ME2 Andromeda Series: Chap 10

Chapter 10
"Archangel…Omega's number one public enemy. "  A Batarian announcer said over the crackly intercom system at the markets.   Just like crime that plagued the entire station, the vendors and shoppers were not really paying attention and minding their own business.  A lot of them knew better than to comment on what was being said….if Archangel didn't bother them, then what difference did it make?

Sidonis did hear what the announcer said but tried to keep his emotions guarded. Even though no one was looking at him, he knew someone was watching him.  He tried not to make it too obvious that he was desperate to find his invisible spy.   

Making his way to the upper markets, he passed a couple of snarling Vorcha who didn't care to give him another thought.   They hissed amongst themselves, who knows what exactly what they were saying? He did not, however, that the population of Vorcha had increased in the area…he assumed mainly that had to do with Archangel and the Blood Pack.  After Garrus' last skirmish with Garm, Sidonis didn't doubt that the large Krogan leader would beef up his lookouts.    The razor sharp teeth of the Vorcha were enough of a deadly weapon…they could probably tear you apart just as fast as a Varren.  The vicious dog-like creatures were another menace to attacking the Blood Pack. Luckily when Garrus confronted Garm, he was not accompanied by Varren. The Blood Pack was the main merc group who utilized the beasts.  

Realizing that he was in a precise location to watch Andromeda being escorted to the club, Sidonis eyed the area carefully then headed up the steps to an Elcor vendor.   Not wanting to draw too much attention to him, he decided to at least have a look at what the massive alien had in his stock.   The Elcor known as Harot puffed on a cigar and smiled wide as he saw the Turian approaching him.  "Courteously, welcome to my store, have a look at my kiosk." The Elcor stood before him behind the counter with his two front tree-like legs for his main support while his two smaller legs in the back kept him balanced. He motioned over to the monitor with his head.

"Thanks…"Sidonis replied as he tapped the monitor to search through the database. There were a lot of upgrades…mostly black market, Sidonis noted.   He glanced quickly around his shoulder to see two large Krogan coming into view. They walked side by side with a young brown haired woman in between them. He instantly recognized her as Andromeda.  The Krogan's main focus was on the market crowd to make sure there were no surprise attacks; they assumed that Andromeda wouldn't try to escape.  

"Impatiently, did you find something to buy?" Harot questioned seeing that his shopper wasn't too interested in what he had in his store.

"Oh…uh, sorry," Sidonis stammered, looking back at the monitor. He quickly scanned over the items to locate something cheap.  "Those sniper rifle upgrades…any better ones on Omega?" Sidonis asked, giving the seller his full attention now, but keeping in the back of his mind on when the Krogan would pass with Andromeda.  

"Proudly, those are the best mods on this station."  Harot gleamed as he took another puff of his cigar.

Watching the Krogan pass by, Sidonis reached into his pants pocket to retrieve his cred chit. "I'll take two."

"Pleasantly, insert your cred chit."  Harot motioned with his massive right leg like arm to the kiosk. "I'll get the items for you."

Quickly swiping his chit, Sidonis noticed that Andromeda and her guards were now at the other end of the markets heading up to the club.  "I'll be right back. Take your time."  Quickening his pace, he took pursuit. He had to make sure that Andromeda went to the club and there was no sudden change of route.

Just as he was about to round the corner that the Krogan went, two Blue Sun mercs stepped out from a crowd at a local food vendor, blocking his path.  The Suns were both Human; their eyes straight on Sidonis who had a look of dread on his face.   Their hands lingered on their loaded assault rifles.  These two definitely were in the markets looking for a fight.  Not wanting to get into a confrontation, Sidonis back stepped then pivoted around quickly to head towards a more crowded section of the markets. There were only two mercs and he hoped that he could lose them…he just had to be quick about it!  Just as he was about to step forward, two mercs, both Batarian stepped out from a shop keeper's store.  One of the Batarians was smoking on a cigarette and a sinister smirk was on his face.

