108"What in the hell have you done to her?" Cletus demanded at seeing Serenity being towed into the stations repair bay.
Mal sighed, and took a seat. "We got whacked entering a relay, the blast damaged some parts which caused more damage forcing us to abandon ship."
Cletus growled "And the crap freighter?"
"Salvage and it allowed us to recover Serenity. I'm willing to sell it wholesale or in parts."
"And the crew?" The dwarf asked.
"Surprisingly there were three of them, two died and the third joined my crew." Mal said gesturing towards where Garibaldi was standing looking on as the repair crews swarmed the damaged freighter.
"He's a big bastard." Cletus remarked.
"Six-eight." Mal said. "Good tracker and at disabling traps. Good shot as well." Mal told his old friend.
Cletus rounded on him, "You best use the communications system and let others know you're alive."
Mal winced, "Ma?"
"Her, Anderson, that Asari bitch queen of Omega you get the idea." The dwarf said looking behind Mal who turned to see a female Krogan bearing down on him.
"Oh, and my wife wants a word with you lad." The dwarf said not bothering to hide his glee of what was about to happen.
"MALCOLM JERICHO SHEPARD!" was heard and everyone who knew the result of a pissed off Krogan female stepped out of the way quickly.
"Hey Ur..URK!" was as far as Mal got before pulled off his feet into a bone crushing hug, as Ursula squeezed him tightly. "Stupid soft headed human." He heard her rumble. "You're not allowed to die."
"air" Mal gasped and tapped the female Krogan's vise like arms several times before she finally released her grip.
"It wasn't my idea." He looked around once oxygen had refilled his lungs and allowed several breaths to pass. "And you guys need to keep an eye out for a black ops human group called Cerberus."
"They the one shooting at you and damaging Serenity?" Cletus asked.
"Yeah. I can't tell you right now why, but be careful they have a lot of resources."
"Well let's see what the damage is." Cletus said, "And I'll more than likely have a deal ready for the scow."
XX
Mal slid into the booth and accepted the beer Zoë offered him. He saw Tylee playing pool with their newest crewmember. "Cletus thinks he and his workers can have Serenity fixed in a day or two. He's even offered a replacement shuttle." Mal said sipping his beer.
"That's good." Zoë said. "What will it cost us?"
Mal took a long drink before answering, "You and the others will take Serenity to the Citadel, Ursula has been requested to meet with the Turian councilor."
"What? Where are you going?" Zoë asked.
"I'm taking Garibaldi with me. Cletus has me heading to Noveria, someone wanted to buy the freighter and we'll deliver it. Besides I had a client lined up before we spent time on a paradise."
"You think the client is still there?" Zoë asked.
"The jobs still posted and the client was understanding in our delay." Mal said.
Zoë was quiet then asked, "So did you call your mother?"
Mal twitched. "I don't know which call was worse, calling my mother or calling Aria."
Zoë smiled, "And?"
"Ma was restrained by the fact that she was with Anderson. But we will be meeting on the Citadel in the future."
Zoë smiled showing humor "You will be in that meeting alone."
"You're all heart Sinclair. This isn't another play to get my ship is it?" Mal asked trying to ignore the slight smile his first mate flashed him.
"We'll meet you on Noveria, is there a reason you're taking our new merc?" Zoë asked.
"I could use the muscle and I don't know if I can trust him yet." Mal admitted. He studied Tylee as she passed her turn to Garibaldi.
"Are they even playing the game right?" Zoë asked.
"I thing the idea of the game is to hand Garibaldi a stick and stand back." The captain said. "Anderson told me Hunt and the Normandy are still on Virmire. An STG team had gone in first and the council lost contact so Commander Hunt went in following a lead about Saren."
"A month?" Zoë asked in disbelief.
"Anderson told me that there was heavy fighting with the Geth over Virmire. The council has put a blockade up to keep other ships from entering and being trapped." Mal told her. "And it's none of our business. We're honest folk, not military." Mal said giving his first mate a look.
