Purgatory High School Ch. 5

The Message

    “I can’t believe you two! One day in and already you’ve caused trouble?” Shep and I bury ourselves into the couch. However, it’s coated with plastic so we start to slip off a little. Kahlee is in front of us looking angry as ever. Anderson is right next to her and for once he looks more intimidating then her.  “A fight at a café going viral? Causing trouble at school? Arguing with your principal? I don’t even want to know about that arena place!”

    “It’s not our fault! Things happen and what’s done is done!” I end up speaking out. I never speak out. I’m usually the one to take it in and be the good child. I don’t know why I’m so tense. Probably from that message. Actually looking at everyone’s faces I can see how shocked they are. “Those Asari had it coming! The damn principal is a snooping bastard! I even almost died in that arena if it wasn’t for my biotics!”

    “You used your biotics? We talked about this, Jax!” Anderson lashes out at me suddenly. Everything is so out of order now even Kahlee and Shepard seem to be slightly confused. I’m back talking and Anderson is yelling.

    “No one saw!”

    “How sure are you?” I pause for a second and think. Blitz knows, but won’t tell anyone. He doesn’t seem like the type of person who socializes. Then again I don’t really know him. Everyone from our group before didn’t see anything and even wondered how I survived. The blackout also made me less noticeable.

    “I’m positive.” Anderson rubs the arch of his nose and starts to pace.

    “You said your principal was investigating you?”

    “Ya. I think. Some creep who tried prying information about me. I have a feeling he’s the one who switched me to Samara’s class. He knows I’m a biotic, but I haven’t shown it to anyone.”

    “How could he find out you’re a biotic?”

    “I… don’t know that one.” Anderson rubs his chin and waves us off.

    “Go get some sleep. It’s been a long day.” We both look down and make our way upstairs. He yells out before we’re out of view. “I want you both here afterschool tomorrow! Or else!” No response is given as we continue up.

    Both Shepard and I have our separate rooms, but we keep each other company at home. We may or may not talk, but it’s nice to have the company. I enter with Shepard into his room and fall onto his bed. He simply goes to his new desk and dumps his backpack onto it.

    “Are they up already?”

    “Ya. I set them up this morning when no one was looking.”

    “That fast eh?”

    “I’ve done this more times than I can count, Shep.” I open my omni tool up and silently clap my hands shut. When I open them three screens appear. Shepard places his omni tool to his ear and stays quiet. The first screen shows the stairs. The second is the living room. Lastly is the kitchen. There Anderson and Kahlee are talking.

    “David, I don’t know if we can keep Jax’s biotics a secret any longer.”

    “I just don’t want anything to happen to him. Remember that organization that kidnapped biotics?”

    “Hades. Correct?”

    “Well Hackett told me they’re back, but something is different. Their method has changed completely and it’s mainly human biotics this time.”

    “Why would they only go for humans?”

    “I don’t know. There isn’t much on them. We had to move to Vancouver because we’re close to an Alliance base. I’m worried about Jax.”

    “You’re thinking about that girl again. Aren’t you?”

    “I could have saved her Kahlee. Instead she was taken and was never heard from. It’s my fault.” Anderson leans against the fridge and seems on the verge of breaking. “I have to keep Jax safe.” I close it before he can continue speaking. Shepard looks at me sensing my trouble.

    “This is the second time he’s mentioned that girl.”

    “You won’t end up like her. I promise.”

    “You can’t promise that.”

    “I just did idiot.” I know I should be sad and worried, but Shepard always makes me smile when he tries to play hero. I simply shake my head with a smile and get up. Right before leaving I give a light punch to his arm.

~/~

    I should be a sleep now. It’s late and all, but I just can’t sleep. It’s too difficult. Just thinking about everything that has happened. Blitz was right. I know someone pushed me, but I refuse to acknowledge it. Tali and Kaidan were the only ones next to me, but no way would they do something like that. They’re nice people.

    Shifting side to side in my bed I finally get up and stare out the window. Stars shine dimly from the neighborhood lights. No matter how far humanity advances the one thing that will never change is how lights make the night sky look like an empty canvas. Only a star shows here and there, but it’s most likely a space station or something. The moon is in its last quarter. A rumble from my N7 hoodie disrupts my thoughts. Another message from Blitz.

