"You could have stayed for the questioning," Slipp said arriving. Riku was with her. Both women were upset. Torbin actually came with them as well.
"Yeah... no," Azul said shrugging at them. "I dont get along with the C-sec personal in this area. That and I didn't want to."
"Ugh, your a sucky Commander," Riku said. She was still dealing with the knowledge from the other life. They were not kidding when they told him the emotions she had for Azul were not there. "Didn't think it would be like this."
"Yeah.. things never turn out how we want most times. That's life." Azul said typing away at his Omni-tool. "At least Bass has done his part well enough. Outing several corrupt C-sec officials. I hope he can do more damage before he gets silenced. Hmm, well he can get out of there at any time, so not a problem."
"It worked out. Not that you seem to care." Slipp said sitting down. She was surprised when the server placed some food in front of her. As well as Riku when it was placed in front of her. "Thank you, how did you know I would want this?"
"Just enjoy the free meal," Azul said not wanting to lie how he knew. Looking to Torbin he started to address the man. "What do you want?"
"I need a job," Torbin said looking at Azul. "I want to get clean. Stay clean."
"You are telling me this why?" Looking over the Presidium, images of the battle started to play. He felt Tifa started to connect with it as well. With a mental nudge, she was cut off. She looked up at him and smiled before talking with the others again. 'There is no reason for you to feel the past here. Not yet anyway. Another time is my suggestion.'
'Very well. We will make a day of it. Teach.' Tifa gave a mental nod before enjoying her talk with the others.
A few minutes go by before Torbin speaks again.
"Because Commander.. you would make sure I stay clean as long as I obey orders. You did it before. I know you would do it again." Torbin said not looking away. "I know you are different now. I dont know-how, but you have changed. I can tell you are struggling with something. I know you rather execute someone like me. I dont want to die. I want my family to be proud of me. Like before when I was part of the Alliance."
"You are right. What are you willing to do to get clean? Now that is the problem or a problem." Azul said giving the man his full attention. "What makes you think I won't have you do something that you are uncomfortable with?"
"Because your biased towards humans. You will give us more leeway. That is what it was before. But the way you treated the Salarian earlier... you hesitated. You never hesitated before." Torbin eyes went to the others before looking back at Azul. "It was them that did it to you? Wasnt it?"
"Yup. Always noticing the most weirdest things." Azul looked at the others and focused back and forth. "Bah a chance that is what you will receive. Tell your cousin or whoever you have to. Take this injection right now. It will help flush your body. In 7 hours you will be better."
"I.. really don't want to do that..but ok." Torbin raised his omni-tool and started typing away. He stabbed himself with the injection easily.
Slipp and Riku ate there veggies and chatted. Tifa orders another set of food. She needs the calories to help her recover from earlier. Torbin and her ate up on some burgers with artificial bacon. Riku had about three helpings of a Caesar salad. She ate everything on her plate. Same as last time just more enjoyment with Tifa and Slipp adding in ever now and then.
When it was time to go, Azul orders a double of everything to go for the others. As they were walking, they were approached by an Asari in pink.
'Will this run the same as last time?' Azul thought. 'Mia, will you be there?'
Galtea: I am sorry Azul, she won't be.
Mission: Do not kill all the smugglers. Rewards: Chain Quest to stop C-sec corruption information
Mission: For the Alliance Rewards: Torbin Williams, Candace Taylor
'Who the hell is Candace Taylor?' Azul thought. Bass was still gone so he would have to look it up himself. Then he remebered something else. 'Galtea who is this Candace Taylor?'
Galtea: Candace Taylor is a relative of Jacob Taylor. A cousin as you call them. She was sold to Batarian slavers and purchased by a Salarian smuggler group. She was the smuggler Riku knocked over the balcony by accident.
'How is she a reward?' Azul questioned as he typed away on his Omn i-tool. 'What is she some sex doll or a mule or something.'
Galtea: She can if you want her to be. But no she is available for you based on your desires to help Jacob Taylor last time. Bass has secured her release due to extenuating circumstances. She will arrive at the ship, after she is cleared from the hospital. Bass is escorting her as we speak.
'I see. Contact Miranda for me. Let her know we have Jacob's cousin and get her squared away.' Azul didnt know what to do with the woman beside's that.
Galtea: Very well. I figure this is what you would have wanted. However, I think you should keep her. She is good at going through information. A lot of skill in hacking and a strange knack for mechanical engineering. In other words, she is a junk rat is what you would call her.
'Do it. We will take it slow and go from there. Same as with Torbin.'
"Excuse me my mistress would like to speak with you, can I have a moment of your time," her every word came out like honey her eyes never broke contact with Azul. Before he could answer someone made the decision for him.
"He would gladly meet with your Mistress," said Slipp in a tone that left no room for argument.
