Desmond, the slaver had nothing to say back to Darion. He just stared at him, loathing.<br/><br/>Firas gave a look down the hall when Kala mentioned a bomb.<br/><br/>Sorv glanced at Kala as they finished suiting Shira back up. The Quarian was sitting with her eyes closed, fighting against her labored breathing.<span style="color: darkorange">She won't be talking for a while. </span>He told Kala.<span style="color: darkorange">She's fighting the effects of anaphylactic shock. Imagine your someone wrapping a belt around your lungs and squeezing so you couldn't breath in, then did the same to your throat. She's going to need medical attention asap.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">So will she.</span>Firas said nodding to Milenya.<span style="color: blue">And so will I.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorchid">So call in the ship and let's get the hell out of here.</span>Ashana said, dealing with her own pain as she sat against the wall, eyes closed.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">Yeah... about that.</span>Sorv muttered, tapping his fingers against his leg.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">There's still at least 4 Batarians out there, and probably the gunships as well.</span>Firas informed them. Ashana's eyes opened, her own nudity the further thing from her mind.<span style="color: blue">Bastards dug in. We can't get out without going through them. And I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty much out of thermal clips.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">I <i>am</i> out.</span>Sorv added in.<span style="color: darkorange">But I don't think that's the issue. Slaver back there probably has some, and there's probably more in their barracks too. The problem is the gunship and that we don't know how many of them are out there. We're still down a biotic... two.</span>He looked at Milenya.<span style="color: darkorange">You're not going to be able to hit a damn thing at any real distance.</span>He looked at Firas's broken limbs.<br/><br/>There was an explosion outside that shook the facility. Everyone froze for a moment.<span style="color: darkorchid">What the hell was that?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">Stay here.</span>Sorv jogged dow nthe corridor and pilfered several  thermal clips from Demond's body, reloading his Mantis and Temptest. He opened the airlock out onto the landing paddock and waited. He let the outer door open a few feet then pulled the emergency stop, allowing him cover behind the blast doors should he come under fire.<br/><br/>Ashana waited. There was a flurry of explosions somewhere outside, much smaller. There was no word from Sorv for a long several minutes. Ashana glanced at Firas and Darion.<br/><br/>The airlock into the base opened again and in strode the Quarian marine, Mantis held across his shoulder casually, arms hanging down.<span style="color: darkorange">Found someone snooping around.</span><br/><br/>A human followed wearing standard tactical gear. Ashana couldn't see who was behind the mask but she new the voice well enough.<span style="color: blue">Heard you were in a fix. Thought we could help.</span>Cantenelli told them.<br/><br/>The human's voice was a shock to Ashana's system, a reminder of normalcy and propriety. She covered her bare breasts with her arm and crossed her legs to hide her sex.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">The Batarians?</span>Firas asked.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">Funny story that one. They were all set up by the wreckage of their drop ship. I guess their gunship had just been shot down, so they were a little skiddish. Then old late to the party over here pitches around, bay doors open with a half dozen people all packing rocket launchers inside. Batarians didn't last very long.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">It was Falkris' idea. Cantenelli to Acheron, we need medical evac. Taseer see what we can salvage.</span>He looked at them.<span style="color: blue">What about the slaves?</span><br/><br/>Ashana shook her head. Cantenelli paused for a moment.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">Taseer, only elements on the paddock. I don't want anyone inside. Batarians may still be held up in here and I don't want any casualties. Alright, let's get you out of here.</span><br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>It was a blur to Ashana, everything that followed - the suits, the going back out and the Acheron hovering overhead. The crew had been in high spirits, so in contrast to the feelings following their run in at the dig sight. They had just beaten back Batarian slavers, hurah for them - everyone had better watch out now... It was all forgotten, the dead dismissed from their minds.<br/><br/>They never saw what was inside, the carnage. They thought the mission was an astounding success. A few injured ground crew was just collateral. It was just like Cantenelli had said. They needed a win, and so they were given one, regardless of its exaggeration.<br/><br/>They had their medical checkup. Ashana, Sorv, and Kala were the least worse for wear. Bruises, mostly. The others weren't so lucky. Firas had to have bones set. Milenya, Firas, and Darion had all needed blood transfusions before the end of the day.