[Shepard stepped out of the teleporter and immediately wished she'd kept her breather on hand. The air here was foul, grimy, and it left a sticky feeling down her nose and throat. It hit like a wave and washed over her as she walked a few feet into the zone.
The smell was strange, she almost couldn't get a grasp on it through the visceral stickiness of the air. Like corpses and metal: it reminded her of the geth.
Shepard just scowled and opened her omnitool as she waited for the other two to step through. The tool was malfunctioning, jumping and scrawling as she tried to start video recording, but the base run-times seemed unaffected. She'd have to enter notes manually.
[Garrus stepped out of the teleporter behind her, shoulders hunched slightly. He felt incredibly tense - being this close to the imposter didn't help. He felt sick just thinking about it. He'd trusted her, gone along with her. He'd-
He didn't want to think about it. He took a deep breath - which was probably a mistake. That stench-
He swallowed, fingering his assault rifle. It'd take such a little movement to blow the back of her head open. To take vengeance for Shepard, for everyone else who had died because of Cerberus. For everyone who'd died in this imposter's littler runaround.
[Kaidan was last out of the teleporter, and he scanned the area, before recoiling at the smell. It made the ache between his eyes that had been his constant companion the past few days flare up a little worse. He winced through it, avoiding breathing through his nose.]
No one mentioned the smell, did they? [Would've been the first thing he'd have mentioned.]
[Shepard drew her gun from her side, powered it up, and started walking. Zaeed's feed had cut out a few meters from the transporter. He'd seen something. Kasumi had explained about the pillar.
Shepard had general coordinates, now was the time to head in and get more specifics.
She was going slowly, carefully, but it wasn't enough to keep her from getting nervous. Whatever was in the air, was on everything. It was a film at first, something her boots stuck to, something on the buildings, but it got thicker as they walked. Some sort of beige gunk.]
[There's something in his voice - a lack of his usual conviction, that unshakable faith that Shepard is going to get them all out of this in one piece. It's gone. But he follows her, stepping over and through the thin film of gunk covering the ground. He's silent for a few moments and then he can't keep it in anymore.]
So. Jane. If that's really the name you've been carrying for most of your life - how much is Cerberus paying you?
[He waits. Shepard is expecting Garrus and Alenko, not a following drell. So he needs to time it.
Shepard won't wait too long to move out. He gives them a two minute head start.
Then, Thane passes through the teleporter.] What are you hoping to do, Thane? [He doesn't answer the image. But he knows what he needs to do, if necessary. For now, he'll track and follow Shepard's group.]
[Kaidan flanked Shepard, keeping alert even while the smell still worked it's way through the air, so bad he could taste it on the back of his tongue. He also couldn't help the uneasy feeling crawling it's way up his spine, which was only heightened by Garrus's sudden question.
That actually made him tear his gaze away from the shadows he was eying, looking over at the turian with a look of confusion. That was a really bizarre question for someone who had actually gone with Shepard on the crazy Cerberus-funded mission.]
[Shepard stopped. The gunk was getting thicker, she could almost swear it had a pulse, but Garrus's question snapped her attention off that and over to him. Her headache was pounding down to her collarbone; she didn't bother to disguise her glare as she reacted.]
What the fuck are you talking about, Garrus? [He wanted to discuss the finances of the mission? Now? Fuck's sake, she knew he wanted to be XO officially but now was not the goddam time to be bringing that shit up.]
Pay attention to the task at hand and stop asking ridiculous fucking questions about money. Or would you prefer to be shot when some crazy bastard get's the drop on us?
[Garrus' mandibles twitched and his gaze kept darting between Alenko and Shepard - and if they were paying close enough attention, they'd notice that from time to time it'd land on something that wasn't really there.]
I'd rather not get stabbed in the back again. Already had that happen one time too many.
[His gun isn't pointed at anyone, yet.]
She told me, you know. Your little secret.
