Remnants

by General Rage

From Halo's ashes, a mismatched Alliance is born. UNSC soldiers now serve alongside both Batarian deserters and shifty Jackal Space Pirates. Now Shepard and Master Chief have to keep these strange bedfellows from killing one another before they can stop an emergent new threat to the galaxy. The Next Swashbuckling Chapter of the Wormhole Chronicles.

5. Den of Jackals

Chapter Four: Den of Jackals

Merchant and pirate were for a long period one and the same person. Even today mercantile morality is really nothing but a refinement of piratical morality.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

The following morning was a hard one for many a kig-yar who had stayed up too late and drunk too much. Not that any of them seemed to regret it, but they were still sluggish in getting to their duties. They had enjoyed themselves and found something new to give them pleasure. The human vids were a hit by all accounts, as were a number of the songs they had heard, both during the films and between them. Several of the Fallen Serpent's crew could still be heard singing "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate's Life for Me" or "Spanish Ladies" from the Pirates of the Caribbean and Jaws films respectively. The only cloud that dampened last night's festivities was the simple fact they had nearly run their stores dry. What little remained of their Ichor was almost all gone.

Thankfully, there was no panic over this. After all, today they knew they'd be arriving at the Hollow. There they would restock their stores and make repairs. They'd have their precious Chorka Bile soon enough, all they had to do was be patient.

Zek had woken up with the usual hangover, a bowl of what was left of the popcorn, as the humans called it, over his head. There were a few of his crew still in the rec-room with him, all sleeping like chicks in their nest. After stretching for a bit he got up and silently looked around for Retz, he found him in his quarters looking almost as out of it as him. His eyes were sagging and he seemed to slump about the room groaning.

"Retz, are you hungover too?" Zek asked in surprise.

"Of course not," he denied. "I don't drink Ichor, remember? I didn't start last night."

"So why do you look like you're half dead?" Zek asked suspiciously.

Retz staggered over to a small keg against the wall, filled with water, and poured himself a small glass.

"I don't know, I'm just so low on energy for some reason," he tried to explain. "Maybe it was something we took from the Normandy. Could've been the apples, or the popcorn, those fizzy drinks with the fruity flavors, I ate a bunch of those strange brown bars. They all tasted great going down, now I got this weird aftertaste in my mouth and my legs feel like they want to take the day off."

"Well we're going to have to solve that mystery later," Zek informed him. "We got a busy day today. We'll get some real food in ya and make preparations. How's our ETA?"

Retz quickly sipped his water and took a look at a nearby terminal. Tapping in a few commands he started to nod.

"We still have six or so hours before we reach the Hollow's system," he reported. "Plenty of time to go over things. I suggest we meet with Shepard as soon as possible. Hopefully he's gotten over his disagreement with us from last night."

"He will after today when we get him what he wants," Zek assured. "Simple economics. Besides, it was all worth it in the end. That Jaws vid was just what the crew needed, it was just like the old stories from home. Sea monsters, high seas drama, everything you could want in a good story."

"Yes, I enjoyed it too," Retz agreed. "The shark creature would've been scarier if it had a second mouth though. And it was shame what happened to Captain Quint."

Zek nodded sadly at the reminder. He almost wished he had a hat to take off in solemn respect.

"Poor Quint, a true sailor that human," the pirate leader proclaimed. "An honest working man who faced his greatest fears in the pursuit of fortune. So much like our forefathers. At least he managed to pass his adventurous spirit onto Brody and Hooper before his death."

"Yes, and Brody ultimately avenged Quint, overcoming his own fear of the sea," Retz added. "It's just a shame a good man died in the process. Still a riveting story, fairly atypical of some of the more famous monster legends."

Retz downed the rest of his water and slammed the cup upside down on his desk.

"I've been thinking," Zek said scratching his neck. "We could make a business opportunity out of these vids. Human media is a rare bit of contraband in Covenant space. There's probably a few people out there who would be interested in this stuff and we got a whole file full of it no one else has. Hell a few of them are even from another universe entirely, making them ultra rare. We'd sell the vids low of course, but if we got the demand high enough we'd easily start turning a sizable profit. All we'd have to do is figure out a distribution angle."

"Something to look into," Retz agreed. "But right now, lets worry about getting the Serpent back up to working order. That is going to require some doing, even with our bartering chip."

"I got it under control," Zek assured confidently. "Just cause you got all the contacts and sources doesn't mean I'm no slouch in the negotiation department. He's going to want to meet with me anyway, it will go smoother that way."

"Fine, I'm just advising caution," Retz said grimly. "He didn't get all those nicknames playing nice. We've also been out of the game for years, we don't know how much things have changed."

Zek just smiled his usual cocky smile.

"So long as kig-yar desire credits, ichor and guns, nothing has really changed," Zek stated firmly. "Now come on, the Normandy awaits. We have a shopping trip to look over."

Retz just "hmmed" in agreement and started following Zek out the door. He grabbed a datapad on his way, the one that contained their long list of thing to acquire while on the Hollow. It would be an expensive and long day, they didn't want to risk forgetting something.

"Now that I think of it," Retz said, his mind wandering for a moment. "I think Ms. Lawson will actually have more lingering concerns than Shepard. She doesn't seem to appreciate disorder and disruption in any capacity."

"So much like all females then," Zek observed with a hearty laugh. "Another thing we share with the humans, their women are as imposing as our own."

"Not nearly as good-looking though," Retz heartily added.

The two pirates laughed at that. A brief second later, they began to sing as they walked down the corridor.

"Farewell and adieu to you, fair Eayn ladies,/Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Eayn./For we've received orders to sail for the Hollow/And so nevermore shall we see you again!"

Zek's disappointment with yesterday had evaporated by now. Today was a new beginning. The Serpent would be back to normal, they'd be restocked with all the supplies they could need and, most importantly, they'd establish their return to the pirating underworld. After today the real work could begin and with any luck it would be the first real step forward for them in working something out with the humans. The climb back up the ladder began today.

---

Miranda was standing at the airlock when it opened, revealing unwelcome appearance of Zek, Retz and three others of his Jackal ilk. Zek was wearing his usual slick salesman smile, while Retz held a platter of some sort with what appeared to be sandwiches of some kind. She didn't know what they were but her nose told it was something disgusting.

"Ms. Lawson," Zek said grinning. "How good it is to see you again. Did you sleep well?"

"I spent my entire night changing access codes and redoubling automated security checks for my personal files and classified data," she answered, her displeasure clearly audible. "I did not sleep."

"How unfortunate," Zek replied, only somewhat embarrassed for asking the question.

At least he didn't ask why, he was smart enough to know the answer. He then ushered Retz closer, bringing the stink of the sandwiches closer. Miranda had to resist the urge to grab her nose, not wanting to show any sense of weakness in front of these deviants.

"Given the events of yesterday and considerable strain they placed on you, I felt a peace offering was in order," Zek declared. "Now I know I said I would replace your food during our trip to the Hollow, and I intend to, but as a gesture of good faith, we figured we'd use some of our own food stores to make you a nice treat."

"Toasted Eskoza Sandwiches," Retz declared happily. "Just like they make in the Northwestern end of the continent."

Miranda looked down at the platter and could see the near burnt sandwiches, dripping some kind of green goo off the side. Part of her want to throw up just look at it. The other part wanted to smash the platter in Retz' face for payback. Her better nature took over and she simply took the platter from the Jackal's hands.

"How considerate of you," she replied in monotone. "I am sure the crew will love them."

She looked around and saw crewmember Hawthorne walking by the airlock on his morning rounds. Without hesitation she called the man over and shoved the platter of disgusting space pirate food into his arms.

"Take that down to Mess Sergeant Gardner, would you?" She asked, mocking politeness. "As fast as possible, if you please."

Hawthorne looked like he was about to throw up himself, but Miranda shot him a glare. He didn't offer any other form of protest and quickly rushed off. She turned back to the pirate envoy, hoping to get through this as fast as possible from here on out.

"Commander Shepard is still placing a team together to accompany you when we arrive at the Hollow," Miranda informed them. "We are also waiting for Varvok's entourage. We can wait for them in the briefing room, if you'll just follow me."

Miranda led them down the bridge corridor towards the back of the Command Deck. The three other Jackals marveled at the ship as they walked past the various terminals lining the corridor. The crewmembers manning the stations did their best not to stare, but it was hard not to. One of the Jackals tried to peer over one crewmember's shoulder, he quickly blocked his screen and glared at him. The Jackal hissed at the terminal jockey, but Zek brought him back into line.

"Now, now, there," he warned his fellow pirate. "We are guests aboard this vessel, we must respect their protocols. No sense in riling up our friends, is there?"

"No boss," the Jackal sighed. "Sorry, boss."

Miranda quickened her pace, the sooner they were sequestered in the briefing room the better. She took them through the left access way. She didn't want to risk them snatching something from the armory. She didn't want to think what would happen if they got their hands on a Cain.

Yes they'd briefly be in Mordin's lab, but the salarian had locked away anything potentially dangerous. He probably wouldn't mind, he was too busy setting up a hydroponics lab aboard the Crusty Chorka. No one, save the Jackals probably, wanted to eat alien food for however long it took to get home. Given what the sandwiches from earlier looked like, that was probably for the best. She'd rather starve than be stuck relying on these pirates to feed her.

Once they were inside the briefing room, she pointed them to one side of the table and took her place at the other end.

"Fancy briefing room," Zek observed. "And so clean, much better than back on our ship. I imagine this is your doing, Ms. Lawson."

"As Executive Officer I am tasked with maintaining ship sanitation among other duties," she conceded. "So yes, it is partially my doing."

"No doubt," Zek grinned. "See, this is what the Covenant never understood. Females are a necessary factor for any well-maintained crew. They're so much better at organization and such."

"I suspected that the same would be true of human females myself, sir," Retz agreed.

Miranda rolled her eyes, flattery from space pirates. Unsubtle and incredibly transparent flattery, no less, all in an attempt to get back in her good graces. She just hoped that, unlike previous men who had tried to use similar lines in the past, they had no other designs beyond getting in the good graces of Commander Shepard's second officer. She decided to keep the pirates on task.

"Perhaps you could explain again exactly what you're searching for in this place we're going to?" She asked them, her disgruntled tone still readily apparent. "Besides your new and improved Slipspace drive, what else are you looking for?"

"Food, Ichor, a functioning intercom system," Retz listed off efficiently. "Parts for potential upgrades to our plasma cannons and cloak. Shields and armor could always use some strengthening. That's just to name a few things."

"We might be a small ship, but it's a lot of work to keep it running," Zek added pleasantly. "I'm sure you know full well what that's like yourself."

"I do," Miranda replied, her tone slightly harsher than before. "The Normandy is not your average frigate and requires more than your average crew. Keeping it running as smoothly as it does is a challenge. That is especially so when others compromise the day to the day operations of this ship with behavior I find... questionable."

Zek's grin finally dropped, put off by her emphasis on the word "questionable" it seemed. He coughed slightly, trying his best to cover up the tension. Miranda didn't show it, but she took no small sense of pride in wiping that dumb grin off the pirate's face. If he really wanted to get on her good side, on Shepard's good side, he'd have to do better than this.

The Commander himself thankfully appeared mere seconds later, Garrus and Legion in tow. Now they could get down to business, at least Miranda hoped they would. Those hopes were dashed when she saw Retz nudging Zek with a curious look on his face. Miranda could easily overhear the short exchange that followed.

"What's with the hole?" Retz asked in a hushed whisper.

"It's a personal thing," Zek answered in a similar whisper. "Don't ask me how robots think when I barely get humans."

Zek quickly cleared his throat and looked to Shepard.

"Commander, thank you for letting us come aboard," he greeted. "I trust this is the team who will be accompanying us today?"

"Two of them," Shepard replied plainly. "Grunt is still sleeping, he had a long night from what I understand. Lots of vids and way more alcohol this time."

"He drunk a whole keg of ichor from the tap," Retz explained shrugging. "He really wanted to get drunk this time. You try saying no to a giant lizard with a fist the size of your head."

"Yes, I imagine so," Shepard said, only slightly grinning from what Miranda could see. "How was Jaws by the way? He said that was the last one you watched before you started just blasting music."

"An excellent work of fiction," Zek declared happily. "Your sea monsters are certainly something to behold, not nearly as terrifying as ours, but almost as vicious. A Razorfin probably would've eaten the Orca much faster though."

Shepard nodded slightly.

"I didn't realize that was a competition, having scary sea creatures I mean," he noted. "I take it Razorfins are a lot like our sharks."

"They're a lot bigger and have a second mouth," Retz clarified. "But more or less yes."

Miranda didn't want to think about what an alien version of Jaws would look like, especially with that description. Shepard graciously eased the conversation on to less nightmare inducing topics.

"We would like to know more about this Hollow place before we proceed further," he explained. "What exactly are we dealing with here? How dangerous is it?"

"No more than your regular port of call out here in the void," Zek assured confidently. "I'm sure you have your fair share of outlaw stations where you're from, Commander. Criminals need places to hide more than most after all."

"We get the picture, it's a pirate hideout" Garrus grumbled. "What we really want to know is what to expect when we're there."

Zek for once gave his answer some thought.

"Well I've already told you about not sending humans with us," he finally responded. "The issue isn't that they hate them down there, it's just it stirs things up. Gets people suspicious and, from what I hear, usually ends badly because of it."

"So have humans come to this station before?" Shepard asked.

"We've never seen them, but a few years back there was supposedly a small group of them," Retz replied succinctly. "It did not go well for them I'm afraid. No one is really sure what happened to them exactly, but, as I recall, they never found every piece of them."

Legion's plates contorted slightly in a curious gesture.

"To our knowledge, no UNSC vessel has ever traveled to this area of space," the geth stated. "It is unlikely these humans belonged to any official military branch."

"Probably Insurrectionists then," Shepard surmised. "There are some still around from what Holland has told us before. I guess they wouldn't be above making deals with criminals to further their cause, regardless of species."

"They would have all the fancy plasma guns," Miranda fielded.

"Point is, if they spot humans, things will probably get ugly," Zek reiterated. "So it's best we don't have any of you tag along."

"And what about me, Legion and Grunt?" Garrus asked suspiciously. "We're not going to get the same attention?"

Zek gave both the turian and geth a quick dress down.

"Well you look like a sangheili screwed a yanme'e," he told Garrus bluntly. "But other than that, you're not human and neither is your scary big reptile friend sleeping below. Unless you're currently wanted for extinction by the Covenant, no one is really going to care. I'd keep your helmets on just to be safe though. You never know who might be watching. As for the machine..."

Legion stared at Zek for a moment and the pirate began to scratch his chin in response.

"He's a freaky looking synth, that you can't hide," he admitted. "Not many folks out here trust AIs, lot of superstitions. They think they're always plotting, at a million miles a minute, not something most kig-yar are okay with, something that might be more cunning than us."

"We do not plot," Legion noted plainly. "We analyze and base conclusions on relevant observations to reach a consensus. Our processing speed is also much faster at several millions more times within the course of a few seconds. Such superstitions are unwarranted."

"Yeah, that's why they're called superstitions," Retz explained aloud hesitantly. "Also, that is not helping resolve them."

"Still, worst danger for him is someone trying to buy or steal him for parts," Zek informed the room rather plainly. "To be honest, that kinda is a danger we all face. Never go near any shops in one of the closed off sections, different species organs can go for a lot depending on rarity."

There was a long awkward silence after that. Zek could only grin sheepishly. Miranda, not wanting to endure this inanity much longer, broke the quiet at last.

"I fear to ask," she began. "But what kind of organs would someone try to steal, exactly?"

"Well, I don't know how much a turian's kidneys would be worth," Zek postulated. "But considering he's the only one around..."

"Okay, buddy system it is," Garrus declared suddenly. "We don't need to start putting prices on my organs right now."

"Could be useful to know in the future though," Retz suggested. "You only need one kidney anyway. At least I assume you do."

Garrus just grimaced at the Jackal in response.

"I just meant you might need some spare credits," Retz tried to clarify. "We've never actually harvested organs, we just know people who do."

"That is hardly reassuring," Garrus informed him.

"Well if someone here needs a new liver or lung it will be," Zek spoke up defensively. "You gotta think ahead on these things. You never know what might hit you, literally."

Miranda sighed heavily, placing her face into her hands. She felt her brain shutting down just listening to this conversation. She never in her life felt happier to see a batarian, as Varvok and two of his men walked through the door next. Sure, she didn't like him much better than the Jackals, but at least Varvok took things seriously. Zek seemed to be in his own world half the time.

"Four-eyes," the pirate leader greeted. "Good of you to join us. We were discussing the black market rates of alien organs. Always a good ice-breaker."

Miranda was not sure if he was serious or not, but other things were on her mind. Both Shepard and Varvok were giving each other glares. Considering how their last face to face meeting ended, she hoped she wouldn't have to step in and keep them from killing each other. Thankfully the two of them backed down, tabling whatever grievances they had for the moment.

