6315 réponses à ce sujet

[Kel Riever]

Faed was about to say something, but Frank walked away.  The quarian blamed himself for rambling on.  Was it his desperation for someone to understand what he was talking about?  Perhaps the disappointment of the situation had gotten to him.  The contact for his software was taken with the other hostages and there was no way he would be found now.  Not since Faed had barely established the contact anyway.  Caleston was a loss, and there would be no way he could easily purchase a ticket for a trip off world.  Even if he could, how long would it take to find someone he could trust with his interests?

Sure, the human had been correct about caution in being open with strangers .  But Faed thought, even if for a fleeting moment, that when he saw the omni-tool, he had encountered a person who would at least be empathetic.  Faed took a few steps towards the groups in the lobby awaiting transport, then he went away from the crowds of people to sit by a pillar.  Where would a transport even take him to?  Some debriefing?  The hospital where someone would make sure he was all right to go wander the streets again hopelessly.

Lysix, the asari, wasn't to be found anymore, though Faed searched the faces of those gathered.  People were mostly relieved to be out of there situation, so they could get back to the normal lives they had forgotten they enjoyed.  Nobody Faed could see cared about the batarian hostage takers much.  They were apprehended or dead.  Problem solved.

 

Faed busied himself thinking about a math loop that had stumped him for some time.  He turned on his omni-tool to use its display for his equation.  It was a Bluewire tool.  Level I.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Go ahead, Frank." Naleena replied.

[Cknarf]

"I was speaking with one of the hostages a minute ago, and I got to thinkin'..."

 

That you should bring this guy along, because he said he's a programmer, and I got a good feeling, hurr durr.

 

"Look, boss, there's been a few tasks you've put me on that haven't exactly been in my uh... comfort zone, if you will."

 

Ahem, BOMB DISPOSAL.

 

 He scratched at his head. "One of those was the Illium job, where you had me hacking into Sao's stuff."

 

Just about hacked into his daughter, too. Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!

 

He mentally high-fived himself, although he wasn't totally sure that almost doinking a salarian chick was something he should celebrate, let alone tell people.

 

Did I tell... f***, I was so drunk, I don't remember...

 

"Well, to be honest, programming isn't really my strong suit.  I just happened to have software on my omni-tool good enough to bypass his security.  I got lucky." He shrugged. "If we ever come across anything like that again, I don't know if I'll be able to get the job done." Frank shifted his weight from one side, to the other."I know we have VERA now, but what if she's... I don't know, unavailable or something?"

 

Holy sh*t, get to the point, man.

 

Frank sighed.

 

"The quarian I found, guys a programmer."

 

*cough* Hacker *cough*

 

He looked across the room at Faed, who was fiddling with his omni-tool. "I think he's worth looking into."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Give me his location, and tell him to stay put," Naleena replied. I wonder if he'll freak when he finds out about VERA.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The following was work of SJ and Maj0nese

 

The Turian caught Naleena's attention. "Yes. I have been tasked with investigating the disappearances of human colonies for the Council: find their origin; why they're happening; and stop them. There's more to it that is classified. You must have overheard my conversation with the Operations Chief. You're interested in joining the team?"

 

"Yes, I am. I don't know what kind of people you need for this task...but I used to be good with a rifle." For Arian this whole situation was getting more and more awkward but for the moment he hold back his questions.

 

"Then you'll have to tell me your name so that I may give it to Mira. You've earned the job interview. Mira will run you through several situations in the combat simulator on the ship both solo and with the commandos. I'll be observing."

 

"I'm Arian Lorthan... You mentioned a ship, where can i find it?"

 

"It's in the Alliance Shipyard. Don't worry, though. There's a couple shuttles taking my people back. You'll ride with Mira and the commandos. I'll see you back on the ship," Naleena said, and Frank pinged the omni-tool with the Quarian's location. "I should go."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena followed Frank's data point and saw the Quarian standing in the computer room. The Quarian saw the tall Asari wearing black commando armor and full length black leather coat approaching with authority. This was obviously someone in charge.

 

Naleena entered the room. "You must be Faed? I am Naleena T'sarius. I haven't met many Quarians in the past 300 years. Most of my encounters with your species were before you were wearing suits. I was very young: a child if you will.

"Frank tells me you are a programmer. What kind of programmer?"

 

Faed heard his name mentioned as the tall asari in black approached, but still looked around as if she must be talking to someone with the same name besides him.  When it was clear she was speaking to him directly, Faed worried about what Frank had said earlier, so he asked, "Am I in some sort of trouble?"

 

Naleena made her way over to one of the desks and leaned against it, and laughed a little. It was difficult to read Quarian reactions behind their masks. She didn't recall them being this shy. "No, Faed, not at all. I'm... sorry.... Like I said. I haven't had much interaction with your species in a while. My childhood memories recall being able to be more direct.

 

"Walk with me. You must be thirsty. There must be at least some water around here. We can talk as we walk."

 

Naleena led Faed to a vending machine she saw on the other side of the computer room. She slipped her credit authorization in and selected water and a d-DNA protein drink. "That should hold you until you can get some proper food. At least it's sterile. Now back to what I wanted to discuss: your programming ability. I've been assigned a dangerous mission by the Council. I know Quarian machinists are highly sought after, but ever since the Morning War, Quarian programmers have become extremely rare. They have been shunned in most parts of the galaxy. You'll have no chance of permanent employment with Ashland, although you'll be well paid. You'll be treated as a vagrant in most quarters. But if you're half as good as I suspect, I might have use for you if you're interested. You'll be tested of course. Are you interested?"

 

"Ashland?  Hahah, that's a good joke...you were joking, yes?"  Faed distracted himself by nervously opening the water and inserting a tube from a device under his right wrist into the bottle.  The tube passed through a built-in filter and delivered the water to his mouth.  Faed hooked the protein drink into a loop on his belt.

 

Faed went on.  "Programmers, well, we must still take our pilgrimage.  It is true that the vast majority return to the Migrant Fleet, and as a percentage, they are among the highest to return.  Well, you know, it is a stigma for most.  It isn't as if every quarian programmer is out to create the next geth..."  He hesitated, worried that he'd be leading the tall asari in the wrong direction.

 

"Let me start over.  I am Faed'Vells nar Ketsa, and yes, I am a programmer.  Generally in all areas, but with an avid motivation for intelligence systems...and technically I have been on my pilgrimage for eleven years now...with no real end in sight.  I do not know how this can help you but if you are in need of assistance with any software, I might be of service."  Faed looked down at his half-empty bottle, wishing he could just put it up to his mouth and finish it.  Instead, he took a long sip from the tube.  "There must be disclosure, for I am not much interested in permanent employ with a company.  I, ah, I need to travel, so to be on board a ship would be very useful to me.  And also, well, I have my own odysseys I would like to pursue...all in my off time...all simply on a computer with extranet access.  And if this is acceptable to you, I would gladly take your test.  Ah, though I should really ask first, yes?  This tests...administered? Timed?  What is this test?"

 

Faed sincerely hoped the test did not involve some sort of violence.

 

"It's not like you'll be a prisoner. You'll have your own quarters. Maybe Han’Breizh will stop complaining about the food if Grag has another Quarian to prepare meals for. And you'll have extranet access," Naleena smirked. "Regarding the tests, however I'm not the expert. I'll let VERA decide the tests. Don't worry. You'll like her. She's really a sweetheart."

 

"Ah, well then I suppose I should accept and accompany you."  Faed placed the now empty water bottle upon another belt loop.  He looked for the first time with intrigue at Naleena. "I am not sure who Han or Vera are, or any of your other companions, but I am eager to complete any tests you may have.  I like tests.  Most of them. Mostly." 

 

Faed felt another ramble coming on, so he made sure to keep quiet.

 

"This is going to sound a little strange, and it is, but before we return to the ship, you don't happen to know where I can purchase anything like a virtual model of a city, do you?" Naleena stopped and asked.

 

Faed thought it to be an odd request from an Asari, but it would not be for a Quarian. "Deng's Electronics in Dome 412. They have things like that for digital download."

[TheMajonese]

For a few moments Arian just stood at the stairs where the spectre had left him. His thoughts were a mess, he wasn't able to fully realise what just had happened. But he knew that he wasn't going to leave without any gear.

On his way down the stairs he spotted a Batarian. Apparently it was the same Batarian who saved him by killing the terrorist, Arian recognised the Kishock Harpoon Gun holstered on his back. For one second he wanted to approach the Batarian but then he decided to ignore him. If he was part of Naleena's team then Arian was going to see him more often than he'd liked anyway.

 

Back on the streets, Arian needed a second to orientate, then he started running. Since the hostage-taking was over and threat was eliminated people came out of their appartments and filled the streets. He knew that some eyes were following him but he didn't care. After two minutes he arrived at a narrow and dirty alley. He made sure that nobody was watching before he edged his way throuh a half opened door. When Arian first found this place he already figured that it had been abandoned a long time ago. It probably had been a storage room for one of the adjacent residences. There was no power at all so neither the door nor any light worked. At first it had been completely empty except for a few empty crates that he used to pull behind the door if he wanted to take a nap. Now there was canned food, a lot of trash, a not working datapad, some of his gear, a tiny, flickering lamp and a pile of tatters in one corner where he used to sleep.

 

Like seeing this mess for the first time Arian looked around sceptically. He knew that he was poor but he had never realised in what kind of squalor he lived. "That's bullshit!", he grunted kicking away some tin cans on front of him. He probably wouldn't need any of the stuff here for this mission but Naleena didn't say anything about gear so Arian took his Phaeston that was leaning against the wall. Since he was here at Caleston he didn't fire this gun once and it still had one thermal clip loaded. Back when he left his hideout a few hours ago he didn't have his gun with him what made him unable to defend himself when the Batarians showed up. For him there was no doubt that he wouldn't go without his gun anymore. Except for the gun he also had his old, notched combat knife and his Omni-Tool.

After he had taken everything, he wanted to leave this place again once and for all but at the door he suddenly stopped and turned around slowly. On the ground next to his sleeping place was a small piece of crumbled paper. Arian kneeled down and reached for it. When his finger touched it he hesitated. It was a mistake to keep it, somehow Arian knew that. Nevertheless he grabbed it.

In disgust at this whole place he finally left.

 

It took him a few minutes to get back to the Com Building where he was hoping to find Naleena or this Mira the spectre had mentioned.

[Kel Riever]

Mira had just finished pointing a group of civilians towards local police and medics who had arrived.  The rest of her team was busy doing the same thing nearby.  As the last of the civilians left, Mira noticed a tall and scarred turian approaching.  He looked like he was ready to kill.

Wondering if the update on her omni-tool had anything to say about it, Mira glanced down to examine her messages.  There was one from Naleena, noting the description of a certain Arian Lorthan, to welcome him, and in due course, to set up a combat sim with him upon returning to the Janiri.  There was also an addendum about a quarian.

Goddess, Mira thought as she glanced up from the message to look at the turian again.

Mira’s calm poised and white combat leathers, barely scuffed from the engagement, conveyed a feeling of competence to any veteran of combat.  But despite her outward appearance, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the turian.  Nevertheless, Mira greeted him in a friendly manner, “You must be Arian.  I’m Mira T’Riel.  Naleena informed me you would be coming along with us.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Faed’s eyes half-closed in pleasure at the thought that he’d be on board a ship.  He always formed a picture of some sort of quarian vessel in his imagination, despite knowing that it was hardly likely.  The first concerns of meeting the black clad asari slipped away and he was about to ask if she needed someone to go to retrieve the city program, when he spotted Lysix out of the corner of his eye.

“Pardon me.  Very much.  I mean please pardon,” Faed stumbled with his words. 

Faed trotted over to the asari he has been held hostage with and grabbed her attention.  In a quick conversation, he said his farewells and thanked her.  Faed further let her know where he was going and if she needed to contact someone in the future for her line of work, he suspected Naleena’s group might be just the perfect contact.  With another wish of good fortune, Faed left Lysix and returned to Naleena.

“So, ah, this city program.  I would be happy to accompany you to dome 412 to obtain it, if this is your wish.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Thank you. I promised VERA that I would pick up one for her. She is fascinated with 20th Century Earth," Naleena said, and saw Mira wandering around organizing people, tabulating things on her omni-tool. "Excuse me one moment."

 

She approached Mira.

 

"Ma'am?" Mira snapped to attention.

 

"At ease. You seem to have the situation under control with the former hostages. This is Faed. He's a programmer. VERA will be testing him, but we're going to Dome 412 first. There's a Turian named Arian who will be returning with us to the ship. Put him through combat tests in the simulator both individually and with the commandos. He knows more about combat than he told me. He has a prominent battle scar on the left side of his facial carapace. Let me know your evaluation."

