Post by ddraigcoch123 on Dec 2, 2012 20:11:09 GMT 1
Chapter 30
Shepard and her team approached the two Turians who were standing guard at a barrier in front of the doors to the quarantined district.
"Can't you read," one of the Turians said as they both readied their assault rifles. Behind her she knew Kasumi and Miranda had brought their weapons to bear on the two guards but Shepard kept walking until she was toe to toe with the Turian who had spoken.
"In case you haven't worked it out we're all human and apparently the plague doesn't affect us and more importantly I need to get inside to talk to the Salarian who's running the clinic… so be good boys and move out of my way."
The Turian in front of her made to raise his weapon and in blur of fluid movement Shepard gave him a blow under his chin with the heel of her hand at the same time stepping to his side and kicking his legs out from under him.
When the movement had stopped the Turian was moaning on the ground and Shepard had his weapon in her hand pointing directly at the head of the second guard.
"Yeah well… don't think getting back out… will be easy…" the second Turian's words tailed off as Shepard shoved the confiscated rifle into his chest and began walking past.
Once inside the doors Shepard also drew her Mattock, set to incendiary ammo, and started walking down the corridor. As the end of the corridor drew near she could see it opened out into an open square with what looked like shop fronts on all sides, all deserted and showing heavy damage from weapons fire.
Their route further into the district appeared to be blocked by another barrier on the other side of the open space and a lone figure was sitting on some abandoned boxes. As they walked, weapons at the ready, across the space the stranger stood up.
"That is one tall woman and built almost as solidly as that sweet Jamie," Kasumi's voice was low but Shepard heard the smile, they were both aware that Kasumi had been much taken with the powerfully built but kind and gentle child carer.
Shepard stowed her rifle, quickened her pace and opened her arms to welcome the woman into a hug, "Natasha Irina Mikhailovich what dafaq are you doing here?"
They crashed together the sound of their armour echoing around the space, Shepard was on the tall side herself but she only measured up to Tasha's shoulder.
They broke the hug and stood a little apart.
"Well for one thing I've dealt with your little welcome parade," and as Shepard looked where Tasha was indicating she could see four very dead Blue Suns mercs.
"But how did you know…" Shepard began but Tasha's mellow voice cut across her question.
"Worst kept secret in the galaxy Elvee, where the great back from the dead hero of the Citadel is heading… although I have to say not sure why you want that cranky Salarian…" as she was speaking the tall blond haired human pulled out a cigar and lit it, the thick smoke immediately spiralling from its end.
"Shit you still got that lousy habit… look it's great to see you and we need a proper catch up but I have a job to do… unless you wanted to join me?" Shepard and Tasha were too busy talking to each other to catch the expressions cross Miranda's face but Kas saw them and then they were gone replaced by her usual inscrutable mask.
But Kasumi had seen, shock, fear and then what looked like confusion, something that Kas would never have associated with the accomplished and professional Doctor.
"Well I thought you could do with the company… gotta tell you Elvee it's pretty lonely being the black sheep of the family, you're gonna need some help with the transition…" before Shepard could answer they heard tell-tale sounds of movement and instinctively drew weapons and took up defensive positions.
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The slog to reach the clinic in the centre of the district had been hard, not only finding Blue Suns and Blood Pack but also looters, lost and frightened residents, and those dying from the plague.
They helped who they could, encouraging some to make their way to the clinic when it was safe to do so and helping others to secure their properties where it was safer for them to sit it out.
Shepard had been glad of the extra firepower that Tash provided and as an Alliance trained marine they fell easily into the almost unspoken teamwork that was the hallmark of a well drilled squad.
Miranda proved to be very useful and an excellent weapons master but was obviously much more used to giving orders and making tactical decisions, but Shepard thought that would work itself out and it might be handy to have another experienced squad leader she could rely on.
Kasumi's technical skill which included running attack and recon drones gave them the edge on more than one occasion in the rabbit warren of narrow streets that constituted large areas of the district.
Eventually they made it to the clinic entrance and were met by security guards backed up with mechs.
"Stow your weapons and don't cause any trouble inside the clinic or you'll answer to the mechs," one of the security guards said as they approached.
"You won't have any trouble from us, we're here to speak to the Prof," Shepard said as she and her team put their weapons away.
"You'll find him through the main reception area in one of the wards."
The clinic looked to be well organised but it was packed with people in various stages of sickness and distress. As Shepard walked through she also noticed a group of human's who although showing no signs of illness had sought out the clinic for sanctuary.
Shepard picked up a conversation coming from a ward to her left and as she entered the room, which must have once merely been a large storage area but now was packed with beds and medical equipment, she saw a tall Salarian standing at a medical station working a console while answering questions from his staff in the usual quick fire manner of his race.
"Professor we're running low on cipoxin," a young assistant standing at Mordin's back asked.
"Use malanarin. Plenty on hand. Almost as good. Causes cramping in Batarians. Supplement with butemerol." Mordin answered without stopping what he was doing.
"malanarin and butemerol, got it." As the assistant moved away Shepard walked up and stood a little distance from the Professor and listened to what was obviously his musings on the plague.
"Cenozine is the catalyst. Bonds to genetic markers. Hard to find. Expensive to mass produce. Why not heplacore?. Too unstable. Inconsistent results. Demozane much better option. No. Demozane toxic to humans. Not an option. Not an option."
"Professor Mordin Solus," Shepard decided to get the Professors attention. Solus turned towards Shepard and activated his OT and ran a quick scan.
"Hmm don't recognise you from the area. Too well-armed to be refugees. No mercenary uniforms. Quarantine still in effect." As he finished speaking he turned and moved to another console saying.
"Here for something else. Vorcha?. Crew to clean them out? Unlikely. Vorcha symptom, not a cause." Mordin moved again this time to walk back and forth in front of Shepard and continued, "The plague? Investigating possible use as bio-weapon? No not enough data equipment. No. No. Too many guns. Soldiers not scientists.
Hired guns, maybe? Looking for someone? Yes! But who? Someone important. Valuable. Someone with secrets. Someone like me." The Professor now turned to face Shepard square on.
