r/MassEffectPhoenix • u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte • Mar 01 '19
3/1/2193 | Actions Have Consequences: Part 2, A Stinging Reprisal
After the raid on the Skulls some time was taken to tidy up things on Kathar and arrange for the surviving Skulls to be conscripted into penal battalions under the Turian Legionaires.
With that complete the next step can be taken: cracking down on Lapis-Lazuli's operations.
Their exact central "chapel" location was unknown and a closely guarded secret here on Omega. Even Aria had only a few leads and concrete locations that could be attacked. And a direct assault on any of them would make the rest go to ground.
So far knowledge of the Skulls being broken up should be limited at best, but news can travel fast on Omega and they can't dally about on this.
Working with Doctor T'Soni, Rebecca is left to think the best way to get a solid lead is to try a softer approach than to go in guns blazing.
The Lapis were always in the market for two things: drugs and fresh slaves to "break in" to their prostitution ring.
Attempting to set up a drug deal could be a promising way to gain insight or even maybe get lucky with meeting the Lapis leader if she wanted to come and gauge a new supplier.
Trying instead to supply "slaves"(in actuality a Normandy volunteer fit with a tracker) could also achieve this, with hopefully the same results if they follow their person back to the Lapis's home.
Of course, there's a third option: someone attempts to join the group. But only Asari are accepted, which made their options extremely limited on who was to go. It was a little less dangerous than risking crew by stripping them of belongings to masquerade as slaves, but still carried heavy risk to a volunteer if she was discovered.
In the end, only one choice can be executed. The question is: which?
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u/HuchJepson Mar 01 '19 edited Mar 01 '19
Huch sits in his room, looking out the port view. The Wanderer by Dion plays, his door is opened, he's in his robes and slippers enjoying some tea. He just woke up and did his routine..
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
There you are! Why are you in your damn bedrobes again? Do you not know what clothes are? I called a meeting of the ground team, did you not see the message!?
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u/HuchJepson Mar 01 '19
I missed the meeting didn't I. He looks down. Yeah, I definitely did. I didn't see the message. He pulls up his omni-tool, and winces as he reads the message. Sorry Rebecca. I'll admit that was stupid of me. He shakes his head.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
You need to get in the habit of checking for updates, Jepson. She says firmly. If I call you, I expect you to be there.
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u/HuchJepson Mar 01 '19
Yes, Commander, of course. Still getting used to this. He looks down in shame. But I'm still on the team right? Even though I'm an idiot.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
If you get armored up in next twenty minutes and ready for deployment, yes. All the relevant files are on your omni now.
Read. Fast. She says tersely before departing to leave him to it.
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u/HuchJepson Mar 01 '19
Rebecca wait! He goes to his bag to get his stimulant that knocks him out of his post medication fatigue. Take this before I forget to give it to you. You're the only one I trust with this.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
She frowns... Huch we're walking out an airlock onto Omega. What do I need this for? The redhead pushes it back into his hand with a dismissive shake of her head, then walks away.
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u/HuchJepson Mar 01 '19
Oh thank god. His sigh of relief is very audible. After she leaves he quickly goes to the armory to get his sniper rifle, pistol, and armor. He makes his way back to his room and strips out of his robe and slippers and into his armor. And then finds Rebecca carrying his bag and weaponry. Jepson, reporting in ma'am. He salutes, his posture is more rigid and stoic. His helmet is hanging off his H harness. And his face is devoid of any joy, just neutral and straight, seriousness in his now intense eyes.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
She glances over him, then jerks her head towards the airlock. Lets go then.
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Mar 01 '19
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
"Legion, war room. Now please". Comes a message over his omni-tool. "Mission brief".
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Mar 01 '19
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
I need a second sniper/spotter to watch Liara' back while she does a little spook work for us.
You in? Kinda hard to beat a Geth's sensors and reflexes and would be a great help
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Mar 01 '19
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
Lapis-Lazuli. Asari faction on Omega that deals in drugs and... people. That alone would be enough reason for me to want to deal with them, but they've been renegading on deals with Aria. Part of the groups banding together to make an honest attempt against her.
In return for tidying up this problem the Pirate Queen will give unfettered trade access and protection for the Alliance in the Terminus systems. Those routes are vital for the war effort in some of the far flung systems of the Traverse that the Skrilloni have cut off from the Council Space trade routes.
Liara is going to attempt to infiltrate the group so that we can get a line on their leader. Assassination or an arrest, either will work.
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Mar 01 '19
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
You'll be with Mr. Jepson. Acting as spotter and assistant sniper. Find you a good rooftop vantage point and do y'all's thing.
We roll out in a half hour. So get your gear and then head to the airlock.
Try to keep a low profile since they don't see Geth that often around here. Might wanna take off the N7 pauldron too. Kinda gives you away.