"Apologies for running late," Varvok explained. "I needed time to go over my own supply list for today. Picking soldiers to join me was also problematic."

"Any particular reason why?" Shepard asked sternly.

"If you must know, they're wary of us working with your squad," Varvok explained in a low growl. "I had to alleviate concerns. Not to mention screen candidates to insure there would be no problems, personal or otherwise, within my team."

"Well, I'm glad you've taken the general safety of everyone into account for this supply run," Shepard told the batarian, his face still cross. "I appreciate that."

"I would hope so," Varvok answered back, a slight sense of vitriol in his voice.

Shepard turned back to Zek, the brief confrontation over for the moment.

"Now, let's get back to what we were really talking about," he said. "The Hollow, what sorts of things are sold there?"

"What isn't?" Zek hypothetically asked in return. "Like I've told you before, they got food, weapons, armor, equipment, upgrades for ships, hell you could probably buy a shuttle or two if you looked for it."

"I'm assuming most of this stuff is stolen," Garrus spoke up accusingly.

"Not from anyone you know," Zek casually stated. "A lot of it is Covenant tech, who I doubt any of you care about pissing off. And any human stuff you're ultimately reclaiming for Holland and his boys. Win-Win on that front."

Miranda didn't think Holland would object to re-acquiring stolen human property, especially if it helped them on their way home. As she recalled though, it wasn't as simple as Zek was trying to claim.

"How much is this going to cost us, exactly?" She asked bluntly. "You've said human weapons go for a lot on your black market before."

"It runs a bit high, yeah," Zek admitted. "But Retz has done the math. We can probably barter to get a whole mess of human weapons and ammo for just one Wraith tank. We got plenty of those in the Carrier."

"So we'd be giving a bunch of pirates a tank," Shepard noted. "Is that a good idea?"

"Kig-yar rarely use those kind of vehicles," Retz assured. "Mostly they strip the things for parts. Our kind prefers fast, lightning strike vehicles or ships. Tanks are just too bulky, slow us down mostly. Chances are by the time we're loaded up and about to leave, the whole thing will be disassembled. The plasma cores in those things are really useful for portable energy sources."

Legion lurched it's head up suddenly.

"We calculate the risk to be minimal, regardless of accuracy of Pirate-Retz's statement," it surmised. "One or two Wraiths when traded in kind for an assortment of human weapons is more advantageous to us long term. Chances of risk decrease further if heavy weapons are acquired during exchange."

"Creepy robot is right, it's a fair trade," Zek added. "Plus the Covenant stay out of this space anyway and they don't do business with the Hollow. It's not going to wind up back with them, not for awhile anyway."

"That may be so, but it does stress a point I want to make," Shepard firmly declared. "I want to keep informed about every transaction. I want to know what we're trading and what for. Especially with the food, it goes without saying my crew wants things they can eat."

"We'll find something, I promise," Zek replied calmly. "There's a lot of vendors there with food from all over the galaxy. Fresh fruit, meats, the works. I'm sure there's a ton of stuff down there you can eat."

"Why don't the Covenant come out here?" Miranda suddenly asked.

Zek and Retz turned to her, looking a bit wary as they did.

"What gives them pause?" She asked again, more direct this time. "They're the most powerful military force out here. Why would they refrain from entering it?"

"You don't want to get on the bad side of pirates and there's a lot here," Retz explained. "It would be more trouble than it's worth, especially with their little war against the humans. Their attention is on wiping your species out, leaving a number of pirate gangs to their work unmolested. The Hollow is way outside their controlled space, no man's land if you will."

"How many pirate gangs are we talking about?" Garrus asked curiously. "We best know what we're walking into here, in case a fight breaks out."

"There's not nearly as many as you might think," Zek replied solemnly. "The Covenant hit a lot of the bigger fleets hard in the past. There are mostly smaller gangs now, two or three ships a piece. They're mostly small time, just barely holding on. There are still bigger players out there in the underworld that can give the Covenant pause, but only if they limit their forays into Covenant space. They prefer to keep a low profile these days, as minimal heat as possible. You attract too much attention and that causes problems."

Legion looked to Zek directly now, it's plates loosened slightly across it's metallic brow.

"Is this how you found yourself entrapped in the Covenant's employ?" The Geth questioned.

"More or less," Zek shrugged lightly. "It was pretty dumb to operate like I did with only one ship to my name. But I was younger then, prone to more mistakes."

Miranda let the pirate's words sink in. Suddenly Zek's need to grab a Carrier made more sense. Building up a fleet was as much about security for himself as it was returning to glory. He didn't want to be a victim again and she supposed she understood that in a sense. Didn't make her like him though.

She turned to Shepard and saw the look on his face, similar to her own. He had probably picked up on the same thing she had. As much as they disagreed from time to time, Shepard was no idiot. He could read people, he knew them, it was why he was the leader. She suspected he'd try to use this to his advantage, to bring Zek further into the fold. She didn't know if it would work, but it was still something to think about.

Her thought were on another subject though.

"Are there any big players on the Hollow currently?" She asked the two Jackals.

Retz looked about hesitantly before answering.

"One, but he's not a danger," he finally answered, scratching his feathers as he did. "Well, he is dangerous, but he shouldn't be a problem. We just need to get the slipspace drive from him, one item, real fast, in and out. We have that covered."

"Who is he?" Garrus insistently asked.

"His name would mean nothing to you," Retz begrudgingly replied. "Just know, he's a big bird on the Hollow. We will handle him. He's not your concern."

"Considering you need him for the most important piece of your repairs I think we deserve to know a bit more about him," Miranda stated. "The tech we've given you is minor, but it's still ours. I'd like to know where it's-"

Suddenly, Miranda stopped. Her eyes darted to each Jackal in the room. She counted their ugly little heads silently in her mind. It was then she realized that there were only four of them.

"Where's the third?" She asked.

Zek and Retz looked around them, the former eventually speaking up.

"What do you-?"

"The third crewmember you brought," Miranda shouted, cutting Zek off. "Where is he?"

As if to answer her question, Mess Sergeant Gardner's voice came over the intercom.

"Shepard! You better get down here! One of those friggin thieving feather dusters is here and he got into my pantry again!"

Shepard slapped his hand into his palm, groaning as he did. Varvok, however, just grinned widely, chuckling a bit as he did.

"Just hold him," Shepard ordered Gardner. "I'll be down in a second."

"I don't have to hold him," Gardner replied angrily. "The little bastard is propped up against the counter shaking like a box of springs and jibbering to himself. I think he got into something he shouldn't have. Chakwas is taking a look at him now, but seriously, just get down here!"

Shepard looked even more annoyed and he joined everyone's collective glare towards Zek. The pirate was currently trying, and failing, to put on an innocent face.

"Heh, what can I say," he said, rubbing his palms together frantically. "My men are slippery crooks. You gotta admire them for their craft though. Even I didn't know he was gone."

Shepard glowered and began to head out of the room, Garrus and Legion close behind. Miranda followed closely behind, her hopes of this being over quickly dashed.

---

The Jackal was laying against the counter, his eyes twitching and his limbs shaking about wildly. Chakwas was struggling to keep his head pointed forward as he seemed to be hyper aware of his surroundings. A small crowd had gathered around, looking at the jabbering space pirate like he was some kind of sideshow.

"Honestly, how did you even get in the damn pantry?" Gardner asked angrily. "I changed the locks and everything!"

"He'd be a poor thief if he couldn't figure a way around that," Kasumi said, currently propping herself on the counter's corner.

Shepard eventually arrived, pushing past the crowd, his frustration clear as day on his face. Miranda managed to make it through the crowd herself, she eyed the jittery pirate and Chakwas attempts to diagnosis him.

"What in the hell happened?" He demanded to know.

Jack stepped up out of the crowd, as did Thane who was close by.

"Uh, I kinda know," she began. "Gardner was grumbling about those disgusting sandwiches or something, trying to pawn them off on anyone he could find. Me and Thane were just shooting the shit, having a drink, and then bird brain here starts screeching like a mad man."

"Yes, it was most alarming," Thane added. "He ran around for awhile, bounced off a few walls, bowled over Goldstein when she tried to catch him and then slammed into the counter. He's been like that ever since."

Shepard looked back to the Jackal, who continued to jabber nonsensically.

"Has anyone tried to ask him what he ate?" He questioned.

"He's not much for talking," Chakwas explained, trying to look inside the Jackal's mouth. "Not unless it's gibberish."

Miranda moved behind the counter, determined to find the answer herself. Kasumi moved to her side as she bent down near the pantry. Opening the door she found an open pack laying out in the open, white power leaking out from it's torn casing. She lifted it up for all to see, taking a peak at the label.

"Sugar?" She said in astonishment.

Kasumi dipped a finger into the pack, pulled it back out and licked it.

"Oh yeah, pure white sugar," she confirmed. "Not a sweetener or synthetic, it's the real stuff, straight from the sugar cane."

"Damn right, I only use authentic ingredients," Gardner declared proudly. "The real stuff was good for centuries before people got all health conscious. Ooh, it's addictive and makes us fat! Well of course it does! It's food! That's it's entire purpose!"

"And we appreciate your dedication to your craft, Mess Sergeant," Miranda assured him, trying to calm him down. "Right now though we have more pressing issues."

It was then the crowd got pushed apart as Zek and Retz forced their way to the front. Zek took one look at his afflicted crewmate and then towards Miranda. He spotted the pack of sugar in her hand instantly.

"Is that what's causing this?" He asked.

Miranda handed the pack to Kasumi who brought it over to the two pirates. They gave it a look over, eyeing it curiously.

"We call it sugar," Shepard informed them. "It's a sweet substance we use in food preparation. Your crewmember got into it somehow."

"From the looks of what's left he downed over half the pack," Kasumi noted aloud.

The two pirates looked from the sugar to their chattering shaking crewmate and then back to the sugar. Retz placed a claw inside and, before anyone could stop him, he licked his fingertip. His head jumped back suddenly a sudden smile growing across his face.

"Holy shit," he shouted jubilantly. "This stuff is amazing! It's like someone poured a whole keg of Southern Sweet Berry juice into my mouth! My head is already tingling!"

"All that from one finger dip?" Thane asked curiously. "Seems a bit extreme."

Chakwas finally sighed and pulled away, her examination seemingly complete as she put away her equipment.

"Well that settles it then," she announced. "He's not sick. This jackal is just in the middle of a damn sugar rush."

"Seriously?" Jack asked, stifling a laugh at the diagnosis. "He's just hopped up on sugar?"

"Apparently so," Chakwas answered plainly. "Their species' physiology must be more susceptible to the regular effects of sugar on the body. He'll eventually hit the wall any moment now, once the initial energy burst wears thin."

Almost as if on cue, the afflicted Jackal's jabbering ended and went flat against the counter's side. He moaned slightly, clutching at his head. Retz approached slowly, Zek by his side.

"Korz," Retz asked, slapping him lighting against the face. "What happened? Why'd you run down here?"

"Ugh, sorry, sirs," he relented, sounding very out of it. "I just wanted to find out what I ate last night that gave me such a buzz. It was light, but it was a major rush, very sweet. I snuck out of the meeting room, got down here, broke through the lock and, well, I started tasting stuff. Then I found that pack."

He pointed to the sugar Zek held in his clutches.

"Once I felt the buzz again I, well, I couldn't help myself," he relented. "I shoved it into my face and the rest is a blur after that."

Korz dropped his head slightly again, letting out another exhausted moan while rubbing his head.

"He looks a lot like you did this morning," Zek observed, looking to Retz.

"Yes, but I don't remember eating any of that white stuff last night," Retz explained. "A few of those brown sweet bars, yes, but-"

"That would be a candy bar," Miranda informed him bluntly. "Chocolate to be precise. It has quite a bit of sugar in it."

Zek looked back down at the sugar in his hands and Miranda noted a strange grin grow across his face. The Pirate leader whistled suddenly and his two other flunkies rushed up towards him.

"Take Crewmen Korz back to the ship, we're going to need a new third man it seems," he ordered them. He then placed the sugar in the claws of one of the underlings. "And send this to my quarters. Do not eat it. I want to have a better look at it later."

"Haven't you stolen enough food from us?" Miranda reminded him.

"Eh, don't bother arguing, ma'am," Gardner told her grouchily. "Far as I'm concerned, that pack is no good anymore. It's got space pirate germs all over it."

Miranda dropped any further complaints and Shepard didn't have any of his own to add. It's was just sugar after all, not exactly important. The crowd of onlookers more or less dispersed as the tired Jackal was led away. Zek and Retz were now the new centers of attention for all those who remained.

"Well, no harm no foul I suppose," Zek shrugged.

"I wouldn't say that," Shepard replied grimacing. "Causing a disturbance on my ship for one thing, one of your men stealing again another. I'm starting to think this is a repeat pattern."

"Our man had a sweet tooth and caused a ruckus," Retz said dismissively. "Hardly a cause for alarm. Besides, as I understand it, you're pretty lax on kleptomania in any case. Ms. Goto is proof enough of that."

Kasumi backed away slightly as Retz waved his hand towards her.

"Hey, whoa," she said hesitantly. "Let's not involve me here. I haven't stolen anything in... hours, I swear."

Miranda walked up beside her and casually held out her hand. Kasumi sighed and placed an OSD in her hand.

"Garrus' personal playlist," she relented, looking to the turian. "Sorry."

"I've been looking for that," the turian stated, snatching the OSD from Miranda's hand. He gave Kasumi a bit of a glare.

"Funny," Kasumi said smirking. "I didn't expect you of all people to have the soundtrack for Fle-"

"That is private and if you tell anyone you'll regret it, I swear," Garrus growled slightly.

Zek and Retz laughed slightly, a bit smug in their enjoyment. Miranda was quick to knock that out of them.

"Kasumi has more than earned our trust," Miranda informed them. "And she never takes mission critical supplies either."

"Indeed."

The serene yet direct tone of Samara was unmistakable. She walked up beside Shepard, her gaze firmly on the two space pirates before her.

"I suspected letting you aboard would be trouble," she said sternly. "It seems I have been proven correct twice now."

"I hardly call this little ruckus trouble," Zek chuckled. "Just a minor cultural misunderstanding, is all."

"I am more than aware of your culture," Samara bluntly stated, a tone of disgust as she spoke. "Avarice is a virtue for you. You live off of vice to obtain wealth and power. This makes you less than reputable allies and you have done nothing so far to disprove this assumption."

"Well, when you put it like that," Zek said, casually scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, of course it sounds bad. We're really nice guys though, honest. We just make a living doing some things that are not entirely exactly one hundred percent legal. We all break a law or two here and there."

"Laws are only part of it," Samara informed him. "Morality trumps it in regards to justice. Unjust laws exist, but what is wrong is a constant."

Neither Zek or Retz seemed to understand at all what the asari was getting at. They just cocked their heads and looked bewildered at each other.

"Uh, who are you again?" Zek finally asked. "I don't believe we've formally met."

"I am Samara, an Asari Justicar," she stated plainly. "I am an enforcer of justice both within and beyond Asari-Controlled Space."

"Oh, a cop," Zek grumbled. "Well I should've guessed that."

Jack chuckled a bit at that description.

"Yeah, cop," she lightly laughed. "That's rich."

The Jackals just ignored the ex-con's derisive laughter.

"Ms. Samara, please do not think ill of us for our past grievances," Retz requested in a clear attempt at smooth talking. "After all, a few misunderstandings between friends is hardly a reason to condemn us. We are after all on the same side more or less. The Covenant are certainly more unjust than any of us."

"The degree of your guilt is hardly a determining factor in this case," Samara explained. "It is merely a fact that makes this situation... unique."

She turned to Shepard, her features and tone growing more serious.

"Shepard, I am still honor bound to you, but I again advise caution," she told him. "We are sending people into a lair full of these less than reputable individuals. It is a mistake to linger there long."

"Garrus and the others are more than prepared to handle the situation," he assured her. "He was on Omega for a long time, remember?"

"I'm also a former cop," Garrus noted aloud, turning his attention to Zek himself. "So I know what to watch out for."

Zek snorted, but said nothing further. Miranda supposed he realized he didn't really have much room to argue at this point. Samara, however, was not done despite these assurances.

"Tread lightly, Shepard," she warned. "These ones are only questionable allies. Everyone within this Hollow is just as greedy, but not as desperate for friends."

"I'm not that desperate," Zek proclaimed jovially. "I got plenty of friends, I just like hanging out with you."

Samara didn't seem to appreciate Zek's slimy grin anymore than Miranda, as she shot a cold stare at him.

"Be forever grateful we met under these circumstances," she said. "Were I not bound to Shepard, I would be forced to carry out my Code."

"Code?" Zek asked confused. "What? You'd arrest me?"

"I'm afraid it would be a bit more permanent than that," Kasumi informed him, chuckling nervously.

At last Zek got the message and his slick little smile vanished from his face. The newfound tension in the air was thankfully broken by a loud boisterous voice coming out of the elevator.

