SFS: Lineage (Chapter Nine)

Shepard Family Stories: Lineage

-Chapter Nine-

(The Presidium)

Velair puts her hands in the air as the Alliance soldiers fan out, surrounding her, various assault rifles and pistols all are aimed at her head and chest. "Now now boys. I'm not gonna resist. But would you mind telling me why you are pointing lots of guns at me?"

"Lieutenant Shepard? We are going to ask you to come with us. Please don't resist, no one wants any bloodshed here today."

"I'd like to speak to Captain Chellick first….if you don't mind."

A glint catches her eye, causing her to look up. What she sees brings a smile to her face. The sergeant motions to one of the soldiers, "Restraints, now."

The soldier holsters his weapon and he brings out a set of black cuffs. Elle gives him a smile and puts her hands out for him, "Don't worry, I don't bite."

He leans in and in a low whisper mutters, "I know that Elle. Get ready to fight." 

Elle gives him a skeptical look until she takes a good look at the visor, immediately recognizing the man underneath the helmet. The man chuckles quietly, "…..go."

Concussive rounds strike the two soldiers behind her, startling the rest of the group. Elle makes her move, she leaps forward, pushing off her ally. She barrels into the sergeant, dropping him to the ground. She flashes him a quick grin before twisting to dodge a baton strike from the nearest guard. A quick jab to the throat incapacitates the offending guard. More concussive rounds fall like rain, striking soldier after soldier, causing the remaining guards to take cover under awnings, and inside doorways. Velair gives them a mocking salute and takes off running towards the shuttle bay. She stops short as she notices Captain Chellick leaning against a C-SEC shuttle. He sighs quietly as she reaches him, "You really make my job more difficult, you know that?"

"I'm sorry sir. This wasn't my intention."

"*sigh* I know that Lieutenant. That's why I called in a favor."

"I noticed that, I appreciate you getting his help."

Her ally jogs up beside her, removing his helmet, revealing the dark skin and short black crewcut of Jacob Taylor. "It's the least I can do for my favorite niece."

"Save the charm Uncle Jacob. We're not clear yet. You coming with us sir?"

Chellick shakes his head and steps away from the shuttlecraft, "No, someone's gotta make sure that these Alliance morons don't follow you. Get going kid….and good luck."

Velair gives him a quick kiss to the cheek, "Thanks so much sir. It's been an honor to work with you."

"Don't thank me yet Elle. Things are getting so far out of control that you might wish you went with the Alliance. Now get going, I'll stall them as long as I can."

"I understand, come on uncle. Let's go pickup my guardian angel."

The shuttlecraft roars to life, taking to the skies. The Alliance soldiers surround the captain, the sergeant putting a hand to his earpiece, "Captain Chellick helped her escape. What are your orders ma'am?"

"Relieve him of his command and bring him in for questioning. Send a squad to the docking bays to cut them off." 

"Acknowledged."

The sergeant sighs to himself, "I'm sorry Captain, but we're taking you into custody for obstructing an Alliance operation."

"You all should be ashamed of yourselves…….trying to bully a young lady like Velair. I expected better from the Alliance."

"I'm just following orders."

"Doesn't matter son. A good soldier should know when an order is flawed. Think for yourself you idiots. This is much bigger than all of us."

"I'm sorry sir, but you will come with us."

"No……I won't."

A handful of tiny silver spheres tumble from his grasp, rolling across the floor towards the soldiers. Clouds of smoke and blinding flashes of light erupt from the spheres disorientating the guards. The sergeant barks orders to his men, but has no idea if his words are heard. Once his vision clears, Captain Chellick is nowhere to be seen. "Goddammit." 

(Docking Bay B30)

Garrus and Velair rush toward the Turian cruiser, Jacob bringing up the rear. The airlock door opens to reveal Kasumi standing there with a huge grin on her face, "What took you guys so long?"

"Don't start with me Kas."

"Come on Garrus. Is that any way to talk to the person who kindly got your wife out from under the Alliance's noses?"

"She's on board?"

"Yep, she's in your quarters."

Garrus rushes past Kasumi. Velair embraces her aunt, hugging her tight. "Thank you so much for coming."

Kasumi returns the hug in kind. "Don't worry about it kiddo."

"Did Kim and Ari make it?"

"Yep, both safe and sound."

"Goddess, that's a relief."

"Well then, all aboard. You coming Jacob?"

He shakes his head, "Someone's gotta keep an eye on things here. Don't worry about me, I'll pass on any info I come across. Take care of yourselves."

Kasumi frowns playfully, "Aww….I was hoping to watch you work out again….for old time's sake."

"*sigh* I'm married Kas."

"So? Doesn't matter to me."

Velair gently nudges Kasumi inside. "Okay Aunt Kasumi……time to go."

"Aww….come on….I wanna flirt some more."

"We're running for our lives."

"……oh yeah…….fine."

A few minutes later, the cruiser detaches and takes off away from the Citadel towards the relay. Jacob watches them leave, his smile fading from his features, to be replaced by a grave expression. He puts his hand to his earpiece, "They just left. No…..no real problems eluding the Alliance………yeah, the tracker was planted on her…..I understand.....Tell Hades that I've done my part. Operative Taylor...out."