Shepard had been fascinated by the Professor and could almost feel his frenetic energy and also a strong impression that he could take care of himself.
"Relax Professor, My name is Commander Shepard and I'm here to ask for your help," Shepard relaxed into a familiar pose, leaning back on one leg and arms crossed.
"The Commander Shepard. But you were reported killed. Deception very good. Must have been a well-controlled cover up."
"No Professor, unlikely as it may seem I did… kind of die… Have you heard of an organisation called Cerberus?" She decided to press on and try to keep the Professor focussed on her request.
"Human centric organisation. Plague does not affect humans. I am too busy. Plague out of control. Too much to do." Shepard was a little surprised that Solus had heard of Cerberus but was pleased she had decided to be open about who was bank rolling her mission.
"It's a critical mission Professor; I'm going to take down the Collectors." As Shepard said Collectors the Professor stopped in his tracks and looked as if he was deep in thought as he spoke.
"Collectors? Interesting. Plague hitting these slums is engineered. Collectors one of few groups with technology to design in. Our goals may be similar." Shepard felt as if she was finally getting somewhere but the fact that the plague had been engineered needed to be thought about when they got back to the Normandy. Then the Professor was speaking again.
"But must stop plague first. Already have a cure. Need to start distributing it at environmental control centre. Vorcha guarding it. Need to kill them."
"We can take care of that Professor," as Shepard spoke a clanking and hissing sound came from the overhead vents that provided air circulation and cleaning.
"What the fuck was that," Tasha's asked the question on Shepard's lips.
"Vorcha have shut down environmental systems. Trying to kill everyone. Must get power back on before everyone in district suffocates. Also. Daniel, my assistant. Went into Vorcha territory. Looking for victims. Hasn't come back." It was an unspoken request.
"We'll do our best to find him." Shepard took the plague cure from the Professor and walked towards the exit of the clinic her team in tow.
They had only moved up one staircase and reached the entrance to another wide open 'square' before confronting a group of Blood Pack mercs. Shepard couldn't find any way around them, and in any case if they didn't fight them on the way to the environmental controls they would probably have to fight them on their way back.
"On my mark, Tash with Miranda left flank, Kas your with me, we'll take cover at that first barrier and hit them from there." Shepard got nods from her squad they slipped into the area only being spotted at the very last moment before Shepard and Kas hit cover.
The enemy they were facing were mainly Vorcha, some with flamethrowers with three Krogan battle masters. Shepard and Kas ripped into the troopers with assault rifles set with incendiary ammo. Shepard also had her shotgun ready set with disruptor ammo and swapped quickly between the two particularly when the Krogan's began to move forward.
Within half a minute a firestorm dropped in from cover on the left of the room, Tash and Miranda had managed to move quickly to out flank the mercs who found themselves without cover from this onslaught.
Shepard indicated to Kas to stay put and set up a couple of defensive drones while she took advantage of the shock of the other half of her team jumping into the fight, and she moved quickly to the right side of the room there was practically no cover but she only needed to get to the pillar fifteen feet away.
She was working forward to try to get the drop on the remaining two Krogan's when a door to her right a little way in front opened and another Krogan entered the fight. Shepard had no cover and knew that the worse thing she could do was retreat, she only had the element of surprise.
Shepard already had her shotgun in hand and moving forward swiftly she rammed the weapon into the side of the Krogan and got off two shots before being thrown ten feet through the air with a sweep of the furious Krogan's arm.
Smashing into a wall it was actually the result Shepard wanted, she had put distance between her and the now wounded Krogan more quickly than she could have under her own steam.
She had held onto her shotgun but reached for a frag grenade and before she had even finished hitting the ground had thrown it through the air at the now charging Krogan. She followed it up with another shot as she scrambled to her feet only to roll to her left to gain a little more distance springing to her feet in time to see the Krogan stagger under the impact of the grenade.
Another two blasts from her shot gun as she now started walking back towards the heavily injured battlemaster who had lost his weapons and had slumped to his knees. A final blast from her shotgun straight into his face put him on his back; she continued walking and stepped over the Krogan's body.
The rest of the fighting seemed to be dying away and after a few more seconds the space fell silent. She looked back and saw Kas begin to move forward and her two other squad mates moved out from behind cover.
"Well that was fun… nice work with that Krogan Elvee you still got the touch," Tash grinned at Shepard and slapped her on the back as they began moving again towards the environmental control station.
Although the Vorcha didn't create their own technology once they had acquired it they used it as well as any of the other species. As they got closer to the control centre Shepard and the squad needed Kas to override the now very securely locked down doors between entire sub-districts.
Thankfully they didn't encounter another large group of mercs, but were kept on their toes, and busy with smaller groups of Blue Sun and Blood Pack who had been separated from larger more organised groups and were merely fighting to survive.
Finally within striking distance of the control centre they hear voices drifting towards them from a corridor off to the right. Shepard signalled to Kas and Miranda to stay put while she and Tash moved towards the open door to one of the apartments.
"No, you have to believe me… I… I… work with Professor Solus at the clinic… please…" the voice was young and very frightened and sounded human.
"You are spreading the plague; it's here in your bag human do you think we're stupid," the second voice was deeper, almost a growl and almost definitely belonging to a Batarian.
"Maybe we should cut off his fingers then he would talk," another Batarian voice who finished his words with a laugh.
"No please believe me, those are the cure… I came to help..."
Shepard indicated to Tash they would move into the room and get the drop on whoever was inside… on three they moved swiftly in and split to left and right.
"Look out..." one of the Batarians shouted and Shepard could see there were four altogether, the one who was closest to the frightened young medic put his pistol to the side of the human's head.
Shepard held her weapons pointing at the Batarian who was covering the medic and said.
"Look I get that you're scared of the plague and the Vorcha but this guy isn't your enemy, he really does have the cure, let him go and you can all walk. If you start shooting you all die, don't doubt me, you will be first." Shepard's voice was steady and she knew that Tash had already worked out the order of shots to take if necessary.
