Chapter 6
Sorry this chapter took a lot longer to write than I thought. I've been pretty full with everything else in my life. Hopefully, I can write the next of Priestess quicker than I did this chapter.
I don't own Mass Effect
Song is one night in tokyo by Beast in Black. Figured that in the mass effect universe it would have definitely been a cover song
Story start
Shepard spent the rest of the night customizing each part of the armour she could. She learned that the blade Callum used was made up of segments he could fire individually.
In the end, she kept the standard blade. Not as sharp as Callum's, but it was stronger and would last longer.
She geared her suit more towards speed over strength. She wasn't planning on wrestling with krogan anytime soon, but help dodging their charges would come in handy if she did. She decided to choose increased recovery of shields instead of total shield strength. To combat that, she had chosen to have the geth controlled biotic barriers kick in when the kinetic barriers were less than a quarter in strength.
Overall, it would make her tough to deal with, and she would only need a few seconds to recover before she comes back swinging. As her preferred weapon was a shotgun...it was perfect.
Normally she would have wanted a bit more strength over recovery but since the shields were already ridiculously strong and she had the biotic barrier to fall back on she had more than enough to protect her. Heading down to the mess hall she had a breakfast of...somethingng. She had worse but she certainly also had better. They were certainly going to get better food stock sooner rather than later. It was better than the food on the original Normandy but they could still do bett. Besides, everyone was risking a lot supporting her.
The very least she could do was to make sure they had good food. With that decided, Shepard headed to the comm room and ordered Callum, Grunt, Forbes, Jacob and Brooks to meet her there.
"Alright by my estimate we should be arriving at Illium in about 40 minutes. Our goal is to recruit an asari justicar by the name of Samara. Now does anyone have anything to say?' asked Shepard
"Justicar." huffed Grunt "The tank spoke of them. While most asari are too...fragile, too delicate a justicar is very dangerous. Like a krogan battlemaster who has survived centuries of battle. It would be an honour to fight alongside one or meet my end against them."
"That's why we want her. But let's hope for the former rather than the later. Does anyone else have anything else to say?" asked Shepard
"I have something." said Brooks speaking up "EDI and I have been going over everything coming from Illium, we believe we have the location of the justicar Samara."
"That's handy, how did you find that out?" asked Jacob
"Justicars are like a noble, knight and samurai all rolled into one. Because of that, people are quick to notice them, at least if they realise who or what she is. A comment on an extranet chat site says they saw a justicar entering a police station earlier this morning. She could still be there if not, an officer should be able to direct us to where she might be."
"Do you know why she's at the police station?" asked Jacob "Dealing with the authorities might make things difficult."
"Since she's a justicar, I doubt she's being charged with something. They live by a strict code from what I can see, and it's rare that they become criminals. When they do, though, the only thing that can take one out is another justicar, a Spectre or multiple teams of special or elite forces with the latter taking heavy casualties. A mere police or security officer would have no hope in stopping her for even a second." answered Brooks "More likely, they want to ask her questions or stop her from causing a scene. What's right and wrong in Illium is very fluid, the saying that even murder is legal if you have the right paperwork isn't unfounded. Justicars are...not so fluid. From what I can see, they'll either give their life trying to save your or hunt you down like a starving varren chasing a steak. Their black and white, innocent or guilty, nothing in between."
"There might be another problem. Unless I'm wrong justicars have a very narrow time where they have to cooperate with any authority. If anyone at the police station tries to physically stop her from walking out the door it could end very badly." added Callum
"Why would they stop her from leaving?" asked Jacob
"As Ms Brooks said, justicars are simple. Either they protect your existence, or they kill you. Many of those on Illium are closer to the darker side of good and bad." said Siri, her voice coming from Callum's armour "If she has a target and something is stopping her from reaching that target she is honour bound to take it out. The code will not give her a choice." replied EDI
"A lot of those who have power on Illium have used less than...ethical methods to get there. If a justicar was to know for certain that they used such tactics and they saw them...well suffice to say they wouldn't be around for long. Because of this, it not surprising that most of those in power would want her gone or at least ensure that she won't interfere with their day to day affairs." added Brooks
"So, in other words, they could be using what power they have over the local forces to keep this justicar from going anywhere. Which depends on if there is something keeping her planet side could be very bad." said Shepard, coming to a decision. "Alright, Brooks keep finding any information you can. Ground team, we'll be heading to that police station immediately. If nothing is stopping her from leaving, we'll ask her to join us. If someone is stopping her from chasing a target, we'll see where to go from there. Take the target down ourselves if necessary or hand them in to the authorities if possible."
"Wouldn't that put us on the justiciar's bad side? If someone puts in a lot of work on chasing someone down, they tend to take it personally if someone else swoops in at the last moment."
"I do not believe that will be an issue." said EDI. "Justicars exist to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. They forsake everything that they once were. As long as that's achieved, I doubt that she will have a problem. They might want to be in charge and deal with things on their own, but they will see as someone else taking out their target before they can as their targets own actions catching up with them. The only part that might draw a justicars ire is if they happen to be another target or if they had a problem with how the target was taken out. Say at the cost of an innocent's life that could have easily been avoided."
"Alright, everyone, keep that in mind. EDI I want you to do a check to make sure that no one on board is going to cause a problem or Samara might have a problem with. Say, a warrant of arrest she might know about or criminal activity she might remember hearing on the news. I know Cerberus has a dark past, but hopefully, we can get her to view us on an individual level rather than as a group. As much of an asset she'd be, I'm not bringing her onboard if I think she'll kill someone for one reason or another. Everyone else, do anything that you need to do because as soon as we land, we're leaving. Callum, follow me. I want to talk with you about the weapons you have." said Shepard as she left the room, gesturing to Callum to follow her.
"Athena, I want a private link to Callum. No one else listening in." said Shepard inside her helmet.
"Creating and securing line now...done." answered Athena
"Shepard?" asked Callum
"I'm guessing you know more than you're saying?" asked Shepard
"Samara is on Illium chasing down her daughter...I might have helped her to track down her daughter faster than she would have. But I don't know if she's still on Illium, has been taken out. Or if she made it off Illium, and Samara is chasing down leads where she might have gone. " answered Callum
"Since only one of those scenarios ends with Samara being able to leave without complications, we better get down there." responded Shepard before switching to external speakers. "So which weapon do you think I should grab?"
"The assault rifle is surprisingly accurate as long as you feather the trigger and the pistol has a lot of stopping power and range." answered Callum
"I'll make a few switches. With this armour I don't have worry about carrying more than I should. Crusader, N7 Eagle and this...AR5 should go well with each other." said Shepard, looking for the name on the rifle. "Since I'm assuming you're bringing either your bow or pistol, I don't need something for long range."
