her and when sighting sis appear, they vanished soon after. There was no pattern to her movements, no logical manner for moving from place to place when she popped up. She must use the relays. A frown creased my face. If she did, following her through them would be impossible. None of the relay charts showed her progress, despite our best attempts to look. It put a fury into Sassy that he couldn't figure how to track this beast. Shepard had a plan. Judging by his record, his 'plans' either were fantastic or terrible things, there was no middle ground. We had to wait and see.
"Gideon, there is a call for you," EDI summoned through the intercom. My eyes fluttered, disturbed from my thoughts.
"A call? From who?" I asked.
"Unknown. However is calling has encrypted their details," she said. My eyes shifted to the FENRIS mech at my heel. Kala beeped, already running the number through her own systems.
"Where do I take it?" I asked.
"Shepard says you can use his quarters. The old model case doubles as a screen," EDI said. The sound of metal steps echoed after me, Kala still working against the data to find an answer to the mysterious caller. Nothing yet. In the elevator, my foot tapped a rhythmic beat, waiting for the top floor to appear. The doors parted, giving me access to Shepard's chaotic room. With the retrofit, they pulled everything but the bed out. Even the fish tank lay drained beside me. My hand reached to the controls, waiting for the call to connect with tense shoulders. A black screen awaited me.
"Are you alone?" a distorted voice asked. My shoulders bunched together.
"I am…" I said, ignoring Kala hidden from view.
"Secure the area. I wish to speak with you privately," the voice said. Everything in me told me to hang up, to get this person away from me. But Shaik curiosity pushed me on. Kala, at my nod, requested EDI disconnect all communication to the room. She would let her know if they needed help. The cameras and microphones switched off, but the AI would still ping Kala to make sure nothing was going awry. The door locked too, to keep curious members of the crew – or nosy ones – out. All the while, my hands tapped at an imaginary keypad to make it look like I was doing something. After a moment, my eyes lifted to the screen, frown glued in place.
"Area secure. Who the hell are you?" I asked. The voice chuckled.
"Don't speak like that boy. You remind me of your mother," the voice said, a picture flashing on the screen as the video feed came through. My eyebrows shot through the roof.
"C-Councillor Sparatus!" I exclaimed. Sparatus leaned back his chair, mandibles flared.
"You are a difficult boy to track down," he said, voice returning to normal. "3 weeks I have been trying to tease the Normandy's coordinates out of people,"
"I… why did you want to speak to me?" I asked. Sparatus' mandibles pinned.
"We've learned of your mother's fate," he said. My heart leapt, blood draining to my toes. "My condolences, before we start," My throat tightened, fighting the emotion building in my chest. "Second, I need to know your intention. I know you have your mother with you,"
"I… I don't know," I said.
"You are a terrible liar. Pity, I had useful information if… if we suspected what we think you are planning," he said, eyes drifting to a screen beside him. "I suppose we can tell our sources we won't need the enhanced cell growth fluid," he mumbled. My heart leapt.
"W-What?" I stumbled, back snapping straight. Sparatus smiled.
"Thought that might get your attention," he said, a smirk spreading over his gleaming face. "You are not a subtle creature. Your little assault of an unknown Cerberus base didn't escape detection. We sent a Spectre to investigate, finding signs of fresh fights. We found a burnt out husk of a cloning machine, the burn markings disturbed by recent hands. What records we found showed there was a second, yet the Spectres found nothing. So, what is your plan, little Shaik?" My heart thundered, blood gushing though my ears until it deafened me. What do I do… what do I do?!
"I… I'm bringing my mum back. Without the Reaper tech holding her back," I said, hands clenched on my lap. The Council banned full body cloning. The law allowed only organ cloning for medical research or transplants, everything else would lock you away for the rest of your life if you had the pleasure of a good lawyer. But… but he knew. Or didn't and wanted me to admit it. What would he do now?
"Oh? You are removing the Reaper tech from her body?" he asked. My teeth chewed a nervous lip, unsure what the Councillor wanted. He… he had helped me beyond words on Paladin. My shoulders bunched together.
