Infiltration - Part 5

Thomson still had not come back. Emi was starting to get tired, but still, she waited. In the hope he would finally stop shooting people and come back to her.
He was already hours overdue, four by her reckoning, but she clung on to her hope. Hope was the only thing stopping her from worrying.
She hoped nothing bad had happened. She hoped he was distracted by trying to figure something out. She hoped he was on his way back to her.
She was starting to think he'd never come.
Emi felt second best in their relationship. She knew Thomson cared for her... But there was his job. It took him away from her and she wasn't sure how long she could stand broken promises for.
Even though she had given birth to their children, she still felt like the insecure girl who had left the Fleet to go to Earth. She was feeling sensitive.
Thomson had broken his promise about coming to see her. She knew he was trying to stop her being killed, but she thought he could have been more use getting his team to come on board the Falcon and protect her. But no, he had left her with Bei, who was probably the only reason why she had not lost faith in him completely. She was always there, telling her everything would be alright and how Thomson was trying to protect her. She was the logic to Emi's illogical feelings. She silenced the part of Emi who thought that everything would all go terribly wrong.
She still hoped she would not be used as a slave if the gang captured her. She dreaded it. She decided that she'd rather die than be treated like that. She shuddered, even at the thought of the things they'd do to her.
She needed to get some sleep. She could feel her eyes slowly closing. Emi took the elevator up to their quarters and fell asleep almost instantly.

Emi knew she was dreaming. It wasn't hard to miss, even when asleep. She was walking through a dark corridor, aware of the creaking floor boards beneath the red carpet, and the almost gothic feel to the walls surrounding her.
She recognised it. The Houses of Parlay, or something similar. Parking, maybe? No. Parliament. The Houses of Parliament. Where she was taken by Cerberus.
Only this time, most of the corridor was shrouded in shadows. She continued walking, though a familiar sensation brewed within her stomach. Fear. Something bad was going to happen.
Even though she was fully aware, she couldn't stop herself from opening a door and stepping inside the room that it concealed.
Once again, it was covered in shadows. She couldn't see much, though she didn't have to.
She felt something wrapping itself around her wrist. She looked down at it, seeing a blue pulsing chord of wire. It pulled taunt and made her raise her hand above her head. A similar sensation appeared on her other hand, and a few moments later she was unable to move.
She struggled against the wires, but to no avail. There was the sound of discharging energy next to her. She recognised the sound.
Emi turned her head involuntarily, and looked up into the face of a Banshee. She screamed and struggled as much as she could.
It reached towards her with a clawed hand, stroking the glass of her helmet with talons in an almost caring manner.
It lifted her up into the air, snapping the wires with ease. It screamed directly into her face, shaking her to the very core. It pulled its hand back, then plunged it into her stomach, and through the other side.

She woke to the sound of her own screams.
Emi took several deep breaths, trying to get her rapidly beating heart under control. She could feel a fine layer of sweat coating her skin, but the cleaning system in her suit was making light work of it.
"... You bosh'tet," she whispered to herself, "... That never happened."
She had not had a nightmare in ages. Maybe it was all the negative feelings she had, added with the fact Thomson was not with her, that had caused it.
She hugged herself, still trying to calm herself down. She imagined Thomson's arms wrapped around her waist, telling her that everything was alright.
She soon snapped out of it, though. He was not with her. But she really needed a hug... She still felt scared and shaken.
She thought for a few moments about whether waking Bei up was a good idea... It would be selfish of her, yes... But she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to sleep again. She wanted to be told that everything was alright. She wanted someone to comfort her.
Emi slipped out from beneath the duvet and walked towards the elevator. She activated it for the third level, where Bei's quarters were, and waited for a few moments whilst it moved down to her desired floor.
She stepped out of the lift and made her way down a corridor towards Bei's bedroom.
She could have opened the door instantly by pushing the hologram, but she thought it was rather rude to do so. So she knocked instead.
"Come in," she heard a quiet, muffled voice say a few moments later. She then pushed the hologram and the door slid apart, revealing the room inside.
Bei had a bed the same size as the one she and Thomson had - kingsize. There was a lamp on a bedside table casting a warm glow over the room.
Bei was sat up in bed without her faceplate on, though the rest of her helmet was in place. Only a few Quarians slept without the glass on, though most chose to wear it all the time. She herself, at age 4, had a brief stage where she couldn't have slept without dismantling her helmet.
"Are you alright?" Bei asked, "What are you doing awake at this time?"
Emi shook her head, "... It sounds silly... I had a nightmare..."
"Aww, are you ok?"
"... I... I think so... It scared me, though..."
"Look, I said I wouldn't let anything happen to you and I won't," Bei said, "No matter what it is. You have no reason to be scared. Would you like to tell me what your nightmare was about?"
Emi shook her head, "... I don't think so... Sorry I'm being stupid... Waking you up for this..."
"Hey, don't worry about it. I did say "no matter what it is". That includes being scared by nightmares."
"... Is it ok if I sleep here? Don't worry if you don't want me... Normally I'd have Thomson to comfort me... I really wish he was here... I'll even sleep on the floor if you want me to..."
"It's fine. But I'm not having you sleep on the floor. I have this giant bed and I only use about the quarter of the space. So of course you can sleep here."
"... Thank you..." said Emi. She nervously walked around Bei's room to the side of the bed that was unoccupied. She peeled back the duvet and climbed in. She snuggled into the warm covering.
"... I bet you think I'm a child..." Emi said to Bei.
Bei laughed, "No, not at all. Everyone gets nightmares."
"... Even you?"
"Especially me."
"... Then I'm kind of glad I woke you up... Are you ok?"
Bei nodded, "Yes, I'm fine."
"... I don't want to go to sleep..." Emi said.
"I'll wait up with you, if you want," Bei suggested, "I'm not tired anyway. And, I shouldn't be asleep since I have to protect you."
"... Sorry... If I was good with a gun I guess I could've protected myself..."
"Really, I don't mind. You're my friend, Emi. I don't want you to be hurt."
"... Thanks, Bei."
Bei smiled at her, "It's no problem, really."
Despite the fact the duvet was pointless, as her suit had internal heat regulators, it felt... comforting, to have one over her. It was almost like the duvet protected her from her nightmares.
"... You're the best... Well, one of the only friends I've ever had..." Emi said, "... You're always looking out for me, you're nice to me, you don't laugh at me about what happened with the miniature mass relay..."
"You're the best friend I ever had too," replied Bei, "And I'm sorry about this..."
Bei reached over to Emi's helmet and unfastened her glass faceplate.
"... What are you d-"
Bei kissed her.

Infiltration - Part 4

Thomson felt bad for cutting his meeting with Emi short... but if he didn't do something she would end up dead. He had to find out where the gang were before they found Emi, which wouldn't be easy.
Revenge was no help, either. He had no idea where the gang were. Thomson didn't fully trust the Reaper, but his reasons for wanting Renswick dead - again - seemed rather legitimate. He'd let Revenge join the team, but wouldn't tell the others what he was. It would cause more harm than good if they knew he was a Reaper.
"So how long are you able to use the Geth's body?" Thomson asked him as they made their way from Afterlife, back towards the warehouse where the infiltration team were set.
"Only for a day or two," Revenge answered, "The unit is asking me how long I will be. I keep trying to tell him I do not know. I hope he will be nice enough to allow me to use it for a little longer so we can finally put an end to Vengeance."
"Do you really have no idea what he's planning? Like you can't read his... mind?"
The Geth shook its head, "I am afraid his data streams are inaccessible to me. I can, however, deduct that there is a lot of data transfer. If he is planning something, it is big. Galaxy-wide."
"Are you sure the Reapers aren't planning a huge comeback?"
"I am sure. The rest of my kind are only transferring data between themselves and to no external sources. They have no part to play in this. They are at peace. They had their shot at harvesting the galaxy and it failed, just as I had my shot at revenge and was destroyed as well."
"Isn't there a way you can... track Renswick's signal?"
"I am afraid not. He has put up firewalls by the hundreds. I can try and break them if you wish, though it will take time. He will be aware of my attempt at hacking him and he may retaliate."
"Isn't there another Reaper you can turn to and like attack him at the same time?"
"I could ask Harbinger or Sovereign. They are the strongest I know. But once again, he would realise. His presence in the network is somewhat strange. He isn't a Reaper, so isn't bound by the protocols set in place to protect us from each other. He is stronger than me. That is why I suggested fighting him in a body will be the only possible way of defeating him. But then he will be able to come back again. There is not a way which promises success. Fighting him within the network will be hard."
"And what if his body was distracted? So if our team was fighting him whilst you, Harbinger and Sovereign assaulted him inside the network?"
"That is why I came to you for help, Lieutenant. The processing power of this unit is not strong enough to launch a physical and digital attack at the same time. And you are the only person who I know who has beaten Vengeance in combat, so-"
"Three times. I've beaten him three times."
"You are the only person who I know who has beaten Vengeance three times in combat, so I thought you would be the best choice."
"Well yes, I guess. But I was kind of trying to have a peaceful life before you turned up on Tuchanka. I have a girlfriend, I have children. And to be honest you kind of ruined it."
"I apologise. My mind was blinded by hatred. This is no longer the case. Once we are done you can go back to your partner. I just need to destroy Vengeance once and for all, before he destroys both you and me."
"Why is he only after Emi? He hasn't attempted to destroy you or I, yet."
"He does not yet know that I plot against him. Contact has been made with Harbinger and Sovereign. I am awaiting a reply."
"Do you know how long it'll be until he has a body?"
The Geth shook its head, "I do not. I apologise."