<br/><br/>It had been the longest day of Ashana's life. It had been the longest week. Blown up, thrown around, attacked, beaten, shot at... She had never been so close to death so often. As she sat in the med bay, looking out the window at the crew milling about, cheering and drinking, she began to wonder if it was really all worth it. She had more than she had ever had before, but was it really worth it? She could relax somewhere in lavish comfort as a consort now, if she wanted. She had the means. She could help people forget. Comfort over killing.<br/><br/>The crew came in, congratulated them. Job well done. Sorry you got banged up, but hey, we did it! We won. Taseer, the crew. A Turian pinched Kala's butt and winked at her. It was an empty sentiment to Ashana. She looked through the window at Cantenelli and Falkris, standing outside the med bay, not joining in the merriment and back patting. They knew exactly what had happened, and there was no illusions about it. They lost this fight, just as they lost in the dig sight. But it wasn't really for them - it wasn't even really for Darion whose vengeance had finally been seen through. It was for the crew. It was a distraction to keep them on the ship, to prevent desertion.<br/><br/>It was a tactical exercise.<br/><br/>When they left the planet, they did so through a field of debris that was once the Batarian envoy. A message was dispatched to the Citadel, informing them of nothing more than a set of co-ordinates. Let the council decide what to do with the rest of it. It wasn't Acheron's problem anymore.<br/><br/>Ashana sat in the med bay and closed her eyes.<br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/><b>2 days later</b><br/><br/><br/><br/><div class="ToggleTriggerAnchor bbCodeSpoilerContainer">
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</div><br/><br/>The sunset. It always felt like sunset on Illium, a planet perpetually hovering on the edge of a transition in time. Never tomorrow, but always just beyond yesterday. The wash of color, of violates and oranges was its signature as it was cast upon the spires of its skyline, glistening against the flat white and grey surfaces, reflecting from the glass windows looking out at the world while lines of cars criss crossed between the massive spires, floating over the thousands of points of light below.<br/><br/>The Acheron's descent slowed as it entered the trade lanes, its midnight black hull reflecting an obsidian tone against the twilight around it.  The engines dimmed as it settled itself, floating to the docking clamps that extended as it neared. The round grips rimmed in blue light latched to the ship, locking it in place. The while telescopic sleeve extended, settling on the airlock and creating a vacuum seal.<br/><br/>Two small one man ships followed the Acheron down, slowing and coming to a hovering halt above the large vessel. Words were exchanged between the pilots and the large frigate and they sped off, entering the transit lanes among cars and freight carries, bound for all corners of the vast city.<br/><br/>Ashana leaned on the railing of the Galaxy Map, eyes vacant as she was lost in thought. She wore her tight, form fitting black outfit, the one she had bought on Illium the last time they had been here, though had not yet had a chance to wear outside.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">Made up your mind yet?</span><br/><br/>Ashana looked up, seeing Sorv, double checking a pistol next to her. She looked at his visor, wondering for a moment what emotions lay beneath it. She looked away and shook her head.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkorchid">No.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorange">Well,</span>He said, taking a deep breath that made his shoulders rise in a semblance of a shrug.<span style="color: darkorange">If it means anything, I hope you stick around.</span><br/><br/>Ashana shrugged a little.<span style="color: darkorchid">What about you?</span><br/><br/>Sorv looked around the bridge.<span style="color: darkorange">I'm going to hang around. We've got a reasonable thing going on here. Its a solid way to earn credits, way Cantenelli tells it. It keeps things exciting. And the ship is very valuable. If I stick around long enough, I may be able to return to the Migrant Fleet with something. There's a lot of tech on this thing that can go a long way out there.</span><br/><br/>Ashana smiled politely and nodded a little. Sorv waited for a moment, then when it became clear that she wasn't interested in conversing he nodded again and headed off toward the airlock where Firas was already standing by. He turned around, walking backwards a few steps, then thinking of nothing else to say to her, he turned back around and headed on.<br/><br/>Firas, wearing splints beneath his clothes and patches on his face watched the Quarian approach. The Airlock was still cycling and waiting for the clearance to open from the docking control.<span style="color: blue">What did she say?</span>He asked in his gravely, deep tone.<br/><br/>Sorv shrugged.<span style="color: darkorange">Undecided. I'm thinking of hitting up the market for some mods, you?</span><br/><br/>Firas nodded a little in his stoic nature.<span style="color: blue">Something similar. Probably some drinks afterwards.</span><br/><br/>Sorv sirked behind the visor.<span style="color: darkorange">Sounding better by the second. Strip club?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">Is there any other reasonable place to buy drinks on Illium?