Turning back around, trying to find another way out, Sidonis saw the two humans approaching him and no hope of another way out.  "Fuck…." Sidonis cursed as he stayed where he was, giving up.

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Sergeant Cathka had his men ready on surveillance that afternoon near the club and at the markets. The two Turians became great interest to him and even more of an interest when his scout advised him that they left the club the day before to an abandoned warehouse. The warehouse was occupied by a few humans, mostly freelancers, another Turian and a Batarian.  Everyone seemed pretty armed and there was no insignia of a rival merc band…Cathka indefinitely ruled that this group had to be linked to the "Archangel" plague on Omega.  

Once news hit Tarak, he ordered Cathka to have a "chat" with one of the suspect Turians and find out which one was "Archangel" himself.   Cathka took the job without hesitation since he lost several good men to the Archangel raids.   He didn't know who this guy was, but he was going to enjoy making him suffer.  No one screwed with the Blue Suns.  

They only waited an hour when Sidonis entered the markets, looking suspicious already.   He seemed to be on the lookout for someone…but Cathka didn't know who…and he didn't care.  He told his men not to approach until given the signal. He wanted to see what was going on.   The brown Turian seemed to be interested in one of the merchants' store, but it was clearly a ploy.  Seeing the Turian change his attention, Cathka followed his gaze to see two armed Krogan walking into the markets accompanied by a human dancer, he assumed.  Judging by the female's attire, Cathka was certain that the Krogan were Aria's men.   Entertained, Cathka watched on.  Archangel was stepping up to mess with Aria T'Loak herself?  "Archangel has more balls than a Krogan." Catha chuckled to himself.

Seeing Sidonis quickly making his away from the vendor, Cathka radioed his men, giving the signal. Now was his chance and it had to be fast! Once the Turian was cornered, Cathka casually approached while taking a draft on his cigarette.   "Uh…can I help you with somethin?" Sidonis asked coolly.

"Thought we may have a chat." Cathka kept all four eyes on the Turian…there was definitely fear in him.   

Sidonis eyed the four men and then motioned towards the direction of the club with his head. "Sure…why don't we all get a drink? I'll treat…but just one. I'm a poor bastard." Sidonis stumbled into his pockets to take out his cred chit.

The mercs snickered at the Turian's words.  Cathka looked at Sidonis silently with a sadistic grin before raising the cigarette once more to his lips. "Private chat…let's go this way."  He turned to walk towards their designated secluded spot. The human mercs shoved Sidonis to go in Cathka's direction.
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Garrus obsessively unloaded and reloaded his sniper rifle as he waited for Sidonis' signal for phase two of their plan.  Phase one was to have Sidonis monitor Andromeda's movements to and from the club. Once she was back at the apartment complex and Aria's men were no longer sight, Garrus and his team would make their move.    The only problem was that Sidonis was supposed to have checked in nearly thirty minutes ago.  Garrus grew up with Sidonis on Palaven and served together in the Turian military, they were raised to be punctual.   Even if Aria's men's timing was off, Sidonis would send word to give the team a status update. However, the radio was silent…and it gave Garrus a chill that went down his spine.  It wasn't like Sidonis to be this late on a mission…at least not telling him.  

Seeing his men pumped up, ready to go, Garrus clenched his mandible as his blue eyes glanced hesitantly at the door.   There was a strong urge to send one of them out to look for Sidonis, at least retrace his route to make sure there wasn't any trouble.  He and his men couldn't simply break into the apartments not knowing if Andromeda was there or not. If she wasn't, then it would risk his men's lives for nothing and make Aria involved. He knew right now the Pirate Queen didn't care one way or another about Archangel…as long as it didn't concern her.   

"Where the hell is he already?" The Batarian squad mate finally broke the silence through his team's grumbles.  
Before Garrus could respond, a soft beep filled the air indicating that Garrus had an incoming comm. message.  Taking out the small handheld device, he pressed the receive button.  "What is going on? Where are you?" Annoyance and frustration filled his voice.