Five went back to the warehouse. He opened the shutter and stepped inside, closing it behind him.
Crates of ammunition laid in a semi-circle around the factory floor. The infiltration team was loading their weapons and talking amongst themselves. Thomson - Ten - had not yet arrived back.
"Did you find anything?" One asked.
He nodded in response, "I did. It seems we have gained an ally."
"Who?" Two questioned as he tinkered with his M-9 Tempest sub-machine gun.
"Epsilon from the enemy gang. He is working for another party. Someone who wants to stop the gang as much as we do."
"And here is the other party," Thomson said with a grin as he entered the warehouse, followed by a single Geth platform, "This is... Who are you?"
The Geth tilted its head, "I have not thought of another name."

"Hey," said one of the group - Thomson guessed Three - "What's with the Geth?"
"He isn't a Geth... It's hard to explain. He's just using the Geth's body," Thomson replied.
"I am Revenge," said Revenge, "I am using this Geth's body. Lieutenant, I have got a reply from Harbinger and Sovereign. They are willing to help."
"... Harbinger, Sovereign... He's a-"
"Shit. Yes, a Reaper. He's a Reaper." Thomson grimaced.
The infiltration team raised their weapons.
"But!" Thomson said, "He's a good Reaper. Well, he's probably the best Reaper you'll ever meet. It's a long story, but he wants to help."
"But the Reapers are dead. I was there. I was in a fighter," said Seven, "We came through the mass relay and blasted the shit out of them. None survived."
"I was underground," said Revenge, "It protected me from the Crucible weapon. I was not even involved with the battle for Earth. I survived."
"Look, just put your guns down and we'll talk," said Thomson, "I'll tell you everything."

"Sir," said Beta, "Urdnot Yar wants to speak with you. In person. Regarding a fight between Epsilon and an assassin in his territory."
"Give me a moment," Alpha sighed, "I have to make a call. Organise the ships, the crew and the weapons. We'll ship out tomorrow."
"Yes sir."
Alpha walked into his conference room. The television must have sensed his presence because it lit up.
"Is my body ready?" asked Vengeance, "I need it."
Alpha nodded, "It is. We are in the process of hunting Emi'Derik too. We have narrowed her place down to the docking area. We will strike tomorrow morning, before we set off to Sur'Kesh."
Sur'Kesh was the Salarian home world. It had a mainly forest environment and Alpha had been instructed to transport his gang, the small army he had managed to muster up, and Vengeance's nearly-complete body to the planet. He wasn't sure why, but he was not one to ask questions.
"Good. Make sure he follows you. Kill the Quarian but make sure he sees you escape. I want him to be there."
"Yes sir. But, will there be any more ships? We barely have enough ships and crew to take them on, let alone take them on and win."
"There will be more. You are not the only person who I am in contact with. I promised you an army, Alpha. And an army you will have."
Alpha grinned inside his helmet, "I'm going to be so rich..."

"To grasp what actually happened, I have to tell you from the beginning," said Thomson to the entire group, "I'll keep it as short as possible.
It all started on Earth a few years ago. I was there when the Reapers invaded. I was there, and I managed to escape. Me and my partner, Renswick, who also worked for the Alliance. As we were heading towards the landing area we met Emi'Derik. She was the only survivor we'd seen so we took her with us. We went to the Council to ask for help. They refused us. Emi meanwhile was threatened by some C-Sec operatives who were actually Cerberus agents. I beat the crap out of them. Emi and I fell in love. Then, the Citadel was attacked by Cerberus who were looking for me - and I had no idea why. I got the crew of my ship to launch a counterattack, whilst Renswick and I went to infiltrate their defences.
We managed, but I was knocked out and Renswick and Emi were taken hostage, and taken to Earth. I launched a strike against Cerberus to rescue her. I managed, but learned Renswick was actually working for Cerberus. I was taken to a Cerberus laboratory where they planned to put my mind in the body of a Human-Reaper, which they salvaged from past the Omega 4 relay when Commander Shepard destroyed the Collector base. But I managed to escape with help from the crew of the Falcon. I killed Renswick and we were going to get away.
But then came the problem. Renswick had been put into the Human-Reaper, and he started trying to destroy my ship. I fought him and was losing, but we went to Earth and a Reaper killed him.
I thought that was the end.
I spent a few years with my girlfriend in my ruined ship. We had children and were happy. I quit the Alliance and only volunteered as an Operative instead of a full time soldier. Like someone who you'd call in an emergency.
And," he sighed, "Then I got a message to come in from an Alliance commander. A Reaper had survived on Tuchanka."
"But to understand fully," said Revenge, "You will have to listen to me too. I was on Tuchanka and then a Thresher Maw tried to kill me. I was dragged beneath the ground, which saved me from being killed, and I managed to burrow back to the surface. I was approached by a cloaked figure who called himself Vengeance. He wanted to work with me to achieve our common goal - revenge. But just to be sure I indoctrinated him."
"Anyway," Thomson continued, "I was put with a team. Then we went to Tuchanka. The commander told us that Commander Shepard would be joining us, but he was delayed.
We were attacked by Reaper forces-"
"... Which was my fault. I apologise," said Revenge.
Thomson glared at the Geth unit, "As I was saying, we were attacked by Reaper forces and the man who called himself Vengeance. He stole Emi from me so I went to get her back.
I fought my way through a laboratory and was going to rescue her from Vengeance. But then I found out that he was, in fact, Renswick. He had been healed and had upgrades so he could have been uploaded to the Human-Reaper. He said that a gang had given him the technology. We had a fight, and then Revenge here came into play. He climbed out of the hole he had dug himself and tried to kill my team, who were trying to kill him too.
I pushed Renswick off the top of the Reaper but me and my girlfriend fell off too. I was knocked unconscious. Renswick shot Emi in the leg and was about to kill her when I woke up and killed him instead.
The Reaper began shooting at us as we were trying to escape. But just before we died Shepard turned up and killed Revenge. Emi was taken to the med bay. Afterwards I thought coming here would be the place to find this gang. It seems I was right. Then I sent a message to you guys."
"But that is not all," said Revenge, "After I was killed I was inside the Reaper network. Vengeance wanted me to work with him. I said yes but soon after I realised my mistake. He is reckless and stupid, blinded by anger and revenge. I had no reason to work with him any more. Which is why I came to Thomson for help."
One cocked his head, "You're right. That is a long story. I still don't trust the Reaper, though."
"Hey," said Thomson, "He tried to kill me and I'm on my way to trusting him. We need all the allies we can get. By the way, are we any closer to finding out where the gang are?"
Two shook his head, "I'm afraid not."
Seven raised his hand, "It is not good news. They sent an assassin to the residential district, almost definitely to look for Emi'Derik. The assassin is on our side, but he will have told the leader of the gang that he had not seen her. They will check the docking area next. Two, Three, you need to go and guard it whilst the rest of us try and figure out where the gang is based. Do not let them get to their target."

