Mass Effect: Razor 6/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 5 2013, 19:15:17 UTC
“This is fucking bullshit!” The woman pacing the interrogation room pushed the table out of the way. “Why the hell are you questioning me?”
“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to calm down.” The asari C-Sec officer instructed her. “Now, can you tell me again what you observed...”
“You want to know what I saw?!” Ashley snarled back. “I saw three people. Three! I saw a man lifted a pair of rifles like sticks! I saw biotics that tore entire platoons apart! I saw a psychotic bitch kill thirty good men with a shotgun and a knife without even pausing for a coffee break.” She smacked the side of her head. “And then to top it all off, I saw a whole fucking heap of shit that I don’t even understand. Put me in a fucking coma.”
“Yes, but if you could explain what you saw in the beacon, that might explain why...”
“No, I saw billions of people screaming in pain and dying in droves. I saw...something. Something big, something dark.” Exhaustion showed through the cracks of the soldier’s rage. “Look...I don’t know if the asari have a word for it. But from what I know...what I saw comes from a lake of fire and drags people back down into it. I saw...hell. That’s the only word I got for it.”
The asari did not look at all satisfied by her explanation. “There must have been more than that. Were there instructions of some kind? Would you be willing to submit to a voluntary joining of the minds in order to ascertain the truth of the...”
Ashley leaned forward. “Lady, you take one step toward me and I’m going to break your nose. Politely.”
The door to the interrogation room opened and another alien walked in. This time it was a turian, though not in C-Sec kit. He was dressed entirely in grey and black armour, cutting an imposing figure against the drab uniforms of the Citadel cops. He looked over at the asari and simply nodded. “Leave. Your assistance is not required.”
The asari opened her mouth to protest...then shut it just as fast. “Yes sir!”
Ashley’s anger faded into the background, curiosity replacing it as she observed the newcomer. He didn’t walk like a cop, but he didn’t look like a soldier, either. Clearly above the asari, yet he wore no insignia of any kind.
The turian examined her in kind, alert grey eyes scanning her up and down. His mandibles parted, teeth bared slightly. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me who you were. General Williams’ granddaughter, here in the flesh. Sole survivor of her entire brigade. There’s something very fitting about that.”
Ashley folded her arms. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m the alien who beat your grandfather.”
Ash didn’t know turian facial expressions from pyjak migration patterns, but she could have sworn that the alien had a grin plastered over his feature. “Really? And who’s that?”
“He never mentioned it?” The turian began to walk around her. “No...I suppose I wouldn’t have either. Always an embarrassment when you lose a war. Saren Arterius. Spectre.”
“So it was a war after all? Strange how you guys always try to palm it off as the ‘Relay 314 Incident’.” Ashley took the seat vacated asari officer. “I’ve never heard of you. You come to ask me another bunch of bullshit questions about stuff I don’t even understand? ”
“No, just to deliver your marching orders.” Saren replied, his tone that of boredom. “You’re being transferred under my command, until the apprehension or death of Commander Shepard, Systems Alliance Navy.”
“Yeah?” Ashley’s rage flared back up, fresh and fast. “Well I don’t think I’m feeling like serving under a turian.”
Saren nodded. “That is good. You have hate, a lot of it. But the question is, who do you hate more? Turians who beat your grandfather? Or the humans who massacred your friends...your unit?”
Ashley remained silent.
“You’re not happy about this, I can see that.” The Spectre moved closer to her. “To be honest, I have very little use for you. Had you been competent, you might have managed to at least kill one of Shepard’s team, or keep some of your own friends alive. You did not.”
Mass Effect: Razor 7/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 7 2013, 10:39:42 UTC
The Marine bristled. “That wasn’t my fault.”
“It rarely is, for anyone, and yet there you are.” Saren shook his head. “Your real value to me, Gunnery Chief, is what is in your head. Like it or not, that beacon gave you information, information similar to that given to Shepard. And yet, while Shepard regained consciousness almost immediately and with a homicidal edge, you woke up two days later with almost no side effects. I need your head examined, Williams, and not by any of the amateurs here.”
Ashley continued to stare at him, chewing her lip slightly as she thought about it. “If not here...then where?”
“There is a friend of mine. A Matriarch who has experience with this, more than most of her kind. It is possible that she will be able to give us a reasonably accurate interpretation of whatever the Protheans left inside your head. With luck, there will be information that directs us toward Shepard.”
Ashley lowered her gaze, staring back down at her boots. “And when we find her?”
“I am aware that N7s are held to be particularly good, the best, even. But I’ve killed the best of many species before. We will track her, find her, and then take her down. Now, I can’t promise you her head, that’s going straight to the Council, but you can take your time with her subordinates, and handle any preliminary interrogations that you see fit.” The human penchant for revenge. Such an easy way to manipulate...but very understandable. His own code held revenge to be essential to maintaining order, but he could ignore it when he needed to.
“Deal.” The Marine stood up. “So where do we find this Matriarch?”
“Ah...” Saren nodded. “That part...you might not enjoy as much as the revenge.”
-----------------------------------------------
“Millions of worlds in the galaxy.” Ashley grunted as she followed Saren. “Beach resorts by the handful, skyscrapers that go into low orbit...and we have to come to Tuchanka? Man, this place is so bad they don’t even have pics of it on the extranet.”
“You have a talent for complaining, really.” Saren was stoic about the heat, dust and potentially radioactive particles clinging to his armour. “Maybe you could complain about having to walk all this way?”
“Maybe I will?” Ashley growled back. “Why on earth does your asari friend have to come to Tuchanka?”
“She feels...obligation. Duty to those less fortunate than herself. Not something a human would understand, I’m sure.”
“What are you talking about?” Ash glared at him. “You hate it here as much as I do.”
Saren chose not to dignify her accusation with a response. He simply pointed. “Down there, cluster of pre-fabs. That’s where she’ll be.”
The climb down was almost as treacherous as the climb up from where the Normandy had dropped them. While technically just a simple pick up, Saren was not setting foot on Tuchanka without enough armour and weapons to fight off a thresher maw if need be. And so they walked, blessedly in silence this time.
She kept his pace...he’d give her that. “Your armour and weapons are terrible.”
Ashley blinked. First time he’d spoken to her about something non-mission related...and it was that? “Yeah, I know.”
“If you know, then why don’t you requisition better?”
“In the Alliance, only two groups get the good stuff. Special Forces and biotics.” Ashley shrugged. “Hell, I had to source my own armour. This was the best I could afford.”
Saren was silent. It just confirmed yet another of his theories about humans. Nothing he didn’t already know.
At the gate to the compound were a pair of krogan, both carrying high tech kit. SHE was probably splurging, pumping credits into a whole community, bolstering up education and local services. Always the good matriarch, always the wise teacher. Insufferable do goodery, really, but better he was her ally than enemy.
The gates opened slowly, with krogan weapons trained on him and the human as they walked through. On the other side, a massive krogan in deep red armour was standing, waiting for them. He growled slightly as he saw the turian. “Saren...”
“Wrex.” Saren greeted him neutrally. “Been too long.”
Mass Effect: Razor 8/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 7 2013, 10:45:27 UTC
“Not long enough.” Wrex bared his teeth. “And here I was hoping we’d meet somewhere nice and quiet where I could kill you in peace.”
