Arashu's Gift

Chapter 7

Shepard, Garrus and Samara returned from the Orbital Lounge on the Citadel. They went to the docking bay of the Normandy via C-Sec. Since they had left the Orbital Lounge, Garrus had been disturbingly quiet. Shepard knew the reason why. When they entered the ship, her friend passed her by as he walked in large strides along the bridge and disappeared behind the elevator doors. Shepard exchanged looks with Samara.

"He needs time, Commander," the justicar said. "The thirst for vengeance can blind even the wisest of creatures."

Shepard watched Samara leaving through the bridge towards the elevator.

"I'll engrave those words on a golden plaque," Joker said suddenly, startling Shepard. She turned to him. "I like Garrus but he's not the same as he was two years ago, Shepard. He's hardened, and the missile that almost blew his face off isn't the only thing to blame for it."

"Omega," Shepard muttered, thinking out loud. "Set a course for the Dholen System in Far Rim. We're going to Haestrom for Tali."

"Aye-aye, Commander," Joker said, embarking on the ordered task.

Shepard went to her cabin and removed her armor to take a quick shower. Her stomach still felt tight and her heart was sunk in apprehension. She had a foreboding feeling she had made a mistake. When Garrus had told her about the vigilante band he'd led on Omega, Shepard never imagined that the tragedy of their loss due to the betrayal of an ex-squadmate had affected him as much as it did. She couldn't help but to see herself reflected in his tale. What would she do if there was a traitor in her ranks who betrayed her as Sidonis had done to Garrus, with the only purpose to lure her away in order to kill her comrades?

She understood his rage and the urgency to make Sidonis pay but, when she listened to the other turian's side of the story, she comprehended it hadn't been easy for him either. The three merc bands of Omega had ganged up against him, backing him against the wall. If the thirst for vengeance blinded even the wisest of creatures as Samara had said, the survival instinct turned even the most loyal ones into traitors.

Joker was right; Garrus was no longer the same.

Shepard left the shower and put on her usual N7 outfit of her black tracksuit and hoodie. She entered the elevator, wanting to press the button to the third deck to speak with Garrus, but she knew it would be in vain. It was too soon. She decided to go to said deck anyway and bother Kasumi to use the bar. The Japanese woman was surprised by her visit and immediately joined her impromptu drinking session.

"What are we celebrating, Shep? Or forgetting?" Kasumi said as she shook the cocktail shaker like a professional bartender.

"Nothing in particular. I just need something stronger than tea or coffee," Shepard said, taking a short sip of the liquor served before her. She didn't know where it originally came from, but the strong flavor of sweet spices and the heat of high-percentage alcohol brought her back to life like an electric shock. She breathed in through her teeth and took another sip.

"Well, if you won't tell me ..." Kasumi served her cocktail in a tall, elegant glass that she took from the cupboard at her back and raised it before her, signaling a toast. Shepard also raised hers. "To kicking the Collectors' ass," she said, toasting, "and to erasing that depressed frown from your face!"

The thief made Shepard smile. She considered telling her what was worrying her, but refrained from the idea. Since a couple of squad members had begun asking for her help in personal matters, Shepard thought it unethical to disclose their private problems to the others. Nevertheless, her comrades weren't stupid and realized what happened during those missions. It was no secret on the Normandy SR-2, Cerberus' Normandy, that Jack had bombed the abandoned base where the organization had performed experiments on her. Kasumi herself walked all around the ship cloaked in her invisibility shield, chatting with Keiji's memories from her graybox before everyone's eyes. Other more delicate matters such as Oriana Lawson, Miranda's younger sister, or Jacob's father, had been kept under a respectful silence unanimously by all. Grunt was happy to relive the feat they had achieved, killing a thresher maw on foot and only with a handful of middle-caliber firearms. The agreement she had broken with Zaeed, which also involved the damned revenge, hadn't left him completely content but at least he continued fighting for her and receiving Cerberus' generous payment.