Sideways Part 3
-----------------------------------
Chapter 10:
Junkyard
Fandom: Mass Effect Trilogy, post-war
Pairing: Femshep/Kaidan Alenko
Rating: Mature
Available: AO3 (beginning, new chapter)
Summary: She is a peaceful politician who loves her family. The other’s a hated renegade at the center of war. Trapped in the others’ timeline, it’s a race to find the impossible before getting locked in place forever. Is the way home worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Whoever this was, she was powerful. The commandos followed her with their eyes and tensed at her movements. She had to be their leader. By the uniforms, the commandos were all police.
“Commissioner,” Shepard said.
Garrus and Grunt stopped firing. Shepard rose to her full height and dropped the biotic shield. She wasn’t so trusting to not keep a biotic barrier flowing across her skin.
Shepard took a step toward the asari. “And here, ‘Take me to your leader’ was on the tip of my tongue.”
“Spectre Shepard.” The commissioner eyed her with almond-shaped eyes. She stopped short of the center of the room. “I’m Commissioner Tetala T’Elis. You’ve trespassed onto private property.”
“My mistake. Missed the sign. Move out of the way, we’ll rectify it.”
“I’m afraid you’ll be coming with me.”
“Yeah, I’d be afraid too.” Shepard pulled out the spare pistol she carried in her belt.
The commandos tensed and looked at Tetala.
“Does it need to come to this?” Tetala sighed. “Where’s that rat, Feron? Searching your bodies will work just as well as an answer, but I’d rather deal now.”
“You want me to turn over Feron and his data?”
“After I verify he has the list I’ve been hired to find -- check its legitimacy -- I’ll release you and your band of misfits.”
“Do you really think insulting two krogan is the smartest thing to do?”
“Don’t explain it to them, they won’t be insulted. Now, where is he, and I’ll let you go.”
“I want to trade data. I have information you’re not going to find in my pocket or on my Omni-Tool. Information your big boss wants.”
“You’re bluffing.” Tetala put her hands on her hips. “One more minute of talking instead of doing, you’ll all be dead.”
“Now, who’s bluffing?” Shepard put her hands on her hips, mirroring the asari. “Do you know who I am? Do you know who they are? I’ve killed Reapers on foot. The town’s sheriff doesn't scare me, even accessorized with a posse.”
“Your minute is slipping away.” Tetala pulled a shotgun off her back.
“Shepard.” Garrus blurted and dragged Shepard backward by the shoulder. “A shotgun shell that close?”
“Don’t mother me, Garrus.” Shepard shoved him off and focused back on Tetala. “Last chance. Speak to Silver on my behalf and set up a deal with the new Shadow Broker.”
“No one approaches Silver. Silver approaches you.” Tetela aimed her shotgun at Shepard’s chest. “Maybe you should have worked with the nightclub owner.”
“I considered it.” Shepard aimed her pistol at the asari’s face. “But I decided to kill him instead. Guess, I’ll just keep killing my way up the ranks until someone listens. Good bye, Commissioner.”
Tetala pulled the trigger.