Quarian Pumpkin

When browsing the internet, I came across this. I think it's awesome. :)

Infiltration - Part 3

Emi was beginning to get lonely. It was less than a day since Thomson had left and she missed him greatly.
Instead of Thomson, Bei had to keep applying medigel to the wound in her thigh, which thankfully was looking better. You couldn't see fully through the hole, in fact it had nearly healed from both sides.
Emi and Bei kept each other company. They talked about life back on the Flotilla, what they had done since and what they wanted to do in the future.
Most of all, however, they spoke about the events of Tuchanka.
Bei was also starting to feel lonely. She had been used to travelling with Humin and Srateris. And since both were dead...
Emi was starting to be able to stand up for short periods of time unassisted, but could not yet manage walking. Every time she tried, she felt her wounded leg give way and she began to fall. Luckily Bei had been there to catch her.
She couldn't wait for Thomson's visit.

"Look," said Thomson, "Although we fought well in the bar, we could do better. We were fighting individually instead of as a group. We need to cover each other in future."
The leader of the infiltrators nodded, "We do indeed. Hey, seven, what will they do next?"
From what Thomson could gather, each member of the group was assigned a number as a codename. There were originally nine members of the group, ten including Thomson.
The only distinguishing feature he had seen on any of the soldiers so far was that Five had an electric sword. Five was currently sharpening some throwing knives.
"By the way," said One, the leader, "Seven is the plan maker. He is great at it. Never gone wrong with him."
"Ok," said Thomson with a nod.
Seven thought for a moment, "Well they're after Emi'Derik, but didn't go straight to the ship. So they don't know where she is. They were probably looking for Aria to see if she knew where they were. If I was them I'd try the housing areas because it'd be well... common sense. Thomson, you shouldn't go back to the Falcon. It could alert them to Emi's whereabouts. I recommend Five should go and scout the area."
"Why?" asked One.
"Because they'll have sent their master assassin too."

As Thomson left the small, factory-like building where Aria T'Loak had given them the address for, Five went to the Kima district as per his instructions.
Apparently Thomson - or Ten - as he was now called, had promised to see his Quarian girlfriend a few times a day. And he always kept to his promises, or something.
Five pressed his back against a wall and looked around the corner at the two Turian guards armed with rifles who were stood at a checkpoint to the housing district. They were wearing heavy battle armour and had their fingers inside the trigger guards, ready to shoot any person who looked hostile.
He wouldn't be able to get past them by conventional means. So he activated his tactical cloak and began moving towards the checkpoint, his form only a slight blur in the air.
Five stepped around the Turians and climbed over the barrier that separated the two districts.
He then moved his hands to his sides and raised himself up using his biotics, placing his feet firmly on the roof of a small house. Five looked around over the horizon. There was no sign of any assassins from the other gang, not even on the street. But there was something oddly quiet about the housing district, something slightly... disturbing.
Five trusted his combat senses. Something was going to happen. He was beginning to feel a prickling at the back of his neck. Someone was behind him.
He spun, drawing his sword out of its sheath and slicing it through the air. Vibrations thundered up his arm as his blade hit something solid. He got the first look at his attacker - the assassin from Afterlife. The one who nearly beat him.
"Hello again," said the enemy assassin, "You can not even hide from me when you are wearing a tactical cloak."
Five deactivated his cloaking device, since it was indeed useless. He took a step back, dropping slightly lower than he had been previously and positioned himself on the balls of his feet, spreading his weight evenly between both of his legs with his centre of mass in the centre. He raised his sword out in front of him.
The other assassin did likewise.
Their swords clashed twice in quick succession. White electricity flashed around the two blades, firing aimlessly into the air in random - but beautiful - patterns.
The assassin's body started glowing blue as he began to use biotics. Five did the same, planning a biotic jump up into the air for an aerial strike.
Their swords sung through the air and struck each other, causing a metallic clang which rang through the housing district of Omega. Five sidestepped away from a thrust and slashed at the assassin's head. His enemy ducked underneath it and struck towards his stomach, but he knocked the blade away with his own and kicked, sending the other assassin stumbling back.
Both of them biotic jumped at the same time into the same place. They fell a few metres back down to the rooftop and landed in a heap, but they both were up again in an instant - both their swords lost after the mid-air collision.
The assassin threw a knife at Five, which he dodged with a quick step to the side. A second blade flew towards him, but instead of dodging it, he moved quickly to the left, grasping the handle of the knife as it flew past his head. He used its own momentum to power a spin, throwing the knife back at the assassin like a slingshot.
Five's enemy dropped to the ground and the knife just passed over his head. Five closed in on the assassin, giving him no chance to get up until it was too late. He chopped at the assassin's neck, but it was blocked with a forearm as fast as lightning. Five kicked, taking his enemy by surprise and winding him. He heard gasps for breath.
"Shall we continue?" Five asked, "This is a rather interesting fight. I have never fought someone as good as you."
"It is indeed interesting," agreed the assassin, "I am Epsilon."
"I am Five. Pleased to meet you."
Epsilon swung a punch. Five grasped his forearm and swung around it, kicking Epsilon in the back of the helmet. The assassin stumbled forwards, but responded with a backwards kick into Five's groin. Luckily he was wearing armour, so it didn't have that much effect. It still was enough to throw him off-balance.
Five came to attack again, but he realised too late that Epsilon had collected his sword.
Epsilon swung his sword, forcing Five to duck. What started off as a charge ended up in some sort of tackle. They both went sprawling across the roof. Five swiped up his sword and blocked a strike, but continued pushing his sword - sending Epsilon's blade outwards.
Five jabbed at Epsilon, doing no actual damage because of his armour, but the electrical disruption meant that the assassin was shocked. There was a crackling noise and white electricity travelled the full length of his body, paralysing him for several seconds.
The seconds were all Five needed to point a pistol directly at his head.
"I don't want to kill you," he said, "I was not instructed to do anything. I am here for recon only."
Epsilon recovered a few moments later, "As am I. That is, if I was working for the gang. But I have another purpose to look for you, Five."
Five tilted his head, "And what is that?"
"I work for someone who is interested in taking the gang down. Well, the person who ordered the contract against Emi'Derik. He put me undercover in the gang to learn their plans. To see what the contractor had them doing."
"On whose behalf is the contract?" Five asked.
"Someone who calls himself Vengeance," Epsilon answered, "Someone who dislikes Thomson. And to be fair, I'm not working for someone who works for someone who wants revenge."
"So does that mean we can count on you?"
"Yes. I will fight with you when it comes to it. Just don't blow my cover."
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"If I wanted you dead, you already would be."
"I doubt it," Five shrugged, "But ok."
"I'm just finding out Vengeance's plan. One bit at a time."

Thomson and Emi embraced, "I love you;" he told her, "I love you so much."
"... I love you too," she said, "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to come..."
"Emi," Thomson said, "There's something you should know..."
"... Is everything alright?"
"Well no... Not really. There's a gang out to kill you."
"... But... Why?"
"I don't know," he said, "I know it's on a full security lockdown here, and there's always Bei to protect you but I'm worried."
"... Why do they want to kill me? Have I done something wrong...?"
Thomson shook his head, "I think they deal with Quarian slaves. They might want you because of that..."
"... Please..." she sobbed, "Please don't let me become a slave..."
"I won't," he said. "I'm going to get to the bottom of it. I promise."
"... Oh keelah..."
He kissed her helmet, "Please don't worry. You'll be fine, I know you will."
"... A terminal-thing is beeping," she pointed out, "... Has been doing for a few hours... I didn't know what to do to stop it..."
"I'll go and check. Where is it?"
"... In the war zone thing."
"The Combat Information Centre?"
"... Yes, that."
Thomson held her hand and they walked into the CIC from the bridge. The circular table that would normally display holograms was dull and lifeless, though a red light was blinking on the console.
He pressed a button and the terminal activated, automatically displaying his current message inbox. The only one that was unread was one from an "unknown sender".
Thomson pressed on the holographic terminal and the message opened.
"Thomson, there are things we need to discuss. Meet me in Afterlife at 1400 hours. Do not tell anyone where you are going. I wish to help."
Thomson checked his watch. It was already 1:35, and the ship was a good twenty minutes away from Afterlife.
"I'm sorry Emi," he said, "Something's come up. I'll be back soon though. Promise."
Emi sighed, "... But you've only just got here... I've been looking forward to it..."
"I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you."
"... How?"
"I'll think of something. I'm sorry, Emi. I really am."
"... It's ok, I guess... I really don't feel safe here, though... I keep hearing gunshots and there's a gang after me and I don't know why... I really want to leave... Please hurry up so we can leave and get back to our children... I miss them... So much..."
"I miss them too," he told her, "I'll deal with this gang as fast as possible and we can go back to the Citadel together, ok?"
She nodded, "... You promised you'll come and see me... Please don't break it..."
"I won't," he said, kissing her helmet, "It won't be long. I'm meeting someone."