"Oh please… don't let me die… please," the young medic looked as if he was going to drop to his knees with fear.
"How do I know I can trust you human?" the Batarian seemed to be the leader of the group and was matching her stare.
"I'm trying to get the cure to the environment control station my fight isn't with you Batarian, but I won't let you kill an innocent bystander whose only crime is to be stupid and naïve," Shepard finished and continued to keep her eyes locked with the Bararian watching for any shift that would tell her he was going to fire.
He moved his gun and then dropped his hand to his side the other Batarians followed suit, but before anyone could say anything else a roar of weapons fire rebounded around the room and Shepard had no choice but to shoot the Batarian she had been talking to as his weapon came back up to shoot.
Once Shepard was sure her shot was good she looked around the rest of the room and saw three other dead Batarians on the floor. Daniel the medic fell to his knees she thought he might actually be sobbing.
"What the fuck did you do that for," Shepard turned and walked straight up to Tash who was now leaning against a wall with her weapon held in both hands across her stomach.
"You weren't really going to let them walk out… Elvee where the fuck do you think you are… you're on your own now… no Alliance to back you up or look over your shoulder," Tash's voice was steady and she spoke in a matter of fact way, almost as if explaining something really simple to someone who should already know what she was talking about.
"They would have walked away, there was no need and what if you hadn't been quick enough to finish them or I hesitated… that could have gone so fucking wrong…" Shepard was interrupted by Kas and Miranda coming into the room.
"I had it Elvee, I'd never leave your arse hanging out… look they knew we had the drop on them, much more sensible to leave and ambush us when we left… come on you're not going to lose sleep over Batarians." And with that she stood up straight and ambled out of the room.
"What the hell happened Shepard," Miranda asked concern edging her tone.
Kas had moved to help Daniel to his feet and the young medic seemed a little more in control of himself.
"Nothing it's all fine. Daniel you need to head back to the clinic Solus needs you and your going to get yourself killed if you wander around out here," Shepard spoke with as much kindness as she could muster but the medic had brought the situation on himself and she needed to move on to complete the mission.
"You killed them… they surrendered and you killed them… that's not right… your murderers," he was babbling but was looking past her to the dead bodies.
"Hey you little fuckwit… we just put our lives on the line to save your stupid arse… we did what we had to do now get the fuck out of my eye line you ungrateful little shit," Shepard's voice was harsh and her tone hard, the young medic was on the receiving end of the anger she felt at the situation, which was tainted by her memories of Torfan.
The medic gathered his bag and rushed from the room, Shepard noticed Kas eyeing her with a surprised expression, the outburst was not like the Commander and Shepard felt ashamed of how she had spoken to Daniel.
"Let's move out," Shepard would apologise to him when they got back to the clinic and she would also have a very robust talk to Tash about following orders and not being a hothead, if indeed Tash wanted to be a member of the squad.
They made it to the main entrance to the environmental control centre with little further incident. Kas hacked the door and they moved cautiously into the large open area and at the further end of the room they could see a large group of Vorcha.
One of the group moved forward and shouted across the room.
"You no come here; we shut down machines, break fans."
Shepard noticed that the main room had gallery's running along the length of the room on the left and right, she was sure she saw movement. The main controls were at the end of the room directly in front of them, behind the group of Vorcha.
"Everyone choke and die, then Collectors make us strong."
Shepard began to move forward closer to her chosen cover and knew her squad was doing the same.
"Why are you doing this," she shouted just to give a few more moments to get her squad set up.
"Collectors want plague. You work for Doctor, turn machines on. Put cure in air. We kill you first."
"Now," Shepard called through her suit comms and all four hit cover and began to take down the group of Vorcha in front of them.
As Shepard had expected the gallery's had Vorcha rocket troopers on and were a priority to be taken out.
"Miranda, can you use your biotics to lift or slam those guys up top, Tash concentrate on them with you sniper. Kas you and I will keep the ground guys occupied." With targets carved up between the squad they all set to their duties.
Tash needed a better angle so worked further around to the left and she and Miranda targeted the right hand balcony. When that one was clear they re-oriented their attention to the left hand balcony.
At the same time Shepard and Kasumi had finished off the ground troops and Shepard decided to make a run for the main controls while Tash and Miranda took out the remaining resistance.
Once Shepard had put the cure into the distribution system they had to turn on the fan systems located in two separate machinery rooms. They encountered more resistance but worked effectively as a team and once the two fan units were back on and the plague cure had started to circulate the Vorcha resistance faded away.
It was an easier journey back to the clinic but not without some skirmishing with Blood Pack mercs but they were either quickly dispatched or they retreated out of the fight.
Finally back at the clinic Shepard found Professor Solus with his assistant Daniel.
"Environmental systems engaged. Airborne viral levels dropping. Patients improving. Vorcha retreating. Well done. Thank you Shepard." Mordin spoke once again with his clipped, fast delivery but Shepard detected a little less frenetic activity in his demeanour.
"Professor, how can you thank these monsters, they butchered those Batarians in cold blood." As Daniel spoke his voice was edged with anger and distaste.
It hadn't been Shepard's decision to kill the Batarians but anything that happened when she was in charge was her responsibility and she always stood by her troops, even if in private she gave them a dressing down.
"Hell we saved your life, saved the whole damned district come to that and you're judging me." Shepard really didn't want to take this much further and only hoped that it hadn't screwed her chances of recruiting Solus to her mission.
"Shepard's right Batarians tortured you, would have killed you, she was right to kill them." Shepard was surprised at the Professors reaction but then remembered he had served in the Salarian special forces and had a bit of a reputation for being able to take care of himself.
"But we are here to help, to heal people…" Daniel was cut off by the Professor again.
"Sometimes you can only help people by killing what is threatening them, sometimes there is no cure Daniel. Now give me a moment with Shepard and then we will talk."
Mordin Solus watched Daniel leave the room and turned to Shepard, "he is idealistic but a good Doctor and is more than capable of running the clinic. I will need a day to make arrangements but then I can join you. If that is acceptable."