"I am." answered Callum "Sword too."
"I'm going to hang here until we get to Illium getting used to the new rifle." said Shepard, turning her attention to the rifle in question.
"It has roughly thirty rounds, active and passive cooling. Most of the time, I use heat clips to deal with the heat though." informed Callum before leaving.
Sometime later.
"Shepard we might have a problem." said Brookes over comms.
"What is it?" asked Shepard seriously
"I sent through the paperwork necessary to book a dock on Illium when I first learned we were heading there. Illium is pretty much a corporate planet, and I didn't want to risk us becoming delayed because someone didn't like how we dotted our i's. I just did a final check to make sure there were no last-minute problems when I noticed that the docking fee had already been paid." answered Brooks before continuing "Also I can't tell if the dock we've been assigned was given to us randomly, or if someone manually picked it out for us."
"So the good news is we don't have to pay a docking fee, saving us some credits. The bad is someone either really wants to talk to us or we could be walking into a trap." worked out Shepard
"Exactly and I'm having trouble working out who it might be, EDI's having the same issue and there's no time to work it out." advised Brooks
"Let the rest of the ground crew we might have a problem and tell Taylor to double security if he can." ordered Shepard "Joker as well."
It wasn't much longer after that that the Normandy arrived at Illium.
"Commander? We're entering Illium's atmosphere." warned Joker over comms
"Heading your way." replied Shepard, heading to the cockpit. Since she spent her remaining time in the armoury, it didn't take her long.
"Keep an eye out Joker, if it looks like a trap we'll use a shuttle to land elsewhere." ordered Shepard
"Got it, also if need to we can get out of there in an instant even after we get clamped. We might be leaving a bit of hull behind though." warned Joker "Ship has a secondary layer of armour. Seems the Illusive man took some notes of our escape on the Citadel."
As the ship came in to land she was joined by Callum, Forbes and Grunt who looked particularly excited.
Landing, they started disembarking. There was barely any room in the airlock to move around but they managed it. They didn't make it far when they were approached by an asari in her matron stage accompanied by two mechs. If it was an ambush it was a poor one, any single person on her team aside from Forbes could take all three out easily and even he could even the odds with his hacking skills.
"Welcome to Nos Astra Commander Shepard." greeted the asari warmly "We've been instructed that all docking and administration fees for your visit here."
"One of my crew told me that our fees had already been paid." said Shepard crossing her arms "But they couldn't say by who or why."
"Matriach Aethyta is the one who has paid your fees. She wishes to talk to you as soon as possible." said the asari
"Ayetha?" asked Shepard out loud. The name seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Yes, Matriarch Aethyta." said the asari sounding confused "I was told that you knew her daughter."
"And her daughter is...?" trailed off Shepard
"Miss Liara T'soni, one of the youngest and most renowned Prothean experts out there. Despite her age, many older and more established experts have sought her out...most of which she seems to turn down unless it's for an important reason." answered the asari. Now Shepard remembered where she heard that name from.
"I have somewhere I need to be urgently." replied Shepard "Can this wait until later?"
"I am unsure of the urgency of the matter. But if it makes a difference, Matriach Aethytais is an information broker who rarely seeks out audiences without a reason much like her daughter. Also, there is a terminal nearby to get an air car and another one near her office. Going to see her shouldn't take up too much of your time."
"...fine, change in plans. We'll duck in quickly to see Aethyta. Hopefully, it won't take too long." said Shepard after thinking it over quickly.
"Thank you, I will be sure to let her know to expect you." said the asari, transferring the details over.
It was a short walk to the nearest sky car teminal. Since the ground team weighed far more than the typical passenger. Shepard scolled and selected a vehicle with a high weight load capacity instead of selecting the next available car. As they took off the local radio started playing
Dangerous attraction
Femme fatale in action
The most beautiful mistake of my life
She's a neon flower
Pure seduction power
One night in Il-li-um
One night worth all my love
Willfully blindfolded
Mesmerized on this bed
When you touch me, I am where love is born
Feverish desire
Getting high on each other
One night in Il-li-um
One night worth all my love
My love
One night in Il-li-um
One night worth all my love
One night in Il-li-um
One night worth all my love
My love
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na
It took a bit longer than it would have normally, but about 10 minutes later a large van landed in front of them. Climbing inside she headed to the driver's seat while Forbes took the passenger seat. Behind them, Callum and Grunt stood, holding some rails to help keep them upright choosing against sitting down. It seems this van primarily was used to ferry luggage or elcor with fold-out seats on either side of the van. Typing in the address she got from the asari Shepard let the VI take control and take them to their destination. After a few more minutes, they arrived at a nearby parking pad. Most of that time was spent taking off and landing rather than the actual travelling. Callum and Grunt bracing as needed.
Disembarking from the van they headed for Aethyta's office. As the asari from before said, it wasn't very far from the terminal. They seem to have arrived at some kind of shopping district full of people scrolling through consoles and talking to others via their omni-tool. More than one person sounded like they were in the middle of stock trading.
Climbing up a nearby set of steps, they passed a few levels before stopping at one door in particular.
"Okay, looks like this is the place." said Shepard "Now I want everyone on their best behaviour, I know this woman's daughter and I don't want anything embarrassing getting back to her."
Entering the room, they were greeted by an asari with purple skin.
"Feel free to go right in, Matriach Aethyta is on a call right now but she wanted to see you as soon as possible...try to pay no attention to the conversation though. She is a bit...vocal at the moment."
"What do mean vocal?" asked Forbes confused as Shepard walked towards the door.
What came through it answered his question.
"If I ever find out that one of your people placed a camera in my bathroom again I'm going to buy the largest drone that exists. Fly it up your ass, post the video of you crying like a little bitch all over the extranet before sending a link to everyone you have ever met!" shouted out a voice. "No one will be able to look at you for the rest of your life without thinking of that video! Especially when I repost every year on your birthday you little shit!"
Evidently, the room had some impressive sound suppression. Ending the call with a slam, the asari turned to face them, Shepard recognized her as the asari that picked up Benezia after they smuggled her of Noveria.
"Sorry about that." said Aethyta with a sigh bringing a palm to her head as she sat down. "Some idiots can't seem to understand that there is a limit to what kind of bugs and surveillance one uses in this business."
"What he do?" asked Shepard curious
"He placed, or someone working for him at least, paced a bug in my bathroom. An audio and visual bug. Dick would have been able to see me when I took a shit, a piss or a shower. As a warning I let him have it and destroyed all his other bugs as well." answered Aethyta "Hopefully he learns his lesson or he'll be in bigger trouble next time."
