Massive Disaster 4-15 Outline (Patreon)

Zedd in new Z-Coupe V2: Obsidian frame with electric blue trim, enhanced kinesis stabilizers

He is still thinking about Toni as he flies into the heart of Providence.

Smart, attractive, interested... and I had to be the responsible one. Fuck.

His eyes roam the street below.

Need to get out of my head. Public place, normal people, normal problems for a few hours.

He drops into the private parking spot for skycars outside his club. "V.I. Executive" designation with discrete security scanners

Blue jacket over white shirt, aviators despite evening hour

BLU exterior: Smooth, low-profile modern block three stories high, dusk-blue composite and curved glass

Sign is just BLU in sharp serif silver, backlit with slow cyan pulse

Entry Lobby: Quiet luxury, soft uplighting, muted synth-jazz, shifting liquid metal sculpture forming "V.I."

Royal Restaurant: Semi-circular dining space, ~250 capacity, high-concept menu

Ultra Nightclub: Basement level, soundproofed, real sound/sweat/proximity

Indigo VIP Lounge: 25-person cap, unmarked door, complete privacy

Sky Syndicate Room: Top level, Zedd's exclusive use

He walks into the building and at the front kiosk, a sharply dressed young Asian man in a royal blue vest blinks with wide eyes. “Mr. Victors?”

Zedd: Marcus.”

Marcus: "Wonderful to see you here tonight. Your table is prepared, as usual.”

Zedd: Of course.

Marcus: “I should mention we have an unusually diverse clientele tonight."

Zedd raises an eyebrow. 

"Define diverse."

Marcus: Well, sir…

A shorter woman with tan skin and dark hair tied up into a bun walks up to them, the woman wearing a royal blue pantsuit.

Zedd smiles. “Elena, how are we doing tonight?”

Elena Vasquez (Manager): Former Alliance logistics, detail-oriented, military precision

Elena approaching: "Sir, I heard you mention wanting to know about… some… uh… demographic shifts in our customer base.”

Zedd tilts his head. “Something like that, yeah.”

Elena: “Well, first you should be aware that the Asari population on New Abraham has increased significantly over the past year. They seem particularly drawn to our establishment."

Zedd, confused: "Didn't think there were this many Asari on the entire planet. When did that change?"

Elena: "Immigration records show steady increase over past eighteen months. Many citing business opportunities, some seeking privacy from Citadel politics. Matrons prefer evening dining in Royal. Maidens typically visit Ultra on weekends. Tonight's particularly heavy on the former."

Marcus adding: "They seem to appreciate establishments that cater to sophistication without questions about background or affiliations."

Asari don't randomly relocate to Terminus colonies. 

Zedd: "Huh. Interesting. I’ll be sure to look into that..

Zedd shakes his head and walks in, only for his eyes to widen slightly as he pauses for a moment upon exiting the blue-lit incline that led to the restaurant proper. 

They were not fucking joking.

Several dozen Asari mingled in the fully-packed restaurant, some sitting with other Asari, some sitting with humans, all engaged in conversation. This is weird… He allowed himself a sigh. But I don’t care that much right now.

He sits in the one empty table always kept for him, eyes looking forward but vacant. A young waitress walks up to him, hair dyed blue (nice touch), and trying to avoid looking nervous: "Welcome to BLU, Mr Victors... sir... My name is Sara. May I ask what you'll be having tonight?"

"I'll have the garlic butter sauteed shrimp, but before that, a Blu Sky, please... and keep them coming."

Sara: "A Blue Sky, sir?"

Zedd: "Just tell the bartender, he'll know."

Sara: Of… of course, sir. 

She walks away with confused expression

Restaurant's successful, company's worth more than most colonial governments, enhanced humans are developing well… he clicks his tongue with a sigh… and I still can't figure out how to have a normal conversation.

More than anything, the truth was staring him in the face and the pattern didn’t look good. First Nina, then Kira, and at least with Toni, he could admit it to himself. He was the common denominator in every failed relationship, not that Toni was a relationship at all, but he could already see how that would end.

Don’t need to be a genius for that one.

He stared out at the restaurant, at the over-200 guests having easy conversation over food and alcohol. 

Used to think being smarter and stronger would make things easier. Turns out it just makes everything more complicated.

Sara returns carrying small tumbler on tray, drink a delicious shade of blue

"Your Blu Sky... sir." 

Zedd gives her a simple nod of acknowledgement.

The drink was something he'd come to enjoy since arriving, a personal creation, and he made sure of that by keeping it off the menu. 2 oz of Thessian Indigo, a strong ultra-distilled Asari Vodka as strong as some of the strongest spirits Earth had to offer, and 6 oz of freshly made blueberry lemonade made aggressively sweet. Real lemons, real blueberries, no concentrate, no fizz, no pulp.

He needed something stronger than most other stuff after juicing himself up like Caleb and this stuff did the trick... for as long as it lasted.

It hit cold, a citrus-sugar snap that had him purse his lips and smile. It was so good that it made the pure fire, the raw metallic vapor of 175 proof liquor almost going ignored as it climbed up the back of his throat.

Zedd sips the drink as he continues watching the restaurant goers, still surprised at all the Asari here, nearly half of the almost completely full 70-odd sections in the room.

The waitress brings out his plate and he begins eating the peeled and sauteed shrimp.

He appreciated the solitude you could find in a filled room. That’s why he came here.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.

The Asari approached with the kind of confidence that came from centuries of practice, her midnight dress flowing as she moved between tables. Zedd tracked her over his sunglasses, noting the expensive cut of her clothing, the deliberate way she carried herself.

"Excuse me, I hope I'm not intruding," she said, stopping beside his booth. "Would you mind if I joined you? It's rare to have the opportunity to speak with someone of your... caliber."