"They got her…I can't find her!" There was a strange tone to Sidonis.

"Calm down…what is your status? Where are you?"  Garrus stood up, slinging the weapon over his shoulder, already knowing what his decision was going to be after this call.

"Eighth district…two Blue Suns picked up Andromeda from the apartment complex right as I was about to radio in…I followed them down here but I lost track of them!  I picked up one but she's not with him.  He said that she has to do with Archangel…they were watching us….Tarak is taking her to the docking warehouses. I won't get there in time if they are going to kill her! Damnit!"

"Stay there…I'm closer.  Make sure he doesn't have any more information. Make him talk…"

"Will do…be careful."  Sidonis' last words were a desperate plea.

Quickly shutting off the communicator, Garrus stormed over to the warehouse entrance before turning back to address his bewildered squad.  "Stay here until I get back.  Keep the comm. channel open for him."

"Want one of us to go with ya?" One of the human freelancers called out eagerly.

Garrus quickly shook his head. "No. You will slow me down."  Slipping on his helmet, he dashed out the door towards Andromeda's given destination.

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Keeping to the deserted lower streets of Omega, Garrus ran as fast as he could, despite his aching burning leg muscles begging him to stop.   He pumped his legs harder, determined to get there in time.  Sidonis didn't specify if they planned on killing Andromeda then and there, but he put the worse scenario in his head especially if they linked her to him.  He cursed at himself silently to putting her more in a greater risk.  Despite being closer to the location than Sidonis, it was still a good distance away from their warehouse.  He could hear himself breathing hard as his heart pounded inside his chest.   He felt like he was running faster than the time he and Shepard escaped the collapsing Prothean dig site on Therum.  

Seeing the satisfaction of the docking warehouses coming into view, Garrus put everything he had into his running.   Knowing he didn't have time to setup a point, Garrus took out his hand held pistol and armed it.   This called for a more run in and shoot scenario…Commander Shepard would be proud.  Garrus always liked a more delicate touch on his attacks, but for once, he would change his tactics.   Not seeing any mercs nearby, Garrus cautiously approached the set of warehouses, giving his body a chance to calm down.   He suspected an ambush since he figured they were going to use her to draw him out.  He didn't care if his cover was blown to the mercs, as long as Andromeda was safe, that was what was important to him at the moment.  He had been in worse spots before.

Slowly making his way through the row of warehouses, he listened carefully to signs of talking, cocking of guns,  communicators….nothing. It was quiet.  The only sounds were the distant hums of machinery loading and unloading ships in the holding bays.   

After checking several of the warehouses for signs of movement, Garrus decided to risk tapping back into his suit's internal comm. system to send a transmission to Sidonis.  "Any news on her? I'm at the docks…and there's no sign of merc activity down here."   He waited several seconds for a response, but there was none.  Becoming impatient on Sidonis' delay response for the day, he tried again. "I need a status report!" Still nothing…only dead air.

Searching the last warehouse for merc activity, Garrus radioed into his awaiting team at the hideout.  "Have you heard anything?"  If Sidonis wouldn't respond, at least they would.  He waited several seconds….strangely they were not answering either!  Believing that there was some kind of radio interference,  Garrus dropped his guard and cautiously tucked his gun back into its holster.

Just as he was about walk out of the warehouse district at the docks, his radio finally crackled to life. "Ambush…Suns…! " A pained voice that Garrus recognized as the Batarian came through.

Feeling his heart nearly stopping from astonishment, Garrus stumbled a little as he felt his knees wanting to buckle from the sickening feeling that he left his men to die.  Picking himself back up, he darted as fast as he could back to the warehouse, despite the pain already in his legs from his run over.
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Blood oozed down the warehouse steps, creating a small pool at the bottom near Garrus' feet as he arrived at the hideout.  One of the human freelancers was shot up pretty badly in the head and chest.  He was almost unrecognizable as his flesh was meshed up, his cranium exposed.  He was placed in a sitting position with his head resting back against the warehouse door. His personally modified assault rifle was between his legs with the barrel pointed upwards to his head in a cruel position as if he committed suicide.  Judging by the way his chest was torn up, Garrus knew from all his training with C-Sec that the wounds were not self inflicted.

Bile formed in his throat as he approached the dead freelancer, already knowing what horror laid before him inside.  Shakily clutching his hand held gun, he entered slowly just in case there was a surprise attack inside. The door to the warehouse whooshed open and the entire large room was completely dark. The putrid smell of death filled the air.

The first of the two rooms contained the heaviest of casualties.  The human freelancers were torn to shreds, their melted flesh, guts and blood formed a pile underneath them. Only this time they were not positioned in a sick pose.   Empty shell casings indicated that at least they managed to fire off a few shots before they came to their gruesome deaths. He hoped that at least one of them took down a merc.   Sadly there were no merc bodies at all.

A slight groan in suffering made Garrus dart to the next room to see his fellow C-Sec Turian comrade twitching in the corner.  The Turian didn't seem to notice Garrus as he was desperately trying to  stretch his arm to his gun only a few inches away.

The Batarian also accompanied the Turian, but he too joined the fate of the freelancers.  His large bulbous head almost seemed to be deflated from multiple shots to that area.  The blood poured out from his wounds covering all four eyes. His omni tool was smashed, probably after the attack by the mercs, making sure that no one could patch through to their communications.

Rushing over to provide aid to his surviving comrade,  Garrus knelt down to quickly assess his wounds.   The whitish Turian had several massive shots to his sternum and his left arm completed was severed by the more than likely barrage of fire.  Garrus didn't know how he managed to still be alive.   The Turian tiredly fought to keep his eyes open as he looked up at his friend. "G-Garrus…" He coughed, blood spurting out from his mouth.

"Take it easy…I'll get you some medigel…" Garrus desperately looked around as he stayed with his friend, hoping to find a medigel pack, but their stash was completely gone. The mercs took it…making sure no one would recover from this assault. "Damnit!"

"I won't make it anyway…" The Turian chuckled half heartedly as he coughed again, blood gurgling in his throat.   He coughed hard as the blood from the internal bleeding seemed to be strangling him.  "Those clever bastards got to us…"

"Where's Sidonis?" Garrus asked, already noting that his friend was nowhere to be found with the casualties.

"He wasn't with them…as soon as you left, they attacked us…" His friend strained to speak as he coughed harder this time, his body desperately moving to get up. Garrus sadly watched his friend still fighting his death. The mercs wanted him to leave. They had to be in the area before he left.  But why wait and not attack him there too to have him share the same fate as his comrades?

"Did you find her?" The fallen friend spoke up once more, snapping Garrus out of his thoughts.

Garrus paused as he looked at his friend, seeing the hope in his eyes. He didn't want his friend or his comrades to die in vain.  "Yeah…she's safe."

"Good…well at least it was a good run…" A few more coughs escaped his companion's mouth before life left  him and his body fell back down to the floor.

Sighing hard, Garrus stayed where he was for a few moments, praying quietly that his friend would now find peace. Standing back up, he dared to let his avian eyes survey the massacre before him. Dropping his weapon,  a primal rage boiled up from his chest into his throat, escaping his lips in a scream of agony.

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"Eyes forward, human." The Krogan escort barked at Andromeda as he and the other led her from the club that night.  She was exhausted. The Batarian bartender known as Forvan had her working over.  She wasn't getting paid…so it didn't really matter to him how many hours she worked.  He despised humans and he made sure to remind her every day.

As the Krogan led her on her usual route back home, Andromeda glanced around at the crowd in the markets hoping to catch a glimpse of Sidonis or Garrus tracking her progress, but there wasn't any sign of them.   Just as they left the market area, a sickening scream of loss filled the air.