"Next time? Wouldn't you rather he didn't have any bugs at all?" asked Shepard
"I'm an information broker. If someone isn't trying to bug my office I'm not doing it right. Constantly stopping what I'm doing, to find and destroy any new bugs is tiring and takes too much effort. For every one you get rid of, they try that much harder to put another three to replace it and it makes them that much sure that you have something they want to know.
It's much easier to limit their number and how much they hear instead. It also makes the job easier for me if someone knows I have something they want but none of the actual details. Instead of chasing down potential buyers, they do the work for me. Now." said Aethyta, becoming serious. "How can I help you?"
"I thought you wanted to talk to me? That you wanted me for something?" asked Shepard
Pressing a few buttons Aethyta activated something and a light buzz filled the air.
"There now we can talk without being overheard, and yes I did want to talk to you but that was mainly to see if you needed anything. My daughter's too old for me to buy her a pony but helping her friends always counts for something. That and I wanted to give you an update on what the asari republics have been doing."
"And what have they been doing?" asked Shepard
"Fuck all until recently." answered Aethyta bluntly "Asari might say they are the best planners and while that may be true, it usually takes a generation or two of any species that aren't asari for a difference to be seen or for it to come to fruition. I mean look at Illium."
"What about Illium?" asked Forbes
"You ever wonder why or how such a prosperous place like Illium exists right next to the Terimous? It's a whole plan to slowly expand Citadel space...or at least asari influence. Instead of flat-out making something illegal they make it legal as long as you do certain things. Then, if they don't like that thing, they slowly make it harder and to do or make a profit from. Over the next five hundred years, Illium will look a lot more like a typical asari colony if not the Citadel itself, and the next planet in line will start to become more like Illium. My moneys on Omega, its a slow march to 'civilised' think shit like red sand is bad? When I was a kid I knew people snorting far worse than that crap.
Turians conquer through battle, asari conquer through paperwork, legalism and sex. It's the real reason why those up the asari command chain are happy with all the young maidens running off to other worlds to dance their asses of on poles instead of actually doing something. The boyfriend always has to be nice to his girlfriends mother if he wants to keep getting some. Plus, they tend to bring a lot of information back with them even if the maidens themselves don't realise it and most don't. They just see it as standard gossip or bragging about their new bondtoy, there is a reason not many listened to my daughter before Illos. Stuff they learn includes average fitness, strength, if they prefer to fight or prefer to look for peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts. It's surprising how much information you can learn about someone while fucking them.
A higher-than-average ability to satisfy a maiden may imply a higher-than-average fitness and possible fighting ability over the other species. Also, a lot of individuals like to brag if they are doing something important to the person they are flirting with so that more knowledge a maiden can get back. Its an easy way to use a maidens' natural desire to explore and experience new things. All these methods of control and more have been perfected for as long as asari have been a civilization. But enough about how shady asari society.
As I just said, asari on a whole, has done very little until recently. Barely warmed up the old war machine, so to speak. We're just not suited for quick actions or planning...well our government isn't at least. if we had a thousand years or more than that would be different. After fifty or a hundred years the groundwork for a plan that slowly raises military strength as much as possible while still maintaining the economy and not placing too much stress on it would be made. Then a thousand or two years later we would have an army and fleet big enough to deal with the Reapers or at least put up a lot of resistance. "
"But you don't have a thousand years, we barely have two years as it is. If not one and a half." answered Shepard
"I know and that pisses me off. Our mutual friend told me some secrets and it's clear that we should have started building our military strength long before even my mother or grandmother was born. Why we didn't I have no idea, instead we left all that to the turians. The problem is we've gotten used to thinking there is always more time and letting maidens doing what they want. And why not? They have possibly a thousand years to live so why not waste a few decades if not a century or two here and there? They can always do something later. A year-and-a-half deadline to prepare for something on the scale of a Reaper invasion is something most asari can't handle or even comprehend. To us a year is just a few months, asking the entire asari republics to ready itself for war in a few years is like asking a human to build a banking system that can rival a volus's in a month. It can't be done.
There is also a reason why the asari leaves most of the fighting to the turians. They can switch from peacetime to combat mentality and back again a lot faster than an asari can. A year for them will be more than enough to be ready the flame of war while we'd barely have a few coals warm. It took me and a friend all we had to even get a few of the asari people to start preparing but they are a drop in the ocean compared to rest who are only now getting off their asses. Sure, if a colony is attacked by pirates, we can muster a defense force easily enough but anything big scale like the galaxy going to war takes us a lot longer."
"So the asari won't be ready when the Reapers get here?" asked Shepard
"Will anyone be ready? Could anyone possibly ever be ready for something like this?" asked Aethyta her tone showing that the answer was obvious "We'll have something lined up sure. But we won't be as ready as we should be nor could be. Things would be better if the matriarchs currently running things were more willing to step aside for asari who have more experience with war and battle or listen to those who have that experience but their too used to being the ones that others listen to. Thankfully recently there seems to be at least one person they seem to listen to so things have shifted to the better. It has something to do with an old fossil or something that my daughter helped dig up. Hopefully, they can make up the difference.
My daughter's also the reason why I'm here trying to help get things in gear one way or another. I'd much rather be running a bar or something rather than dealing with idiots who think their smart...then again you see a lot of idiots in bars too but at least those you can slap with a singularity. Anyway, that's everything I have to say. Now how can i help you?" asked Aethyta
"There is a justicar by the name of Samara that I'm trying to recruit. From what I heard she's at a nearby police station." answered Shepard
"I know about that. Give me second." said Ayehtha before typing a few commands into her console. "Justicar Samara has been on Illium for the better part of a week. Since that time she has made short work of numerous eclipse branches and the mercs there. That's probably why she has been confined at the police station." informed Aethyta
"What does taking out Eclipse have to do with why she's in a police station?" asked Forbes
"Most maidens either spend their time either dancing in bars, joining gangs, becoming a mercenaries or something similar, I know I did. It's like spring break for a human except they do it for a lot longer. Liara is the rare exception to this and right now I'm sure a lot more asari out there wish they or their daughter spent more time learning how to fight as something other than a merc and less time shaking their ass on a stage but too late for that now. The bulk of Eclipse is made up of asari. Most of the people in positions of power on Illium have either been part of Eclipse in their youth or have a daughter or niece that's currently in it." explained Aethyta
"So spoiled kids' actions came back to hurt them and mommy doesn't want that to happen?" remarked Shepard
"Pretty much. Either the justicar killed one too many members of the gang and those who are left are calling in favours to stop her or someone wants revenge for their dead kid or wants to stop their kid from becoming hope probably is that the justicar will get bored waiting in the police station and leave voluntarily. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. If a justicar is hunting a specific criminal, then it's for a good reason. I really doubt she'd leave without getting what she wants." answered Aethyta."If it's a standard murderer than thats different. They'll still try and get them, but they won't go out of their way when there are plenty of other criminals out justicar took out bases of Eclipse to get to her target. That should say just how much she wants her. I don't know what they did, but it must be serious, blowing a lot of people or temple up serious. "
"And how can I help her get that target?" asked Shepard
"Well, unless they're an idiot they would have already left the planet. Not many survive long when a justicar starts hunting them. They're going to use the time that the justicars distracted to get off planet if they haven't already. There's also the matter of Eclipse, because of this person they've lost a lot of people and resources that will take time to recover from. If the justicar doesn't take them out, Eclipse just might as a warning to everyone else not to bring problems to them.