Emi sighed as Thomson left. She had been hoping for something a little... better than just a few moments talking to him. She wanted him to stay for at least a few hours with her... maybe she had her expectations too high.
She didn't at all like the feelings she got about what he said. She was scared. There was a gang after her... Who wanted to try and turn her into a slave... She hadn't done anything wrong. Why were they after her?
Not only did she dislike that, but she didn't like how Thomson treated her when he was in his war mode. It was like... she had somehow been pushed to the back of his priority list. Maybe she was being selfish... she understood that what Thomson did was usually a life or death situation, for the entire galaxy, but he hadn't been able to spare a few hours for her because he was busy shooting people whilst she was shaking with fear.
"Hey," said Bei, "Are you ok?"
She shook her head, "... I don't think so, no..."
"What's the matter?"
She shrugged, "... I'm not sure... Is it bad I feel that Thomson sometimes prefers his job over me? At least... that's what it seems like..."
Bei put her hand on Emi's shoulder, "He loves you, Emi. He can't be without you. I'm sure he's only doing what he's doing for your benefit."
"... I think without him I'm going to die..." Emi sobbed, as she felt tears stream down her face, "... There are some people who want to kill me... Or make me their slave..."
"I won't let them," said Bei, "And neither will Thomson. You'll see. He's smart. I bet he's already planning ahead. You'll be perfectly safe, honestly. If all else fails I still have my shotgun from Tuchanka."
"... If it's alright," Emi said, "Please don't leave me alone... They could be already on board..."
"I'll stay with you, don't worry," Bei responded, giving Emi a quick reassuring hug, "But Thomson put it on full security lockdown. Nothing can get in. We'll be fine."
"... But he also said he'd come and visit me once every few hours... It's been six since we landed and he's only seen me once for two minutes, if that..."
"If he skips a meeting with you, he'll have a good reason for it. He'll be trying to protect you from the gang."
"... Ok... I guess I'm just scared..."
"With good reason, though," said Bei, "Don't worry, though. He loves you, he'll protect you."

Thomson made sure his pistol was loaded as he stepped into Afterlife. He had removed his helmet and carried it in his hand. The music was playing the same repetitive song as before. A rhythmic drum beat with an electronic tune accompanying it.
Oddly, the Krogan doorman had allowed him to enter without joining the queue. He was rather happy, though slightly concerned, about that.
He took a single step towards the bar, though a voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Hello Lieutenant."
He turned to see a single Geth unit looking at him with a glowing, unblinking optic. It's metal skin was black in colour and despite the fact it was robotic, no wires could be seen.
"Who are you?" Thomson asked the Geth, "Why did you want to meet me?"
"Despite appearances," answered the unit, "I am no Geth. I merely asked permission to connect to its body for a few hours. It agreed, so here I am."
"Let me get this straight. You asked a Geth if you could use its body?"
The Geth nodded, "It was the only way I could communicate with you."
"Who are you?"
"Now that is a long story. Please do not be alarmed. As specified in my message to you, I am here to help. I believe we met on Tuchanka. I am Revenge, though I no longer feel like going under that name."
"Revenge?! That means... you're a... that's impossible! I saw you die!"
"I am a Reaper, yes. But I never died. My consciousness was uploaded to the Reaper database, where it is now. We once had control over the Geth, so I merely uploaded some extra programmes on top of the ones we had already installed to allow me to connect, but not transfer myself, to this unit."
"Why do you want to help me? Didn't you work with Renswick and you tried to kill us?"
"I worked with Renswick, but not any more. Vengeance has become mad with rage. He will do anything to stop you. That's why he put a contract on your partner's head. He's trying to hurt you."
"... Renswick's alive? Shit. So he's behind all this?"
"Yes. The gang who he has employed were sympathetic to Cerberus when they tried to invade back in 2186. He's using their loyalty and the promise of good Reaper technology to make them kill Emi'Derik. I already have a contact on the inside who is giving me information."
"Why don't you just get rid of Renswick yourself?"
"I can't. I have no body. Inside of the network, however, we are unable to delete files from another Reaper. To fight him both he and I would need bodies. He is being created one by the gang. I am stuck using various things from Geth units to terminals showing everything from sports to torture programmes in an attempt to communicate with you. I hope you appreciate how disturbed I am, and how much I need your help."
"I understand. But I don't trust you. I never tried to hurt you, and yet when we were trying to get away you tried to shoot us."
"That was a mistake, admittedly. And I paid for it with my life. He is growing in power day by day as he's starting seizing control of every network available to him. By yourself you'd have no chance. If we join forces, we at least have a half-decent shot at killing him. Once and for all."

Infiltration - Part 2

He fired a shot up into the air, "Ladies, gentlemen and well... Asari," he called across the bar, "I wish to announce that the club is now under our control. Please help yourself to a face full of metal."
A Krogan laughed and tried to punch him. Before the fist connected, however, the man had fired his shotgun directly into its face.
Blood splashed across the floor and over several members of the crowd.
The man saw Aria T'Loak's Krogan bodyguards run down the stairs towards his small group of elite soldiers. A member of the group, codenamed Epsilon, stepped forwards to face the six large, heavily armed Krogan, drawing a sword.
The first Krogan to be dispatched was done so in a single vicious swipe to its face. Its head was nearly sliced in half. White lightning danced across its body as the electric disruption the sword contained took effect.
The second Krogan came in melee range a moment later, but Epsilon drew a M-11 pistol and shot it once in the head. As it fell, a blue glow surrounded Epsilon's armour as he began to use his biotics.
The man watched in mild amusement as a Krogan only came in contact with thin air after a relatively long charge. It seemed to look around in shock and awe, wondering where Epsilon had gone.
Epsilon dropped from above after biotic jumping up a floor and as he did so, stuck his sword through the Krogan's head.
There was a slight ping and he staggered back as someone fired a gunshot at the man. He turned to see a Turian running towards him, probably the gatekeeper, armed with a sniper rifle. A Black Widow, if he wasn't mistaken.
There were two more gunshots before the Turian was pointing the barrel of the weapon directly at the man's head.
"Drop your weapons and I'll let you live," growled the Turian, "Afterlife is the property of Aria T'Loak. You have no business here."
"Shoot me," said the man, "But there are a hundred and one different reasons why it isn't the best idea you'll ever have."
The Turian pulled the trigger. His sniper rifle clicked.
"Reason number one," the man said, "You've run out of ammo."
He grabbed the barrel of the sniper and smashed it back into the Turian's face. The Turian staggered back then began running.
The man dropped to one knee, ejected the used thermal clip, inserted a new one from his belt, then took quick aim and finished the Turian with a single round to the head. The powerful sniper rifle made his head practically explode.
When he turned back around, Epsilon had already dealt with the Krogan and they were laying dead at his feet.
"As you can see," he said to the rest of the club, "We are more effective than you when it comes to military strength. Please refrain from trying to harm us or I will be forced to shoot you several times in the face."
Another member of his group - Beta - shot a Krogan in the crowd just for good measure.
Alpha, his codename was, felt the weight of the Black Widow in his hands. It was a beautiful weapon. An awesome instrument of death. He'd keep it.
"And, now. Are there any Quarian women in the crowd?" he called. He could see at least two, "I strongly suggest you cooperate or I'll be forced to take drastic measures."
The Quarian women stepped forward in silence, "I'm looking for one of your kind called Emi'Derik. Know her?"