"No. A new body," I said.
"A full body clone…" Sparatus mumbled. "I originally thought you were growing new parts of her body; spines, nerves, even parts of her brain but a whole body… Shaik, you will explain what the hell you are doing," My spine quivered.
Desperation to save mum loosened my tongue. My plan spilled out, details on every stage of the plan. Every detail linked to some data gained from the Collector Base. Anything to link reason to madness, to prove the plan wasn't a desperate attempt to break the law. Sparatus listened, mandibles swaying in a rhythmic pattern. Despite my attempts, my control fumbled like a wet bar of soup. The Council could shut us down in an instant. Shepard would stop because the Alliance would demand it. If he continued, it had to be in secret. The only place that could do it would the Constellation. Assuming Julian didn't succumb to Palalrian. By the end, my floundering tongue flapped, no sound trespassing me further. Sparatus blinked, a calculated move.
"So, you wish to find Nyryntha and capture her to find your mother's memories to put into this new body, a normal human with no fear of turning against us without notice," My head nodded. Sparatus blinked. "I see. You are planning further ahead than we,"
"You… approve?" I said.
"Extreme circumstances require extreme methods. With your mother passed and Commander Delern with you and not with the RRTF, we raised Valérien Autillin as captain and put Jorgal Raisha into secure holding after the crew mutinied. The team is falling apart without your mother and the efficiency, while improved for a time, killed the crew. From what we have seen over the past two weeks, Autillin has calmed the situation, but he doesn't have Shaik's… flare, her problem solving skills. He is also eager for you to return. He praises your ability to hack and deal with vast volumes of data. You seem key to shifting through the noise of Saboteur trails. He has expressed concern for your safety as well, asking us to check with up with you if possible," Sparatus said. My eyes diverted.
"I… Cops has a lot on his plate. He needs to look at the Saboteurs and I need to bring mum back." I said. "I'll go home when she's back… or if we fail,"
"Hmm, what of your Saboteur contact?" he asked.
"We're avoiding him. Learning about mum's death will… complicate things," I said. "He'll lose his fight with his Reaper and we'll be another ally down,"
"And this other 'Shaik'? The 'Blue-Eyed Beast'?" Sparatus quizzed, tone piercing. My jaw tightened.
"Again, avoiding. He's… he was close to mum too," I said. "No one has much sway over him other than mum. Sparatus watched me, noting every twitched muscle. He sighed.
"Who is he, Gideon? We need all the forces we can get our hands on for the coming war," he pressed.
"I can't say…" I mumbled. Sparatus swung his mandibles. "I can't! It's… complicated," my head shook. "Look I… I just can't," My gaze diverted, drawn down.
"I see. Well, fingers crossed this does not come back to haunt us further down the line," Sparatus said. "Allow me to make you an offer. We need your mother back. While we cannot openly support your actions, keep them hidden and we'll brush over it. Your plan is mad but we have few options. We fear Autillin cannot hold the crew together. Do what you must. I will give you a communication relay with an alias for the time being. You deal with me and not with the other Councillors. They have their own tasks. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Yes, Councillor… thank you," I said, chest lightening as a load lifted free.
"We will deliver the military-grade cell-growth fluid once you verify where you are landing, if the area is suitable." He said.
"I'll find out where we are heading and see what we can do,"
"Good. I will be in touch. Safe sailing, Shaik," Sparatus said. My fingers touched my forehead in a weak salute as his face vanished. A breath heaved free. Kala beeped beside me.
"Well, this is an improvement," she said. My throat rumbled with a grunt. The call was welcome, a moral boost and something to help give mum a fighting chance. But still, worry bubbled in my stomach like a mire. My eyes drifted towards the door. Should… Sassy know? Marruns? Sassy should. If he found out – and he would – he would give up on training me. My heart rattled at the thought.
"Where's Sassy?" I asked.
