Chapter 44: Book 2, Chapter 25 - Daughter
We were on our way to collect the Reaper IFF was an ancient Reaper, that had apparently been disabled and destroyed millions of years ago. After the debacle with the Collector ship, I wasn't exactly willing to trust the Illusive Man not to send us into another trap, considering he told us that contact had been lost with the research team that he'd sent there before us. I knew immediately that the Reaper probably wasn't dead and that they'd been indoctrinated. Two plus two equals four.
Considering our position, it was a two to three-day journey there, so I held a meeting with the entire team, and I was honest with them. We were heading to a Reaper. The science team had gone silent, and I suggested indoctrination or they were dead. We would be parking up, heading in fast and getting out even quicker. No hanging around, no researching, we get the IFF and get the fuck out.
And I was taking everyone, as I simply didn't trust going onto a Reaper, nor did I particularly trust the Illusive Man. But we needed an IFF and this was likely the best and only one to get one. The last warning I gave was that, if anyone had something they needed doing, they come to me immediately or at least before we reach the Reaper. After that, I was going to have it installed, we'd head to Illium for a last chance relax, and then we'd head for the Omega Four.
Once the meeting was finished, I did my usual round of making sure everyone was okay with everything. Jacob was definitely in the right frame of mind, eager to finally take the fight to the Collectors. Mordin was hoping to do some more research regarding the Collectors. I'd sent what we learned about them to Liara, and she was appalled to know they'd once been Protheans. Miranda was… Well, every time I walked in her office now, she'd greet me with a hug. We were definitely a lot closer now. Kasumi would always want a cuddle, and she'd added a nice kiss to her greeting nowadays. Grunt just wanted to kill things. Zaeed admitted he was looking for it being all over. Tali was as committed as ever…
Then there was Jack. She was usually the last one I visited, simply because she was at the bottom of the ship. We hadn't had sex in a long time now, the last time being that night which Kelly had organised where I'd ended up enjoying sex with a number of women in one night. That afternoon, she was sat on the edge of her bed, as she'd got rid of the cot, wanting to live in a modicum of comfort. Each day, she was getting better with her issues. I didn't ask her as many questions as before as she spoke enough to Chakwas and other people. I think the concoction of drugs she was on also help. Not bad drugs, the good sort that helped her and, one day, she might be able to get off them and live as normal a life as possible. That was the hope.
Sitting down next to her, she immediately leaned into me, so I wrapped an arm around her. At moments like that, the size difference between us was staggering. She was sometimes so small, and when she was nervous, she seemed even smaller. "Nervous?" I asked quietly.
"Terrified. I don't trust them, Shepard. You know it's a trap, right? Another one?"
"That's why I said we all go, we take the IFF, and we get the fuck out. More importantly, no-one gets left behind."
"Not like you to admit fear."
"It's one of the things I've been told will help. Embrace my emotions and have no fear in admitting how I really feel. I can't just be all about hate and anger. Plus..." She looked up and grinned. "You were right about me, in a way. Underneath it all was a scared little girl."
"Yeah, but I was also being a bastard at the time."
"True, but I was also pushing your buttons. I guess we were both bastards. But you pushed me in the right direction." She paused a moment. "I've been thinking about what I'd like to do after this."
"Yeah?"
"I'm feeling better, Shepard. Not perfect, I'll never be that, but I think I'm slowly getting there. And what I want to do is help kids like me. Talented biotics who need some sort of role model."
"Sounds like you're learning words such as empathy."
"I'm not the only one who has had a shit life, Shepard. Plenty of kids out there have had it rough. I'm not special, I just had it particularly bad."
"You've come through it better than I think anyone could have expected, Jack."
She looked up at me again. "Thanks to you, Shepard."
"I helped a little bit. You've done most of the work, Jack. The difference in you from when we first met."
"There is one thing I really want though, Shepard."
"Name it."
"Can you… give me a really good fuck?"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm in a good place, Shepard. And I've asked Chakwas, and she said I can now approach sex in a better way. There are two reasons why I'm asking. One, it's you. I like you, Shepard. Two, I want it hard and rough, but it's what I want."
"Okay, so what do you want me to do?"