</span><br/><br/>Sorv chuckled.<br/><br/>The airlock's lock opened, the red interface becoming green, spinning and opening.<span style="color: darkcyan">All disembarking crew, we are clear.</span>Mickey yelled from the cockpit.<br/><br/>Ashana left the railing and headed to the airlock. The elevator opened behind her.<br/><br/><span style="color: blue">One more thing, before you go!</span>Cantenelli yelled, brandishing credit chits. Ashana stopped, waited for him.<br/><br/>He handed her one. She looked at it curious.<span style="color: blue">You're cut.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorchid">I thought you hadn't sold anything yet?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">This isn't merchandise. That omni-tool Kala pulled from the slaver had a link to his accounts. We traced it to the account for the whole network they had set up. That's your cut of it.</span><br/><br/>Ashana looked at the chit and raised her naturally stenciled eyebrow.<span style="color: darkorchid">How much?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">250,000.</span><br/><br/>Ashana's expression changed, her eyes widening her chin dropping slightly as she looked at the chit.<span style="color: blue">Turns out Desmond Tyler had managed quite an operation.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorchid">Thank you.</span>She replied with a smile and nod.<br/><br/>The human headed up the gangway to hand out the rest of the chits to the people that had participated on the ground crew. Ashana followed him, but remained somewhat apart from them, still lost to her own thoughts. The airlock opened and they stepped inside, waited for it to cycle, then headed out. They were struck immediately by the change in humidity and heat, the air feeling denser, but fresher than the perpetually recycled air of the ship. Ashana followed along down the gangway until they stepped into a long, wide corridor. On the far wall were seats and benches, potted plants, the opposite was a long line of glass panes looking out, now at the Acheron docked just beyond. It wouldn't be there long, she knew. It would soon be off to pilfer their goods and salvage for the highest bidder.<br/><br/>On the walls were advertisements for various attractions in this sector of the city.<br/><br/>There was a Varren fighting ring for entertainment on the 2nd story of Genisha Tower displayed called 'Primal instinct.'<br/><br/>There were many clubs and bars, though the most prominently catching was called 'Serendipity' - a club where you would be served by naked Human women and, should you prefer, men as well all lavishly adorned in nothing but paint. It was only two floors up on the tower they were on now.<br/><br/>A weapons trade banner banner ran across the projector at the edge of the ceiling advertising 'The Barracks' - a weapons and mods trading bazaar on the 53rd floor of the Tanis Tower.<br/><br/>As they passed down the hallway to the center of the docking section where the various corridors leaning along the tower's edge all met, Sorv and Firas determined that they would check out 'The Barracks' first. The center of the tower had more than two dozen travelers, traders, and inhabitants of Illium sitting about, waiting for clearance to leave, for others to join them. One man, a Turian simply leaned against the wall near a planter staring at people as they passed. At the center of the room was a circle of kiosks with Asari concierges to direct travelers to services.<br/><br/>Ashana approached one of the kiosks.<span style="color: purple">Welcome to Nos Astra. How may I direct you?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">I want some place to relax.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: purple">Club Geonosha has a much calm atmosphere for friends who are simply looking to let a day of stress pass them by.</span>The Asari told her.<br/><br/>Ashana shook her head.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">No. Hallex. Any place that sells it?</span><br/><br/>The concierge laughed.<span style="color: purple">New to Illium?</span>She asked with a sly smile, leaning toward Ashana who was not amused.<span style="color: purple">Hallex is legal here. Some establishments even cater to it. Many prefer the rave approach, aggressive sounds and bodies pressed against one another. For you, I would suggest 'Cobalt Blue.' Its more a lounge than a club with tailored servers for each client - though it is expensive.</span><br/><br/>Ashana twirled her credit chit between her fingers.<span style="color: darkorchid">Not a problem.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: purple">Excellent, if you'd like I may arrange a cab to take you there.</span>She offered. Ashana nodded.<span style="color: purple">Would you like for me to arrange an escort as well?</span><br/><br/>Ashana gave the woman a look.<span style="color: darkorchid">No thanks.</span><br/><br/>The Asari tapped away on her console and gestured toward one of the doors leading out to the market beyond the docking zones.<span style="color: purple">Just outside, follow the walkway to the first landing. A car will be waiting, the driver shall be in red, an Asari. Welcome to Illium. I hope you enjoy your stay.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkorchid">So do I.</span>Ashana said, heading out and briefly wondering where the others were all headed off to.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>