Saren’s mandibles quirked slightly. “Better luck next time. Now where is she.”
“Right here.” A voice spoke from the entrance to the nearby pre-fab.
She was not dressed in her usual robes and headdress, but she was no less stately or magnificent for the plain overalls she wore. Descending down the short steps, she strode to Saren and embraced him warmly. “You are most welcome, my old friend.”
Saren was taken aback by her display of affection, awkwardly aware of Williams and her sniggering. It would take him a while to live this down. “Matriarch Benezia. It is...good to see you again.”
Benezia pulled away. “Likewise, Saren. And who is your companion?”
The human self consciously straightened up. “Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 2...of the SSV Normandy.”
Benezia’s face drained. “Then...the rumour’s are true. Nihilus is...”
“He’s dead.” Saren replied shortly. “I am tracking his killers. But to do that, I need the information salvaged from a Prothean Beacon. Information that the human has in her head.”
“Human has a name, split jaw.” Ash shot back.
“Please.” Benezia held up her hand. “Why don’t you both come inside. The children have finished class for the day.”
“Children?” Saren looked incredulous. “You are acting...as a teacher?”
“Saren, I think the krogan have earned the right to whatever education they wish.” Benezia’s eyes narrowed. “Unlike you, I grew up in the days when we remembered what they sacrificed for us.”
Saren had no wish to argue with her. She was always better with words. “Perhaps we could...?”
“Of course.” Benezia turned to Wrex. “The Shaman wishes you to instruct the children in the Rite of Challenge, as well as the Rite of Settlement today, in preparation for the Passage to the Hollows next month.”
Wrex bowed his head slightly. “As you command.”
Saren followed Benezia inside. “How much did you have to pay for his services?”
“Wrex? Not a credit, despite my insistence.” Benezia smiled. “He demanded that I simply add his fee to the cost of building this compound and properly arming it. It’s working wonderfully. This is neutral ground, partly because of our weapons, and partly because we picked up the allegiance of five or six major clans who are firmly on our side.”
“Ten years you’ve been down here.” Saren shook his head. “Seems like a waste of your time.”
“It is my time to waste.” Benezia sat cross legged on an elegantly woven carpet. “And now, I presume you wish me to meld with Chief Williams?”
“Yes, that’s the general idea.” Saren did not sit. “And I was hoping we might do this quickly.”
“In a minute.” Benezia turned to Ashley. “And you, Ashley? You have agreed to this?”
“Her agreement...” Saren began, but was silenced by the asari’s glare.
“Yes.” Ashley nodded, feeling a little smug over Saren’s sudden deference. “If you can find something in there that helps us kill them...then I’m fine with that.”
Benezia nodded, reaching out a hand to the side of Ashley’s head. “Be warned, Ashley. You may find this...strange.”
----------------------
Ashley gasped as she surged out of the water, hauling in mouthfuls of air as she struggled back onto the beach. She collapsed to her knees, retching slightly as she brought up seawater. “What...the fuck?”
“My apologies.” Benezia stepped out of the water alongside her. “I have been experimenting with easier ways of introducing the meld for the better part of two centuries. I find that the best thing to do is immediately introduce the subject to a situation of their choosing. In your case, this beach.”
Ashley glanced around. “This isn’t what the beacon showed me.”
“No, but I’ve had first hand experience with various artefacts such as the beacon you encountered. Experiencing a thousand memories at once can be an unpleasant experience. Better to view them from the outside, looking in. Are you ready to begin?”
Mass Effect: Razor 9/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 7 2013, 10:46:56 UTC
In all honesty, all Ashley wanted to do was lie down on this beach and go to sleep. But that would not avenge Nirali or the 212. “I’m ready.”
In an instant, the world changed. Ashley found herself walking through a battlefield. Around her, thousands of armoured figures battled against twisted, deformed shapes in the middle of a fog of war. Overhead, massive behemoths did battle against blocky cruisers. It was like the images she had experienced...but more clear, less terrifying and more informative.
“Interesting...” Benezia walked beside her, examining the figures. “My daughter would be fascinated by all of this...”
A voice rang out through the fog, the same one Ashley had heard when the beacon seized her. “THE REAPERS ARE UPON YOU. TAKE ARMS AND RALLY TO WAR. ASSEMBLE YOUR FLEETS AND PRAY TO YOUR GODS. ABOVE ALL, KEEP THE CITADEL SAFE. WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST, BUT YOU MUST SECURE OUR GREATEST WEAPON. FIND THE CONDUIT. FIND ILOS. MAY OUR SPIRITS AND WEAPONS GUIDE YOU TO VICTORY. AVENGE US!”
“This...is a lot clearer than before.” Ashley stared on with fascination as one of the massive ships lifted a tentacle and blasted away a cruiser.
“I have enough experience with the Prothean language and culture to interpret what you see.” Benezia frowned. “But there is far more than that. This is simply the top layer, easily available to anyone. There are deeper memories beneath. I can see co-ordinates, star charts, schematics for something. But there’s no way to access it.”
Ashley did her best to conceal her disappointment. “So there’s nothing to indicate where Shepard is going?”
“On the contrary, there is much there...just very little to piece it together.” Benezia looked frustrated. “Oh, if I had my daughter here, she could solve this in a few minutes. She spent her childhood in history books and the past forty years in Prothean ruins. If I had a tenth of her knowledge this would be easy.”
“So where is your daughter?”
“I don’t know.” Benezia turned to face her. “Her guard captain sent me a message two days ago, saying she and Liara were going on a last minute trip after their excursion on Therum, and that they would be out of touch for a while.”
“So we’re back to square one?”
“It might seem that way.” Benezia tapped her foot gently. “Come, we should probably take this conversation out of your head.”
------------------------------
Ashley blinked for a second as reality swam into view. “OK...that was trippy.”
“Well?” Saren asked impatiently. “Where is Shepard going?”
“In all likelihood? To find a weapon called ‘the Conduit’, on a world called ‘Ilos’.” Benezia told him straightforwardly. “None of which will make any sense until we go to the Citadel.”
“The Citadel?” Ashley was exasperated. “We just came from there.”
“Nevertheless, my daughter’s research works will be there, stored in the Council databanks in the Presidium libraries.” Benezia rolled down the sleeves of her jumpsuit. “I must confess, you have tickled my curiosity. Nihilus was an honourable soldier. If you need my help to avenge his death, you shall have it.”
“And your project here?” Saren indicated the classroom.
“The Shaman shall take over for now.” Benezia nodded thoughtfully. “She is wise, and the children love her. Besides, I know how you work, Saren. This will all be over in a few weeks. Then I shall return.”
A commotion outside interrupted their conversation. Wrex stormed in, his jaw set in a hard line. “My Lady, something dark is coming. Shadows on the horizon, shifting in the winds.”
Benezia moved fast. “Anything on the scanners?”
“No, but they’re calibrated for ground assault, not air invasion.”
The group rushed back out into the compound. The sun seemed to beat a little less harshly...for which Ashley would have given thanks if she hadn’t seen what was blocking it out.
An oddly insect shaped ship, about the size of a dropship, swooped in over the buildings. From the centre of its body, a hole opened, two dozen box shapes dropping into the compound. Saren’s eyes widened as he saw it. The same sight he had seen on a covert recon mission all those years ago. Geth. “PROTECT THE MATRIARCH!”