[He laughs - and it's a harsh sound, devoid of mirth. He sounds shaken up, as if he's just barely holding onto the edge.]
You really had me fooled, you know that? You show up on Omega just in the nick of time to drag me out of my own mess. Hell, I guess I was so grateful o you that I ignored all the warning signs. I wanted to believe it. I should've known it was too good to be true.
[He's trembling ever so lightly and his voice almost cracks.]You even made me believe you actually gave a damn about us. That night before the jump? Everything afterward? You really had me going. I thought I could trust you. It turns out that you're nothing more then
( ... )
[Kaidan is pretty sure he shouldn't get involved in this. However, they're all standing in weird goop, and it smells bad, and his headache is getting worse, and of all the things, Garrus is accusing Shepard of not being the genuine article?
Kaidan had said a lot of things he hadn't meant on Horizon, and some he still did mean, but he'd never for a moment thought Shepard was anyone but the genuine article. There was just something about a person that couldn't be duplicated.]
...Garrus, this [he indicates the woman that's NOT imaginary] is Shepard. Is this really the time to be questioning her authenticity?
[This was more than just a passing objection, it was a violent accusation couched in crazy rambling. It took Shepard a moment to move past the environmental problems, the weight on the air, and actually focus on what he was saying.
Garrus--Garrus--was accusing her of being a fraud? A Cerberus fraud?
Shepard actually recoiled slightly and her grip on her weapon tensed. She wanted to shoot him, every fiber of her being was demanding that she put a bullet in him, reminding her she'd killed people for far less, but the thought turned her stomach.
Instead, she resorted to a low shout to make her point:]
Garrus, whatever...or whoever the hell has gotten into that thick, turian skull of yours, shake it off! It's a fucking hallucination!
Right this moment, I'm the only Commander Shepard you should be listening to; ignore the invisible version and let's move.
[For whatever reason, she still couldn't fathom the thought that Garrus couldn't be trusted, that he might betray her. She hadn't even considered sending him back, yet.]
[There was conviction and near-panic in his voice as he took another step back, still trying to keep Alenko and Shepard - the fake Shepard - in sight.]
She... she's finally gotten me to understand. To see what's really going on here. Dammit, I loved you and now it's all falling apart.
[His voice drops and he raises a hand to cradle his head - the headache i a constant, repetitive pounding on the inside of his skull and it's starting to drive him mad. He can't think. They're going to kill him and he needs to kill them first, but it's still Shepard, even if she's really some clone or impostor. He can't just forget everything they've been through-]
Just like everything else did. Just like Omega. Like C-Sec. Help me, Jane. Please, I don't understand-
[He stiffens for a moment and glances over his shoulder as if there's someone there and his hand drops from his skull to pat his own shoulder - an invisible hand - in what Shepard might remember as a familiar gesture.]
[Kaidan automatically started moving sideways, getting himself a little closer to Shepard while keeping eyes on Garrus. He knows there's so much wrong with this situation, but he's got enough presence of mind to want to keep Shepard safe if Garrus went from talking to nothing to shooting crazy. Whether she deserves protection or not.]
Shepard, maybe Garrus should head back to base. He's obviously more affected than you thought.
[For now, Thane says nothing and keeps out of sight. Catching up to the others was simple enough; Shepard is discreet when she has the focus, but now isn't the time.
Not when they're arguing amongst themselves.
Thane takes cover, pulling out his sniper rifle. He has no intention of killing Garrus, but if he needs to shoot, he will.
They will not have another Zaeed on their hands.] Aiming your gun at your friends? [Thane closes his eyes briefly. His loyalty is to Shepard first and Garrus second. He will not have that debate with Irikah's image.]
[Kaidan was inching in and Garrus was talking to something that wasn't there. This situation was too familiar for her liking and it sent a cold bolt down her spine as she recognized it. She was terrified and that, in and of itself, was terrifying. In a fraction of a second, her pistol was up and pointed at Garrus.