She stood up and quickly undressed herself. So fast, I blinked in surprise, which made her giggle. She never giggled, at least before, though I'm sure my face was priceless. Yet, once she was naked, she turned… a little shy. It was actually rather cute before she put a knee to either side of me, sitting on my lap. Jack when we met would have just slammed her mouth into mine. The Jack currently on sitting me moved towards me slowly, the first kiss tentative, before it quickly deepened, but she didn't just jam her tongue into my mouth, she did it… well, the word I can think of is sensual.
Running my hands up and down her back, I found scars, whether they were medical or old wounds. I traced my fingers along them, and it made her smile as she kissed me. Pulling her tight to my body made her squeal as I rolled her back onto the bed. Breaking apart, she simply gazed at me with those big brown eyes of hers. When we met, they'd been filled with nothing but hate and anger. Now, there was curiosity, definitely intelligence, and even understanding.
And a lot of desire.
"Shepard?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Can you make me cum first?"
"Ah, would you like my face between your legs?" That made her crack up laughing. Must have been how I asked. "Well, I think that's a good way to start, Jack." I leaned down to hear. "Then I'm going to fuck you so hard, you'll pass out. I will stop, of course." I felt her arms and legs wrap around me, simply giving me a hug before she released me.
I showed her body plenty of attention, and I think it was the first time anyone had ever done it. She'd fucked plenty of times. Been raped far too many, to be honest. How she was even close to being 'normal' was a testament to her strength of mind. But she loved it when I trailed my mouth up and down her body. Her skin was surprisingly soft. I kissed every scar I found, hearing an occasional shudder of breath. I knew just doing that was a big thing for her. I thought her body art was beautiful, despite some of the meanings behind them.
When I finally made it down to between her legs, she was completely and utterly turned on, almost desperate for me to get started. So I continued to tease her, kissing up and down her legs, back up her body, finding all those little erogenous zones. Her breasts were bigger than you realised when they were strapped down, nipples hard enough to cut glass. She gasped when I took one in my teeth before she giggled again.
"Shepard, please," she whimpered.
"What?"
"I'm going to cum within two minutes when you finally start."
"Well, you'll just have to have multiple orgasms then."
When I finally moved my mouth down to her sex, running my tongue along her incredibly wet slit, I think she even had to withhold a little sob. Getting comfortable myself, wrapping a hand around each thigh, I took my time running my tongue around her sex, continuing to just tease her, feeling her body move as I finally buried my tongue, while immediately focusing on her clit at the same time.
She wasn't lying. Two minutes, if she was lucky. She cried out loudly. I'm sure they heard us upstairs, figuring Tali would be blushing behind her mask at the noise. Jack didn't as me to stop, so I kept on going, both hands balling the sheet as her back arched, crying out again and again. She wasn't holding anything back now, allowing herself to enjoy it completely.
"Fuck, Shepard," she moaned.
Upping the pleasure further, I removed my right hand from her thigh, licked two fingers, and slid them inside her, finding her spot. With my tongue now completely focusing on her clit, her second orgasm hit hard, feeling her squeeze my fingers, her back arch at an almost impossible angle, crying out even louder so they probably heard us in the CIC. She rode through that one, looking down to meet my eyes. She nodded, so I guess that meant keep going.
When I made her cum a third time, that's when she had to cry enough. She was exhausted already, removing my fingers, sucking those clean, as I kissed up her sweat soaked body, watching her chest rise and fall quickly as she sucked in deep breaths. She dragged me down to kiss her before she needed to break apart, using the back of her hand to wipe her cheeks. "Fuck," she whispered.
"Good?"
"Good?" That made her burst into laughter. "Good? Fucking hell, Shepard… no-one has ever done that for me before. All guys ever wanted to do was…" She trailed off as I lay down beside her, Jack rolling into me. "Hang on, you're still dressed. You just ate me out while you were dressed!"
"Well, it was about you, Jack."
"You're going to fuck me, right?"
"Just giving you a few minutes to recover."
"Oh…" So she snuggled into my chest as I held her tightly to my body. She relaxed immediately. "Shepard?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to be one of your girls."
"I know, Jack. I've known for a long time. But you need to focus on you first. And I think you need someone better than me. Someone who will be there for you only."