Benezia had different ideas. “PROTECT THE CHILDREN!”
Williams had already unfolded her assault rifle. “SHOOT THE BASTARDS!”
Mass Effect: Razor 10/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 8 2013, 03:12:13 UTC
The krogan mercenaries were well trained, and it showed. They moved in synch, some rushing towards the cluster of splitplates, others rushing to cover Benezia, the rest feverishly working on manning the compounds sole AA gun.
Then the geth unfolded and opened fire. Three krogan fell in seconds, smoking from plasma fire. The rest returned fire in a vicious fusillade that turned half of the synthetics into smoking metal.
Ashley’s rifle whined as the heatsink cooked. Not even bothering to wait for the reload, Ashley dropped the useless stick and pulled out her shotgun in one hand and her pistol in the other. Guns akimbo, she fired in staggered bursts, waiting for one gun to cool down while shooting with the other.
A geth bearing a rocket launcher took advantage of the chaos, shooting a missile directly at Saren. At the last possible second, the turian saw it coming and leapt clear, the blast throwing him against the side of a pre-fab. The turian shook his head, dazed
One of the geth noticed the target of opportunity. Closing quickly with the turian, it placed its odd foot against his chest and levelled its smooth barrelled rifle.
Saren looked up into the barrel and waited for the end...
*BOOM*
...and then opened them again as the synthetic toppled off him, missing its head.
He felt a human hand grab him. Williams. “Come on, split jaw. We’re not finished yet.”
In seconds the fight was over. The geth were scrap metal, the dropship was flying away and the krogan were roaring with victory. Saren frowned. It had been too easy...surely there would be more...
=Saren, Saren can you hear me= Anderson’s voice interrupted his thoughts. =You’ve got an unidentified dropship inbound. We already took out the cruiser it launched from.=
So...the Normandy wasn’t completely useless... “Already dealt with, Anderson...thank you for your assistance. Saren out.”
He turned back toward Williams. “You ever seen a geth before?”
She shook her head. “Just in the history books and the vids. They haven’t been out of the Perseus Veil in centuries, right?”
“Correct.” Saren looked back at Benezia. “I’ll have to add it to my to do list. Deal with Shepard, then investigate sudden appearance of geth.”
Benezia nodded. “Agreed. We should leave quickly. I doubt the geth were after a simple krogan encampment. They were after either you or I. The sooner we leave, the sooner these people are out of danger.”
“Wait.” Wrex held up his hand. “Where the Matriarch goes, I go.”
“Wrex, that is not necess...”
“You have sown the seeds of hope for my people.” Wrex shook his head. “You MUST live. I am coming with you to ensure that you do.”
Benezia opened her mouth to refuse his offer, but Saren stepped in. “Agreed. Welcome to the crew.”
Ash suppressed a giggle at the put out expression on Benezia’s face. Ah well, so maybe the mission would have its highlights.
--------------
Shepard waited in the chamber, slowly cleaning her shotgun. She sat naked on the cold metal, her armour scattered around her. She had no other garments besides that armour, not that she cared. Things like that just seemed...petty. There was higher work to be done.
Footsteps lightly brushed across the metal behind her. “Report.”
Clearing her throat, the asari awkwardly spoke. “It seems there was an Alliance vessel, the Normandy, in orbit over Tuchanka when the cruiser jumped in. They got off a single dropship before they were destroyed. Forces on the ground likewise finished off the geth we sent.”
Shepard remained impassive. “Your mother is not in our hands?”
“And without her, finding Ilos will be increasingly difficult.” Another figure stepped out of the shadows. Kaidan still wore the bottom half of his undersuit, but his chest was likewise bare. “Where do we go?”
Shepard ignored them both for almost five minutes as she lovingly reassembled her weapon. Finally she spoke. “We continue as planned on all fronts. Our assault on Virmire will be more difficult without Benezia to aid us, but the geth are expendable. Once we have the krogan, we move on Noveria and seize the Queen. By then, Jenkins and his assault force on Feros should have produced results. Then we go to Ilos, and seize the Citadel.”
Mass Effect: Razor 11/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 8 2013, 03:19:18 UTC
Liara nodded. “I will attend to Noveria personally. The Queen will require a firm hand to bring her in line.”
“Do what you must. Now leave me.” Shepard instructed her as she turned to Kaidan.
The biotic massaged his forehead with a grimace. Shepard noticed. “Your migraines?”
“Getting worse.” Kaidan admitted. “I prefer spending time down in the drive core...the ambient noise makes things a little more bearable.”
“I understand. I can move down there later.” Shepard turned away. “Are the reports true? Did the marine who accessed the beacon survive?”
“Unfortunately, yes. My contact also informed me that she was seen in the company of Spectre Saren Arterius.” Kaidan moved up behind her, slowly planting a kiss on her neck. “Shall I order a battlegroup to ambush the Normandy?”
Shepard flinched. “That would mean killing Anderson.”
Kaidan paused for a second, almost panicking. Anderson...Joker, his friends...how could he have forgotten about...
“Put out feelers through the Shadow Broker.” Shepard informed him bluntly. “He’ll come in line once he realises what’s about to happen. I want this marine dead...Saren too. And if Liara’s mother gets in the way...”
“I understand.” Kaidan’s hands snaked their way around her hips. “Will there be anything else?”
In a second, her mind flashed through all the necessary tasks yet to be done before the Return. She could not think of any.
THEN YOU MAY TAKE YOUR REST AND PLEASURE. EXCELLENT WORK.
She surrendered into Kaidan’s embrace.
-----------------------------------
“I have it!” Benezia looked pleased with herself as she pulled up the documents on the interface. “My daughter’s first thesis, on the possible reality of Prothean mythology. She surmises that Ilos was indeed a real world, painted as a fairy tale castle in order to disguise it from potential enemies. Now we know that they were these ‘Reapers’.”
“Did your daughter write anything else?” Ashley was hoping for something a little more...like a map to the damn place.
“Much more.” Benezia nodded enthusiastically. “She theorises that the Muu Relay, also known as the ‘Great White Missing’ by some cultures, was the only relay by which Ilos could be reached. As a consequence, when it was lost or hidden, all contact to Ilos could be terminated.”
“So we’re still no closer.” Saren stood up from his chair. “This is a waste of time.”
“You will sit down, and you will listen.” Benezia didn’t even bother to glare at him, her tone was not one that brooked argument. “If my daughter’s research was correct, then only two pieces are needed to lay a road toward Ilos. The exact co-ordinates of the system, and the location of the Muu Relay.”
“And can you get those for us?”
Benezia frowned. “We’ll have to see. Give me a few hours, then we’ll talk.”
Saren wanted to point out that a few hours was a nebulous amount of time...but debating the Matriarch in regards to her timing was a waste of it. The asari just didn’t seem to understand the concept of meeting a deadline. Thousand year lifespans were clearly not good for an individual’s sense of urgency.
Ashley followed him out of the library. “You know, I think I like her more than I like you.”
“I don’t think it’s possible for me to state how little I care.” Saren replied brusquely, hoping she would shut up. “If your species cared more about solving problems than getting along with people, your grandfather might not have shamed your name at Shanxi.”