"So when will you be leaving?" she asked changing the subject.
"Cletus will have the ship ready in an hour." He tapped his mug, "I'll let you tell our passengers." He drained his mug and stood, "I need to get some things from Serenity."
"What's the rush sir?" Zoë said hiding a smirk.
Mal gave her a look.
"It couldn't be the Asari cruiser docked on the upper dock?" Zoë continued.
"A ship full of Asari dropping off a Justicar makes me twitchy. I'd rather be far away incase there's a you know what around."
Zoë nodded knowing how her captain felt about the renegade Asari that seemed to be attracted to him.
"Citadel then Noveria, just remember to dress warm sir." Zoë said giving him a nod hiding disappointment that she was remaining behind.
"Just come get me. Its too damn cold to be left on that rock." Mal said heading off.
XX
Noveria – Port Hanshan Docking BayMal grunted as he powered down the ships engines. "Sure you want to sell it?" Garibaldi asked as he turned from his station.
"I'm amazed this thing held together." Mal said. "She's big, but your friends weren't keen on performing repairs or daily maintenance. I'm amazed Cletus found a buyer for this scow." Mal said as he stood from the pilots chair.
The mercenary grunted. "We weren't friends, jus' a paycheck."
"Make sure you have everything." Mal reminded. "It might be a day or two before Serenity gets here and the person who bought this might take issue with you coming on board because you forgot your toothbrush."
Garibaldi grunted and grabbed the duffle by the hatch. "All my gear is on your ship."
Mal grabbed his pack and as they exited the ship he tapped the control panel shutting the ship down. "Have you ever been to Noveria?"
The mercenary stopped and had his rifle up, Mal peered around him seeing four people with their guns drawn. "Friends of yours?"
XX
"Now why don't we all jus' settle down before there's an accident and someone gets shot." Mal said trying to move slowly.
"Keep your hand away from your gun." The woman in the back ordered as Mal's hand drifted towards his hip and Winona.
"I think there might be a slight misunderstanding." He offered. "I'm Captain Malcolm She…" he was saying when the woman trained her pistol on him while her companions focused on Garibaldi who dropped his bag and pulled a pistol in his free hand, aiming his assault rifle with the other. "We gonna dance or you ladies want to clench your panties into your nether's and crawl back and suck on your momma's tits?" the mercenary growled.
"Garibaldi not helping." Mal said and tried to give the woman a friendly smile. "I'm sure there's a mistake here somewhere."
"Your mistake. Noveria has a no weapons allowed policy beyond the checkpoint." The woman growled. "We are ERCS and here we are the law." The woman said, "Now hand over your guns."
"An' you can bend over an' take it from a pack of Varren before I give you my guns." Garibaldi said.
The woman's face flushed with rage and she was about to give the order that Mal was certain would have the automated turrets turn him and the merc into stains on the ground, when a voice interrupted, "Stand down Sergeant Stirling."
Mal saw an Asari approaching. "Captain Shepard is cleared."
Mal exchanged a look with Garibaldi who gave him a funny look.
"Ma'am…" the ERCS guards lowered their weapons while the identified Stirling looked ready to commit homicide.
"Captain if you and your associate will come this way please." The Asari said and Mal nodded as he passed the ERCS guards and ignored the automated turrets.
They reached the elevator before the Asari spoke again, "My employer has a pass for you to use the garage. You'll meet at our labs."
"And where are those?" Mal asked.
"Binary Helix. I have a transport standing by and an escort. I'm sorry I can't say more until you've signed the confidentiality agreements."
"I understand that, but I have other business to attend to before I meet your employer."
"If you mean the Quarians, they are currently at the hotel lounge trying to arrange some deals." The Asari said. "Don't look like that captain my employer has done extensive research and was aware that you had arrangements with other clients here."
"So…" Mal started, "I deal with them and then get the tour?"
The Asari just smiled as they entered the lift.
XX
Garibaldi shifted as the armored transport rolled over the ice and snow covered pass. "Its jus' strange." The merc said. Mal who had his eyes closed grunted.
