English Bay Blues: A Mass Effect Prequel (Shenko)

Chapter 8

Stumbling slightly as he moved down the sidewalk, his legs feeling like jelly. Shit. He'd known he was out of practice, but this... this was ridiculous. If it was an indication of how his training was going to go, he was going to need a massage every day. His entire body tingled when he moved - a side-effect of the biotic discharge still coursing through him. His hair was tightly curled now, almost painfully so. With that thought in mind, he headed down the street, eyes alert for the nearest salon to get that discomfort taken care of.

Long freaking day, he thought as he stripped and stepped into the shower at home. Breathing deep, he let the pounding rush of water ease the tension in his body. So many things had changed in such a short span of time he was having a hard time recognizing his life as his own.

An hour later he was sharing a drink with his mom in the living room. His dad was still away on duty with the Alliance, somewhere off-planet.

"So how'd it go today?" Alena asked, sipping at her wine.

"Not bad," He replied, swallowing a mouthful of beer. "A little sore, but I think it's just because it's been a while since I've trained that hard."

Alena watched him, the crinkles at the corner of his eyes belaying the physical tension he was denying with his words. "Well that's good," she said congenially. "Can I ask what made you change your mind about it?"

Kaidan broke eye contact with her, knowing how easily she could read him. "Sure. It's a work thing." He said. "My new employer wants her staff in the best condition, so it's part of the job. No big deal."

"I see. Sounds like a good opportunity then." She replied, debating whether or not to bring up the Alliance, but her son, knowing her thoughts, beat her to it.

"And no, it doesn't have anything to do with Alliance Military."

"I wasn't going to ask."

"Mom..."

"Alright," Alena conceded. "I was going to ask. It's just I know you haven't been training and a job as a bodyguard doesn't usually require biotic endurance classes. After our conversation about training the other day it just seems rather sudden, unexpected and not like you. So just how important a position is this? Who are you working for?"

Kaidan said nothing. He'd forgotten he hadn't told her who he'd be working for. Technically it wasn't Military, but it did fall under the Alliance banner. Shit.

"I'm working for an asari Matriarch. She's an Ambassador to the Systems Alliance."

"An asari?" Alena nearly choked on her wine. "Kaidan that's Alliance...."

"Yeah mom. I know. But it's not Military."

"Kaidan Alenko..." She repeated, frowning.

"I know, semantics. But I don't want to talk about it. At least not right now."

"Fine." She agreed, even though it really wasn't. "But what about this asari? When were you going to mention that? If she's alien doesn't that mean space travel? Won't she have to leave Earth at some point?"

Kaidan was struck silent. Until now, the fact that Kazra Zale was an asari hadn't even occurred to him. Of course she'd have to go off-planet at some point. What had he been thinking? Had he been thinking? His head suddenly hurt and he didn't want his mom seeing his discomfort at the thought of returning to space.

"I'm sure she has other staff to cover anything off-planet mom." He said, keeping his voice even. "I can't imagine an asari Ambassador would need a human bodyguard in space. Especially when she likely has access to her own squad of asari commandos at her disposal."

"Commandos?" Alena asked puzzled. "Asari have commandos?"

"Of course they do. Don't you watch the vids?"

"Well sure, but... Oh never mind. I'm sure you're right about the commandos."

"So where did you go for your training?" She asked, pouring herself another glass of wine. "Was it that new one down on 8th street?"

Here it comes, Kaidan thought, tensing. He didn't want to get into this. Not now and not on the heels of the one he'd had with Anderson. He didn't understand why everyone seemed so hell bent on getting him under the thumb of the Alliance... well thumb might be harsh, but influence of the Alliance.

Sure he had biotic ability, but so what? Lots of other L2's had just as much biotic skill as he did, why did so many people take such a huge interest in his? He'd come to his own decision... final decision he amended, when he was damn well ready to do so. On his terms. And not because his parents or some Alliance officer or... right, some asari said he should dammit.

Catching his mom's eye, he realized he still hadn't answered her. "No it wasn't the one on 8th street. Maybe we could talk about this later?" He asked, rising and stretching slowly so as not to let his mom see how stiff he really was.

"Of course." She agreed, not buying his feint for a moment but willing to let it go. For now.

"I'm off to bed then," He said, lightly kissing his mom's cheek. "Want to be fully rested for my first day on the job."

"Goodnight then. Sleep well. If I don't catch you tomorrow morning, you have a good day."

"Thanks mom." He replied, heading off to his room where he quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.