“Y’know, I think you’re twisting history a bit.” Ash shot back. “He surrendered because you were dropping shells from orbit on anything that moved. An illegal tactic in Citadel space, I’m told.”
“The laws mean nothing if they get in your way.”
“So you get to break them whenever you want...but call humanity reckless and irresponsible if we even bend them?” Williams did that odd human thing with her right eyebrow. “Care to explain that one.”
“Easy. Humanity is weak and unstable, I am not.”
Williams took a step back, as if seeing him for the first time. “Wow...an arrogant prick AND a colossal hypocrite, all in the one bundle. I’m impressed.”
Mass Effect: Razor 12/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 8 2013, 03:27:22 UTC
Saren turned to face her. “Well, let me impress you some more. You may think that your little displays of insubordination and toughness make me cower, but I am simply making a list of them. And when this mission is done, I am going to make you answer for it.”
Ashley leaned close, baring her teeth slightly. “Name the time and the place, split-jaw. I’ll be waiting.”
Amazing. Less than five days, and he already hated her as much as he hated Shepard.
He opened his mouth to order her back to the ship...but the words were never heard.
“Chief Williams? Is that you?” A brown skinned, bearded human was approaching them rapidly. “Ashley?”
The woman’s anger faded instantly. “Samesh? What are you doing here?”
“Ashley...it’s Nirali. They will not give me her body.” The man was almost in tears. “They...they...”
“Samsesh, calm down.” Ashley rested a hand on his shoulder. “Tell me what happened. Who won’t give you her body?”
“Alliance men. Not soldiers, politicians. Bureaucrats.” Samesh took a deep breath. “Clerk Bosker...he’s the man who told me that they’re holding her body. They won’t even tell me why. They say it is classified.”
Ashley’s eyes became very cold. “Where can I find him?”
Saren just rolled his eyes. “Humans.”
-----------------------
“Clerk Bosker?”
The young human turned around to see a human and a turian standing behind him. “Yes? How may I...?”
Ashley’s fist sunk into his stomach. The man doubled over, wheezing in pain and surprise. “What...?”
“Now that I’ve said hello, we need to talk.” Ashley cracked her knuckles. “You’re holding the body of a very good friend of mine, PFC Nirali Bhatia. You’re going to return her to her husband...immediately.”
“You don’t understand...” Bosker retreated a step. “The biotics that killed her were beyond anything we’ve ever...”
Ashley kicked him in the kneecap. “I’m sorry, did I ask what you needed her body for? I said to give it back.”
“You...can’t do this...this is illegal.” Bosker gasped as he fell to the floor. Winding up, Ashley kicked him in the stomach again.
“Tell you what, what concerns you more, that my actions are illegal, or that I’m about to break every bone in your body?”
“Security!” Bosker called weakly.
“Spectre business!” Saren announced as he watched Williams work with detatched amusement. “Go back to your drinks.”
“Alright...alright.” Bosker coughed, squinting in pain. “I’ll see her body is returned immediately. In fact, I’ll have it shipped express.”
“Mighty kind of you.” Ashley bent down. “Oh, and if I ever here of you keeping families away from their honoured dead, I’ll bring an entire platoon of jarheads up here, and you can play word games with them, how’s that?”
Bosker just nodded dumbly.
-------------------------
“Thank you, Ashley.” Samesh enveloped the marine in a bear hug. “Nirali said you were an honourable woman. She always was an excellent judge of character.”
Ashley had no words for him. Nothing she could think of. “What will you do now?”
“I shall go back home, to Earth. I shall bury her body properly.” Samesh bowed his head. “After that...I do not know.”
Ashley nodded. “Samesh...just know that she loved you...more than anything.”
He nodded. “I know. It does not bring me happiness...but it does bring me peace. Be well.”
Saren stared with odd fascination as the grieving man departed. “Human grief processes never cease to amaze me. Such a display would not be tolerated on Palaven.”
Ashley was learning not to get angry at his barbs. “Yeah, that’s because you guys lose so many soldiers, it’s not a shock when another one drops dead.”
“Perhaps, perhaps.” Saren glanced at his omni-tool. “Anyway, we’d better hurry.”
“For what?”
“I will not allow you to continue endangering this mission with second rate equipment.” Saren replied, his tone bored. “If I have to drag you along, you will be properly armed.”
Mass Effect: Razor 13/? (Saren/Ashley)
anonymous
February 11 2013, 07:26:12 UTC
Ashley ran her hand along the sleeve of the Colossus X hardsuit. “Son of a bitch. Some of the guys used to have wet dreams dedicated to this stuff. Bar V shield modulators, triple reinforced armour plates, and that’s not even counting the non-Newtonian fluid backed into the inner layers to guard against...”
Saren shoved a rifle into her arms. “You don’t need to have a breakdown over it. Here. Spectre HMWA X. Pick up any other gear you want. I’m paying.”
His generosity caught Ashley off guard. “Well...thanks.”
“Don’t thank me.” Saren advised her. “This is so I don’t get killed because your Alliance issue gear mucks up on the battlefield and leaves me vulnerable.”
Aaand boom, the asshole was back. “Gee, what a pal.”
----------------------------------
“Our first task,” Saren explained as he set a brisk pace along the Citadel corridors. “Is clearly the pursuit of Shepard. But in the meantime, we have a secondary assignment. Think of it as...a sidequest.”
“A sidequest?” Ashley’s grin was subdued, but noticeable. “Do you keep a journal and an inventory while you’re at it?”
Saren paused to look at her. “I don’t understand...”
“Never mind.” Ashley shook her head. “Bad joke. Carry on.”
“The geth attacked us for a reason, and I want to know what it is.” Saren indicated a sleazy looking bar across the way. “The man who owns that bar, ‘Fist’, is a contact for the Shadow Broker. Anything you want, the Shadow Broker can get...for a price.”
“So we want to know why the geth have come out of the Perseus Veil?”
“Yes and no.” Saren led the way inside. “We want to know where the geth have been spotted. The actual location of their incursions tells us much more than any theoretical goals. From that we should...”
“Be able to deduce what they’re looking for.” Ashley nodded. “OK, makes sense.”
“Exactly.” Saren paused to take a look at the dancers for a second. Ashley snorted.
“Well, at least that much transcends species.”
“What? I’m merely appreciating the...aesthetics.” Saren smirked slightly. “Come on. I already made the appointment.”
Rounding the circle of the bar, they walked into something...unexpected.
“Where’s the quarian, Fist?” A turian in blue and black C-Sec armour towered over a human with close cut hair.
“Look, Garrus, there’s really no need for this.” The human spread his arms wide. “Come on, we’ve done business before, and you know that I deliver. So why don’t you settle back and have some drinks while I look for the quarian?”
“No good, Fist.” The turian snarled. “You promised her to me by today. I can smell the fear on you. Your boss come through with new instructions?”
“Hey, I’ve got to eat as well.” Fist shrugged. “Trust me, the quarian gone solves a whole lot of problems for everyone, you included. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about your 401 K recently. Retirement’s tough on a C-Sec salary.”
“You’re trying to bribe me?” Garrus took a step closer. “I didn’t think you were that stupid, Fist. You’re coming up to headquarters with me, and then you’re going to point out where your thugs took the quarian. Do anything else, and I’ll have an armed response team storm this place and drag you out in shackles.”