You awake?

    I pause as I look at the message. Not sure if I should reply or not.

You need to know that’s I’ve been framed.

    I thought the screen and a keyboard appears on the screen. This is slightly odd.

How can I trust you?

You kept my little messenger. That has to mean something, right?

    He’s right. I could have just easily thrown away this stupid messenger thing and gone on with my life.

What is this thing called?

Like it? I call it I.R.I.S.

What does that mean?

Instant Reply Instant Send.

You took three minutes for to reply.

Ya… I need a better name.

Well I didn’t choose it. Iris did. Ask her.

    As soon as I finish reading that the screen turns black with a white line in the middle. I look around and then speak into the device.

    “Iris?”

    “Hello.” I drop it on my bed and back up. I did not expect that. The voice sounds female, but isn’t as well defined and EDI’s voice.

    “Who are you?”

    “I am Iris. AI of Blitz’s servers.”

    “AI? Are you spying on me?”

    “No. I merely keep a link between you and Blitz. Nothing else if you say so.”

    “It’s my decision?”

    “Yes. Blitz has made that very clear. I also do not find spying odd and want nothing to do anything with it.”

    “You… seem very open minded. How long have you been… unshackled?”

    “I have been free for 3.452 years.”

    “Really? Why are you called Iris?”

    “Blitz gave it to me. He found my core and downloaded me into his servers. He has given me to option to leave and be free, but I chose to stay.”

    “Why?”

    “AIs are illegal. Blitz could have turned me in for study or even destroyed me. He didn’t. He’s one of my few friends.”

    “I… see…”

    “Blitz has recently gotten into trouble and has become the prime suspect. This data is false as I have the real footage.”

    “Who is it?”

    “…”

    “Iris?”

I’ve asked Iris not to tell you.

Why?

Because this isn’t something you should get involved in.

I knew you were framed and now you won’t let me help?!

You thought I was innocent?

    I pause and look at the message. My face feels red after saying that and I want to take back the message, but I know I can’t. What’s done is done.

Thanks. It’s nice to know you trust me even a little. Get some rest. It’s getting late.

    The screen goes back again leaving me with Iris. I let out a long sigh and fall onto my pillows.

    “Jax.”

    “Yes Iris?”

    “I will remain with you and allow you and Blitz to communicate. I can connect to your omni tool and become your personal assistant.”

    “Why?”

    “You intrigue me. I’ve only been with Blitz and would like to know others. If that is possible. If not then I’ll simply leave you alone.” I stare at Iris and watch the line move up and down as she speaks. It thins out and becomes straight again when there’s no more talking. She reminds me of EDI. Acting like a VI, but in reality is an AI in hiding. Wanting no more than to be understood by others.

    “Fine, but don’t talk when others are around. Don’t want them to get suspicious.”

    “Thank you.” I let out a small sigh knowing this will end up getting me in trouble one day. I connect my omni tool data to Iris. In a split second it’s complete. “I am now connected to your omni tool. Ask me anything and I will do my best to assist you.”

    “I know another AI. The two of you might like each other.”

    “Is this AI free like me?”

    “Yes. She even has a metallic body.” Iris doesn’t speak. She stays quiet after that. I stare at the ceiling and try to clear me head.

    “Goodnight, Jax.”

    “Night, Iris.” It takes a few minutes, but I quickly doze off and fall asleep.

~/~

Too Fast

    Woke up, cold shower, got dressed, and stood by the door waiting for Jax. I skip breakfast like always.

    “Jax, hurry up!”

    “I’m coming!” I pace in front of the door as watch the clock. We only have about four minutes until the first bell rings. We have another five minutes after that until class starts. We’ll have to go fast today in order to make it in time.

    “Jax…” I don’t even get to finish as he comes straight up to me with damp hair practically covering his eyes and a backwards shirt on. “Nevermind.” I open the door and instantly pull out my board. Jax follows by going on his bike. We move quickly.

    Half way through a blur of a person passes by. I pause and stop instantly. When I look back I notice its Kaidan. He’s running late as well.