"He's in the former XO room. He's made a temporary office in there," she said. With a nod, the doors parted, letting me access to the rest of the ship. In the mess hall, Sassy peeked through the opening and closing door. People trampled in and out, some grumbled as Sassy threw more demands around. He had a habit of that. The door opened, but my back pressed into the doorframe as someone else left. Sassy flicked a screen away, eyes narrowed as he assessed the data. He turned when my throat cleared.
"Hi Sassy," I said. Sassy's attention returned to the screens.
"Gideon, I am busy. We can train later," he said.
"Councillor Sparatus contacted me," I said. Sassy paused, turning my words in his head before turning to face me.
"What did he want?" He asked, a frown creasing his wrinkling face. No doubt a worried frown.
"He knows about mum. The Starquake had a mutiny against Raisha," I explained. Sassy's brows snapped up. "Cops is captain now,"
"I… need to contact to Starquake for an update," he said. "What is the situation?" he asked, his focus solely on me.
"He didn't say much about what's happening with Cops, but he knows my plan and wants to give us military-grade cell growth serum to help mum. I'm the one to deal with him though, and only him. The other Councillors are no goes for this," I said. Sassy frowned.
He forced me to relay the whole conversation, word for word. Kala helped. Sassy paced the room, slow steps trembling each muscle. Every downward flick sent my stomach tumbling, fretting over his reaction. The Predator sat too close to hand, too close for him to turn it on me. Again. He circled me in a wide arc, sending chills down my spine as he crept around the room, a predator stirring. Telling the Councillor my plan didn't seem so good now. Even though he supported the idea. If it worked, then it was a win-win situation for everyone. If it didn't, then… then at least we tried. The Council help edged the chance of success by a percentile, but beyond that, the long term health of the whole scheme hung in the balance. Sassy clicked his tongue, pausing before me. My knees quivered.
"You, Shaik, are an idiot," he said. My cheeks flushed. "However, you Shaiks often have flights of opportunity when we least suspect them. A small comfort," his pacing continued. "Sparatus is keeping you on the radar, before you ask why he is bothering you again. They do this from time to time, spotting possible talent in a sea of underwhelming disappointment. He knows you aren't a Saboteur, he knows you have attained some of your mother's fight and you are young enough that with enough time and support…" Sassy stopped, staring down at me. "Perhaps groom you into a role they require. An inside source, a Spectre, a leading scientist. Don't think the Council a fool, Shaik,"
"But… w-what does this have to do with what we are doing? Why does he keep tell me to do stuff instead of… y'know, adults," I asked.
"The Council have noticed you, or Sparatus at least. My plan is to milk this opportunity, as your mother says," he grinned. My blood plummeted to my toes. "They want to influence you, to steer you down a certain path. If we survive the war, you may find several new opportunities appearing. However, for that to happen, we need to survive. The Council have information and experimental technology we could use. This 'military-grade cell growth serum' will be Spectre-grade which will help beyond words. Tell him we are heading to Illium, if they cannot deliver it there, we can arrange for pick-up somewhere nearby. After that… hmm," Sassy stroked his chin. "I need to consider how we can best use this. You may be an idiot, Shaik, but at least we can use your stupidity,"
"Great, thanks," I rumbled. "Why are we heading to Illium?"
"Shepard wants to meet with a friend of his and your mother. We need to track Nyryntha across the galaxy and this friend deals in information. If anyone can help, it'll be her," he said. "And while we do that, you will be here finishing those algorithms,"
"Sassy, there is nothing more I can do without some data to test them on!" I complained. He raised a brow. "We don't have a memory drive, Sassy. It's all fine and well telling me to get the means of sorting mum's memories for implantation but I have nothing to test it on! Shepard sent Cassianus into the planet and is now in a billion pieces, the Collector base is in even more pieces and Nyryntha isn't going to willingly hand over her copy,"
"What about the read-write device?" he asked.