"I smelled something from below deck," Grunt said, sniffing hard at the air. "What's Gardner made now?"

His eyes suddenly fell upon the platter of disgusting sandwiches Retz had brought over. They were still sitting on the nearby counter top. Everyone had more or less forgotten about them in the commotion. Grunt quickly rushed over and bit into one of them. He then took another, throwing it into his mouth and loudly chewing it.

"Hey, these aren't half bad," Grunt mumbled. "For once, you've made something with real kick to it, Gardner."

Gardner was speechless, but Retz smiled greatly as the krogan kept stuffing his face.

"So, uh, we still got some time until we reach our destination," Zek declared. "How about we all relax and watch one of these old Earth vids of yours. I'm interested in finding out who these Blues Brothers are."

Shepard sighed and looked to Kasumi.

"Do you mind entertaining them for awhile?" He asked her.

Miranda could just tell that Shepard actually meant "Could you keep them out of trouble until we're good to leave?" It was just written in his painfully frustrated voice and the dour look on his face.

"No sweat, Shep," Kasumi assured. "I like that movie anyway."

She began to lead to lead the two of Jackals towards her room.

"Maybe if we have some time later I can show you guys some Japanese cinema," she said to them as they walked behind her. "I've seen all the classics, Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Godzilla vs. Mothra, basically the best my countrymen of the era had to offer."

Miranda was happy to have them out of their hair. They'd still have to deal with Varvok for awhile, but he wasn't being a nuisance at the moment. She took time to walk over to Jack, because she still had one lingering question on her mind.

"You were having drinks with Thane?" She asked pryingly.

The ex-con jumped up slightly, looking a bit flustered.

"Why don't you fuck off to do your hair or something cheerleader," she grumbled in a flustered manner. "I don't need to tell you shit."

She then turned to Thane as she moved away from Miranda.

"Come on, Lizard," she said. "This place got way too crowded, way too fast. I ain't done with my story yet."

"Yes, I really do think the Hanar would appreciate more information about that space station you crashed into the moon," he told her.

"I ain't telling it for them," she grumbled. "I just think it's cool."

Miranda smirked slightly as they walked off. As annoying as this day had started out, it still had it's moments.

---

The Hollow was not your typical pirate hideaway. It wasn't a space station or some secret island, it was a moon. Just an ordinary looking moon floating around a large craggy red planet. According to Retz' brief, the dark grey rock used to be full of valuable minerals. A bunch of Jackal deep space explorers found it and did what they did best, exploited it. They set up a small mining colony, more like a boom town than anything, and sucked every worthwhile rock out of the planetoid. Within a few years, it was bone dry. Tunnels were built upon tunnels that went so deep, the moon was now supported more by steel than rock. Hence the name, the Hollow.

It was similar to what, as Shepard recalled, Terra Nova had planned for the asteroid that Balak had almost killed them with. Except the Jackals who did the mining abandoned it. They weren't much for colonization apparently, they had more than their fair share of colonies in their home system. However, due to the moon being outside the general Covenant sphere of influence, as well as being within decent striking distance of several trade routes, it provided the perfect place for someone less reputable to set up shop. Pirates took the place over not long after the miners abandoned it. They created a safe place where they could trade stolen goods, resupply, fix their ships or just drink themselves into a stupor.

Shepard eyed the moon through the long range sensors on the Ascendant Justice's bridge. He could plainly see the docking section that circled the equator, as well as several defensive weapons systems installed in several craters on the surface. It was an impressive set up, at least for what it was. According to Retz, no one really ran the place. There were people who were major players, Jackals who lived and worked there, but no one really was in charge. True to Jackal form, it was an Ochlocracy, mob-rule, just the way criminals liked it.

He still had reservations, lots of reservations. In normal circumstances he'd head down there himself or not go at all. Thing was, they didn't have many options. If he went down there, he'd be an open target and so would anyone else around him. It didn't matter if these Jackals didn't believe in the Covenant religion anymore than Zek did. They believed in credits and the head of the "False Shepherd" still held a substantial reward. He'd be spotted pretty quickly, as would any Spartan for similar reasons.

Garrus at least was able to go and Shepard knew he could trust him if things went sour. Chances were they would, but he tried to force that thought back. The second it became anything other than "if" was when he invited disaster. Of course, he wasn't the only one with reservations. Haverson, who was standing beside him, had a similar set of concerns.

"It's probably too late to back out of this I suppose," he grumbled as he glared at the monitors. "I don't like the idea of parking next to a viper's nest."

"Neither do I, but the risk nets us some pretty nifty rewards," Shepard reminded him. "And this time, no Marine has to put their lives on the line for Zek."

"Yes, which is good," Haverson admitted. "However that's only the case because they'd attract the kind of attention Zek doesn't want. That and relying on him and his band of crooks to get these supplies is a little off putting."

"My team is in constant contact," Shepard reassured him. "Garrus isn't going to let some shifty pirate slip by him if he can help it either. We'll know everything that's going on down there more less. It'll be like we're all ground side with them."

"It's not your team or Garrus I doubt, Shepard," Haverson replied. "It's Zek and Retz who concern me. Knowing your people are keeping an eye on them makes this bearable, but it doesn't completely soothe my nerves."

Shepard couldn't blame him, not after yesterday. He hoped that maybe, just maybe, this resupply operation would ease Haverson and Holland's anxieties. Or maybe Zek would do something to piss them off again. Given everything that had happened so far, that was a distinct possibility. Another thing that was made clear though was that he had to work both sides of this problem. Zek was consistently problematic, but Haverson was reasonable. Well, for an ONI agent at least.

"They're not that bad you know," he tried to argue. "They probably consider their own interests more important, but Zek is fighting the same enemy as you, whether he accepts it or not."

"The problem is I don't think he wants to fight the Covenant exactly," Haverson countered. "He's not interested in helping them, he probably likes the idea of attacking them when the mood strikes him. Fighting them is a different thing altogether. It's more than just being against something, you know that, every Marine does"

"Yeah, I do know," Shepard admitted, nodding slightly. "Still, I think it would help if you tried to work this arrangement from his shoes a bit, so to speak. His agenda doesn't have to clash with ours."

"It doesn't, but he still wants to take advantage of us regardless," Haverson stated, a cross look on his face. "I understand what you're hoping to accomplish here, Shepard. Hell, it's noble of you. But the UNSC isn't looking for fairweather friends here. If Zek keeps seeing this alliance as just another hustle, it's going nowhere. He's got to bring more to the table than he currently is."

Haverson looked away briefly, a thoughtful expression across his face.

"Tell me, Varvok is fighting the same enemy as us too," he noted. "Does he have your trust? Do you think he's reliable?"

Shepard didn't like the question, mostly because he didn't have a great answer to it. He decided to stick to his guns and be honest though. He wanted to get some of this out anyway.

"I'll admit, we're not friends and sometimes I want to sock him square across the jaw," he replied bluntly. "I see his side, but he's a stubborn bastard who won't see mine. I don't think he's committed the way I want him to be nor does he appreciate what's happening to Earth in this dimension. That all being said, I'm still trying to work with him, as difficult as he is being. Because if I don't at least try, I know for damn sure he won't."

Haverson gave a slight grin at that answer, finding it fairly agreeable.

"You certainly don't lack for determination, Commander," Haverson told him. "It's part of the reason Holland trusts you I suppose. For all our sakes, I hope it pays off."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed," Shepard declared.

They could see the Fallen Serpent moving towards the moon on the monitor now. A small Phantom transport followed by it's side. Nothing they could do now, everything was in the ground team's hands.

"Just tell me one thing," Haverson requested. "Just so me and Holland can relax a little. You have a backup if things go south on this, right?"

"Don't worry," Shepard promised, a wide grin on his face. "I got something in the wings. Jackals aren't the only species that can be sneaky."

---

Getting onto the Hollow without anyone knowing was no easy task, especially when you were on a budget. It took a lot of creds to bribe the guy running the port to not log your entry. It wasn't hard to find a kig-yar willing to pretend you never arrived, that was a common racket on the docks. The hard part was finding a docking official who wouldn't leak info out to your potential enemies, suspecting a higher pay out if they did. That was just how this was played, if you were stupid enough to put your trust in another crook then you kinda deserved to get stabbed in the back for it. Word of Honor was for sangheili, it had no place among their people.

The one surefire way to not worry about that happening was to sneak in under the radar. If no one saw you come in, you wouldn't have to bribe anyone or rely on the promises of a stranger. This wasn't an option for large ships, but Taq's vessel was considerably smaller. She used the cover of an approaching pirate Battlecruiser as her way in. She coasted along her underbelly on low power, dodging the sensors. No one contacted her for ID, so she managed to slip. Once she pulled that off, she found a decent out of the way landing spot in a container yard. The perfect hiding spot. She locked the ship into defensive mode, just in case anyone tried to steal her. If things didn't work out so good here she'd need a way off the moon before she got found out.

She eventually found her way to the main dockyards, where ships came into port for resupply and repairs. Watchful of her surroundings, she made her way through the crowds to her destination. An old rusty shipping container, its side cut open to create a storefront. The sign over the entrance read "Fortune Finders Supplies", a decent place for the adventurous types to get gear and equipment. Also a decent spot to find similar minded folks intent on making a quick buck or two themselves. She'd need help on this caper if she wanted to pull it off. Way she saw it, plenty of credits for everyone if it paid off. Who could resist enough cash to set you straight for life?

Apparently, more people than she thought.

"No thanks," said the kig-yar browsing the mineral scanners "Not interested."

"I am talking about the golden nest here," Taq argued. "You could buy two whole planets with this, at least, and still have enough left over to build a mansion."

"Yet you're not offering up-front payment," the fellow artifact hunter responded.

"I don't have that kind of capital right now," she explained. "I promise you, it's a bigger payday than whatever measly scraps you're going to find in the Eayn system's asteroid belt."

The hunter picked out one of the scanners and gave it a look over.

"I am following a lead on a pirate stash from the pre-Covenant era," he explained. "You won't even tell me what it is you're looking for. Vague hints of a wreck aren't a good starting point for an investment."

"I can't share what it is in public," Taq insisted. "It's that big a deal. If you meet me at my ship later I can show you everything."

"Yeah, haven't heard that one before," the hunter laughed derisively. "Sorry, lady, but you're fifteen years too late. First date, thought we were going to mate in her shuttle. Knocked me out, stole a whole quarter of my blood for black market medical sale. Left Sweet Berry cookies at least. Sorta worth it back then. Now? With you? I ain't about to have my kidneys stolen. Hustle some other bird, I got treasure to find."

The skeptical hunter walked off as Taq fumed.

"Well my treasure is still cooler than yours, assbeak!" She shouted.

"Whatever, stick your head in unggoy shit, see if I care."

The hunter paid for his scanner and left the store. Taq growled in anger, that was the fourth stubborn male who laughed her off and insulted her. At least he wasn't as cruel as the two females who basically called her a shit liar to her face. She briefly considered just telling them that she was after something Forerunner, that would probably tickle their fancy. But she knew the second she said the big F-word half the damn moon would know before the end of the half rotation. That meant he would find out and that would mean she'd be dead.

Then again, who knew, the bastard would probably be scared off by it. None of these people seemed to have the spirit in them. No desire for adventure, thrill of the hunt. They only cared about getting rich quick, about sure things. They weren't in it for the risk, just the reward.

She decided to just pay for what she could find in the store. At least she'd have a few supplies to help her when she got to her destination. She'd try some other places, find someone desperate enough to want to come along. There had to be some wide-eyed daredevil out there somewhere.

That was when the proprietor rang her up and showed her the price for her gear. Her face sank at the numbers.

"You wouldn't happen to have a tab system in place would you?"

Ten seconds later, Taq was pushed out the store. To their credit, they didn't push her face into ground, but she did stumble forward a bit before she stopped. She turned and shook her fist at the store owner standing in the entrance way.

"Fine! It was all garbage anyway! Ya cheap price gouging serpent!"

The outburst didn't make her feel better for long. She was starting to realize her funds wouldn't get her very far. Not if she wanted quality equipment or a quality expeditionary team. She was putting her life at risk every second she stayed here and it was getting her nowhere. She couldn't give up though, not with a score this big waiting for her. She just needed to find the right people.

As she scanned the crowd, hoping to spot a sucker she could convince to join up with her, she eyed something coming in for a landing at one of the nearby docks. It was a big heavily modified Corvette, heavy guns, anti-air, the works. Pretty decked out for what it was. It looked like it had been through the ringer a bit. It was in decent condition, but a lot of the repairs were clearly patch works along the hull. That and there were still a few guns offline, smoking and sparking as they came into dock. They needed a massive overhaul.

That was when she noticed something painted along the side. A big, green, open-mouthed, snarling serpent, just plastered along the length of the ship. It stirred a memory in her, although she was sure she had never seen this painted snake before. It did feel familiar though, like it had been described to her in such vivid detail that it got imprinted on her mind's eye.

Then it hit her like a tidal wave coming at full speed for the shore.

"You got to be fucking with me?" She asked aloud. "Of all the places in the damn Galaxy. Of all the days!"

She stormed off towards the markets, in more of a rage than before. It wasn't the same kind of anger though, this was more an expectant long deserved rage. The perfect thing to get her mind off her setbacks of the past hour. This stop wouldn't be totally worthless after all.

---

The grunts hauling the crate out of the Phantom stumbled slightly as it touched the ground. The box tipped sharply and hit one of them in the toe. He dropped his end of the crate, causing it to hit the metal floor with a loud clang. As, the grunt held his foot in pain, Zek glared at the two in anger.

"Hey! Those Carbine rifles are worth sixty of you shits each!" He screeched. "Don't fuck up my merchandise, idiots! I need them in mint, we don't get full credits for dented and scratched hardware."

"We sorry," said the cowering injured grunt. "It not happen again."

"Just don't fuck up with the plasma grenades when you take them out," Zek cautioned harshly. "Last thing I need is you little gas sucking imbeciles blowing up my transport. Honestly, how hard is it to put a fucking box on a hover cart?"

The grunts got back to work, lugging the large crate onto one of the hover carts and quickly moving to get the next one. Zek groaned, shaking his head in frustration. All the while, Garrus loomed over him frowning.

"Would it really kill you to be nicer to them?" He asked. "They are helping you after all."

"Only because I need most of my men at the ship working on repairs and resupply," Zek reminded him. "I'd rather not use them at all. They're incompetent idiots, if you don't stress the importance of anything they eventually fuck it all up."

"Or you could just not treat them like they're dirt, maybe?" Garrus suggested.

"It's a step up from less than dirt," Zek countered sardonically. "Now are we going to keep arguing ethics over how to treat the hired help, who I'm forced to pay with food and lodging, or are we going to get to business already?"

The grunts finished loading the crates on the hover carts and moved them out after the group, Retz calling them to keep pace with everyone as they walked towards the Markets. Businesses of every kind were all over the Hollow, but the Markets was where you could find the highest concentration of vendors. With that came variety as well as a highly competitive atmosphere that meant a lot of leg room to make deals in. It was a good place to start off any shopping spree on the moon.

There were stalls, full-fledged stores and roving merchants on every corner stretching deep into the artifical cavern. They worked out of former barracks for miners, hastily put together storefronts or re-purposed shipping containers. Some shops were even old broken down ships, like a Phantom transport for example. Anything and everything that gave you a space to sell your wares was allowed. So long as you could compete, you could stay.

"Sangheili helmets," shouted one vendor. "Twenty percent off regular asking price! Modified for the cunning kig-yar mind! Look like a big shot! You deserve it more than those honor obsessed dullards anyways!"

"You want gun mods? We got gun mods!" Screamed another shop owner as he waved his arms about. "Custom jobs accepted! Heavily modified! Bigger battery means more kills! Buy two plasma pistols today and you get a free weapon paint job!"

"Fresh fruit! Straight from the homeworld!" A passing merchant announced. "Bird can not live off stew alone! Spice up your meals for your crew! Fresh Fruit!"

Zek inhaled deeply, taking in the surroundings.

"It's good to be among my fellow lowlifes again," he declared, turning gleefully to his compatriots. "Look around friends, true enterprise at work, take it all in. No rules, no restrictions, commerce unfettered by the regulations of some long-necked zealot. Is it not wonderful?"

Grunt sniffed the air in relative disgust.

"This whole place smells like bile and treachery," he growled. "I half expect a vorcha to jump up any second."

"That's just the musk, comes from the restaurant quarter a level below," Retz assured. "You'll get used to it."

"Who cares what it smells like anyway," Zek said dismissively. "This is pirate country, this is home! It's wonderful!"

Zek spun about as he walked, grinning widely at his surroundings as they navigated the crowded corridor. Garrus almost feared he'd break out into song, thankfully it didn't get that far.

"It's nice to see you enjoying your homecoming, Zek," Varvok told the pirate sincerely. "But let's keep focused. Do you have an idea on where we should start looking for supplies?"