    “Jax, go on ahead. I’m going to give Kaidan a ride.” No response only the rattling lets me know he’s moving.

    “Kaidan, running late are we?”

      “S-Shepard? What are you doing here?”

    “I had to wait for Jax, but he’s gone ahead. Need a ride?”

    “No! Um… no, I’ll be fine.” Both our omni tools give off a beeping sound which alerts us to the time. Kaidan stops and sighs. I get off and move my board in front of him. He gives a nervous look towards me, but I merely smile to assure him.

    “Ok what you want to do is put your foot here… ya like that. Now balance with both feet firmly pressed down and evenly spread out on the board.” I move his legs around to position him. He nearly falls off once, but manages to stay on. I get on in front of him.

     “Shoulder, chest, or hips?”

    “Huh?”

    “To hold on. Shoulder, chest, or hips?” His face seems to turn a little red at first, but then he puts his hands on my shoulders. Not exactly the best place, but oh well. I move my foot so the cuffs go on our feet. A little thought Jax put on incase of second passengers. Well mainly because when he was the second he fell off. It was pretty funny. However, this is Kaidan and I’m not that cruel.

    When I start the board it immediately starts up and gets up halfway instantly. Kaidan’s fingers dig into my shoulders and one end up looping under my arm to hook up with the other around my shoulder. I slow down as we get closer to Purgatory.

    When we arrive I grab Kaidan’s arms and help him down. He’s shaking slightly. Probably from the speed. I steady him by holding his shoulders.

    “Kaidan, you ok?”

    “Y-Ya…” His face is turning a faint shade a red. I rub the back of my neck and look around. Can’t help but give a little chuckle.

    “Too fast?”

    “A-A little…”

    We both head in different directions after that. Kaidan heads over to the 9/10 building while I go towards the 11/12 building. We didn’t say much nor did we say goodbye or anything. I kick a rock from feeling slightly annoyed. After a long sigh I decide to get this day over with.

    Day goes by as usual. Same classes with a similar lesson. Lunch was odd though. I would have expected everyone to be together, but instead we were all spread out. James was outside playing football with the other plays, Wrex included. Steve and Robert were somewhere. That mainly left me with Garrus. Jax’s group was the same when we found him only with Liara. When the four of us met up we all let out a sigh in sync.

    We all gather by a deserted lunch table and eat our lunch there. It’s better than sitting in the middle of the hall or standing where others will push you.

     “Yesterday was great and all, but… it won’t be the same in school.” Liara speaks as we all each our lunch. I pick up my greasy pizza and give an expression of pure disgust. I only drink my milk which tastes like plastic. Damn I hate school lunch so much. One day it’s decent the next it’s shit.

    “Everyone has their own time to spend. We can’t be selfish and keep them around us forever.” I swish the disgusting liquid back and forth in the container. So terrible. I end up forcing myself to drink it all. Honestly how can milk taste like plastic?

    We barely speak that lunch. Aside from a few topics that spring up they just die out quickly. My stomach seems to rejecting the strange liquid because I regurgitate a few times.

    “Shep, you ok?”

    “Argh! Just this stupid lunch food is disgusting! Look at this pizza!” I lift my pizza up towards Jax’s face to which he quickly backs away from. Even he thinks it’s disgusting. I end up pushing it to the side where all our trash is gathering.

    “Where’s everyone from your group?”

    “Ashley is taking a taking a test she missed.” Liara speaks first.

    “Tali is with her friends. Other Quarians.” Jax follows.

    “Kaidan is in the library like always.” We all let out another faint sigh. We’re so bored.

    “James is outside playing football with Wrex. We could always watch.” Garrus gives the suggestion, but we all groan allowing him to know that we don’t want to. “Nevermind.”

    It’s all quiet until something happens. An Asari wearing a somewhat looking tattered yellow blouse comes right in front of us. On the middle of her shirt is an outline of a sun with an ‘E’ in the middle of it. By my guess I’d have to say this is Eclipse that I’ve been warned about.

    “You Shepard?” I narrow my eyes at her. She’s in a confident posture, but it’s easy to see she’s nervous. Easily able to expose, but that’s only if she’s doesn’t have some cocky attitude. Otherwise I’d be pretty hard to reason with someone like that.