"No problem Professor, this time tomorrow we'll be expecting you on the Normandy," Shepard offered her hand to Mordin Solus who took it, and they sealed their agreement with a handshake.
When they had made it back out of the district and met up with Garrus, Shepard turned to the group and said.
"Tash and I need to do some catching up, why don't you three make your way back to the Normandy, I'll be a couple of hours." Shepard received nods and a very wary look from Garrus who had no idea who the stranger was.
"Drink?" Tash asked fully expecting the answer to be yes.
"Lead the way… so long as it's… aw hell Tash does it have to be Afterlife…" but despite her reservations she fell into step besides Tash and they both made their way to the club.
They compromised and found a table in the lower bar which was much quieter and had a more intimate feel. Then when they finally sat down with drinks in hand Shepard asked the question that had been on her mind for years.
"So why the hell did you just disappear, no contact, I can understand not wanting anything to do with your father… but you were my best friend not just my cousin," Shepard could hear in her own voice the years old hurt that still rankled all this time on.
"Aw Elvee… if you're going to be the black sheep, well got to do it properly," Tash looked uncomfortable for a moment and then continued, "I messed up big time, and I didn't want to bring any of that mess to your door. You still had your career in the Alliance; I had to take a different path."
"Not good enough Tash, you know I wouldn't, didn't, judge you… I know how much being in the Alliance meant to you, it was all you ever wanted, we both had the same plans… was there no way back for you?" Shepard realised she was in a similar position now, cut loose from the support and structure of her Alliance career, she hated it.
"Nah… and you know I've had a blast… had more action than most grunts in the Alliance, present company accepted, and being a merc has its upside… lots of credits, choose what I do, lots of women," Tash laughed and downed her drink and moved quickly to the bar to get them refills.
Shepard sensed, felt, that Tash was holding back, there was truth in her words but not the whole truth… 'there you go again Shepard… you can't feel when someone is lying and you sure as hell can't sense what they might be feeling… fuck just because you came back from the dead you don't get super hero powers… instincts and intuition is what you need to rely on… tried and tested,' Shepard's train of thought was interrupted by Tash's return to the table with another round of drinks.
"So what do you fancy, upstairs in a minute, couple of Asari dancers… I have a place not far from here, we could have a private party," Tash smiled and downed another drink.
"Not for me… I'm kind of in a thing… but I have to get back to the ship and make sure we're the lab is ready for the Prof." Shepard realised she wasn't going to get a chance to talk about Tash's behaviour on the mission but needed to say something, "look Tash I don't know if you want to join me on the mission, its pretty dangerous, some would say a one way ticket… but if you do then you need to be able to take orders from me and not be a loose cannon."
Tash sat up straight and looked serious, "fuck Elvee you've got to let me come with you, it would be good to fight on the right side for a change… I'll do whatever you ask… honest," on her last word the cheeky, don't give a damn smile and expression reappeared on Tash's face but Shepard had the assurance she needed.
"Ok, then I'll see you ready to ship out on the Normandy first thing," Shepard made to leave but Tash held up a hand.
"Whoa you don't think I'm going to let 'I'm in a thing' pass without comment huh… so the rumour I heard is true," Tash smiled at Shepard's blank look, "I may spend most of my time in the Terminus systems but we do get news here, the new year's dance on Arcturus… when you and my arse hole of a father had a go at you… the Asari?"
"Yeah but it's complicated, she's..." Shepard had a strong urge, need, to be able to talk to someone who she could trust and who would understand about her relationship with Liara… Tash had known her better than anyone else when they were growing up, but something held her back, "well we may not get back together she's ill… but I'm not interested in anything else right now."
"Well that's a big surprise, you know you were the queen of casual, no strings, and a bigger flirt than I was… which is saying something… so you got hooked huh… hope she's worth it… lot of lovely women willing to do anything they can to lighten the load for the hero of the Citadel," again Tash lapsed into laughter.
"Yeah well, not for me, not right now anyway… so see you in the morning… no excuses, bring your hangover with you," Shepard smiled and stood up, Tash stood and pulled Shepard into a hug.
"Good to see you cuz, thanks for letting me tag along," Tash stepped back picked up her drinks and headed for the main dance floor bar with a wave of her hand. Shepard headed for the exit and outside to the docking bay.
As she was crossing the street a voice, a familiar Salarian voice, called her name and as she stopped she saw a figure running towards her.
"Commander, I thought it was you, I heard you were on Omega, heard of your return, really unbelievable, yet not, as here you are," Ish ran out of breath and was shaking Shepard's hand continuously as he spoke.
"Ish it's good to see you, I heard you made it off the Normandy, what the hell are you doing here," she was really pleased to see the young Salarian who had been a very handy member of her science and tech team on the old Normandy.
"Oh a little of this a little of that, nothing I am proud of, would you still have a place for me Commander, I would be happy to sign on doing anything you needed," Ish's eyes were shining with expectation and she could hear the excitement in his voice.
"Of course I could really do with your help, but Ish, this is a different mission altogether. I am not with the Alliance any more, may not even be a Spectre, and if all things go to plan we are headed on what many would say was a suicide mission." She didn't want any of her crew or squad to have any illusions about the mission.
"So be it, but I have every confidence that if anyone can pull through against such odds it is the great Commander Shepard," Ish finally stopped shaking her hand and appeared flushed with happiness.
"Well I don't know about that Ish, but if you're ok with the mission parameters join us on the Normandy by tomorrow midday at the latest," Shepard smiled and he nodded and rushed away, she had the feeling they may well see him on board the Normandy even before the morning.
As Shepard stood behind Joker and Malania (who had joined them when they docked on Omega) and gave the order to leave the space station and set course for the Citadel her crew compliment had increased by four.
Malania would serve as co-pilot, shuttle pilot and co-navigator; Tash who would join Shepard's fire team as a squad member; Mordin Solus who had already started work studying the Collectors and their swarm attack techniques in the lab; and Ish who had taken up residence in what would become the research and tech lab under the leadership of Kasumi.
Shepard needed to find out if she could expect any support or help from the Council and if they would re-instate her as a Spectre. Then she needed to begin to put all the pieces together and start hunting down the Collectors.