"I'm getting through it but… dammit, Sassy, the Collector blueprints need a scholar to decipher. Even Kala is struggling. It would be easier if we had a read or a write device already and then build it from there but it's like trying to understand string-theory while looking through smoky glass," I sighed. Just thinking about making the devices and software needed to bring mum back after we got her memories from Nyryntha gave me a headache. It wasn't going as hoped. Since it was my plan and I was the 'software genius', Sassy put me in charge of it. "Besides, I didn't know if non-Reaper like tech will work. It might not be compatible but without a physical one to look at to compare it to…"
"Do what you can," Sassy said. "When we pin Nyryntha down, we can examine what she has more thoroughly. You understand that once you mess with anything related to her you must undergo RIT at a considerable rate,"
"I'll need to ask Uncle Julian how much someone can take. He didn't like mum having RIT more than once a month and she was a Saboteur," I said.
"True, so that's what you'll do. Go make your call to Sparatus and get a delivery point arranged. This has given me some ideas," he mumbled, turning away. Without wishing to tempt fate, Kala and I scurried out the door before the Predator fired.
Illium, a dark planet. Just the name sent jitters down my spine. A ship docked there once. Never again. Between the drugs in the dark allies, the street fights in the depths below the lights, the sly slight of hands among said lights. Few people saw the dark side to Illium. I had. It was where some drug lord sold me for another crate of Red Sand, too skint from all the drinking to afford the last crate. The memory darkened my mood. This time… this time Sassy and Marruns were here. Shepard too. No, this would be different. Just… I just need to stay close to them. For once. My head shook, returning to Shepard's room and securing it to call Sparatus on the number he left. The call was quick, long enough to say where we were, short enough not to rouse too much suspicion from Shepard should he come knocking.
Three days it took to reach Illium, three days of training and prep. Sassy tried to give me a lecture, probably the same he gave to mum when she first arrived here, but he paused, noticing my brooding expression. After a time, he just told me to stay close. No problem there. Kala readied the mech for the trip, packing additional carry packs for me. Ammo, medi-gel. The important stuff. The last of my armour clicked in place, Sassy assessing the guns for me. Minutes later, he snapped the Paladin and the Widow into their places. There was no debate about not bringing me this time, Sassy wanted to drive home the training. The Normandy soared over the seas surrounding Illium, the brilliant city so dull in the daylight without a trillion lights burning the clouds. My shoulders squared, jaw stiffening. The ship shuddered as the docking clamps secured the ship to the city. Shepard scanned us before leading us out.
The city hummed as people bustled to their work, the morning commute waning. But the towering spires couldn't distract me from the sour taste in my mouth. Sassy's eyes scanned the streets, Kala trotting on my other side. Marruns walked behind, the Spectre eyes keen. Shepard guided us down the soaring walkways, the salt air itching my nose. As we delved deeper, the scent melded into a sticky, metallic stench that most cities had. He led us clambering up stairways and elevators, reaching a stretch of high-end property high above the crashing waves below. While this side of the city seemed the lap of luxury and security, my shoulders remained bunched. Sassy's arm brushing against my shoulder worsened it. We climbed a final staircase, the asari text scrolling by while Kala offered to translate it. I declined. An asari sat behind a desk, lifting her azure eyes to watch us approach. She leaned back in her chair, a serene smile lifting her lips.
"Commander Shepard, it has been a while," the asari greeted.
"Is Liara in?" he asked.
"She is, would you like me to arrange a meeting?" she asked, tone bright.
"Is she with anyone right now?" Shepard dropped his brows. The woman shook her head. "Then I'll just go in,"
"Ah, b-but Commander-" the asari stammered as Shepard reached to the circular door. Sassy smiled as he stalked after him, nudging me onwards. Marruns' eyes drawled over the asari, narrow and cold, as the door closed behind him. Inside the lavish office space, an unspoilt view of the city sprawling in all directions filled the rear windows. A pale asari's head snapped up, startled as she took in the surprise visitors. Her tense muscles relaxed as she noticed Shepard. She stood from her desk, pale blue eyes bright.
"Shepard," she breathed. Shepard smirked.
"Told you I'd get out of jail," he laughed, embracing the asari. Liara hmmed, a pleased sound as she reached up to kiss him. My tongue stuck out. Sassy chuckled.
"How many explosions?" she asked.
"Eh, how many does a Reaper count for?" he asked. Liara inhaled, understanding.
"So the Alliance let you leave after the attack on Earth. Was it bad?" she asked. Shepard's smirk dropped.
"If that was just one Reaper… I don't look forward to seeing more together," he said. Liara's bright expression weakened.
"Is there anything I can do to help? What have the Alliance ordered you to do?" she asked, eyes hardening as her expression set, jaw tight.
"If you have a way to track said Reaper, I'd be grateful," Shepard said.
"I have been trying, although my data sources aren't vast enough to give a complete forecast. It travels from point to point, reprogramming relays. It's already reprogrammed the Tartarus Relay in the Styx Theta cluster and it doesn't look like it will be reversed any time soon. It now leads to an undiscovered system between the Shadow Sea and the Armstrong Nebula. Shepard, that Reaper could destroy our space travel if it continues to do this," Liara said. Shepard's jaw clenched.
"I know, that's why I came to you. I'm going to put this Reaper down," Shepard said.
"Not before we get mum's memories," I snapped. Shepard started, a tight breath escaping as he remembered my presence.
"After we get Dell's memories," he said. Liara frowned, peering around Shepard's massive form to spot me beside Sassy. Her mouth opened to form a small O.
"Commander Mat'al Delern," she said. "You are one of Dell's commanders," she said. Sassy smiled, taut as it was.
"We met after I dragged you and Dell out of that Shadow Broker issue," he said. Liara smiled, more relaxed than Sassy's.
"And I didn't get a chance to thank you for it. I have been using the data from those goons to my advantage," her eyes scanned me once more. "What of Dell, she has been quiet for some time,"
"Dead," Marruns said. Liara froze, expression emptying. "The Reaper got her,"
"I… see," she said, reeling.
"N-Not for long! We're bringing her back! We just need to track and trap Nyryntha!" I cried, breaking the tense air. Liara focused on me, her expression blank if a touch curious.
"You are her son, yes? Gideon Shaik. Or would you prefer one of your many aliases?" she asked. My tongue dried.
"Sorry?" I asked.
"Well, we have Daniel Martell, Alan Carther, Phil Randy, Andrew Robertson and Gideon Tellic, the last name I can find before you ran into your mother. You fled Earth when you were 5, snuck away on a cargo ship going anywhere. The crew found you, dropped you off in a port on Amaterasu. From there it gets foggy, but you were then on Illium for a time before jumping between Omega, the Citadel and even Fehl Prime when you were sold as a test subject to one of the major pharmaceutical companies there. After wandering around, being sold by multiple people for drugs, slavery, manual labour and a lab rat, being shot at least twice and stabbed once, you ended up in the hands of batarian slavers. Which then caught fire due to a malfunctioning hydraulic system," Liara said. My eyes bugged, skin pale. "You have lived through a traumatic-"
"I don't want to hear it," I said, tone dead. Sassy glanced down, expression straight. "How the hell do you know this shit?"
"Everyone has a paper trail if one knows where to look. Your mother said she knew little about your past, so I did some digging. The batarian slavers kept a record of where they bought you and from whom. It is simple to follow you from there. You were… unusual. Young, knew little of space, so jumpy on the ships it was clear you were from a colony or similar. People remember a fierce blond boy with the dirt stained face who couldn't keep his story straight and had hands and wrists rubbed raw from work, toil and chains," she said. My cheeks flushed. "When I told your mother I found information, she didn't want to know. She wanted you to tell her when you are ready," she said. My eyes diverted. Too many eyes watched me, too many judged. My teeth clamped down on my tongue.
"This is all fine and all," Marruns interrupted. My shoulders jittered. "But this doesn't lead us to Nyryntha,"
"Nyryntha… the Reaper," Liara turned to Shepard. "That's why it went after Dell…" Shepard nodded. Liara sat down behind her desk, staring at the grain rough beneath her fingers. She lifted her eyes, a coldness seeping in. "I don't have the resources to track her… but I know who does. The Shadow Broker,"
"You know some agents?" Shepard asked.
"No, but I have other plans in mind. The Shadow Broker and I have… a history," she said, tone darkening. Shepard rolled his shoulders back.
"Is this to do with what you asked me to help you with?" he asked. Liara nodded.
"I think I know where the Shadow Broker' base is. However, I need to double check with one of my agents, but with luck, I'll have the answer to that soon. I may need your help storming the base," she said.
"You got it," Shepard smirked. Liara's shoulders relaxed.
"Thank you. I'll let you know how things go," she said, standing.
"What, you're not bringing us with you?" he asked, a frown snapping his thin lips down.
"Shepard, I…" she paused upon looking at his scowl. She groaned. "Oh fine, but try to be inconspicu… ous," she finished, voice trailing off. Shepard blinked. She frowned. "Just try not to blow anything up,"
"No promises!" he grinned. Liara groaned.
"How did I guess?" she mumbled. "Very well, follow me," she said, walking around the desk to lead us back towards the street. Sassy and Marruns coaxed me after them, keeping me between Shepard and the rear of the team.
The bustle of the mid-morning stores failed to allure me, the bright smiles and beautiful asari cheering to nearby people to pull them to their stalls. Sassy didn't need to herd me, but he did regardless. Skycars danced above us like flies, zig-zagging and darting through the cramped skies. A skycar lot emerged from the shuffling wall of people. Liara and Shepard hopped inside one car, Marruns and Sassy nodded for me to get into a second with Kala. Sassy frowned when no complaint rose to my tongue, dropping into the seat with leaded mouth. Kala beeped beside me, assessing my biometrics for an answer to my sudden quietness. Sassy drove, following the skycar with Shepard and Liara inside. My blood bubbled as memories rose, dark and sticky, dragging me back into the mire they crawled from.
How did she learn so much about me? Did she know everything, everything about me? But mum didn't want to know… my jaw tightened, a swell of emotion rising. She wanted me to tell her. And I didn't. My hands gripped the edge of the thigh plates, squeezing until my fingers ached. That had to change when this was over. When this was all over. A flick over the headrest of the chair before me, the pillars of Illium vanished as the skycar descended, dropping us onto a lower section of the city. The sky peeked through the urban canyon, the delicate rays of the sun bouncing off the glass structures, the only way to get light this deep into the city. The doors opened and the smell of metal slammed into the interior of the cab. With a winkled nose, Kala and I clambered from the cab. We joined up with Shepard and Liara as we approached the building before us.
Fountains soared above my head, looping over budging gardens of bushes, flowers and trees. A channel of water split the walkway to the entrance in two, water crashing down from the fountains to the side. Curiosity wanted to see more. Caution demanded to get inside, away from the distractions and plentiful hiding places. Pickpocketing here was easy if you were deft of hand enough. Liara mounted the stairs to the structure, a smooth cornered building that melded into structure above. The point of the skyscraper was beyond view this far down. The asari text would've told me more if I could read asari, the fluid script swaying like wheat in the wind. Inside, the interior provided no less relief. Plants, pillars and darkened corners could hold anyone waiting to intervene, to delay or destroy us. Even to hinder us. Liara approached a receptionist.
"Good morning. I am Liara T'Soni to see Mr Sekat Elphis," she said.
"Of course, Miss T'Soni. I will let him know you are here," the pale asari said, a scar cutting over her lip.
"Thank you," Liara said. "Let's go," the receptionist blinked.
"Ah, I apologise, Miss T'Soni," she said. Liara frowned. "However due to safety concerns, children cannot travel beyond the reception point," Her eyes drifted past me and my sullen expression.
"Very well," she said, moving towards the staircase. Shepard followed. Sassy stayed by my side, Marruns shook his head, mandibles clicking. The pair shared a look, nudging me towards a row of chairs against a plant decorated wall. My ass landed with a thud of the barely cushioned chair.