"What if I can handle it?"
"Then we'll see. I don't want to make any promises. I liked the old you. I prefer the new you. But I want to make sure you can handle it. Right now, we can enjoy it as a one-time thing, but I know you will want more." I paused before I laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. "And so do I."
"Really?"
"Jack, you've still got a wild side which I think we can both enjoy."
We made out immediately, her hands going straight for the button and fly of my jeans while I kicked off my boots and socks. Once my cock was free, her hand was immediately wrapped around it, gently stroking me, not that I needed help getting hard, but I think she just wanted to feel it again.
Having told me what she wanted, I eventually pulled away as she immediately going onto her knees, lowering her head to the pillow. I stripped off and kneeled behind her, leaning forward to I could breathe into her ear. "I'm going to fuck you senseless," I whispered.
"I can't wait."
I grabbed both of her wrists first, holding them together with one hand as I slid my cock inside her, not as gently as I might have done. All she did was look back and smile. A genuine smile. She wanted this and I was doing it for her.
I'll admit, I didn't last too long that first time. All that attention I'd given her had turned me on, and I did love a good, hard fuck as much as she did. I wasted no time pounding her, and she loved it, urging me on to give it to her harder and faster immediately. I was sweating within a couple of minutes, though finally let go of her wrists so I could crouch forward, mouth near her ear again. "Ready for it?"
"Fuck yes," she moaned quietly.
I gave it to her harder, really driving my cock into her. She kept her eyes focused on mine, and unlike before, when the returned look had been empty, her eyes now were full of life, expressing everything she was feeling. And she was happy. I was doing what she wanted, giving her what she wanted. She'd adapted to liking the tender stuff, but let's be honest, who doesn't mind a good, hard fuck every so often? When a woman grabs the back of my head and says 'Fuck me, Shepard' or 'Destroy my pussy', I practically growl, rip their clothes off, then do what they want.
When I did cum inside her, the smile only broadened as I needed to relax, Jack lowering her body, taking me with her, resting on my forearms so I didn't squash her. Kissing her cheek, she happily relaxed with my cock still buried inside her. I might have cum but I'd almost trained myself to remain relatively hard. I still needed time to recover, though.
Pulling back and out, she flipped onto her back and pulled me forward inside her again, arms around the back of my neck as she kissed me, an intense one that only made me harder, and the hard fuck quickly resumed. Jack just spread her legs nice and wide, feeling her adjust herself as I seemed to bury myself even further.
"Oh, fuck," she groaned.
"Okay?"
The question made her laugh. "Shepard, I've been wanting this again for weeks." She paused and her demeanour immediately changed. "Thanks," she said quietly.
I kissed her again, arms tightly around the back of my neck, as I simply resumed pounding her. And… again, she loved every minute of it. Knowing I was going to last a while, I eventually grabbed her by the hips and easily spun unto my back. The smile on her face only broadened as she leaned forward, resting her hands on my chest, and she rode herself to an orgasm quicker than I expected. And it was big. Enough that her entire body seemed to shudder before she needed to stop, watching her lower lip tremble again, so I gently pulled her down onto me. "Sorry," she whispered.
"You're allowing yourself to feel, Jack. And there is nothing wrong with a little cry every now and then."
"It just feels so good. As I said, first man who's given a shit about me."
Running my fingers up and down her back, she relaxed again for a couple of minutes before she lifted herself up just enough, meeting my eyes, and I could read what she wanted. I couldn't help smirk as I ran my hands down to her arse, adjusting my legs and her face smouldered with desire. "Do it," she breathed.
Ten minutes later, we were both done. I had nothing left while Jack was just exhausted, resting on my chest again as I tried not to fall straight to sleep. Feeling her cuddle into me again, I held her tight, giving her a soft kiss, as we lay in contented silence for quite a long time. "Want to come upstairs to sleep tonight?" I finally asked.
"What?"
"Come upstairs. Kelly doesn't mind the occasional visitor. And she definitely won't mind you coming upstairs."
"You're serious?" she asked, leaning up to meet my eyes.
"I don't joke about such things, Jack. That's just mean."
Her face lit up again. "I'd love it."