"It's been years, Four-Eyes," Zek reminded him. "Give me a chance to settle in and get a feel for the place again. Everything has no doubt changed a bit since I was last here. Shops and vendors move around all the time in here, vying for the best spot to sell. Or they get their storefront blown up by rivals, that's fairly common business tactic too."

"It say a lot about your race that you call acts of arson common business tactics," Garrus said, crossing his arms.

Zek just shrugged at the turian's remark.

"Hey, if you don't want to pay for protection or get a decent insurance policy that's your lack of foresight," he said plainly. "The market is free and open, you have to do what you can to stay alive. It's all just business, nothing personal."

"I don't think the people who die as a consequence of that see it the same way," Garrus responded derisively.

"Well they're dead, so their opinion doesn't really matter in grand scheme of things," Zek argued, chuckling slightly as he did.

As they passed by one storefront, one Jackal was suddenly stopped by two others as he tried to leave. They pulled him over and began taking out bottles of ichor they found hidden on his person.

"Oh my, how did those get there?" The Jackal asked nervously. "I'm sure there is a receipt around here some-"

The two other Jackals pushed him over onto his back and began kicking and beating him. The store's owner took back his stolen ichor, which had been placed to the side and began putting it back on the shelves. Zek coughed loudly to regain the attention of those watching the sordid scene.

"Just keep walking," he told them. "Best not look at that or get involved."

"Because they're beating a man for simple shoplifting?" Garrus asked in a disapproving tone.

"No, because he got caught doing it," Retz corrected him. "Honestly, it's amateurish, small time. If you can't even heist some ichor, you have no business stealing anything. If he had gotten out of the store without them knowing, they would've at least respected him for pulling it off."

"So, if he had actually gotten away with it they would be praising him?" Varvok asked curiously.

"I didn't say that," Retz clarified. "I said they'd respect him. They'll toss him out into a ditch later for that blunder. If he had pulled it off and they caught up with him later, they'd at least call for a doctor or something."

Garrus suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder from Legion. The geth pointed towards a smaller Jackal stealing something from the pouch of another. He then quickly scampered away and handed it off to another Jackal wearing a tattered hood and dark armor. The adult patted the little child on the head and gave him some sort of fruit to eat before ushering him off.

"Hmm, best mind our pockets I suppose," Garrus murmured.

"Smartest thing you've said so far, Mr. Vakarian," Zek said grinning. "Why do you think I agreed to have your giant lizard come along? Or have Varvok's men escorting the hover carts with our stuff? You're either the victim or the hustler here, there is no middle ground. Your fault if you become the former."

"Such a society is erratic and unstable," Legion observed. "Data suggests lack of laws or regulations to safeguard the individuals within it is inherently flawed. It is subject to internal conflict and eventual decay. Without any true code of ethics or morals, the system will inevitably break down as individuals exploit and extinguish others to obtain personal gain. These facts make this social and economic landscape unsustainable. Not in any viable capacity."

"Hey, there is a code, okay," Zek argued. "We have laws... of a sort. It's just that we don't let that get in the way of business. If everyone started complaining about how unfair their lot was, nothing would get done. Trade caps, inspections, fines, fees, they all just muddle up the whole process. If we have disputes or accounts to settle, we usually just do it ourselves. It's faster, more efficient, keeps things running."

"And apparently it creates a society of pirates where almost everything and anything goes," Garrus chimed in again. "That's not something that's making me feel all that positive about our mission here."

Zek turned about, still walking as he spoke confidently.

"Relax," he said smiling. "You got me here. I got a reputation around these parts. By now, a few of them know I'm back in the game. They're not going to try and swindle us or cheat us, promise. Retz knows people, he's got this all figured out. Don't you Retz?"

"It's my job to have everything figured out," Retz replied, sharing Zek's grin. "My contacts sent me a list of potential prospects to check out while we're here. They should fill our quotas nicely."

"What kind of contacts?" Garrus asked suspiciously.

"People who owe me favors," Retz explained plainly. "Old friends, former business partners me and Zek had long ago. If you're going to object to them being criminals, you're already friends with a few of those yourself as I understand it. Not much of a high perch to sit on there."

"I'm just trying to be sure they're reliable," Garrus explained. "Forgive me if I have concerns over resupplying in a lawless pirate lair, especially considering what I've seen so far."

Zek laughed slightly once more.

"It's hardly lawless, I told you we have a code," Zek explained happily. "We abide by certain understandings. For example, you make a deal, you abide by it until a contract is breached. Also, you accept the fundamental fact that others have needs and it is in your best interests to fill those needs if possible. So long as everyone gets something in return, everything is fair. Sure, it has it's bumps, but so long as you can navigate the system, you are a respected and admired pirate. And I am very well respected, well admired and well loved pirate. So long as you guys stick with me, the Hollow will treat you just fine."

Zek turned around and instantly spotted a vendor nearby, a smile grew on his face and he rushed over to the owner fill the racks with fruit pastries.

"Fidz!" Zek said throwing his arms open. "How great it is to see you again, old boy! It's me! Zek! I'm back! Remember me?"

The Jackal at the stall took one look at Zek, a deadpan expression plastered on his face. He then took one of his fruit pastries in a rather nonchalant manner and smashed it in the pirate's face. Zek looked a bit surprised as the vendor looked at him with a scowl.

"I do remember," he grumbled. "I honestly wish I could forget. You're lucky I gave my security an hour off. Leave or the next thing in your face is my fist."

Zek backed off slowly heading back to the group and wiping the pastry off his face.

"Well loved, huh?" Garrus asked sardonically.

"That was an overreaction," he claimed. "What happened was a complete misunderstanding and I certainly did not stiff him with any sort of bill or sold him bad ichor."

"Uh huh," Garrus said, not at all convinced by the defense.

At that moment, a Jackal in ratty clothing with unkempt quills on his head rushed up to them. In his little disgusting claws were clutched several data disks, along with several more in a small satchel he kept close to him. His eyes started darting around to each of the members of the group, their bloodshot gaze frantically searching them.

"Hey there folks," he said in a hushed erratic whisper, his eyes still roving around crazily. "You want some prime material? I got what you needs. Banned in every sector of Covenant space. Sangheili females on Jiralhanae. Pictures of the hottest females of the matriarchy on Eayn. Shit, I even got unggoy with animals if you're into that."

Legion's eye closed slightly at the sight of the peddler.

"Scans detect high levels of toxicity in this merchant's bloodstream," the geth observed plainly. "Inflamed nostrils and frantic speech also add credence to our consensus of potential substance abuse, possibly of one or more narcotics. We advise caution given merchant's erratic behavior."

"What?" The peddler asked nervously, sounding confused at the machine's analysis. "What you talking about synth? I don't do that. I don't even know where I'd get it. Certainly don't got nothing like that on me. I mean, not less you're interested of course."

Grunt let out an annoyed snort at the peddler.

"Can I please squash this degenerate, Garrus?" He asked growling.

"No," the turian replied bluntly. "And before you say it, Shepard wouldn't let you do it either."

Grunt crossed his arms in a mixture of anger and disappointment. Meanwhile, Varvok took over the situation.

"We don't want anything you have," the batarian informed the peddler with a furious scowl. "We have more important things to attend to. Go bother someone else, you filthy little smut merchant."

"That's harsh, man," the peddler cried. "I just need some creds. How about this, we go into that back alley and I'll-"

Before he could finish, the peddler spotted Zek. That was when his whole tune changed and his quivering turned from an indication of nervousness to one of disgust.

"You?" He shouted. "You!"

"Uh, me, yes," Zek said, partially confused.

"You're the bastard who sold me that drive full of fucking human stuff!" He screeched. "Naked humans! In all sorts of positions!"

Varvok and Garrus looked to Zek with curious stares. The pirate just sighed, suddenly remembering what this crazy jackal was talking about it.

"You find all sorts of things in the aftermath of a Covenant and UNSC firefight, okay?" He tried to explain. "Apparently, some poor human wanted to remind himself a little of home. You judge me, you judge him. I mean he gave his life for Earth and stuff, can we really be mad at him for what he did in his off time?"

"I can be mad at you!" The peddler screeched. "You fucking bastard! You have no idea what you fucking did to me!"

"Oh please, like I'm gonna stand here and get lectured by a guy who sells porn for a living," Zek grumbled. "It's not like any of your other products are legal."

"Possession of depictions of human sex acts carries the worst penalties!" The peddler shrieked "When that fucking Sangheili Major discovered it in my wares, he sicked his men on me! Didn't even pay me for the stuff I actually got for him! I got chased out of seven sectors, lost all my best buyers! I had to fake my death by blowing up my only ship! You ruined my life!"

"It wasn't much of one in the first place if we're being honest," Zek said disparagingly, chortling slightly as he did .

The peddler cringed in anger at Zek's lack of empathy. With reckless and furious abandon, he kicked Zek in the crotch and then followed that up with another kick in the knee. As Zek knelt to the floor, the peddler ran screaming into the crowd, shouting "Revenge! Sweet Revenge!" as he cackled with glee. Zek eventually got back to his feet, clutching at his nethers for awhile as he did.

"Okay, I will concede that was probably deserved," he relented. "But honestly, I really think he's more at fault here than me."

"Considering everything that he blames you for, you kind of got off easy," Garrus told him rather bluntly.

"Oh shut up," Zek said grumbling. "So a few people don't like how their bargains went. Big flippin whoop. If they were smarter they wouldn't have been in those situations. Who doesn't check their merchandise after receiving it? I did everything by the code, they're just sore losers because they couldn't play the game. End of story. Now, we have business to do, so let's get going already."

Zek turned back around and started walking forward when something got in his way. Standing directly in front of him was another Jackal, this one more slender and feminine looking, with purple and blue quills on her head. She was scowling at him with fiery eyes. Zek, however, was looking at her in disbelief.

"Taq?" He asked, his voice forlorn and distant.

And then, without warning, the female Jackal punched Zek square in the jaw. The pirate went down and the female looked over to Retz.

"Retz," she greeted pleasantly. "Nice to see you again. How are things?"

"More or less decent, can't complain," He replied plainly. "How about you? Things going well?"

"My day got slightly better just now, thanks for asking" she replied happily.

Zek groaned as he pulled himself up off the ground.

"I'm guessing you didn't deserve that one either," Varvok noted.

"No, no that one I did deserve," he admitted honestly.

"Just be grateful I refrained from busting your beak open and gouging out an eye," Taq said venomously. "Ocean knows I dreamed about it enough."

"Come on, that's a little severe isn't it?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I understand why you're upset and all but-"

"You ditched me, you ass!" Taq shouted at him in a rage. "You ditched me, took half my share and left me without a ride off planet! Not to mention the bill for our entire stay at the resort!"

"Okay, that is not accurate at all," Zek declared defensively. "It wasn't the entire stay, I paid for about half. Also I left you that discount certificate for a free meal at the buffet."

Taq grabbed him by the collar and pushed his head towards her.

"A few extra fruit pastries doesn't make up for having to spend the voyage to the Hollow in a fucking cargo hold and then needing to do odd tomb jobs for years just to payoff the loan on my ship!" She screeched at him. She then started shaking him violently. "You know how many friggin Jiralhanae burial mounds I had to sort through just to make the first payment? It took months just to get the stink of dead primate fur off me! I am WAY past upset at this point!"

Taq released Zek and let him drop to the floor again. Her face looked to the rest of the group, her scowl still ever present. Her gaze fell upon Garrus and Grunt especially.

"Only reason people keep their helmets on in the Hollow is when they got something to hide," she noted, looking at Garrus in particular "What's your deal? You an uglier than usual sangheili or something new?"

"Not sure if I'm willing to share that information with a stranger, Ms..."

"Taq," she replied proudly. "Treasure hunter, grave robber, archaeologist if you prefer a more legal sounding profession. Who's your big friend behind you? An oversized unggoy?"

Grunt moved up slightly beside Garrus and growled loudly. The turian sighed, Grunt hated that he shared a name with the grunts, who he considered cowardly and useless. Being compared to them in any capacity irked him.

"I am krogan," he stated through gritted teeth.

"Good for you," Taq replied in condescending tone, steadfast in the presence of the massive creature looming over her.

Legion caught her attention next, her curiosity piqued at this point.

"You stolen human tech, synth?" She asked suspiciously. "I know they're big on AIs."

"We are Geth and we are not stolen. We have chosen to be here," Legion responded plainly. "This platform's accepted designation is Legion."

"Cute, it has a name," Taq said rolling her eyes before turning to Varvok. "And who are you?"

"Lieutenant Commander Varvok," he replied. "Formerly of the Hegemony Military. I am an associate of Zek's."

Taq didn't seem all that interested in getting more information, in fact she appeared to be as aloof as when she arrived. She turned to Zek who was getting back up off the floor once more.

"This your new crew?" She asked. "Seems a bit mismatched for your tastes."

"They're not exactly my crew," Zek clarified nervously. "More like business partners. You know, like... we were."

Taq gave a knowing disdainful nod and turned back to the group at large.

"If any of you have any sense you'll drop this sorry excuse for a pirate faster than a charging razorfin on a pod of chorka," she told them with a mock smile on her face. "Whatever he's promising is either going to backfire or he'll decide to cut his losses and run like a fucking sleeze."

"Alright," Zek shouted. "I get it, I really do. Would it help if I said I was sorry? Like really sorry?"

"The time for that passed you by a long time ago," Taq told him, poking him in the chest. "I don't want an apology. I just wanted you to know that I survived your bullshit. That and today has been a bit disappointing so far and hitting your dumb smug face in was really rewarding."

Taq turned to Retz one last time and gave a genuine smile for once.

"It was good to see you again, Retz," she said pleasantly. "Sorry it wasn't under better circumstances."

"Technically I expected worse if we ever ran into you again," Retz explained. "Like you'd try to shoot us or strangle Zek or whatever. So really this is better than expected. Take care of yourself."

"You too," Taq grinned.

She glared one last time Zek and pushed her way past him, moving back into the crowd. Zek called after her, trying to get her attention, but she just kept walking. Eventually he sighed forlornly.

"Damn it," he growled. "That did not go the way it did in my head."

"I kept warning you it wouldn't," Retz reminded him. "Seriously, did you honestly expect her to just take you back? You did kind of screw her over."

"I said I was sorry," Zek insisted. "Hell, I said it in the note I left!"

"Yes, that's makes ditching her and taking some of her money totally forgivable," Retz said sarcastically.

Garrus cleared his throat, getting the two Jackals' attention.

"Mind letting us in the loop here?" Garrus asked.

"Wouldn't mind getting answers myself," Varvok added. "Who was that?"

Zek sighed, but Retz remained on point.

"Taq was a former business partner of ours," he explained. "She has a curious interest among kig-yar, mainly ancient artifacts of a certain long gone race of ring builders if you catch my meaning. She helped us find a few really big finds that set us up early in our pirating career. Zek and her grew intimate, if you will. And then, as he you all heard, he fucked it up."

"I didn't fuck it up that much," Zek tried to counter, however weakly.

"Sounded like you fucked it up to me."

Garrus recognized the voice and slowly turned his eyes to where it originated. There was a small vendor stall that was currently not occupied. He walked over to it and leaned over the side, a grimace on her face.

"Kasumi, seriously?" He said in frustration. "Shepard gave explicit orders."

The thief turned off her cloak, but kept herself hidden behind the stall as the others crowded around.

"Yes, he did," she admitted. "But to be honest, I really wanted to see a space pirate city. Besides, I'm probably the only human on board that can actually be here, being able to cloak and all."

"That is hardly the point," Garrus grumbled at her. "How did you even get here?"

"I snuck aboard the phantom and hid in the upper cargo compartment," she informed, in a tone that suggested the answer should've been obvious. "I've been following for a while from the support rafters. Got to see Zek get chewed out by his Ex from the best seats in the house."

"I did not get chewed out," Zek insisted. "She's just working through some issues and taking them out on me, that's all."

"Sure thing, Casanova, whatever you say," Kasumi chuckled.

While Zek tried to figure out what she meant by that, Garrus returned the conversation to the real concerns that did not involve the pirate's love life.

"If anyone sees you, you're going to have a big target on your back," Garrus warned. "It might put all of us at risk."

"But they won't see me, because I'm me," she argued in kind, smiling as she did. "I once snuck through a party full of the most dangerous cutthroats in the galaxy and not one noticed me."

"According to mission logs, the ceremony's host did notice you," Legion corrected.

Kasumi frowned slightly.

"I don't like it when you try to be funny, Legion," she said grimacing.

"We were not being funny, we were correcting an error in your statement," the geth assured.

Kasumi brushed the comment off handily, returning her attention to Garrus.

"He only noticed me at the door when I was uncloaked, not while I was inside," she clarified. "Besides, I've managed to sneak through way bigger crowds than this. And you could always use extra eyes in a place full of scary interstellar buccaneers."

Garrus continued looking at her with a serious sense of disdain. Kasumi just pouted innocently in return.

"Would be more work just to send her back now," Varvok noted, equally annoyed.

"I think Ms. Goto can more than handle herself," Retz added. "Who knows, we could probably use an expert thief while we're here."

At last the turian just sighed at the whole thing.

"Fine, but if Shepard finds out about this, it was all your idea, Kas," Garrus warned.

"No problem," she assured him. "You won't even know I'm here. Well, you'll know I'm here, but everyone else won't. Don't worry, I'll stay close."

Kasumi turned her cloak back on, before adding;

"You might want to move away before people start wondering why you're all talking to an empty storefront."

The group pulled back and tried to act normal.

"Alright, enough wasting time," Varvok stated firmly. "Let's get our supplies and get moving already. We have a big list to fill and I'd rather not stay here longer than we have to."

"Well that's something we can agree on at least," Garrus noted.

"You guys go ahead," Zek told them. "There's something I gotta do first."

Retz turned to his friend, a questioning look on his face.

"Zek, your meeting with the Old Man isn't for a while," he observed.

"I'm just going to check out some stalls is all, get something for myself," Zek insisted, rubbing his hands together.

Retz shook his head and sighed.

"Zek, the woman isn't interested," he informed him. "It's been way too long and you should've done this way earlier. Right now is not the time to be chasing old flames."

"I just need a few minutes," Zek assured him. "You can handle this stuff without me. You're the logistics guy, you got this figured out already. I'll see you in a bit."

Zek took off before Retz could stop him. The Jackal rubbed his feathers and groaned slightly as his friend and shipmaster vanished into the crowd.

"One time, just one time, I'd like him to listen," he grumbled. "It would be nice, ya know?"

"This isn't one of those best friend things, is it?" Garrus asked curiously. "You know, where the girl gets in between them and it ruins their relationship and they drift apart? Because I have enough headaches today without worrying about some dumb soap opera breaking out here."

Retz just laughed aloud.

"Please, I actually like Taq," Retz insisted. "I encouraged the relationship. It was a good business arrangement and she made Zek happy. It was a very profitable time for us."

"So why did he dump her like he did?" Varvok asked in kind.

"Honestly? No idea," Retz sadly admitted. "I thought everything was going great and then suddenly he shows up back on the ship without her. What I do know, is that next to surrendering ourselves to Covenant contract, leaving Taq became one of his greatest regrets. Right now though, we have to let him work through this on his own. Like you keep saying, we have a lot to do today, Zek included. He'll catch up with us later at the Serpent. Come on, our first stop is just down the way from here."

The group continued walking, deeper and deeper into the Hollow. Garrus was suddenly a lot more mindful as they moved through the crowd. He had only been on this moon for a few minutes and already he hated it more than Omega. Zek had run off to chase his ex, they were in the middle of a bunch of violent crooks and conniving thieves, and every step they made got him feeling more uneasy by the second. As he kept his ears open for trouble, he felt he could hear Kasumi somewhere nearby, humming to herself some kind of song in a low whisper.

"What do we do with a drunken sailor, what do we do with a drunken sailor..."

---

Taq did her best to collect her thoughts as she sat on the balcony of the diner. She liked this spot, it had a decent view of the old fire pits. The new residents had converted it into a decent little light show, as the flames blasted out of the incinerators in a rainbow of colors. Contrary to what some claimed, kig-yar did have an appreciation for art. Mostly when they knew it attracted potential customers who liked buying or looking at it.

For Taq, the multi-colored fire was just what she needed to get her mind back in the right place. She needed to find some people who would be willing to take a little risk. Perhaps she should try some of the local dives, she thought. There were always plenty of down on their luck drunkards willing to sell themselves into service if it meant the chance for some quick cash. Hell, they'd probably go if she offered them some ichor.

As she kept pondering however, someone took a seat across from her table. She didn't bother to look up, she knew who it was and it was exactly what she didn't need. She probably should've suspected this would used to be their favorite spot after all. She took some of her fruit juice in hand and kept watching the flames, hoping he'd go away.

"Look, I know you're still mad at me and all, but you could at least look at me," Zek pleaded.

"I got nothing left to say," she told him plainly. "I also have more important things to worry about than you right now."

"Well the way I see it, you went out of your way to come over and punch me," he observed smugly. "So I'm figuring you just might have a little extra time to at least hear me out."

Taq finally turned and looked at him, still scowling as she did. He was wearing that stupid pathetic smile of his he used when he tried to look charming. Imbecile, if he wanted to talk, fine! She supposed she had brought this on herself a bit. If she didn't want him to bother her, she wouldn't have wasted time socking him in the beak. Still worth it though, even if she had to suffer him for a bit longer.

"Do you honestly think there's anything you can say that will make me give a shit?" She asked fuming.

"Remember when we started out," he began. "You had a map to some old ruins, you needed a ship and some strongmen to help you get there and grab your booty."

"I remember you bitching constantly about the desert heat," Taq growled. "And when you got pissy about how much sand was getting caught in your armor crevices."

"Oh now you're just focusing on the negatives," Zek grumbled. "Plus that sand itched like a mother fucker. Listen, after that haul we made a promise, that no matter what we'd stay professional."

Taq almost wanted to laugh. Zek's promises were always garbage, she learned that the hard way several times. His beak claimed more than he himself was capable of producing and said things that he always ended up back-pedaling on eventually.

"And how did that go?" She asked, knowing the answer already. "You kept giving me gifts. You took me out to every fancy getaway in the galaxy. You cleared the bridge one night just to dance with me!"

"Yeah, good times huh?" Zek said wistfully.

He was not picking up on her frustrated tone.

"You made me feel special! You made me feel wanted!" She shouted at him. "And when I finally decide to let you in, to release us from that promise YOU insisted upon in the first place mind you, what did you do? You bolted! You left me with practically nothing and a stupid note saying 'Sorry, hun, I'm not sure about this. Need some time to think. Catch ya later.' You didn't even have the guts to do it face to face! You just abandoned me!"

"It was a mistake, okay," Zek tried to explain. "I got scared. I was younger back then and I wasn't sure what-"

"You seemed pretty sure beforehand," Taq reminded him. "But what changed between then and the bedroom I wonder?"

Taq glared at him for a good minute or so. Zek tried to say something once or twice, but all that came out was air and defeated sighs. Taq shook her head, predictable.

"You used me, simple as that," she growled. "If you don't get why that hurts, then you're as hopeless as ever."

"But I do get it!" Zek insisted. "My deadbeat dad did the same thing to my mom! Bedded and left her to raise me alone! That's why I used protection that night, it could've been a lot worse is all I'm saying."

"Oh yay, I didn't end up taking care of an extra beak, thanks for that," Taq said with heavy dripping sarcasm. "The Jeppa fruit doesn't fall far from the tree in your family, but at least you're smart enough to use protection! Bravo!"

Zek lowered his head sadly, scratching at his quills frantically as he did.

"Come on, what do you want me to say here?" He asked pleadingly. "I'm trying to make this right."

"There's nothing you can say, that's the whole point," Taq informed him. "And you're not trying to make this right, you're trying to give a justifiable excuse so I'll forgive you and you can stop feeling guilty."

"It's not like that," he tried to reassure her. "You don't understand, I've been through a shit ton of stuff since last we met. Like a real shit ton."

"So I heard, captured by the Covenant," Taq huffed rather bored at this point. "I'm guessing that stint is done."

"I found myself again, Taq," he explained beaming. "I lost my way, lost who I was, but now I'm back. I got a chance to redo everything, from the ground up. Its like a fresh new slate for me. Can't we have the same thing?"

He reached out to grab her hand, but she quickly pulled it away from him. He stared back, looking dejected.

"You haven't changed, Zek," she declared. "You'll never change. That's just who you are. And I told you, I don't need you anymore. Hell, if things go right today, I won't need anyone. So why the fuck would I want to get on the ground floor of Zek Enterprises again knowing where it ultimately leads? Especially when I'm about to make it big for myself without him."

Zek perched a brow curiously at her when she finished. She knew what was coming next, he couldn't resist probing questions. She remembered how often he pestered her for explanations about symbols and temples and how the cool light bridges worked. Well whatever, she earned a chance to gloat to someone, might as well be this idiot.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. "What score are you onto now?"

"The motherload," Taq answered, grinning sinisterly. "The biggest potential payday of my entire life."

She carefully reached inside her satchel and held up the small little pyramid in her claws. Zek moved to get a closer look, but Taq pulled it away. She wasn't risking him stealing this from her too.

"That's going to net you some serious credits?" He asked disbelieving. "Doesn't seem like much."

"You never appreciated the craft as much as I did," she stated with scowl. "That's why you needed me from the start. I've told you time and again, the greatest treasures are always the most unassuming. They wouldn't be well hidden otherwise. This is one of the Covie's holy deities' star charts. All wrapped up in a very convenient to carry package."

"We found plenty of those before," Zek said, still confused apparently. "What makes this one so special?"

"Because it has coordinates to a wreck," she informed him smugly. "One of their wrecks. And if what this thing says about it's manifest is correct, then it's the break I've been looking for. I came to the Hollow to get a crew together for it, people to help me get the score of a lifetime."

All at once, Zek's eyes lit up and she knew what he was about to say.

"Well, if you need a crew I got my ship and-"

"What part of 'I don't need you' did you not understand?" Taq asked resentfully.

"It just sounds like you need some help," Zek explained. "I'm offering. Come on, it can be just like old times."

"It can never be like that again, Zek," she told him, standing up from her seat. "I know you better now. I'm not going down that road again, ever."

Zek looked up at her, anger finally returning to his despondent eyes.

"Well then why tell me all this?" Zek asked.

"So you'll know that I'm getting on without you," Taq reiterated once again. "That despite your efforts to tear me down, I'm climbing back up."

"It was never about that, Taq," Zek insisted once more. "I wasn't trying to hurt you. How many times can I say that? I made a mistake, didn't take a chance on something good. I realize that now."

"Too little too late," Taq informed him. "Just because you get your second chance at pirate glory, doesn't mean you get one with me. That's just life, Zek, deal with it."

She shoved the pyramid back in her satchel and started to leave. She looked back one last time to see a dejected Zek looking over at her. She knew he'd say something, probably some desperate plea or what, maybe sing some really terrible sea shanty. Instead, his face remained a contorted defeated expression as he called out to her one last time.

"Was it really all bad?" He pleadingly asked, perhaps in the most sincere tone he ever had spoke to her in.

Perhaps he was faking it, she had been sure he was being honest before and that turned out terrible. Then again, he looked so pathetic right then and there. Fine, she thought, throw him a bone, maybe it will shut him up.

"For a few hours it wasn't so bad," she admitted grimly. "It was a special wonderful night. Almost like a dream. Then I woke the next morning and you found you had killed it."

Zek looked away, staring into the fire pits. Perhaps he was think about one of the times they ate here, back when they were younger, when she was less careful, more naive. With a sigh, she offered one last peace offering.

"I wish you luck with the Fallen Serpent," she told him, doing her best to bury her distaste. "If nothing else, you're free now, Zek. I guess that's what you always wanted from the start. Congrats on that."

She walked away and did not look back. She wondered if he'd chase after her again. She hoped he wouldn't, she was tired of dealing with her past for today. She had to get back to her real concern, her future. She couldn't let anything hold her back.

---

Garrus never pictured one of his missions aboard the Normandy would involve grocery shopping, but given the circumstances it was a lot safer to send him instead of another crewmember. Besides, he wanted to see if anyone here sold dextro-based food items. He and Tali needed to eat too after all. Thankfully selling those crates of rifles and grenades had given them a sizable shopping budget. Retz himself was kind enough to give a list of suggested foods that humans could reasonably eat. Hopefully none of it was like those sandwiches from earlier in the day.

Helping in this endeavor was Legion, who's organic sample scans were more than sufficient to locate food edible for all species. There was a surprising selection of food stuffs to be sure, not all of it from Jackal space thankfully. With any luck, maybe Gardner could make something halfway decent out of it all. Right now, they'd settle for edible. It caused a little confusion for some of the vendors though.

"Makka Fruit isn't exactly good for you, sir," he said. "It just smells nice. You get sick when you eat it."

"That's because it has a different DNA compensation," Garrus explained.

"What?" The vendor said, now even more confused.

Garrus just sighed.

"Look, I don't have time to explain the science," he said in a bored tone. "You want our credits or not?"

"I don't particularly care what you do with it," the vendor told him. "Just letting you know about the danger so you don't try and get a refund later. We don't do that, especially not for that shit."

"Yes, I know," Garrus grumbled in annoyance. "You and everyone selling things here has made their feelings on refunds very clear to me at every opportunity."

He transferred the credits and the vendor whistled over to two grunts he had working for him. They started loading up the dextro-based fruit crate by crate. Garrus turned to Varvok and Legion, happy to be done with another item on their list.

"That should do it for Dextro-food," he noted. "I guess we lucked out a little. No one can eat the stuff so we're getting it all for a steal."

"Yes, you and the quarian's bizarre genetics aren't going to cost us too much thankfully," Varvok grumbled. "Just be grateful that so many vendors were overstocked with produce they couldn't sell otherwise."

Garrus did his best not to react. Varvok had held his tongue surprisingly well so far on this trip, so he was affording the batarian a few slides when he let his filter drop. Besides, he didn't really have time to get pissy with him. They still had a lot of unchecked things on the supply list to gather.

"We shall begin new scans for potential human species consumables," Legion said. "As well as medical supplies. We will report back with results."

Legion moved down towards the next crop of storefronts, Garrus and Varvok keeping pace with the geth as they walked. They didn't want to risk their synthetic friend getting too far ahead of them. Some curious Jackal might decide he was worth something. Garrus could still sense Varvok's uneasy tension as they followed Legion. Not wanting this mission to be more awkward then it had to be, he tried to ease things over.

"Is there anything specific you think your men could need while we're here?" He asked. "You probably need more rations than most of the fleet."

"I can determine what my people need better than you," the batarian assured, pride in both his step and voice. "That has been my job since I took command, after all."

Garrus shrugged, at least he tried. Shepard would've wanted that at least. He did not expect though for Varvok to suddenly lead the conversation in a different direction a few moments later.

"This whole situation is almost absurd to be honest," he declared rather suddenly. "I'm in a pirate lair, on a food run of all things, being led around by a turian and some damn synthetic. My father would probably be screaming bloody murder if he knew what I was doing right now. Lucky me, Balak has probably told my parents I'm dead by now, at least I hope he has."

"Where's this coming from all of a sudden?" Garrus asked curiously.

"From the accumulation of everything, being betrayed, being stuck working for an enemy I swore to destroy," he answered diligently. "The fact everything I once believed in has blown up in my face. The fact I'm probably the last hope the batarian people have of escaping Covenant assimilation. That's where this is coming from, not that you or Shepard care."

Garrus supposed this was going to come up sooner or later. Given what had happened yesterday, Varvok was bound to start venting to anyone who cared to hear. Him being the closest member of the Normandy crew nearby just made him the unfortunate recipient.

"Despite what you think, Shepard does care," he told the batarian, vehemently defending his friend. "I don't think he wants the batarians to be overtaken by the Covenant anymore than you do. You'd see that if you bothered to try instead of holding onto whatever chip is on your shoulder."

"Of course you'd say that, you didn't have to suffer the indignity my people have for decades," Varvok argued. "Humans weren't blocking your expansion. The Council wasn't using them as a buffer against your people."

"Hate to break it to you, Varvok, but your people never played nice to begin with," Garrus reminded him. "Maybe if your original forays into space hadn't been so aggressive, the Council might have heard your people out. You can't blame it all on the humans."

"So I have been told many times," Varvok huffed dismissively. "I suppose next you'll lecture me on why slavery is wrong, that's usually how this goes."

"I'm not much for lecturing," Garrus admitted. "Besides, I'm getting the feeling it would be like arguing with a brick wall at this point. Just try to understand, humans aren't nearly as bad as your government made them out to be. It wouldn't hurt to respect them."

"I do respect them, as adversaries," Varvok firmly corrected. "I respect Shepard for his ability to lead and command. I don't respect what he represents, I made that clear the night I came to you people for help."

Yes, Garrus remembered, the alliance sealed in a packed corridor on an infested Covie ship. He also remembered Shepard being quite reasonable, but apparently that wasn't enough to sway Varvok's opinion on humans as a whole. He wasn't sure why he was so stubborn, all he knew was that it wouldn't help him in the long if he kept it up. No plates off his back though, if the batarian valued his pride more than his cause it was his own damn fault.

"Just remember, it was humans who basically helped save you and your men's lives," he told Varvok sternly. "Meanwhile, your fellow batarians back home traded you away for guns. That's something to chew on in my opinion."

Varvok stopped momentarily, glaring at the back of Garrus' head. The turian turned around when he noticed and leaned partially against a stall. There was a question brewing in the batarian's mind, he could tell.

"Why are you so quick to defend them?" He asked suspiciously. "You of all aliens, I mean."

"Because I'm turian?" Garrus asked, almost bored by the question.

"Because you fought them," Varvok said approaching with his finger outstretched. "You bombed one of their major colonies to near cinders. You decimated thousands of them in a bloody and brutal campaign. They showed you no mercy in kind. You were reprimanded by the Asari for it, had to pay reparations, all because your military were simply doing their jobs."

Garrus just rolled his eyes.

"Mistakes were made on both sides, we all came to see that eventually," he told the batarian rather plainly. "The whole incident was one big misunderstanding and miscommunication. We overreacted before we thought and the Alliance weren't in the mood for diplomacy. The situation didn't need to go as far as it did. That's how I've come to see it. Besides, I've known plenty of turians who have failed to live up to my species' standards over the years. Individuals are more often the problem rather than whole groups. Plain and simple."

"Nobody being blameless doesn't mean someone isn't more at fault," Varvok argued. "And I don't think you seem to appreciate my unique situation. I joined the Swords of Khar'Shan because I wanted to right a wrong against my people, to open the stars to the Hegemony again. All my men did the same thing. Now, we're working with one of the chief reasons for our current set of problems and I made the deal with him. I'm a traitor in the eyes of my people, my men are traitors. We're working with the enemy. Can you at least acknowledge how difficult that is? How tenuous my position is?"

Garrus supposed he did see that part of Varvok's side of things. He was leading a group of people who didn't join to help save an alternate Earth from annihilation. Hell, they probably expected to help invade it just for target practice. Now, to save their people, they had to do the opposite. Whiplash did not even begin to describe that kind of situation. In Garrus' mind though, how difficult the situation was didn't matter. They had to accept this, Varvok had to accept it and bury whatever hatchet he still held in regards to his issues with Shepard.

"I'm squadmates with a geth," Garrus relented. "I killed a lot of his fellow synthetics. They were a separate faction, but I digress, they were still geth. So believe me, I get how weird it can be. You want to know how hard getting past that was? Ask Tali. She'll tell you the same thing, she had to admit to herself that she was wrong about a lot of things. Legion had to re-evaluate how it understood and saw the quarians. It was for the better of both their people they did that."

"Good for the quarian," Varvok said grimacing. "But I'd rather not have my situation compared to that of a failed master and a insubordinate slave that are now friends. What the humans did to us, what Shepard has done, is not so easily swept away."

Garrus just sighed, shaking his head. Like arguing with a brick wall, as he predicted.

"You know, if you bothered to actually reflect on yourself a little, maybe walk a mile or two in others' shoes, you'd be making more progress with this than you are now," he told the batarian with a frustrated look. "Also, I'd best be careful talking that way around either Tali or Legion. I'm not sure they'd be appreciate being called a slaver or an uppity slave. Just fair warning."

"Like I care what a machine and a quarian think of me," Varvok huffed.

"Oh you would if you knew Tali like I did," Garrus grinned. "She's very sweet and loving, but she can be really vicious. Trust me on that."

Legion approached behind Garrus, gaining the turian's attention. He silently thanked the spirits, he was not interested in going further into this debate than he already had.

"We have reached a consensus on several potential organic energy sources that could be viable for longterm consumption," it stated. "Mordin-Professor may have use of them for hydroponics lab currently under construction as well."

"Good find, Legion," Garrus complimented.

"One jackal also attempted to tear sections off this platform," Legion said. "Minor defensive measures were required."

Legion looked over it's shoulder to one Jackal who's beak was stuck in the side of a stall. He was trying to pull himself out to no avail. Garrus sighed deeply.

"I really hate this place," he groaned. "Let's get the food and put some space between us and this section of the markets. I want to get back over to Grunt and Kasumi. I don't like leaving either of them alone with Retz for too long."

---

Retz looked over the assortment of rifles with a shrewd eye. He checked the stock, sights and barrel once or twice. The vendor behind the counter of "Human Boomsticks Emporium" rapped his claws against the table impatiently as he did. Grunt wasn't much better, seemingly bored out of his mind as he waited for anything to happen.

"Look buddy, are you going to buy something or are you just going to scrutinize every little detail of every gun?" The owner asked grumbling. "They're real, I keep telling you that! Do you want them or not?"

"I do, but I'm considering quality over quantity," Retz explained. "I don't just want any old human pistol scooped up off the battlefield, you know."

"I get them from all over," the owner informed him scowling. "The hairless apes are getting creamed by the Covenant. Problem is getting the things before the Covies glass the place. Every bullet, bomb and weapon my contacts can nab costs me a hell of a lot of credits. If you're honestly trying to haggle down on price because you find a scratch or two somewhere, forget it. Transportation alone costs me a bundle, I need to make a living. So if you can't actually afford anything stop wasting my time and get out."

"I can afford it, I assure you," Retz promised, placing the rifle back on the rack. "My concern is if they're still in working condition. They're useless to me otherwise, I'm not looking for trophies or a mantlepiece. I need them to still be capable of killing."

The owner eyed him suspiciously, but seemed intrigued nonetheless. He ushered Retz over to him, looking about the storefront carefully.

"Alright, you want something that can kill, huh? Good condition even?" He began slyly. "I got something just in."

The Jackal dropped down behind the counter and then stood back up. He slammed a shotgun down on the table top with a grin across his beak.

"They call it a Shotgun," he said. "Weird weapon, fires a spread of lead from these little things."

He showed a small shell which he quickly loaded into the weapon through the feeder.

"Fast reloading, depends mostly on your fingers," he stated. "Can kill a sangheili at point blank range easy, shields or no shields. It's a fucking monster of a gun. Contact of mine stole them from this armory awhile back, shipped four crates right here. I have them on order for a special client, but I can part with at least one, maybe two for the right price."

Retz looked at the weapon from afar, the shopkeeper wasn't stupid enough to pass him a loaded gun it seemed. The jackal then looked back up and grinned sinisterly.

"How about all of them?" He asked bluntly.

The store owner laughed uproariously.

"Buddy, you don't have nearly enough creds for all of them," he declared. "Not enough to make me change my mind about the other client. He's paying me an easy half million."

"But I have something worth more than that," Retz declared. "Nay, worth pretty much all your good stock in fact. Something that I, on good authority, know you've been looking for yourself."

As if on cue, the sound of some very large rumbled into view of the storefront's open door. The owner looked to see at least three other Jackals hitching a ride on top of a large Wraith tank, armed with Carbines and Needle guns. The owner's beak dropped open in shock.

"You have a tank?" He asked in shock.

"I have a tank," Retz replied. "Actually I have a few, but I'm willing to part with one. I'm also willing to let you inspect it of course, take your time, my associates will help show you everything."

The owner nodded, still in shock, but he regained his composure long enough to say something.

"Just so you know, I have this container set with an alarm," he cautioned sternly. "You step out with anything it's going to go off. And all the ammunition is locked in the back, so the gun is useless to you even if you do get away."

"I understand completely, good sir," Retz replied feigning humility. "I have no reason to steal anything. As you can see, I can afford whatever I want."

The owner finally let his guard down and left the counter behind. He went outside to take a look at the tank. Grunt let out a groan as he did.

"Why is this taking so long?" He demanded to know. "Just pay for the guns and let's leave."

"You need to understand the art of the deal, Mr. Grunt," Retz informed him. "You want the most bang for your buck, in this case in a somewhat literal meaning, then you have to let me work my magic."

Grunt stomped slightly closer to the pirate and glared at him.

"It's Urdnot Grunt and you better not be wasting our time," he growled. "Just because I like your parties doesn't mean I'm forgiving. I'm here to make sure you do what Shepard asked."

"Apologies, Mr. Urdnot," Retz replied, no hint of fear in his voice. "I promise, we will get as many guns as we can carry and return them to the UNSC. You have my word as a pirate."

Grunt didn't seem to get the irony of that statement as he just lumbered over to a set of heavy machine guns in the corner. He was probably wondering if he could use one in a fight. Retz in the meantime moved over to a back corner behind a display. There Kasumi deactivated her cloak, she had watched everything more or less as she surveyed the store. The amount of stolen human weapons was certainly impressive, but she admired Retz's hustling a little more.

"You certainly took the owner by surprise," she complimented. "Did you suspect he'd reveal he had so many shotguns?"

"I'd suspected I'd get his attention once he realized I was looking for high quality and something that could rip my enemies to apart," Retz clarified with a smug look on his face. "You always have to make them believe they have something over you I find, reveal their hand. Then you show them that their offer can be overridden when you have something they can't afford to just pass them by. It's all part of the game."

Kasumi crossed his arms and grinned at the Jackal slyly.

"You've been doing this for awhile, haven't you?" She asked pryingly.

"Only since I hatched," he shrugged with a cocky grin. "I imagine your career as a thief is probably about as long as mine."

"I wouldn't say I was stealing things since birth," she replied. "But yeah, it's been a bit of a career I suppose. Back then I was bigger on the theatrics, left roses as a calling card, got older and realized that was silly. I figured out quickly that you shouldn't draw attention to yourself, better to be the best, not the most infamous."

"A wise strategy," Retz complimented. "How'd you manage that? People tend to notice when things go missing."

"True, but I have my ways, I've learned how to cover my tracks," she explained. "I once swapped out a priceless bust for a very legitimate looking fake. It's still there, no one knows I have the original. Can't sell it, but it looks nice."

Retz laughed approvingly at the story.

"You are a thief after my own heart, Ms. Goto," he applauded. "A clever ruse will always get you further than brute force I always say. You must have quite the fortune at this point."

"I have a decent cash fund," Kasumi replied modestly. "It was never really about the money though. I like the thrill more than anything. The fact it pays is just a bonus."

"Daredevil, huh?" The Jackal noted curiously. "Wish I had the same luxury when I was a kid. Stealing is more a way of life, the necessity of survival. Back home, if you want to make it anywhere, you need to learn the rules of the trade fast. The chief one being strangely similar to a phrase I heard in one of your people's vids the other night. I believe it was... take what you can, give nothing back. More than a few kig-yar live by that."

"I noticed," she said observantly. "It sounds like a very hard life to be honest. What with everyone being out for themselves and, by extension, out to get you."

Retz, surprisingly, nodded at the statement.

"It's true, it can be a very worrying existence," he agreed. "That's why there is another rule. Find someone you can place your trust in and be mindful of who you seek out in the process. No kig-yar can ever hope to get far in life without a partner or crew. It's suicide to try otherwise. If no one besides yourself is watching your back, how can you protect it when you look away?"

"That's surprisingly poetic coming from a Jackal," Kasumi said admiringly. "I suppose that's how you met Zek?"

Retz perched an eyebrow curiously.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"No offense to your friend, but you two don't really seem that much alike," Kasumi explained struggling to find the right words. "He's not as articulate as you, I guess."

"I suppose you mean he's more blunt?" Retz questioned. "I'll admit, Zek is far more impulsive in his machinations. He's also not nearly as good at lying, but he's got plenty of cunning and tenacity. He's a damn good pirate and he's a great negotiator in his own right. He prefers the action more than me, but make no mistake, he plays the game as well as anyone on our ship."

"So how did you two meet, exactly?" Kasumi asked, her curiosity piqued.

Retz looked partially away, a slight smile growing across his face. Kasumi could see the memories flooding into his mind as he thought of days long gone. It was the same expression she wore every time she thought of Keiji.

"I was, about eleven, maybe twelve," he began, his voice rife with nostalgia. "I was living on the Northern Continent of Eayn. The cities there are rife with high end businesses. I had been casing this antique store of a sort, planning to steal some of the items in its window. They were for a buyer who I had on good authority was interested in them."

"You had a buyer at age eleven?" Kasumi asked, slightly not sure if she believed him.

"Started with a fence at age five," Retz informed her. "Now please, this is my story, remember?"

Kasumi settled in, figuring she asked the damn question, might as well hear the whole story out.

"The security system was tight, but I believed that I could get in and out without raising any alarm," the jackal continued, his voice a bit excited by the old memory. "I was already well underway to unlocking the front door when I suddenly heard this strange thumping noise at my back. I turned to find another kig-yar, younger than me, age eight at minimum , throwing heavier and heavier rocks and bricks at the window. He was getting more and more frustrated by how it wasn't breaking."

"So, Zek always had a bit of a temper, huh?" Kasumi asked.

"I think he got it from his father," Retz admitted. "Dread Feather was known to lose it now and then. Anyway, I had to stop him before he woke up half the block and, of course, stole my take. We argued for a bit over who had cased the joint first. Until we realized we were after completely different things. Zek had found out, after working as a part-time helper at the store, that the owner kept a bunch of really valuable pieces in a safe in the back. That I did not know, because I was only really looking for the stuff my buyer wanted. We both soon realized that we had a common interest, but more importantly we had skills that complemented each other. I had the plan and resources, Zek had the muscle and the ambition."

"So you teamed up?" Kasumi asked, already knowing the answer.

"I got us in without sounding the alarm and Zek used his insider knowledge to, not only break into the safe, but also steal some other pieces he had learned were as equally valuable," Retz said, jovially recounting the moment. "We slinked away into the night with a bigger take than either of us had originally planned on. It was the start of a beautiful partnership. Ever since then, I've been the strategic brains and he has been the tactical field man. We've been inseparable ever since."

A cute story to be sure, Kasumi had to keep herself from giggling at the thought of two baby Jackals stealing together. Then she realized it was fairly easy to do that, considering how Jackals looked.

"You must've gone through a lot together over the years," she noted. "Starting your partnership at such a young age I mean."

"Con-artists, burgling, we were fishermen for awhile, that was mostly a front for smuggling of course," Retz listed off. "Then we learned of Zek's true parentage and inherited his father's last ship. That was when we became pirates and then we became privateers awhile later when the Covenant caught up to us. Now we're pirates again."

"And allied with the UNSC," Kasumi added. "What strange paths we follow."

Retz hemmed and hawed a bit at her comment.

"Allied is a strong word," he stated. "I prefer arrangement, it fits better. I might be willing to upgrade that to partnership if some things start bearing fruit."

"Such as?" Kasumi asked, her curiosity returned.

"Well, this sugar for one thing is interesting," he admitted.

Kasumi wasn't expecting to hear that from him. Sugar? What did that have to do with anything?

"Why are you interested in sugar?" She asked.

"Try to understand," Retz replied rather slyly. "I've never been big on ichor, but I don't begrudge it's consumption by others. Everyone needs something to indulge in, something to make them happy. It works for them. Unfortunately, ichor is really hard to get what with Covenant prohibiting it's production and distribution. The pirate clans who have a firm grip on the racket won't let it go. There's money in it, but it's also risky. That and there's always someone out there who wants a different fix. I kind of felt such a thing last night when I apparently ingested some of sugar. The low was harsh, but the high was certainly something while it lasted."

Kasumi's mind went a mile a minute as she processed the Jackal's words. This did not seem spur of the moment, these thoughts on sugar. Her mind went back to earlier in the day when the pirate had gotten into some himself. How he had just gotten away from everyone without them knowing. Then it hit her.

"That crewmen who got into the pantry, the one that got a sugar rush," she said, her voice rising in surprise at her realization. "That was planned, wasn't it?"

"Partly, I admit," Retz shrugged, sounding rather proud of himself as he explained. "I knew something had given me a buzz of sorts, other members of the crew felt the same. Korz was one of them, he has a very addictive personality. I made sure he was selected to come with us to the Normandy. I knew we wouldn't have another chance for awhile after last night's incident. I also suggested to him that it had to have been something in the food we ate, knowing he'd want to feel the buzz again. I knew he'd slip off, I just had to keep everyone's attention as long as possible, just until he found what we were looking for."

"You conned us," Kasumi said, both in admiration and indignation. "Why? You could've just asked about what happened to you and what might have caused it."

"Easier this way and I couldn't be sure what Shepard would do otherwise," Retz explained. "He might have used it as a reason to lock up the food or stalled or asked for medical tests. This plan offered the quickest results. Now I know human sugar has some kind of adverse effect on kig-yar. It may prove a very profitable commodity in the future."

Kasumi let whatever anger she had at the thought of being tricked subside for a moment. Her thoughts turned to the general problem with the plan.

"Most sugar is in the hands of humans," she reminded him. "A lot of it would only be found on colonies this far out in space. It's not going to be easy to acquire it."

"Human colonists need protection as much as anyone," Retz stated confidently. "I'm sure they'd part with their sweet powder if they had Covenant weapons to protect their family with. The UNSC can't be everywhere, not with the war apparently getting closer to their home system if I understand it."

Kasumi had to admit, it was a decent idea of sorts. At least he wasn't planning on taking the sugar by force. Would any colonist desperate for something to use against the killer aliens really say no to that deal? She couldn't think of any who would value sugar over their lives. Maybe really fat people, but still.

"It's going to take some doing to convince Holland or anyone to visit a human colony to pick up sugar," she warned. "Maybe for supplies, but you'd have to find a place with a lot of it."

"Details we can work out later," Retz reasoned plainly. "I'm sure there's a few colonies with some sugar nearby that we can make a detour too. We're going to need supplies again at some point."

Retz returned his gaze to Kasumi, his smile more or less returned.

"But we should be focused on far more pressing matters," he said grinning. "You heard our friend before. He keeps most of the ammunition in the back. Holland will be happy to have the guns back, but he'll be even happier to have more bullets overall. I don't want to blow our entire budget here, not with some rare Covenant weapons I'm aware of."

"And you want me to see if I can steal some extra ammo, huh?" She asked. "Well, I have a lot of pockets but it's not going to be that easy. Thermal clips are a lot easier to smuggle, less heavier than actual bullets too."

"You said you're best thief in the galaxy," Retz reminded her. "I'd be astonished if you couldn't swipe some measly bullets and shells when you can steal a valuable bust without anyone realizing it."

He was challenging now, she couldn't let that pass her by.

"Alright buddy, you're on," she declared. "I'll get enough ammo out and the owner won't even know I did it."

"Good, I was worried for a second you'd have some moral objection," Retz said in relief. "Then I would have to go on a big speech about how it's stealing from another thief so therefore it's not wrong and how it's for a good cause and I'd be really bored while doing it."

"Remember who you're talking to here," Kasumi laughed. "I'm in it for the thrill."

Kasumi turned her cloak back on, just as the owner returned.

"Alright it checks out," he relented with a sigh. "Everything is in working order. By the time I'm done selling off all the parts I'll have enough credits to replace over half the stock I have. I assume you want the shotguns for it."

"Yes, but I'm not sure that's nearly enough to convince me to sell it to you," Retz said smugly staring over at some human pistols.

"Fine," the owner grumbled. "What else you want?"

Retz just grinned a wide sinister grin.

"That depends," he said. "You have anything called a rocket launcher?"

---

The walk to the inner sanctum of the Hollow had not been a great one. Today had opened some old wounds he really hadn't expected to return. His stomach felt like it was loaded with stones as he walked. He supposed he expected any reunion with Taq to go badly, but he honestly thought he could at least mend the bridge a little. Now he was realizing he may have burned to ashes and he hated his younger self even more. He had gotten attached, he got scared and he ran. Just like his father did, and feeling guilty over it did little to rebuild his self-esteem.

There was nothing he could do though, Taq had moved on, that was clear. As much as he wanted to chase after her, it would only push her away more. He needed to let her go, maybe catch her after she made this score of hers, she'd probably be more receptive then. He wasn't giving up, but he knew this wasn't the right time. Besides, he had other business.

He approached the club, "Abysmal Grotto", named after the fabled watery grave the old sailors talked of, "The Grotto of the Abyss." There was a long line up with armed guards keeping everyone out. Him though, he was expected. He walked up the VIP steps and was quickly ushered in once they noticed who he was. He wouldn't have likely gotten this treatment were not for the fact that this was the favorite hangout of the most powerful kig-yar in this sector of space.

The Hollow had no ruler, just a loose connection of people who made up it's "management" for lack of a better word. No one stayed here for long, just long enough to conduct business and relax. The ship was where most crime lords held their sway, not here. If there was one kig-yar who could be considered the boss though, at least while he was in port, it was one pirate in particular. Zhoc, also known by many as Old Scratch or the Old Man, but he preferred to be called by a specific nickname, his favorite, Snarlbeak.

There were few Pirate leaders who were male, most of the time female kig-yar commanded legions of ships and fleets. Snarlbeak was one of the rare exceptions, like Zek's father Dread Feather. Snarlbeak, however was the exception that proved the rule, as his rise to power was a special case. One steeped in violence, cruelty and bloodshed. So really, like a lot of pirates in general.

Zhoc had once been First Mate to his sister, a powerful Pirate fleet commander named Zvaz the Insidious. She had amassed a great pirate fleet that was the scourge of galaxy. Even the Covenant feared her. Few could best her in battle. Zhoc did not seem to share the bloodlust of his sister, preferring to be the cunning to her fierceness. It was his expert planning that allowed them to plunder colonies and shipping lanes, always a step ahead of the Covenant fleets. It was believed, one day, Zvaz would rise to take control of the pirate clans for herself.

Then it all changed in one raid. A civilian cargo vessel they had picked out to rob, everything seemed to be going good. Then, a sangheili mercenary cut Zvaz down, right in front of her brother. Zhoc, covered with the hot sticky blood of his beloved sibling stood in shock as the sangheili proclaimed his victory over the supposed unconquerable pirate queen.

Something inside Zhoc snapped that day, something dark and terrible. Before the prideful sangheili knew it, the enraged brother of his fallen foe was upon him, slicing into him with claw and energy cutlass. The sangheili stayed alive long enough to use a plasma dagger to carve a hideous scar across Zhoc's face, up his beak and into his left eye. Zhoc only noticed it after he mutilated the sangheili warrior's corpse. When he saw what he had done, he vomited at the sight of the blood of both his sister and her killer pooling together.

Zhoc took command of his sister's fleet after that day, but he was not the same bird. Snarlbeak had been born. His sibling's ruthlessness had been transferred to him as he quickly made the fleet more feared, growing it ever larger and expanding the list of rackets they were involved in. The one difference, he never fought personally in a fight again. The sight of blood still sickened him. It helped sell his persona a bit, the one that was always grinning and smiling, a polite gentlemanly pirate. No one dared cross him, however, as everyone knew what he was capable of and what he was willing to do.

Meeting with him was dangerous, but Zek had a slight trump card in his favor. Snarlbeak and Dread Feather, his father, had been friends before his untimely demise. Zhoc had actually helped him get on his feet during his early days in the pirate business. They weren't friends, but Zhoc seemed to be more than affable to the son of his old confidant. Sentimentality went a long way in business arrangements. Zek hoped that the years away hadn't changed that.

Entering the club he moved passed the bar and subsequent dance floor towards the booths at the back. Most of these people were probably Snarlbeak's own crew. He tended to take over the place whenever he was in town. Suffice to say if you did something stupid to offend Zhoc, well you probably wouldn't live long. Another reason to get this over with quickly.

He made it to the back booths and found Zhoc in his usual place, surrounded by food, drink and a number of heavily armed guards. The Old Man was halfway through a big mug of ichor when he noticed Zek approaching. He slammed down his mug and smiled wide, his arms cascading about him in a welcoming gesture.

"Zek!" He greeted in a smooth inviting tone of voice. "By the ocean, it truly is you! Come! Sit! Have a drink! This is great day, my friends! The son of Dread Feather has finally returned!"

There was no clapping, despite Zhoc's insistence, just murmured grunts and tough guy looks. They were paid to be intimidating, not welcoming. The guards did give Zek a seat at the table and placed a mug of ichor in front of him though, so they weren't all bad. Zek, wanting to show he was a grateful guest, eagerly took the mug.

"It's good to be back," he stated proudly, before taking a big long swig. "Ah, good stuff as always."

"Special recipe, Spiced Ichor Rum," Zhoc informed him with beaming pride. "Had it specially made for my private stock. Broke it out when I heard you were coming, kid. Figured you deserved the best after your ordeal."

Zhoc had a tight hold on the ichor business last time Zek had been here. It seemed that hadn't changed, hell it had apparently expanded. Most black market ichor was just regular processed bile, straight from the boil on the Chorka. It was good, but the flavor varied from season to season and where you took it from on the body. Mixing it into rum, grog, beer or whatever drink you liked took a lot more time and effort and careful selection of Chorka stock. How Zhoc was managing to do that no one could say. Perhaps he had a secret processing plant on Eayn.

"It's good to be free of a shitty contract," Zek acknowledged, raising his mug. "I'm already painting the serpent on the side of my ship I always talked about. Figured it was about time."

"Yes, why waste time talking when you should just do it, eh?" Zhoc laughed in agreement. "After all, tomorrow could be our last, right? Seize the moment! That's what my dear sister always believed."

The guards hung their heads in respect at the mention of Zvaz. Zhoc looked to each of them in turn, making sure they did so. They didn't have to honor his guest, but his sister was another story. When that was over he quickly returned to their discussion.

"The Covenant probably weren't happy when you terminated your contract I suppose," Zhoc suggested. "I imagine you took many with you when you escaped."

"I took enough," Zek answered proudly. "How much exactly do you know about what happened anyway?"

"Oh, you know the Covenant," Zhoc said waving his hand about. "They like keeping things quiet more or less, defeats, traitors who escape, anything that makes it look like they're not invincible. All anyone knows is a kig-yar pirate turned on one of their fleets and ran. Knew it had to be you, you're one of the few crazy enough to fight your way out of a Covie armada."

Good, Zek thought, he doesn't know the full details. It probably wouldn't be wise to mention things like killing a prophet or aligning with humans. The devastated Fleet of Particular Justice was probably still in disarray after what had happened, it would take awhile for the whole story to become clear. He'd be long gone by then with any luck.

"Yeah," Zek said chuckling. "It was a pretty crazy thing to do in hindsight. More than my old man did of course though, right? I mean, I'm still alive!"

The two of them had a hearty laugh at that. Zhoc never seemed to mind joking about Dread Feather. Probably because, as Zek suspected at least, that his old man was not anywhere near the pirate his son now was. A little egotistical, perhaps, but Zek liked thinking it was true.

"So, how have you been anyway?" He asked Zhoc jovially. "What's Snarlbeak been up to while I was away?"

"A lot of things Zek," Zhoc replied, smoothing out the blackened quills on his head as he did. "Profits are up really high from last year. I just added a new battlecruiser to my fleet. Have to modify it, of course, but it should serve me well. I'm also in the process of setting up some outposts within Jiralhanae space. Those dumb apes are getting command of more ships, but they lack the finesse of the Sangheili. Their weapons should sell well on the black market."

"Boarding those ships must be a pain," Zek noted. "I've seen some of those monkeys fight, they're insane."

"I don't board their ships, Zek," Zhoc laughed affably. "I'm no fool. I blow open their hulls and let the primates suffocate. Easier to scoop up the weapons after that."

Ruthless but efficient, that was the Snarlbeak mission statement. Not that Zek's newfound friends in the UNSC could say any different, especially after their latest escapade. It was just the way Zhoc said it with a smile that was so unsettling. Zek took another sip from his mug to hide the fact he was a bit put off by said grin.

It was then he noticed the big lug of a kig-yar standing next to Zhoc. He was a large, imposing member of the species, but he wasn't the same as him or Zhoc. Where his beak should've been were a set of vicious toothy jaws. His quills were thicker, his skin scalier and he was fairly muscular, for a kig-yar anyway.

"Recruiting from Ibie'sh now I see?" Zek observed.

"Ah yes, how rude of me," Zhoc chuckled. "This is Lurz, my latest chief enforcer. I find his people on the southern continent an interesting breed. They're very aggressive, out for the thrill of the kill, the sting of a good fight. Lurz here is my favorite, such a loyal and dear friend. Say hello, Lurz, don't be shy."

Lurz just snorted and bared his teeth, Zhoc could only laugh.

"Forgive him, he is a creature of few words," he explained.

"Hey, no need to apologize," Zek assured, trying to hide his slightly shaken nerves. "Silence is golden and all that, heh, heh. Anyway, about why I came here."

"Ah yes, repairs," Zhoc nodded, toning down his demeanor slightly. "I've heard about that."

Zhoc took a brief swig of his drink before realizing it was near empty. He grumbled slightly and banged on the table of few times with it's bottom.

"Few people can break a slipspace drive and live," he noted, sounding a bit suspicious. "Honestly, I have to wonder what you could've done and why you were forced to do it."

"Details, details," Zek shrugged. "I don't want to bore you. Besides, you know how those drives the Covenant give to their minions are crap. You do tons of mods on yours and you make them run way better. Covies keep the best tech for their golden boys, the sangheili."

"Yes," Zhoc said with a dry grimace across his face. "That race wide cult of warriors certainly gets more credit than they are worth."

Zhoc suddenly started banging his mug down hard on the table. He then murmured to himself a series of angry grumbles, asking something about what was taking so long. Zek tried to keep the conversation going.

"Anyway, I know you don't just give out spare slipspace drives to just anyone," he stated. "I don't expect special treatment. So I brought you something that might interest you."

Zek took out the datapad and slid it over to Zhoc. He stopped the slide with his claw and brought it up to his face. As he began to search through the documents on it, Zek explained what he was looking.

"These are blueprints for an advanced type of mineral extraction probe," he explained diligently. "I know you're in the market of planet and asteroid stripping. This could easily reduce surface mining time by half. You just float in orbit, scan the planet below and when you find a high concentration of minerals, you launch. The probe hits the ground, gathers up the surface deposit and flies right back up with the results. It also can do advanced scouting, perfect for determining any anomalies your scans detect. Crashed ship, hidden weapons cache, who knows? The probe can find it."

Zek knew the instant he saw the Normandy's probe schematics that Zhoc wouldn't be able to resist. Strip mining was an easy and quick buck, something all kig-yar appreciated. Plus it gave you extra materials for your own ships and it cost you way less then it took to buy them. The look on the Old Man's face said it all, he was pleased.

"My, my Zek," he said fairly impressed. "Where in the universe did you stumble upon this type of tech?"

"I got my sources," Zek answered simply, figuring he wouldn't pry deeper.

Lucky for him, Zhoc didn't pry as that was when the unggoy servant finally approached, carrying a fresh mug of ichor. The gas-sucker was limping slightly as he moved and he was wheezing more than usual for his species. Zek eyed him as the unggoy placed the mug down on the table. Snarlbeak snatched it away from him, giving a furious look as he kept the datapad clutched in his other hand.

"Finally," he grumbled. "Stupid slow slave."

Zhoc took a short swig of the mug and then, suddenly spat it back out in disgust. He slammed the mug on the table and turned to the unggoy with a fury in his eyes, his smooth friendly tone replaced by one of pure rage.

"The hell is this?!" He demanded furiously. "This is the wrong recipe! The wrong stock! Worse yet, it's been spoiled! Spoiled!"

He threw the mug at the unggoy's head, hitting him between the eyes.

"You got it from an open bottle didn't you? One you probably left sitting on the counter like an idiot!"

"Me sorry, sirs!" The unggoy said, near to the edge of tears. "Me make mistake! It not happen again! Please!"

Zhoc's eyes grew cold as he leaned back in his booth.

"No," he said in a low rumbling snarl. "No, it will not. Lurz."

The large Ibie'shan Kig-Yar grabbed the unggoy by his collar and started violently pulling him away from the table. The poor pathetic creature cried in anguish, grasping at the table top as the kig-yar pulled. He pleaded with Zhoc, apologized profusely as he was dragged away. Zhoc watched every moment of it with an unwavering glare as the screaming unggoy was dragged out the back door nearby. Zek could hear the faint screaming and pounding of skin on flesh. He had to fight back his shock at the scene. Unggoys were stupid cowardly ingrates but that seemed a little extreme, even for him. It was just spoiled ichor, yell at him sure, but that went a little far.

"The service here has really gone down the toilet sadly," Zhoc said, his demeanor slowly returning to a more affable state. "Sorry about that, Zek. You know how it is though, if you don't stress the importance of something, unggoy will fuck it up. And sadly, there are just some you can never reach."

"Uh, yeah," Zek said, trying his best not to look put off by the scene. "Unggoy, man, idiots."

He was feeling a lot less comfortable at the moment. Mainly because of the words Zhoc had just used. They were eerily similar to what he had said to Garrus earlier. Too similar actually. But no, no, he wasn't anything like this. He just yelled at and insulted the methane suckers. He never did anything like this. He wasn't that bad, was he? No of course he wasn't. So why did his brain keep replaying the terrified look in that unggoy's eyes as he was dragged away. He took another drink of ichor, trying to put the thought out of his mind. It suddenly didn't taste nearly as good.

Zhoc in the meantime was scratching his scar slightly, as relaxed as he had been before. Zek just tried to retain his composure, even as his ears kept picking up the faint beating continuing outside.

"You should consider getting into the slave trade now that I think about it," Zhoc suggested casually. "Good money, you know."

"Never was into living cargo to be honest," Zek admitted. "Way too many problems with it."

"Hmm, I suppose, less competition for me anyway," Zhov said with a shrug as he turned back to Zek, his affable smile returning. "I think we can make a deal here with this tech of yours. I have a shiny new slipspace drive with your name on it. Heavily modified, sufficiently upgraded, way faster than the crap the Covenant stuck you with. I'll have it at your ship within the hour."

"Thank you, sir," Zek said quicker then he would've liked. "I really appreciate that."

"Oh think nothing of it," Zhoc insisted. "It's a good trade. Besides, you're practically family. Dread Feather was a dear friend. I feel obligated to assist his offspring in any way I can."

Lurz entered again suddenly, his hands covered in bright blue gore and blood. Zhoc instantly turned away, covering the side of his face with his claw. One of the guards passed the brutish kig-yar a towel to wipe the neon blue blood away. When he was clean, Zhoc returned his gaze to Zek, his smile once more back on his face.

"I suppose we're done here," Zek stated. "Best be going."