It sickened her, but it wasn't the first military action she'd taken that she instantly regretted. It didn't mean it wasn't right, or necessary, she just regretted it. Her motion brought the conversation to a standstill and Shepard tried to force her brain to wrap around the situation at hand. She had a few seconds before she needed to speak, and she used them. She was twisted up about it, but this was getting out of hand.
Had gotten out of hand, already.
Her expression was a cold and flat as her voice when she spoke:]
Garrus. I'm not dealing with this on a daily basis, you hear me? Go back to base; that's an order.
[He should probably shoot her. She has a gun pointed at him - she's a clone, an impostor, she'll kill him anyway. No matter what he does, he's probably dead. He twitches, fighting against the urge to rbing his rifle up and spray a barrage of bullets at Shepard and Alenko.
No. No.
Alenko wasn't a part of this. He was being fooled just as much as he was. He couldn't... He couldn't just kill him. Maybe he should go back. Get ready. He can pick her off with one well-placed shot if he has to.]
Or... or what? Are you going to shoot me? Kill me like everyone else?
[He almost wants her to do it. He can't focus. But he should live. He needs to live for a little while longer. He starts backing up, inching toward the teleporter. He's unwilling to turn his back on her.]
The smell was strange, she almost couldn't get a grasp on it through the visceral stickiness of the air. Like corpses and metal: it reminded her of the geth.
Shepard just scowled and opened her omnitool as she waited for the other two to step through. The tool was malfunctioning, jumping and scrawling as she tried to start video recording, but the base run-times seemed unaffected. She'd have to enter notes manually.
Fine.]
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He didn't want to think about it. He took a deep breath - which was probably a mistake. That stench-
He swallowed, fingering his assault rifle. It'd take such a little movement to blow the back of her head open. To take vengeance for Shepard, for everyone else who had died because of Cerberus. For everyone who'd died in this imposter's littler runaround.
But he wanted answers. He'd play along for now.]
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No one mentioned the smell, did they? [Would've been the first thing he'd have mentioned.]
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[Shepard drew her gun from her side, powered it up, and started walking. Zaeed's feed had cut out a few meters from the transporter. He'd seen something. Kasumi had explained about the pillar.
Shepard had general coordinates, now was the time to head in and get more specifics.
She was going slowly, carefully, but it wasn't enough to keep her from getting nervous. Whatever was in the air, was on everything. It was a film at first, something her boots stuck to, something on the buildings, but it got thicker as they walked. Some sort of beige gunk.]
Keep your weapons up.
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[There's something in his voice - a lack of his usual conviction, that unshakable faith that Shepard is going to get them all out of this in one piece. It's gone. But he follows her, stepping over and through the thin film of gunk covering the ground. He's silent for a few moments and then he can't keep it in anymore.]
So. Jane. If that's really the name you've been carrying for most of your life - how much is Cerberus paying you?
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Shepard won't wait too long to move out. He gives them a two minute head start.
Then, Thane passes through the teleporter.]
What are you hoping to do, Thane?
[He doesn't answer the image. But he knows what he needs to do, if necessary. For now, he'll track and follow Shepard's group.]
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That actually made him tear his gaze away from the shadows he was eying, looking over at the turian with a look of confusion. That was a really bizarre question for someone who had actually gone with Shepard on the crazy Cerberus-funded mission.]
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What the fuck are you talking about, Garrus? [He wanted to discuss the finances of the mission? Now? Fuck's sake, she knew he wanted to be XO officially but now was not the goddam time to be bringing that shit up.]
Pay attention to the task at hand and stop asking ridiculous fucking questions about money. Or would you prefer to be shot when some crazy bastard get's the drop on us?
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I'd rather not get stabbed in the back again. Already had that happen one time too many.
[His gun isn't pointed at anyone, yet.]
She told me, you know. Your little secret.
[He laughs - and it's a harsh sound, devoid of mirth. He sounds shaken up, as if he's just barely holding onto the edge.]
