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[Kel Riever]

"Hey," Jenus said on the way out, "I had a plan."

Mira shook her head.

[Cknarf]

I'm glad that's over...

 

Frank thought, as he stepped through the door. Iole had put him in an awkward position, and he wasn't too happy about it.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul was silent as he sat, waiting for the meeting to just be over so they could get going. In truth, essul knew that deep down, this situation was going to be hard. People would die, but at least moving quickly and cautiously would ensure less blood was spelt then would be with taking too long or going too fast. He did not object to vera's plan, actually he was somewhat grateful to the AI for voicing the hard truth, having it out in the open made it easier to process and come to terms iwth, at least to him. He'd need to thank the AI later if things went well, at that thought he shock his head slightly.

 

The batarian began to sweat slightly as he sat in his seat, allowing the others to leave as his eyes went between Vera and Naleena. He didn't say a word as he waited for the others to file out, but it was clear as he sat there that he himself wasn't too privy on these talks. Finally, the three were alone, and essul finally got the answer to why he was kept behind.

 

And it wasn't the one he'd expected.

 

Essul blinked in surprise, a look of surprise followed by a frown and a narrowing of the eyes, creasing of the brow, all subtle details as his hands tightened together, jaw setting in place. "You...you've been monitoring my activity?" He asked somewhat shakily, a stiffed growl escaping with the words as he slowly rose to his feet. He didn't know what he felt, but none of it was good, surprise, anger, indignation, resigned confirmation, relief, betrayl, it all swirled inside of him as he rose to stand with his head held proudly.

 

"Of course you would have..." he muttered, more to himself then to her though the anger had not diminished, an almost snide and self-mocking sounding tone creeping in, "I wouldn't have risked my presence going unmonitored either,a foreigner of a vile state is always a likely suspect for wrongdoing, so they say..." he said as he took in a deep breath, crossing his arms behind his back and holding his himself at attention, his demeanor switching to one he'd practiced for years, cold, formal, and holding back all he felt during the many insulting dress-downs he'd gotten over the years, almost feeling it routine.

 

"The message you are referring to was a letter of reassignment to the hegemony. Recent incidents have caused me to...re-evaluate my time here. The hegemony was in danger, I felt my presence would be better served back home. My Superiors...they disagree..." he said, his voice getting ever so softer and less indignant when the words left his mouth. "They feel my presence here...showing that the council and batarians can aid each other...they feel its too important to jeopardize over personal feelings about the current success in stopping the collectors and reapers from threatening the lives of those in the galaxy..." he said as he looked downcast only for a moment, before he righted himself to look naleena in the eyes.

 

"My superiors made it clear that if I do not follow through with my mission aboard this ship, that the consequences I pay will be severe. The revocation of my citizen status and my subsequent reintegration to being a slave caste..." he said, flinching as he spoke the last words just barely, "And believe me when I say, Spectre T'sarius..." he said as he paused, letting out a shuddering breath, having been getting increasingly angry and now managing to get control of himself again.

 

"...I...I want to help people, Spectre T'sarius. That's...its all I've ever wanted to do. This crew and this mission seemed like the best ways to do it. But now...everything going on between the bahak system and this terrorist event and allowing a alliance officer on this one, a potential spy on board this ship and us barely seeming to make a dent in stopping either collector or reaper, I...I don't know if I'm doing what I need to do anymore..." he finally said, soft as a whisper as he closed his eyes, feeling the words rip at his soul when speaking them, "I was scared, and I was weak...and I allowed both to influence my actions..."

 

"I am sorry...I don't know who or what I can trust...but what I did...all I can say, is that I was trying to do the right thing." he said finally, opening his eyes and meeting her gaze, bracing himself for whatever it was she had planned.

[Cknarf]

Septerax placed the set of heavy armor upon the counter in front of Frank.

 

"Neat."

 

"Anything else?"

 

"Not right now." Frank smiled, while picking up the armor. He returned to his quarters to get suited up.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

Frank stepped before the mirror to admire his new look.

 

Blech.

 

He wrinkled his nose at the camo scheme.

 

At least it fits... sort of.

 

The armor was a bit loose, and it was much heavier than he was used to. His scrawny neck looked ridiculous poking out of the beefy armor.  He pulled at the chest plate's reinforced collar, and sighed.

 

I look like a freaking turian.

 

"It'll do." Frank shrugged. He picked up the helmet, before heading for the door.

