With the majority of its 52 hour days spent blanketed in darkness, and frequent snow storms that swallowed the sky into howling black, it was a rare opportunity to watch the sunrise over the frozen peaks of Mavigonâs northern pole. Along the side of one such peak, barely perceivable amidst the dunes of snow and deep crags that lined the cliff side, a lone figure stood.
Behind a several inches of high density acrylic glass; specially treated to withstand and disperse the extreme conditions of Mavigonâs frigid climate, he watched the sun slowly rise above the furthest peaks. Steel eyes flicked briefly to the western horizon, noting the billowing black clouds rolling across the tundra expanse with frightening speed. Aged fingers briefly stroked his perfectly shaven chin, musing on the approaching storm for a few moments. âReschedule Exercise Delta Twelve for the next calm. Replace it with Hazard Training, Drills Three through Five. Limit equipment.â The manâs voice was quiet but powerful, projected fully and with a resounding clarity. Moments later, the facility VI chirped in its synthesized female voice.
âRe-scheduling successful. Instructors have been notified. Necessary equipment assigned. Expected delays: Minimal.â Nodding in satisfaction, he raised a steaming mug of freshly ground coffee to his lips after a few momentsâ pause. His figure was imposing, from his flawless posture to the white, gold and black of his Cerberus Officer uniform that spoke clearly of his rank and station.
It was only when the station behind him gave a soft tone that he turned completely from the view, tapping a key on the haptic keyboard to disable the terminalâs hibernation. Behind him, thick shutters of reinforced, cold resistant ceramics hissed shut, darkening the room for a mere moment before the lights hummed on. Placing his mug upon a small coaster, the man, identified as Director Luvgren from the small metallic plate upon his desk, lowered himself into the aged mahogany chair behind his sleek black desk.
âForward all morning reports.â He murmured, the VI instantly complying as a series of statistics and messages hopped up onto the screen. âExpand.â Seconds later, two additional screens appeared on either side of the original terminal, dominating his view as the system sorted the reports into different segments on each individual screen. Leaning back, Luvgren took a slow slip of his coffee, eyes focusing on the many disparate reports before him.
One screen focused on raw data, averages, peaks, valleys, anomalies, while another focused instead on the psychological aspects of those within his facility, the last seemingly reserved for reports of specific nature, all aimed at one specific individual. With this in mind, he finished the last of his coffee, placing it neatly on its coaster once more and turning his attention fully to the last screen. Or at least, he was in the process of such when the VI unexpectedly interrupted.
âDirector, we are receiving a Priority One transmission from Cerberus High Command.â Seemingly unphased by the interruption, Luvgren gave a nearly unperceivable nod. On cue, the room dimmed several tones as the polished black tile before his desk soundlessly parted to reveal a projection pad that hummed to life. âEstablishing connection. Strengthening. Verifying QE integrity. Verified. Connected.â
Luvgren rose from his seat as the holographic image of a man in a suit appeared upon the pad, smoothly taking a breath from the cigarette perched between his fingers as the Director stepped round his desk. âSir.â He stated; tone respectful as the Illusive Man gave the slightest inclination of his head. âShall I assume youâre calling for your special package?â
âThat would be correct, Director. Things are in motion, and we havenât anymore time to waste.â Taking a last breath of smoke, he discarded the cigarette in the ashtray before regarding Luvgren once more. âI trust youâve done as Iâve asked?â
âOf course, sir. The Phoenix Project has only the highest standards, and regardless of the task, my facility is equipped to meet the needs required.â Luvgren gestured towards the door, speaking to the system VI once more. âEngage quantum projection orb. Reinforce the connection for maximum clarity. Minimize lag, secure additional power if neccessary.â A moment later, the projection pad revealed a small compartment, out of which a small spherical device hovered. The hologram of the Illusive Man flickered for a moment, before synchronizing the QPOâs position, displaying the man once more. âItâs right this way, sir.â
With the QPO, and by extension, the Illusive Man, in tow, Luvgren approached the door to his office, which parted seamlessly into what might as well have been described as an alternate world. Beyond the polished refinement of his personal chambers, the long hall leading towards the heart of the facility was a stark contrast of rust and cracking steel. The Director moved quickly down the hall, as the Illusive Man mused aloud. âYou volunteered the Project for the funding cut, Director.â
âI did, and I stand by it, sir.â Luvgren paused in his stride, turning to look his employer in the eye. âThis facility, worn as it may appear, serves in both its function and as an additional tool at my disposal.â He gestured towards one of the hair line cracks, and the ice building along it. âCritical systems are maintained daily, but the Project doesnât need the luxury of other cells. Our fundamental cause is, as you know, to train our recruits into operatives without compare. If I were to offer them the luxury of a hotel every time they returned to their quarters, they would be useless to me. Luxury is a privilege I seldom saw on the battlefield, and they would do well to learn the same.â There was a brief pause, as both men shared a knowing smile. âYou have, of course, known about this long before today.â
âOf course.â The Illusive Man replied. âAnd youâve defended your reasoning in the past. I simply prefer to confirm your conviction to the Project.â
âYou will not find me lacking, sir.â The Director continued down the hall, speaking as âtheyâ walked. âAside from your package, we are expecting to have another batch of Phoenix Operatives ready within the next month, barring any difficulties.â
âExcellent news. How has she done?â
Reaching the end of the hall, Luvgren raised his omni-tool to the sealed bulkhead, glancing only partially over his shoulder. âIn honest, better than expected. Despite initial difficulties, she has taken to the training well.â The door groaned open, notably slower than the previous, and Luvgren strode into the mostly empty atrium. The mess hall beyond was equally barren, save for a few patrolling guards clad in identical silver gray suits of combat armour. âWith the training provided amplifying her skill set, and the tempering to control her temper and standoffish tendencies, I believe she will be everything you desired. But,â Luvgren stepped through the room, taking an immediate right towards a door which read âTRAINING GROUNDSâ. âI believe the results should speak for themselves.â
The two men moved swiftly through the short hallway, taking a right at the lone intersection and stepping into a small room dominated by a large window overlooking the training facility. The QPO hovered over, affording the Illusive Man a view of the field below. The chamber was large; whole sections seemingly cordoned off from each other by thin steel walls capable of moving and retracting into thin slots along the walls and floors. As it was, the room below was comprised of a series of small âbuildingsâ, with a small number of lightly armoured guards moving about the darkened chamber.
In the center building, guarded by a pair of men equipped with a Predator heavy pistol each, sat a small, barely visible data pad. A cursory glance confirmed that the guards had formed a perimeter around the object, placing it as likely the objective of the drill. A few quick taps on Luvgrenâs data pad, and the speakers within the chamber came to life with chatter.
âAny signs?â
âNegative. Section 1 is clear.â
âSection 2 is clear.â
âSection 3, clear.â
â4 clear.â There was a brief pause, before the last speaker spoke again. âSoâŠwhere the fuck is she then?â The guards paused in their patrols, each checking uncomfortably over their shoulders before continuing on.
âThey seem concerned.â The Illusive Man mused, sipping his drink as Luvgren nodded in confirmation.
âShe has earned something of a reputation within the facility. There are rarely volunteers for these drills anymore.â
âPromising.â As the words left his mouth, the chamber below and the observation deck plunged into perfect darkness without warning. Luvgren looked to the lights, displeasure written across his features, but before he could speak, his employer simply held a hand for silence. The chatter from the guards was rapid, filled with swears and hurried breaths, small LED lights along their armour the only source within the training chamber as they raced about like rats in the darkened maze.
Behind the men, the bulkhead door hissed open, the lights flickering on at the sound. Luvgren turned partially, raising a brow as the figure stepped properly into the light. âSirs.â The woman intoned, offering a rigid salute to them both. The Illusive Manâs lips turned up ever so slightly at the familiar sound, casually turning to face her as he sipped coolly from his drink.
âVala Buchan. Itâs been too long, Operative.â For the first time in two months, he gave the woman a once over. Her once blonde hair was now raven black, hanging just past her chin and framing the familiar yet still striking topaz eyes that watched him with a reverent respect. Thin beads of sweat trailed down her neck, and the collar of her form fitting tank top was damp from exertion. Her lithe frame was noticeably more tone, betraying what he knew to be a newly tuned set of skills far outside her former comfort zones. âThe lights were your doing, I assume?â
âThe best method of retrieval is to never fire a shot, sir. The lights are hardwired into the facility, but isolating the system wasnât difficult.â Luvgren nodded in approval, looking back to the Illusive Man with the faintest of smiles on his face. âI apologize for any interruptions it may have caused you, sirs.â
âAt ease, Buchan.â She complied instantly; feet shoulder width apart and hands behind her back. âI trust you have the data pad?â She nodded, handing the device to the Director before resuming her at ease. âExcellent.â He gestured to the woman, addressing the Illusive Man once more. âAs you can see, sir, I have not let her skills dull during her time here. With your permission, Iâd like to have one final drill to showcase how far Buchan has managed to progress.â
There was a brief pause as the Cerberus leader considered the offer, before nodding his consent. âThank you, sir. Buchan. Return to the training chamber and set the system for sparring. I shall join you briefly.â
âAt once, sir.â
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The training chamber was unnervingly quiet, despite the fact that almost ever spare inch of space had been filled recruit and guard alike. The crowd surrounded the sparring ring, speaking only in hushed whisper as the soon-to-be-opponents spoke in the center. On one side was Vala, breathing lightly as she flexed her hands to test the wraps that covered her already bloodied knuckles. Her hair was tugged into a low ponytail, away from her eyes, which stayed firmly locked on the last person she was expecting to have faced today.
The Director himself stood opposite, wearing only a basic marine uniform as his flawlessly neutral face watched the woman finish her preparations. It was an unprecedented example, for Luvgren himself to step into the ring and face down one of his own recruits. Most thought him too old, or just too vain to even consider the possibility. Standing a good head above his opponent, and still boasting the physique of a much younger man, it was a far cry from the demanding administrator they all knew. High above, the Illusive Man watched from the viewing chamber, a fresh glass in hand for the coming show.