You really had me fooled, you know that? You show up on Omega just in the nick of time to drag me out of my own mess. Hell, I guess I was so grateful o you that I ignored all the warning signs. I wanted to believe it. I should've known it was too good to be true.
[He's trembling ever so lightly and his voice almost cracks.]You even made me believe you actually gave a damn about us. That night before the jump? Everything afterward? You really had me going. I thought I could trust you. It turns out that you're nothing more then ( ... )
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Kaidan had said a lot of things he hadn't meant on Horizon, and some he still did mean, but he'd never for a moment thought Shepard was anyone but the genuine article. There was just something about a person that couldn't be duplicated.]
...Garrus, this [he indicates the woman that's NOT imaginary] is Shepard. Is this really the time to be questioning her authenticity?
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[This was more than just a passing objection, it was a violent accusation couched in crazy rambling. It took Shepard a moment to move past the environmental problems, the weight on the air, and actually focus on what he was saying.
Garrus--Garrus--was accusing her of being a fraud? A Cerberus fraud?
Shepard actually recoiled slightly and her grip on her weapon tensed. She wanted to shoot him, every fiber of her being was demanding that she put a bullet in him, reminding her she'd killed people for far less, but the thought turned her stomach.
Instead, she resorted to a low shout to make her point:]
Garrus, whatever...or whoever the hell has gotten into that thick, turian skull of yours, shake it off! It's a fucking hallucination!
Right this moment, I'm the only Commander Shepard you should be listening to; ignore the invisible version and let's move.
[For whatever reason, she still couldn't fathom the thought that Garrus couldn't be trusted, that he might betray her. She hadn't even considered sending him back, yet.]
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[There was conviction and near-panic in his voice as he took another step back, still trying to keep Alenko and Shepard - the fake Shepard - in sight.]
She... she's finally gotten me to understand. To see what's really going on here. Dammit, I loved you and now it's all falling apart.
[His voice drops and he raises a hand to cradle his head - the headache i a constant, repetitive pounding on the inside of his skull and it's starting to drive him mad. He can't think. They're going to kill him and he needs to kill them first, but it's still Shepard, even if she's really some clone or impostor. He can't just forget everything they've been through-]
Just like everything else did. Just like Omega. Like C-Sec. Help me, Jane. Please, I don't understand-
[He stiffens for a moment and glances over his shoulder as if there's someone there and his hand drops from his skull to pat his own shoulder - an invisible hand - in what Shepard might remember as a familiar gesture.]
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Shepard, maybe Garrus should head back to base. He's obviously more affected than you thought.
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Not when they're arguing amongst themselves.
Thane takes cover, pulling out his sniper rifle. He has no intention of killing Garrus, but if he needs to shoot, he will.
They will not have another Zaeed on their hands.]
Aiming your gun at your friends?
[Thane closes his eyes briefly. His loyalty is to Shepard first and Garrus second. He will not have that debate with Irikah's image.]
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It sickened her, but it wasn't the first military action she'd taken that she instantly regretted. It didn't mean it wasn't right, or necessary, she just regretted it. Her motion brought the conversation to a standstill and Shepard tried to force her brain to wrap around the situation at hand. She had a few seconds before she needed to speak, and she used them. She was twisted up about it, but this was getting out of hand.
Had gotten out of hand, already.
Her expression was a cold and flat as her voice when she spoke:]
Garrus. I'm not dealing with this on a daily basis, you hear me? Go back to base; that's an order.
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No. No.
Alenko wasn't a part of this. He was being fooled just as much as he was. He couldn't... He couldn't just kill him. Maybe he should go back. Get ready. He can pick her off with one well-placed shot if he has to.]
Or... or what? Are you going to shoot me? Kill me like everyone else?
[He almost wants her to do it. He can't focus. But he should live. He needs to live for a little while longer. He starts backing up, inching toward the teleporter. He's unwilling to turn his back on her.]
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