"Quarians with that kind of cash isn't strange to you?" the merc pressed.
"It is, but their money's good and they paid the price. Where they get their creds from isn't my concern." Mal said. The transfer went thru without a hitch and Mal waved as the Quarians went to take possession of their new ship.
The Asari with them were quiet and Mal was fine with that.
"And once Zoë arrives we'll deal with giving you your cut." He told the merc who looked happier at the prospect of getting his first pay under his new captain.
Garibaldi leaned in, "About all these Asari…"
"Their Asari Commando's and trust me when I say you don't want to try your luck against them, especially in such close quarters." Mal warned which the merc ignored with a leer at the nearest Asari, "I could take 'em."
Mal opened his eyes and looked at the merc. "Garibaldi, when I say don't I mean it."
"I'd listen to your captain human. He is saving you an eternity of pain." One of the commando's said.
Garibaldi just leered at her as if daring her to try.
"So where are we going?" Mal asked. "Seems we're crossing half the planet."
"Peak 15." The Asari who met them at the port said from where she was sitting. Mal wasn't surprised that while he met with the Quarians she had changed from her robes into body armor matching the rest of the commandos who were in the garage when he left the hotel bar.
"Seems your employer don't need us with all these commandos here." Garibaldi said.
"Garibaldi." Mal warned.
"My employer wouldn't use a nuke to wipe out an ant so why use an Asari commando when a smuggler would do the job." The Asari said in response. "Tell me human would you use a grenade when a single bullet would suffice?"
Garibaldi sneered, "Only if I wanted to make sure the ant was dead."
Several of the commandos shook their heads.
Mal decided to change the subject, "Your employer is Asari as the commandos wouldn't follow anyone else. So we're going to see a Matriarch." He looked at Garibaldi "So keep your mouth shut and your manners what ever you have of them at the forefront of your behavior."
The merc looked at him, "I was being courteous."
XX
Mal had to admit that the Peak 15 was impressive. Garibaldi pointed out a large cargo crate.
"Keep your eyes open." Mal said as he could have sworn he heard the sound of Geth like he'd heard on Eden Prime as they passed numerous employees and security. They entered a cafeteria and Mal saw the view. "Damn cold." He muttered as they continued on trying not to look at the surrounding mountain peaks covered with snow and ice.
"Where are we going exactly?" he asked the Asari who was his escort.
"Ahead is the VI core and the tram station where we will take a car to Rift station deeper in the mountain." She told Mal. "My employer wishes to speak with you where she is in control of security. No harm shall come to you Captain. Once the business is done I will escort you back to Port Hanshan."
Mal noticed that several workers were making repairs as they passed the core and took a left tunnel.
"Hell of a set up." Mal commented as they passed the decontamination station and boarded a tram.
"The station like many on Noveria is set up that if something happens it can be contained." The Asari said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Garibaldi asked.
"It means that if whatever they are working on if it isn't stopped by internal methods they figure the temperature outside will stop it from spreading outside the facility." Mal answered. "And I bet they have enough explosives to sink the mountain under the ice."
The Asari smiled, "Very wise Captain Shepard. All the labs on Noveria were designed that way, it's the only way the Board will allow anonymity to the corporations."
"So who has the trigger?" the merc asked.
"The Board, the Director and the owners." The Asari said. "Also there is a console in the lab."
"A lot of people can blow up the place." Garibaldi muttered.
Mal remained silent as they approached the Rift tram station. Several employees were waiting to depart.
"They aren't staying?" Mal asked after stepping off the tram.
"No, some commute between Port Hanshan and Peak 15. Binary Helix has a strict confidentiality contract with its employees."
They followed her and were stopped at a checkpoint.
"Who are they?" the security guard demanded.
"These are guests and are cleared to enter and keep their weapons." The Asari said and the guard looked irritated as she strode past him and entered the lift. "This will take us to my employer who is in the Hot Labs."