"I can't wait to grow up," I grumbled. Sassy tutted.
"Kids. They never appreciate their childhood," he rumbled.
"After everything I've been through?" I asked. Sassy frowned, fingers twitching towards the Predator. My head shook, ignoring the salarian as we waited.
Liara and Shepard couldn't be out of our sight more than 5 minutes before the hairs on my arms stood up. A second later, an explosion shuddered the building. Screams lit the air, Marruns shoving me to the ground as the pair knelt over me. A thud crashed above us, the ceiling bowing. Sassy grit his teeth as he grabbed me and pulled me closer to the edges of the building. A fire crackled above our heads as flakes of debris sailed down outside the building. People sprinted, the screams deafening, the air thick with soot.
"Spirits damn you, Shepard," Marruns snarled.
"Get Gideon outside," Sassy hissed, pulling me towards the door.
The ceiling collapsed above us. It didn't collapse in an even manner though. Marruns dived out the way as a girder crashed where he once stood. Sassy dragged me to the side as structural reinforcements rained molten metal above out heads. Then the rest of the ceiling crashed down. My heart burst in my chest before sprinting for the nearest exit, a door, with Sassy hot on my heels. The dust from insulation shoved itself through the doorway, sucking oxygen from the air. Coughs doubled me onto the ground. Sassy covered his mouth with the inner bend of his elbow, hand clamped to the collar of my suit. The air cleared after half a minute, clean air forcing down the dizziness. My eyes lifted back to the doorway, seeing the flames and rubble blocking the path. A frown flitted across my face. The sprinklers soaked me from above, the lights flickering as power failed. Sassy hauled me up onto unsteady feet. Down the hallway, an emergency exit sign peaked my interest. With a nod, we turned the corner to follow the sign, seeking to leave this burning, unstable building.
A click behind me froze every muscle. My head shifted to the side, glancing over my shoulder as Sassy wheeled around, live Predator in hand. An asari stood behind me, dressed in formal clothes and a pistol straight in her hand. Kala's visor assessed the situation, warming up the omni-tool. My jaw unclenched, fingers itching for the Paladin at my hip. We stared down the abyss for a time, then the asari smiled, lowering the pistol. Sassy frowned, following her example. My unease wasn't so easily settled. She stalked closer, setting my teeth on edge before whirling around, backing further down the hall. Sassy narrowed his eyes, but followed my backwards steps, keeping within grabbing distance of me. She looked familiar… a yellow re-curve slashed over her right eye and a curve arced the bridge of her nose, a scar cutting across her lip and neck… the receptionist?
Her eyes trailed Sassy, turning cold as she regarded the salarian. His muscles bunched, understanding my unease now. I threw a quick glance over my shoulder to assess the hall. The exit door was right there. When I looked back, the woman looked closer. Too close. My hand snatched the Paladin, raising it in my hands. She didn't falter. Sassy didn't scold me. There was something about this woman that set me off. A cold smile spread her lips. Instinct pulled the trigger. The Paladin fired, hitting closer than a warning shot should. It skimmed past her cheek, a burnt streak forming on her pale skin, green eyes darkening. The lights on the Paladin died. There was no hesitation. Sassy drew blades while I wheeled around, sprinting down the hall to the door. Sassy grunted as something crashed into the wall. Her gun fired, bouncing off my shields as my shoulder slammed into the door. It refused to open. Desperate to escape, my hands clawed everywhere, trying to force it open. All air in my throat ceased when a hand grabbed my neck and raised me off the ground. My legs kicked out against the asari. She hushed me, pressing a finger to my gagging lips. Sassy snarled.
"Wheel forgive when I-" he started, pinned to the wall with his legs flailing off the ground. A cable slammed into mouth, clamping them shut.
"Silence. I have no business with you. Be glad you are useful in this situation," the asari hissed. She turned me and my flailing. "Be still, little spawn, I am not here to take you. Not now," she crooned. My eyes bugged, grabbing her wrist to take the strain off my neck.