"Tactical cloaks off now!" Thomson yelled, pushing the muzzle of his sub-machine gun into the chin of the leader of the group.
"Well, well," laughed the leader, "What do we have here? Alliance Infiltration Team, I presume. As for you..." he said, nodding at Thomson, "The time you chose to uncloak suggests you know Emi'Derik. The urgency in your attack would make me think you're either related to her or in love with her... I'm going for the latter because you're not a Quarian. Cross reference that with your N7 armour, Alliance team and the Spectre badge on your arm, you must be Lieutenant Thomson. Destroyer of Reapers, rescuer of Emi'Derik and powerful biotic. I know all about you."
"Then you should know I won't hesitate to kill you."
"Actually, you already have," the man said. Thomson fired his sub-machine gun, but before the round connected the weapon was palmed away. He felt a fist hit him in the stomach and he doubled over, but stood up again a moment later.
Thomson swung a punch, but it was blocked. A kick sent him stumbling back and he drew a knife from his belt.
"Really," the man said, as fighting broke out between the two teams, "I thought after your military career, you'd have realised that if you wanted to kill someone, you should do it right away instead of wasting time with idle chat."
"Practice what you preach," Thomson growled and slashed his knife. It failed to get through the man's armour but opened up a long groove in the black metal.
Before he could slice again, the knife was grabbed from his hand and thrown out of range. Thomson punched the gang leader in the face, which hurt his hand more than it had an effect.
He switched tactics, and threw his arms wide. A shockwave took several of the gang members of their feet. Two armoured figures stepped in front of him, one from the Alliance, and the other from the gang. They were each fighting with electric swords and white lightning danced between them every time their blades connected.
Thomson threw a sphere of biotic energy at the leader of the group, throwing him across the bar.
Afterlife was full of gunshots from the opposing groups. There had so far not been any casualties. Shield generators and armour were preventing anyone from landing decisive blows, even with their guns.
A round whizzed past Thomson's head as he closed in on the leader of the enemy gang. He stepped forward and slammed his foot into the man's stomach, but before he could draw it back his ankle was grabbed and he was thrown over the top of the wooden bar and hit the wall at the back. He hissed in pain but got to his feet again.
Since his knife had been lost, he vaulted over the bar and kicked the leader of the group. The leader staggered back, but before he knew what was happening the man had grabbed a shotgun and was aiming at him.
Thomson stopped moving.
"You really shouldn't have come to Omega," said the man, "It won't end up well for you, or your girlfriend. I can promise you that."
He activated his tactical cloak. The man swore and fired several blasts from his weapon. Thomson meanwhile managed to avoid the shotgun rounds and moved behind the man whilst his cloaked deactivated. He leaped on to his back, moving his arm in for a headlock. The man tried to kick him but he caught his ankle between his feet and pushed forwards.
The man fell into the bar, smashing glasses and sending alcohol everywhere. Thomson stepped off his back and on to the wood, using his height advantage to kick the man in the face. As the leader staggered back, he jumped off the bar and landed on the floor once again.
The leader threw a punch, but Thomson blocked it with his forearm and grabbed the man's wrist before he could pull it back. He twisted it behind the man's back and kicked his legs out from under him, throwing him into a vicious summersault which ultimately made him smash his helmet into the bar.
Thomson slid over the bar and grabbed him by the front of his armour, pushing him against the wall.
"Why do you want Emi?" he barked, slamming the man's head into a bottle of Turian vodka, "Tell me!"
"... Employed..." the man gasped.
A round from a weapon hit Thomson's kinetic shield. He let the man drop and turned. There was a man holding two silenced pistols closing in on him.
The weapons discharged several times, but his shield stopped him being killed. There was a blue ripple every time rounds hit the surface of his barrier.
By the time that they were in melee range of each other, Thomson had already launched a punch. It cracked against the metal of the man's helmet, but he didn't even stagger.
The black-clad enemy drew a knife but before he could put it to any use, a round to the back of the leg managed to penetrate through his shields and go through the front of his knee cap. He howled and went down on the floor.
Thomson turned back to the leader of the group, but he had already disappeared - along with the two Quarians. The gang began to retreat out of the club, covered by the largest of the group who provided suppressive fire using a large machine gun. The Infiltration Team dived for cover behind the bar as the heavy rounds hit the wood. Several of the surrounding people in the bar were mowed down, but the majority dived for cover likewise. The door hissed shut as the gang exited.
"Shit," Thomson growled in frustration.
"Hey," said the member of the team who had carried the electric swords, which were now sheathed, "It isn't all bad. They left the member of their team who was shot."
He sighed, "But they escaped. And took two Quarians with them. Is anyone hurt?"
"None of us, no. Just minor wounds, scratches, bruises and stuff. A few of the people within the club are dead, but I'm pretty sure it won't matter here."
A Krogan at the bar began laughing, "Well!" he hollered, "That was interesting!"
Afterlife erupted into a fit of laughter, despite the corpses of the relatively-innocent people who had been killed.
Thomson strode up to Aria T'Loak, "Does this club have some sort of mounted cameras?"
She nodded, "Indeed it does. Unfortunately however I suggest that you leave and never come back. There will be people out for your blood. If you leave now before any more death is spread I'll get one of my agents to come into contact with you about the video footage."
"Thank you," Thomson said, "You're not as bad as people make out."
"Oh," she grinned, "I am much worse than people make out. Omega has one rule: Don't fuck with Aria T'Loak. And if anyone breaks it, like they did, barging in here and killing the leaders of my most loyal gangs, of course I'm going to retaliate. You will be my form of retaliation."
She gave Thomson a piece of paper.
"But there are only ten of us."
"There's only ten of them. Leave, now."

The Infiltration team left Afterlife with no complaints. The gang member who they had arrested had been shackled and was now being carried to an address written on the piece of paper Aria had given him. Thomson presumed it would be some sort of safe house or a place they could use as a base, considering Aria had been more than happy to help them stop the gang.
It seemed serious. Thomson was no expert in whatever was classed as politics on Omega, but the fact that someone as powerful as Aria wanted to stop a gang which consisted of only ten people showed that they posed a significant threat. And anyone who could pose a threat with ten people wasn't to be messed with.
Thomson sighed as they reached the address.

"Where are they?!" yelled one of the Alliance team, "Where is your base?!"
"I don't know!" shouted the captured gang member, "We're not allowed to go there normally. We have to put a bag on our head and we only ever see it from the inside. He likes being secretive."
"Who is he?" Thomson asked, "Your leader. Who is he?"
"His name is... Alpha. That's all I know," the gang member said, "And there are other members in his group. There's Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota and Kappa. Those are the main ten, though there are others. They all follow the Ancient Greek alphabet with their names, and that's their chain of command. I'm Kappa."
"Know anything else?" Thomson barked, "Why on Earth are they after my girlfriend?"
"I don't know. I really don't. Trust me. You have a sword held to my throat. Why would I lie?"

Alpha sighed, "We infiltrated Afterlife and we're still no closer to taking out our target."
"Sir, what about Kappa?" Beta questioned, "Aren't we going to get him?"
He shrugged, "We won't aim for it. Kappa made a mistake. He showed hesitation. If we find him alive we'll welcome him back, but we must focus on the target. He is not important."
Gamma nodded, "I agree."
Epsilon was sat in the corner sharpening some throwing knives, "You are very strange. I hope you all understand that. If you would let me get at them I could take them out one by one and they would never know until it was too late."
"We want to avoid confronting them," Alpha told the master assassin, "You didn't even injure the person on their team. I was injured, Kappa was injured and they just got a few cuts and bruises. What do you think that shows about them?"
"Killing them will be much more fun?" Epsilon shrugged, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
"We need to think about where Emi'Derik could be. She wasn't with her boyfriend, so she's either in one of the housing districts or in the docking bays," Alpha said, "Which reminds me, are the Quarians ready to be shipped out?"
Quarians were rare on Omega. Prejudice against them, even now, carried all the way to the Terminus system. Those who came to the space station were always met with curses and mistreatment, but the gang took it even further.
Because Quarians were so rare, and so little people had seen them out of their suits... it was amazing the prices people paid for one. During sales pitches to potential customers - mainly mob bosses and warlords - they clearly stated that they were not accountable for any damage to the slave that could happen during shipping and collection.
Of course, a few always tried to escape during transportation. What they tended to do now was put those who were going to be sold in a large wooden crate in the back of a van to prevent them from getting away. Beforehand, however, they always had to stop the Quarian from getting away - using fists or weapons.
The Quarian slave trade funded their gang. They had professional military weapons, state of the art armour and the best training available in the galaxy, thanks to their little side project.
"Yes, they're ready. Stage one has been completed," said Beta.
Stage One consisted of locking them all in a room and simultaneously hacking into their suits artificial nerve stimulator system and putting them through unimaginable pain for several hours. By the end of this, most of them couldn't even speak for days afterwards and were susceptible to interrogation. The interrogation got rid of the little personality they had left.
Stage Two was transportation.
"Load them into the van. We'll give them to Urdnot Yar shortly."
Urdnot Yar was a Krogan warlord in charge of the housing districts of Omega. To look for Emi'Derik they would have to infiltrate that district, and selling him five female Quarian slaves could help them gain a little leverage to do what they want, especially since one of them was 'on the house'.
The gang was playing a risky game. Especially with the Quarians. Take too little and you wouldn't have enough profit to buy the necessary equipment. Take too many, and you'll upset some warlord or other - or gain the attention of the Migrant Fleet. And 50,000 starships coming to Omega full of Quarians looking for his gang was not something he wanted to happen. They were constantly negotiating with various companies, gangs and people to assure they had some free reign when it came to hunting down targets and purchasing supplies.
They had purchased a weapons company on Omega who sold black market, and high-end guns. They normally sold to Aria T'Loak, but a promise of a few free Quarian slaves later... and they were delivering Turian rifles, Quarian shotguns and Alliance pistols directly to their main base.
Well, to him. And he transported the weapons to their base.
Alpha nodded to Epsilon, "Go and scout the housing area."
Epsilon laughed, "Finally some fun."

