Chapter Text
GIRLS GONE ASARI
CHAPTER 1
Ramen Takeout Blues
I stretched my arms above my head, grimacing as a hint of cold air snuck under the bottom edge of my rumpled tee shirt. Four years of frequent visits to space had yet to thicken the blue blood coursing through my veins. The chilly intrusion disrupted my thought process, enough that I became aware of my stomach’s not-so-quiet complaints. The chrono on my wrist insisted I’d only been working a few hours.
My belly seemed disinclined to agree.
I hopped off the edge of my computer chair, tugging a warmer long-sleeved shirt over my head as I shuffled to the kitchenette on the other side of my flat. Few others in Aria’s employ enjoyed such luxurious housing, although she did take good care of those truly loyal to her. Carefully woven scuttlebutt, courtesy of the quick-thinking Nyreen, explained away my generous lodgings as a deal between my parents and Omega’s Queen.
If only they knew the truth.
Chuckling to myself, I opened the chill unit and searched vainly for an appealing edible. The two huge bowls of spicy ramen I’d bought from the elcor-run shop in the Tuhi District were nowhere to be found. Growling, I padded over to the waste receptacle.
“Damn jerk,” I muttered as I inspected the crumpled remains of my intended meal.
A loud rumble broke free from my gut. Nothing else in the chill unit came close to replacing the ramen. I trudged over to my workstation and secured it. Next came several minutes of strapping on bits of subtly armored clothing and tucking weapons in conveniently placed holders sewn into the lining of my jacket. After stuffing my socked feet into thick leather boots, I tested Kasumi’s custom-built shield generator before securing it within the holder in my belt. A quick check of my gear preceded a longer inspection of the security monitor situated by the loft’s entryway.
I never just ‘ran’ out to handle a small errand. Every single venture outside the security of my home away from home started the exact same way. At least I didn’t have a squad of house commandos following my every move.
Aria’s people were a lot more subtle about it.
I checked my chrono again. My roommate wouldn’t be home for hours yet, so guilting her into picking up replacement ramen was a no-go. Technically the whole situation was her fault.
I also shouldered some of the blame since I neglected to arrange for an extra grocery delivery the day before.
Again.
Cursing my forgetfulness and rotten luck, I scanned the monitor once more before stepping out into the hallway. A few quick turns and a trot down one flight of stairs and I found myself standing outside the wide breezeway fronting Afterlife. Bathed in red, flickering light, I wove through the throng of impatient patrons swaying in time with the pulsing music as they awaited entry into the club.
My left wrist vibrated.
Trouble in Gozu.
I snorted even as I scanned the area. Among many other things, brevity was a skill Aria mastered. Finding an unoccupied corner, I slapped my back against the wall so and fired off a quick reply.
Copy. Ramen?
A quick check-in hidden within a courtesy.
Kilurno received fresh rassa, don’t accept that seaweed trash.
Another sweep of the bustling crowd ahead of me. No eyes locked on my position. Not a single soul moved toward me. I was by no means completely safe, of course. A sniper might linger above me. Any number of cameras could be recording my every move, either for nefarious purposes or just waiting to catch a glimpse of the daughter with famous parents screwing up.
I’d never have a normal life.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, I answered Aria’s message before keying in an order to Kilurno’s Noodle Stand. After a moment’s thought, I added several extra items before finalizing the order.
My roommate would be tired and hungry when she finally got home.
# # #
One uneventful sky car ride and thirty minutes later, I stood at the edge of the food court area near the entrance to the Tuhi District. The dark alleys of the industrial zone loomed behind my back, occasional cracks of weapons fire sending residents hustling toward the relative safety of their homes. Fingers tickling the control of my shield generator, I cautiously made my way toward the sizzling lighted noodles dancing along the front of the closest shop.
I stepped inside just as a nervous looking vorcha reached out to slap the door actuator. Scowling at his rude behavior, I brushed past him and made my way through the unusually empty dining hall area.
Kilurno swayed behind the counter.
“Strained greeting: your order is prepared.”
I studied the elcor, working hard to keep from flinching as a muted burst of gunfire echoed through the building. Kilurno normally celebrated my visits with more enthusiasm, or so he always announced. His wide set eyes darted between the door and a small bank of monitors tucked behind the counter.
“Local thugs?”
“Dismayed contradiction: No. Blue Suns fighting with a new Red Sand dealer. Polite request: Aria’s special order is marked, please ensure she receives it in a timely manner.”
Crap.
I keyed my omni tool, adding a generous tip as I paid for dinner. Thanking him for the food, and silently for the information, I picked up the insulated delivery bag and made for the front door.
“You go out back!” growled the impolite vorcha.
“Chastising correction: don’t be so rude, Glex. Aria is sending a sky car. It will arrive at behind the games shop in a few moments. Polite request: please leave through the back exit.”
I shouldered the bag and slipped my free hand into the hidden compartment of my jacket pocket. Fingers caressing the grip of the custom tuned N7 Eagle pistol residing there, I nodded my thanks and moved toward the kitchen. Ignoring the glowing hanar chef, I hastened my pace.
So much for a quick trip out for my guilty culinary pleasure.
Pausing at the open rear door, I scanned the dimly lit alley behind the eatery. Seeing and hearing no indications of danger, I moved forward to navigate through the shadowy terrain. My fingers pressed against the pistol’s textured grip, hard enough they began to cramp slightly. Blowing out a breath, I fought to control jittery muscles and ragged breathing.
I was the daughter of some of the most feared individuals in the galaxy. I refused to act like a scared child.
Somewhere behind me a boot scuffed against the rough ground. My heart hammered against my chest as I dodge behind a huge, reeking trash bin. Fighting off nausea, I activated the cloaking program built into my omni tool and peer into the darkness. Somehow, I managed to avoid a thick puddle of goddess only knew what dripping down the side of metal container. Toxic, rotten goop would most likely ruin the leather jacket I treasured more than any other article of clothing I owned.
Nothing moved.
My ears rang in time with my wildly beating heart. I released another long, measured breath as I tried to rein in my senses.
Fear is the real enemy, kid. Think your way through your problem.
Dad’s voice echoed in my brain, soothing and confident. I inherited the strengths of all my parents, every gene woven together into the asari I was becoming. They trained me, giving me to tools to survive an unstable, oft unforgiving galaxy.
I wouldn’t let any of them down.
A low rumble vibrated the alley. Glancing behind me, I thought I saw movement. Swearing under my breath, I shifted forward until the pock-marked wall of the darkened games shop shielded me from the slow moving vehicle settling atop the paved landing pad several meters ahead of me.
Resisting the urge to run toward its offered safety, I forced myself to wait.
Wait and watch.
The sky car’s cab rose and the driver, an armored human male, stepped out. Vehicle lights glinted against a metallic object clutched tightly in his right hand. I studied him a moment longer, trying to place him in a lineup of Aria’s people.
“T’Soni!” he whispered harshly.
I remained still and silent.
“She ain’t here,” he finally muttered into his omni tool. “Hack back into that ramen stand, maybe she had that slop delivered.”
Fuck!
Had to be Eclipse. They were the only mercs proficient enough to crack through the protections embedded in my tech gear. Moving slowly, I focused my omni tool on the human as he reentered the sky car and snapped a few quick pictures. Tucking further back into the shadows, I considered my next move. Sending a message wasn’t an option. I might as well turn off my cloak and tap dance naked in the middle of the alley.
Instead, I turned off my communications device and slunk back down the alley toward Kilurno’s shop. Hopefully, the elcor hadn’t betrayed me.
If he had, well, I knew a thing or two about taking out his kind.