Zedd gestured to the empty seat across from him. "Go ahead."

She settled gracefully, movements precise and economical. "Thank you. I'm Lyralei T'Sira. And you, of course, are Zedd Victors."

"Course I am. It's my restaurant." He took another sip of his Blu Sky, studying her. "You are?"

"A recent arrival to New Abraham. I've heard quite a lot about you before deciding to relocate here." Her voice carried that melodic quality most Asari possessed, but with an undertone of genuine interest rather than practiced charm.

"All good things, I hope."

Lyralei's slight smile revealed nothing. "Impressive things. A young human building a company that rivals centuries-old Asari enterprises. That takes remarkable vision."

"Takes work."

"Indeed." She gestured around the restaurant, taking in the subtle lighting, the careful spacing of tables. "You must have put a great deal of effort into such an elegant establishment. The attention to detail, the atmosphere... it speaks to someone who understands sophistication."

She's not just talking about the restaurant.

"Takes work to get the balance right," he said. "Too formal and people don't relax. Too casual and they don't respect the experience."

"Like many things in life, wouldn't you say? The balance between revealing enough to intrigue, while maintaining enough mystery to fascinate."

Sarah approached with his shrimp, setting the plate down with improved confidence. Zedd nodded his thanks before returning attention to his unexpected dinner companion.

"I've been following Victory Innovations' developments," Lyralei continued. "Revolutionary tech, medical advances, that remarkable medi-gel variant that's been spreading through human space."

"Good marketing team."

She laughed softly, the sound genuine. "Modest as well. Though I suspect there's far more to your work than what reaches public attention."

Zedd cut into a shrimp, chewing thoughtfully. "Most successful businesses have multiple projects running."

"Of course. I imagine coordinating such diverse operations requires considerable... flexibility in approach."

He could feel her testing the waters, probing for information without being obvious about it. Professional curiosity or something else. "What brings an Asari matron to the Terminus? Usually your people prefer Citadel space."

"Opportunity. The Council can be... restrictive. Too many committees, too much oversight for innovative thinking."

"Yeah, bureaucracy's a creativity killer."

"Exactly." Her eyes brightened. "Out here, brilliant minds can pursue projects without constant interference. Very appealing for someone who values results over procedure."

She understands the appeal of operating outside official oversight. That was either very good or very bad, depending on her intentions.

Lyralei leaned slightly forward. "I imagine someone with your intelligence must find most conversations rather... limiting."

The shift in tone was subtle but unmistakable. Zedd allowed himself a small smile. "Depends on the company."

"How refreshing. Most humans seem intimidated by direct conversation."

"Most humans haven't had to negotiate with alien corporations."

"True." Her eyes sparkled with something that definitely wasn't just professional interest. "Though I find confidence quite attractive, regardless of species."

Zedd took another bite, buying time to process. She was intelligent, sophisticated, clearly knew more than she was saying. And now the conversation was heading in a predictable direction.

"Tell me," she continued, "what drives someone so young to build such an empire? Most humans your age are still figuring out basic career paths."

"Saw a need, had the skills to fill it. Simple economics."

"Simple? I think not. Vision, determination, the ability to see possibilities others miss... those are rare qualities."

"Luck and good timing don't hurt either."

"I don't believe in luck. I believe in recognizing opportunity and having the courage to seize it." Her voice lowered slightly. "I've found that the most interesting people are those who operate on multiple levels. Public face, private ambitions, hidden depths..."

Zedd picked up the shift—elevated heart rate, subtle pheromone changes, body language becoming more intimate. "Sounds like you're describing most politicians."

"Politicians lack authenticity. You..." She moved closer, voice dropping to something almost intimate. "You're genuine in your complexity. It's quite compelling."

The pretense was dropping fast. Zedd finished his drink, already calculating extraction routes if this turned awkward. "Is that your professional assessment?"

"Among other things." Lyralei's hand moved closer to his on the table. "I have a private suite at the Meridian Hotel. Very discreet, very comfortable. Perfect for... extended discussions about mutual interests."

Okay, not subtle anymore.

"I find brilliant minds incredibly attractive," she continued. "And I suspect you might appreciate someone who can match your... intensity."

Zedd set down his fork, meeting her gaze directly. In a different life, he might have been tempted. She was attractive, intelligent, clearly interested.

But she was an alien.And a suspicious one at that.

"Blue's my favorite color," he said, voice casual but definitive, "but I don't like it on skin."

Lyralei processed the rejection with barely a pause, no offense showing on her expression. "Ah. I see. Personal preference or professional boundary?"

"Both."

She stood smoothly, movements as graceful as her arrival. "Of course. I respect that completely. Professional focus is admirable."

"Thank you for the conversation, Mr. Victors. It's been genuinely enlightening."

"Enjoy your evening."

"I will." She paused, smile still warm despite the rejection. "And I do hope you'll reconsider my invitation to discuss business sometime. Strictly professional, naturally."

Zedd watched her walk away, maintaining dignity without awkwardness. Smart, sophisticated, knows more than she's saying. Professional interest or intelligence gathering?

His omni-tool vibrated against his wrist—priority alert. He glanced down at the discrete notification, and raised an eyebrow. Traffic patterns near one of his remote monitoring stations. Levels exceeding baseline by significant margins.

Too coordinated for random… fuck.

He finished the last of his shrimp, as the alcohol was already clearing his system, enhanced metabolism processing the Thessian Indigo faster than baseline human physiology could manage.

Zedd left a substantial tip for Sara, caught Marcus's eye with a brief nod, and headed for the exit. Outside, the twin suns had fully set, Providence's skyline lit against the darkness. The Z-Coupe's kinesis systems hummed to life as he approached, security protocols recognizing his biometrics.

Time to see what was stirring up trouble at his outpost.