If I were her target I'd head to the Terminous systems, change my name, my face and hide under the biggest rock I can find for the rest of my life. The only way anyone will ever be able to find them is if you can get the name of the ship they left on. That will give you a list of destinations but they could also easily board another ship and go somewhere else."
"So time is of the essence?" asked Shepard
"Yes, now if you help her, the justicar might be willing to help you. Especially if your cause is just or you're trying to save th innocent, which knowing you is exactly what is happening. Having a justicar is both a good thing and a bad. Few are as strong or as powerful as a justicar. They are the height of what an asari could be. Having one on your side is like having two squads of highly trained commandos. However, they will also kill you the second you do something where their Code demands your death. No sympathy, no hesitation, just a bullet to the brain."
"So you're saying I should be careful?" asked Shepard
"I'm saying whatever you need her for, finish it as soon as possible. The longer she's around for, the greater chance she sees something that she'll have to kill you for. I looked you up commander. I wouldn't let my daughter run around with someone without knowing about them. You do what's right even if it breaks a few rules, like how you directly disobeyed the Council to go after Saren. While a justicar might respect you for making those kind of decisions, especially when it saves lives, it doesn't mean they won't kill you afterwards. The end in no way justifies the means for them. No matter how many people you save, if you still broke the Code to do it, they will kill you for it. The best you'd get is either a quick death or time to get away before they start chasing that happens, you'll either have to kill her or turn yourself in and hope that's enough to satisfy her justice boner. Either way, if you're ever in a tough spot, say shooting an bystander or even killing them to stop a bomb going off I'd make sure she's not around to see it or hear about it if possible."
"I don't like situations like that, but what if that really was the only way?" Shepard had been put in more than one situation where there is no good choice, and more than once, she pulled a small miracle out of her ass but not always. "That the only way to save a building of people is to take a shot that may or may not kill one of them. Say shooting through the shoulder to hit the bomber before he pulls the switch."
"Then it can go either way. The Code of the justicars is incredibly complex for anyone who isn't one of them. They might say that the Code absolved you of you of your actions or say that you still broke it, but they will make sure you have nice flowers at your funeral before killing you. It depends on how responsible they see you as."
"...I miss the days when the most dangerous and unpredictable person around was a krogan warlord with unsure loyalties...I better get going, this has taken more time than I'd hoped. " said Shepard, turning to leave
"If you get the ship name send it to me and I'll see if I can chase them down for you. " offered Aethyta
"I'll take you up on that." said Shepard as she left the room
Outside, Callum briefly seemed to stare at Aethyta's secretary. An asari with purple skin before shaking his head and following her out.
"Anything I should know?" asked Shepard quietly when they were fully outside.
"No, just a coincidence...I think." answered Callum equally quiet. "She just looked somewhat familiar but even with help my memory's not perfect."
"Help?" asked Shepard as they climbed down the stairs.
"How did you think I got my friends on our side?" asked Callum, tapping his eyepatch. "I have a modified version of a graybox with some unique 'program's' helping to run it. Needed it to 'show' them what I knew."
"Is that how you keep spotting our hidden friend?" asked Shepard curious
"In part. I'll tell you later, I will say, however, that she'll be pissed if she ever realises how I'm doing it."Returning to the aircar terminal, Shepard calls another van, and soon they are on their way to the police station.
Landing near a wide-open landing platform outside a large building with a sign that her hud automatically translated to 'police station H'ria district'.
Walking through the front door they entered the lavish (for a police station) building. At the front desk was an asari and a turian officer.
"Can we help you?" asked the asari
"Yes, is there an asari justicar here? I'd like to speak with her." asked Shepard
"And what would it be about?" asked the asari.
"I'm hoping I can get her to join my crew." answered Shepard
"And why do you think a justicar would want to join your crew?" asked the asari. Sounding insulted by the very idea of a random person, likely a mercenary by their outfit, asking a justicar to work for them.
"I'm Commander Shepard, first human Spectre. I just spent the last year pretty much dead after my ship was attacked by a Collector vessel. Since then, they have gone on to attack human colonies. Now that I'm back on my feet I'm assembling a team to go after them. Locate their base, stop them from going after anyone else, and rescue any colonists we can at the same time."
"I thought the first human Spectre died a year ago?" asked the turian suspicious
"I got better, but it was a close thing. It was decided that until I could defend myself, it would probably be for the best that people thought I was dead. Didn't want any enemies I made before or after chasing Saren coming after me while I was on a table in pyjamas." said Shepard lying. It would probably be best if they thought she was in a coma or critically injured rather than actually dead. The less said about her connection to Cerberus was probably for the best as well.
"...it is her. I've just confirmed it...goddess this could be just what we need." said the asari looking at her console before pressing a button. "Hey Anaya, I've got some good news, I've got someone here who might be able to solve our problem. "
"Send them in L'eha and I hope you're right."
"Follow me." requested the asari "Do you mind taking over?"
"Go ahead. If she can really help solve this problem then it would be better for everyone. " said the turian
Taking them into the complex itself, the asari directed them towards an open cubical near the back. In it were two asari, one was in an asari in an officer's uniform and the other was an asari in what looked to be ceremonial armour but was likely fully functional. It also showed off what Shepard had to admit was an impressive set of tits. The former looked stressed while the other was serenely meditating.
"You have something?" asked the asari sitting down. Likely the Anaya that the officer from the front desk was talking to before.
"Yes, and it's just what we need." said the asari from the front desk, L'eaha apparently. "This is commander Shepard she's on a mission to rescue those missing colonists we've been hearing about. Or at least stop the people behind them from taking any more. It sounds like she could really use the help of a justicar."