âThis will serve as your final examination, Buchan. No opponent you face will ever hold back, and I will be no different. Use every tool Iâve given you, and you may earn some semblance of respect.â With only a curt nod for a reply, Luvgren gestured to the ringside. âVery well then. Begin.â
In those first few moments, the room seemed to swell with pressure, as both combatants bodies were wreathed in the blue electric pulses of their biotics flaring to their full potential. In moments, Luvgrenâs âauraâ quickly surpassed Valaâs; shrouding the man in biotic energy so intense it began to shift in colour. The Phoenix director struck first, thrusting his fist forward and releasing a massive shockwave that shook the ring at its approach. Without hesitation, Vala launched herself sideways, easily dodging the slow moving attack and quickly moving to close.
The shockwave continued for a moment longer, before vanishing into the light blue glow of a grid that arisen around the ring as a sort of barrier for the spectators. Vala thrust her palms forward as she approached, a hexagon of dark energy appearing on the tip of her skin, stopping Luvgrenâs powerful fist strike cold. The barrier dispersed as quickly as it came, and she moved past the still retracting limb to strike with her knuckles at his stomach.
Luvgren barely staggered, eyes flashing dangerously as a pulse of biotic energy tossed her from her feet across the ring. She recovered quickly, landing in a roll that carried her to her feet, hands raised defensively in front of her. Luvgren chuckled humourlessly. âA good effort.â Energy rippling off his frame in waves, Luvgren strode forward, dark energy channelling in his hands for the next offensive.
The aggressive stance of the director was setting the pace, and Vala knew full well she had to keep pace or risk being crushed by the manâs vicious biotic strength. Coiling her hand into a fist, Vala felt the dark energy begin to condense and focus into the thick of her fist, ducking as Luvgren threw a powerful haymaker. He followed with a rising knee that caught her solidly in the ribs, but instead of resisting the momentum she allowed it to send her back a few steps, giving her the space to navigate his offensive.
The strikes flew rapidly, with blocks and parries being traded in equal regard. For every connecting strike, their biotics flared and thundered violently against each other threatening to burst every time the unstable energies collided. The lesson was clear, after each titanic volley that Luvgren was clearly in control, never giving her a chance to properly take the upper hand.
Breaking back a few steps, Vala circled predatorily, Luvgren standing firmly in the center of the ring, eyes watching her with deadly calm. The threat he posed was unexpected, she realized, while his body may be old, his mind was sharp, and nothing said his biotics had dulled either. If anything, they seemed stronger.
This, frankly, was bad.
Seeming to sense her hesitation, Luvgren removed the option once more, leaping unexpectedly into the air before slamming his fist down onto the mat. Dark energy burst off him like a blast, forcing her back several feet as he surged across the small distance. Without her balance, Vala took a pair of strikes across the chin, before managing to throw up her forearm to block. Luvgren countered instantly with an uppercut, and she barely stepped back to in time to avoid it, back pressed to the ropes.
He hammered into her, never relenting in his assault, but Vala retaliated, driving her elbow forward into his chest. Before he regained balance, she unleashed a fury of jabs that earned her several inches, quickly using the newfound space for powerful hi-kick across the Directorâs jaw. He barely slowed, and the two lunged into melee again.
In a particularly vicious exchange, Luvgren caught her arm, twisting so hard the bone threatened to break. Gritting her teeth, the operative leapt with an added boost from her biotics, gracefully flipping herself over the snared limb to strike Luvgrenâs nose with the blunt of her shin. He recoiled from the hit, and she wasted little time thrusting a push into the thick of his chest, sending the old solider skidding back several steps. Straightening, the Directorâs face seemed almost amused, nose slightly bruised and a thin river of red trailing down from his nostril.
Nursing her sore arm, and panting slightly from the lack of energy to burn for her biotics, Vala knew attrition wasnât a battle she was equipped to win. Not against a skilled, ruthless and nourished biotic like Luvgren. Both of them knew it. Taking a calming breath, she extended her arms to her sides, channelling everything she could muster into them. As she did, she felt the amps embedded in her forearms begin to heat and activate, dark energy manifesting along the bottom of her arm.
It took only moments for the energy to reach her wrist, continuing to grow out until the strands coiled and consolidated into two separate strands on either arm. Gripping the dark energy in her hands, Valaâs eyes narrowed on Luvgren, rearing the whips up and behind her head before slamming them down. The mat shook under the sheer force, nearly toppling Vala but she kept her footing. The whips retracted, and she frowned at the still standing form of Luvgren. Heâd nearly fallen to a knee, but the manâs arms were crossed over his head, barriers formed on his wrist flickering a few times before dispersing.
Rising to his full height once more, the Director seemed to be truly pleased by her performance, but made no moves to end the contest. With his form wreathed once more in dark energy, she couldnât shake the feeling that it was somehow different than before. As Luvgren pulled his fists back parallel to his chest, the threat became clear, and Vala barely had time to flare up a kinetic barrier as Luvgrenâs fists shot forward.
It was a moment that if you blinked, you missed it; Luvgrenâs body wreathed in dark light rocketing across the small ring faster than humanly possible into the kinetic barrier. The energies reacted, faster than either biotic could hope to react, sparking into a detonation than flung both of them across the ring into the ropes. Vala hit the mat hard, but to her credit quickly began to push herself; half-crawling, half-walking as she crossed the ring to Luvgrenâs prone form.
Gripping his collar, she hoisted the Director from the mat, cocking her fist back to deliver a decisive strike when the Illusive Manâs voice echoed across the chamber. âI believe that is enough, Operative.â She looked up to the observation window; his holographic form watching down on her with what she hoped was approval in his eyes. âThere isnât a shadow of a doubt. Youâve passed, Operative.â
âI agree.â Luvgren coughed; bringing her attention back to the man she was still poised to strike. After a momentâs pause, she rose, pulling him to his feet as she did. Once standing, Luvgren dusted his uniform for a moment, before both of them looked to the Illusive Man. âIâll begin the necessary work immediately, sir. Buchan.â
âSir?â
There was a thick pause, before Luvgren turned and offered his hand to her. âWell done.â Looking to the hand, Vala stared for a moment, before taking it firmly in her own. The two shared a powerful shake, and for the briefest moment, she swore he actually seemed proud.
âThank you, sir.â
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Even steps echoing through the long, chilled hall, Vala eyed the cracking walls with some degree of disbelief. Many of the cracks were familiar from her few other visits to the Directorâs office, and it still eluded her as to why Luvgren felt it unnecessary to perform the repairs. Maybe once they reached a critical level heâd see the need. The man worked in curious ways.
Reaching the end of the hall, she fiddled with the hem of her worn out recruit uniform for a moment; trying to make the battered outfit seem somewhat more presentable despite the apparent futility. After today, she honestly doubted sheâd see him ever again, but for all heâd done, she felt that some degree of formality was demanded. Once satisfied her uniform was presentable, she tapped in the code to the door, and it sped open.
Stepping inside the office, she noticed a figure seated in the grand wooden chair. Striding across the room, she opened her mouth to speak, only to catch herself when the figure became clearer. It took only a moment for the name to return to her. ââŠNulfem?â
With elbows placed neatly on the desk, the man raised his head from the myriad cards arrayed before him and offered a light-hearted smile. âMs Buchan! It has been far too long.â Devoid of any scars, Nulfem was a man out of place in his thousand credit suit, but looked perfectly at ease all the same. He gestured to one of the chairs before the desk, free hand taking a card and placing it on another pile. âI hope Mavigon has been pleasant for your littleâŠâvacationâ?â
She grimaced at his terminology. âIs that what itâs being called?â She spared a glance to the small glass resting beside his cards, half-drained and filled with a clear liquid of unknown origin. âIt has beenâŠenlightening, to say the least.â
âWell then, I look forward to hearing all about it.â For a moment, he regarded his cards, before flicking his eyes past Vala to the door. âAh, Director Luvgren. Perfect timing. Sheâs only just arrived.â The card-shark rose from the chair, scooping the cards up in one fluid motion whilst retrieving a previously unseen briefcase from beside the chair.
Vala began to rise to address the man, but Luvgren spoke before she could fully stand. âThat wonât be necessary.â She hesitated, before sinking back into her seat as Luvgren and Nulfem passed each other to take their respective seats, Nulfem beside her and Luvgren behind his desk. As he lowered himself down, Luvgren addressed Nulfem. âI trust that your presence in my office means all the necessary arrangements have already been made?â
âOf course. Once weâre done here, weâre free to depart.â She eyed the two, clearly not liking being left out of the loop, and Luvgren wasted little time, pressing a small key on the haptic interface of his desk that powered the QEC behind them. After a moment, the holographic image of the Illusive Man appeared once again.
âVala.â She rose immediately, turning and inclining her head in respect. Keagan and Luvgren rose as well, although neither offered the same greeting as her. âSince your induction into Cerberus, there has rare been an occasion that you have not risen to the task. Few better embody the drive and determination of humanity, and it is this very trait that has made you a valued member of Cerberus.â
He glanced aside to Nulfem, nodding to the man who promptly raised the briefcase beside him to chest level, holding it out towards Vala. âOur enemies are legion, but there is too much at stake for us to falter. Cerberus, and humanity, needs men and woman capable of standing against the odds and guiding us to victory. I have few I can trust with such a task, but it is time to reward the loyalty you have long given me.â
The briefcase clicked open, and Vala looked to its contents, eyes widening in surprise. Inside laid two outfits, both quickly recognizable as the Cerberus dress whites, and the other as the Battle Dress uniform, each with four black bars on the shoulder. On the lapel of each was a small pin of what looked like a bird, coiling on itself in a small circle. The pin was black primarily, with the outlining of the bird in a polished gold. It took only a minute for her to process all this, before she looked back to the Illusive Man incredulously. âSir..?â
âCongratulations, Commander Buchan.â The statement was echoed by Luvgren, while Nulfem settled for a large smile at her sheer surprise. âMr. Nulfem has been sent with your new command; a familiar face from your time with Omni Cell. Once youâre underway, contact me for your first assignment.â She was slow to respond, before settling on a heavy nod of her head, mouth seemingly failing. âSavour the moment, Vala. Youâve earned it.â Nothing more to be said, the Illusive Man ended the call.
It took several minutes for Vala to find the words to speak, dropping into her seat with a wide-eyed look. âCommander..?â She murmured, prompting Luvgren to reply.
âIt is an honour at your age, Buchan. The amount of faith the Illusive Man is placing in you is impressive.â The Director took a moment to pour a fresh cup of coffee, eyes barely moving from the stunned woman. âA burden I trust you can handle.â
âI doubt heâd give her command if he didnât trust she could.â Nulfem offered, closing the briefcase and placing it beside Vala. âIn truth, Iâve been preparing for this for the past few months. Before she even joined the Project.â Looking to the man, her surprise faded.
âThat makes surprising sense. Then is the command..?â
âIndeed. The freshly refurbished Vindicator, with a new crew handpicked by myself and the Illusive Man for you.â She frowned at the name. âItâs expected that youâll give it a new title though, Commander. She certainly feels like a different ship.â He glanced at his watch, raising a brow. âIn fact, itâs probably for the best if we get ourselves moving now. Need to get you acquainted with the ship again, along with her crew.â
âRight, wellâŠwe best get moving.â
âAfter you change. Not to tell you how to do your job, but itâs probably for the best if you look the part.â
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High in orbit above Mavigon, Vala stood by the window of the shuttle, watching as the faint blip on the âhorizonâ grew closer and closer. It wasnât difficult to recognize the ship sheâd served briefly aboard, despite the re-colouring it had received during its refurbishing. The sleek ship looked beautiful in black she noted, pleasantly impressed that it was devoid of any obvious Cerberus logos.
Nulfem sat on the bench behind her, once again fiddling with his cards. She spared a glance at him, scrutinizing the man for a moment before his eyes flicked to hers. âSomething on your mind?â She paused for a moment, looking back out at the ship before speaking.
âWhatâs your role in all this, Nulfem? Just here to get me?â
âQuite the contrary, in fact. My task was twofold. The first was to simply acquire a talented crew to man a ship that the Illusive Man would provide for you to command. The Vindicator was just a stroke of luck, really.â Shuffling the deck skilfully, the elegant man looked out the window to the approaching ship. âWith that complete, I am officially assigned to your crew, in the function of a Yeoman, as well as your âcoverâ.â
âCover?â
âYes. I am an official employee of Cord-Hislop Aerospace, and quite well paid at that. While the Vindicator has always disguised itself as a CHA ship, the lack of official personnel on board made that a ratherâŠwishy-washy cover, to say the least. I address that issue. The ship is now flagged as my personal frigate. No need to worry though. Iâll always defer to you.â He paused in his shuffling for a moment. âAnd call me Keagan, please.â
âOf course.â She fixed her vision on the ship, watching as the hangar began to open for their Kodiak. Taking a deep breath, Vala coiled her hand around the ceiling grips, foot tapping slightly as they began to dock. âFirst impressionsâŠfirst impressionsâŠâ
As the shuttle touched down, Keagan stepped up beside her, all confident charm. âNo need to worry. You look like you were born to wear that uniform.â She straightened under his gaze, the white and black of her battle dress devoid of any wrinkles and imperfections. It fit perfectly, an unsurprising development given the nature of her employers, but the simple fact already bolstered her confidence immensely.
âThank you.â She murmured, before the shuttle hissed open and Vala squinted briefly for a moment as the light flooded the darkened cabin. As her eyes adjusted, she stepped down to the metallic floor, boots ringing on the metal. The hangar had barely changed, she noted, starting across the floor towards the lift when she spotted something in the corner. âIs that a..?â
Keagan, one step behind her, glanced at the object of her fascination. âAh yes. An A-91 Gunship. The starboard side of the hangar has been mostly repurposed to service it. Quite adaptable, I hear, but all those modules need space. Weâre limited to a single Kodiak to give it the necessary space.â She nodded, eying all the curious markings that covered the gunshipâs exterior. After another moment of staring at the machine, she noticed a pair of legs sticking out from the ship. Her yeoman seemed to have noticed as well, continuing. âAh, excellent, we can begin your introductions.â
He started towards the hidden worker, Vala following just a step behind. The closer they got to the Mantis, the more its markings showed, which was honestly more than sheâd expected at first glance. The tags were numerous and varied, most unintelligible or written in some alien language, save for the largest one, scrawled elegantly just beneath the cockpit. All it read was âDeadraâ, and after a moment of thought, she suspected it was likely the ânameâ of the bird. An odd name at that.
As Vala inspected the hull, Keagan squatted down beside the legs, rapping his knuckles on the metal a few times. There was an irritated grunt from beneath the gunship, earning a chuckle from the man. âWorking, I know. However, I believe thereâs someone you should likely meet, Miss Trafford.â A few muffled swears later, and the woman was hauling herself out.
âDonât call me miss, dammit!â Vala glanced down as Trafford emerged, tan skin smeared with various oils from the maintenance of her bird. âTrafford is the last bloody thing I need getting around! Just Dusk!â She paused in her scolding, glancing at Vala with a surprised blink. Dusk didnât look much older than Vala, although she was a few inches shorter, she certainly didnât seem to notice the difference in their stature.
With thin streaks of purple dying her black hair and a small ring piercing her lip, she didnât look like the typical recruit for Cerberus. Clad in an oil-stained olive tank-top, it wasnât hard to see she lacked a fighterâs build, the mild muscle likely a result of hauling tools and modules for the gunship.
âIs she..?â Dusk asked, earning a slight nod from Keagan. After another moment, Duskâs hand shot out in greeting, before she noticed the black all over it. âOh.â Taking a quick second to wipe it on the camouflaged hoodie tied around her waist, she once more offered it, which Vala took after a momentâs consideration. âDusk Trafford. You must be the boss of this rig, yeah?â
âThat is correct. Commander Buchan. Pleasure to meet you.â Sharing a quick handshake, Vala then gestured to the Mantis. âI take it youâre the mechanic for the gunship?â Dusk nodded, leaning against the hull with her arms crossed.
âYup. Also the pilot. Deadra is my baby, no way am I letting some Cerberus pilot in the cockpit.â As an afterthought, she added. âNot that Iâve got anything against Cerberus. Sheâs just mine. Canât have someone ruining the seats, you know?â
âItâs a rare day when a pilot isnât attached to their ship.â Vala offered, looking back to the woman. âI take it you arenât officially Cerberus then?â
âNah. Iâm technically Cerberus for the duration of my contract. Iâm a merc first and foremost though.â Dusk looked at Keagan, who had occupied himself examining the modules in storage just up the way. âHas heâŠahâŠdid the shark mention my terms?â
Following her gaze, she watched him experimentally prod some of the machines before responding. âNothing. Are there some requirements I should be made aware of?â A mercenaryâs loyalty was easy to earn, but from experience, Vala knew maintaining it was a priority, to keep them from simply taking an offer to betray you.
Dusk just shook her head, climbing up into the cabin of Deadra. âNah. We can cross that bridge when we get to it. Iâve got some checks to do, make sure sheâs not been jostled by the trip. Catch you around, Buchan.â
âTill then.â As the pilot resumed her work, Vala looked back to Keagan, strategically rejoining her as the women finished their conversation. Before he could get a word in, Vala offered bluntly. âTerms?â
âDid she explain them?â
âNo.â
âI didnât suspect she would, not yet.â The pair started towards the lift, as Keagan explained. âDusk was a difficult member to recruit, even with the promise of credits. I secured her contract throughâŠcreative bargaining.â
Neither of them seemed willing to volunteer the information, and it made it difficult to ignore the little warning bells ringing in her head. âWhat did we promise?â
âThe Illusive Man is handling it. As soon as weâre positive it can be delivered, Iâll inform you personally.â
He was placating her, but with an already mountainous to-do list before her, the commander found herself sighing in agreement. âVery well. Youâll inform me first, however, BEFORE Dusk.â Paging the lift, she shot him a look, making it clear that this wasnât a request.
Keagan, naturally, complied. âOf course, Commander. Shall we continue the tour?â She nodded, the two boarding the lift as it opened; pressing the key for Deck 4. âEngineering will be our next stop.â
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Gazing up at the super-sized Tantalus drive-core, Vala leaned lightly on the wall, watching the vibrant blue energy ripple along the surface. Keagan stood just behind her in the next room, speaking with someone on the intercom. After a few quiet moments, she turned from the view, shaking her head as she did. âShould we return later? If the Lead Engineer is occupiedâŠâ
âHold on, hold on.â A voice called, and Vala glanced at the entrance to engineering to see the source approaching. âWas in the mess. No one told me we were actually getting our commander today.â
âSlipped my mind.â Keagan fibbed, gesturing to the woman whilst looking to Vala. âCommander Buchan, this is your lead Engineer, Radley Havard.â Radley gave a two fingered salute, looking between her âguestsâ for a moment.
âItâs good to finally have you aboard. I was kinda getting board babysitting a ship that never did anything.â Radley wasnât very tall, tilting her head ever so slightly to look them in the eye. Her light blonde hair was styled short and messy; no doubt a necessity in the delicate work of engines. Dressed in a standard crewman outfit, with the sleeves rolled up to reveal a healthy assortment of nicks and cuts in various states of healing, Radley certainly had the look of a woman who liked to get her hands dirty. Vala suspected she and Dusk got along famously.
âItâs good to be aboard; although I wasnât aware I was going to be here.â
âSurprised you with it too? Seems the suit here enjoys popping things on people.â Keaganâs response was a slight smile, which earned him a prompt elbow in the rib from the engineer. âNot on my deck, kid.â She scolded, as he held up his hands in surrender. âIs there anything I can do for you, Maâam, or is this just the grand tour?â
âSomething along those lines, yes. Although, I briefly visited the engines on my last visit, and something seemsâŠdifferent.â
Radley nodded instantly. âGood eye. We upgraded the thruster module to use the new Helios system. The helmsman mentioned that the ship is far more manoeuvrable now, although itâs taking sometime to get adjusted to the new sensitivity.â Taking a step back, she tapped a few commands into her terminal, bringing up some statistics. âThe largest issue is the fuel isnât as easy to acquire as the typical hydrogen-oxygen thruster. Not really an issue, provided who we work for.â
âExcellent. What other sort of upgrades has she gotten hidden away?â
Radley shrugged, and Keagan saw fit to field the question. âMostly minor renovations. The Helios and hangar modifications are by far the largest of them.â
âI see. Thank you for your time, Havard. If thereâs anything you need, feel free to let me know.â
âWell, best thing you can do now is get him off my deck.â Vala raised an eyebrow at the two. âPretty boy has no reason to be here, and heâs distracting from my work.â Keagan laughed, retreating towards the lift as Radley watched him go. Vala simply stared until Radley chuckled at her reaction. âDonât worry about it too much, Commander.â
âRightâŠwell, Iâll leave you to your work then.â
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A silent elevator ride later, the tour continued on the third deck, although Valaâs thoughts were still slightly on Radleyâs words in Engineering. âKeaganâŠâ He shook his head, not even glancing back.
âYouâre over-analyzing things. Itâs how she is.â
âYou two are familiar with each other, that much is obvious. Not a recent sense of familiar either.â
âIâll admit to that. Radley and I have often run into each other during our time in Cerberus. Sheâs not exclusive to warships, and makes for a decent conversation partner when you need someone blunt over sugared words.â There was a momentâs pause before Vala replied.
âSo, sheâs essentially your opposite.â
âYour accuracy is wounding, but yes. I am tasked with mental health, she with ship health. With Doctor Crenshaw, we make sure the crew is happy, healthy, and not in threat of exploding. Quite the team.â He stopped in front of a large bulkhead, leading into what appeared to be the portside crew quarters. âIâll leave the introductions to you this time.â
She fixed him with a quizzical look, but tapped the interface and stepped into the room beyond. Once inside, part of her immediately felt at home, whilst the other was more focused on the reaction sheâd garnered. All eyes immediately snapped to her as she entered, and for a tense moment Vala almost felt like an intruder aboard her own ship. It was only a moment later when one man rose from his seat that she found a face to focus on.
He quickly stepped into a sharp salute, barking a quick command. âOfficer on deck!â All present immediately leapt to their feet, snapping a simultaneous salute that made her truly feel like an officer for the first time since receiving the title. After a moment, she cleared her throat.
âAs you were.â As quickly as it had begun, it was over, and she fond the lone man approaching her calmly. He seemed only slightly taller, and had the look of a runner about him. With a thick, but well groomed brown beard wrapping around his face and a slight smile on his lips, it wouldnât be difficult to mistake the man as a civilian. Running a hand through his messy hair, the man stopped a few steps before her.
His hazel eyes were light, and he projected a relaxed aura around him that seemed to make one just feel at ease. âSorry for the delay there. Iâve never been big on it myself, so theyâre a little rusty. Pleasure to finally meet you, Commander Buchan.â She offered her hand, and he clasped her forearm in a warriorâs greeting, catching her slightly off-guard. âSurprised though. Nulfem said you were a blonde.â
She chuckled, as their arms fell back to their side. âItâs been some time since he last saw me, and I felt the need for a change.â Looking at the soldiers around the room, Vala smiled as she examined them. âAm I right to assume youâre commandos..?â
âTch, where are my manners? Lieutenant Commander Charlie Welles and youâd be correct. Didnât expect to sneak that by a vet like you.â He gestured to the others lightly. âTheyâre my own unit, the Hell Hounds. You wonât find them wanting in any task.â
âHell Hounds?â The nickname reminded her of Hornâs own Demons, but she brushed the thought aside as quickly as it came. âAn odd name. Howâd you get that?â
âNo real fancy story. Cerberus was the guardian of the underworld, by far the biggest and baddest guard-dog in history. But the only thing more terrifying than a big dog is a big dog with a hell of pack behind him.â He chuckled, watching the commandos talk amongst themselves. âNot to blow my own horn or anything, but I made the Hounds to be just that.â
âInteresting. How long as this unit been running?â
âCouple of years.â Charlie seemed to know where the conversation was headed, so he continued. âWe run at 30 active Hounds typically, excluding me, Sorin and Heather. Train all of them in infiltration, sabotage, assassination. The standard commando fair, as well as improvisational skills. I bet youâve seen those ops where your cover is blown and the black ops boys just donât know what to do. Hounds are taught to avoid that. Theyâll scavenge what they need, and stick to what theyâre good at. Mobility is the name of the game.â
She nodded, feeling at ease with a fellow commando on board. âSounds promising. Maybe later we can go over the details at length, but Iâm on somewhat of a tighter schedule today.â Charlie rubbed his neck, cracking a sheepish grin.
âAh, yeah, I figured you would be. I get talking sometimes, and thereâs no stopping me. Anything else you need from me, Commander?â
âA question, actually. If youâre a Lieutenant Commander, am I right to assume youâre my 2iC?â
âActually, no. Iâm here to specifically handle the Hounds; as well a voice of counsel, if you donât mind me paraphrasing the Illusive Man. Everything within my power to give is yours, just need to say the word.â He looked to the commandos once more. âSame goes for them. Any of them try and act tough, just showâem whoâs the Alpha round here.â
âYou?â
âIn this tin can? Itâs you, Maâam.â She chuckled, a slight smile on her face. âI wonât keep you. Let me know whenever youâve got the time to go over the details. Chances are Iâll be on this deck somewhere.â
âThank you.â She stepped towards the door, pausing for a moment and glancing over her shoulder. âBy the wayâŠdid you take over this entire dorm?â Charlie simply stared at her for a moment, the slightest smirk upturning his lips. It told her all she needed to know, and Vala simply shook her head, laughing lightly as she stepped out the door.
A short walk later brought her to the Main Battery, which seemed to be in rather immaculate shape. For a brief moment, Vala thought about the last officer to have served with these guns, but much like any thoughts from that time, she cast it aside with a cold precision. The present was her focus, which meant getting to know the current Battery Officer, who at the moment was hunched over the main terminal, data pad in hand in the middle of some work. She cleared her throat, and the man held up a hand for silence, before rapidly tapping a few keys in quick succession.
Seemingly satisfied, he turned to face her, brow raised slightly in curiosity as to her interruption. Wasting no time, she went immediately to introductions. âIâm Commander Buchan; Iâm currently meeting all of my command staff. I trust youâre the Battery Officer?â He nodded lightly, gentle blue eyes watching her impassively throughout her introduction. After a moment of silence, she awkwardly added, âAnd you are..?â
âMartin Grien.â His voice was quiet, almost unnaturally so, but it seemed to fit his overall demeanour quite well. He had the build of a more typical marine, despite being shorter than the average trooper. His auburn hair was buzzed short, with the slightest hint of a 5âoâclock shadow wrapping his chin. Nothing about him felt hostile, but she knew better than to judge a book by his cover. âAnd yes, Iâm in charge of the battery.â
He certainly didnât talk very much, that was rapidly apparent. Before she could ask another question, Keagan chipped in. âMr. Grien is another mercenary on the crew, like Ms. Trafford. Theyâre actually partners. Martin was a package deal with her, and he has some experience handling batteries aboard mercenary vessels.â
Martin nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the weapons behind him. âThe Thanix is tricky to calibrate, but Dusk has been sending some advice along. We should be good to use it if the need arises, Maâam.â He paused, looking back at her for a moment. âYouâve met Dusk?â
She blinked. âYes, I met her when I first boarded.â
His brow creased lightly in worry, rubbing his chin in thought. âIs she still working on Deadra?â Valaâs expression only grew more confused, and Martin didnât seem soothed by her lack of an answer. âShe is, isnât she?â
âShe was when we boarded.â Keagan offered, earning a heavy sigh from the man. âIs there an issue?â
âHopefully not. Sheâs just been working on it since we set out, and I doubt sheâs eaten.â Turning back to the guns, he tapped a few commands, causing the system to hum to life. âThe guns should be all good to go for the time being. Dusk works too much sometimes, I better go make sure sheâs eaten. Nice to meet you, Commander.â Without waiting for permission, he stepped past them and moved quickly down the hall towards the lift.
Vala looked at Keagan after a moment. âHe seems awfullyâŠfocused.â The yeoman nodded.
âHeâs a bit of an odd one. Good at his job, though. They had quite the reputation in the Terminus before we picked them up.â Clapping his hands together, Keagan smiled. âRegardless, shall we move on to the next stop?â Vala nodded, although a part of her quietly wondered how much longer this was going to take. She was eager to get the ship moving after being stuck in one place for so long.
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The tour nearly complete, Vala stood once more in the lift, tapping her foot impatiently at its slow ascent. With her âguideâ watching out of the corner of his eye, she couldnât help wanting to pace or fidget or do something to fill the still. Their trip to the med-bay had been largely uneventful, with her Doctor apparently occupied with an injury elsewhere aboard the ship. Sheâd simply have to meet him another time, and they had head for the final stop. Deck 2.
The brain of the ship, it was guaranteed to have the most active servicemen at any given moment, and it was there Keagan promised sheâd find her 2iC. Of all the officers sheâd met, this would truly be the one most important. Every commander needed someone they could trust, someone that could function in their role should the need arise. If they couldnât co-operateâŠ
The lift dinged, and she jumped slightly, making Keagan chuckle under his breath. âRemember what I said earlier. Relax.â She shot him a sharp look, which only widened his grin. âThis crew was picked personally for you, remember? Have any been undesirable so far?â
ââŠno.â
âThen perhaps a show of faith, Commander, that I have not chosen poorly. You may just be surprised at what weâve drummed up.â With those cryptic words, Vala stepped off the lift, whilst Keagan remained aboard. âYou should visit the Science lab and the Helm before you report to the Illusive Man.â
âTrusting me alone now?â
âImplicitly, my dear woman. If you have need of anything, Iâll be in my office. 3rd deck. You should be familiar with the room.â She raised a brow, but he offered no explanation, simply tapping the key with his finger. âMy door is always open, business or pleasure.â The lift slide shut.
Sighing slightly, Vala rolled her eyes at the manâs curious methods. Things would certainly be odd with him as the Yeoman. Idly musing about whether or not he was even qualified to be one, she didnât hear the heavy steps that thumped up beside her. âHeâs a bit of a showboat, isnât he?â
âThat he is.â Vala replied, before her brain caught up with her surroundings. Snapping her head to the side so fast she risked whiplash, her mouth dropped open partially at the woman beside her. âA-Alexis?!â
âThe one and only.â The infamous Scorpion grinned, leaning lazily on her polished cane while her pale blue eyes flicked to her friend casually. âClose your mouth, you look like a slack jawed twit.â
Vala spluttered, fumbling for words. âYouâre retired! Married!â She paused. âYou havenât served since the Arras! Why in hell are you here?â Alexis chuckled, drumming her fingers against the cane as she waited patiently for her to finish. After another moment of directionless ranting, Vala trailed off, blinking at the woman. ââŠyouâre my 2iC?â
âMhm. Iâm the big surprise, it would seem.â She snorted, turning to overlook the CIC. âWell, your big surprise, by anyway. My big surprise was the fact that YOU got yourself a command position. Iâll admit I didnât see this coming. At least, not this early.â
âYouâre telling meâŠâ
âCourse, everything you said is true. I AM retired, also married. I have priorities that donât blend well with drifting about with you.â Vala nodded sympathetically. âSo, this is more a temporary deal. Help smooth out the initial issues until you and the true 2iC are good to go.â
âTrue 2iC? Who would that be?â Alexis gestured towards the galaxy map, giving a sharp whistle at the man over-looking the display. He turned without delay, and Alexis gave a jerk of her head to beckon him over, which he complied with instantly.
Valaâs head tilted up as he approached, the man easily a head or so taller than her, and his large frame only made the size difference between them more apparent. He seemed every bit the soldier, brown hair trimmed into a pristine crew cut and face freshly shaven, with a stern, strong jaw that jutted out ever so slightly. His eyes were impassive, and she could swear he was giving her the same examination she was him. Dressed in the same Cerberus battle dress with only one less black bar than her own, it wasnât difficult to see him as an authority figure.
He stood a foot from them both, and saluted. âMaâam.â His voice was a powerful bass that rumbled through his entire chest when he spoke, but spoken with clarity and measured to a fault. A hell of a voice for giving orders. âCommander Buchan.â
Alexis thumped the man on the chest with the back of her hand. âThis slab is Lieutenant Commander Wyatt Sinoff. Heâll be your 2iC when I head back to Earth. Iâve been grilling him since I got here, and heâs got some experience under his belt.â
âThank you, Maâam.â Wyatt intoned. âI look forward to working with you officially, Commander.â
âThe same to you. What does Alexis have you doing until then?â
âI primarily shadow her, observing how she interacts and the exact details of the tasks before her. In addition, I am in charge of the marines aboard. I set their training schedules, shifts and duties for the day. In combat, I serve as their field commander, and if you so desire, I will personally lead them to the completion of their objectives.â
âYou have combat experience then.â
âYes, Commander. Former mercenary, Blue Suns.â
âPlenty of mercenaries on this ship, arenât there?â She joked, although Wyatt barely even reacted to her jest.
âWhile that may be true, I am an official Cerberus officer, unlike the others. The Suns can rot for all I care; this ship and organization are now my sole focus.â The 2iC was certainly a serious man, of which Vala was silently glad. She doubted sheâd have been able to work with someone of a less serious disposition.
âExcellent.â Vala looked between the two. âIâm sure you both have things to do, and I have a few more stops to make before we get underway. Letâs not keep each other from it.â Wyatt nodded sharply, turning back to the Galaxy map while Alexis simply eyed Vala for a moment longer. âSomething on your mind?â
ââŠNo. Weâll talk more later.â The Operative turned away, limping over to her âprotĂ©gĂ©â. Vala puzzled over her friendâs curious behaviour, but shrugged it off, turning towards the Science Lab. The bulkhead slid open quickly, sealing shut behind her the moment she was inside.
Within moments of stepping in, however, she was being yelled at. âFor the last time, I donât need any of you jar-headed buffoons cluttering up my lab! No guards are necessary! Shoo!â Turning towards the source, Vala half-grimaced, half-smirked at the manâs back, currently busy-bodying around an armour stand holding up Valaâs Nyx armour. âI donât hear you leaving!â
âItâs been awhile, Professor Rhodes.â She called, causing the man to pause for a moment, looking over his shoulder to squint at her. For a moment, she let him simply try and puzzle it out, but it seemed the man wasnât exactly good with faces. Not surprising really, given how he doted on that armour. âA hint. I saved the Nyx from certain destruction?â
Realization dawned. âOperative Buchan! Pardon my manners; I wasnât expecting someone with an actual respect for technology to present themselves!â
âCommander now, actually. I take it youâre my Science Officer?â
âThis ship is yours now? Marvellous! Thatâll smooth the testing process immensely!â It wasnât really surprising that Rhodes was already thinking about his Nyx again. âFinding candidates is next to impossible these days!â
âI can imagine. Most biotics seem to prefer standard combat.â She kept her distance from the man, watching him fiddle about with this and that on the armour. âI was wondering where the Nyx had gotten to while I was occupied. It seems to have found its way home.â
âNo one touches the Nyx without my expressed consent!â He stated proudly, tapping a few notes on his data pad before resuming his fiddling. âIâve already made a few modifications to the armour, correcting some minor over-sights in the initial design.â
âOversights..?â
âIndeed! For example, the original design lacked insulation on the nerve semi-conductor units, which meant that any sufficient electrical surge could enter into the bodyâs nervous system.â He chuckled at the thought. âWould have fried anyone wearing it faster than standard FTL.â
Vala paled at his omission, having worn the armour several times with this apparentâŠkill-switch built straight into her brain. âItâsâŠgood you caught that, Professor. Iâd have hated to learn the hard way.â
âMmm, yes. Its new lining is much better designed. Transmits the unwanted electricity into the strips, which feed it into the base of the greaves, harmlessly dispersing the energy. Rather brilliant design.â He bragged, while Vala just shook her head. His priority was clearly the armour, not the occupant. Sheâd need to take extra care not to be on the receiving end of any moreâŠâoversightsâ.
âYou havenât tampered with the sizing, have you?â
âNo, it should still be sized to you. Do you need it?â
âI might, Professor. Iâll let you know.â
âVery well.â Rhodes resumed his work, and she was content to let him. The man was difficult to have a normal conversation with. She wondered how heâd react the first time the suit got damaged in the line of duty.
âPoorly,â She muttered, crossing the CIC towards the helm. The long walk to the helm was quiet, but as she drew closer to the cockpit, a pair of voices, one male, the other female, became clear. Only one was new to her, the female easily recognizable as the synthetic voice of EDI, while the other likely belonged to her pilot.
ââŠstill seems like a lot of money for one warship is all.â She came to a stop behind the pilotâs chair, gazing out at the twinkling black expanse before them. âI wonât pretend to understand Cerberusâs financial resources, but the things they could accomplish if they used this money for something other than gunsâŠâ
âCerberus operates in cells, Helmsman. What one cell does, will have no bearing on what another does.â EDI responded, the blue hologram âfloatingâ on the panel beside the pilot.
âI somehow doubt thereâs a cell dedicated to charity work.â The man seemed to register her presence, chair turning ninety degrees so he could look up at her. âThey werenât kidding when they said you were quiet.â
âCommander Buchan.â The AI offered, as her Helmsman tipped his head in greeting. He fit the role of a pilot, she decided, with a streamlined physique that said he rarely saw actual combat. His face was friendly, a light smile on thin lips, with a trimmed goatee and slight sideburns peeking out beneath his toque. That was an odd choice of headwear.
âGood to see you, EDI.â She commented, although the pilot shook his head slightly as she did so. âSomething wrong?â
âNot exactly. Just seems a tad impersonal to name her after an acronym.â His eyes flicked to the orb for a moment. âAIs are sentient, after all. They should have a proper name.â
âThat is unnecessary, Mr. Chekan.â
âAs youâve insisted. What do you think, Commander?â He glanced expectantly up at the woman, and she couldnât help but feel that EDI was doing the same with her various cameras.
âWellâŠthe other ships that Iâve seen with EDI units had named her, so I suppose it wouldnât hurt for our own to have one. Just to differentiate them all. Any suggestions, Mr. Chekan?â
Chekan sighed melodramatically. âDonât mimic her, Commander. Call me Ronas. Mr. Chekan makes me feel like Iâm married or something.â After a momentâs pause, he continued in a more upbeat tone. âAs for a name though, I canât really say. I donât know much about her, so Iâve no clue whatâs appropriateâŠwell, aside from the fact that sheâs always up to date on the latest gossip.â
âI do not gossip.â
âWith a ship full of sensors and the way you blab about anything you notice? Youâre a gossip.â
Vala smiled. âCall her âJoâ.â Ronas raised an eyebrow. âShort for Johanna. My mother. Sheâs a terrible gossip, never could get anything by her.â
Ronas laughed, looking back at the AIâs âfaceâ. âJo. I like it. How about it?â There was a long, awkward pause before âsheâ responded.
âJo is acceptable.â
âItâs decided then! Pleasure to properly make your acquaintance, Jo.â Ronas extended his hand in fake greeting, only for his chair to suddenly lurch back and forth in a violent shake. âJo! Cut it out!â As suddenly as it started, the chair stopped, nearly dumping the pilot on the ground.
âI was shaking your hand.â Jo replied, earning a suppressed laugh from Vala as Ronas straightened himself out. âThat was a joke.â
âA regular comedianâŠâ He muttered, smile betraying his true thoughts on the matter. âAnyway, Commander, Iâm sure you didnât come up here to watch us talk. Grand tour?â
âSomething along those lines. Iâve already deciphered youâre my Helmsmen.â
Ronas mock bowed in his seat. âGuilty as charged.â
âYouâre new to Cerberus, I take it?â She motioned to Joâs holographic image. âJudging by your conversation earlier, anyway.â
âThat I am. An interesting change of pace, but I canât really afford to be picky with my employers these days.â Vala raised an eyebrow at him, and he waved a hand dismissively. âItâs a long, boring story, nothing really excit-â
âMr. Chekan is technically wanted in Citadel Space.â
His face dropped, frowning lightly at the AI. ââŠI never told you that. Youâve been doing background checks! My gods!â
âStandard Cerberus procedure.â Vala commented, eyeing the man suspiciously. Ronas clued in quickly, and sunk further into his chair. âSomething we need to address?â
âNegative. Technically wanted. His offences are incredibly minor, marked largely for stunting in Citadel public use sky-cars.â
âStunting?â
âI like to see exactly what Iâm working with. You canât test some thingâs limits until you really put it to its limits. Let me tell youâŠthose sky-cars hide a LOT of power.â Vala blinked impassively, dryly looking to Jo once more.
âDid he stunt in the ship?â
âYes, Commander. Several complex flight patterns, in addition to several loops and a barrel roll.â Ronas leaned his elbow on the armrest of his chair, watching the AI methodically dig his grave. âTo his credit, the Helmsman never risked the ship, and maintained excellent control throughout his manoeuvres. No one was injured, as I had the foresight to temporarily disable the gravity.â
âI see. If Jo is willing to vouch for you, then I wonât worry about it. Keep in mind for the future though, outside of an emergency situation, I advise you avoid further stunts without first consulting me. Clear?â
Ronas grinned, fiddling with his toque slightly. âOf course, Commander. Iâll be the very model of an experienced helmsman. No adventures, joyrides or death-defying stunts without your say so.â
âGood. Pleasure to meet you, Ronas.â He held out his hand for a shake, and Valaâs lips curled up into a coy smile. âIâm a little busy. Jo, field this for me?â The chair lurched about once more, only this time Ronas was unable to keep his seat, tumbling into an undignified heap on the floor. âThank you.â Grinning to herself, Vala departed the helm, listening to the pilot bicker with the AI as she went.
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Deck 1 had always been an oddity to Vala, the exposed mini-tower above the ship seeming a tad impractical, but given the origin of the ship, it was marginally more understandable. The deck was understandably abandoned, no crew having need of the floor unless they needed to make an FTL call in the briefing room. As such, Vala had it to herself as she stepped into the aforementioned room.
âJo, contact the Illusive Man.â She spoke as she descended the few steps that lead to the center of the chamber. The room darkened, sheets of ablative armour sliding over the grand dome window that made up the majority of the outer wall. The table lowered into a thin indentation beneath the floor, as the QEC emerged from the center, which she wasted no time step unto as the device began to power up.
The holographic skin enveloping her shifted the room into the familiar chambers that housed the Illusive Man, seated in the lone chair with a cigarette perched lightly on his lips. He wasted little time, turning the chair 180 degrees to face her as he spoke. âCommander Buchan. I trust the ship is to your liking?â
âYes, sir. Itâs more than I could have hoped for.â
âExcellent. While I wish I could afford you more time to grow accustomed to the crew, we have pressing matters to attend to.â Tapping a command on his haptic interface, he brought up the image of a large cruiser, elegant but massive. âThis is the Marathon, an Oracle cruiser that has just recently left the Charon relay.â
âShe looks like quite the ship, sir.â
âIndeed it is, but the ship itself is not the issue.â His eyes darkened as he tapped another key to bring up the holographic image of a man Vala knew far too well. âOracle, and by extension, the Alliance, have re-instated Titus, and he is the Marathonâs new captain. Oracle, as you know, has made itself a clear enemy for its actions against us.â
Valaâs features were dark, eyes locked with the Illusive Manâs as he explained. Titusâs presence on the ship explained her own re-activation, but the commander knew better than to put words in her employerâs mouth. âWhat do you need me to do?â
âFor the time being, set a course for the Citadel. We have reliable information that itâs Titusâs first destination. Once you arrive, seek him out, but remain cautious. Youâre operating under a new cover, as Oracle has flagged you in the Alliance and C-Sec database as a terrorist. If the opportunity presents itself, eliminate him. OtherwiseâŠâ He paused, taking a long slow breath before breathing a cloud of smoke that obscured his features even further. ââŠsend the traitor a very clear message. We know, and we are watching.â
âOf course, sir.â
Turning his back to her, the Illusive Man looked out through the grand window once more. âI look forward to hearing of your success, Vala.â His finger lingered over the key for a moment. âHave you decided a name for her yet?â She blinked, providing all the answer he needed. âIn ancient times, men often prayed to be delivered from evil. In the face of hardship, or challenges seemingly overwhelming, they asked for a higher power to grant them boon.â
âWe face difficult times, Commander. Our enemies, legion. Our goals, grand. I can think of no time that mankind has needed deliverance more than now. Cerberus must be prepared to do just that.â His hand spun idly, leaving thin trails of smoke in the darkened black. âAre you, Commander?â
âOf course.â
âThen she has her name.â The two said nothing more, the QEC powering down as the shutters peeled back to reveal the dark expanse of space once more, but Vala didnât move, eyes staring coldly out the grand window.
âDeliveranceâŠâ She whispered, before clearing her throat. âHelm.â
Seconds later, Ronasâs voice crackled over the PA. âYou rang, Commander?â
âSet a course for the Citadel. Iâll be in my quarters if anyone needs anything.â
âWill do.â Moments later, the rippling glow of FTL shrouded her view, bathing the darkened chamber in a rainbow of shifting colours. She watched it only for a moment longer, before turning from its splendour and heading for her quarters.
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âCommander,â Joâs synthetic voice jostled her from the light sleep, and Vala groggily looked up at the ceiling for some sign of the AI. âWe are preparing to dock with the Citadel. Mr. Nulfem has requested your presence on the CIC.â
âIâll be there ASAP.â She mumbled, but the AI seemed content, not bothering her further. Blanket tumbling off her, Vala sleepily glanced about her quarters as she processed the exact goings on. A quick glance at the clock told her sheâd been out for a few hours, and an idle look down told sheâd at least have the foresight to shed her uniform before collapsing into the bed.
Stretching slender legs as far as theyâd go, Vala hoisted herself from the warm embrace of silken sheets, rubbing idly at her eyes as she did. The captainâs quarters were immaculate, she noted with a pleased smile, likely having made the same comment before she had taken her impromptu nap. The room was seemingly designed to her own tastes, something she could likely chalk up to Keaganâs influence.
The room had a slightly dated feel to it, with less focus on sleek and shining, instead favouring a more dark tranquility. The bed, a magnificent queen-size complete with silk sheets and comforters in the Cerberus colours, sat against the back wall of the chamber, lowered into a slight indentation of the floor that let it sit just below knee level. Perfect for simply falling into, as Vala was incredibly fond of doing after a taxing day. A small, plush rug extended around the bed completely, not letting her bare feet touch the frigid floor as she woke. On either side of the bed was a small nightstand, each with a lamp that kept the area around her at a comfortable dim.
The floor seemed to have been remodelled, where once something like an aquarium might have been; a new subtle lighting system had been installed, gently filling the room with soft light refracted from beneath her feet. She found the lack of direct light soothing, but sheâd always been at home in darkened places. Along the left wall from her bed, a closet was seamlessly built into the bulkhead, more spacious than she was accustomed, and filled with various outfits that she was certain sheâd never bought. Again, likely Keaganâs fault.
From there, it transitioned smoothly into her office space, sleek black desk integrated into the hull. The desk was sparsely decorated, save for a small frame with a picture of her parents, a personal touch she greatly appreciated. The wall behind it was of glass, giving a view of the small lounge area just beyond it. When the terminal upon the desk powered, it seamlessly integrated into the glass, allowing her to view a myriad number of things at once with little difficultly. The screen-wall also meant comfortable viewing of anything she desired from either bed or the lounge.
The lounge itself was modest, a small couch curving along the corner with a small, black topped coffee table. The center contained a small projector pad, for the personal communicator built into her room. Beside the couch, a small, waist high mini-fridge stood, fully stocked with a wide assortment of drinks. Just past the lounge was her personal bathroom, invisible to the naked eye until she approached.
The crowning gem, however, was the sound system built into the very walls. She had tampered with it briefly, and found it blissfully filled with only her tastes in mind. With a swipe of her hand, the room could fill with operatic chords, or sweeping instrumentals, making for one pleased Commander.
After a brief shower, Vala opened the closet, eyeing the various outfits contained within. Before she could make her selection, Joâs holographic face appeared behind her. âCommander, Mr. Nulfem is advising you select something casual and concealing for your trip.â
âCasual?â
âLieutenant Commander Welles has arranged for your armour to be delivered inside the Citadel, whilst you will be accompanying him past security.â
She frowned slightly. âTheyâve already made an entire game plan. Arenât I supposed to be the Commander?â Jo seemed unphased, quickly firing back.
âCorrect, Commander. However, we are docking with a private Cord-Hislop Aerospace dock, meaning Mr. Nulfem will be viewed as the âownerâ. He is essential for your cover.â
âOf course he isâŠâ She muttered, looking at the outfits once more. âIâll be down momentarily. Tell them not to plan anything else without me.â
âOf course.â Jo disappeared, and Vala reached for one of the outfits on display. Given the nature of the ship, and KeaganâsâŠattitude, she made the assumption that heâd attempt to make her play something less than flattering. With that in mindâŠ
She wasted no time donning her chosen attire, a comfortable pair of loose black slacks, with perfectly polished dress shoes with the slightest heels. Rounded out by a white collared shirt and a small black vest emblazoned with the CHA trinity logo on the breast, Vala took a brief moment to look in the mirror built into the closet door. âMaybe you missed your calling. Can certainly pull of the âCorporate Bodyguardâ look.â She mused, chuckling at her own joke before pushing the door shut and heading for the lift.
A short ride later, Vala strode across the lift, ignoring the few lingering glances from the technicians as she passed. Keagan was visible, leaning at the end of the long walk to the Helm, chatting idly with Alexis and Charlie. As she approached, the yeoman looked to her, with the slightest pout of his face. âCasual?â
Charlie turned slightly, nodding in greeting before looking at her outfit. âYou clean up nicely. Going to a board meeting?â Vala chuckled, shaking her head at the commando.
âNo, keeping our precious executive safe. Isnât that right, âsirâ?â She turned to Keagan, who sighed in defeat.
âBodyguard, of course. Silly me for thinking youâd dress up.â Straightening up, he reached inside his suit, retrieving a small case and holding it out to her. Vala took it, flicking it open and raising an eyebrow at the contents. âAs lovely as they may be, your eyes are something of a dead giveaway. The contacts will give you a normal colour for missions in plain sight.â She flicked out the sunglasses also inside the case. âThose are simply a fashion statement.â
âOf course. Have to be stylish.â She took a brief moment to place both the contacts, blinking rapidly to adjust to the odd feeling. âAlexis, whatâs the word?â She asked, sliding the glasses into place once the contacts had settled.
âWeâve confirmed that the Marathon is indeed docked, and the crew is seemingly taking a brief respite after their trial.â She held up her Omni-tool, displaying an image of Titus disembarking with a small group of his crew, most of who she immediately recognized. She pointed to the one she didnât. âGood eye. Basic checks arenât pulling up much, meaning Oracleâs probably got him classified out the yin-yang. What we can confirm should still be useful. Adam Harrison, heâs a graduate of the N7 program despite his age, only 20 years young.â
Charlie shook his head. âKid shouldnât be cruising around on a warship, N7 or not.â His eyes flicked to Vala, whose expression mirrored his own. âTalent doesnât compare with experience after-all.â
Alexis cleared her throat, continuing. âRegardless of age, heâs got a vanguard classification in the Alliance database. Which means biotics, and as a graduate of the N7, heâll be well trained. Be aware, and the kid wonât be much of a threat.â
âGot it. Where are they headed?â
âLast location put them on course for the Cube, big fancy biotic gym. Iâll update you once weâve confirmed. Till thenâŠâ She trailed off, looking to the Lieutenant Commander, who tapped a key on her tool, bringing up a small display of the ward with which they were currently docked.
âSince youâre likely going into a fight, Iâve got two of my hounds on station for assistance if this goes sideways.â A small red icon popped up on the display, marking their location for her. âTheyâve got your armour on hand, and once you sync up, theyâll tail you from the shadows. ROE is up to you, of course, Commander.â
She nodded, downloading the information to her omni-tool. âTheyâll be useful, good work. Should I be concerned about detection?â
âNo. Cerberus has properly reverse engineered the tactical cloak, and all the Hounds have one built into their armour. Itâll take a trained eye and a lucky sonuvabitch to find them.â
âOn the subject though, you should be concerned about detection yourself.â Keagan interjected, fixing Vala with a serious look. âIt took a lot of string pulling to properly build an alias for you and get it registered in both the Alliance and C-Sec. On public worlds, out of that armour, you need to act like what youâre supposed to be.â
âWhich is..?â
Keagan reached once more into his sleek suit, tossing her a sleek data pad. âMia Moir, security contractor for Cord-Hislop Aerospace, and Chief of Security for yours truly.â Catching the pad deftly, âMiaâ gave it a brief once over, quickly familiarizing herself with the relevant information. âNoted professional, with a decorated career behind you. Highest pedigree for a contractor.â A sly smile split his face, eyes sparking with mischief. âThe name was my idea.â
Tucking the data pad away, Vala crossed her arms across her chest. âIâm sure most things on this ship are your handiwork.â The helm was silent, the commander giving every officer present a momentary glance before clapping her hands together. âAlright, letâs get this moving. Alexis, keep me updated.â Keagan lead the way into the airlock, âMiaâ following just behind.
âTry not to get shot, Ivory.â Alexis called, starting off down the walkway, the steady tap of her cane echoing about.
âGood luck, Commander.â Charlie added, earning a slight wave over her shoulder as the airlock hissed shut. Outside, Keagan was immediately rushed by an aide, a petite woman in a pristine dress and a bundle of data pads clutched tightly to her chest. She shot Vala a suspicious glance before focusing fully on the man.
âMr. Nulfem!â Her voice was a charming coo, clearly practiced and meant for handling public affairs. âWe werenât expecting a visit today. Hopefully you didnât have to wait long for docking.â
âNot at all.â There rarely seemed a moment when Keagan didnât have that confidence of his, but she supposed that came with the territory. âI was in need of a resupply, and remembered a lovely local restaurant on the Citadel that I havenât visited in an age.â
The aide fell into step beside him, opposite Vala, as Keagan lead the way through the private dock. âWe will be more than happy to fill your stocks, sir.â She shot another look at Vala, who responded with only a dry look over the rim of her sunglasses. âFor security reasons, Mr. Nulfem, may I ask abo-â
Stopping in his stride, Keagan turned slightly, raising an eyebrow at her. â-My companion? Of course.â The shark gestured loosely to her. âThis is Ms. Moir, Chief of Security for the Deliverance as well as my personal bodyguard. Itâs a loosely held secret she has a love of foreign cuisine, and with her insistence to keep me safe, I thought to myself, âTwo birds, one stoneâ as the saying goes.â âMiaâ titled her head in greeting, remaining completely silent throughout the exchange.
The aide smiled wider at Keaganâs explanation, and the trio started forward again. âExcellent, sir. Will you be with us for long?â
âNo, I donât believe so. Mostly just until the supplies are transferred and my meal is done.â He shared a glance with Mia, who simply nodded, although inside Vala wasnât overly pleased with their newly imposed time limit. âIf you can just page me when the resupply is finishedâŠâ
âOf course, Mr. Nulfem. Enjoy your visit, and your meal.â
âI shall, thank you.â With a tip of his head, Keagan and Mia boarded the private lift, which hissed shut and began itâs descent to the ward below. After a few moments, she turned to him partially.
âShe didnât like me very much.â
âOh, you know how women are. Give a handsome man some lovely arm candy, and they get all territorial.â He winced as Vala stomped his foot with her heel, scuffing the pristine black shoes. âA jokeâŠCommander.â He ground out, still managing a pained grin.
âI have a track record with stupid jokes, and youâre getting off easy.â She shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. âSecurity detail. Ms. âMoirâ is nothing more than that.â
âThe name makes little sense then, Mia Moir.â She blinked, slow realization dawning as the lift peeled open to a glistening business district, far from the presidium. Sleek towers climbed into the heavens, great shining signs naming various companies and corporations that took residence there. Every species imaginable walked the streets, dressed in outfits from every spectrum of life. Restaurants and bars hummed with life, countless boutiques flashing adverts tailored specifically for those who passed. Before she could retort, Keagan disembarked, flicking out his own sunglasses and sliding them on. âNow then, we are operating on something of a time limit, so might I suggest haste?â
She scowled, but followed him out; ignoring the few looks the pair received as they worked through the light crowds. âDo you plan on coming with me? You donât exactly strike me as the stealthy type.â
âIâll leave the actual work to you, Ms. Moir.â He coolly replied, earning a slight glare from her but nothing more. âIâll simply maintain our cover, and once youâve done the dirty work, weâll rendezvous and return to the ship, as if we never left each otherâs side.â Slowing to a stop, Keagan thumbed the side of his glasses for a moment, before glancing at her. âThose arenât just stylish, by the way. There should be a small indentation on the side, itâll power up. Very popular amongst security contractors these days.â
She felt along the edge, sure enough finding the indent he mentioned, pressing it lightly. A second later, the inside of the glasses brightened slightly, displaying a small HUD with the bare essentials tucked neatly in her peripheries. A way point flickered into view, a mark for her meet up with the Hounds. âEffective. Any other gadgets youâve got hidden away?â
âAlways keep an ace up your sleeve, Ms. Moir, but never let anyone know you have it.â Winking at her, he turned from the commander and moved towards one of the many eateries along the thoroughfare. âWhen youâre done, Iâll be here. And I stress againâŠâ Keagan looked over his shoulder, sunglasses titled down low so his eyes were visible. âDo not risk your cover.â The shark slid the frames back into place, passing through the crowd with a relaxed stride.
Vala watched him go, before turning in the direction of her commandos. âItâs certainly been awhileâŠâ She mused, purposeful steps carrying her against the throng.
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Charlie hadnât been bluffing it seemed. As Vala approached the rendezvous, one of the sealed doors along the darkened alley hissed open, revealing only for a moment a black armoured figure, which quickly disappeared inside. Ensuring she hadnât been followed, the commander followed shortly after, thumping her fist against the door seal as she passed. The hall was cramped, obnoxiously so, but it made sense as a good hide out for infiltrators. At the end, a small ladder waited, and she regarded it for a moment before sliding down into the dark.
The bottom was thankfully more open, but devoid of much light. While her eyes were use to such conditions, it still took a moment for them to adjust. Rubbing them slightly to speed the process, Vala found herself facing down the barrel of a phalanx. Her body reacted on instinct, smashing the weapon aside whilst driving her boot viciously into the stomach of the assailant. The pistol clattered to the ground, and she stooped to grab it, pausing in surprise at the gentle chuckling from across the room.
âHoly fuck, Jones, she kicked your bloody ass.â The voice was feminine but carried a dangerous tone hidden beneath the happy sound. There was a rough cough, as the one sheâd disarmed staggered back to his feet.
âThat she did, El. Guess sheâs got the guts to follow after all.â The manâs voice was light, and seemingly unbothered by the hit heâd sustained. âSorry to draw it on ya, Commander, but a dogâs gotta test his luck sometimes.â After a tense pause, she lifted the pistol, keeping it at her side for a moment while the man shuffled for a moment. A second later, the room filled with a dark orange glow, revealing the two to her.
Or at least, revealing their armour. The two looked identical in almost every aspect, the male only slightly larger than his counterpart. Their armour was sleek black, with barely any colour save for a rather savage carving on their face plate, detailing a fanged grin with twin slitted eyes that stared blankly at her, in what she could only assume was something akin to gold. It wasnât something she wanted to see in a dark room with only one visible exit.
âI take it youâre the field team?â She asked cautiously, never loosening her grip on the phalanx. âLC Welles said youâd have my armour.â âElâ nodded, hopping down from the crate she was perched on and flicking it open. The Nyx lay inside, and Vala seemed appeased. She tossed the phalanx back to âJonesâ, who snatched it out of the air. âNext time you think it wise, put some distance between us.â
El laughed at her partner, slugging him playfully in the shoulder. âBeat by a damn girl, Jonesy. Never gonna live that down.â Jones laughed lightly, holstering his phalanx while she gave him another hit. âI bet Sorin will have your head, but only-â
â-If Charlie doesnât take it first for pulling a gun on the Commander.â He fired back, and the two laughed at his expense once more. Vala idly wondered as she pulled the armour on if all the Hounds were like these two. Still, despite their behaviour, the two seemed competent enough. Sheâd barely noticed them when sheâd first entered.
Once armoured, with the helmet tucked in the crux of her arm, Vala turned her gaze back to the two, who in turn were watching her. âSo, whatâs the word, Commander?â El chirped, leaning slightly on her partnerâs shoulder. âBack to the ship for some grub, or-â
â-emergency back up? Itâs your call.â Jones finished, as the flare in his hand burned out. Vala considered it only for a moment, before pulling her helmet on over her head.
âBack-up. I expect this to get ugly.â As the helmet integrated with the system, she opened a channel to the ship. âDeliverance, this is Commander Buchan. Rendezvoused with commandos. Whereâs the target?â
After a moment, Alexis came on. âWeâve confirmed heâs in the Cube. Area is crowded, and heâs seated in the bleachers around the ring, too many civvies for a clean hit. We do however; have a rather clean line on Harrison.â
âThe objective is to send a message. Heâll do.â
âHeâs entered the Cubeâs biotic sparring contest, which, while in plain sight, will offer you an easy in to hit him. Keep your helmet sealed and even Nulfem wonât have something to complain about.â
âSounds good. Iâm bringing the commandos, might come in handy.â
âCopy, Iâll get you a route.â The Nyx helmet, locked comfortably into place, and displaying the familiar screen of initialize. Confirming, Vala felt the cold shivers as the sensors connected along her back, before the final one hooked into the L5x directly. Moments later, the suit VI announced a full synch, before her HUD returned to normal. Perfect, she had an ace up her sleeve.
âGet whateverâs important, weâre moving out.â She barked, and the Hounds quickly fell into step behind her as she hauled herself up the ladder.
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âShoulda packed a lunch, or gotten some snacksâŠâ Jones lamented quietly, stalking behind El and Vala on the long slender set of catwalks that hung above the ring, earning a light chuckle from the former.
âProfessional. Gotta make a good impression, stop your complaining.â She was quiet for a moment, watching their commander move ahead before whispering over her shoulder. âShoulda though. Iâm getting peckish.â The two grinned beneath their helmets, before double timing after the leader.
Vala, unlike her companions, was more focused on the arena below. The asari and Harrison had begun their match moments before theyâd managed to infiltrate the Cube it seemed, and the two traded biotics with impunity. The catwalk which served as their vantage was mostly abandoned, used primarily for lighting the combat below, and it gave them an unprecedented view.
The arena below posed another problem. It was far too exposed. Her gaze flicked over the flooring, tuning out the rapid commentary of the salarian. Trained eyes picked out the segmented floor, and the beginnings of a hunch, as well as a plan, started to take form. She idly called to the team. âWhat are you equipped with?â
El responded quickly. âMostly close-quarter. SMGs and pistols. Accurate with the pistols though.â Vala nodded, eyes flicking across the crowd, the Nyx enhancing her vision enough to make out the faint features of the people below. She could barely make out anything in the crowd, before the faintest hint of recognition brought her gaze to a stop. In a sea of business suits, and casual garb, the tell-tale blue and gold of Alliance dress was like a beacon in a storm.
âTitus.â She breathed; a harsh whisper inaudible above the roar of the crowd below. Fingers flexing, Vala felt the cold, tempered anger seeping into her veins at the sight of him, relaxing amidst the normal civilians. Hand twitching towards her pistol, the infiltrator nearly took a shot right there. The distance would skew her shot though, and risk any of the civilians surrounding him. They wouldnât die for his betrayal. Coolly turning from the former colleague, her eyes zeroed on the man below. No, only his own would suffer for his mistakes.
The tiles below shifted suddenly, dozens of them rising and turning into a complex maze of sorts. Some made simple half walls, while others joined into walls high above the combatantsâ heads, and obscuring them from view. Vala smirked beneath her visor, rising to her full height. âKeep watch. If things get too hot, provide any responders with an appropriate distraction.â
âNeed a rappel?â
âThat wonât be necessary.â Without another word, her cloak rippled over her frame, and she leapt from the edge. The drop was over in seconds, biotics flaring around her body to cushion the impact, landing in a half crouch inside the maze. The crowd seemed no more aware of her presence, and the infiltrator straightened slightly. âTime for a little field testâŠâ She breathed, tapping a key on her omni-tool.
âDetection Pulse Systems activating. Bracing.â The suit locked at the joints, and an audible hum filled her helmet as the various systems came alive. It didnât start suddenly, like she expected, instead a slow building of energy that crept up her spine, extending out through the connectors linked with her nerves. When the pressure reached her amp, her senses went completely dark, before the energy began to push out.
Like a creeping tide, the faintest shimmer of dark energy rolled off her body, working across the floor and up the walls around her. With every centimetre, her consciousness expanded, scuff or bit of rubble painfully clear. The awareness only spread, moving over obstacles and painting the world in her mindâs eyes, a blend of myriad blueâs that her mind could somehow construe as an image.
It was when the pulse found the champion that it became difficult. As she entered the range, Valaâs head snapped violently in her direction, as if staring clear at the woman through the dozen walls between them. The hypersensitivity painted every contour of the alien, hugging the body and feeding a near perfect image into Valaâs mind directly. Every breath felt like she herself had taken it, muscles twitching at every idle movement it made. Her body ached with injuries seemingly not herâs, and she felt the lines between self and image blurring.
The pulse showed no signs of stopping, even as Vala felt her heart thundering in her ears and eyes dilating into pin-sized dots. It took a laboured moment of thought to find speech, and the infiltrator barely managed to stammer. âD-disengage.â The system complied, the field instantly dissipating into nothing. The braced suit prevented her from collapsing, administering a light injection of relaxant to stop the body from locking down. Even with it, it took a full minute for her to regain herself, breathing shakily on unstable knees.
Her eyes returned to normal, and Vala looked at her hands for a moment, swallowing down the shakes that controlled them. âChampion first.â She whispered, a cold fear clutching at her words, as if the world could see the weakness on her now. Staggering forward, it took a few strides before she regained her proper footing, following the countless turns like they had been painted in her mindâs eye.
It took little time to navigate, and as she rounded the last corner, she spotted the asari, resting slightly against the wall. Harrison seemed to have given her quite the challenge. Fists coiling, Vala stalked closer, breathing steadier with each silent step. Only when she was within striking distance did she act, and Vala lunged like a predator. One hand gripped the Asariâs scalp, ripping it down while the other delivered a strike at the back of the neck. There was little struggle, with the asari collapsing into a heap on the ground. The infiltrator looked down at the champion for a moment. âGood to know pressure points still work.â
The lesser threat contained, Vala turned slightly on her heel. âJones, El.â
âCommander?â
âDo you have visual on Harrison?â
There was a short paused, before Jones replied. âYeah, actually. Heâs a few halls to the right of you, headingâŠâ She didnât wait for the commando to finish, given her wrist a practiced flick. Without delay, a tendril of dark energy erupted from beneath her wrist, and she lashed it onto the wall above her. Giving a solid tug and a powerful push with her biotics, Vala launched upwards, gripping the lip with her arm and hoisting herself up to the top of the wall. Her cloak flickered as the whip dissipated, before solidifying again. ââŠhuh. Heâs two over. Straight ahead.â
âGood.â Leaping over the gaps between the walls, Vala found herself above the Oracle agent, eyes narrowed darkly as the familiar cold seeped back into her blood. He crept forward cautiously, still possibly searching for the asari. Sheâd not get a better chance. With a hunterâs grace, she leapt, landing mere inches from the N7. He barely had time to react, before Vala delivered a brutal spin kick to the chest that sent him back several steps. The air hung between them for a moment, before her speakers crackled, and cold words filled the empty air. âDidnât see me coming, did you, Oracle?â