[TheMajonese]

The Asari introduced herself as Mira so Arian knew that she would bring him back to the ship. At first he didn't say anything, just nodded. Mira looked like she was able to fight, wearing combat leather without any mark of the battle against the Batarians. Either that or she didn't even participate in the fight. 

Arian wasn't really interested in talking but he was curious about what was coming next for him. "Naleena said something about combat simulator...what kind of simulations do I have to expect?"

[Redbelle]

Aboard the Medusa

 

Sherie looked over at the man approaching her. Her skirt swirling around her hips as she turned. "Oh, no. Not really". She called out. "I'm just waiting for my husband. Is this what all cargo ships look like inside? It's not exactly..... Well organized...... don't you agree, Mr...."?

[Kel Riever]

"Morgan."  Morgan wiped on an old, but clean cloth he'd found in the pocket of the orange suit and offered his hand.  The rest of him was still sweaty from the first use of his limbs since he'd been laid up.  Now that she had spoken, the woman did seem out of place, a bit.  "No need for formalities.  This isn't the way the Medusa is going to keep.  Once things get sorted out, I'm sure it will be more...organized.  For a cargo ship."

The woman had mentioned her husband.  Morgan presumed it was the man who had walked off, and seemed to be directing people about with an air of familiarity.  Squinting after him, Morgan rolled up the sleeves on his maintenance suit and put the cloth back in his pocket.  "You're husband seems to know what he's doing.  Have you two been aboard before?"

[Redbelle]

Jess watched as the group in the tent started packing up their gear. Crates were brought in and equipment was dismantled and put away. "Normally we'd stay on station". One explained. "But with something like this they sent in another mobile command station. Looks like we won the lottery since we're being sent home".

 

"Where's home"? Jess asked.

 

"Meh. Here and there. Fact is most of us were pulled from various posts to make up a command staff".

 

Jess raised an eyebrow. "Oh, what do you do normally"?

 

"Recquisition's". Came the response. "I organise inventories. Did a course on communication's and got accredited as a comm specialist in my spare time. Figured the extra skill would boost the pay. Instead it seems to have landed me here".

 

"So your heading back"?

 

The comm tech shrugged. "I figure we're probably going in for debriefing at some point. Then get back to my post.... Only....".

 

"Only"?

 

The man shrugged. "I kinda enjoyed the change of scene. You know? Every day I get up, throw on a uniform and try to keep track of equipment that everyone thinks they don't need to sign for. Heck, when I get back the store's probably going to have holes everywhere. The guy I left in charge..... He's not got much experience keeping things in order".

 

Jess looked over the rest of the staff. "And..... what about the rest of everyone here? What do you do when your not plucked from your jobs"?

 

"Oh, They got me mapping the scene. But what I really like doing is ship navigation! I'm nearly ready to pass the tests"!

 

"I work the maintenance pool. Grew up on ships a lot. I liked them enough for Dad to notice and every time we went places he'd pay the engineer's to show me the engine room. Guess it kept him from having to look after me himself".

 

"I do a bit of everything".

 

"Handle front door security mainly".

 

The list went on and as it did, Jess thought of all the roles aboard her ship that were currently going unfilled. She made up her mind.

 

"Listen folks, I've got an offer. You can take it or leave it but if you liked what we did here today...... I've got an offer you can't refuse".

 

Jess laid out her pitch and the eye's of all those around her widened. Some looked unconvinced, but others......

 

"Did I mention the salary"? She asked. She did and minutes later she was calling in several shuttles who landed and waited for the command tent crew to pack up and get everything aboard. They seemed eager she noticed, signing off several forms in the process. The forms detailed their movement back to their respective postings which Jess generated to be as convoluted as possible, then signed the forms under the authority of Guyvartus with his e-sig she's hacked out of his Omni-tool out of habit.

 

Okay, she was technically stealing a crew to man her ship and hiding it through the paperwork. From what she'd gathered they'd all been taken from various posting's anyway. They'd be missed, but not all at once. By then she'd probably have a real crew. Or some of those she was taking would decide to stay on. Regardless, the bureaucracy would hide their movement's until someone started making noise. And that would likely be ignored for awhile. Long enough to get back on the trail of the collectors.

 

Piracy in plain sight. Jess loved the life.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Mira sized up the Turian, and then spoke. "First we'll see how good of a shot you are. Then you'll be put in a group combat situation. The cargo deck we use is quite large and our holo projectors make a realistic environment. Your companions will be members of the crew with their actions based upon data gathered from their suit cams and other telemetry data gathered during actual combat. This was analyzed by our ship's computer, and you'll find the holo companions quite realistic. Expect the enemies to be challenging, and if you've ever watched any of the Armax Arsenal Arena competitions on the vid, you'll find our simulated enemies use better tactics."

[Redbelle]

Sherie gave a polite smile. "No. Not me. My husband though? He used to be part of the crew until he made enough money to move on with life". She sighed. "I suppose I'm grateful that this ship gave him the chance to make something of himself. A man like him wouldn't be given the time of day elsewhere. I just hope he doesn't develop that sailor's mouth of his. When he came to marry me I gave him a week's grace and then cracked down on the profanities he'd come out with".

 

As she spoke she watched as Dogger was speaking to one of the engineer's. The conversation didn't seem to be going well as the engineer's protestation's incurred Dogger grabbing him by the front of his tunic while Dogger shook him like a rag doll. Pointing to the gash in the bulkhead while his voice carried over words like 'schematics', and 'moron'.

 

Sherie let out a sigh and clutched her hand to her chest. "Though I must admit.... Seeing him now.... Reminds me of why I fell in love with him".

[Kel Riever]

"Hmmmn," Morgan muttered as he saw the man at work.  There was not one thing about Dogger that made him seem like anything but one of Jess' crew.  "That makes a lot of sense.  If I may, I'm going to get acquainted with your husband."

Morgan looked at the out of place woman, standing in admiration.  "You're probaby going to need to find quarters since you're coming aboard.  I'll make a point of finding someone to get you a proper cabin and handle your luggage."

~ ~ ~ ~

As Mira nodded to Naleena, she noticed the quarian attempt an inconspicuous step back away from the turian, to move behind the Spectre.  With a slight tilt of her head and eyes a bit wider than normal, Mira peered up at Arian.  “The primary point of the set of tests and simulations will be to properly assess your most proficient combat qualifications.  That would include all relative combat paradigms for a trooper, such as…”

“Hey, a combat qualification exam!”  The interruption came from a black and red commando suited asari.  She had two natural violet facial markings, just below the eyes, that evoked the image of eye black used by athelets.  Her suit was much more worn than Mira’s.  She was passing by with a brash expression and a spring in her step.  “I love combat qualification exams.”

Mira sighed.  “Jenus…”

“It’s okay, you can tell the turian and the quarian they’re lucky to have you, Mira.  Wouldn’t want me doing it, going hard on them first time out.”  Jenus winked, and walked sideways for a bit, motioning up and down her body with her hands.  “Don’t think they could handle all of this.”

“Okay, look, the test is for Arian…why am I even talking to you about this, Jenus?  Move along!”

“Orders are orders,” Jenus chuckled.  Then she spoke to Arian and Faed.  “Don’t worry, Mira’s gonna go soft on you both, so you can handle it.”  Then Jenus strode away.

Mira put a hand to her face.

[TheMajonese]

Arian shrugged his shoulders. "No need to hold back for this. In a real fire-fight the enemy won't go soft on me either."

He looked at the quarian. "So you signed up for this mission as well?" 

[Kel Riever]

"Don't even listen to her," Mira remarked.  "Nobody is 'going soft' on you.  The point of the test is to assess your capacities.  We'd be doing a pretty bad job if we decided to limit those tests."

Faed glanced cautiously at Arian.  "Ah, yes, so to speak.  I am a programmer. My battery of tests is not combat oriented."  He looked worriedly at Naleena.  "Is that correct?"

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"No, they're not, Faed, but you'll need to learn to fire a weapon for self-defense purposes," Naleena said. "You never know when you'll need to. Anyway, your test is later. Come on. I'll bring Faed back to the ship, Mira."

 

Naleena walked with Faed in tow to the side exit of the building. There was a skycar parked there. No one seemed to claim it at the moment, so Naleena hacked the alarm system, lock and hopped in.

 

She knew Faed was raising a brow under the mask so she turned to him. "Spectre Authority. I'm commandeering this car on official business. And lucky us. It's a Cison Motors 6000. We're just borrowing it. Care for a ride?"

 

Faed got in.

 

"Let's see... Dome 412, Deng's Electronics," Naleena keyed their destination into the computer. "There, that should do it."

 

The car lifted off and began travelling on the route toward the destination. It entered the main traffic stream.

 

"Shall we have a little fun? I don't have fun anymore. Make sure you're strapped in," Naleena disengaged the governor on the car and took over manual control. "They say this thing will do 650 kph. Don't worry about tickets, I can get us out of them. And I've had plenty of experience out running police," she winked, and grabbed the engine thruster with her left hand and pushed it to maximum.

 

Faed felt a slight g force press his body and head against the seat when the inertial dampers kicked in as Naleena broke out of the main flow of traffic and began weaving her way through like a fighter pilot, right and left, up and down. The inertial dampers inside the vehicle were the only thing keeping the contents of Faed's stomach contents in place.

 

"We could try it without the inertial dampers," Naleena said, and reach up to the switch and laughed, "Nah. Ah, finally a blue light in the mirror."

 

"Warning: you are being asked to  bring your skycar to a stop at the nearest parking lot," the vehicle's computer said.

 

Naleena got a sly look on her face. "Let's lose him." She hit the turbo boost. "This guy's good. He's keeping up with us.... and he has backup. This is getting fun. You're probably thinking: 'why did I take a ride with this crazy Asari?' Because we're going shopping. And there's Deng's about a km ahead. I'll slow and exit. Watch this. I've always wanted to do this."

 

Naleena pulled into the parking lot. Three police skycars landed around her. Officers pulled their weapons. "Step out of the vehicle with your hands behind your head and lay face down on the ground."

 

Naleena popped open the top, exited the vehicle with her hands behind her head. "Put down your weapons. I'm a Council Spectre on official business."

 

One of the Salarian officers scanned her chip with his omni-tool. "She checks out, Sarge."

 

"Sh*t!" the Turian sergeant said, "I hate Spectres." The police lowered and holstered their weapons.

 

Naleena spoke in a low voice to Faed. "See what I mean?" and then spoke to the police. "Tell that to the residents of Dome 410."

 

"Ha! Some Turian named Guyvartus Artalus with Turian Special Forces rescued them. Didn't you hear? It's all over the news." a human cop said.

 

Naleena took out a cigarette and lit it. "That blowhard? He almost got all of the hostages killed is what he did. The Turian is a loose cannon. We have our suit cam recordings. This will blow up in his face. He'll be shoveling sh*t somewhere after the truth gets out."

 

"Yeah, yeah. We'll see about that," the Turian cop said. "Come on guys, let's get out of here."

 

The cops left. Naleena turned to the nervous Quarian. "Aw come on. That was fun, wasn't it? Let's go inside."

[TheMajonese]

Arian snorted amused as the quarian reminded him of one of the Blue Sun mercenaries he met some years ago. A twitchy, babbling midget without much combat experience. He was supposed to be a tech expert and hack all kinds of tech. During his first mission on Omega he got caught in an incendiary grenade and died a slow and painful death. But Arian had no intention to mention this poor bastard, at least not to the quarian.

"Glad to hear that you won't go easy on me. When are we starting?", he asked Mira.

[favoritehookeronthecitadel]

Watching Mira and Arian and wondering what they were talking about, Avan walked around smoking. He wasn't interested in the post-mission. Another easy job, he thought. 

[Cknarf]

"Hopefully soon." Frank said as he passed by, briefly glancing up at the turian. He was ready to get back to the ship and change.

 

He unlatched his helmet, and took a seat in the waiting shuttle.

[Cknarf]

Back aboard the Janiri

 

After a short talk with Septerax, Frank stashed his gear in his locker, and headed up to his room.

 

"F*** this." He dropped his helmet, and kicked it aside. "And these." He opened the latches on his gauntlets, and shook them loose, before ditching his shoulder armor. "And especially this..." The chestplate fell to the ground.

 

"You can stay, though."

 

Frank ran his hands over the form-fitting base layer that came with the set of heavy armor.  Although it accentuated his scrawniness, something he didn't particularly like, it was extremely comfortable when not paired with ill-fitting armor.

 

Smooooooooth

 

 He hopped over to the neat pile of light armor upon the table, while kicking off the lower parts of the heavy.  

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

"That's what I'm talkin' about." Frank was looking rather fresh in his plain white armor.

 

"VERA?" He raised his omni-tool

 

"Frank."

 

"Give me a heads up when the turian enters the simulator, will you?" He winked at himself in the mirror.

 

You handsome bastard, you.

 

"I wanna see what he can do."

 

"Of course."

 

"Thanks, VERA."

 

Frank smiled at himself one last time in the mirror. Something over his shoulder caught his eye.

 

Not this sh*t again.

 

He closed his eyes tight.

 

Just ignore it, Frank.

 

He slowly opened one eye.

 

F***.

 

 

Frank slid his helmet on, and quickly left the room.

 

I need to find something to do.  Gotta keep myself occupied.

[Kel Riever]

Faed got out of the skycar shaking his head.  His stomach felt like it had been flipped upside down.  Between the ride and the encounter with the turian, he was having second thoughts.  Still, there wasn’t much choice so he set them aside.

Coming through the front door of Deng’s was like walking into some distant relative’s ship cabin, for Faed, where everything was packed around the bunk, all musty smelling, or worse, coated in antiseptic spray.  Old drives, hard wire, routers, decks, cases, and the occasional kiosk meant to interface for software options, were packed into what would still be a rather large place if it were cleared of its shelving.  There wasn’t a walkway through that was wider than half a meter, and some of the product looked as if it was ready to fall down upon a customer. 

The good news is that these were the places Faed would find things.  The stranger a retailer got, the greater the chance that they would find something unique.  City programs certainly weren’t front and center, like drive programs or navigation assist VI’s.  Those common items were at the front, trying to help Deng’s survive.  Instead, about the third aisle from the right wall on entering was where the kind of program Naleena was searching for would be located.

Faed walked to a dusty kiosk nearly unseen behind stacked cable boxes on either side of it.  He brushed off the screen and it took him only a few minutes to come up with a list of 3 programs for city models. 

“Here is what you are looking for.  If you want the most complete version, there is a Sanctity 1000 which is the common Council software available to the public.  It is not cheap but has good models of most cities.  However, you said your friend was an avid fan of Earth cities.  Therefore I recommend the Pioneer Suite 4.3.  It is made by a human company and is likely to be the most historically accurate when it comes to Alliance information.  Plus it is based in open source code, and is therefore an easier program to update, should new facts come to light about a cities that historians discover, or if you want to add new information to the database.  And it is less expensive.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Mira talked to Arian as they boarded the Scythe shuttle that would take them back to the Janiri.  “Well, we shouldn’t delay.  You seem eager.  I would normally put you on the gun range first, but I understand that some turians have customs they prefer in preparation for combat.  So if you would like to start with hand to hand, it doesn’t matter to me.  You’re preference.  Which would you like to go with first?”

The other commandos were harnessed in nearby, chatting away.  Team members, aside from the commandos, joined in the conversation.  It was light banter, mostly of a not serious sort.

“We’re a bit different,” Mira remarked.  “I’d rather not explain and let you experience how for yourself if we can get through these tests.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Morgan found one of the workers aboard the Medusa who had just used a small loader to deliver a set of bulkhead plates.  The worker hopped off, and started standing around, waiting for directions, as if he had nothing to do.  Morgan whistled sharply, catching his attention.  The worker came over after Morgan beckoned him.

“What are you doing next?” Morgan asked the worker.

“Waiting for the boss to give me instructions.”  The worker pointed at the man getting a dress down from Dogger.

“You’ve got another job while we’re waiting,” Morgan said.  “This is Sherry.  Grab anything she brought aboard and walk her over to the crew cabins.  Let her pick one for herself and her husband…make sure there’s enough bedspace for two…no bunk beds.  You’re going to find the cabins, let’s see, aft and…”

The worker interrupted.  “Wait, who are you?”

Morgan looked at him sternly.  “I’m the guy in charge until the Captain gets back.  Got that?”

The tone snapped the worker into line.  “Yes, uh, but I need to tell my boss…”

“I’ll talk to your boss.  You just do what I say and come back as soon as you are done.”  Morgan then gave the directions to the common quarters to the nodding worker.  When he was done, he talked to Sherry.  “It’s a work in progress as you can see.  I should really talk to your husband now.”

Morgan wiped his brow once more with the cloth before replacing it, and headed over to the man named Dogger to greet him.

 

[TheMajonese]

Arian watched the others chatting and making jokes. There were Asari, humans and of course the Batarian. He already felt uncomfortable being surrounded by so many different people of different species. "I want to start with hand to hand combat", he said while he glanced angrily at the Batarian.