"Sounds like an honourable cause to me. Much more than trying to track down and take out a single target, who knows how many lives you could save?" asked officer Anaya suggestively
"I understand what you are trying to do and while I thank you, my duty will not allow me leave without knowing where my target has gone. The name of the ship would be enough to satisfy the Code. At the very least I need to confirm for certain that she has left the planet." replied the justicar
"You know how this ends if you don't leave." said officer Anaya
"I'm sorry but I cannot disobey my Code any more than I ask you to disobey your orders." answered the justcar
"What if I find the ship name?" asked Shepard "And confirm that your target has indeed left the planet."
"In return for what? Myself joining you, following under your command?" asked the justicar. There was something so...serene in her voice. Like complete inner peace or something.
"While I don't know a lot about jusicars, practically nothing really. I know enough to know that trying to force or coerce you into joining my crew is going to end very badly for all involved. If I help you all I want is for you to listen to anything I have to say afterwards. If you're not interested we part ways then and their, if you are you come onboard my ship. The is also the option of you joining me only when we are mounting the attack itself, whenever that is." answered Shepard
"Very well...if are able to retrieve the information I require I will listen further on what you have to say." promised the justicar
"In there anywhere I should start looking?" asked Shepard. Liara's dad, EDI and Brookes could probably get her the location, especially if they worked together but it would take too long. With the deadline of only a day, time was definitely not on their side.
"Thankfully, I was able to narrow down the locations that should have the information that I need. I believe if you go to this location, you will find what I require." said the justicar, sending over some information over omni-tool.
"...hold on, this isn't far from here?" asked Shepard, surprised. "Heck, it would probably be faster to walk there instead of getting an aircar."
"We do what we can to deal with them, but unfortunately, Eclipse gets more recruits than we do every year. Each time we try to take one base down, they set up shop elsewhere. The best we can do is to make sure that they stick to smuggling and cyber-crimes." said detective Anaya before continuing
"In order to become a full member, most have to perform a kill either in cold blood or in some sort of fight. At least those on Illium do. Usually, it's along the lines of gang warfare or taking out someone who's been causing problems. What makes it worse is that they tend to use their legal businesses such as security and legal shipping to help cover their illegal businesses. Justicar Samara has put more of a dent in them over the last few days than we have in the last year. If we make it to see the end of the week, we're going to do our best to keep that advantage. A justicar coming in and killing most of the previous members should also put a dip in recruitment numbers for a while, which be an extra plus. That's if we make it through the week, though."
"If you know that they kill someone to become a member, why don't you simply arrest them for murder?" asked Forbes "Or just kick them off the planet for all the illegal stuff they do?"
"Almost everything is legal on Illium as long as you have the paperwork and just because you know an Eclipse member likely killed someone doesn't mean you can arrest them without the evidence to prove that. The only good news is that there are rarely any violent incidents between us and them or the general public, not including when they enter a 'security' contract. They know how to toe the line and how to step over it and get away with it. They tend to have more fights with the other gangs or those who don't respect their 'turf' than the general public or security forces." remarked Anaya
"Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have much choice." said Shepard
"No, no I don't think you do unfortunately." answered Anaya
Leaving the police station they headed down corridors, staircases, turning left and right numerous times until they made it to the location that the justicar Samara had given them. If it wasn't for the geth they probably would have gotten turned around at least once, Illium was pretty much a maze but eventually they got there. Infront of them was an elevator that would take them where they needed to go.
"According to what Samara sent, we need to take this elevator up 49 levels. From there, we have to make our way up a few more levels and look for a shipping manifest. Apparently, the Eclipse are using this place to transport both cargo and people. Samara's target was probably one of them."
"And what if they've wiped the records?" asked Forbes, getting an eyerole from Grunt
"Who cares? I just want to shoot something."
"Then things get even more complicated. But even if they wiped everything if we can get a time on when the target left, we can narrow down on the ships they could have left on, so keep an eye out for anything that could be useful." ordered Shepard
Opening the elevator door there was immediately a problem, there was no way that all of them would be able to fit.
"Grunt, Callum wait here and take the next elevator. Forbes and I will head up first." said Shepard
"Hold on I want to go first!" protested Grunt
"The elevator isn't big enough for the four of us. Three of us might be able to fit but I want two teams of two. Don't worry when Forbes and I get to the top we'll wait for you, I don't want to start a fight with half my team 46 floors down."
"You better not." warned Grunt
As Shepard and Forbes climbed into the elevator Callum and a sullen Grunt waited behind. When the elevator returned they too climbed in, halfway up though Siri's voice came over comms.
"Shepard and Forbes have been engaged buy enemy forces. They are holding their positions but could use the help."
"She promised they would wait." said Grunt with a grumble, shuffling in the elevator.
"I'm sure she didn't mean to start anything before you got there." soothed Callum
"She better not take all the good enemies." muttered Grunt
"I'm sure there will be plenty to go around. We have three floors to go through, what are the chances that she will be able to take that many enemies out?"
"Her battle prowess is something to be admired. Shepard might have already sort out the fiercest combatants and taken them out, I don't want to be left with her scraps."
"You and me can always go a round or two afterwards?" offered Callum
"Heh, but this time you will be the one on the ground and I will be standing over crying victory!" boasted Grunt
"That's what she said."
"What?" asked Grunt, not getting the joke
Before the joke could be explained the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened to a firefight in progress. Shepard and Forbes were crouched behind a low wall taking shots at approaching mechs. Judging from the railes, open space and the occasional crate it was likely a loading/unloading dock.
"You said you would wait." said Grunt, more sullen than one would expect for a krogan as he opened fire with his own weapon. Unlike Shepard and Forbes he stood fully upright, not caring for the occasional round that pinged off his armour.
"They didn't give us much choice." remarked Shepard "They opened fire almost as soon as we got to this level, either they were waiting for us or Samara's recent actions put them on edge." answered Shepard, using her rifle to take out another mech. If it makes you feel better, we've mostly just taken out mechs with a few ill-equipped Eclipse members thrown in."
"As long as you left some strong enemies for me." replied Grunt with well, a grunt.
As reinforcements arrived in the form of a half-dozen asari, both full members and acolytes, the later lacking the Eclipse logo that was displayed proudly on the full members. Grunt shifted his focus towards them. It didn't take long for them to fall, however. The amount of fire that everyone was putting down range made it impossible for them to use their biotics for anything other than a barrier and even that wasn't enough to put up much of a fight.
When the last enemy fell everyone cautiously moved forward, well except for Grunt that was who had to be ordered back into position by Shepard before he advanced too far ahead of everyone else.
"Hold on, I want to try something." said Callum as they passed some of the fallen asari. Stopping near what looked to be the most senior one he activated his omni-tool. "Siri any chance you can hack into their comms?"