Shepard and her team approached the two Turians who were standing guard at a barrier in front of the doors to the quarantined district.
"Can't you read," one of the Turians said as they both readied their assault rifles. Behind her she knew Kasumi and Miranda had brought their weapons to bear on the two guards but Shepard kept walking until she was toe to toe with the Turian who had spoken.
"In case you haven't worked it out we're all human and apparently the plague doesn't affect us and more importantly I need to get inside to talk to the Salarian who's running the clinic… so be good boys and move out of my way."
The Turian in front of her made to raise his weapon and in blur of fluid movement Shepard gave him a blow under his chin with the heel of her hand at the same time stepping to his side and kicking his legs out from under him.
When the movement had stopped the Turian was moaning on the ground and Shepard had his weapon in her hand pointing directly at the head of the second guard.
"Yeah well… don't think getting back out… will be easy…" the second Turian's words tailed off as Shepard shoved the confiscated rifle into his chest and began walking past.
Once inside the doors Shepard also drew her Mattock, set to incendiary ammo, and started walking down the corridor. As the end of the corridor drew near she could see it opened out into an open square with what looked like shop fronts on all sides, all deserted and showing heavy damage from weapons fire.
Their route further into the district appeared to be blocked by another barrier on the other side of the open space and a lone figure was sitting on some abandoned boxes. As they walked, weapons at the ready, across the space the stranger stood up.
"That is one tall woman and built almost as solidly as that sweet Jamie," Kasumi's voice was low but Shepard heard the smile, they were both aware that Kasumi had been much taken with the powerfully built but kind and gentle child carer.
Shepard stowed her rifle, quickened her pace and opened her arms to welcome the woman into a hug, "Natasha Irina Mikhailovich what dafaq are you doing here?"
They crashed together the sound of their armour echoing around the space, Shepard was on the tall side herself but she only measured up to Tasha's shoulder.
They broke the hug and stood a little apart.
"Well for one thing I've dealt with your little welcome parade," and as Shepard looked where Tasha was indicating she could see four very dead Blue Suns mercs.
"But how did you know…" Shepard began but Tasha's mellow voice cut across her question.
"Worst kept secret in the galaxy Elvee, where the great back from the dead hero of the Citadel is heading… although I have to say not sure why you want that cranky Salarian…" as she was speaking the tall blond haired human pulled out a cigar and lit it, the thick smoke immediately spiralling from its end.
"Shit you still got that lousy habit… look it's great to see you and we need a proper catch up but I have a job to do… unless you wanted to join me?" Shepard and Tasha were too busy talking to each other to catch the expressions cross Miranda's face but Kas saw them and then they were gone replaced by her usual inscrutable mask.
But Kasumi had seen, shock, fear and then what looked like confusion, something that Kas would never have associated with the accomplished and professional Doctor.
"Well I thought you could do with the company… gotta tell you Elvee it's pretty lonely being the black sheep of the family, you're gonna need some help with the transition…" before Shepard could answer they heard tell-tale sounds of movement and instinctively drew weapons and took up defensive positions.
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The slog to reach the clinic in the centre of the district had been hard, not only finding Blue Suns and Blood Pack but also looters, lost and frightened residents, and those dying from the plague.
They helped who they could, encouraging some to make their way to the clinic when it was safe to do so and helping others to secure their properties where it was safer for them to sit it out.
Shepard had been glad of the extra firepower that Tash provided and as an Alliance trained marine they fell easily into the almost unspoken teamwork that was the hallmark of a well drilled squad.
Miranda proved to be very useful and an excellent weapons master but was obviously much more used to giving orders and making tactical decisions, but Shepard thought that would work itself out and it might be handy to have another experienced squad leader she could rely on.
Kasumi's technical skill which included running attack and recon drones gave them the edge on more than one occasion in the rabbit warren of narrow streets that constituted large areas of the district.
Eventually they made it to the clinic entrance and were met by security guards backed up with mechs.
"Stow your weapons and don't cause any trouble inside the clinic or you'll answer to the mechs," one of the security guards said as they approached.
"You won't have any trouble from us, we're here to speak to the Prof," Shepard said as she and her team put their weapons away.
"You'll find him through the main reception area in one of the wards."
The clinic looked to be well organised but it was packed with people in various stages of sickness and distress. As Shepard walked through she also noticed a group of human's who although showing no signs of illness had sought out the clinic for sanctuary.
Shepard picked up a conversation coming from a ward to her left and as she entered the room, which must have once merely been a large storage area but now was packed with beds and medical equipment, she saw a tall Salarian standing at a medical station working a console while answering questions from his staff in the usual quick fire manner of his race.
"Professor we're running low on cipoxin," a young assistant standing at Mordin's back asked.
"Use malanarin. Plenty on hand. Almost as good. Causes cramping in Batarians. Supplement with butemerol." Mordin answered without stopping what he was doing.
"malanarin and butemerol, got it." As the assistant moved away Shepard walked up and stood a little distance from the Professor and listened to what was obviously his musings on the plague.
"Cenozine is the catalyst. Bonds to genetic markers. Hard to find. Expensive to mass produce. Why not heplacore?. Too unstable. Inconsistent results. Demozane much better option. No. Demozane toxic to humans. Not an option. Not an option."
"Professor Mordin Solus," Shepard decided to get the Professors attention. Solus turned towards Shepard and activated his OT and ran a quick scan.
"Hmm don't recognise you from the area. Too well-armed to be refugees. No mercenary uniforms. Quarantine still in effect." As he finished speaking he turned and moved to another console saying.
"Here for something else. Vorcha?. Crew to clean them out? Unlikely. Vorcha symptom, not a cause." Mordin moved again this time to walk back and forth in front of Shepard and continued, "The plague? Investigating possible use as bio-weapon? No not enough data equipment. No. No. Too many guns. Soldiers not scientists.
Hired guns, maybe? Looking for someone? Yes! But who? Someone important. Valuable. Someone with secrets. Someone like me." The Professor now turned to face Shepard square on.
