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Slaves of Cerberus	By : NakedOwlMan Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 138076 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: Mass Effect and all the characters in it are owned by people that are not me. I have not made a cent off this work of fiction

Chapter List
- 5
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The atmosphere in the Armax Arsenal Arena was raucous, the crowds cheering at whatever battle was currently running in the combat arena below. The three Alliance marines had to find their way through a mass of people onto the main floor.

"So, where are we supposed to meet this Urdnot clan representative?" Rooker said, scanning the krogans in the crowd for any sign of their contact.

Jacob smiled wryly. "If we're meeting who I think we're meeting, I have an idea." Gently pushing his way through the crowd, he managed to find them three of them a spot at the railing. "That's him right down there."

Currently, the holographic battlefield was arranged to resemble a war-torn segment of Earth during the Reaper invasion. The battle being depicted, however, certainly never would have taken place during that conflict.

"Take cover," called out one of the virtual soldiers on the field. The insignia on its uniform left no mistake as to what program was currently being run. The Cerberus troops ducked behind pieces of debris, dodging the shotgun blasts coming from their opponent.

"Ha ha ha! That all you got, you whimpering pyjaks?" bellowed Urdnot Grunt, as he hurled out a frag grenade and fired shotgun blasts at the troops that scattered.

"Madre de Dios, is he running this simulation solo?" Vega exclaimed, leaning down to watch the fight in awe. "Me and two of the guys from N7 training tried this last time on shore leave, and we barely made it through, the three of us together! You'd think he would at least set the difficulty down a bit."

"I think you'll find, James," Jacob said as he watched the krogan below chase down the last remnants of the Cerberus forces, "that Grunt doesn't believe in 'taking things easy.'"

"Come here, you," said Grunt, and the crowd alternately cheered and winced as the krogan warrior got his hands on one of the last remaining Cerberus soldiers.

Rooker watched, eyes wide in fascination, "Is he doing what I... yes," she said, a mild look of disgust on her face, as the crowd let out a loud cry and Grunt laughed boisterously below. "God, I didn't even think the simulation was programmed to allow that sort of... ew."
"Do you like it?" said a voice to their side. They turned to see a volus at the railing, a box provided for him to stand and look over the high rail. His speech was peppered with wheezes from his breather as he spoke. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Doral Munt, the owner of this establishment. I hope you're enjoying the show?"

"Yes, it's very... is he beating that guy with the other man's...?" Jacob stared down at the arena with slack jaw.

"Yes, one of the many enhancements to the program," Doral said, pride evident in his voice even through the environmental suit. "I've been putting some of the Arena's profits into improvements to the Cerberus simulation recently. Used to be people barely selected them as an opponent after the war was over, but now it's been more popular than ever." Turning back to the rail, the volus pointed a chubby finger. "Oh, here's the best part. This is always a favorite!"

"Enough!" cried out a voice from below. A distressingly familiar one.

From behind a ruined statue walked a red-headed human, clad in Cerberus-emblazoned armor and wielding a M-27 Scimitar. "You may have defeated my men, but you won't get past me," said the virtual representation of Commander Shepard. "I'll never surrender to the likes of you, filthy alien! Die!"

The crowd directed boos and hisses at the phony Shepard, while cheering for Grunt to "kick her ass!" Rooker's expression turned icy cold as she turned to the volus owner. "This... this is..." she stammered, too angry to get a sentence out.

"Quite an idea, isn't it?" Doral said, oblivious to Rooker's anger. "I figured you Alliance types would love it, seeing the deserter from your ranks get what's coming to her down in the..."

"Shut it down," Rooker said, teeth gritted. "Now."

"Sorry, but I can't interrupt a combat session while it's in progress," Doral said. "If you have a complaint, please lodge it wiiiiiiiiAAAAH!"

Doral's scream was due to Rooker grabbing him by the back of the suit and pushing him forward. He was halfway over the railing and, if the marine was to let go, would go tumbling down into the fighting arena below.