The ride took several minutes tell Mal that the Labs were several miles below the mountains.
They entered the labs filled with tanks with numerous chemicals and tubes running to a large cage. As they got closer Mal stopped in his tracks. "Wo Bu Shin Wo Dah Yan Jing!"
"Why Captain Shepard I didn't know you spoke Chinese."
Mal turned to see another Asari standing near the cage with an elaborate looking headpiece. Their guide bowed to her. "Matriarch Benezia I present Captain Malcolm Shepard."
Mal swallowed the words that nearly came out of his mouth and instead inclined his head. "Matriarch."
He smacked Garibaldi's arm getting the merc to show respect. "I didn't expect…I mean…"
Benezi laughed. "No, I'm sure you weren't expecting me Malcolm. Its been a while."
Mal gave a lopsided grin, "Yes ma'am. I had just been promoted to lieutenant first time and was acting as Admiral Stark's aide-de-camp when we met on Thessia."
"Thank you Camilla you can take Captain Shepard's associate back up, I wish to speak with him alone." Benezia said ignoring the merc's protesting as Mal ordered him to wait for him up top.
Once they were alone Mal fidgeted a bit waiting for the Asari Matriarch to speak.
"Yes this is a Rachni." Benezia said. "An egg was found on a derelict freighter and brought here for study." She said. "How many language do you speak without a translator in your omni-tool?"
"Seventeen, but my accent when I speak Turian is heavy." Mal answered. "Spent a lot of time learning languages while recovering after Mindor."
The pair looked on at the Rachni Queen for a minute, "You didn't bring me here to discuss how my life has gone since you saw me all those years ago, I hate to be rude, but you brought me here for a job?" Mal spoke up.
Benezia nodded, "The job is basically two parts, but first I need to ask you were on Eden Prime correct?"
"Yeah, when the Geth tried to wipe it off the face of the 'verse." Mal acknowledged.
"I heard you rescued Commander Hunt from interfacing with the beacon there." Benezia was saying and Mal focused on the Rachni caged didn't notice her move.
"Yeah, knocked me out something fierce. But what does me being close to the exploding Prothean beacon have to do with anything?" he asked and turned to find her invading his personal space.
"Everything." She said and gripped his head in her hands as her eyes became black infinite pools.
"Embrace Eternity Malcolm."
XX
Noveria, Port HanshanZoë tapped her booted foot as she waited. "Any response?" she asked Tika and the Quarian checked her omni-tool. "Nothing as of yet. But you only sent the signal twenty minutes ago and Hanshan control did warn that the weather is effecting communications beyond the Port." The pilot said.
"According to security they left several hours ago."
Zoë sighed. "I don't like this. The Captain meeting so far away without a means of escape or communication."
"He's got Garibaldi with him." Tika offered.
Zoë frowned. "Still not sure about him. We don't even know if that's his name and he changed sides far too easily." The first mate said annoyance coloring her voice.
"Ms. Sinclair."
Zoë and Tika turned to see Oriana approaching them. "Oriana what are you doing off the ship? Does your sister know?" Zoë asked.
The younger Lawson smiled, "She sent me. We got a burst transmission from Mr. Wood. He said to tell the Captain that the Normandy is headed for the Citadel, he's got news about Virmire."
Zoë nodded knowing the captain was curious about the SPECTRE and kept a close on the first human to enter those ranks. "We still haven't heard from the captain, but why didn't you use the com-link?"
Oriana who had been smiling at getting a task lowered her gaze, "Ms. B'Accarin is using the main communications to speak with clients. Miranda is ready to rip her head tentacles off for tying up the ship systems. And Tylee says Serenity still needs work."
Zoë sighed knowing she pulled the ship out of the dock too quickly but her gut was screaming at her that the captain needed them and now she was stuck at the port on Noveria while the weather raged outside and who knew where the captain was and what he was getting into.
Dammit Mal, we agreed no thrilling heroics. She thought.