Fist just sighed. “Damn. I was hoping you’d be smarter than this. Alright, come into my office and we’ll fix this up right now. Hell, the Broker won’t mind if I let you have some skinny quarian...”
“The Broker minds everything, Fist.” Saren walked across the floor, leaving Ashley standing by the bar. “And while the rookie might not be aware, I know that there are two heavy turrets at the back of your office. Thinking of doing some cop-killing?”
Fist smiled awkwardly. “Saren, old buddy. You look good. Lost some weight?”
“Keep wriggling.” Saren advised. “My grip’s only going to get tighter.”
“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to calm down.” The asari C-Sec officer instructed her. “Now, can you tell me again what you observed...”
“You want to know what I saw?!” Ashley snarled back. “I saw three people. Three! I saw a man lifted a pair of rifles like sticks! I saw biotics that tore entire platoons apart! I saw a psychotic bitch kill thirty good men with a shotgun and a knife without even pausing for a coffee break.” She smacked the side of her head. “And then to top it all off, I saw a whole fucking heap of shit that I don’t even understand. Put me in a fucking coma.”
“Yes, but if you could explain what you saw in the beacon, that might explain why...”
“No, I saw billions of people screaming in pain and dying in droves. I saw...something. Something big, something dark.” Exhaustion showed through the cracks of the soldier’s rage. “Look...I don’t know if the asari have a word for it. But from what I know...what I saw comes from a lake of fire and drags people back down into it. I saw...hell. That’s the only word I got for it.”
The asari did not look at all satisfied by her explanation. “There must have been more than that. Were there instructions of some kind? Would you be willing to submit to a voluntary joining of the minds in order to ascertain the truth of the...”
Ashley leaned forward. “Lady, you take one step toward me and I’m going to break your nose. Politely.”
The door to the interrogation room opened and another alien walked in. This time it was a turian, though not in C-Sec kit. He was dressed entirely in grey and black armour, cutting an imposing figure against the drab uniforms of the Citadel cops. He looked over at the asari and simply nodded. “Leave. Your assistance is not required.”
The asari opened her mouth to protest...then shut it just as fast. “Yes sir!”
Ashley’s anger faded into the background, curiosity replacing it as she observed the newcomer. He didn’t walk like a cop, but he didn’t look like a soldier, either. Clearly above the asari, yet he wore no insignia of any kind.
The turian examined her in kind, alert grey eyes scanning her up and down. His mandibles parted, teeth bared slightly. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me who you were. General Williams’ granddaughter, here in the flesh. Sole survivor of her entire brigade. There’s something very fitting about that.”
Ashley folded her arms. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m the alien who beat your grandfather.”
Ash didn’t know turian facial expressions from pyjak migration patterns, but she could have sworn that the alien had a grin plastered over his feature. “Really? And who’s that?”
“He never mentioned it?” The turian began to walk around her. “No...I suppose I wouldn’t have either. Always an embarrassment when you lose a war. Saren Arterius. Spectre.”
“So it was a war after all? Strange how you guys always try to palm it off as the ‘Relay 314 Incident’.” Ashley took the seat vacated asari officer. “I’ve never heard of you. You come to ask me another bunch of bullshit questions about stuff I don’t even understand? ”
“No, just to deliver your marching orders.” Saren replied, his tone that of boredom. “You’re being transferred under my command, until the apprehension or death of Commander Shepard, Systems Alliance Navy.”
“Yeah?” Ashley’s rage flared back up, fresh and fast. “Well I don’t think I’m feeling like serving under a turian.”
Saren nodded. “That is good. You have hate, a lot of it. But the question is, who do you hate more? Turians who beat your grandfather? Or the humans who massacred your friends...your unit?”
Ashley remained silent.
“You’re not happy about this, I can see that.” The Spectre moved closer to her. “To be honest, I have very little use for you. Had you been competent, you might have managed to at least kill one of Shepard’s team, or keep some of your own friends alive. You did not.”
Reply
Reply
I can see Ash and Saren butting heads, especially over the "I'm the Alien who beat your Grandfather." And what Saren just said.
Reply
“It rarely is, for anyone, and yet there you are.” Saren shook his head. “Your real value to me, Gunnery Chief, is what is in your head. Like it or not, that beacon gave you information, information similar to that given to Shepard. And yet, while Shepard regained consciousness almost immediately and with a homicidal edge, you woke up two days later with almost no side effects. I need your head examined, Williams, and not by any of the amateurs here.”
Ashley continued to stare at him, chewing her lip slightly as she thought about it. “If not here...then where?”
“There is a friend of mine. A Matriarch who has experience with this, more than most of her kind. It is possible that she will be able to give us a reasonably accurate interpretation of whatever the Protheans left inside your head. With luck, there will be information that directs us toward Shepard.”
Ashley lowered her gaze, staring back down at her boots. “And when we find her?”
“I am aware that N7s are held to be particularly good, the best, even. But I’ve killed the best of many species before. We will track her, find her, and then take her down. Now, I can’t promise you her head, that’s going straight to the Council, but you can take your time with her subordinates, and handle any preliminary interrogations that you see fit.” The human penchant for revenge. Such an easy way to manipulate...but very understandable. His own code held revenge to be essential to maintaining order, but he could ignore it when he needed to.
“Deal.” The Marine stood up. “So where do we find this Matriarch?”
“Ah...” Saren nodded. “That part...you might not enjoy as much as the revenge.”
-----------------------------------------------
“Millions of worlds in the galaxy.” Ashley grunted as she followed Saren. “Beach resorts by the handful, skyscrapers that go into low orbit...and we have to come to Tuchanka? Man, this place is so bad they don’t even have pics of it on the extranet.”
“You have a talent for complaining, really.” Saren was stoic about the heat, dust and potentially radioactive particles clinging to his armour. “Maybe you could complain about having to walk all this way?”
“Maybe I will?” Ashley growled back. “Why on earth does your asari friend have to come to Tuchanka?”
“She feels...obligation. Duty to those less fortunate than herself. Not something a human would understand, I’m sure.”
“What are you talking about?” Ash glared at him. “You hate it here as much as I do.”
Saren chose not to dignify her accusation with a response. He simply pointed. “Down there, cluster of pre-fabs. That’s where she’ll be.”
The climb down was almost as treacherous as the climb up from where the Normandy had dropped them. While technically just a simple pick up, Saren was not setting foot on Tuchanka without enough armour and weapons to fight off a thresher maw if need be. And so they walked, blessedly in silence this time.
She kept his pace...he’d give her that. “Your armour and weapons are terrible.”
Ashley blinked. First time he’d spoken to her about something non-mission related...and it was that? “Yeah, I know.”
“If you know, then why don’t you requisition better?”
“In the Alliance, only two groups get the good stuff. Special Forces and biotics.” Ashley shrugged. “Hell, I had to source my own armour. This was the best I could afford.”
Saren was silent. It just confirmed yet another of his theories about humans. Nothing he didn’t already know.
At the gate to the compound were a pair of krogan, both carrying high tech kit. SHE was probably splurging, pumping credits into a whole community, bolstering up education and local services. Always the good matriarch, always the wise teacher. Insufferable do goodery, really, but better he was her ally than enemy.
