AN: And here's the next installment of this slowly resurrecting fic of mine. Awfully short, but I'm lazy. Do enjoy, however.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Suit up." Shepard announced as she entered the armory and walked to her locker, Miranda hot on her heels. The Cerberus operative seemed adamant on keeping track of every move Shepard made, despite the many retorts from the commander. After quickly putting on her armor and checking her guns-a task that came as easily as breathing to the experienced redhead-Shepard watched as her squad mates prepared. Jacob loaded his shotgun and pistol, stashing extra thermal clips on the slim belt around his wait. Miranda was leaning on the wall cross-armed, looking at the floor. She packed only a pistol, something that made Shepard wonder whether she was cocky or trusting in her abilities.

Miranda Lawson was quite the woman and intrigued Shepard. While they had just met, Shepard had to admit the biotic was pretty impressive. Her combat skills at Freedom's Progress had saved their behinds many times, though she never said anything, only acted. She was stoic, proud. Heck, she was even more than a bit attractive. While she wasn't one to make fast friends, Shepard thought they could at least be amicable co-workers. Miranda was Cerberus after all, and she wasn't about to place her trust on someone involved with such a selfish, messed up organization.

"Ready, everybody?" Shepard asked them, escaping her thoughts.

"Ready when you are." Jacob answered.

"Then let's go explore this rock."

As soon as they stepped onto Omega, a horrible stench hit Shepard's nose. She was used to the smell of death and blood, but Omega was just ten times worse. Like a decaying body, Omega wasn't exactly the best of places she had been to. Even near the docking bay, people sat on the ground begging for any amount of credits, their clothes filthy and reeking a smell that only added to the ambiance that surrounded the station.

A sound of disgust reached Shepard's ears from behind her. "Omega. What a pisshole. I feel like I need a shower every time I come here, in addition to normal decontamination."

"You might want to go do your nails while you're at it, Lawson. Maybe go for a pink color. With glitter."

Another sound from her elicited a light chuckle from Jacob and Shepard as they made their way out of the docks. As they neared the exit, a jittery salarian approached them, hands wringing.

"Welcome! Y-You're not from around here, are you? I can tell. Let me-" A batarian packed to the teeth with weapons walked up to the salarian, giving him a back-breaking pat. "Oh. H-hello, Maklon. I was just-"

"Leave, Fargot. Now."

The salarian salutes and stammers an "of course" before speed walking away, visibly shaking.

"Stupid scavengers." The batarian muttered under his breath. "Welcmoe to Omega, Shepard."

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am?"

"Of course we do. We had you tagged as soon as you entered the Terminus Systems. You aren't as subtle as you think. Aria, the leader of Omega, is wondering what a dead Spectre wants. I suggest you go over there now."

"Cut the attitude, buddy, before I cut you in half."

"I'm not going to fight you unless I have to. Afterlife. Now." Without another word, the batarian walked away.

"Fucking batarians..." Shepard muttered.

Her earpiece beeped suddenly. "I have scanned the station, Commander, and am receiving warnings about a quarantine where Dr. Solus runs his clinic. I suggest heading to Afterlife will be your best place."

"Great. Even out of the ship, the AI bothers me."

"Thank you, EDI." Miranda says into her earpiece. "They're both right, you know. Aria T' Loak already knows we're here. Might as well see what she knows about the quarantine and our other recruit, Archangel."

"To work, then."