"Why?" I coughed. A frown darkened her eyes.
"The Ravager prowls Illium," she said, tone dead. Sassy stopped struggling, listening to the Saboteur with keen ears. The Ravager… mum's- "We cannot have you falling into his hands, not while we can prevent it. He is corrupt beyond saving. While we do not require you, adding you to our arsenal is advantageous,"
"Then why not steal me away now?" I asked.
"Because I cannot take you now," she said, looking back towards Sassy with a chilly grin. His eyes narrowed. "And besides, you'll fall into the hands of other Saboteurs soon enough, if you are interfering with what we think you are. I have more important things to do. Do not tally on Illium long, spawn. The Ravager will learn you are here with the Advocacy's shell," she drew her other hand down my cheek, cupping the back of my head as she leaned close. She nipped the skin hard enough to make me yelp. Sassy's struggles began again. "Oh what would he do to her?"
"Oh fuck…" I said, air rushing out. If he got his hands on mum's body… Oh shit!
"I think you understand," she smiled, dropping me to the ground. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to… deal with a few things before I can turn my attention to you," she smiled before turning, stalking down the hall. She smiled to Sassy as she passed. A glare pinned to my face.
"Your name, oh saviour of mine?" I asked through grit teeth. She looked over her shoulder, a smile spread wide.
"Kokkonen. Enjoy yourself, spawn. Do not forget to leave Illium. I recommend haste," she said before she disappeared around the corner. I watched her go, no desire to chase after a foe I couldn't face. Well, even the Saboteurs had their missions… but why did she- The cables holding Sassy loosened, enough for the salarian to swing a blade and free himself. He glowered after the Saboteur, but rushed to me instead.
"Gid, are you alright?" Sassy asked, looking me over.
"I-I think so," I said, dizziness slurring my words. He frowned as he ran his omni-tool over me, in particular where she held or touched me.
"Where did it hurt?" he asked. My hand rubbed the back of my head. Sassy scrutinised each part, burrowing through my hair. He paused before his teeth ground together.
"Fuck, she's planted something here," he cursed. My heart rattled. What?! He looked back after the Saboteur. "We need to get off Illium. If the Ravager is here, he'll be here for Dell. At least we know the Saboteurs are not fond of him either,"
"W-What did she put on me?" I asked as Sassy dragged me out the now working door and into the fresh air. It hit me like a wall.
"Too small to see. I'm willing to bet it's either something to speed up indoctrination or a tracker. Neither of which we want," Sassy said. "Why do you find all the Saboteurs?" he grumbled.
"I don't ask for it!" I barked. "Be glad she didn't steal me away,"
"That won't mean shit of this thing does more than track you or indoctrinate you," Sassy snorted. He glanced over his shoulder as he saw Shepard, Marruns and Liara tear after another asari, heading for the cars. He scowled. Sassy pulled me into an abandoned skycar. He only waited a minute for Kala's mech to return and jump in too. She claimed shotgun.
"Anything on his biometrics?" Sassy asked.
"Nothing, all tech was down at the time," Kala said. "Everything biological is normal, albeit higher alpha-waves due to the proximity of a Saboteur. It could be the bug. I recommend caution in case the bug has a listening device,"
"Noted," Sassy said, throwing the skycar into full speed towards the docks. Back at the Normandy, Sassy dragged me to the med bay, Kala forever at my heels. In the med bay, Sassy pulled my armour off and the top part of my under-armour. He examined me with an array of sensors. A frown furrowed his brows.
"Ready for your first scar?" he asked. My heart fluttered.
"Huh?" I said, unsure what to say. Sassy reached for a surgical knife. That stopped my heart.
"The 'bug' is burrowing into your skin, it was more clear when we first found you." He said, sitting me on a chair and forcing my forehead into the folded blanket at the bottom of the bed before me. "I suggest you bite something," My teeth didn't snag the blanket fast enough.
The Saboteur Sheet and Galaxy Map have been updated for this chapter. Please see profile for link to Archive.