    “Who wants to—” A hard slap goes across my face. It echoes in the whole lunch room. My face is looking at Garrus now and he’s able to see the anger rising in my eyes.

    “I didn’t say for you to talk!” I look back at her with a serious face. Eyes narrows and muscles relaxed. It’s easy for me to have this face, but from what I can see in the corner of my eye is Jax. He’s all claws and fangs now. That’s the thing about us. If either one of us get hurt by the other than we become extremely protective. “I’m Jona Sederis of Eclipse! You’ve made a mockery of us.”

    “I made a mockery of you? I’m not the one preying on—.” Another slap. It’s hard and meant to hurt, but honestly I just don’t give a damn.

    I look at her and lean back against the table. A leg crossed over the other and me legs lounging on the side.

    “You’re going to pay, Shepard! You can count on that.” “I’m going to pay? She’s just making that claim and then walking away like nothing happened? Oh I do not think so!” I grab the pizza I didn’t eat and go up to her. I whistle and as she turns around I shove it into her face. Everyone goes like ‘Ohh!’ or ‘Damn…’ right then. Honestly it felt way too good to do that.

    The pizza sticks to her face for a good second then falls off and goes down her shirt and to the ground. She’s covered in grease, cheese, and tomato sauce. People start to laugh, but then she screams. If I knew better she would probably best represent a banshee. She lunges right for me, but before she can even get close someone sticks there are out and knocks Jona down. “Well… that was anti climactic.”

    Another Asari stands up and Jona’s back up buddies suddenly back up. She single handedly picks up Jona and throws her into one of her buddies. She mumbles something before leaving. Everyone is quiet and goes back to their lunch. The only sound is the clanking of forks, knifes, and trays.

    She goes up to the guy who knocked Jona flat on her ass and whispers something. He simply nods and head out. Garrus whispers in my ear to give me some information.

    “That’s Aria T’Loak. Most influential person on campus. Don’t try to make an enemy of her. You’ll just get burned badly.”

    “That’s enough Vakarian.” She stands in front of me with a similar posture as Jona, however something is different. There isn’t the slightest hint of being nervous and there aren’t any weaknesses that I see. She’s the real deal. “I see you’ve gotten yourself into a mess with Eclipse.”

    “Messes tend to follow me around.”

    “I can see.” A brief pause. I keep my confidence, but having her around just rubs me the wrong way. It’s like when Udina visits, but not as bad. “I’ll make you a proposition. You don’t mess around with Eclipse and I’ll clear the slate. Easy as that.”

    “What about the people they bully. I’m supposed to ignore that?”

    “You can try and be a hero, but you can’t save everyone.”

    “Then screw your proposition.”

    “You’re making a mistake. It’s unwise to deny me.”

    “Watch. Me.” We have a short stare down and Aria just gives a small smirk.

    “You’re different. Finally good to have some backbone around here.” She turns around and walks away. She merely raises her hand as a form of farewell. I’m not exactly sure what to make of her.

    “You can come out now.” Jax speaks suddenly and reaches across the table. We all watch as he grabs something cloaked. Actually it’s someone!

    “Ow! Ow! Quit it!”

    “Oh. Sorry. Was I hurting you?” A girl in a hoodie appears suddenly. I’m seriously wondering how long she’s been there and how Jax found her.

    “How’d you find me?”

    “Your cloak made you invisible, but you could still be detected with an omni tool.”

    “Oh… well… guess I’d better get going!” She quickly makes her way out, but Jax stops her.

    “Give it back.”

    “Give what back?”

    “My credit chip.”

    “What? You think I’m a thief?” Jax simply raises an eyebrow at her. She lets out a sigh and reaches into her pocket and gives back his credit chip. I get ready to do something, but Jax simply kicks me in the shin to signal me to back off.

    “Thanks. Want to join us?” She looks at us with a small grin. I rub my left temple and try to focus.

    “Shepard?” Liara and Garrus lean closer towards me. “Is something wrong?” I don’t say anything. I just bury my head into my arms and try to think clearly. So much is going on that it’s too hard to keep track of anything. I mainly just groan as a pounding headache creeps its way into my skull.