XX
Hot Labs, Peak 15"Ai Yah Tien Ah!" Mal swore as he dropped to the floor, "What in a Krogan's sphincter was that?"
Benezia slowed her breathing and was leaning on a console. "That is what awaits the galaxy."
"Huh?" Mal said not moving as his mind processed what had just happened.
"You have the information from the Prothean beacon that was on Eden Prime and I gave you the rest from the Thorian and the Rachni that Saren had. My control is slipping and I need you to do the right thing and stop him from reaching the conduit. The Reapers cannot be allowed to win."
"Wha? I don't understand." Mal said his head felt like it was being spun in a blender.
"Take the OSD and save the galaxy. You are the hope that I pray the Goddess was right when she showed me your future." She straightened. "I can feel the Reaper even from here working on destroying my will. Go Captain, and if you see my daughter tell her…tell her I am proud of her." Benezia said and put a hand to her forehead. "You must go Shepard. Camilla will take you back and deliver the payment and the OSD has everything you need to know. Hook it up to your ships computer and..ugh…you need to go."
Mal rose and stepped towards the Asari Matriarch.
"GO! You damn fool, its too late for me!"
Mal backed away, "I said go human." And he made his way to the lift he heard her final words, "Goddess watch over him."
XX
They were several miles from Port Hanshan when Camilla ripped off her headset. "There's been an accident at the Peak. We're going to drop you off and head back to see if we can help." She held up a case, "Here is the OSD milady ordered me to give to you and this," she held up a chip "is the payment. Present it to any financial office and the funds will be transferred to your account."
She rose to speak with the commandos in the back when Garibaldi leaned in to ask, "What the frack is going on? Those Asari were twitchy at the Peak and the security guards were moving crates all over the place."
"I don't rightly know." Mal said, his hand tracing the cover of the case for the OSD drive while his mind was filled with images that were sure to give him nightmares. "And I have a feeling I might not like the answers."
XX
Serenity"How am I to keep track of Shepard when he runs off like this?" Illyana demanded.
"You need to remain calm. You say he went to Noveria?" the Asari on the screen asked.
"Yes. Serenity just arrived and the first mate and the pilot went to find him. The mechanic is working on the ships systems that are still not up to one hundred percent after the run in with the Cerberus cell."
"Yes, we received your report on what is called Subject X and the events of your being out of contact. Report to us what you can, but your main concern is Shepard." There was a pause, "We have reports from the Citadel that Matriarch Benezia is on Noveria and the human SPECTRE is on his way due to her connection to Saren. It is best to keep Shepard away from these events as our agents within his ranks have gone silent."
"I doubt Shepard would involve himself…" Illyana started but the other Asari interrupted "You are wrong. Shepard's profile indicates if a friend is in danger or requests his aid he would most certainly involve himself. Shepard knows Matriarch Benezia and he is rumored to meet with Hunt. Make certain he stays away. You know what to do. May the Goddess guide you."
Illyana scowled as the connection was cut. "Easy for them to demand back there on Thessia. Shepard is a wild card and hard to predict." The Asari companion frowned at how she was going to need to work the situation.
XX
Port HanshanMal with Garibaldi watched as the transport left the garage after the commandos unloaded a crate.
"Garibaldi get away from there." He said to the merc who was looking for a way to open said crate.
"Aren't you curious?" the big man said.
"I am, but I have a feeling on what it is I'll tell you later. Lets jus' see if Serenity is due anytime soon. Knowing Zoë she pulled the ship out as soon as the repair crew tightened the last bolt and Tylee is fretting about. Now lets go."
They exited the garage and passed by security who were locking down a business a Turian was arguing they had no right. Entering they saw there were more ERCS stationed than when they passed thru earlier.
"Garibaldi," Mal said softly.
"I see it." The merc responded "What do you reckon? With what happened at the Peak?"
"Could be. I…"
"CAPTAIN!"
XX
AN: Mal finally had his head poked about what happened on Eden Prime. He'll meet with Hunt next chapter and find out what is on the drive Benezia gave him.