Shepard had been fascinated by the Professor and could almost feel his frenetic energy and also a strong impression that he could take care of himself.
"Relax Professor, My name is Commander Shepard and I'm here to ask for your help," Shepard relaxed into a familiar pose, leaning back on one leg and arms crossed.
"The Commander Shepard. But you were reported killed. Deception very good. Must have been a well-controlled cover up."
"No Professor, unlikely as it may seem I did… kind of die… Have you heard of an organisation called Cerberus?" She decided to press on and try to keep the Professor focussed on her request.
"Human centric organisation. Plague does not affect humans. I am too busy. Plague out of control. Too much to do." Shepard was a little surprised that Solus had heard of Cerberus but was pleased she had decided to be open about who was bank rolling her mission.
"It's a critical mission Professor; I'm going to take down the Collectors." As Shepard said Collectors the Professor stopped in his tracks and looked as if he was deep in thought as he spoke.
"Collectors? Interesting. Plague hitting these slums is engineered. Collectors one of few groups with technology to design in. Our goals may be similar." Shepard felt as if she was finally getting somewhere but the fact that the plague had been engineered needed to be thought about when they got back to the Normandy. Then the Professor was speaking again.
"But must stop plague first. Already have a cure. Need to start distributing it at environmental control centre. Vorcha guarding it. Need to kill them."
"We can take care of that Professor," as Shepard spoke a clanking and hissing sound came from the overhead vents that provided air circulation and cleaning.
"What the fuck was that," Tasha's asked the question on Shepard's lips.
"Vorcha have shut down environmental systems. Trying to kill everyone. Must get power back on before everyone in district suffocates. Also. Daniel, my assistant. Went into Vorcha territory. Looking for victims. Hasn't come back." It was an unspoken request.
"We'll do our best to find him." Shepard took the plague cure from the Professor and walked towards the exit of the clinic her team in tow.
They had only moved up one staircase and reached the entrance to another wide open 'square' before confronting a group of Blood Pack mercs. Shepard couldn't find any way around them, and in any case if they didn't fight them on the way to the environmental controls they would probably have to fight them on their way back.
"On my mark, Tash with Miranda left flank, Kas your with me, we'll take cover at that first barrier and hit them from there." Shepard got nods from her squad they slipped into the area only being spotted at the very last moment before Shepard and Kas hit cover.
The enemy they were facing were mainly Vorcha, some with flamethrowers with three Krogan battle masters. Shepard and Kas ripped into the troopers with assault rifles set with incendiary ammo. Shepard also had her shotgun ready set with disruptor ammo and swapped quickly between the two particularly when the Krogan's began to move forward.
Within half a minute a firestorm dropped in from cover on the left of the room, Tash and Miranda had managed to move quickly to out flank the mercs who found themselves without cover from this onslaught.
Shepard indicated to Kas to stay put and set up a couple of defensive drones while she took advantage of the shock of the other half of her team jumping into the fight, and she moved quickly to the right side of the room there was practically no cover but she only needed to get to the pillar fifteen feet away.
She was working forward to try to get the drop on the remaining two Krogan's when a door to her right a little way in front opened and another Krogan entered the fight. Shepard had no cover and knew that the worse thing she could do was retreat, she only had the element of surprise.
Shepard already had her shotgun in hand and moving forward swiftly she rammed the weapon into the side of the Krogan and got off two shots before being thrown ten feet through the air with a sweep of the furious Krogan's arm.
Smashing into a wall it was actually the result Shepard wanted, she had put distance between her and the now wounded Krogan more quickly than she could have under her own steam.
She had held onto her shotgun but reached for a frag grenade and before she had even finished hitting the ground had thrown it through the air at the now charging Krogan. She followed it up with another shot as she scrambled to her feet only to roll to her left to gain a little more distance springing to her feet in time to see the Krogan stagger under the impact of the grenade.
Another two blasts from her shot gun as she now started walking back towards the heavily injured battlemaster who had lost his weapons and had slumped to his knees. A final blast from her shotgun straight into his face put him on his back; she continued walking and stepped over the Krogan's body.
The rest of the fighting seemed to be dying away and after a few more seconds the space fell silent. She looked back and saw Kas begin to move forward and her two other squad mates moved out from behind cover.
"Well that was fun… nice work with that Krogan Elvee you still got the touch," Tash grinned at Shepard and slapped her on the back as they began moving again towards the environmental control station.
Although the Vorcha didn't create their own technology once they had acquired it they used it as well as any of the other species. As they got closer to the control centre Shepard and the squad needed Kas to override the now very securely locked down doors between entire sub-districts.
Thankfully they didn't encounter another large group of mercs, but were kept on their toes, and busy with smaller groups of Blue Sun and Blood Pack who had been separated from larger more organised groups and were merely fighting to survive.
Finally within striking distance of the control centre they hear voices drifting towards them from a corridor off to the right. Shepard signalled to Kas and Miranda to stay put while she and Tash moved towards the open door to one of the apartments.
"No, you have to believe me… I… I… work with Professor Solus at the clinic… please…" the voice was young and very frightened and sounded human.
"You are spreading the plague; it's here in your bag human do you think we're stupid," the second voice was deeper, almost a growl and almost definitely belonging to a Batarian.
"Maybe we should cut off his fingers then he would talk," another Batarian voice who finished his words with a laugh.
"No please believe me, those are the cure… I came to help..."
Shepard indicated to Tash they would move into the room and get the drop on whoever was inside… on three they moved swiftly in and split to left and right.
"Look out..." one of the Batarians shouted and Shepard could see there were four altogether, the one who was closest to the frightened young medic put his pistol to the side of the human's head.
Shepard held her weapons pointing at the Batarian who was covering the medic and said.
"Look I get that you're scared of the plague and the Vorcha but this guy isn't your enemy, he really does have the cure, let him go and you can all walk. If you start shooting you all die, don't doubt me, you will be first." Shepard's voice was steady and she knew that Tash had already worked out the order of shots to take if necessary.
"Oh please… don't let me die… please," the young medic looked as if he was going to drop to his knees with fear.
"How do I know I can trust you human?" the Batarian seemed to be the leader of the group and was matching her stare.
"I'm trying to get the cure to the environment control station my fight isn't with you Batarian, but I won't let you kill an innocent bystander whose only crime is to be stupid and naïve," Shepard finished and continued to keep her eyes locked with the Bararian watching for any shift that would tell her he was going to fire.
He moved his gun and then dropped his hand to his side the other Batarians followed suit, but before anyone could say anything else a roar of weapons fire rebounded around the room and Shepard had no choice but to shoot the Batarian she had been talking to as his weapon came back up to shoot.
Once Shepard was sure her shot was good she looked around the rest of the room and saw three other dead Batarians on the floor. Daniel the medic fell to his knees she thought he might actually be sobbing.
"What the fuck did you do that for," Shepard turned and walked straight up to Tash who was now leaning against a wall with her weapon held in both hands across her stomach.
"You weren't really going to let them walk out… Elvee where the fuck do you think you are… you're on your own now… no Alliance to back you up or look over your shoulder," Tash's voice was steady and she spoke in a matter of fact way, almost as if explaining something really simple to someone who should already know what she was talking about.
"They would have walked away, there was no need and what if you hadn't been quick enough to finish them or I hesitated… that could have gone so fucking wrong…" Shepard was interrupted by Kas and Miranda coming into the room.
"I had it Elvee, I'd never leave your arse hanging out… look they knew we had the drop on them, much more sensible to leave and ambush us when we left… come on you're not going to lose sleep over Batarians." And with that she stood up straight and ambled out of the room.
"What the hell happened Shepard," Miranda asked concern edging her tone.
Kas had moved to help Daniel to his feet and the young medic seemed a little more in control of himself.
"Nothing it's all fine. Daniel you need to head back to the clinic Solus needs you and your going to get yourself killed if you wander around out here," Shepard spoke with as much kindness as she could muster but the medic had brought the situation on himself and she needed to move on to complete the mission.
"You killed them… they surrendered and you killed them… that's not right… your murderers," he was babbling but was looking past her to the dead bodies.
"Hey you little fuckwit… we just put our lives on the line to save your stupid arse… we did what we had to do now get the fuck out of my eye line you ungrateful little shit," Shepard's voice was harsh and her tone hard, the young medic was on the receiving end of the anger she felt at the situation, which was tainted by her memories of Torfan.
The medic gathered his bag and rushed from the room, Shepard noticed Kas eyeing her with a surprised expression, the outburst was not like the Commander and Shepard felt ashamed of how she had spoken to Daniel.
"Let's move out," Shepard would apologise to him when they got back to the clinic and she would also have a very robust talk to Tash about following orders and not being a hothead, if indeed Tash wanted to be a member of the squad.
They made it to the main entrance to the environmental control centre with little further incident. Kas hacked the door and they moved cautiously into the large open area and at the further end of the room they could see a large group of Vorcha.
One of the group moved forward and shouted across the room.
"You no come here; we shut down machines, break fans."
Shepard noticed that the main room had gallery's running along the length of the room on the left and right, she was sure she saw movement. The main controls were at the end of the room directly in front of them, behind the group of Vorcha.
"Everyone choke and die, then Collectors make us strong."
Shepard began to move forward closer to her chosen cover and knew her squad was doing the same.
"Why are you doing this," she shouted just to give a few more moments to get her squad set up.
"Collectors want plague. You work for Doctor, turn machines on. Put cure in air. We kill you first."
"Now," Shepard called through her suit comms and all four hit cover and began to take down the group of Vorcha in front of them.
As Shepard had expected the gallery's had Vorcha rocket troopers on and were a priority to be taken out.
"Miranda, can you use your biotics to lift or slam those guys up top, Tash concentrate on them with you sniper. Kas you and I will keep the ground guys occupied." With targets carved up between the squad they all set to their duties.
Tash needed a better angle so worked further around to the left and she and Miranda targeted the right hand balcony. When that one was clear they re-oriented their attention to the left hand balcony.
At the same time Shepard and Kasumi had finished off the ground troops and Shepard decided to make a run for the main controls while Tash and Miranda took out the remaining resistance.
Once Shepard had put the cure into the distribution system they had to turn on the fan systems located in two separate machinery rooms. They encountered more resistance but worked effectively as a team and once the two fan units were back on and the plague cure had started to circulate the Vorcha resistance faded away.
It was an easier journey back to the clinic but not without some skirmishing with Blood Pack mercs but they were either quickly dispatched or they retreated out of the fight.
Finally back at the clinic Shepard found Professor Solus with his assistant Daniel.
"Environmental systems engaged. Airborne viral levels dropping. Patients improving. Vorcha retreating. Well done. Thank you Shepard." Mordin spoke once again with his clipped, fast delivery but Shepard detected a little less frenetic activity in his demeanour.
"Professor, how can you thank these monsters, they butchered those Batarians in cold blood." As Daniel spoke his voice was edged with anger and distaste.
It hadn't been Shepard's decision to kill the Batarians but anything that happened when she was in charge was her responsibility and she always stood by her troops, even if in private she gave them a dressing down.
"Hell we saved your life, saved the whole damned district come to that and you're judging me." Shepard really didn't want to take this much further and only hoped that it hadn't screwed her chances of recruiting Solus to her mission.
"Shepard's right Batarians tortured you, would have killed you, she was right to kill them." Shepard was surprised at the Professors reaction but then remembered he had served in the Salarian special forces and had a bit of a reputation for being able to take care of himself.
"But we are here to help, to heal people…" Daniel was cut off by the Professor again.
"Sometimes you can only help people by killing what is threatening them, sometimes there is no cure Daniel. Now give me a moment with Shepard and then we will talk."
Mordin Solus watched Daniel leave the room and turned to Shepard, "he is idealistic but a good Doctor and is more than capable of running the clinic. I will need a day to make arrangements but then I can join you. If that is acceptable."
"No problem Professor, this time tomorrow we'll be expecting you on the Normandy," Shepard offered her hand to Mordin Solus who took it, and they sealed their agreement with a handshake.
When they had made it back out of the district and met up with Garrus, Shepard turned to the group and said.
"Tash and I need to do some catching up, why don't you three make your way back to the Normandy, I'll be a couple of hours." Shepard received nods and a very wary look from Garrus who had no idea who the stranger was.
"Drink?" Tash asked fully expecting the answer to be yes.
"Lead the way… so long as it's… aw hell Tash does it have to be Afterlife…" but despite her reservations she fell into step besides Tash and they both made their way to the club.
They compromised and found a table in the lower bar which was much quieter and had a more intimate feel. Then when they finally sat down with drinks in hand Shepard asked the question that had been on her mind for years.
"So why the hell did you just disappear, no contact, I can understand not wanting anything to do with your father… but you were my best friend not just my cousin," Shepard could hear in her own voice the years old hurt that still rankled all this time on.
"Aw Elvee… if you're going to be the black sheep, well got to do it properly," Tash looked uncomfortable for a moment and then continued, "I messed up big time, and I didn't want to bring any of that mess to your door. You still had your career in the Alliance; I had to take a different path."
"Not good enough Tash, you know I wouldn't, didn't, judge you… I know how much being in the Alliance meant to you, it was all you ever wanted, we both had the same plans… was there no way back for you?" Shepard realised she was in a similar position now, cut loose from the support and structure of her Alliance career, she hated it.
"Nah… and you know I've had a blast… had more action than most grunts in the Alliance, present company accepted, and being a merc has its upside… lots of credits, choose what I do, lots of women," Tash laughed and downed her drink and moved quickly to the bar to get them refills.
Shepard sensed, felt, that Tash was holding back, there was truth in her words but not the whole truth… 'there you go again Shepard… you can't feel when someone is lying and you sure as hell can't sense what they might be feeling… fuck just because you came back from the dead you don't get super hero powers… instincts and intuition is what you need to rely on… tried and tested,' Shepard's train of thought was interrupted by Tash's return to the table with another round of drinks.
"So what do you fancy, upstairs in a minute, couple of Asari dancers… I have a place not far from here, we could have a private party," Tash smiled and downed another drink.
"Not for me… I'm kind of in a thing… but I have to get back to the ship and make sure we're the lab is ready for the Prof." Shepard realised she wasn't going to get a chance to talk about Tash's behaviour on the mission but needed to say something, "look Tash I don't know if you want to join me on the mission, its pretty dangerous, some would say a one way ticket… but if you do then you need to be able to take orders from me and not be a loose cannon."
Tash sat up straight and looked serious, "fuck Elvee you've got to let me come with you, it would be good to fight on the right side for a change… I'll do whatever you ask… honest," on her last word the cheeky, don't give a damn smile and expression reappeared on Tash's face but Shepard had the assurance she needed.
"Ok, then I'll see you ready to ship out on the Normandy first thing," Shepard made to leave but Tash held up a hand.
"Whoa you don't think I'm going to let 'I'm in a thing' pass without comment huh… so the rumour I heard is true," Tash smiled at Shepard's blank look, "I may spend most of my time in the Terminus systems but we do get news here, the new year's dance on Arcturus… when you and my arse hole of a father had a go at you… the Asari?"
"Yeah but it's complicated, she's..." Shepard had a strong urge, need, to be able to talk to someone who she could trust and who would understand about her relationship with Liara… Tash had known her better than anyone else when they were growing up, but something held her back, "well we may not get back together she's ill… but I'm not interested in anything else right now."
"Well that's a big surprise, you know you were the queen of casual, no strings, and a bigger flirt than I was… which is saying something… so you got hooked huh… hope she's worth it… lot of lovely women willing to do anything they can to lighten the load for the hero of the Citadel," again Tash lapsed into laughter.
"Yeah well, not for me, not right now anyway… so see you in the morning… no excuses, bring your hangover with you," Shepard smiled and stood up, Tash stood and pulled Shepard into a hug.
"Good to see you cuz, thanks for letting me tag along," Tash stepped back picked up her drinks and headed for the main dance floor bar with a wave of her hand. Shepard headed for the exit and outside to the docking bay.
As she was crossing the street a voice, a familiar Salarian voice, called her name and as she stopped she saw a figure running towards her.
"Commander, I thought it was you, I heard you were on Omega, heard of your return, really unbelievable, yet not, as here you are," Ish ran out of breath and was shaking Shepard's hand continuously as he spoke.
"Ish it's good to see you, I heard you made it off the Normandy, what the hell are you doing here," she was really pleased to see the young Salarian who had been a very handy member of her science and tech team on the old Normandy.
"Oh a little of this a little of that, nothing I am proud of, would you still have a place for me Commander, I would be happy to sign on doing anything you needed," Ish's eyes were shining with expectation and she could hear the excitement in his voice.
"Of course I could really do with your help, but Ish, this is a different mission altogether. I am not with the Alliance any more, may not even be a Spectre, and if all things go to plan we are headed on what many would say was a suicide mission." She didn't want any of her crew or squad to have any illusions about the mission.
"So be it, but I have every confidence that if anyone can pull through against such odds it is the great Commander Shepard," Ish finally stopped shaking her hand and appeared flushed with happiness.
"Well I don't know about that Ish, but if you're ok with the mission parameters join us on the Normandy by tomorrow midday at the latest," Shepard smiled and he nodded and rushed away, she had the feeling they may well see him on board the Normandy even before the morning.
As Shepard stood behind Joker and Malania (who had joined them when they docked on Omega) and gave the order to leave the space station and set course for the Citadel her crew compliment had increased by four.
Malania would serve as co-pilot, shuttle pilot and co-navigator; Tash who would join Shepard's fire team as a squad member; Mordin Solus who had already started work studying the Collectors and their swarm attack techniques in the lab; and Ish who had taken up residence in what would become the research and tech lab under the leadership of Kasumi.
Shepard needed to find out if she could expect any support or help from the Council and if they would re-instate her as a Spectre. Then she needed to begin to put all the pieces together and start hunting down the Collectors.