[Kel Riever]

Iole had split off from the rest of the commandos while Jenus was trying to press Mira for reasons why her plan wasn't accepted.  Tallis appeared to ignore her departure.  

While walking the corridors of the Janiri, Iole sent her gear requests to the quartermaster via her omnit-tool interface.  But mostly her mind was on Frank Eli, and when she was done, she had brought herself to his cabin.  Briefly, she raised her fist to knock, but Iole hesitated, wondering if it was such a good idea to pursue him about what had happened in the meeting.

A heavy sigh left Iole.  She felt like she was making life overly complicated, and at the same time, something compelled her.  Frank was just, so, weird.  

There was a gentle laugh that escaped Iole as she raised her fist again to knock.

But before Iole could, the door open and Frank was standing there in his Predator armor.  

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena looked at Essul, and maintained an absolute neutral head position she sat back in her chair. She pulled a cigarette out of her case and offered one to Essul. “Essul, please sit. We started monitoring all communications as soon as we suspected a mole on board. I’m glad you told the truth,” She paused to light her cigarette and Essul’s.

 

“Hearing the way you told me, as well as hearing your explanation tells me more than just reading the text from VERA. Like I told you in your quarters, I cannot begin to understand how you must feel about the loss of an entire world like that. Now with an Alliance Marine joining us, she will be on the infiltration team and equipped with a tactical cloak for the simple reason that I can keep an eye on her. And we need her,” Naleena said, and tapped the ashes off her cigarette. “Just remember, you’re doing this job for me, and for Jonas Ashland, not the Alliance. Ashland does not discriminate against Batarians. Your presence on this job is very important. We will need you when it comes time to secure the hostages.”

[Cknarf]

Frank stood silent in the doorway for a moment, completely forgetting that he had asked her to come by. 

 

Oh. Right.

 

"Uh... Come in?" He gestured towards the room, while stepping out of the way.  He pulled the chair from the table, and took a seat.

 

"So..." Frank leaned forward, unsure of what to say. His feelings were likely made clear enough during the breifing. "What's... up?" He shrugged.

[Kel Riever]

Iole felt uncomfortable standing above Frank.  There wasn’t another chair at the table, and she didn’t want to sit on the edge of the bed, so she walked over to the corner near the door, folded her arms, and leaned against the wall.  It still didn’t seem right, so she slid down along the wall until she was squatting.  Then Iole slipped out her feet and sat on the floor, folding her arms again once she was seated, back to the wall.

With a golden eyed glance up at Frank, Iole seemed confused.  She shifted yet again, raising her knees up, putting her folded arms across them, and then resting her chin on her arms.  All the movement without speaking would probably have made her feel odd, but for some reason, Iole didn’t feel judged by Frank.

Finally, Iole spoke.  “Well…I’m sorry if I did something I shouldn’t have in that meeting.  Maybe it was that I didn’t expect you to…it was just…I had been trying to help…you…with whatever you needed…if you needed it.”

Iole pulled her lips to the side briefly in contemplation.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

* Live Broadcast *

 

“It’s quiet in here. People have all hunkered down in their apartment high rises as Batarian terrorists patrol the streets. I don’t know how many there are. I can just see out a small window at an intersection where a building housing central communication is located. That was the first place the terrorists targeted.

 

“Once that was secured, I saw them taking people inside. Hostages perhaps, I’m pretty sure. The people didn’t appear to be cooperating. I’ve got to go off the air, now. I hear footsteps….”

[Cainhurst Crow]

"I...." it was all essul could think to say as he sat, processing way had happened. He had been preparing for the worst, perhaps the necessary measures to attempt to resist and escape naleena and the ship. Perhaps even some last words hed request be archived. This was...not what he expected.

And in all honesty, it was exactly what he needed.

Suddenly essul felt less weighted down, like hed been in a vice this whole time and a small bit of pressure was let off. He let out a long held breath, an when he looks back to naleena, he gave her a bow.

"I thank you for this chance, Spectre T'sirius. I think....I think this could help, looking at the here and now.." he said with a sigh of relief, "I lost sight of it..too focused on what might happen to see what as happening in front of me..." he said as he gave a small smile, somewhat hopeful for what was to come.

"Permission to prepare for mission and save some lives, Sir?" He asked with a stiff tone of voice, though as he relaxed a bit more it was clear he meant well in jest.

[Cknarf]

"I appreciate your concern, commando, but if I wanted your help I--" Frank stopped himself. Everyone was already aware of his problem, and chewing her out wasn't going to change that. 