"Working on it... bypassing security, scanning for an used frequencies. We are now able to hear whatever is discussed over their open comms." said Siri
From there they all continued forward. With two sets of power armour, one perfect krogan, a tech expert and Siri and Athena providing reports on their movements and any other relevant conversations it was almost easy to take them out. They nearly knew where the Eclipse mercs were going to, be before they did and every attempt of taking them by surprise was foiled just as soon as it began. That didn't mean things didn't get messy which they did especially when Grunt used his chainsaw on an unfortunate asari, splattering blood all over the place. Shepard made a mental note that if Samara did join them she needed to be careful which missions she took Grunt and Samara on. Lest she lose one of them to the other killing them,
As they climbed the stairs to the next level after passing another loading dock Athena gave an update.
"I believe I have the name of the ship that the justicar's target fled on."
"Hold it!" ordered Shepard raising a fist, gesturing everyone to stop. "Are you sure?"
"I have multiple cases of people complaining that ever since a certain person was left on the AMV Dementor that things have been going downhill as well as other similar complaints." answered Athena "But there is unfortunate news as well, it seems they knew we were coming."
"How?"
"I am unsure, they do not however seem to know who we are. Just that they should expect company."
"Okay good news and bad, the good news is that we might already have what we need. Seems that one ship name in particular has been brought up repeatedly over comm, so we can head back now if we want to."
The glare from Grunt made it very clear that he would not be happy to leave so soon. Her next words however seemed to improve his mood.
"There's also a problem in that it looks like someone tipped these guys off. However according to Athena, they don't seem to know who we are, it could be less about us and more like someone looking out for the Eclipse."
"I think we should keep going, we have a ship name but if can get a list of possible destinations it will also make things easier to find who Samara is hunting. That and I don't see a reason not to push forward. They already have a reason to go after us, and leaving now won't change that. Taking out this base will help out the local police force, might earn some goodwill with Samara and if someone else is after us we won't have to worry about being shot in the back." said Callum
"I'll follow your lead Commander." added Forbes
"Alright then it's decided, we'll keep going. We've kicked the hornet's nest, so we should take it out while we can before everyone starts gets stung. Siri, Athena, keep an ear out for any possible reinforcements. As Callum just brought up I don't want to get shot in the back."
Continuing to climb up the stairs it wasn't long before Athena chimed in again.
"Commander, it seems like a A-61 Mantis Gunship will soon be at our location and the next room will give them ample opportunity to use it against you."
"Any reinforcements ground level?" asked Shepard
"None, it seems that the other Illium Eclipse captains have decided that they have lost enough on this matter as it is and they are unwilling to devote any more resources or personnel. The Captain in charge of this branch has been told in no uncertain terms that unless she can deal with the fallout of thinking it was good idea to help an Ardat-Yakshi. From what I could overhear the Captain in question is quite unhappy with that decision"
Continuing up the stairwell, clearing the occasional room they entered a wide open area. Judging from all the crates and boxes it was a temporary storage site.
"Where is the gunship?" asked Forbes scanning the surroundings
"It is currently nearby. The plan is to wait until you are too far away from any defensble position or ones that allow you to easily flee from." answered Athena
"Well lets not keep them waiting, Forbes you have anything that could do any damage to a gunship?" asked Shepard
"Gunships are highly protected against hacking, else anyone qualified with a omni-tool could make one drop from the sky. The most I could do is try to lower the damage output from the turrent." answered Forbes
"Do you what you can. Grunt, forcus on the gunship as soon as it appears. When they send in groundtroops to take us out while we're occupied you and I will switch to take them out. You go for the groups, I'll go for the single targets. Everyone else will shoot at the Gunship as long as its in range."
"Heh, fine with me." grinned Grunt
"I will attempt to keep you appraised on when the Gunship will start attacking." said Athena
"Do that, alright lets spring this trap." ordered Shepard
Going forward, there was a suspicious lack of Eclipse. If she didn't already know there was going to be an ambush, this would have been a strong hint. The only thing moving was a small tram, transporting small crates through the center of the room. Proceeding cautioulsy up a set of stairs that would carry them over the tram.
"Incoming!" warned Athena over shared comms.
Barely a few seconds after her warning, the Gunship appeared in front of them, launching two rockets simutaniusly while firing its turrents at the same time. It was clearly attempting to deal as much damage as possible before they could react. Unfortunately for the pilot, the gunship didn't come as much as a surprise as they intended it to.
Springing forward, Callum quickly created a large biotic wall to block the incoming rockets. As the rockets detonated on the wall, the shockwave sent him skidding back. Everyone lost a little bit of shields but not nearly as much as it would have been if the rockets had hit closer. As Callum attempted to find better cover, an set a tech armour appearing over his power armour Grunt opened fire. Not all of the bullets hit the ship but more than enough did to start chipping away at the ship's armour. As the ship moved for a better angle Athena let out a warning.
"They are about to storm though the door."
Immediately Grunt leveled his weapon towards the nearest door, keeping the trigger down and leaving massive bullet holes behind. However...not one person came through the door. Instead a small army suddenly appeared at end of the small walkway, and every single person was in their line of a moment a look of surprise spread over Grunts face before two rockets fired hurriedly by the Eclipse forced him to take cover.
Thankfully, rockets were neither fast nor accurate. The fact they were fired hastily also helped. However, the narrowness of the walkway eliminated this advantage somewhat.
Even though he was nowhere near the blast, Forbes lost almost all his shields. Callum and Shepard were at about half shield strength and Callum's tech armour was cracked in places. As for Grunt he had taken a few rounds in his arm and shoulder.
"Forbes help Grunt with his shield!" ordered Shepard, knowing Grunt was unlikely and probably unwilling to find cover.
"On it!" shouted Forbes, quickly suplimenting Grunts sheilding with his own while he maintained his own the Eclipse mercs carrying rockets attempted to launch another salvo they were quickly taken out by Callum and Shepard. Before she ducked back into cover, Shepard threw a grenade to scatter them.
"Shepard I have something you will want to hear." said Athena
"What is it?" asked Shepard, popping a few rounds into a merc that attempted to push forward while making the most of the cover she had. The armour might be impressive, but she wasn't jumping in the deep end unless she had a choice before she got more used to it.
Instead of answering, Athena let a message play.
"Everyone hand signals and face to face communication only! These assholes have infiltrated our comms, I repeat they have access to our comms. The bastards must have been listening in this entire time. Everyone turn off your comms immediately! Break the damn things if you have to!"
"So they realised that we've been listening in? Unfortunate, but it was only a matter of time before they realised something was wrong." stated Shepard
"My apologies, commander, there was a decrease in communication levels beforehand. I should have made the connection."
"No ones perfect Athena, lets just focus on getting out of this bind. We need to either take out the gunship or clear the Elcipse out. Otherwise, one of them will continue to have a clear shot at us, and they'll be able wear us down."