Infiltration - Part 1

The screen lit up.
"Yes?" the man said as he fastened black armour on to his body.
"You have a target," pointed out the mysterious voice who had connected to the computer terminal
several months ago, "Take her out."
"Affirmative," the man responded with the nod of his head, holstering a pistol at the same time, "I doubt I will be able to get in that close without being noticed. What do you suggest?"
The screen went dim for a moment.
"I suggest..." said the voice, "... Infiltration."


One Week After Tuchanka...

Thomson applied a canister of medigel to Emi's rapidly healing wound. He was starting to see the muscles in her leg knot together and the hole was getting smaller. He could no longer see straight through, one side had healed. Where the round had entered had not. But she was going to make a full recovery.
They had left the Krogan home-world on the Falcon. Bei had chosen to stay with them, and since there was only two Quarians and himself, the ship was once again completely sterile of all germs.
Thomson still kept in contact with Shepard. Apparently he was now taking care of a small uprising on Tuchanka, but it was fairly easy to deal with and he was only a few days away from peace once again.
Emi smiled at him, "... Thank you... I can't wait to see our kids again... I miss them..."
"... Unfortunately I can't go back yet," said Thomson, "I have to sort out that gang. I'll drop you off on the Citadel so you can take care of them."
"... And where will you go?" Emi asked, "You know nothing about them..."
Thomson smiled, "Trust me. There is one place in the galaxy which has a connection to every single organised crime. I'm going there."
"... Omega?"
He nodded, "Omega indeed."
"... You can't go alone," she said, "It's dangerous..."
"Don't worry," he grinned, "I've already sent for an Alliance Infiltration Team. We'll rendezvous in the docking bay. For a start it will be only recon work. No shooting involved."
"... Then I'm coming with you. The Citadel isn't meant for people who can't walk... I won't be able to get to the nursery, let alone look after our children... It'll be better for them to stay there. I'm hardly in a state for looking after myself and two children on top of that..."
"Emi, look... You were shot when you came with me. I'd really prefer it if you stayed on the Citadel."
"... We can compromise," she said, "I'll come with you but stay on the ship..."
Emi had also stayed in contact with Tali'Zorah, who was probably the only reason why she was alive. Doctors didn't know anything about Quarians because they had been rarely seen out of their suit. Thomson felt somewhat honoured to be one of only a handful of people to see them other than people of their own race.
He sighed. He really didn't want her to come. But he knew he'd miss her if he let her go. And she was right. She couldn't look after their children when she couldn't even walk. Coming with him was the only option.
"... Fine," he said, "But I'll initiate a full security lockdown. No one will be able to get in."
She nodded and smiled at him, as she hadn't fastened the glass to her helmet since they had returned to the sterile Falcon, "... Apart from you... I want you to get in..."
"I will come and see you several times a day," he promised, "And there's always videos you can watch."
"... You bought me the full set of books," Emi responded, "... I'll read them... I so far haven't even started the third book."
He kissed her, "I love you, Emi."
"I love you, too," she said with a smile. She moved her arms to the wheels of her wheelchair and moved herself closer to him.
Emi was ill. He could see it in her face. The hole in her suit and the fact that any germs had a good direct entrance to her blood stream meant that she was coughing and sneezing. She had a temperature, and her face was flushed a darker shade of purple than before.
It wasn't technically an illness, however. Although caused by germs, Quarians could only catch diseases from Turians as they were made of the same protein. What Emi was suffering from was most likely an allergic reaction to germs made of a different protein - perhaps a human, Krogan, Asari or Salarian one - when they had entered her blood.
At least the hole had been sealed, so there was no more risk.
Thomson embraced her when she came in his range. He had to lean down a lot to be at her level, but still.
Her head snuggled into his shoulder, "... You need to say a proper goodbye."
"Did I put too much medigel on again?" he grinned, knowing full well it wasn't the reason. Just to make fun of her.
She sighed, "... That wasn't my fault..."

A few hours later, Thomson went to the Combat Information Centre and checked on their progress to Omega. They would arrive in just a matter of minutes. He had already received a message from the Infiltration team regarding their whereabouts and anything of note. They were waiting for him in the docking bay.
Omega was controlled by gangs. Blood Pack, Blue Suns... just a few to name amongst the hundreds that roamed freely, killing anyone who got in their way.
That was the problem with Omega. It had no kind of official security force. Yes, there were some firms who would protect certain areas of the space station - for a price - but their loyalty couldn't be assured. Loyalty was not earned on Omega. It was bought.
Omega was built into an asteroid in the Terminus System. It was described as a place similar to the Citadel, but where sex, drugs and guns run the streets. If you're a nice guy, you don't set foot on Omega. Ever.
Despite several attempts from Cerberus, not even a pro-human military black ops group couldn't get a foothold inside without being shot up in some way.
As long as you had enough money to bribe whoever decided to take a disliking to you, always carried a firearm of some description and didn't accidentally sell yourself into slavery, it was possible to be fine. But the majority of people on the station were either mass murderers, exiles, gang members or warlords. So they were pretty much fine anyway.
The Falcon's autopilot slowed the ship down as it reached the docking bay, or what was used as one. A mechanical arm gripped the ship's wing and held it in place as the engines powered down.
Emi and Bei walked into the CIC as Thomson started to put on his armour and collect his weapons.
"If it's alright," said Bei, "I'm going to stay here with Emi. I have no intention of ever setting foot on Omega. I've heard what happens to Quarians who go there."
Thomson nodded, "That's fine. I won't be long. We're going to see a woman named Aria T'Loak. Apparently she runs all of Omega. All the gangs, everything. People call her 'The Pirate Queen'."
"And you're just going to walk up to her and ask for information?" Bei asked, "Seems... silly. Where even is she?"
"That's something I don't understand," Thomson responded, "Everyone knows where she is. She sits at a table in Afterlife, which is a club, surrounded by the most notorious criminal gang leaders and private security personnel. So no, we're not just going to walk up to her. We're going to sneak into Afterlife using tactical cloaks, take out her security and then threaten her until we have information. Or at least, that's the plan."
"... Be careful," said Emi, "Please be careful..."
"I will. I'll be back in a few hours, don't worry."

He left the Falcon and entered the docking bay, wearing full N7 armour, a breather helmet, and carrying a M-8 Avenger rifle. There were two Turian guards - almost definitely some sort of hired security - stationed on all the doors around the docking bay.
Unlike the clean, white room that greeted you on the Citadel, Omega so far seemed to be mostly brown with dirt and grime. The docking bay had no one in it apart from him.
"Very funny," he said to the air, "We arranged the rendezvous. I'm not stupid."
The air in front of him flickered white for a moment and nine Alliance soldiers appeared in front of him after deactivating their tactical cloaks. They carried a variety of weapons, from sub-machine guns to sniper rifles. The most common weapon of all seemed to be the M-7 Lancer.
The M-7 Lancer was an old weapon. Whereas with newer weapons, to keep on firing your weapon you had to eject a thermal clip and insert a new one to prevent your weapon from overheating, the M-7 Lancer relied on internal cooling systems. This meant, in theory, you could never run out of ammunition until the metal inside the weapon was chipped away. As long as you left it for a few moments, you could keep firing. It wasn't a bad weapon, but whereas reloading took only a few seconds with the M-8, you had to wait for the internal cooling system to return the gun to full capacity before firing again with the M-7, which took at least ten seconds. The Avenger was a lot more reliable.
The group of Infiltrators were wearing completely black armour. The visors of their helmets were tinted and there was not a single centimetre of skin showing. Not even their chins.
Thomson was handed a new helmet, which was alike to theirs, and a device that he attached to his mass effect shield generator. He thanked them, then took off his breather helmet and slid the black one into place.
Although the visor was tinted, he could see perfectly.
"So," said the soldier at the front of the group, "We're going to see Aria T'Loak?"
Thomson nodded, "Yes. We are. We need to keep our tactical cloaks on at all times."
"Affirmative," replied another soldier, and the entire squad vanished.
He did likewise a moment later.

The Infiltration Team moved to the entrance of Afterlife. There was a long line of people waiting outside to get in. And it wasn't just one race. Thomson could see Volus, small round aliens that wore suits to protect themselves from the hazardous air pressure that was so different to the one on their home planet, and Krogan - the large humanoid lizard-like creatures who were native to the planet Tuchanka. There were others too. Salarian, Vorcha, Turians... only a relatively few humans had entered so far.
There was a heavily armed Krogan guarding the entrance. Thomson had noted to the rest of the group that he appeared to be only letting people in once someone had left, to make sure there was the same amount of people in the club at any one time. The only chance they would have to get in would be to sneak past the Krogan and enter the club whilst someone was being let in and the doors were open.
From what he could gather from the murmurings in the long queue, most of which were from the native languages of the different species, Afterlife celebrated well... the afterlife. It was about doing as much as you wanted for as long as you wanted before you died, which, taking into account Omega's reputation, seemed rather appropriate.
However, since the people who generally were on Omega weren't exactly nice, the honesty of what they wanted to do couldn't be assured. Thomson knew from what his commander had once said during his training, at least one fight out broke out in Afterlife every single night. Killings in the club weren't uncommon.
That wasn't the most evil thing done in the club, however.
A Krogan wearing red armour exited the club, and the doorman gestured for the first in line, a Salarian, to enter.
"This is it," said Thomson into the communicator in their helmets, after deactivating the microphone that would make him audible to everyone, "This is our window. Make it count."
His helmet automatically detected the infiltration team as he moved towards the door. They appeared as glowing orange outlines as he looked at them.
The door slid open and the Salarian stepped through. Before it had closed, however, they were inside.
It was a long corridor. Flashing purple holograms were above them with "Afterlife" written in orange lettering. They followed the Salarian to the very end.
"Don't cause any trouble," said a Turian guard stationed just before the club opened up. The loud beating of drums was audible from the music inside the club.
"I won't," responded the Salarian, and stepped inside.
The volume of the music increased at least ten times. It hurt Thomson's ears, but it didn't stop him.
The way the club was arranged was somewhat odd. It appeared to be a circle around a central structure, and there was almost definitely more than one floor.
Barely clad Asari were dancing on the top of tables and some even were on the central structure. Several people were cheering at them.
One of the team handed him a Locust sub-machine gun. He fastened his rifle on to his back and kept the smaller weapon in hand. No matter how good he thought the Avenger was, it was too large for the enclosed space - especially considering they were trying not to arouse people's suspicion by knocking into them.
The group still followed the Salarian. He seemed to be leading them directly to Aria's table, which seemed to be at the highest point in the entire club.
As Thomson passed a Turian, it seemed, out of nowhere, he just punched a Krogan directly in the face. The bar he was sat at suddenly erupted into a fight, and pistols were drawn.
The group continued.
He could see several Krogan gathered around a table, which he presumed was Aria's. They were each wearing different coloured armour, which signified they were from different gangs. One even had the logo of a blue sun on his shoulder.
The group remained hidden as the Salarian stepped in front of the table.
"Aria," the Salarian said, "May I have a word?"
An Asari, who was the only person sat at the table, nodded, "Of course, Nuin. About what, exactly?"
"You see... The Red Dragons aren't happy with the way you have been denying their shipments of Red Sand..."
Red Sand was a drug. Thomson didn't know exactly what it contained, but he knew that it got you high and gave you slight biotic powers whilst you were under its effects. It was very valuable.
"You can tell the Red Dragons that unless they pay their entry fees," growled Aria, "I will be blocking their shipments for the foreseeable future."
"They said you'd say that," smiled the Salarian, and drew a pistol.
Before he could fire, however, Thomson had uncloaked and pointed his Locust at the Salarian's head.
"Thomson!" hissed one of the group via the communicator, "What on Earth are you doing?"
Thomson quickly activated the microphone on his helmet, "Don't move," he told the Salarian.
Aria laughed, "And who might you be?"
The Salarian was hit over the head by the heavy fist of a Krogan, and knocked unconscious. It hit the floor, but was picked up and taken away.
"I'm... looking for information," said Thomson, "And I know you're the one in charge around here."
"You didn't answer my question," Aria pointed out, "So why the fuck would I answer yours? What's to say I just won't kill you now and save myself some bother?"
The Infiltration Team deactivated their cloaks and came into view, aiming their weapons at her bodyguards.
"Do you need any more persuasion?" Thomson asked, raising his weapon at her, "So, will you answer my questions?"
"I normally don't take kindly to being threatened," she said, "But to be honest I'm rather impressed. This is the first time anyone has thought of using tactical cloaks to infiltrate this club and get to me unharmed. So, yes. I will."
"Thank you," responded Thomson. He sat down at the table with her, then began to talk, "I don't suppose you heard what happened on Tuchanka a week ago?"
Aria shook her head, "Should I have?"
"Well, yes. The last surviving Reaper was there," he explained, "I also battled someone who I thought I had killed twice already. A Cerberus operative, or he was. He claimed a gang had sold them the technology that allowed him to remotely pilot a body. People who had a wide knowledge of biology."
"And you thought I'd know about it?" Aria chuckled, "Trust me, if anything like that was happening here, I'd know."
"And that is why I came to you first. So, you don't know anything?"
"I know a gang who is good in biology. They're relatively new. Not under my control yet. But they're growing fast."
"And the technology?"
She shrugged, "I know nothing about that. They deal in trafficking. Specifically Quarians. They use Quarian women like currency and use the money they gain to expand and buy land."
"And as for the biology?"
She nodded, "They specialise in biological weapons, torture, cybernetics and weapons. Everything you need for conducting thorough experiments on those who get in their way."
"Do you know where they are?" Thomson asked.
"No... Wait. Yes, actually."
"Can I have their address?"
"You don't need one. They're downstairs."
A shot was fired, "Ladies, gentlemen and well... Asari, I wish to announce that the club is now under our control. Please help yourself to a face full of metal."
"Oh shit," said Thomson, "Tactical cloaks on!"

Revenge - Part 9

Thomson waited. And waited. He hadn't been allowed to see Emi since her heart had stopped. He didn't know whether she was alive or dead... But he was starting to fear the worst.
He hoped she'd be fine. He couldn't live without her. If she died, he'd die too. He'd kill himself. There was not any kind of future for him without her. She was his entire world.
If she survived, he'd ask her to marry him. He decided.
Another Quarian woman kept passing in and out of the medical bay with various supplies. Her environment suit was a darker shade of purple than Emi's was, and the purple glass of her helmet was also several shades darker than the one Emi had. He much preferred Emi's suit. It was brighter in colour.
As the Quarian passed again, Thomson decided to speak, "Is she ok?" he asked simply.
The Quarian nodded, then said in an accent similar to Emi, though Emi's was far richer, "They managed to start her heart again. The wound has healed a little and they've plugged the artery to stop it bleeding. She's still... not out of the darkness yet. But she's conscious if you want to talk to her... Well, I think that'll be ok with the doctors."
Relief swept over him like a shockwave. He felt the muscles in his arms relax.
"I didn't catch your name," Thomson said as the Quarian prepared to walk away.
"Tali'Zorah vas Normandy," the Quarian introduced herself as.
"Lt. Thomson of the SF-2 Falcon," Thomson responded, "Are you another one of Emi's friends?"
Tali'Zorah shook her head, "I've never seen her before. But I couldn't just let her die. Quarians aren't like that."
"Thank you, anyway," he said, "I doubt she'd have survived without your help. The medics knew nothing about your species."
She shrugged, "You're welcome. But I should probably get going. I have a drive core that needs some repairs. I've done all I can for her."
Thomson turned towards the medical bay. He had been foolishly waiting for the doctors to come and say she was ok, he realised, but they would be too focused on trying to make sure her heart wouldn't stop. He should have gone in beforehand...
He pressed the green hologram that was in the centre of the locking mechanism and the door opened.
The medical bay was full of activity. The doctors were checking equipment and tending to her gunshot wound, making sure it had stopped bleeding and wouldn't be infected.
As he drew near, he noticed that her eyes were open. She squirmed as a medic applied pressure to her injury as he applied another medigel-soaked bandage.
She turned her head as soon as she heard his footsteps, "... Thomson!" she cried weakly, her voice croaky and soft, "I'm..." she sneezed, "I love you..."
"I love you too," Thomson responded, as he moved his hand so his was entwined with hers. He squeezed her hand, "I thought I'd lost you..."
"... I could never leave you..." Emi replied, "... You're my boyfriend. I love you... I can't stand to be without you..."
He kissed her helmet, "And I can't stand to be without you."
She coughed loudly, "... Next time... I'm staying on your ship..."
"Our ship," he corrected her.
"... Getting shot... hurts..."
"Tell me about it. I'm just glad you're ok."
"... Can... Can we go home?"
Thomson shook his head, "I really, really want to... But I can't be at home whilst a gang is selling people technology with the ability to make remote control bodies. I'll stop them. Then I'll quit completely."
"... We... We need to cement our reunion properly..."
He wasn't sure whether it was the medigel, the immune system boosting drugs or the fact that she had been shot and lost a lot of blood, but she seemed to be acting rather... excitable. She kept changing the conversations every few seconds.
"Uh... I don't think this is the time, Emi."
"... But I love you..."
Thomson tapped a doctor on the shoulder, "When will the medigel wear off?"
"At the current rate... Another few minutes. We're using it in large quantities to heal the wound and it's being used up quickly because of its severity."
"Ok, thanks."
Thomson turned back to Emi, "The medigel will wear off in a few minutes. Then you'll be back to normal."
"... Aww..." she sighed, "... But it makes me feel all warm..."
"That's because it contains a pain killer, Emi. And you've been given a lot."
She shrugged, "... Have you... have you got any help for your injury?"
Thomson shook his head, "Not yet. I'll get some when you're fine again."
"... You should really get some..."
"I'm fine, honestly," said Thomson, "Well, I will be when you are."
He sat down on a chair and her head snuggled into his uninjured shoulder.
"... I really do love you..." she coughed.
"I really love you too," he responded, and kissed her helmet again.
"... Ow..." she mumbled, "It hurts..."
It took him a moment to realise she was talking about her injury, not the fact he had kissed her.
"That'll be as the effects of the medigel wear off," he explained, "Don't worry."
"... I don't feel as warm, now... I feel cold..."
Thomson squeezed her hand, then moved off the chair and down on to one knee, "I told myself if you made it I'd ask you... Emi'Derik vas Falcon... Will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Emi nearly choked in surprise, "... Thomson... Of course I will... I love you... So, so, so much..."
Her hands moved to her helmet and she unclicked her glass faceplate. It came away in her hand, revealing the beautiful face Thomson had missed seeing in all the time they had been on Tuchanka.
"Emi, what are you doing? Are you sure it's safe?"
"... Immune system boosters... Remember? And... Am I doing it wrong? Sorry... the videos I watched on the extranet kind of showed when someone asks you to marry them it normally ends up with a weird form of kissing..."
"What do you mean, weird?" Thomson asked.
"... Do you lot really stick your tongues down each other's throats? Because that is slightly weird..."
"Hey, it's not down each other's throats. Only in their mouths," he laughed, then added, "But it isn't compulsory."
"... Why do you stick your tongues in people's mouths?"
"I'm not sure. It's just something that people do."
She smiled at him, her glowing eyes glistening, "... I kind of hoped it would be compulsory."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, being very careful not to touch his stab wound, and moved her head closer to his.
He kissed her deeply, and she kissed him back. They continued the kiss for several minutes. Every second of it was fuelled with passion and relief. Their pain was forgotten in the moment.
When they finally broke away, her eyes were closed and she was smiling.
"... Ok," she said, "... It feels a lot nicer than it sounds..."
"You know we'll be getting married, what will happen to your name? Will you be Emi'Thomson?"
She shook her head, "... Emi'Derik Thomson. I think... And you need to meet my parents..."
"Do they know about me?"
Emi nodded, "... They're not very happy at the fact I have a human boyfriend, but..." She sneezed.
"Fiance," he corrected her, "And bless you."
"... Fiance, then... But we will be together, forever..."
"Mhm. Just you and me. For the rest of our lives."
"... I suddenly dislike death... Forever would be better..."
"We all have to die, Emi," he told her, "But we can hope whatever comes after lets us be together too."
"... If it comes down to it, I want us to die together..." she said, "... If you die, I die..."
"But we can't leave the children as orphans," Thomson pointed out, "That'd be selfish of us..."
"... I love them," Emi explained, "But I love you more..."
"We should probably stop talking about death and stuff. We'll be getting married!"
They kissed, as deeply and as passionately as the first.
"... I..." said Emi, "I love you... I just want for us to be together..."
The doctors seemed to be ignoring their romantic outbursts, and instead applied another bandage to her leg. It didn't have much medigel on it, this time. They began fastening her environment suit again.
Once they had finished, Emi fastened the glass back on to her helmet. A nurse came, pushing a black wheelchair in front of her.
She was lifted off the table and into the seat of the wheelchair. She made a sharp intake of breath as her leg was knocked. The doctor apologised.
"We've done all we can," explained the doctor, "She's free to go. She won't be able to walk for a while so she'll be in the wheelchair for a few weeks. But after that she should be fine. We'll give you some medigel and then you can go."
A bandage was applied to his shoulder.
"Thanks," said Thomson, "Thanks for everything."
"... Thank you," said Emi, "... Thank you for not letting me leave him."
They exited the medical bay. Bei appeared next to them as she deactivated her tactical cloak.
"Emi!" she cried, "You're alright!"
Bei leant down to Emi's level and the two embraced.
"... Why are you a soldier?" Emi asked Bei, "... Being shot hurts... Oh keelah. I was shot..."
Thomson moved his hands either side of her neck and rubbed her shoulders. "Have you heard anything from Srateris?" he asked Bei as he felt Emi relax beneath his grip.
"Yes and no... He died when the Reaper fired at us," Bei answered, "Apparently I'm wanted in Engineering too. Something to do with a drive core overheating."
Commander Shepard walked down the corridor towards them.
"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," he said.
Bei tilted her head, "Your timing was fine. Though it couldn't have hurt to be a few moments sooner. To be honest I'm glad you came at all."
"Well we were told by the Alliance to come. After the events of Earth and when I destroyed the Reapers, they presumed I'd be the best for this job."
"Well, it is a good thing you came. Just in time, too. We were going to be toast out there," said Thomson.
Shepard shrugged, "I'm sure you'd have done alright. It's not like you're new to battles. I read your file."
"We were about to be shot by their energy beam. I doubt we would've survived," said Bei.
"If it's alright," Thomson began, "I'd like to go back to my ship."
"... Me too," Emi pointed out.
"You have a ship each?" Shepard questioned.
Emi shook her head, "... I want to go back to his ship..."
"Oh, right. Oh... I get you," Shepard laughed.

Revenge felt his body collapse under the sustained fire from the starship's cannons. His mind left the metal shell and was uploaded completely to the Reaper network along with the rest of his species. He was no longer alone. At peace, even.
He could no longer see anything but data. Streams and streams of data that sustained the Reaper form inside a network hidden in unexplored areas of space. There was no sense of time. Just a drifting sensation and a slight tingling of data transfer across his entire species.
Hello again, old friends, Revenge thought.
He saw... no, felt, a presence within the network. A evil, vicious presence.
A stream of data was sent his way.
"You indoctrinated my body," said Vengeance, "But I will forgive you. I have a plan."
"What is that?" Revenge questioned with another data transfer, "We have no bodies. All we are is data."
"I have a... client who can help with that. One of the gang who gave Cerberus the technology to let me change bodies. I am currently in contact with them. Then we can have our revenge."
Revenge was starting to regret teaming up with Vengeance. Yes, he still wanted payback, but Vengeance was hell-bent on destruction. At least Revenge still kept the logical side of his mind.
"Fine," he said, and made it clear he wasn't happy with what Vengeance was proposing. He still wanted payback on the people who killed the Reapers, but less so. He'd let Vengeance do all the work.