Oh gosh, it's confirmed? Hah! Obviously TIM has never forgiven Leng for his repeated failures. He just didn't want to waste a bullet on him. Sending someone after Shepard - that's a creative way to execute someone! And Shepard might end up recruiting him? Hehe. I just can see it, now...
TIM: Shepard. Is there any reason why you're calling me?
(In the background on Shepard's side of connection, there is the sound of rapid gunfire, screaming, and what sounds like the howling of charging husks.)
Shepard: I just wanted to thank you for a valuable addition to my team.
TIM: I see. You have recruited my assassin. I hope you can trust him to...watch your back.
Shepard: I think I can, now. Miranda guessed that he might have a control chip in his brain.
TIM: Did she, now. Did you find anything?
Shepard: Yes. EDI reprogrammed it. Miranda gave me Cerberus key codes. Funny enough, they still work.
TIM: I will have to rectify that. Might take a few months, though. Too much work with encryption and re-installing involved.
Shepard: Please, don't concern yourself with such small matters. It's not like I'm sharing that intel with the Alliance. Not like I even have the time for such sort of pettiness between all the battles.
(There is a very close sound of growling husks, the typical hissing of plasma melting flesh, and then the husks abruptly fall silent.)
Shepard: (to someone aside) Well done. (to TIM) The assassin is as loyal to me now as one can be. And he can shoot, so again, thank you. I'm testing him right now - wanted to know if he can provide a break for me long enough for us to talk. You don't have any more gifts for me, do you?
TIM: Don't be so greedy. I shared what I could. He was one of Cerberus' most skilled assassins. I can't afford to waste more resources on you right now.
Shepard: The war is going on! This is not the time to be stingy. We either win or perish this time.
TIM: So it was the last time. And the time before that. And before that -
Shepard: This is the final stand! Send me more people.
TIM: You're only going to shoot them. No.
Shepard: If they can't survive a simple field test, they aren't a worthy addition to my team.
TIM: This kind of attitude is exactly what reduced the number of Cerberus operatives by a dozen during the last three weeks.
Shepard: I might have allowed myself to get carried away. I never had an opportunity to battle-test my teammates personally before I recruit them. I see them in action, of course, but it's not the same as fighting them on my own.
TIM: Understandable, since it would be impossible to recruit dead people.
Shepard: (apologetically) This one lived. I think I blew off enough steam by now, since I went easy on him. (coaxing) Come on, just one more. I insist. I will be gentle with them, I promise.
TIM: I wholeheartedly doubt that.
Shepard: But you're supposed to be fighting me. Or did I get it wrong? It's all over in the galactic news. It's the biggest topic in the Alliance, even bigger than lost Earth. You're my enemy. Act on it.
TIM: (darkly) I am starting to doubt the wisdom of my actions.
Shepard: (alarmed) What? No! Don't doubt it now! Listen, I didn't kill that agent two days ago. One of the Alliance shoot him -
(A distant voice in the background says audibly over the howls and gunfire, "I will direct this personally.")
Shepard: Excuse me for a moment.
TIM: Take your time.
(Shepard's face disappears from the screen.)
TIM: (strains to hear what's going on)
(He can hear a small, stuttering, high sound, raising rapidly.)
TIM: (hits the mute hurriedly)
(And about time, too, because there comes the silent BOOM which whitens the screen for a moment.)
TIM: (restores the sound)
(The voice in the background says clearly, "You have only delayed the inevitable.")
Shepard: (reappears in the screen) The team still can't hold the battlefield without me. We're in dire need of a - I mean, I think I would be vulnerable to an attack of a skilled biotic. I don't have one in the team right now. Nothing on the level of Jack.
TIM: As foolish as you sharing this intel with me is, it would be even more foolish of me not to take an advantage of it.
Shepard: (perks up) So you will send more people after me! When, and who?
TIM: It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you.
Modifié par laecraft, 23 avril 2011 - 05:43 .
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