"I might have an idea." said Callum grabbing five grenades and using some omni-gel to quickly fix them together.
"What are you thinking?" asked Shepard
"Well, the eclipse brought at least two rocket launchers. Why not put them to use?" suggested Callum
"What about the Eclipse? We don't have any idea how many there are hiding around that corner." pointed out Forbes
"That's what the genades are for, I'll get close and then toss them around the corner before I go for the rocket launcher. My armour should protect me long enough to fet to them. Do you guys mind giving me cover?" asked Callum "Go for it. Forbes and I will cover you." said Shepard. Not trusting Grunt's aim."Ready... set...GO!" shouted Callum, pulling out his pistol, summoning his strongest barrier and performing a biotic charge forward. Ignoring the rounds hitting his barrier, Callum threw the shield together grenades blindly around the corner.
After a massive explosion with accompanying screams. Callum focused on the few remaining mercs before going for the rocket launcher.
In mere moments, the gunship had gone from having an thr advantage with all of its targets being conveniently grouped together to being on its own. Firing a salvo of rockets, Callum managed to hit the side of the gunship. It didn't cause the gunship to explode, but it did start to smoke profusely. Not wanting to die a firery death, the pilot was quick to withdraw while they still even though it continued to take fire as it fled, it managed to get out of sight more or less intact.
"Hopefully, that will be the last we see of him. I would have liked to take it out, but I doubt its going to be ready for another round any time soon. That said, Athena, Siri, both of you keep an ear out just in case they do decide to make a return." ordered Shepard before continuing
"Now, unless I'm wrong, we just have one more level to go. Everyone do a quick weapon check, and if you need anything, say a few genades. Give a shout-out."
After doing a quick weapon check, pilfering some grenades, the rocket launchers and a surprisingly intact omni-tool that Forbes found they continued. There would also have been a couple of higher grade weapons as well but unfortunately, Callum's bundle of grenades had made them good for little but spare parts.
When they were coming up to what looked to be the last room/level used by the Eclipse, Callum spoke up.
"Mind if I go invisible and take the leed for a bit? Want to make sure there isn't any more surprises coming up."
"...turn invisible, but don't go too far ahead. If you can get in the next room unnoticed and do some recon, then do so. I doubt they left a door or window open for you to sneak through, but its worth a check. If you can't get in, wait and go in after us before creeping around for a good angle. If you do manage to find a way in though, don't start before the rest of us get there. Grunt will get upset if the fighting starts without him again." said Shepard after giving it some thought
The look Grunt gave everyone said, yes, yes he would most certainly be upset.
A few moments later, Callum vanished almost completely from sight. Almost, unlike Kasumi, he wasn't completely invisible now that she knew where to look. Shepard could just make out a vage profile, but it wasn't obvious. Unless Callum was hit by something, they likely wouldn't even know he was there.
Which is why Shepard had him coming in behind if he couldn't get in before everyone else. That and everyone would probably be more focused on the big threating krogan with the even bigger and more threatening assault rifle that had bits of flesh dangling from its chainsaw blade. Idly Shepard gave herself a reminder to have Grunt give that a thorough wash later before he put it away.
"Shepard, I'm at a closed door now. From what Siri can pick up via audio, there's more than a few Eclipse on the other side. Likely everything they have left. No obvious way in, other than the door, but I'm sure if I look long enough I can find or make one if necessary." came Callum's voice over comms.
"That would take too long. The sooner we get this over with the better and I don't want them to give more time to plan." replied Shepard
As they approached the door, Shepard could barely make out the form of Callum as they got close.
"Everyone ready?" asked Shepard, and after giving everyone a moment, she opened the door.
Instead of a hail of gunfire she was half expecting, there was a single asari dressed in high-grade armour. A tablet in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.
As Shepard gave the rest of the room a quick glance Athena highlighted some hostiles hiding behind cover. Then, as the asari who seemed to be in charge started speaking a few more popped up, that should have been out of her sight. Likely Athena was talking to Siri and each were sharing data and location of any hostiles. It also meant that Callum was already sneaking around. Desciding to give him a bit more time, Shepard focused on what the asari was saying.
"First the that Justicar bitch and now you. I swear ever since I started to deal with that filthy creature and agreed to help her get off world things have been going from bad to worse." the asari's voice and posture might have seemed calm on the surface but Shepard could tell there was an ocean of rage barely underneath it.
"I'm sorry to hear that." said Shepard neutraly
"Some of the other Captains are even saying I can't do my job anymore. That I should resign or be forced to retire for causing so much problems for the Illium branch. But don't worry, I got a plan. It ends with me making an example of that thing, I agreed to help her get off planet. I did not sign Eclipse up for the shit show that came after especially when it involves a justicar. But that's for later, now I have one, two...three bugs in front of me that need squishing. I thought there were four of you but it seems that the others finally managed to do their job...now how about you go AND FUCKING DIE!" shouted the captain, breaking the cup with one hand while unleashing a massive biotic attack with the other that had everyone scattering for cover.
As they dove for cover, just under a dozen Elcipse came out of the wood works. Thankfully due to Athena and Siri, Shepard already knew where most of them were so the surprise attack was somewhat less than effective. She was quickly able to take one of them out before dropping the shield of another.
Grunt had gone with the spray and pray option, laying down fire in every direction he saw a target. While she doubted most of them hit, she knew only a few rounds were needed to ruin someone's day.
Forbes was incover using drones. Out of everyone here he had the lowest quality armour. His shields probably were down or close to it and he needed to give them time to recharge.
Callum was still invisible but judging how one of the highlighted targets to her left suddenly vanished, he was taking them out this was happening, the Elcipse captain focused her biotics into a powerful barrier and was firing a shotgun big enough to make Wrex jealous. Thankfully, everyone was outside its effective rage. Despite that, it was still tearing apart the cover around everyone with each round.
And that's when Shepard noticed something odd. Despite the Eclipse captain weilding a close range weapon and despite her being protected by a powerful biotic barrier, she made no effort to get closer. Quite the opposite, in fact. The other Elcipse were either keeping their distance as well or attmpting to circle around. Those attempts however ended in bloodly failure as Grunt focused fire on them, his rounds literally shredding them.
Desciding to test the barrier, Shepard fired at her and immediately became the focus of the Elcipse either side of the captain. Instead of retaliating herself however, the captain merely refreshed her barrier before resuming firing.
"Grunt, no charging." ordered Shepard taking cover after taking one of the Eclipse sisters near the captain out.
Unlike the captain, their armour, biotics, and weapons were of a far lesser quality. Which begged the question...what was the captain doing?
Attempting to circle them was a good strategy, but Grunt was tearing them apart before they could get into and good position. Also, while they might not know it yet, Callum was doing his own damage to their left flank. Sooner rather than later, the captain would be left with only a handful of troops, including herself.
If it was her in the captain's position she would have gotten everyone asside from a few to focus entirely on either herself or Grunt while she delt with the other while the few played interference and backup to whoever needed it the at the time.
Instead, the captain seemed happy to sit back and let her troops get aniallated all the time using a weapon that wasn't suited at a distance. Either the captain was incompetent or there was something she wasn't seeing. So she was going to do her best to make sure her shields stayed as close to full strength as she could.
"What why?" bellowed out Grunt annoyed
"See the Eclipse leader?" asked Shepard
"Yes?" asked Grunt gruffly
"If a krogan warlord had a shotgun and biotics, why wouldn't he charge?" asked Shepard, wanting him to think about it.
"Either he is weak...or he wants you to get closer to him.""Exactly, keep your eyes open everyone." advised Shepard
After a few more minutes of fighting and more than a few more dead Elcipse members, the captain made her move.
In an impressive display of biotic power, the captain lifted a large crate behind her while maintaining her barrier. A crate that perfectly hid a second half of the room. It was also hiding a row of turrents and rocket wielding Elcipse."Fuck!" swore Shepard Grunt had already opened fire but it wasn't going be to be enough. As devastating as his weapon was, it wasn't going to be able to take down the Eclipse captain's barrier and kinetic barriers before she could throw the crate. Thinks were about to go 180 very quickly.
Giving a savage grin, the Elcipse captain started to bring her arm down only for an arrow to come out of nowhere and hit her in the chest.
Stumbling back a half step, the captain looked down at the arrow in shock. Loosing concentration, her biotics dissipated, and the very crate she had just lifted came crashing down on her. Behind the crate came the sound of an explosion. It seems that one of the people carrying a rocket was a bit too quick on the trigger.
"Brutal...nice." chuckled Grunt "My first battle and already you have given me worthy foes."
" You can compare notes later. Let's find what we're looking for and get out of here before we run into another surprise, such as explosives in the floor on a can eruching through the wall." said Shepard
After doing a quick search, all they could find was a tablet with a short message confirming that Samara's target fled on the Dementor. Everything else was already wiped, though Athena and Siri were able to get bits and pieces that they might be able to put together later.
"One thing I don't understand." started Forbes " Everything was wiped as clean as possible asside from the captain's personal tablet which was also empty asside from that note."
"Wiping everything was part of her job. Us picking up any intel has only going to make things worse for her and ruin her reputation even further. Her leaving a note was her way to make sure that the person who caused her problems was taken out even if she wasn't the one to do it." answered Shepard
Leaving the way they came, they made sure to take anything of value on the way out. The weapons weren't anything of note, either the budget option or the middle of the road at best. If they could have carried half a dozen or so, they could have made a few credits or bolstered the Normandy's armoury. As it was, they left with a couple of rocket launchers, a couple of semi - decent guns and a few thousand in credits.
Soon, they made it to the elevator.
" Okay I'll head down first with...Grunt." remarked Shepard as Grunt entered the elevator before she could finish. "Callum, Forbes, follow down after us."
A short time later Shepard was stepping out of the elevator. Her feet had barely touched the floor when there was a blur of motion on the side of her vision that had her leaping out of the way.
In the very spot she had just left ., was a large hammer with two large curved spikes coming out of the back. If it wasn't for the increased speed the armour gave her she wouldn't have been able to get out of the way.
She wasn't however able to get out of the follow up shoulder charge which sent her flying back. As the krogan that Shepard recognised as the mad varren pulled his hammer back for another swing, Grunt charged forward. Grabbing the hammer by it's handle brant managed to push the other krogan away from Shepard.
Getting to her feet, Shepard tried to get a bead on the hostile krogan. Unfortunately, Grunt was
in the way.
"Grunt I can't get a shot!" shouted Shepard
Grinning, the mad varren twisted the hammer around and drove the spikes into Grunts arm. Giving a bellow of rage and pain Grunt did all he could to stop his arm from being torn open or the spikes going in deeper.
"Reinforcements are incoming." advised Athena
"Wha-" started Shepard only to be interrupted
"Commander Callum just jumped out of the window!" shouted out Forbes over comms
"What do you mean he jumped out the window?" asked Shepard
As if in answer, Callum came falling from the sky. Before he hit the ground though, he was enveloped in a biotic field and two jets came shooting out of his back, slowing his descent. When his feet touched the ground to her far left he opened fire in single shots. Being careful not to hit Grunt each advantage of the distraction, Grunt reared back and unleashed the strongest headbutt he could before pushing the other krogan as far away as possible. Now that she had an open line of fire, Shepard added her own rounds into the fight. However, seeing the mad varren stumble backwards towards a window, she got an idea on how to end the fight quickly.
Summoning her biotics, she unleashed the strongest throw she could. Whether it was because his shields had already taken a beating, it being weak against biotics, the suit overcharging the her abilities or a combination of all three. Either way the mad varren went flying backwards, hitting the glass window/wall shattering it but not quite breaking it. A second follow-up throw fixed that, though and soon the mad varren was falling through open air.
For a moment she thought it was over but soon after the feral krogan fell out of sight, there was a loud crash. Moving quickly Shepard headed to where the krogan fell, soo. joined by Callum.
"Fuck." swore Shepard, there below them, only a level or two down...was a sky car with a crumbled front with the krogan nowhere in sight. Evidently, while the mad krogan fell, he didn't fall far.
"You want to follow him?" asked Callum
"No, Grunts injured, Forbes is an elevator ride away, and he knew just when and where to hit us. He waited where we wouldn't see him coming, and I'd hate to see if he has anything else planned if we follow after him now. Also, from what I know of his reputation, chasing him down on a place like Illium is only going to end with a lot of dead bystanders unless we corner him quickly. We can take him down some other time when no one else will get hurt, and he's not taking us by surprise." answered Shepard
"Agreed, as much as I dislike it. Letting him go now is probably the best choice we have. I know of at least one person who used to work for the Shadow Broker that was okay with blowing up a building full of people to cover their tracks. I'd hate to see what that krogan would do in order to get away or take us out."
"Then we're agreed, as soon as Forbes gets down here we'll head back to the police station. Try to recruit Samara and worn them about The Mad Varren being on Illium, it seems like something they'd want to know about. Ill also talk with Aethyta about her colabriating with EDI and Brooks. That's the second time since I woke up that I've encountered him, and we've only been on Illium a few hours. I want to know everything about him before it becomes a third." replied Shepard