The gates opened slowly, with krogan weapons trained on him and the human as they walked through. On the other side, a massive krogan in deep red armour was standing, waiting for them. He growled slightly as he saw the turian. “Saren...”
“Wrex.” Saren greeted him neutrally. “Been too long.”
Reply
Saren’s mandibles quirked slightly. “Better luck next time. Now where is she.”
“Right here.” A voice spoke from the entrance to the nearby pre-fab.
She was not dressed in her usual robes and headdress, but she was no less stately or magnificent for the plain overalls she wore. Descending down the short steps, she strode to Saren and embraced him warmly. “You are most welcome, my old friend.”
Saren was taken aback by her display of affection, awkwardly aware of Williams and her sniggering. It would take him a while to live this down. “Matriarch Benezia. It is...good to see you again.”
Benezia pulled away. “Likewise, Saren. And who is your companion?”
The human self consciously straightened up. “Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 2...of the SSV Normandy.”
Benezia’s face drained. “Then...the rumour’s are true. Nihilus is...”
“He’s dead.” Saren replied shortly. “I am tracking his killers. But to do that, I need the information salvaged from a Prothean Beacon. Information that the human has in her head.”
“Human has a name, split jaw.” Ash shot back.
“Please.” Benezia held up her hand. “Why don’t you both come inside. The children have finished class for the day.”
“Children?” Saren looked incredulous. “You are acting...as a teacher?”
“Saren, I think the krogan have earned the right to whatever education they wish.” Benezia’s eyes narrowed. “Unlike you, I grew up in the days when we remembered what they sacrificed for us.”
Saren had no wish to argue with her. She was always better with words. “Perhaps we could...?”
“Of course.” Benezia turned to Wrex. “The Shaman wishes you to instruct the children in the Rite of Challenge, as well as the Rite of Settlement today, in preparation for the Passage to the Hollows next month.”
Wrex bowed his head slightly. “As you command.”
Saren followed Benezia inside. “How much did you have to pay for his services?”
“Wrex? Not a credit, despite my insistence.” Benezia smiled. “He demanded that I simply add his fee to the cost of building this compound and properly arming it. It’s working wonderfully. This is neutral ground, partly because of our weapons, and partly because we picked up the allegiance of five or six major clans who are firmly on our side.”
“Ten years you’ve been down here.” Saren shook his head. “Seems like a waste of your time.”
“It is my time to waste.” Benezia sat cross legged on an elegantly woven carpet. “And now, I presume you wish me to meld with Chief Williams?”
“Yes, that’s the general idea.” Saren did not sit. “And I was hoping we might do this quickly.”
“In a minute.” Benezia turned to Ashley. “And you, Ashley? You have agreed to this?”
“Her agreement...” Saren began, but was silenced by the asari’s glare.
“Yes.” Ashley nodded, feeling a little smug over Saren’s sudden deference. “If you can find something in there that helps us kill them...then I’m fine with that.”
Benezia nodded, reaching out a hand to the side of Ashley’s head. “Be warned, Ashley. You may find this...strange.”
----------------------
Ashley gasped as she surged out of the water, hauling in mouthfuls of air as she struggled back onto the beach. She collapsed to her knees, retching slightly as she brought up seawater. “What...the fuck?”
“My apologies.” Benezia stepped out of the water alongside her. “I have been experimenting with easier ways of introducing the meld for the better part of two centuries. I find that the best thing to do is immediately introduce the subject to a situation of their choosing. In your case, this beach.”
Ashley glanced around. “This isn’t what the beacon showed me.”
“No, but I’ve had first hand experience with various artefacts such as the beacon you encountered. Experiencing a thousand memories at once can be an unpleasant experience. Better to view them from the outside, looking in. Are you ready to begin?”
Reply
In an instant, the world changed. Ashley found herself walking through a battlefield. Around her, thousands of armoured figures battled against twisted, deformed shapes in the middle of a fog of war. Overhead, massive behemoths did battle against blocky cruisers. It was like the images she had experienced...but more clear, less terrifying and more informative.
“Interesting...” Benezia walked beside her, examining the figures. “My daughter would be fascinated by all of this...”
A voice rang out through the fog, the same one Ashley had heard when the beacon seized her. “THE REAPERS ARE UPON YOU. TAKE ARMS AND RALLY TO WAR. ASSEMBLE YOUR FLEETS AND PRAY TO YOUR GODS. ABOVE ALL, KEEP THE CITADEL SAFE. WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST, BUT YOU MUST SECURE OUR GREATEST WEAPON. FIND THE CONDUIT. FIND ILOS. MAY OUR SPIRITS AND WEAPONS GUIDE YOU TO VICTORY. AVENGE US!”
“This...is a lot clearer than before.” Ashley stared on with fascination as one of the massive ships lifted a tentacle and blasted away a cruiser.
“I have enough experience with the Prothean language and culture to interpret what you see.” Benezia frowned. “But there is far more than that. This is simply the top layer, easily available to anyone. There are deeper memories beneath. I can see co-ordinates, star charts, schematics for something. But there’s no way to access it.”
Ashley did her best to conceal her disappointment. “So there’s nothing to indicate where Shepard is going?”
“On the contrary, there is much there...just very little to piece it together.” Benezia looked frustrated. “Oh, if I had my daughter here, she could solve this in a few minutes. She spent her childhood in history books and the past forty years in Prothean ruins. If I had a tenth of her knowledge this would be easy.”
“So where is your daughter?”
“I don’t know.” Benezia turned to face her. “Her guard captain sent me a message two days ago, saying she and Liara were going on a last minute trip after their excursion on Therum, and that they would be out of touch for a while.”
“So we’re back to square one?”
“It might seem that way.” Benezia tapped her foot gently. “Come, we should probably take this conversation out of your head.”
------------------------------
Ashley blinked for a second as reality swam into view. “OK...that was trippy.”
“Well?” Saren asked impatiently. “Where is Shepard going?”
“In all likelihood? To find a weapon called ‘the Conduit’, on a world called ‘Ilos’.” Benezia told him straightforwardly. “None of which will make any sense until we go to the Citadel.”
“The Citadel?” Ashley was exasperated. “We just came from there.”
“Nevertheless, my daughter’s research works will be there, stored in the Council databanks in the Presidium libraries.” Benezia rolled down the sleeves of her jumpsuit. “I must confess, you have tickled my curiosity. Nihilus was an honourable soldier. If you need my help to avenge his death, you shall have it.”
“And your project here?” Saren indicated the classroom.
“The Shaman shall take over for now.” Benezia nodded thoughtfully. “She is wise, and the children love her. Besides, I know how you work, Saren. This will all be over in a few weeks. Then I shall return.”
A commotion outside interrupted their conversation. Wrex stormed in, his jaw set in a hard line. “My Lady, something dark is coming. Shadows on the horizon, shifting in the winds.”
Benezia moved fast. “Anything on the scanners?”
“No, but they’re calibrated for ground assault, not air invasion.”
The group rushed back out into the compound. The sun seemed to beat a little less harshly...for which Ashley would have given thanks if she hadn’t seen what was blocking it out.