"You sure? Why not stay awhile?" Zhoc asked "I have plenty of Ichor rum."

"Nah, I think I've had enough for today," Zek said. "Thanks for the offer."

He got up and turned to leave, still trying to banish the thought of the unggoy's body laying in the back alley from his mind. That was when Zhoc called out to him suddenly.

"Zek, I just remembered," he shouted. "Do you recall that female you were with? Taq?"

"Yeah," Zek said turning back around. "But that ended a good while ago."

"Yes, such a shame," Zhoc said, shaking his head, feigning sadness. "I only ask because I wonder if you've been in contact with her."

"Why do you ask?" Zek questioned in return.

Zhoc started rubbing the back of his hand.

"No real reason to be honest," he admitted. "It's just that, well, we've had an arrangement for a while. I was expecting to see her today, but she hasn't arrived. I don't suppose you wouldn't know where she was?"

Zek didn't like the way he was asking these questions. They were more probing, more invasive, his voice was teetering slightly, sounding more like when he was getting frustrated over his drink not coming fast enough from before.

"I'm not sure, honestly," Zek stated plainly. "Why? What was she doing for you?"

"Just trying to get something for me," Zhoc said, running his finger around the edge of a mug. "You know that female. She can get anything from anywhere, even from Jiralhanae burial mounds of all places."

Zhoc laughed a little, a slight grin on his face as he did.

"It's just a trinket really," he explained further. "Something I need. I'm hoping she's just been delayed."

"Yeah, delayed," Zek said nodding. "That's probably all it is. Sorry I can't help, haven't see her myself. Sure she'll turn up."

"We'll see," Zhoc said, placing his fingertips together.

Zek started walking away again, waving a light goodbye and thanking Zhoc once more. When he was out the door he started walking faster before breaking into a sprint. His thoughts of the unggoy were gone for the moment, but a new face lying dead in the alley behind the club had taken his place. A face more personal and dear to him. He had changed his mind. Fuck giving her space, she needed help, his help, now!

---

Back in the "Abysmal Grotto", Zhoc's face fell from a smile to a monotone serious frown. Disappointing, he thought, so disappointing. He turned to Lurz slowly.

"Follow him," he ordered. "Bring heavy hitters."

Lurz just nodded and walked away.

"Are we still sending that slipspace drive to him?" Asked on of the guards.

"Of course we are," Zhoc assured. "We made a deal."

He reached for another mug of ichor rum. He raised it up and grinned widely.

"Snarlbeak always honors his deals."

---

Shepard stepped out of the briefing room of the Normandy, he had just finished with an urgent update from Liara back home. What he had been told was rather startling, but what was worse was he wasn't sure what he could do about it. He'd have to discuss it with Holland later.

It was then Miranda showed up holding a datapad.

"There you are," she greeted, handing the pad to him. "Mordin has finished work on the hydroponics lab. We should have sufficient calorie count for most of the crew, so long as they don't have to much of a problem eating mostly potatoes."

"If it means we won't run out of French Fries, I think the Marines will be okay with it," Shepard replied. "At least we got some good news today."

"Yes, EDI said you were talking to Liara," Miranda recalled. "Trouble back home I assume."

"She infiltrated a dig site the Covenant have got the batarians digging," Shepard explained. "Besides some pretty disturbing developments about what their little alliance has in the works it also revealed something else that's a bit more of a concern to us."

Miranda cross her arms in thought.

"I am assuming this has something to do with ancient artifacts?" She asked.

"That's becoming a theme lately," Shepard answered observantly. "I'll brief everyone in full once this supply mission is done. Easier to figure out a strategy that way. Speaking of, any word from Garrus?"

"They're making good progress," Miranda assured. "They've already marked off several items on the list. Apparently Zek was accurate, this hollowed out moon does have everything."

Nice to hear, but Shepard had a gut feeling the good news wouldn't last. Maybe it was his talk with Liara, maybe it was just the fact things with the Jackals hadn't been going as smoothly as he hoped. Either way, he was prepared for it.

"Keep Plan B ready to go just in case," he told her. "If something happens I want us to be able to react to it fast."

"Don't worry, Commander," Miranda assured. "It's just waiting for your go ahead. Hopefully we won't need it."

Shepard suppressed a mocking laugh. Hope they didn't nee a backup plan, he thought,when did that ever work out for them?

---

Retz and Garrus regrouped at the dry docks, where repairs on the Fallen Serpent were already well underway. Everyone else was busy helping get the supplies on board, leaving just the turian and the pirate by themselves for the moment. Retz looked pleased with the progress on the repairs. The hull was nearly back to code and the badly damaged weapons had been replaced. At the moment, upgrades to said systems were being put in place. Retz even got news from a subordinate that they had finished installing one additional system that was bound to cheer Zek up.

"Our speaker systems just went in," he informed Garrus. "Now our men won't have to miss out on music while they're working. I'm already considering a playlist of sorts from your pilot's expansive music library."

"Uh huh," Garrus said, not really looking at the Jackal as he spoke. His gaze instead was on the crew of the Serpent running around. "Is it just me, or is there a lot more of them than usual?"

Retz looked over to the crew still working on the ship briefly and then back to Garrus.

"Well, maybe a few more," he admitted. "There's always someone on the Hollow looking for work. Every now and then someone's ship gets confiscated or stolen and they get stuck here. It's only natural that-"

"You are missing my point," Garrus informed him, growing through his mandible a she did. "You said this was a supply run, you said nothing about recruitment."

Retz's monotone expression barely changed, his demeanor unaltered. He didn't look the slightest bit guilty or ashamed at being found out.

"When you lose a lot of people in combat you kind of need to replace them," he said unapologetically. "Do you want our ship to be understaffed?"

"How do you think Holland is going to feel about you adding more of unknown elements to this fleet?" Garrus asked, frustrated at how oblivious to the shit-storm Retz had potentially placed them in. "We already have the grunts you offered asylum, plus the extra Jackals who joined up when you took the other corvette."

"Chorka," Retz corrected. "We named it the Crusty Chorka, if you recall."

"Whatever! You're exacerbating a security issue we have yet to work out!" Garrus shouted in anger. "This wasn't part of the plan when we came here!"

Retz just sighed, crossing his arms in indignation at the turian.

"Look, me and Zek appreciate your unique and problematic situation," he explained grimacing. "We share your burden in fact, we're stuck together. I myself share these very concerns you express, believe me. However, we have to consider business in the long term for ourselves. We suffered a lot casualties over the past few days, some of them were your doing I might add. You can't expect us to sit on that issue forever."

"Did you even think about the various problems this is going to cause?" Garrus asked, himself rather angry.

"I did," Retz replied. "On one hand, potential security risks from new recruits who haven't built up the same brand of loyalty as our season vets have. On the other hand, our manpower has taken a substantial hit and Holland is angry at us using his men to supplement our taking of the carrier. He doesn't want to help us build up a pirate fleet, he's made that clear. If we're going to be self-sufficient and not have to go through that round of nonsense again, we need to get our crew complement back up to standard. We won't have to rely as much on the Marines, they won't feel like they're being used as muscle, we get our ship back up to code, everyone wins!"

Garrus supposed he understood the Jackal's side of it. That didn't make him like what was happening any better though. The defense still didn't answer his chief concern.

"What about security?" He asked again. "What happens when they figure out what they signed on for?"

"Please, I'm not an unggoy," Retz snorted back defensive. "I know what I'm doing, I gave explicit instruction to my recruiters on who to look for. I'll show you."

Retz looked for and pointed out a new Jackal in the crowd. He called him over, taking him away from his job loading the ship with supplies. He eagerly rushed over to them and stood at attention.

"What's your name, new blood?" Retz asked.

"Krez, sir," the feathery Jackal replied. "I just got off of T'Vao and I'm ready to make some creds with the son of the legendary Dread Feather."

"Alright, alright, don't need to oversell it," Retz told him. "Nice to see another T'Vaoan myself. Got off that rock as soon I could sneak aboard merchant ship bound for the homeworld. Has it changed much?"

"Still a craggy shit hole, sir," Krez said. "Why I got off when I could."

Garrus cleared his throat, hoping Retz would get back to the point he had been trying to make.

"Quick question, fledgling," Retz began. "What's your opinion on the Covenant?"

"Bunch of preachy losers, sir," Krez claimed. "And their mandatory sermons take precious time away from earning credits and drinking ichor."

Retz laughed a little at that, but kept on track.

"And your opinion on humans?" Retz asked.

"Uh, I don't have much of one," Krez admitted, seemingly befuddled. "I do hear they have money though and the Covenant hates them. So they can't be all bad. They have to have something worthwhile trading for."

Retz nodded in approval at the response.

"Why do we keep getting that question anyway?" Krez asked. "Are we going to run some kind of protection racket? I hear the human worlds further out in space can't count on their fleet to save their asses."

"Not important right now, new blood," Retz assured him. "Best get those crates loaded, you'll be briefed with the others later."

The recruit just nodded and took off back to his original duty. Retz then looked back to Garrus.

"See?" He said, his voice expecting something of an apology. "I purposely made sure we got people who didn't care about humans or the prospect of working with them. Which is most kig-yar in general, especially those here."

"Humans are labeled as abominations by the Covenant," Garrus reminded him. "Are you saying there are no Jackals who would be adverse to working with them? Not even the tiniest bit of doubt?"

"If they can make credits off it, they won't care," Retz insisted. "Our code is very clear on this; Nothing is personal, all is business and profit is everything. Even if some of them aren't fans of humanity, they can look past that so long as they can get something out of it."

"Does everything always come back to money with you?" Garrus asked, his tone one of exhaustion at this point.

"Not everything," Retz stated. "Just a lot of things. We're a free trade society, what do you expect?"

Garrus knew he was going to have a hell of a time explaining this to Shepard. Then again, he couldn't exactly keep an eye on every Jackal from the Serpent at all times, so he was reasonably certain he wouldn't get blamed for this. He would've liked to continue the conversation, but something else came up. Some Jackals with a large lifter machine of sorts rolled up through the crowd around the docks. Clutched in the machine's grasping claw, was slipspace drive.

"Ah, it's arrived," Retz declared happily.

He walked over to the device as the loader operator stepped out.

"One specially modified slipspace drive," he said casually. "Courtesy of Fleetmaster Snarlbeak."

"Snarlbeak?" Garrus asked, the name putting him off a bit.

Retz ignored him and placed his signature on the datapad the operator was holding out for him. At the same time, Jackals from the Serpent placed a hover cart below the loader. The operator then placed the drive down slowly on top of it and the Jackals carted the drive back towards the ship.

"Well, we're practically done," Retz declared to Garrus. "See? It all went pretty smooth. I'll just contact Zek and let him know."

Retz got on the communicator, placing it on speaker so Garrus could hear.

"Zek, we got the drive and repairs almost done," he reported in as the call got picked up. "Also, we got pretty much everything on our list and still have a little left over in our budget. How soon can you meet up with us? Vakarian here is getting a bit antsy."

Garrus grimaced slightly, but that expression turned to confusion when Zek responded.

"Retz, this is not a good time," he said. "Look, while I have you on the line, you wouldn't happen to have a link to the cameras monitoring the docks on hand would you?"

"Uh yeah, I can get it," Retz said, sounding a bit confused himself. "Take me like a second. Why do you need camera feeds?"

"Just do it and send them to my head piece," Zek ordered. "Don't ask why."

Zek terminated the call and Retz looked over at a very disturbed Garrus.

"I'm sure it's nothing," he tried to reassure the turian.

"I bet," Garrus replied, not sounding at all convinced. "Nothing at all."

---

Taq was fed up with how things had been going so far. No one seemed interested in her little venture. However, there was a chance to turn things around. A small crew in one of the bars said they'd be willing to hear her full pitch in her ship, if they were offered something as an advanced payment for their time. She didn't exactly have a lot of credits on hand that she could spare, but she figured she had something her ship she could offer. They promised to wait for an hour while she got it. It wasn't much, but at least someone was willing to hear her out in private. Once they learned of the payday that awaited she knew they'd be hooked.

She kept thinking of what she had that could work. Some special cases of ichor? Maybe. A few personal pieces that she could give them? She hated the idea of parting with that ancient sangheili gauntlet, but maybe she could convince them to consider it collateral. If they didn't like her pitch, which she knew would not be the case when they realized it was the motherload, they could keep it. Yes, those could work. Maybe throw in a Type-25 Launcher she had recently stolen. No ammo, but the big ass blade on the end still made it deadly.

She was almost to her ship, feeling confident of her chances, when she heard the last thing she wanted to hear right now.

"Taq! Taq!"

"Oh for the love of shit," she groaned aloud.

She turned around to see Zek running up to her in a panic. Why couldn't he take a hint? She now considered just strangling the moron at this point.

"I don't have time for another sad excuse for an apology, Zek," she told him scowling as he approached. "I have to get back to some people real fast with something or I can kiss my expedition goodbye."

Zek rushed up to her and blocked the path to her ship, which she could now see just on the other side of the containers.

"Taq, you have to listen to me, you-"

"No, I don't have to listen to shit from you!" She shouted at him. "It's over, dumbass! Get that through your damn skull! Now out of my way!"

She pushed him aside, but Zek grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

"That tiny pyramid of yours," He shouted suddenly. "It was a job for Snarlbeak, wasn't it?"

Taq looked at him, her expression of anger turning to one of nervousness.

"How the hell do you-?"

"He knows you double crossed him! That you're keeping the take for yourself and that you're here!" Zek declared frantically. "Zhoc knows, Taq! You're not safe!"

"And how the hell do you know?" She asked again, her fear mixed with expectant anger.

"Because I spoke to him," Zek explained. "I got Retz to hack into the cameras so I could find you. If I can do that, Zhoc can too!"

Taq suddenly ripped away from his grip in anger.

"You idiot!" She screeched "You talked to Zhoc and then came looking for me!"

"I didn't think you were working for Old Scratch when I talked to him!" Zek shouted back. "More importantly, I didn't have much time to think when I realized he was after you! I had to get to you before he did!"

"Unggoy brain!" She said smacking him against the side of his head. "Did it ever occur to you he let on to our deal so you'd lead him to me!"

"Yeah," Zek admitted. "But I totally lost his lackeys, I swear! I'm a slippery one, remember?"

Suddenly, the ground shook, the artificial cavern resonated with a deafening sound and a red hot light exploded up from near the containers. The force of the blast sent both Taq and Zek to the ground in a heap. Taq looked up and saw the smoldering remains of her beloved ship burning, a blaze of fire rising up from the wreckage.

"My ship!" She shouted, her claws clutching at her scalp. "All my stuff was in there! ALL of my stuff!"

She turned and grabbed Zek by the collar and shook him violently.

"Mr. Slippery, huh?!" She asked sneering.

"My heart was in the right place this time though," he said chuckling nervously. "You can't fault me for that!"

"Ocean's depths I hate you!" She raged at him. "I hate you so much! Why do you keep ruining my life? Is it fun for you at this point?!"

Zek looked past her shoulder, fear in his eyes growing. With his hand and he pointed upwards.

"I think you have bigger problems than me right now," he told her, gulping a she did.

Taq turned and her expression of fear now matched Zek's. Standing atop the containers were three or four kig-yar armed with Fuel Rod cannons. Standing in the pathway, illuminated by the fire of her burning ship, was one large, very thuggish looking Ibie'shan with a Carbine snarling at them. He was flanked by two other kig-yar with weapons of their own.

"Oh fuck me," Taq groaned, she then quickly turned to Zek. "That was not an invitation by the way."

"Didn't think so," Zek assured her, his voice in full panic. "Come on!"

He pulled himself free of her grasp and then grabbed her hand. They ran for a few seconds before Taq pulled her hand free and began breaking into a sprint. She easily got ahead of him, as plasma fire flew after them.

"I still blame you for this," Taq shouted at him as they ran. "Just so you know!"

"Blame me all you want, just run!" Zek shouted, pulling his plasma pistol out as he spoke.

He fired back at their pursuers as they tried to get back to the markets. Taq could only groan at her predicament. Everything had just literally blown up in her face. Her plans thrown out the airlock. Worst of all though, she was now forced to rely on Zek to save her ass. This day was now a total fuck up and it was just going to keep spiraling out of control from here on. Snarlbeak knew why this pyramid was so valuable. He'd tear the Hollow apart just to get it back, along with anyone who tried to keep it from him.

---

AN: Bit of a hiatus, but we're back people! I hope you understand, my attempts to make a buffer ended up getting stalled due to, well, a chapter being longer than I thought. However, now I felt ready to upload this. The Hollow at last. I know you're probably a little angry at the cliffhanger, but that was unavoidable. This chapter itself was getting long and needed to be cut down. However I think it came out wonderfully and I'm very proud of my work here today. I hope you enjoyed it too. Please do leave a review if you want and check out my blog for behind the scenes details. Link in the profile for those interested.

Come back next time, hopefully sooner, when you can read the thrilling conclusion to our heroes' adventure on the Hollow. See ya then.