 

He took a deep breath, before continuing.

 

"It's okay, I know you meant well." He said calmly. "I shouldn't have responded the way I did, but I wasn't trying to draw attention to my... issues."

 

 Frank touched at his temple. 

 

"By setting an extra place at the table, you kinda did just that." He shrugged. "Guess it's not that big of a deal though, since I'm still on bomb duty, and not in a straitjacket." He laughed.

 

"Speaking of bombs, we should probably get going, don't you think?" Frank stood up, and stepped over to Iole. Smiling, he offered his hand. "Come on."

[Kel Riever]

Iole took Frank’s hand in surprise.  “All right.”

As Frank and Iole left his cabin for the assembly area, Iole was quiet.  She didn’t say anything until they got to the elevator and had to wait for it to arrive.  Nobody else was around, and Iole broke the silence.

“When I was young…this high in fact,” Iole started as she held her hand at waist height, “at school I went through this phase where I wanted to play alone at recess.  I would pretend I was a turian, the wife of a great general, and we would go to these fancy events.  There, we’d dance and I’d wear this amazing gown that flowed and sparkled.  So I’d be doing these spins across the little area of the playground I was in, until the teachers would call us back.

“Of course, one day this tall girl I didn’t really know comes over and asks what I’m doing, so thinking nothing of it I tell her.  When I’m done, she steps right up to me and yells, ‘Turians don’t wear dresses!’  Then she shoves me so I fall into the dirt.  Pretty much I burst out into tears and a bunch of other children on the playground who saw laughed.  And of course, then the story went around the school, so everyone knew.”

The elevator arrived, and after some officers exited, Iole and Frank got on as the only occupants.  Iole went on.

“Twenty years ago, I’m just out of the asari equivalent of basic training and I’m posted with another seven novices just like me.  Its two teams but we’re all out of a bad few weeks and while we’re waiting hours for a late transport, we’re all sitting around a loading dock, relaxing, getting to know one another.  One of them next to me…I remember her name.  It was Cehlee¹.  She’s going on about Earth and when she gets her next leave, the first thing she wants to do is get a pair of these pants that were apparently all the rage on Earth at the time.”  Iole took a break to smile and snort a laugh. “They were these things that were tight at the hips, but went all loose after that, and had a million little pockets.  Plus they ended just above your ankle and had cuffs.  Most of them were in black, or otherwise dark colors.  Anyway, she’s going on about it and being very entertaining doing it.

“Well, one of the others in our group, this one not even particularly big, but one of those something to prove types with a good scowl on her face decides, for whatever reason, to belittle Cehlee.  Says something like, ‘Humans are stupid, young brats and the idiot things they wear aren’t something you’d ever put on unless you’re an idiot yourself.’  And you probably know what came next without me having to even tell you…well, I will anyway…I go over there and slam her with my open hand right here.”

Iole reached out to cup one of Frank’s ears in a model motion of her strike.

“That’s the equivalent of boxing your ears.  Though it’s really meant to be done with both hands.  One’s good for blowing out an eardrum though if you hit hard enough, and I pretty much did.  That little event got me some solid punishment, and a nasty report on my record, let me tell you.”

Folding her arms again and leaning up against the side of the elevator, Iole chuckled.  “Maybe you reminded me about those stories because you’re reminding me of turians in that oversized Predator armor.”  Then she changed her demeanor and her golden eyes became sad.  “It’s interesting how a person will stick up for someone they care about, but not themselves.  You know, the disciplining I received was nothing compared to how I felt about what I’d done.  You’d think I’d be proud of myself.  Instead, I wondered about who I’d hurt and how she felt.  And if some strange way, if she felt anything like me.”

The elevator had almost arrived at Frank and Iole’s level.  “I’m not exactly sure why I told you that story, Frank,” Iole finished.  “With more fighting coming, I guess I feel like sometimes there isn’t a chance to say things later.”

 

¹Pronounced 'Se-lee'.

[Redbelle]

With nothing much left to do but wait, Jess picked up her pad and wandered out of the briefing room by herself.

 

Ship's stores...... replacemen drone parts...... Complete system wipe and reinstallation..... How many miles of cable did the Medusa have again?..... Gaaaah! Why did I ever take this job.......

 

Because you thought it was so important you threatened to kill Luscious for it.

 

Jess paused and rubbed her eye's. As much as she knew deep down that it was neccessay,  she still felt lousy and wondered what Rasgul himself would say if he were here to see what she was allowing his brother to become.

 

Oh quit bellyaching Jess. Luscous made his choice. Now he has  to live with it......

 

But his minds gone. He can't live with it. He's down in his cell still thinking he's still on the bridge of the Medusa and that Iyana coming to get him.

 

Grud. Who'd think that after all these years I'd be about to brainwash Rasgul's baby brother..... After everything.....

 

Focus girl. One crisis at a time. Luscious should be getting primed for the brain drain soon. Let things happen. Then move on when it's done......

 

Your so good at that aren't you girl..... Moving on.

 

Beat's standing still.

 

Your arguing with yourself......

 

.......

 

.......

 

Great.

 

Tapping her pad after it pinged for her attention she looked down and breathed a sigh of relief. Her temporary first officer, Dogger had just entered the system. A reliable hand who'd left shortly after Rasgul had passed on. She hadn't fought it. With their old captain dead Jess knew that change was surely coming and so she'd allowed the old crew to retire once they'd trained their replacement's. She blinked and checked the information. It said he was bringing a plus one but didn't say who it was..... She made a mental note to check when she got back from the mission. She commed Anika to let her know the situation.

[Cknarf]

Iole took Frank’s hand in surprise.  “All right.”

As Frank and Iole left his cabin for the assembly area, Iole was quiet.  She didn’t say anything until they got to the elevator and had to wait for it to arrive.  Nobody else was around, and Iole broke the silence.

“When I was young…this high in fact,” Iole started as she held her hand at waist height, “at school I went through this phase where I wanted to play alone at recess.  I would pretend I was a turian, the wife of a great general, and we would go to these fancy events.  There, we’d dance and I’d wear this amazing gown that flowed and sparkled.  So I’d be doing these spins across the little area of the playground I was in, until the teachers would call us back.

 

Such an odd time for a story.

 

[Frank shrugged. He liked stories.]

 

“Of course, one day this tall girl I didn’t really know comes over and asks what I’m doing, so thinking nothing of it I tell her.  When I’m done, she steps right up to me and yells, ‘Turians don’t wear dresses!’  Then she shoves me so I fall into the dirt.  Pretty much I burst out into tears and a bunch of other children on the playground who saw laughed.  And of course, then the story went around the school, so everyone knew.”

 

Well not traditionally, they don't, but I've heard rumors about a certain comm officer...

The elevator arrived, and after some officers exited, Iole and Frank got on as the only occupants.  Iole went on.

“Twenty years ago, I’m just out of the asari equivalent of basic training and I’m posted with another seven novices just like me.  Its two teams but we’re all out of a bad few weeks and while we’re waiting hours for a late transport, we’re all sitting around a loading dock, relaxing, getting to know one another.  One of them next to me…I remember her name.  It was Cehlee¹.  She’s going on about Earth and when she gets her next leave, the first thing she wants to do is get a pair of these pants that were apparently all the rage on Earth at the time.”  Iole took a break to smile and snort a laugh. “They were these things that were tight at the hips, but went all loose after that, and had a million little pockets.  Plus they ended just above your ankle and had cuffs.  Most of them were in black, or otherwise dark colors.  Anyway, she’s going on about it and being very entertaining doing it.

 

Twenty years... I could barely talk twenty years ago. I wonder how old she is? 

 

I could use some pants like that.

“Well, one of the others in our group, this one not even particularly big, but one of those something to prove types with a good scowl on her face decides, for whatever reason, to belittle Cehlee.  Says something like, ‘Humans are stupid, young brats and the idiot things they wear aren’t something you’d ever put on unless you’re an idiot yourself.’  And you probably know what came next without me having to even tell you…well, I will anyway…I go over there and slam her with my open hand right here.”

Iole reached out to cup one of Frank’s ears in a model motion of her strike.

 

Neat. B*tch had it coming.

 

“That’s the equivalent of boxing your ears.  Though it’s really meant to be done with both hands.  One’s good for blowing out an eardrum though if you hit hard enough, and I pretty much did.  That little event got me some solid punishment, and a nasty report on my record, let me tell you.”

 

I'll remember not to ****** you off.

Folding her arms again and leaning up against the side of the elevator, Iole chuckled.  “Maybe you reminded me about those stories because you’re reminding me of turians in that oversized Predator armor.”  Then she changed her demeanor and her golden eyes became sad.  “It’s interesting how a person will stick up for someone they care about, but not themselves.  You know, the disciplining I received was nothing compared to how I felt about what I’d done.  You’d think I’d be proud of myself.  Instead, I wondered about who I’d hurt and how she felt.  And if some strange way, if she felt anything like me.”

 

I know, right? This gear is ridiculous.

 

[Frank tugged at his collar again.]

Holy sh*t, this is a slow elevator. What is this, 2183? [Frank smirks]

The elevator had almost arrived at Frank and Iole’s level.  “I’m not exactly sure why I told you that story, Frank,” Iole finished.  “With more fighting coming, I guess I feel like sometimes there isn’t a chance to say things later.”

Turians. Dresses. Me. Armor. Turians?

 

Frank put things together the best he could.

 

"First off, commando, I'm not interested," Frank laughed. "Dresses aren't my thing, you know?" 

 

Weird.

 

"And I've got something to say, but I want everyone to hear it."

 

When the elevator door opened, he quietly stepped out.

[Kel Riever]

Watching Frank, for Iole, was like watching a high speed object with a camera whose framerate was too slow to capture it; there was so much going on with him, she felt like she missed what was going on with him between the frames.

So when Frank said he had something to say to everyone, and stepped out, Iole was befuddled.  She followed him out, conscious to be quiet herself for whatever reason like Frank, and waited to hear what he said with genuine inquisitiveness.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena stood, and smiled at Essul. "Well, we'd both best be down to the armory and getting prepped for the mission, yes?"

 

VERA pulled out another cigarette, lit it. "I will be here if you need me... alone... pretending to be a VI. You really know how to hurt a girl, Boss, making her do that."

 

 

Naleena shook her head and left the room with Essul. "Don't mind her. She lays those guilt trips on me all the time. That one was better than most. She'll get glad again when she gets her city."

 

"City?" Essul asked.

 

"It's part of the payment from Ashland. She gets a virtual city: mid-20th Century Earth. I have no idea what she has planned," Naleena said, pushing the elevator button.

 

They arrived in the armory. Naleena retrieved her armor with the tactical webbing; her 9 mm, now with sight, Kassa Locust, Collector Particle Beam, flashbangs, frags, her knife, throwing knives, and a Carnifex. She just put on her armor in the main locker room right next to Essul - Asari have no sense of modesty, but was all business about it. Then she checked her weapons and made sure everything was in order, and holstered everything in its proper place except for the heavy weapon which would be stowed on the shuttle's weapons rack.

 

Essul raised a brow at first, but Naleena was a pro, and he recognized that. Different cultures and different customs. Was she teasing me? No. She just didn't think about it. And he finished getting into his armor.

 

Naleena saw Essul was ready. "Let's go."

 

She walked out of the locker room and strode toward the shuttle where the team was gathered. The shuttle bay was not ornately decorated like other parts of the ship. It was functional in design. The locker room was nearby toward the bow of the ship. Since this was an Asari built ship, unlike the lavatories, there was only one. One could feel the electricity in the air. Team members were standing around chatting among themselves. Banter between them was flying around.

 

"Hey, Williams. Let me know what it's like making a sh*tload of noise in a tactical cloak, will ya?" Irina said.

 

"F*ck you, Red!" Ashley replied.

 

Irina noticed Frank and Iole entering. "Hey, Frank, did ya give him... or her a name yet?"

 

Iole made a move to Irina. Ashley put her hand up to stop her. "She's just bustin' his balls... and being a total assh*le! It's worst than this in the Corps. I'm sure it's like this in the Commandos."

 

"Yeah, mate. Think nothin' of it. If he can help out, the more the merrier is what I say," Irina laughed.

 

"Like you have room to talk, Sloane. You've got... how do you say it? A few 'roos loose in the paddock?" Ashley replied.

 

"Never denied it." Irina said.

 

"God damn it's good to be back!" Ashley fist bumped Irina.

 

"Hell yeah, mate! When we're done with this, let's knock back a few pints for old times."

 

Mira was trying to concentrate on mission preparation. "Must you guys be so loud?"

 

"Textbrain, don't you ever let off some steam before a mission?" Irina said.

 

"No! I prepare which is what you should be doing." Mira replied.

 

"But I'm in charge of the Assault team," Irina said, and at that moment in walked Anika.

 

Irina approached her and extended her hand. "Well, well, I must say that camo look suits you. Looks like you're on the assault team with me. I hope that bickerin' we did back on Duellos can be left behind us given what's happened since. I'm willin' to let it go if you are."

[Kel Riever]

Jenus pushed Irina’s arm aside as she shoved her way between and through the space between her and Anika.  “I’m sorry, no time for fraternizing.  Business, business, business,” Jenus jested loudly.  She grinned broadly at Irina and Anika after passing through and headed over to Tallis, who had just come back from the restroom.

Tallis, for her part, didn’t know why she felt a sudden, overwhelming need to go to the bathroom after the meeting, but she was intent on getting some more coffee for the shuttle ride over, so she was pouring herself a thermos of it to take along. 

“Got your SIG?”  Jenus asked Tallis as she approached.  Tallis nodded emphatically, while Jenus pulled her gun out.

“The feel on these is pretty nice,” Jenus went on to remark.  She spun the pistol once in her hand, then spun it multiple times.  “I like the weight on this little primitive dart gun.”

“Arc grenade. Arc grenade,” Tallis reminded her teammate.

“Right, got one of those as well,” Jenus nodded.  “Though they seem a little heavy compared to the lift grenades.  And then there’s the tried and true.”  She holstered the 9mm pistol, and pulled the Disciple from her back harness, and began examining it.

“Showing off, showing off.”  Tallis grinned as she affixed the thermos onto her own back harness.

“Maybe a little,” Jenus admitted with a laugh.

[Cknarf]

Frank set his helmet on the ground, and placed his left foot on top of it, as if he had a little something in him. 

 

"Yo!" He shouted. "If I could have everyone's attention for a moment..."

 

He waited for everyone to quiet down.

 

"There's something that I need to get out of the way, before we go." He looked around at the team.

 

"There's a damn good chance that I'm not coming back from this job." Frank subconsciously thumbed at the rifle sling that ran across his chest. "Like, seriously, I'm pretty f**cked." He shrugged. "Of course, that means most of you are probably going to be dead, too..." He pursed his lips.

 

Wow. That sucks.

 

 "So uh... Sorry in advance?" He shrugged.

 

"What I'm trying to say is, It's been an honor to serve--" He looked to Irina. "Can civillians say serve? You know, like, serve serve? I totally killed some guys on the Medusa, so I think it counts..." He waved a hand. "Whatever. You get what I mean."

 

"I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else." He shook his head. "Actually, I don't want to do it with you guys either, but I kinda already agreed to it, so... yeah."

 

Frank scratched at the back of his head.

 

"Enough of that depressing s***. I'm about to hit you with some positives."

 

"Eteon?" He focused on the turian. "I wouldn't be where I am today, if you hadn't pulled me out of the desert, and for that, I thank you. I am forever grateful." He placed his hands together, and nodded. "I think."

 

"Naleena? Thanks for having me aboard, even though you already had a fancy-schmancy quarian engineer."  Frank cleared his throat. "Speaking of... Why are we on Caleston again?" He looked to VERA. "If I do survive, I'm so getting access to engineering."

 

"Essul Ran'perah, my favorite batarian!" He pointed to Essul. "The next time we get arrested, I promise to bust us out all the way." Frank smiled. "And I got your message, too. Next time I'm unconscious, leave me be. Unless of course I'm in immediate danger or something." He shrugged. "Carry me to my room one more time, and I might get the wrong idea." He winked.

 

"Ah, the lovely team boom... Where to begin?" He looked around at the commandos.  "Well, definitely not with you two, since, to be perfectly honest, I have no idea what your names are." He pointed to Mira and Jenus. "Don't get me wrong, you're still lovely, but uh..." Frank laughed. "I totally just began with you guys, didn't I?"

 

"Tallis! You don't say much, but when you do, I can't help but smile." Frank grinned. "You're so... goddamn adorable, I want to... grr squeeze you." Frank clenched his fists. "Not like that, though, you know? Like when you see a kitten or something, and it's all fluffy and..."

 

What the f*** are you talking about, Frank?

 

"You know what? Never mind. That was incredibly inappropriate, and I apologize. Still though, grr."

 

"That leaves Iole..." Frank made sure to make eye contact. "The uh... Well... Hm." Frank scratched his head. "I was gonna say something about saving me from an untimely death, but she was the one who... Yeah..." He looked at the floor. "The whole train thing was..."

 

Hoooooly shiiiiit, stop talking, you idiot.

 

Frank checked his omni-tool.

 

"Well, I think it's about time I wrapped this up..." He sighed. "Sorry if I didn't get to you, you're all great, and whatever."

 

"There's something important that I need to ask you all, in case I don't get the chance later." He stepped off of his helmet. "This applies mostly to those of us that were aboard the Audron..."

 

Frank straightened his back, and tugged at the collar of his armor.

 

"Who am I?"

 

With a serious expression, he put his fingers up to his face, simulating mandibles. 

 

"Hey guys, I think we should rob a train!" His fingers twitched on each syllable.

[Kel Riever]

Iole silently mouthed the word, “Wow.”

Mira dropped the datapad she was holding in shock and awe.

Jenus simply said the word, “Stirring.”

But Tallis saw Frank playing one of her favorite games and started jumping up and down.

“Ooh!  Ooh!  Spectre! Spectre!”

[Cknarf]

"Woo! Yeah! Right off the bat!" Frank pumped his fist. "Nice work, commando." He gave a thumbs up.

[favoritehookeronthecitadel]

Avan had spent the meeting buzzed after having a few drinks. Afterwards, he continued to drink more until he woke up on the floor a few hours later. When he heard it was time to go, he suited up and got ready to leave.

[Redbelle]

Anika scratched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "The funny thing is.... on our ship.... this was a daily thing with some of our people". She stopped sighed and looked up. "Funny, or just plain sad. I could never tell. Watch out for Jess Frank"! She called over to him. "You keep that up she'll probably try and recruit you too"!

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul had been checking out the sig saur curiously, not used to the heavy weight of such a small weapon. He pressed the clip release, sliding it back into place, and turned on his safety on and off.

 

"Fascinating..." He said quietly to himself, never having seen firearms like this before as frank spoke his final wish of good luck. Essul had heard these before, usually given by the most senior of the squad as a good luck to ward against death, not by the youngest as a welcome to it. Coming to his parts though, essuls cheeks lit up with a blush as he stood holding the gun, tempting to use it on frank as he looked positively embarrassed.

 

"Perturbing..." he muttered to himself as he holstered the gun, still blushing, "perturbing and vexing..." he said as he wondered if he might activate his own tactical cloak to disappear from this akwardness.

[Kel Riever]

Iole move up to the side and slightly behind Frank.  Just loud enough for him to hear, she said, “Well, Frank, I’m going to say you have a way with words and leave it at that.”  She went to pat him on the shoulder, but before her hand reached him, she pulled it back and waved it in the air.  Then she headed off to the Scythe.

The shuttle was ready to go and Iole climbed aboard.  Naleena would be along so Iole assumed she’d be piloting her own craft.  After placing herself in the co-pilot’s seat, Iole affixed a lightweight, clear visor that looked like a pair of glasses and went through a standard checklist procedure. 

“VERA, put my HUD to my lenses and non-primary data to the panels please.”

The hard light control panel in front of Iole and data began streaming through her visor.

“This system recommends the use of a full pilot’s helmet.”

“That’s some advanced thinking coming from a VI.”

“It is standard procedure for all shuttle pilots.  Please consult your manual for a list of safety precautions.”

Iole flicked her fingers across some switches in front of her, remembering the days when most of the controls were actually physical.  “I’ll take that under consideration.  Especially since the owner of this vessel, as I recall, seems to enjoy flying without a helmet herself.  And that includes for deep space operations.”

“Often, the performance of a VI can be enhanced with optimal upgrades.”

“Right,” Iole smirked briefly.  “You mean bribes.  I don’t have the budget purse strings.  Maybe you should consult your owner, VI, regarding another upgrade.  Though really, with the difficulty of your interface, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t be the one to receive extra funding.”

“This VI does not understand your request.  Please refer to the main menu for another option.”

“How about we get flying instead?  Patch me through to the bridge please.”

“Affirmative.”

“Captain Selani, this is Iole.  We are ready to go as soon as everyone is aboard.”

“Copy that,” the Captain came back, “Good luck, Commando.”

The eezo engines test throttled and the com officer’s voice came over the shuttle bay’s audio system.  “All members of the strike team, you are to board.  Launch is in T minus five.”

Jenus and Tallis moved their fingers over their fastenings methodically, with their own clicking rhythm.  Mira, already set, ordered them on, “Let’s move it!  On board and locked in.”  The rest of Team Boom then entered the shuttle.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena stood in the entrance to the shuttle as the team boarded. "Come on! Come on! Everybody in! Bunch of bad asses!"

 

She hit the hatch close button, took her seat in the front of the shuttle, and strapped in.

 

VERA launched the shuttle, and Iole piloted it up and hovered awaiting clearance from the Alliance Control tower.

 

"This is Council Scythe Shuttle Janiri 1 submitting flight plan," Iole said.

 

"Flight plan received and authorized. You may proceed Shuttle 1," the control tower technician replied.

 

Iole flew out of the busy Alliance shipyard, past the ships that were in drydock being repaired, and some that were under construction; then out of the dome through the connecting tube toward a major junction where she headed northeast toward the main access to Dome 410.

 

"Everyone check your suitcams!" Mira shouted, looking at the monitor in the shuttle, and she ran down the roster flipping through everyone and got to Irina. "Sloane.... Sloane.... Would somebody wake up Sloane!"

 

Irina was sound asleep. The sound of the shuttle engines always did that to her. Jenus jabbed Irina in the ribs. "Camera check."

 

Irina winked. "Right, Textbrain!"

 

"Thank you!" Mira shouted.

 

The shuttle slowed as it approached the LZ, and Iole turned the shuttle into position for touchdown. Mira left her seat and opened the hatch for the team to disembark.

 

Naleena stepped out last and looked around. She saw the command center, and saw an open place that had apparently been cleared for her team in front of a transport terminal.

 

"I need to speak with the commander and get briefed on any new developments," she said and then pointed to the area. "The rest of you bivouac over there until I return. Jess, you're with me."

 

Chief Flynn stood looking at a map of the dome, and his direct reports handed him datapads with updates of the situation inside the dome. Flynn had been on Caleston for about seven years and knew this city well. Ashland fast-tracked his appointment bypassing official channels, but that didn't mean he wasn't competent. He'd managed to keep peace with a diverse population inside the dome until now. He did things by the book. He had to. He had family living inside the dome.

 

He saw the tall Asari in black approaching like a demon of the night winds, and a human along side her. She was not what he was expecting. He turned to face her. "I'm Chief Flynn. You must be...."

 

"Spectre T'sarius, and this is my negotiator, Jessica Stone." Naleena interrupted. She reached into her inside coat pocket and took out her cigarette case, removed a cigarette, "Do you mind?" She lit it and took a deep drag. "Give me an update on the situation, Chief." Naleena opened her omni-tool.

 

"So far the terrorists are still waiting for a reply from the Council," Flynn said, and then he turned a little pale. "I guess you're that reply. They took hostages."

 

"That's been confirmed, then."

 

"Yes. Apart from everyone in the dome, there are twenty hostages with one designated for execution every hour if their demands are not met, or if we start taking any action."

 

"That is about to change. We're going to throw an electronic blanket over the dome and cut their coms, The only person with whom they'll be able to communicate is Stone," Naleena said motioning her head toward Jess.

 

"You have equipment to do that in your shuttle?" Flynn asked.

 

"No, on my ship."

 

"What if they detonate the bombs?"

 

"We're gambling, aren't we?" Naleena replied, "But if I were betting in a casino, I would bet that they won't. They know the game. Their game is to be martyrs. They will kill hostages, but they won't do it without an audience. No audience means no terror. That's why it's necessary to drop the blanket over them," Naleena looked at the map the Chief had set up in the Command Center. "Very nice, and much more detailed than ours. May I make a copy?"

 

"By all means, Spectre."

 

"Their goal is to be killed by quote Alliance pigs endquote so that news travels throughout the Terminus and Batarian Space and gets more recruits than are killed here. How many are there? The last I heard there were thirty."

 

"That number is a pretty good estimate."

 

"We're going to try to take as many alive as possible. We're not Alliance, and we're going to end this. I know there will be bloodshed. Jess will keep them talking and distracted, and trust me, she's quite good at it.

 

"We'll be entering through the utility tunnels. I'll need you inform your people we're coming. Wish us luck, Chief."

 

"Good luck, and T'sarius?" Flynn said, "Just so you know. I have family in there."

 

"Noted," Naleena then took Jess aside. "I'm giving you authority here because you'll need it. Politically, this is a very touchy situation. Play nice with Flynn and his people, okay? I have to get back to the team and get the operation underway."

 

Naleena turned to Flynn. "Thank you for keeping the situation stable, Chief. I am putting Jessica Stone in charge here. I should go. I have to get things moving."