An oddly insect shaped ship, about the size of a dropship, swooped in over the buildings. From the centre of its body, a hole opened, two dozen box shapes dropping into the compound. Saren’s eyes widened as he saw it. The same sight he had seen on a covert recon mission all those years ago. Geth. “PROTECT THE MATRIARCH!”
Benezia had different ideas. “PROTECT THE CHILDREN!”
Williams had already unfolded her assault rifle. “SHOOT THE BASTARDS!”
Reply
Reply
Love Ash's line, straight down to business "SHOOT THE BASTARDS!"
Reply
Then the geth unfolded and opened fire. Three krogan fell in seconds, smoking from plasma fire. The rest returned fire in a vicious fusillade that turned half of the synthetics into smoking metal.
Ashley’s rifle whined as the heatsink cooked. Not even bothering to wait for the reload, Ashley dropped the useless stick and pulled out her shotgun in one hand and her pistol in the other. Guns akimbo, she fired in staggered bursts, waiting for one gun to cool down while shooting with the other.
A geth bearing a rocket launcher took advantage of the chaos, shooting a missile directly at Saren. At the last possible second, the turian saw it coming and leapt clear, the blast throwing him against the side of a pre-fab. The turian shook his head, dazed
One of the geth noticed the target of opportunity. Closing quickly with the turian, it placed its odd foot against his chest and levelled its smooth barrelled rifle.
Saren looked up into the barrel and waited for the end...
*BOOM*
...and then opened them again as the synthetic toppled off him, missing its head.
He felt a human hand grab him. Williams. “Come on, split jaw. We’re not finished yet.”
In seconds the fight was over. The geth were scrap metal, the dropship was flying away and the krogan were roaring with victory. Saren frowned. It had been too easy...surely there would be more...
=Saren, Saren can you hear me= Anderson’s voice interrupted his thoughts. =You’ve got an unidentified dropship inbound. We already took out the cruiser it launched from.=
So...the Normandy wasn’t completely useless... “Already dealt with, Anderson...thank you for your assistance. Saren out.”
He turned back toward Williams. “You ever seen a geth before?”
She shook her head. “Just in the history books and the vids. They haven’t been out of the Perseus Veil in centuries, right?”
“Correct.” Saren looked back at Benezia. “I’ll have to add it to my to do list. Deal with Shepard, then investigate sudden appearance of geth.”
Benezia nodded. “Agreed. We should leave quickly. I doubt the geth were after a simple krogan encampment. They were after either you or I. The sooner we leave, the sooner these people are out of danger.”
“Wait.” Wrex held up his hand. “Where the Matriarch goes, I go.”
“Wrex, that is not necess...”
“You have sown the seeds of hope for my people.” Wrex shook his head. “You MUST live. I am coming with you to ensure that you do.”
Benezia opened her mouth to refuse his offer, but Saren stepped in. “Agreed. Welcome to the crew.”
Ash suppressed a giggle at the put out expression on Benezia’s face. Ah well, so maybe the mission would have its highlights.
--------------
Shepard waited in the chamber, slowly cleaning her shotgun. She sat naked on the cold metal, her armour scattered around her. She had no other garments besides that armour, not that she cared. Things like that just seemed...petty. There was higher work to be done.
Footsteps lightly brushed across the metal behind her. “Report.”
Clearing her throat, the asari awkwardly spoke. “It seems there was an Alliance vessel, the Normandy, in orbit over Tuchanka when the cruiser jumped in. They got off a single dropship before they were destroyed. Forces on the ground likewise finished off the geth we sent.”
Shepard remained impassive. “Your mother is not in our hands?”
“And without her, finding Ilos will be increasingly difficult.” Another figure stepped out of the shadows. Kaidan still wore the bottom half of his undersuit, but his chest was likewise bare. “Where do we go?”
Shepard ignored them both for almost five minutes as she lovingly reassembled her weapon. Finally she spoke. “We continue as planned on all fronts. Our assault on Virmire will be more difficult without Benezia to aid us, but the geth are expendable. Once we have the krogan, we move on Noveria and seize the Queen. By then, Jenkins and his assault force on Feros should have produced results. Then we go to Ilos, and seize the Citadel.”
Reply
“Do what you must. Now leave me.” Shepard instructed her as she turned to Kaidan.
The biotic massaged his forehead with a grimace. Shepard noticed. “Your migraines?”
“Getting worse.” Kaidan admitted. “I prefer spending time down in the drive core...the ambient noise makes things a little more bearable.”
“I understand. I can move down there later.” Shepard turned away. “Are the reports true? Did the marine who accessed the beacon survive?”
“Unfortunately, yes. My contact also informed me that she was seen in the company of Spectre Saren Arterius.” Kaidan moved up behind her, slowly planting a kiss on her neck. “Shall I order a battlegroup to ambush the Normandy?”
Shepard flinched. “That would mean killing Anderson.”
Kaidan paused for a second, almost panicking. Anderson...Joker, his friends...how could he have forgotten about...
“Put out feelers through the Shadow Broker.” Shepard informed him bluntly. “He’ll come in line once he realises what’s about to happen. I want this marine dead...Saren too. And if Liara’s mother gets in the way...”
“I understand.” Kaidan’s hands snaked their way around her hips. “Will there be anything else?”
In a second, her mind flashed through all the necessary tasks yet to be done before the Return. She could not think of any.
THEN YOU MAY TAKE YOUR REST AND PLEASURE. EXCELLENT WORK.
She surrendered into Kaidan’s embrace.
-----------------------------------
“I have it!” Benezia looked pleased with herself as she pulled up the documents on the interface. “My daughter’s first thesis, on the possible reality of Prothean mythology. She surmises that Ilos was indeed a real world, painted as a fairy tale castle in order to disguise it from potential enemies. Now we know that they were these ‘Reapers’.”
“Did your daughter write anything else?” Ashley was hoping for something a little more...like a map to the damn place.
“Much more.” Benezia nodded enthusiastically. “She theorises that the Muu Relay, also known as the ‘Great White Missing’ by some cultures, was the only relay by which Ilos could be reached. As a consequence, when it was lost or hidden, all contact to Ilos could be terminated.”
“So we’re still no closer.” Saren stood up from his chair. “This is a waste of time.”
“You will sit down, and you will listen.” Benezia didn’t even bother to glare at him, her tone was not one that brooked argument. “If my daughter’s research was correct, then only two pieces are needed to lay a road toward Ilos. The exact co-ordinates of the system, and the location of the Muu Relay.”
“And can you get those for us?”
Benezia frowned. “We’ll have to see. Give me a few hours, then we’ll talk.”
Saren wanted to point out that a few hours was a nebulous amount of time...but debating the Matriarch in regards to her timing was a waste of it. The asari just didn’t seem to understand the concept of meeting a deadline. Thousand year lifespans were clearly not good for an individual’s sense of urgency.
Ashley followed him out of the library. “You know, I think I like her more than I like you.”
“I don’t think it’s possible for me to state how little I care.” Saren replied brusquely, hoping she would shut up. “If your species cared more about solving problems than getting along with people, your grandfather might not have shamed your name at Shanxi.”
“Y’know, I think you’re twisting history a bit.” Ash shot back. “He surrendered because you were dropping shells from orbit on anything that moved. An illegal tactic in Citadel space, I’m told.”