"Find a way to interrupt it, or you can go down and face off against that disgusting simulation yourself," Rooker growled. Jacob and Vega looked at each other, knowing they should probably step in but afraid to say anything to the furious Rooker.

Frantically, Doral waved at one of his staff, who gestured to someone else. Within seconds, the arena below powered down, and the shot that Grunt was about to aim at the fake Shepard was directed to empty air. The crowd let out a loud groan.

"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen," said Doral, having activated his omni-tool to make an announcement over the house PA. "We, urh, had a technical problem with the simulator. We should have things back up shortly, please be patient."

Looking disappointed, Grunt holstered his shotgun and made his way to the exit. The three marines moved to meet him on his way out.

"Grunt," Jacob said, greeting his former shipmate warmly. "Been a long time."

Grunt nodded. "Things have been... difficult on Tuchanka. Not much time to visit Earth since the relays were brought back up. Still, good to see you haven't been killed. How is your mate?"

The group fell silent, Vega and Rooker casting awkward glances at Jacob. Jacob's expression darkened, and he hesitated to answer.

"Was that not an appropriate question?" Grunt asked after several seconds of awkward silence, then let out a frustrated noise. "Bah, human small talk is stupid. Let's just get to your ship so we can go kill this Shepard clone."

"So I guess Wrex gave you the story, then," Vega said, trying to break the awkward silence.

Grunt shrugged. "Didn't have to. Knew from the first second I saw that video, that that wasn't the real Shepard."

Rooker laughed sharply. "Really? Wish the rest of the galaxy was as sharp as you are."

"How'd you manage to figure that out?" Jacob asked Grunt.
"I still remember when Shepard took me out of that tank," Grunt explained. "The look in her eyes was the look of a warrior, someone who had been in real combat before. Had smelled the blood of her enemies spilled on her. It wasn't the look of that fake on the video. I knew that human wasn't the real Shepard because I saw in her the krogan I was when I was first born. Made to look like a warrior, think like a warrior, but no true warrior. She's only fought pathetic simulations like the one down there, never been in a true battle." Punching a fist into his palm, Grunt grinned. "Hopefully we'll get the chance to correct that."

Jacob nodded. "That's the plan. But we're going to have to find her first." Jacob turned. "James, could you take Grunt to the Orpheus? Lieutenant Commander Rooker and I need a moment."

Vega saluted. "Aye, sir. Hey, Grunt, how the hell did you manage to beat that second round by yourself? My buddy Naylan and I kept getting taken down by those..."

As Vega and Grunt walked away, Jacob laid a hand on his XO's shoulder. "What the hell was that back there, Rooker? Things are tense enough on the Citadel between us and the aliens. I do not want to have to send a report to the brass explaining why one of my team is roughing up volus civilians, in public no less."

"Sir, I'm sorry," Rooker stood at attention as she was dressed down. "It was a moment of weakness on my part. It's just... I joined the Alliance because of what Commander Shepard did on Elysium. All through my training and service, I've always thought of her as a role model." She tried to hide the disgust in her voice. Behind her, the simulation had been restarted, and a new team of combatants was running through the Cerberus scenario. Rooker pointed back toward the cheering crowd. "And to see these people turning on her like this... even if they believe that was the real Shepard on that screen, doesn't she at least deserve more respect than this? Turning her into a shooting gallery target?"

"They're angry, Rooker," Jacob said. "What that clone said opened up a lot of old wounds. Look, we're going to get the real Shepard back, and she's going to clear this entire thing up. But I need to know I can count on you to stay level-headed and focused. Everybody on my team needs to be at their best if we're going to find Shepard and bring her back alive. You hear me?"

"Yes, sir, I'm sorry, sir," Rooker said. "Trust me, nobody is more motivated than I am to bring Shepard back. I'll keep my head in the game."

"Good," Jacob said. "Now, let's get back to the ship, so I can figure out exactly where the hell I'm going to start, trying to find a ship that was designed not to be found."
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Slaves of Cerberus