"Follow me," said Pinky.
As they followed her, Azul grabbed Slipp by the arm "what the fuck? Slipp why do you want us to go with her, you answering doesn't bother me as much as you just volunteering us to follow this lady."
"You are to Biotically charged and from what I can feel you have gotten stronger. You remember how your head was messed up, it's fixed now well she can help you spiritually. Now let go!" She was concerned but there was something else at play. "Plus I can get my own answers about you as well I need to know," she mumbled.
'What did she need to know, this was getting weird real quick.' The group follows pinky into the high-class district, this area seemed familiar. 'Doesn't Shepard meet an Asari here? Oh, wait this is where the indoctrination takes places of some high individuals.'
-A small walk later they arrived-
Led into a hallway that went pass the office full of people waiting for the company of several 'hostess' you could call them. The room had several exotic smells floating about. The aroma never floated far from 10 by 10-foot areas. How the hell was this happening? Or control. Most people never knew that answer.
System: Perception 26
"Hmm, what weird smells," Azul mumbled. Then his sense kicked in warning of the danger. Typing to Riku, he typed in what he wanted her to do. (You and Tifa will access the vent's and place the serum inside. I just remembered that this was an exposure area previously. Can you do it?)
(Yes we can. Actually, I can do it myself. But take Tifa and Hotshot with you. I will have Torbin help me.)
(Hotshot? Where is she?) Azul looked around and low and behold he saw Hotshot coming out of a room with an Asari. He sent her a message for her to come his way. (Hey dont leave. Come to the lobby, we need your help.)
Hotshot walked over slightly embarrassed. But she hid it well. She sat next to Azul not making any comments or asking why he was there. Tifa moved over and sat on his other side. Riku and Torbin came over and made an excuse and left.
"Sniff sniff. I smell something weird Sunstrider. Are you sure you dont smell different things?" Tifa said as she sniffed about. " It smells of gyashl greens to me."
Hotshot just squinted at her and just gave Azul a head nod before stopping. She took a seat and started to look at magazines. Looking like she didn't have a care in the world. Slipp walked over and started a conversation.
"You all go ahead I don't wanna meet this person. I don't see any benefit in it for me. Plus I have some things I need to check on in a bit anyway." Hotshot told us. But her eyes darted quickly over to some mercs in white waiting at the bar in the room. They looked grungy to say the least. They did not belong.
"Aye, no problem Hotshot we will catch up later," Azul said as he gave her a little nod and continued on his way when called to the next area.
"Commander Lunastrider, please this way if you will. The Matron is waiting" Said the attendant as she gestured with her hands for them to go pass her into a room.
"Chish," the door slid open revealing an Asari woman sitting on a white bed. There were a few drinks before her on a small table with a few glasses. Some glasses already full, one almost done that was placed on her right side. The room was quiet and a few pillows lay on the floor.
"Chish," the door clothes behind them as they all walked in. Azul looked back at Tifa who was staring at the door.
"Is there something wrong, still having trouble adjusting to the Citadel as well?" Azul asked concerned. Hopefully, she is not unfocused like he was. For that matter, he wondered if Riku was able to find something out. From the help Tobias could give as well, they should be able to spread the vaccine. If not, what was up?
"No boss I am fine," she said shaking her head. She looked at the Matron and said," your door needs some maintenance it opened way to slowly and closed slowly as well. Not very efficient."
"Please be seated there is some things I would like to discuss with you" the Matron said before sitting back down.
Azul approach the matron slowly as he could, not trying to give any hint that he knew something was wrong. The pillows bugged him this time to. 'They look fancy as hell why have them on the floor?' Couldn't help mulling this over in his head. His chest started to hurt. At first, it was a little tingle then full on burn. It stopped after he focused and dismiss it.
'Galtea what is going on? Thought I was healed up and ready to go?! My body was beginning to get a little heated up even more while I was communicating.' Azul was still wondering if it was just Deju vu.
Galtea: Your new abilities are seeking ways' to help you in your day to day life. Your genetic information is rerouting your cells and synapses with the help of the Reaper node. Also using Shirai Ryu/Lin Kuei training to map your neural, muscle, skeletal network and your spiritual network together. Your Ki Power throughout your body are working in tandem to heal the damaged that is accruing during this process as well as your recent fight. You didnt use any Omni-gel. Normally this is quite easily done. But you have high grade abilities mixed in with a low-grade body.
'Not up to snuff again. Or because of my memy still pushing the body to hard.'
Galtea: User this body is at most an Alliance expert's body. Your mind is just to fast for the body. The good news is generating points for you as we speak. Taking into account your torture and psychological damage along with the poison your body had in its system your body is in a healthy condition. You are healed but that does not mean you cannot be better. If you were to fight any of the "Bosses" or "minibosses" for that matter you have a 75% of living on your own and a 93% if you take Riku and Tifa.
Galtea: Do not panic. It is working out. Just give it more time.
System: Willpower Check 24 Pass Ki is rising.
"Greetings Commander," said the Matron. "I believe you can help me with something and I can help you in turn. I had a .. well a friend help me with something to clear my name. However, it hasn't taken away the doubt of some others. As I find myself still in this situation I believe the correct course is to rectify it with a more hands-on approach. You see in my profession it is not good for business when your clients doubt you. Trust is quite key for what I do. Are you willing to help me?" The Matron eyes now had a pleading look to it.
"Depends on what do you need to be done and how can you help me?" Azul asked her in a flat tone as he began looking around the room slowly. He showed interest in the clothes that were attached on display in the room. Very sleek and form-fitting. Checking out the pottery that was close to a window he used his Observe.
Observe: Prothean pottery. Urn for the deceased.
"Commander, or do you prefer Lunastrider these days? The info won't really help you per se but could help your Turian friend over there" she said towards Slipp behind him. "I think you want some info on your sibling don't you think that is worth helping me?" Her gaze on Slipp was quite peculiar. Slipp shuddered under her gaze and balled her fist tightly.
"What do you know, tell me! That accursed needs to be dealt with!" Slipp yelled at the Matron.
Slipp's biotic abilities flared outward knocking some items down. Tifa took s step further back. Further than needed, she is a seasoned warrior and not that fragile to be pushed back by an outburst. Or is it the feelings involved Azul wondered. Tifa looked over to Azul getting her bearings and giving him a sheepish grin apologizing for her display of weakness. The Matron herself looked unfazed like this was exactly what she expected to happen.
"I will give you the info on Liberator in exchange for your help. I believe with Lunastrider here, you can get it accomplished. But he has to go or no deal that is my only offer" said the Matron as she looks from Slipp back to Azul.
System: Pereption 28 Pass
In the reflection of the vase, Azul could see small bends of light reflecting on something behind Slipp. The small traces of dust had to have come from the pillows no way this lady place was dusty. It showed a silhouette of something slightly moving towards her. It was good at its job. Galtea said it was not Mis. Who it could be was a mystery. The body was that of a female. Tifa head cocked to the side. She had to have sensed it.
'What the hell!' Azul could feel his chest burn a little hotter. Tifa abilities started to feed more off his emotion.
"Lunastrider you have to take this mission. I need to know Liberator's whereabouts," said Slipp. "If it is about money the Turian Council will pay big towards getting this done. I will do whatever you need if you help me on this."
"Slipp.." Azul could see this was really important to her but was having trouble himself. Especially knowing what has happened to her brother. "It's not that I don't want to help but do you think this is the right time? Your brother is.."
"You know about my brother dont you? Your tone gives it away." Slipp stepped forward causing her would-be attacker to move to the side a little. "Just tell me whatever you know."
"Umm ok. But you won't like it. Or believe it." Azul said to her. The look on her face was an utter disappointment. "Look I think we can help the Matron but if this goes south don't blame me ok?"
"Right. Thank you."
"We have to discuss this with the captain anyway. I don't think she will let us go and do whatever we damn well, please. Unless money is involved anyway." Azul told Slipp. He turned to the side from looking at the her to Tifa. Taking note that Tifa was in a semi-guarded stance.
Azul gathered his attention and focused back on the Matron. "You mind if I grab a drink," Azul said to her as he reached for a glass before she even answered. A shot at this to make this work. Same as last time. Well more people saved this time hopefully. "I think we all need to relax."
The Matron was surprised at Azul's willingness to get some wine it seemed. Given the state of his partner. She gave him a firm nod and told spoke, "go right ahead. It is quite the exquisite taste Lunastrider."
"Huh, what are you doing Commander? Give me that wine. You shouldn't drink even though you were medically cleared for duty," said Slipp as she chastised Azul. "Especially after recent events with C-sec.
"A little bit won't hurt it should help me get my head on straight while the Matron gives us the details of the mission." Azul responded cordially.
When she grabbed hold of the glass, Azul let loose his adrenaline rush no longer held it at bay along with his Flame Fist. Swinging on the balls of his left foot he yelled at Slipp.
"Duck and roll!" As he throw's the glass pass her shoulders hitting what was behind her scattering the wine all on the person. 'Yup a female but not human.'
Slipp ducked but she didn't roll instead she kicked backward making contact with her would be assassin. She kick-jumped forward past Azul, landing on the backside of the Matron.
The wine covered silhouette stepped back, wiping the location of its visor.
"You will pay for that you failed test subject!" It snarls at Azul while fixing its posture. Its voice containing a weird echo in it.
Tifa made her move. It was gonna be a bad hit.