“The laws mean nothing if they get in your way.”
“So you get to break them whenever you want...but call humanity reckless and irresponsible if we even bend them?” Williams did that odd human thing with her right eyebrow. “Care to explain that one.”
“Easy. Humanity is weak and unstable, I am not.”
Williams took a step back, as if seeing him for the first time. “Wow...an arrogant prick AND a colossal hypocrite, all in the one bundle. I’m impressed.”
Reply
Ashley leaned close, baring her teeth slightly. “Name the time and the place, split-jaw. I’ll be waiting.”
Amazing. Less than five days, and he already hated her as much as he hated Shepard.
He opened his mouth to order her back to the ship...but the words were never heard.
“Chief Williams? Is that you?” A brown skinned, bearded human was approaching them rapidly. “Ashley?”
The woman’s anger faded instantly. “Samesh? What are you doing here?”
“Ashley...it’s Nirali. They will not give me her body.” The man was almost in tears. “They...they...”
“Samsesh, calm down.” Ashley rested a hand on his shoulder. “Tell me what happened. Who won’t give you her body?”
“Alliance men. Not soldiers, politicians. Bureaucrats.” Samesh took a deep breath. “Clerk Bosker...he’s the man who told me that they’re holding her body. They won’t even tell me why. They say it is classified.”
Ashley’s eyes became very cold. “Where can I find him?”
Saren just rolled his eyes. “Humans.”
-----------------------
“Clerk Bosker?”
The young human turned around to see a human and a turian standing behind him. “Yes? How may I...?”
Ashley’s fist sunk into his stomach. The man doubled over, wheezing in pain and surprise. “What...?”
“Now that I’ve said hello, we need to talk.” Ashley cracked her knuckles. “You’re holding the body of a very good friend of mine, PFC Nirali Bhatia. You’re going to return her to her husband...immediately.”
“You don’t understand...” Bosker retreated a step. “The biotics that killed her were beyond anything we’ve ever...”
Ashley kicked him in the kneecap. “I’m sorry, did I ask what you needed her body for? I said to give it back.”
“You...can’t do this...this is illegal.” Bosker gasped as he fell to the floor. Winding up, Ashley kicked him in the stomach again.
“Tell you what, what concerns you more, that my actions are illegal, or that I’m about to break every bone in your body?”
“Security!” Bosker called weakly.
“Spectre business!” Saren announced as he watched Williams work with detatched amusement. “Go back to your drinks.”
“Alright...alright.” Bosker coughed, squinting in pain. “I’ll see her body is returned immediately. In fact, I’ll have it shipped express.”
“Mighty kind of you.” Ashley bent down. “Oh, and if I ever here of you keeping families away from their honoured dead, I’ll bring an entire platoon of jarheads up here, and you can play word games with them, how’s that?”
Bosker just nodded dumbly.
-------------------------
“Thank you, Ashley.” Samesh enveloped the marine in a bear hug. “Nirali said you were an honourable woman. She always was an excellent judge of character.”
Ashley had no words for him. Nothing she could think of. “What will you do now?”
“I shall go back home, to Earth. I shall bury her body properly.” Samesh bowed his head. “After that...I do not know.”
Ashley nodded. “Samesh...just know that she loved you...more than anything.”
He nodded. “I know. It does not bring me happiness...but it does bring me peace. Be well.”
Saren stared with odd fascination as the grieving man departed. “Human grief processes never cease to amaze me. Such a display would not be tolerated on Palaven.”
Ashley was learning not to get angry at his barbs. “Yeah, that’s because you guys lose so many soldiers, it’s not a shock when another one drops dead.”
“Perhaps, perhaps.” Saren glanced at his omni-tool. “Anyway, we’d better hurry.”
“For what?”
“I will not allow you to continue endangering this mission with second rate equipment.” Saren replied, his tone bored. “If I have to drag you along, you will be properly armed.”
Reply
Reply
So Jenkins will be on Feros, Liara on Noveria. I'm curious what Ash will do if she gets her paws on either Jenkins or Kaidan.
Reply
Saren shoved a rifle into her arms. “You don’t need to have a breakdown over it. Here. Spectre HMWA X. Pick up any other gear you want. I’m paying.”
His generosity caught Ashley off guard. “Well...thanks.”
“Don’t thank me.” Saren advised her. “This is so I don’t get killed because your Alliance issue gear mucks up on the battlefield and leaves me vulnerable.”
Aaand boom, the asshole was back. “Gee, what a pal.”
----------------------------------
“Our first task,” Saren explained as he set a brisk pace along the Citadel corridors. “Is clearly the pursuit of Shepard. But in the meantime, we have a secondary assignment. Think of it as...a sidequest.”
“A sidequest?” Ashley’s grin was subdued, but noticeable. “Do you keep a journal and an inventory while you’re at it?”
Saren paused to look at her. “I don’t understand...”
“Never mind.” Ashley shook her head. “Bad joke. Carry on.”
“The geth attacked us for a reason, and I want to know what it is.” Saren indicated a sleazy looking bar across the way. “The man who owns that bar, ‘Fist’, is a contact for the Shadow Broker. Anything you want, the Shadow Broker can get...for a price.”
“So we want to know why the geth have come out of the Perseus Veil?”
“Yes and no.” Saren led the way inside. “We want to know where the geth have been spotted. The actual location of their incursions tells us much more than any theoretical goals. From that we should...”
“Be able to deduce what they’re looking for.” Ashley nodded. “OK, makes sense.”
“Exactly.” Saren paused to take a look at the dancers for a second. Ashley snorted.
“Well, at least that much transcends species.”
“What? I’m merely appreciating the...aesthetics.” Saren smirked slightly. “Come on. I already made the appointment.”
Rounding the circle of the bar, they walked into something...unexpected.
“Where’s the quarian, Fist?” A turian in blue and black C-Sec armour towered over a human with close cut hair.
“Look, Garrus, there’s really no need for this.” The human spread his arms wide. “Come on, we’ve done business before, and you know that I deliver. So why don’t you settle back and have some drinks while I look for the quarian?”
“No good, Fist.” The turian snarled. “You promised her to me by today. I can smell the fear on you. Your boss come through with new instructions?”
“Hey, I’ve got to eat as well.” Fist shrugged. “Trust me, the quarian gone solves a whole lot of problems for everyone, you included. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about your 401 K recently. Retirement’s tough on a C-Sec salary.”
“You’re trying to bribe me?” Garrus took a step closer. “I didn’t think you were that stupid, Fist. You’re coming up to headquarters with me, and then you’re going to point out where your thugs took the quarian. Do anything else, and I’ll have an armed response team storm this place and drag you out in shackles.”
Fist just sighed. “Damn. I was hoping you’d be smarter than this. Alright, come into my office and we’ll fix this up right now. Hell, the Broker won’t mind if I let you have some skinny quarian...”
“The Broker minds everything, Fist.” Saren walked across the floor, leaving Ashley standing by the bar. “And while the rookie might not be aware, I know that there are two heavy turrets at the back of your office. Thinking of doing some cop-killing?”
Fist smiled awkwardly. “Saren, old buddy. You look good. Lost some weight?”
“Keep wriggling.” Saren advised. “My grip’s only going to get tighter.”
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment