-Back on the ship. Medical Bay-
.
In the medical area, Azul and Slipp worked tirelessly to stabilize Giro. New sorts of shocks awaited them. The turncoats made their move and stabbed Giro in the back while he was at work on maintenance. The crew was to stunned to help at the time and to busy. Using their chance, they had escaped the ship with the contents of Maldova's safe.
A small demolition charge had gone off in engineering making matters worse. Good thing everyone responded quickly. They were waiting and had popped a counter-ambush easily. Shai'ra showed her skill easily from what they were told.
Azul's Merchant did a great job at taking account of the items stolen as well as picking up the planted bugs and transmitters.
The crew who were not fighters, stood out the way as they were told. They focused on the ship and keeping it stable. Stopping the damage before the ship became a derelict. With no chance given to pursue.
When the ground team arrived, they threw blame Azul's way. It ended with him flinging them all out the way with his biotics. One even got up to attack him. The merc received a shot to the kneecap getting the leg blown off. Azul kept walking and worked on the ship until he was needed to help Giro.
Stabilizing Giro proved to be a hassle. His fragile body made the surgery twice as hard. As the surgery proceeded, Azul moved the level of his Adrenaline Rush up a notch. He was going full throttle. Moving the blade shards out took up to two hours alone. While the surgery went on, Azul kept pouring excess generated biotic energy to kept his mind fresh. Mixed with his healing abilities to help.
His secondary mind worked tirelessly to keep him attentive. The shock itself may have played a part in it as well. Several times throughout the surgery, Slipp gave him a look. Azul passed the final stitch up for her to finish up. Since she needed to do something else to the boy outside of his field of knowledge anyway.
Zelda: A problem with quest completion. It is taking longer to deal with due to the last generated quest.
"Ahh, that is fine. I am in no rush at the moment." Azul took a shower and went to his quarters to rest. Responding to messages as needed. 'Bass, send an encoded message to Miranda. Technology of value as the title. Ask her how much would it be worth to her. We need to capitalize on this before any spies in Exogeni leak any of the info.'
Bass: Sending now. I have also run an additional scan on the ships that came in. Weapons are primed and ready to fire. The first salvo can tear through our shields. Infiltrating the fleet will take no effort. Will you like me to proceed?
'Yes, please do. If they attempt to fire shut the guns down and cause an explosion. Do not get detected. Your safety is my concern. If they do detect you, blow up their ship. Make it look like an accident.' Azul stopped at a really long message from the Asari Council. Maldova had entered while he read it. 'So they want to know why I have given Sanctuary to a bunch of Ardat-Yakshi. How nosy. How did they find out? A spy how interesting. I will get Kasumi to deal with this.'
After that little communication. AzuI looked back over to the Captain. "Chssh," the door had open. A few members of the traitor faction enter.
"Will he make it?" Lady Maldova moved about antsy. Despite the protest from the crew, she refused to respond about what happened in the hanger.
"He will be fine. Everything else is just fatigue now." Seeing Azul's nonchalant attitude, the crew looked a little angry at him. "My treatment methods are a lot different than most. Slight cellular boosting properties have been applied. In a few hours, he will regain consciousness. In a day he can move but I wouldn't tell him that. Better safe than sorry. So you can all stop giving me that look."
The other crewman had pistols at the ready. AzuI couldn't tell if they were scared or just wanted to cause trouble. His focus was spent on keeping his Pather power contained. Still no word on what was happening.
"It's your fault we are in this mess in the first place. We could have done other jobs instead of this one. Shit, you even killed several mercenary groups!" A Salarian crew member he had barely talk to much spoke out. "What are we gonna do about the survivors? Tell us!"
The room became quiet. Lady Maldova looked to the side feeling guilty. Hotshot moved about busing herself. She kept out of the view of the others. Azul knew differently. She had taken the best method of killing the people in the room. It took a bit to cool her down with his biotics. Her sisters were in the area on a ship. They were waiting to see if they would move out or start a fight.
"How about this, the job is finished. You cutthroats can blame me if any groups asked about what happened. Should be enough to settle up Lady Maldova. Me and the people I brought on board will leave and never bother you again. Deal?" Azul tried his best to calm them. He started feeling tired all of a sudden.
Lady Maldova ????
Chari ???
Hotshot +120
Crew +143
"Lady Maldova I think you should do it." An Asari said in the group. The others voiced their opinions agreeing as well. Maldova tapped at her Omni-tool.
Before she could voice her opinion, the comms came on overhead. It was Chari "Captain, the Exogeni Executive wants to talk. Should I patch him through?"
"Yes." Looking back to the crew she hesitated. "I will talk to Exogeni. Send them the tech we found." She looked to the Salarian who then left. "Patch them through to medical." She told Chari.
A slight feedback passed in the comms before the voice could be heard on the other end. "Greeting's Lady Maldova. I wish this was under better circumstances." His voice sounded slightly condescending.
Bass started passing some readings on to Azul.
Bass: NetOp, they have hacked the ship. So far they have gone through all the personnel logs. Also databanks. I believe they are looking for any of the Prothean information.
'Bah, those fools won't find anything. Keep them away from personal files such as any of the crew's medical information and everything should be fine. Give the security system a boost. Mask it if you can.'
The conversation droned on for about an hour or so. Mostly him stalling. Azul could hear his anger much to the amusement of himself and Hotshot. Bass had actually breached all of the Exogeni ship's communications. Coming across some good data for later.
"Well, we have made our calculations. The lab was not blown up, we can dig deeper into the place. It will take about a year to get inside with no problems. But the data you have sent is worthwhile. It will be enough to cover your debt." The more the representative talked, the more AzuI could hear his distaste.
"Fine. Just clear it all. I want the confirmation sent at once. Only then will I send the remaining files." Lady Maldova tensed up getting ready. She wanted the man to take the bait.
"Lady Maldova I am hurt. If I was a lesser man, I would think you did not trust me." Seeing Maldova not take the bait, the Exogeni man grunted and signed off.
"Captain you did all this. Just to take care of a debt? So no money?! Dammit!" The young Asari grumbled. A moment later each of the omni-tool's in the room went off.
"Baddo," the sounds rang in the room. "All debt's paid in full. Digital copies have been sent to the Citadel, Illium Officials, and your personal banking institutions. Have a nice day. Thank you for working with Exogeni."
Lady Maldova Omni-Tool went off next. "1 million credits left in your account. All debts have been settled. All fines have been paid. The deal is finished."
'That voice sounds familiar. Thoughts for later. Wait.. it is that blasted Shadow Broker's voice. That is who that is.' Azul smirked figuring out it was that blasted Yogg. Killing him would give access to creating them in his Nether World. 'As well as taking over that beautiful network base.'
Hotshot had spoken up now. She kept quiet until everything had finished. "Alright before anyone gets stupid. The captain took on all your debts. Every last single one when you joined up. Show some gratitude already!"
AzuI walked over to her an ran additional checks to make sure everything was ok. Hotshot squirmed any time he tried to look at her directly. A light tint coloring her cheeks. 'Don't know what that's about but oh well.' Finally making sure she was ok. He informed her to get plenty of rest. "No getting up and beating people up. Trust me, you will need the rest."
The crew apologized to the captain and started to leave the room. Some would stay aboard. Others wanted to leave after that last mission. With the freedom they now had, things were different. A lot of them wanted to go to see loved ones again. Freedom from crippling debt made them realize how short life was. That and constantly getting shot at. Leaving Azul, Hotshot, and Lady Maldova left in silence afterward. Maldova stared between the three then turned to leave.
"Are you sure about nothing doing that job? Lots of rewards." Azul shook his head no. On her way out, Maldova gave him a look. She stopped at the door and waited. Checking her Omni-tool she was filling out some work. Not really wanting to leave the room.
'Bass, what is the word on the Exogeni ships?'
Bass: Everything is good. Miranda has interfered. She has pulled some strings and made sure Exogeni has gotten off your back. Also, payment has been deposited into your bank for the data that I sent over. It included 15% of what you have and all that Exogeni received. She has paid you well.
'I see. I wonder how much?' Before AzuI could check, both Hotshot and Galtea talked to him first. 'I guess she finished what she needed.'
"You are to quiet. You lived up to the deal and then some. Shit, you even.. You even saved me after things went bad." Hotshot kept her eyes on him. "Thank you. And sorry for the ambush down there. But I have way more control and attunement. I still want the treatment to make sure the genetic aspect is taken care of."
Galtea: Do not worry about a ship. Or getting kicked off this one. Funds have been deducted and the right people have been paid. Your Spectre status has been set up. As well as reinstate you back into the Alliance. Everything can proceed once you get back to the Citadel.
"No problem. To each there own." Azul nodded at Hotshot as they looked focused more on her scans. Nothing too dangerous laid in wait. But he would have to wait a few more days to find out. About his new treatment method.... "Listen, Aurora... I will need to check on your development in a few days. I understand the crew wants me off the ship so I think it best we wait till we get our ship to start the next treatment in a few days. Well, the next one is ready. But I rather wait till after the meeting."
"That is fine. Parting so soon.. is not what I wanted. Even knowing I still dont want to. But I understand. I am gonna miss this old rust bucket." Hotshot added as she moved around the room.
"The ship will be returned back to the Council. I only had it for a short time. A 100 years is not that long. I was basically using it for extra business. Mostly for help on the side for my cover. I should have finished my assignment 4 or 5 years ago. But the crew and the different debt kept piling up... I just cashed in on my vacation time and did some extra undercover work. I was fine money wise." Maldova reminded Hotshot.
"Wait so what about the crew? Did they really try to kill the boy?" AzuI couldn't help asking. "Who is he?"
"Yes. That is real. I have no idea what's going on with that, but I will find out. After the crew disbands I will dissolve my commission. No need for the extra risks for joy seeking. The problem is what to do next." Lady Maldova looked at Azul in the corner of her eyes before looking to the side. "Hotshot what will you do now?"
"I don't know. I knew this day would come but not so soon. Thanks a lot for eating up my remaining time Azul." Chari said this jokingly but she was still a little upset about something. "But it is defintely worth what we are about to do."
Galtea: Do not miss this chance. If you do I will never let you hear the end of it.
"He..hehe.." AzuI laughed dryly not knowing what to say really. "How attached to this Galaxy are you two? If I had a ship to take us to the farther reaches of space, what do you say to joining my crew again?"
System: Charm Check Auto Passed
"I would do it in a heartbeat!" Hotshot said. "If its something new.. places wise, count me in for the more dangerous stuff."
"I.. would consider it. But you don't really have a crew do you?" Maldova asked a little worried. "Are we going all the way to each of the World's phases? You know the Andromeda project will happen no matter what. Should I get in touch with my contact again?" Shaking her head intensely, she made a snap decision. "Well, you have not made the offer."
Galtea: You do. You have enough people with the Vorcha joining you. The citizens that you rescued, some were given their memories by the System. The ones who agreed to follow you were returned. Some do not have any homes to return to. They risked it all coming here to Feros. A home to stay with food is right up their alley. Your points will be spent on getting the rest of the people you need.
'Crap! I need to check on the Vorcha.' Standing up Azul hit up his Omni-tool. "Shalla, how is everything?"
"Everything is fine. We have done all we can to help with repairs. When are we going to get food? when are you going to cook? Kasumi said you owe a meal. I want some as well. These rations are disgusting. How can anyone eat this stuff, I will never understand." Shalla sounded a little more like her self. Normal speech completely with a slight Indian accident. She was really dissatisfied with the food.
"Right.. we will head to a port soon. Just make sure everyone behaves themselves." AzuI relaxed after hearing that report. Made it a lot easier to work with them.
"Of coursse. Anything for the Hive." Shalla then cut the connection.
"Chssh," the door opened revealing Chari. Chari was already back at her job as security. Her Omni-tool cycling through information faster than one think she was capable of processing.
Galtea: New mission parameters reached. Combining with Reaper node Missions.
Reaper Node: Save at least 25% of the Geth before the end of the Mass Effect TimeLine. Rewards Classified.
System: Save at least 50% of the galaxy before Harbinger arrives. Rewards Classified.
"Oh. I guess I should explain what happened when we parted ways." Taking his time, AzuI told them of the events that happened. About putting the creatures in his inventory obviously. As well as the bomb placing and new information about the Protheans and the planet.
"I see. So the Protheans are real bastards. That is not reassuring." Maldova said balling her fists. "I am sorry Commander, but I have to report this to the Asari High Council. It is my job."
"Wait why would that be a problem?" Chari asked seeing her friends agitation. "It can't be that bad. What are the Protheans anyway? I never really paid much attention about them last time since they were extinct."
"The Protheans are not the problem. The Reapers are." Maldova said eyeing Azul. "They have a scout ship coming in a few months. It is going to mess only a few things up. A little after that maybe a year and a half the first wave will make it. Don't know the exact time frame." Stopping to think about it, he remembers the changes that recently took place. That time frame might have been thrown off to. "Ok, Maldova I wish for you to be the captain of my ship. As long as you do not participate in the quest down below."
"We are heading to Asari space post-haste once we are free. Tell me everything you know in a recording and I will give it to the Asari council." Maldova moved closer. "I have to keep you safe. Also, make you strong. We are not taking that mission so it is fine."
AzuI spent time telling her what the System allowed him to still. About how Saren is falling under indoctrination and how he has been moving about doing things in the favor of the Reapers. No matter how many times he told her, he couldn't tell her everything. She wouldn't listen. As Lluvia's Avatar, a good pit of her power was there. But the role she had was strong.
At Galatea's behest, he used the crew members as special operatives the same as himself. They delivered the information and kept up to date on what he needed to know.
"Lady Maldova enough!" Chari spoke up in his defense. "He has his orders the same as you. I know you have to keep things from me as well. Do not think I don't care about it. I just accept it."
"I understand Chari but... This is the entire Galaxy we are talking about here."
"It is, but what about the Asari. On your planet, you have access to Prothean tech already. It is what has allowed you to stay ahead of the other civilizations for the last few centuries." Azul couldn't help saying firmly. If she was going to try to guilt-trip him into revealing more, he had no trouble guilt-tripping her into her people's own questionable actions. "You have functioning Prothean technology on your planet. Hidden but working. I am pretty sure you all will be making a new release of technology in the future."
"I.. how do you know that?!" Her shock was understandable. But her next decision would help decide the future.
"So it's true!" Chari asked slightly mad. AzuI had to walk over to get her to calm down.
"It.. is. But how do you know Lunastrider? It is the most guarded secret of my people." Countless thoughts ran through Lady Maldova's head. She was pretty good at acting.
"Eh, I have my ways. I don't plan on revealing it to anyone. I am also not the only one who knows about it. So tell your council they can feel free to try to kill me. It won't solve anything."
"Theyou wouldn't. No...they would. You are right." Taking a deep breath she finally calmed herself. "If the Reapers are coming will you fight them?"
"The brainless ones. Absolutely. The leader of them all I need to talk to him. Or her. Or it for that matter. That is gonna be the hard part. If it cannot be reason with... I will delete it. Just that simple." AzuI said looking back at her.
"I will report what you have to the council. I think I can get them to help. Not out in the open, but under the radar."
"But will they really help us?" Chari asked more than a skeptic.
"They should. With evidence, they will have no choice. But we will have to see." Stifling a yawn Lady Maldova started to fall asleep. "I will think more on this when I wake up."
"Wow, you are going to sleep with that on. Huh. Must be really comfortable." Looking away from her he looked at Chari. "If you feel anything wrong, hit me up on my Omni-tool. I will be up until we make it to the next planet."
"And we are done," Maldova answered. She closed her Omni-tool and stood up. She grabbed Azul and kissed him long and hard in front of the others. Pulling away she pinched him. "You ass, made this quite difficult. It is finally over. You know I was really scared Tifa would have taken that blasted mission."
"Hehe, I was to. But it was her decision so yeah." Azul moved his head around thinking a little. His hands-on instinct went to Maldova's ass. "You need to get out of this suit."
"Whack," she smacked his hands and stepped away.
"No touch on the goodies. But soon. I am old and can wait in line." Maldova pointed at Hotshot and Chari. "Work on things with them before me." She finally left.
"Umm, go do some work. I will wait till after." Chari said. "You look extremely.. horny." She looked at his crotch and saw the erection. "I am not going to deal with a raging boner. That is how one gets killed by a devil."
"Buahaha," Hotshot started laughing. "You are right."
"Yeah, yeah." Azul said walking to the door after changing clothes. "Both of you rest." Seeing them nod in understanding, he left.
AzuI walked a little bit until he reached the Armory. Everything was nice and secure. He then went to the galley. Most of the Vorcha had curled up with one another sleeping. The temperature in the room was set to 75 perfect for them. Each of them slept in armor still. Leaving them alone, he walked to the hanger. Only one there was Rayna checking weapons and inventory.
"Hey, so I heard the ship is getting turned in. We are also disbanding what a shame." She said from her datapad not looking up. "So Commander, you have any use for me on your ship?" Rayna was just asking but she knew a place was for her already.
"Of course Rayna. You are welcome to come aboard. As long as you know we will be going to very far places. Not like any Galaxy you are used to soon. Can you handle it?" AzuI asks her only slightly teasing. Her biotics strand gave him the impression she needed the option. The choice had to be given to her.
"Don't have a problem with that. Like most of the crew, nothing else here is worthwhile. I don't mind traveling more." Rayna turned to him smiling. If her eyes slanting was any indication. One of these days he would get that helmet off her. It would not take long with the report from the data he checked.
"Long as you know most places will be warzones. Like maybe 80%. Will that be ok?" AzuI watched as the data pad kinda stumbled in her hand from his next sentence. "You look amazing, at home at your current work."
"You are not joking are you?" Rayna said gleefully. "So a lot of battlezones I take it. Like up close and personal or siege warfare? Places to infiltrate and break-in. Ohh Kasumi will have to come with me. We have bets going on."
"All of the above. I will most likely have to deal with political wars as well but I do not look forward to that. Not one bit."
"Keep me out that crap. But warzones... sign me up. Espionage and corporate sabotage all day for me."
"Ok. Will do. I will let you know before we head there. Just gonna finish making the rounds right quick."
"Sure. Ah, your engineer wanted to speak with you about an hour ago. Dont think it was anything serious so I left it alone."
"Thanks for the heads up. I will head there next to see."
Rayna +3242
Arriving in engineering, AzuI spotted them hard at work on something. Problem though. They were not working on machine parts. They were going at it hot and heavy. Backing away from that male fest nice and easy he left.
"I will send them a message later." Turning back down the corridor he bumped into Ruma. The Krogan head engineer. "Sorry about that."
"Eh, no problem. Are they still going at it like pyjaks?!" Ruma growled at him. "I swear if they had work to do, I would interrupt them. But they finished it all."
"Yup. I don't think they will stop anytime soon. Can I help you with something?"
"If the stick between your legs was big enough sure." Seeing Azul's stunned look, she laughed in his face. "Hahaha, just a joke Azul. Or is it?" She said wiggling eyebrows at him. "We never got to check that arrangement."
"I am not busy. I would love to take you up on that. Never been with a Krogan remember? Alliance shore leave is very damaging to one's memory."
"I remember. But I have work to do. Besides, I have to sort those few Krogan you took in out."
Smiling at Ruma he made his way down the hall. "You tits are probably the best. Firm but does it produce milk is the question?"
"Hey, Azul. I will keep you to your word." She said licking her muzzle. Waving AzuI made it to the lift just in time. Her biotic strands almost pushing over the edge.
"Count on it. Keep those Krogan in line. You are my Krantt after all." The door closed. Last thing Azul saw was her stunned face as he went up.
"Heh," someone voice echoed in the lift when he stepped out. Looking back he saw no one. "Must be my imagination." Move his biotics around he didnt pick anything up. "Kasumi is that you?"
"Aww, I should not have laughed." Kasumi came out of stealth then waved and stepped into the lift. "By Commander."
Galtea: Rewards are still calculating. Something else begs your attention.
'What is it?' AzuI asked as he moved to the scrubbers for a cleanup. He reeked something fierce still.
Galtea: Your meeting is starting now. Transporting you to Rift's Earth now...