"After dinner, you can join Kelly and I then. And not for sex. We'll just enjoy a relaxing night. Maybe watch a move, enjoy a few drinks, chat about whatever you want."
She sighed. "God, I was such a bitch…"
"Jack, I treated you like shit when you got on board because I simply didn't know."
She looked away. "I deserved it."
I lifted her chin so she met my eyes. "No, you didn't, Jack. I was pissed off about my own stuff and took it out on you, because you pushed my buttons. We were both wrong."
Checking the time a little later, we agreed to dress and head up to the mess for dinner, Kelly joining us at a table and I whispered to her my idea. She loved it, of course, and once everyone else disappeared, we both took Jack by the hand and led her upstairs. Sitting by the couch, I lowered the screen that we could watch some vids, and I grabbed a couple of bottles of spirit that we might enjoy. But, in the end, we spent most of the night talking, and Jack held nothing back. It was enough to make Kelly cry more than once, while even I needed to wipe my eyes at the unfiltered truth that was her life. The one thing, though, is that it proved her undoubted personal strength. She'd come through it, not without innumerable scars, but she was alive, still standing, still fighting.
She was probably the strongest person on the ship.
We did end up having a threesome though, Kelly and I completely focusing on Jack. We both took turns eating her out before we found numerous different positions that all three of us could enjoy. Jack loved being in the middle so she could pleasure Kelly at the same time, though enjoyed Kelly eating her out while I fucked her. No idea how many times we made Jack cum but, by the time we were finished, I had to carry her to the shower to clean us up before she moulded herself into my body once back on the bed, Kelly lying close to her on the other side. She simply gazed at me with a constant grin.
Heading downstairs for breakfast the next morning, flanked by Jack and Kelly, there was a moment of silence as people weren't stupid and could easily figure it out, particularly as Kelly was always affectionate, but the change in Jack was obvious as she happily giggled away as I made some rather poor jokes about breakfast. Sitting down at a table, Kelly sat next to me, Jack and Kasumi across, Garrus relegated to another table. He just glanced my way and shook his head. "What?" I asked innocently.
"No wonder you have a constant grin on your face, Shepard."
"Look, bird brain, for the first time in my life, I'm genuinely happy."
"Whoa! Easy, Jack. Not having a go at you. Just him."
"Well, okay then, but back off regardless." There was a threat there, but you could also hear other emotions. I just leaned across and took her hand, earning a grateful smile in return.
I had a feeling she was now one of my girls regardless what I thought or said. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. And part of me didn't really mind that at all.
*****
Time was now of the essence, or so Samara thought. The asari she was chasing had covered her tracks well. She had found the ship name on Illium thanks to the assistance of Shepard. But after that, the ship had simply disappeared, as if erased from history. It had taken a lot of work on board the ship, using contacts she had not used in decades, if not centuries, in an effort to find it. Her target could have gone anywhere in her thirst for victims. She had fed on Illium, so had sated her appetites, but she was sure that the killing had resumed in the time since she'd last tasted her scent.
But she'd had a breakthrough. An old friend has sent her a simple message, stating the name of the ship and where it had last docked. Omega. It made sense, in many ways. There was next to no law on the asteroid. Aria T'Loak ran her little empire, but apart from that, mercenary gangs ran the station, and they cared little about the civilian population, as long as they paid their bribes.
She was busy meditating, going over every single permutation of what would happen when she finally came face to face with the target she had spent decades chasing. She had been close more than once, but each time she was ready to make the final move, she disappeared, as if she could smell how close she was. More often than not, her target left one final victim as a calling card, as if to mock her.
"Shepard," she stated. She'd heard the door open, of course, but she could tell who it was just by the footsteps. Shepard didn't do subtle in regards to his life in any way possible. It many ways, she found it amusing. Human life was short, and it appeared Shepard was ensuring he lived it to the fullest in more ways than one.
She waited for him to sit down on the lounge behind her. "EDI said you want to talk."
"Yes, Shepard," she said, ceasing the biotic aura that had existed, turning around to face Shepard. "Remember the asari I was chasing on Illium? The information you gathered for me?"
"Yes. Have you had a breakthrough?"
