Delayed Translation

Part 9:Commander Shepard?

Garrus and Scion had stepped aside as Arterius took over the interrogation. It was now he who sat across the table.

The air had got stale from the lack of ventilation but it did not seem to bother either the human or the hooded turian. He kept pushing the same questions about Cerberus again and again and she repeated her one word answer. They had been bickering back and forth for so long that Garrus had lost the sense of time.

" Confidential." Shepard answered yet again with a flat voice and earned an angry glare from Saren's guards.

The hooded turian growled but kept his calm expression as he folded his hands. There was a quiet moment, before Saren leaned his head against his hands.

" Fine, let us switch question for the time being. So commander Shepard, who are you really?" Saren asked with an almost tired voice.

" C.o.m.m.a.n.d.e.r S.h.e.p.a.r.d " she spelled out slowly as if she was talking to a child and gave Saren an uninterested look.

" I am only going to ask nicely one more time soldier. Who are you? " Saren asked and held back his subvocals as the human adjusted her position leaning backwards in the chair.

Garrus looked at Saren, what did he mean? He glanced over at Scion to see his reaction but Scion was absently fiddling with his omni-tool and did not even bother to look up.

"Either your hearing or memory is lacking, or you are just plain dumb. I A...! "

The word was cut off as Saren's hand latched out and grabbed her by the hair. Shepard let out a surprised gasp right before her head was slammed against the table.
Garrus barely managed to stop himself from wincing at the sound of the impact.
Her head was forced to stay still against the table by Saren's clawed hand when she tried to move, a small pool of blood started to form on the surface.

Garrus's stomach turned at the scent of metallic human blood mixed with the now warm and stale air.
Saren raised his arm and slowly pulled her head up by the hair, forcing her to sit on the edge of the chair. Green eyes was glaring in defiance behind straws of black fringe.
Her hand reached up to her nose and she felt relieved, as it seemed that the bone was not broken, it was probably only a crack. But it was enough for it to bleed and she could feel it pulsating as it started to swell.

" I have tried to be nice, but if you want to do it the hard way sure. I will ask again and if you don't answer, expect more pain. Now, who are you? " He hissed out and tightened his grip. His subvocal dripped of satisfaction from hurting her.

The corner of her lips twitched as she held back a grimace but she gave him a defiant stare.

" I am Commander Shepard, you stupid bird." She said between her teeth and then spat at him a mix of saliva and blood.

Before she even had time to blink was she hurled across the room and slammed hard against the wall. The air left her for a moment and she coughed trying to find her breathing rhythm. A foot connected with her chest and pinned her against the wall.

"I have met commander Shepard. Taller, with brown short fringe, blue eyes and... male." He dragged out the last word and put pressure on his foot keeping the human still and from getting up.

Garrus hands tensed as the new information reached him. So even her name had been a lie. He should not feel so let down, she was an enemy and it should have been expected, but he still felt a bit betrayed. He noticed how her eyes widened in what he suspected was a surprised look. But it was quickly replaced by something else, anger he assumed.

" I am Commander Shepard. Just look at my dog tags and the other stuff you took." She said flatly, ignoring the increasing pressure on her chest.

"If so then you should be dead, floating around in space."

Shepard eyes widened and she tried to stand up but in vain, her movement were clumsy. Her whole body radiated distress and her eyes looked frightened. Garrus noticed the change in the human and felt how his superior relished in the moment. He recognised a grin on his superior's face as Saren stepped away and walked toward the door.

" WAIT! What do you mean!? GET BACK HERE!" She screamed in panic and forced herself to stand up.

Saren's guards blocked her way as she tried to reach him. She struggled to get past them but one of the shoved her back down on the floor.

" Be a nice human and I might reveal something more." Saren said with his subvocals purring as he exited the room without looking back.

Shepard did not bother to stand up and wiped away some blood with the back of her hand. She felt like a wounded dog licking her wounds but did not bother to put up a front; her mind was full of thoughts buzzing around like bees.

Scion and the guards left the room, leaving Garrus behind. He looked at her; she looked like a beaten varren. The swelling on her nose stood out and had started to change colour. Chin and cheek was smeared with blood. He would have felt sorry for her if it were not for all that had happened. He was just about to leave when he heard something that made him freeze on the spot, a small sob.