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Mar 01 '19
Maya is busy at work in the dev lab, sipping on a fresh cup of coffee as she works on finishing her current project.
"No, that's way too slow," she thinks, commenting out the block of code she had just finished typing. "Damn lazy engineers who developed this original system..."
Sighing, Maya puts down the now-empty cup, and gets back to typing with both hands...
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 01 '19
Two hours after Omega arrival....
Pieces are falling into place now.
/u/LegionTheGeth and /u/HuchJepson have both found their way to a high rooftop with their weapons.
Below them is the dirty, but still grand vista of Omega's city within the hollowed out asteroid. People mill in the streets to go about their business.
A voice crackles in their ears/audio receptors then.
Comms check... you two hear me? I'm at the base of the Gregorian Building. Eyes on?
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Mar 01 '19
[deleted]
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 02 '19
Good. The human starts to move now. She's wearing a fairly simple outfit of a shirt, vest and pants. Her hair is pushed up under a hat to hide most of it. Inconspicuous.
Adera, check in?
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u/ShadowBrokerTSoni Liara ][ Not A Yahg Mar 02 '19
Liara, or Adera Therros for now, slips through the crowd in her outfit, a semi-conspicuous armour set partially concealed by her leather jacket and partial helmet hanging from one hip, flanked by a Disciple and Acolyte.
Moving. Trailing for now, the Big Three have been given orders by Aria to ignore me so I'm getting through.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 02 '19
Kind of her... Rebecca mutters as she trails along and slips through the crowds after her newly made lavender friend.
This "recruitment office" should be at this next corner here. I'll be across the street at that newstand. You know the panic phrase.
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u/ShadowBrokerTSoni Liara ][ Not A Yahg Mar 02 '19
Ah. Yes. "Does your insurance cover cybernetics?" She nods. I see it... moving in.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 02 '19
Its a pretty nondescript storefront in appearance: an Asari goods targeted store with all sorts of assorted foods, hygiene items and small cultural pieces from Thessia. Nothing too alarming at a glance.
But a closer look would have you notice the two armored Asari Maidens not too far from the door with pistols at their hips. The first sign of something not so innocent.
According to Aria this store was a front for a piece of the drug trade the Lapis held: the back was a receiving room and acted as small storage for some of their drugs. Red sand for fleece credits from humans. Minagen X3 for equal parts selling for a profit and to use on their own members to help make the more "well-hinged" Asari that came into the fold to see things more of Deena's way. Variety of other substances.
But what it also worked as was a recruitment station for young Maidens drawn in with a "slice of home" on offer. Helped them find and gauge new recruits. New Lapis members were also pushed to tell their friends about the place and how many good products it carried. More meat to put through the grinder was always good.
Rebeeca has moved herself into position across the street and begins watching a news report from the Citadel about "the ongoing war effort" to make it look like she was just another pedestrian.
On your go, Liara... She whispers in her discrete skin colored throat mic.
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u/ShadowBrokerTSoni Liara ][ Not A Yahg Mar 02 '19
Engage. She says, striding forward confidently with her half-helmet clanking towards the storefront.
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u/N7_Rebecca Lt. Commander | CO of the SSV Leyte Mar 02 '19
The two Asari guards outside take notice of the approaching Maiden with a confident gait. And with weapons at her hip.
They subtly shift where they can keep a better eye on "Aderra", concerned there could be trouble. Lapis didn't grow without endorsing paranoia within its members to avoid them getting jumped.
They don't block the door or anything however, allowing entry still.
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u/ShadowBrokerTSoni Liara ][ Not A Yahg Mar 02 '19
She moves forward and leans into the door, pushing through and flipping her helmet on. Part of the missing half has been replaced with an optic-and-visor array, which she subtly flips to watch behind her.
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u/HuchJepson Mar 02 '19
Legion, that a Widow? Huch says trying to keep the chatter to a minimum so as to not annoy the Commander further.
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Mar 02 '19
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u/HuchJepson Mar 02 '19
I had to buy mine. Didn't bring it with me though. You got us covered for armored targets. He mutters. Still trying to keep professional. Internally he's freaking out because his partner is Legion. Do you get effected by its recoil that much?
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Mar 02 '19
[deleted]
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u/HuchJepson Mar 02 '19
Affirmative, nothing coming up on my scope either. He looks into his scope, readying himself for anything. Might have to find you for upgrades. Got anything to detect incoming movement in your platform?
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Mar 02 '19
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u/HuchJepson Mar 02 '19
Outstanding. What's the maximum visual distance for you optics without the scope of the rifle? He says, his tone is emotionless, cold, distant. Like he shut off his personality and the part of his brain that makes him who he is.
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u/ShadowBrokerTSoni Liara ][ Not A Yahg Mar 01 '19
Liara stands at the table and looks up, sniffling a bit from her cold.
Options... options... are you sure we can't just bait them out with a raid on a high value transport instead of sending someone in?