"I have, Shepard. But, first, I must confess something about the asari I am chasing." She stood up and moved to sit next to him. He turned towards her, opening his body language as always. He was a very good listener and had proven inquisitive in regards to the life she had led, the vows she had made. But he had also been respectful of her decisions. She took a deep breath and met his eyes. "The asari I chase is my daughter, Shepard. Her name is Morinth. She is incredibly dangerous, having been on the run for decades now. She is what we call an Ardat-Yakshi."
"A what-what?"
"Demon of the Night Winds, at least in an old asari dialect. It is a rare genetic condition among our people. We are speaking of less than one percent. It is a condition which affects our nervous system, and it is particularly prevalent when it comes to melding. Putting it simply, the Ardat-Yakshi overwhelms the person they are melding with, leaving them as nothing more than a husk before they die."
"Like domination then?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes. After each encounter, an Ardat-Yakshi become smarter, stronger and deadlier. My daughter, Morinth, is perhaps the strongest Ardat-Yakshi to have lived."
"Okay, sounds like we need to nip this in the bud now. Where are we going?"
"Omega."
He no doubt withheld a groan. "Okay, no problem. We can head there immediately, take care of this, then go to the Reaper IFF."
"I apologise for affecting…"
He dismissed her apology with a polite wave. "I told everyone that if they needed anything done to let me know before we collected the IFF. So I can't complain. We're still over a day away. I can easily divert the ship to Omega."
"You have my thanks, Shepard. While we on route, I will think of the best way to approach the situation. No doubt my daughter will have made herself a base in which she would lure her victims. I am afraid she might have already killed."
"Then we make sure we end her reign of terror."
"She will be unlike any enemy you have fought before, Shepard."
"Been told that before. I'm still here." He paused before smirking, "Well, version two of Shepard is here. Held together by science and cybernetics. Human enough, I guess." He paused again. "When we get to Omega, we'd best speak to Aria T'Loak. Very little happens there without her knowing about it."
"I will follow your lead, Shepard." He was about to get up when he asked, "Shepard, may I ask a question?"
"Sure. What's on your mind?"
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Your women. It is obvious the affection you share with Kelly. She is head over heels in love with you. Yet you also share yourself with others. I understand Kelly does not mind, even participates with other lovers that you have, but I was of the thought that humans were generally monogamous creatures."
"It's a long story, Samara. I'll put it quite simply, maybe even bluntly. The woman I truly loved was taken from me, and she might never be replaced. I'm also young, and wish to enjoy myself. Having come back from death, I definitely wish to enjoy myself. And considering what might lay on the horizon for all of us, as I don't believe the Reaper threat has disappeared one little bit, then I might as well continue until the day I'm either dead, or I decide it's time to finally settle down."
That answered her question. "Thank you for your honesty, Shepard. I was expecting a deflection."
"I am just as honest with my lovers, Samara. Each woman I am intimate is told beforehand of the life I lead. Therefore, I cannot be criticised of anything after the fact."
Arriving on Omega, only Shepard accompanied her to Afterlife. She had been told that Shepard had been sweet on one of the asari dancers in the club, but glancing his way every so often, it was clear his mind was only on the task at hand, guessing his idea was that they would complete what they were doing and then leave. She knew he planned to visit Illium before their departure to the Omega Four, so guessed there was no relaxing just yet.
Having rarely travelled outside asari space, it was the first time she had ever visited Omega. If the space station had been inside asari space, she knew she would never have been desperate for work. On the surface, things were bad enough. But life must have been awful for the majority of people. Approaching the entrance of Afterlife, the bodyguards seemed to recognise Shepard, allowing him through immediately.
"Regular customer?" she asked.
"Not recently. During my first visit, I may have taken advantage of one or two things on offer."
"Ah, pretty asari dancers, Shepard?"
"Oh, most certainly, Samara. You are incredibly flexible at only around one hundred and fifty odd years old."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn't help chuckle though she noticed his eyes continued to scan their surroundings. Both were armoured and armed, Shepard aware that they could still end up in a firefight between the ship and the club. Shepard led the way towards the elevated floor upon which Aria relaxed, taking note of the bank of screens, a couple showing scenes from within the club, though most focused on various areas of Omega. There were also a couple of others showing what appeared to be financial transactions. Aria T'Loak may have been the 'Pirate Queen' of Omega, but she also needed a lot of money to fund her private army.
Offering a seat, Shepard sat down by she chose to remain standing. "Interesting company you keep," Aria stated, the words aimed at Shepard, but the eyes glaring at her, "Tell me why you have an asari Justicar in your company, and why she's on Omega and in my fucking club." The words then changed to her. "Your code means nothing here, Justicar. You're outside your comfort zone, and you're in my home. I'm not even going to warn you what happens should you choose to raise a weapon in my direction."
"We are tracking at Ardat-Yakshi. We obtained information that suggested she had made her way to Omega. We were hoping you may have tracked her since her arrival," Shepard explained.
"I'm aware," Aria stated with a shrug.
"Have you done anything about her?"
An almost sarcastic smirk appeared. "Why would I? She hasn't done anything to me. So she isn't my problem."
"Have there been any victims that could possibly lead us to her?" Samara asked. Get this over quickly and the tension will disappear.
Aria looked away again, and almost looked, well she wouldn't say sad but almost disappointed. She returned her gaze towards them once again. "Her last victim was a girl. Human girl. I know her mother still lives in one of the apartments not far from here. I can only suggest you go start by talking to her."
"Got a name?"
"Surname is Jones. That's all I know."
Shepard stood up. "Thanks, Aria."
"Despite my indifferent attitude, Justicar, an Ardat-Yakshi is bad news on Omega. A plague was bad enough, as was Archangel. An Ardat-Yakshi… Even I know that won't end well for anyone. I will at least hope you think I'm sincere in saying good luck catching her." She paused a beat. "Not that I actually care if you believe me or not."
Samara made do with a small nod of the head before she walked away, Shepard following in her footsteps, hearing him take a deep breath. He no doubt had felt the tension between the two asari and no doubt didn't want to get into a fight just before heading for the Omega Four.
"We should bring in a detective," he suggested upon exiting the club, "Garrus."
"If you believe that is the best choice."
"He'll know how to question the family and know what evidence to look for when it comes to tracking, in addition to all your experience, of course. On this, I'll take a back seat and help out where you need me."
Calling in his turian friend, he joined the pair within five minutes, perhaps itching to take time off the ship and also help track down a dangerous criminal. Once Shepard explained the basics, the three headed off to find the apartment. It was surprisingly close to Afterlife, down a side street, and it was obvious to her eyes that most people lived in some sort of poverty. No-one came to Omega in the hope of fame and fortune. Most ended up there as they had nowhere else to go.
The women who opened the door to them was clearly in the middle of grief, though once Shepard explained who they were and that they were there to investigate, the three were invited in quickly, offering a drink and something to eat in the midst of her tears. Garrus was already in detective mode, but watching him with a victim was a new side to his character, or so Samara though. Softly-spoken, comforting, and an edge to his tone that he now took it personally. Once he had the information the trio needed, he checked the daughters room as Shepard took over, asking questions about her daughter, simply so she could think of the positives instead of the negatives. Samara could only stand back and be impressed by both men and how their characters completely changed when dealing with a distraught and grief-stricken mother.
Once outside, Shepard and Garrus seemed to share a glance. "Oh, she dies, Shepard," Garrus said, "I've seen far too much of that shit over the years. People are under the impression the Citadel is a beacon of safety. It isn't. Hang out on some of the Wards for a few days, watch the shit C-Sec deal with on a daily basis. Murder rate isn't as high as here, but there are still plenty of victims." Garrus then looked at her. "Brain haemorrhage. Is that what normally happens?"
She nodded. "Yes. To a doctor not used to dealing with what an Ardat-Yakshi is capable of, the cause would look perfectly natural. But the fact Morinth is operating here is a concern. I believe the young woman would not be her only victim, perhaps just her latest one."
"I also found this," Garrus stated, "I wasn't sure if you'd want to hear it."
"Is it evidence?" Garrus nodded. "Then I need to hear it, Garrus. Play it."
"Morinth is a girl like me, and she's definitely not human. When we dance, and the Hallex is flowing through me… The way she looks at me… with a hunger, a longing… No-one's ever looked at me like that. We kissed tonight."
"My daughter is seductive. Someone like her would fall for her quickly. Morinth would appeal to her base desires. Are there others, Garrus?"
He nodded, pressing his omni-tool again. "She's taking me to her apartment tonight. Whatever happens, I want to be with her forever. She can sell my pieces and we can live together somewhere glamorous, like those women in Vaenia. How did this ever happen to me? I'm just dumb trash from Omega."
She heard Shepard sigh. Garrus often wore his heart on his sleeve, and it was clear to see he was a mixture of pissed off and heartbroken. "Nef is exactly like someone Morinth would be interested in. She had always pursued people with that creative spark. Someone slightly aloof. Isolated. They are perfect targets," she explained.
"What about Morinth herself? What makes her so attractive to those she hunts?" Shepard asked.
"She impresses them, particularly girls such as Nef, with an air of sophistication and sex appeal. Nef would have been overawed, to find herself the centre of someone else's undivided attention. Then… she strikes. For Morinth, the hunt interests her just as much as the conquest."
The trio returned to the ship, where she thanked Garrus for the assist, but for what she had planned, she would only need to the assistance of Shepard. Once they were alone, she explained her idea. Shepard was to be the bait to lure her in. Then, once she thought she had him, Samara would strike. It wasn't surprising Shepard was fine with the idea. She had expected one or two arguments, but as she explained everything, he shrugged and said, "Okay, let's get this sort. Sooner we deal with Morinth, sooner we can end all our problems."
"She won't prowl Afterlife, not with Aria T'Loak in charge. Morinth is smart enough not to feed her desires within the lair of another. No, she will have a favourite hunting ground, the same which she found Nef and no doubt many others to feed."
"Sounds almost like a vampire," Shepard muttered.
"Ah, they are a human legend I have heard about. While she might not feed on blood, there are certainly similarities between the two." She looked him up and down. "I would suggest you change, Shepard. And do not go armed."
"I can fight without a weapon if necessary." He held up his fists. "These can cause damage. And I have my biotics too."
Shepard headed upstairs to change as she took ten minutes to meditate, calming her nerves. This was the closest she had been in centuries. It was unlikely Morinth had any idea that she was now so close. And Shepard was the perfect bait. Morinth would take one look at him and desire him. All Shepard had to do was play the perfect victim.
He reappeared dressed for the club. Even Samara could admit he was a good looking man. If she thought so, Morinth would definitely think so. Without another word, the pair headed back onto Omega, heading straight for the club. She didn't need to give him any last minute advice except he should just act natural and she'd approach eventually.
Sending him into the lion's den was a last minute plan, but she needed to act quickly. Morinth never hunted in any place for too long. She was smart enough to know a pattern soon emerged, and anywhere that had an asari population would soon put two and two together. Listening into the noise from inside, she heard Shepard order a drink and chat with other patrons. He was a natural at things like that. Everyone was his friend when he was relaxing.
She admitted to holding her breath until she finally heard her voice. "My name is Morinth. I've been watching you. You're certainly the most interesting person in here. I've got both a booth nearby. Why don't you come and sit with me?"
Part one was gaining her attention. Part two was keeping her attention. Part three was getting her alone. Part one was perhaps the easiest part. Considering he was an excellent physical specimen, now it came to impressing her mind. She heard the two settle into a booth, the boom of the music in the background as they chatted about their lives. Morinth had the perfect cover story, of course. She thought Shepard would have been recognisable, but she clearly didn't recognise him. Shepard was vague in regards to his own life, of course, but played the part perfectly. She could almost see the predatory grin form on her daughter's mouth as she asked, "Do you want to get out of here? My apartment is nearby, and I want you alone."
The tone Shepard used was one that suggested he definitely wanted to have sex with her. She now wondered who was playing who. She watched as Shepard and Morinth left the club together, and Shepard was still playing the part perfectly. But she could see his face and see he wasn't in her thrall when she wasn't looking at him. Following at a distance, Morinth certainly had a fine apartment considering it was Omega. The two disappeared inside as she waited outside, ready to strike.
Listening into the conversation, it was clear Morinth was attracted to Shepard. As for him, the tone suggested he was attracted in return, but she could only hope it was all for show. While they had spent plenty of talking in the club, Morinth didn't waste any time trying to get her claws into Shepard once they were alone. There was no sound of any kissing, so that was a relief, but it was a clear they were on a couch, sitting close to each other.
"Look into my eyes and tell me that you want me. Tell me that you'd kill for me. Tell me that you would do anything I want."
"Already do plenty of killing as it is. So I assume what you want right now is sex. Thing is, I also get plenty of that. Have at least half a dozen women on my ship who keep my dick wet. Then I have a few more dotted around the galaxy that I share a bed with. So while I could possibly fuck you and enjoy it, I like my brain where it is."
Morinth reply was one of confusion for a moment. Then she heard the venom in her tone. "Oh, I see what's going on here. The bitch has found herself a little helper."
She strode into the apartment straight away, not giving her daughter a chance to slip away. But she walked in to find Shepard already holding her in place, though summoned her biotics, flinging him away when their eyes finally met for the first time in centuries.
"Hello, mother," Morinth stated, hatred dripping from her voice.
She raised a hand, lifting Morinth into the air before flinging her backwards. "Do not call me that, Morinth. You haven't given me a choice for what I am about to do."
She didn't take her eyes from her though sensed Shepard was willing to involve himself if necessary. She simply shook her head, guessing he would remain in play, just in case things went wrong. Morinth summoned her own biotics again, forcing her onto the back foot. "My only crime was being born with the gifts you gave me, Mother!"
Mother and daughter now traded attacks. Samara could only be impressed by her power, though how she had gained it was the reason she was there at that moment. "I am the genetic destiny of the asari. But they are not ready to reveal this, so it is I who must die."
"You are a disease to be purged, nothing more," she replied, keeping her voice neutral. To speak of her daughter in such a manner, even after all this time, even after the countless deaths…
She was gaining the upper hand in their battle of wills. Samara had centuries more experience. And she would not hesitate in killing Morinth. She could sense that Morinth was wilting, that although there was little but hatred, she would still hesitate killing her. It was something to use to her advantage.
"Shepard, I can help you," Morinth pleaded.
"I am already sworn to you, Shepard."
"Yeah, I think I'm going to turn down your offer, Morinth. Samara had already proven her loyalty to me."
"Thank you, Shepard."
Morinth wilted completely, and Samara flung her back against the wall, her daughter collapsing to the ground. Samara strode forward as Morinth backed up. For a moment, all she saw was her daughter, fearing for her life, and that the fear was provoked by her own mother. But too much time had passed, too much had been done, to hesitate even for a moment. She kneeled down, grasping Morinth by the throat. Summoning her biotics, she met the eyes of her daughter for a final time.
"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess."
She looked away as she struck. Once it was done, she simply stood up and turned around, ensuring she kept her face blank as Shepard approached. Before he could say a word, all she said was, "Show mercy on a broken old warrior and let us leave, Shepard. That is all I ask."
They walked in silence back to the ship, stopping to let Nef's mother that justice had been delivered. It provided some comfort but the truth was that her daughter was still dead, just like many daughters were over the centuries Morinth had been free to commit her unspeakable crimes. But they were still thanked for helping, the pair waving away any reward offered. They had done it simply because it had been the right thing to do.
Back on the ship, Shepard escorted her to the lounge, asked if she was alright. "I will be later, Shepard. Give me time to meditate on what has happened."
"Of course."
Before he left, she grabbed his hand, which clearly surprised him, before pulling him close and embracing him. "Thank you," she whispered, "Simple words, but I cannot adequately express how much your help is appreciated."
"No worries, Samara. We did a good thing tonight."
She let him go and met his eyes. Then he nodded and turned towards the elevator. She positioned herself on the ground as always, looking out over the stars. As always, she was soon joined by Thane, the pair meditating in silence, finding their centre, focusing on the simple act of breathing to find their centre.
"It is done?" he asked.
"Centuries of hunting has come to an end, Thane. I am now free to pursue my own path once again. I will help Shepard and then… I am not sure. Continue to provide justice to those who seek it. But, first, we must end the Collector threat. Humanity is first. No doubt they seek to destroy us all in the end."
Her mind had been distracted by the hunt for her daughter. Now her mind was clear. Her focus was now on Shepard and his mission.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone