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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

On their way up to the bridge, Dahlia turned to Morgan. "I should let Naleena know I'm joining the crew over here, shouldn't I? I think now would be a good time."

 

Morgan nodded.

 

Dahlia engaged her com. "VERA, would you please patch me through to Naleena?"

 

"Yes, Dahlia."

 

Naleena was watching the show on the vidscreen in the lounge. Her com flashed. No rest for the weary. I hate command. "What is it, VERA?"

 

"Dahlia wishes to speak with you on the com."

 

Naleena stood, and went into the empty game room. "Go ahead, Dahlia."

 

Dahlia took a deep breath. "Naleena, I'm on the Medusa with Morgan, and I was.... I'm requesting a transfer to the Medusa."

 

Naleena was a bit shocked. "Why?"

 

"Well, I feel my talents are under-utilized on the Janiri," Dahlia replied, and she really hated this type of confrontation, "You have me sorting files, and stuff like that. I don't really fit among the crew or the team. And Jess, well, she needs a navigator and I can do that. She just offered me the job of senior systems administrator."

 

"Wait, you never told me you could do navigation."

 

"You never asked. You never asked me anything. You just gave me a stack of files and said 'sort these' just because Aria said I needed to learn some discipline." Dahlia said, and was getting wound up. "Then when I began working with Morgan you just turned me over to him. He's first mate here. I'll be working with him. I don't see a problem."

 

"Slow down, Dahlia," Naleena replied. "If you want it that badly, go. It's not like you can't ever come back if you want."

 

"And then... wait. It's okay?"

 

"Yes. It's okay. I'll have the quartermaster pack your stuff and send it over."

 

"Thanks, Naleena."

[Redbelle]

Heading out toward the spine, beyond which, the bridge was located Jess paused. Then rubbed her eye's and hit her comm.

 

"Anika"?

 

"Here Captain".

 

"You back"?

 

"I'm on the Medusa again if that's what you mean. Things are a mess. Looks like the occupier's stripped a lot of wiring and broke connections all over the ship. Diagnostics keep coming up as red or parts of the ship read as just missing".

 

"Are we"?

 

"Are we what"?

 

"Missing things"?

 

"That's...... I don't know. We'll have to eyeball everything and then run the connections back through the ship".

 

Jess thudded a fist lightly into her forehead as she stooped, running the options through her mind and kept coming up with the same answer. "Okay luv. Mark everything you've found so far far and get ready to hand it over to the one who'll be releiving you".

 

"Captain"?

 

"I'm sending you over to the Jeniri".

 

The comm was silent. "Not that I wouldn't mind Captain but.... there's a lot of work to do over here".

 

"I know luv. But I've got people here who can take over the work. I've got a more important job for you".

 

"Which is"?

 

"Fleet co-ordination. We're running two ships that will be on the same mission and I need someone over on the Jeniri who knows how I work. I need someone whose dedicated to making sure communication between us runs smoothly. And maybe I'm mellowing but I think there's someone over there who could use the company and a shoulder to lean on from time to time..... I'm not sending you over there for a holiday luv I need you sharp. But when it comes to co-ordinating activities your the one whose best set to do it".

 

"And who'll be your body guard"?

 

"Right now luv that job doesn't mean much if we get into a ship to ship fight. The Medusa needs work before she can stand up to a collector ship so we'll be hiding behind the Jeniri till we can pull our weight. That means you making sure the Medusa's survival is a priority for that flying battle axe".

 

"I.... understand Captain".

 

"Grab your gear. There's a Kodiak here leaving in twenty minutes".

 

"I'll be on it".

 

Jess killed the connection. Losing Anika was rough she had to admit. But it was neccesary. Jess just hoped she didn't live to regret it.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia made it up to the bridge and was opening the panels on the nav system. She was examining what she saw as primitive electronics. But humanity had only been in interstellar space for less than 50 years, so some of these parts should still be available.

 

Jess is going to kill me. She thought, and got on her com. "VERA, would you do me one last favor?"

 

"You are no longer a member of the crew, Dahlia."

 

"VERA. Please, we're friends, right?"

 

VERA sighed. "What do you need?"

 

"I'm going to give you model numbers of some of the electronic components. There seem to be some parts missing. See if you can find a local vendor."

 

VERA came up with three. "I have three vendors. Deng's Electronics, Bhandari's, and Charlie's. They have a supply of NOS parts in the manufacturer's packaging. They can, however, be pricey."

 

"Thank you, VERA." Dahlia sat on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees staring at the empty sockets. She opened up other panels. Jess had told her not to start connecting everything, but she wanted to see how everything worked on the ship. It's not like she'd never been on a ship before, something she'd neglected to tell Naleena and everyone just assumed that she didn't know anything.

 

She tapped her communicator again. "Jess, I'm in the middle of the navigation system. It appears there are some missing components. I hope you don't mind, but I had VERA locate local suppliers. I'm sending these to your omni-tool. I'm sure that b*tch ripped out parts elsewhere. They might have some replacements. Many have been discontinued, but these places carry NOS parts or New Old Stock. Expensive, but new.

 

"I like the idea of no networks. I've worked in this system before. Due to the nature of her business, Aria only had certain systems connected on her frigate, and no ship-wide network for fear of having the entire ship hacked by authorities. VERA's adaptive code will prevent that on the Janiri, but we don't have an AI."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan was up on the bridge with Dahlia, taking a look around.  He had brought the little bird, Tarus, along, as it had changed its tune once he had started to walk away.  In fact, Morgan swore the little creature had become downright cranky.  It didn’t stop making a fuss until Morgan had picked up the cage from the top of the stack of luggage and carried it with him. 

Taking a seat at the communications station, Morgan placed the cage up and out of the way on a clear space above the panels.  Tarus contentedly groomed as Morgan looked over the controls.  There was an old fashioned plug in headset in the sidepocket of the chair.  He put it on, inserted the jack, and began exploring the channel dial.  While the readout was computerized, the channel itself was brass and spun mechanically.  Morgan liked the way it felt.  It was a big change over typical hard light and resistor interface.

An actual touch button pad was next to the channel dial with a small screen, and it took Morgan a bit of getting used to but he figured out the station’s in-ship computer access.  There was an inventory of sorts, but it had been vandalized; a sad reminder of who had been on the ship previously.  Since it was useless as it stood, Morgan made a backup and then started anew. 

“Let’s see,” Morgan talked out loud, “People are going to want to be comfortable.  But we’re not going to want to spend a giant chunk of cash.  We might have to make a deal for some of what we’re getting.  But bedding…bedding…even in an environmentally controlled ship should be comfortable.  People will be working hard.  Hmmn,….”

Morgan thought for a bit, then started making a list.  “We’re going with cotton sheets and pillow cases, larger than normal down comforters, aoft flannel covers, a down pillow,…no make it two per person.  I’ll have to ask someone who knows better what should be kept in store.  Does this thing have a cost estimator? Yep, here it is.”  He typed in a few more numbers.

“Sonofa…,” Morgan trailed off when he looked at the cost.  “Someone who knows a bit better needs to be consulted.”  He had needed to speak to Sherie anyway, and couldn’t think of a better person to ask.

Morgan switched to a general channel.  He started calling for any of the crew looking for a cabin, so that they could get Sherie on the line with him.

[Cknarf]

Apollo's cafe, Presidium, Citadel

 

"Couldn't we just stay here for awhile?" Kira asked, while staring across the water. "I've always loved visiting the Citadel."

 

"No longer than we have to. We should keep moving, at least until I figure out what's going on for sure." Marius replied, while looking through his omni-tool. "The ship will be ready in a couple days."

 

"I suppose we'll just have to make the most of it, then." Kira smiled, before sipping her tea.

 

"Haven't heard from Quintus since we've been on the station..." Marius sighed.

 

"You worry too much."

 

"Do I? Did we not just survive an attempt on our lives? I must be losing it, because I'm pretty sure we did." Marius shook his head. "I shouldn't have let him go off on his own."

 

"He'll be fine, dear. He can handle himself."

 

"Barely." Marius scoffed. "If he'd answer my calls once in awhile..."

 

"He's probably chasing a girl. You know how he is."

 

Marius nodded quietly.

 

"Relax, love." Kira placed her hand on his. "Please? I hate seeing you like this."

 

"Okay." He sighed, turning to face her at the table. "Let's get out of here, huh? The more I sit around, the more I'm going to think about it."

 

The pair left the cafe, and summoned a cab.

 

"Where do you want to go from here?" Marius asked.

 

"I hear Adir is still around..."

 

"Yeah. He's got a place on Tayseri ward."

 

"Well?"

 

"What?"

 

"We're not going to go see him?"

 

"I'd love to, but I don't want to risk it. If we were followed..."

 

"Goddess, Marius." Kira pinched the bridge of her nose. "Don't you think you're taking this a little far?"

 

"Nope. Not at all. Actually, I don't think I'm taking it far enough."

 

"We got out of the Terminus Systems. We're safe here. Come on."

 

Marius thought for a moment.

 

"Fine." He set the coordinates for Tayseri ward.

[Redbelle]

The corner of Jess's corner came up in a half smile as she comm'd Dahlia back. "Good work luv. See if you can get a deal on the parts you need but if you can't..... Much as I hate to pay what's asked, we need those parts or the Medusa's going to be here awhile. Get what you need. I'll link over a line of credit. We haven't got anyone watching our accounts yet so send the invoices to me and I'll tally up costs. Welcome to running outside of government's and syndicate's luv. We'll be earning our pay from here on and that means making more credit's than we spend. The good news? Look's like we have enough in the bank to get the ship going and keep her running for awhile... The bad news? Sooner or later the credit's are going to run out since we're not bringing anything in. Make em count luv".

[Redbelle]

Duncan was bringing up the rear of the group when one of the PA's on the wall started beeping. He looked over and saw a hunk of modeled black plastic with one of the old style handsets. The type that connected the box to the handset via a metallic cord. Looking ahead he saw the rest of the group moving ahead and figured he should keep up. In the end though, his curiosity got the better of him. He walked over and actually took a moment to enjoy the novelty of lifting and having to hold a receiver to his ear.

 

"Um... Hello"?

[Kel Riever]

The voice on the other end of the line seemed uncertain.  Morgan wasn't exactly used to ordering people around, but then he remembered something Jess had said, so when he responded, he had an edge in his voice.  "This is the first mate.  Who am I speaking to?"

[Redbelle]

"First Mate? Oh.... Oooohhh! You must be the guy. The one the lady told us.... Ahem. I mean.... Duncan. My names Duncan... Sir.... Thank you". Duncan looked up the corridor and saw his group moving off around an intersection. He waved but no one saw him and the next minute they were out of sight. "Damn. Uh, okay, sir I hate to, you know, make a bad first impression but we're looking for the crew deck and my group just walked off without me so..... uh.... is there.... Was there something you wanted"?

[Kel Riever]

Morgan had to cut the com to hide his heavy sigh.  He looked over at Dahlia, who didn't notice him as he eyed the nav console intently.  He looked at the bird, who gave him a look he swore asked what? before it went back to grooming itself.  Then he responded.  

"Duncan.  You sound young, Duncan.  I hear you were in the Alliance military so I'm going to expect you have half a head to figure things out or you wouldn't have made it through, all right?  What I want is for you to find a woman named Sherie.  She's in the cabin area so you're going to have to find it.  Use your head, kid, and figure it out.  It isn't like they put the cabins in a part of the ship that's meant to be hidden, got it?  Go find the cabins, which you needed to do anyway.  When you get there, find Sherie, bring her to one of these coms like you just picked up, and help her ring me back in the bridge.  Got it?"

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Corridor – outside lounge on the Janiri

 

Mira had dismissed Jenus and Tallis.  Jenus seemed to size up Arian one more time before she left, then she exited the simulation room. 

"Come on with me," Mira then told Arian.  "I think it's time we talked to Naleena.  VERA, would you please let the Spectre know Arian's tests are done, and we're on our way to see her?"

 

Naleena's omni-tool glowed with a text message from VERA, and she sighed. She messaged Mira: "I am in the lounge."

 

It was a quiet, uninterrupted trip across the Janiri to the lounge.  Upon opening the door, Mira saw the lights were low for videoscreen entertainment.  "Pardon me, Spectre," Mira called in just loud enough for Naleena to hear, "But may I pull you outside for a moment?"

 

Human 1: "I don't know what the f*** you're talking about! We had a deal assh*le!"

 

Human 2: "F*ck you! You work for me!"

 

*gunshots*

 

A drell voice: "You just killed our distributor. Now what are we supposed to do?"

 

Human 1: "I don't know, man." *pacing*

 

Drell: "Think before you shoot next time."

 

Human 1: "He was going to waste us, you moron!"

 

*sound of glass breaking*

 

Drell: "No, he wasn't. He needed us. Now take care of the body."

 

Naleena quietly stood, excused herself, and walked into the corridor outside the lounge closing the door behind her. "Good show. You should watch it sometime, Mira. How did everything go?"

 

Mira stood out in the hallway, her white commando uniform as pristine as ever.  Her look was hard and professional, and she spoke so her voice did not carry beyond the three.  "I'd actually prefer Arian spoke first and give his own assessment of what he was exposed to, if it can be done that way, ma'am."

 

"Of course," Naleena said and turned to the Turian. "Arian?"

 

Arian threw an angry glance at Mira, then he turned to the spectre. "I took out Mira in a two on one situation and enabled Jenus to go for Tallis. This should be proof enough of my combat skills. If you want to know more than that you have to ask Mira."

 

Naleena was puzzled by the apparent animosity. She leaned against the wall. "Alright what exactly happened, Mira? And why the animosity?"

 

"It's nothing personal but I'm not here to tell you exactly what happened in the simulation", Arian said to Naleena. "You could have just watched it yourself or ask Mira about it. I tried my best, that's all I have to say."

 

Mira looked at Arian, non-plussed by his reaction.  "Well, there's no doubt Arian is a combat asset.  He does what he needs to, regardless of how he feels.  And I've certainly worked with worse, when it comes to that."

Leaning against the wall, Mira's expression became approving.  "The short version is I'd put him on any team, if his background check doesn't have any discrepancies with what he's said.  Even if he does have some trust issues."

 

Naleena stood leaning against the wall trying not to show any kind of expression. Where is Dahlia when I need her? Oh, she's on the Medusa!

 

She pushed herself away from the wall. "Arian, why don't you wait here in the lounge. Just a little heads up: Vayne just got out of med-bay not too long ago and the red head, Irina, is his Krannt."

 

Arian nodded, and went into the lounge. The door closed behind him.

 

Then Naleena got a serious look on her face. "Mira, that is the most mixed review I've heard. I'm trying to relax for the first time in ages, and this. Get the commandos together in the conference room. Now."

 

"Yes, Spectre."  Mira got the other commandos on the com, including Iole.

[TheMajonese]

When he entered the lounge Arian already felt like being in the wrong place. The atmosphere created by the dimmed light somehow reminded him of the time on Omega. 

 

With a sigh he leaned against the wall next to the door and crossed his arms. He hated waiting and being left without any use, especially now. It was incredible what had happened during the last dozens of hours. Batarains had taken him hostage, he got almost killed, then was rescued by some spectre and offered to join her crew. And after several combat tests Naleena now decided whether or not he could stay on the Janiri or had to return to his rat hole on Caleston.

 

He glanced at the krogan and the woman that were watching a TV show. It was the same like with Jenus before the combat tests, Arian felt like he should say something but instead he just stood there and kept shut.

[Redbelle]

Duncan nodded throughout Morgan speaking, fidgeting every so often in his impatience for the man on the other end of the line to finish. When he did Morgan blinked a few times.

 

"Alliance mil..... oh... well.... not really I mean.... I was a background support..... we all were. I specialised in communications. Say? Isn't there a com network up yet? I'm guessing these old Model AR-7's are dotted around the ship. Better than those Z-ohm phones they tried to update but with personal Omni-Tools and the range of them, with all this old wiring as a potential booster I could rig a wireless system Omni-Tool grid to cover the whole ship so you can just comm anybody. It's an old trick our instructor showed us in the academy. But uh.... we're not solider's.... I mean we're went through basic but.... We only went through basic... basic.... if that makes any sense. Which I guess it would.... So find Sherie.... Gotcha.... Um... Ah, l... I gotta catch up to the group. Find Sherie. Find Cabins. Tell cabins.... Sherie.... I'll just say to contact you. Duncan out"!

 

Duncan quickly put the handset back in it's cradle and picked up his bags and hurried to the interesection where his gropu had disappeared. Looking down the hall he couldn't see his group. Instead seeing another interesection that he hurried down. Only to find that again, his group was no where to be seen.

 

"Ooooh darn".

[Redbelle]

Anika walked onto the hanger of the Medusa's cargo deck and saw the Kodiak waiting for her. Carrying her cases and dressed in her customary white armour she stepped over drawing the attention of the worker's as she did. When she arrived the pilot was outside looking over the outside on a visual inspection. He looked up. "You the passanger"?

 

"That's me. Anika for transport to the Jeniri".

 

The pilot cocked his head to the hatch. "Go in and stow your gear. I need to finish up out here then we'll be set to go".

 

Anika nodded and stepped inside the cabin, stooping as she did. She hated these craft. Made for the galaxy except for her. Sitting down was a relief to having to stand with your head tucked down and your shoulders grazing the cabin roof.

 

She waited and moments later the pilot came back. "All set. I need to announce us the destination ship. Shall I tell them your aboard"?

 

Anika thought about it. Then smiled. "Just say I'm a passenger. If Nally doesn't know I'm coming I'd rather it be a surprise".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan was working his way through the list, with the idea that once it was down on 'paper', so to speak, it could be acquired or crossed off.  Somewhere about the half hour mark after he had talked to Duncan, Morgan pretty much knew he wasn't getting a call back anytime soon.

"I'm going to have to find that guy," Morgan told Dahlia.

With more effort than usual, as the pain from his wounds still lingered even through painkillers that were meant to have him remain functional, Morgan got himself up.  He made to walk off the bridge when Tarus started to get cranky again.

"Listen," Morgan started to tell the little bird, and then had the thought, Now I'm talking to the bird as if it understands me.  "Listen, pretty little thing, I can't be carrying your cage around wherever I go."

Tarus flipped his wings about angrily, and flared slightly blue.

Morgan sighed.  "I need two hands to work, besides.  What do you want me to do, anyway?  Let you loose so you can fly up some vent in the ship, never to be seen again, and die?"

The bird stopped flipping its wings and stared at Morgan with one eye.  It chirped once.

An idea Morgan thought he'd seriously regret dawned on him.  At the same time, if he left the bird in the cage here, its incessant noise would likely distract Dahlia.  If there was someone competent around, he'd have them take the bird somewhere else safe, but no one else besides Dahlia was nearby, let alone someone else competent, and so Morgan just went with his instincts.

"Look, I'm going to try this once," Morgan told Tarus, "And if you don't stick with me, and go flying off somewhere, I'm not going to worry if you end up fried in some capacitor or on some very hungry crew member's plate, you understand, you cantankerous little thing?"  

Tarus was quiet.

Morgan shook his head and reached out to the cage before his concerns would change his mind.  He unlatched the door, and slowly opened it.  Tarus didn't move out, right away.  As the cage door opened wide enough for the bird to step through, it hopped tentatively twice, to examine the surrounding environment.  Morgan offered it his finger and the bird looked at it inquisitively.

Then Tarus flew up and away.

At first, Morgan wanted to just slap his hand to his forehead for being such an idiot, but before he could, Tarus circled around and alighted on his shoulder.  Tarus chirped once, then groomed a wing.

"Well, all right," Morgan said, satisfied.  "Looks like this could work out."

Morgan headed to find the cabins, Duncan and Sherie.

[Redbelle]

"Hellooooo"? Duncan poked his head around another intersection having climbed up two levels and then down another.  to try and find where his group had gotten to. "Helloooooooooo"?

 

"Hello". Said a pleasent voice from behind him. Duncan started as he hadn't heard anyone coming up from behind and spun to see a middle aged, but still very much attractive looking back at him, dressed in what looked like a shawl and skirt. She was staring up at him with polite inquisitiveness in her eye's as she hugged the shawl around her shoulders. "Are you lost"?

 

Duncan nodded glumly. "I had a call. Then I lost my group. Then I tried to catch up but I must have turned left when I should have turned right..... Or maybe it was the other way..... And then I tried to find the crew quarter's and..... Yeah. I'm lost".

 

The woman sighed. "Me too. I went out to try and see some of the ship and, well, here I am". She moved to reach an arm out from the folds of her shawl and Duncan had to drop a case to shake it. Her grip was surprising strong considering her small stature. "My name is Sherie. What's your name"?

 

"Duncan".

 

"Hello Duncan. Care to walk with me? I'm trying to find my cabin. I"m sure we'll find your group if we find it".

 

Duncan looked down at her with surprise in his eye's. "Your?..... I have a message for you"!

 

"For me"?

 

"From the First Mate".

 

"Oh. That man from the.... hanger was it"?

 

"The dock"?

 

"The place where they they store things".

 

"Um.... I think it's a hanger and storage space".

 

Sherie shrugged. "No matter. It's hardly my business. What's the message"?

 

"He's looking for you. And can you contact him on one of the AR-7's"?

 

"AR-7"?

 

"The phone lines". Duncan explained, happy to finally be talking about something he knew about.

 

Sherie simply looked up at him. "Well, if he's looking for me he's welcome to find me. I'll contact him after we've found out quarter's again".

 

"Oooh.... um... I think it was urgent"?

 

"Was it"?

 

"Was what"?

 

"Was it urgent"?

 

"I..... don't know"? Duncan flustered turnng a shade red for no reason he could discern.

 

Sherie sighed. "Come along Duncan. Do you need help carrying those"?

 

Duncan looked down at the bag by his side that matched the other one in his hand. "No. No I've got them". He said stooping to retireve it.

 

"Well then, I was going in this directiom". Sherie pointed back the way Duncan had come. "Come along, and do tell me all about yourself. your a part of the crew I take it"?

 

"I.... don't know yet".

 

Sherie sighed. "Duncan.... it seems you have a lot to make up your mind about".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan understood how things could get confusing, but for the crew on the ship, they would have to learn at some point.  He was more worried about Sherie.  Especially if Duncan had found her.  Morgan had more faith that Sherie would figure things out before Duncan did.

Plates had been replaced, but there was still work to be done.  The construction threw things off in a different way than Iyana's psychotic remodelling.  On his way to the cabin area, Morgan ran into one worker doing an inspection of the work done, tightening loose ends.  After a few short questions, the worker had no clue of anyone passing at all.  So Morgan moved on.  It was about 5 minutes later when he came across Duncan and Sherie, together, wandering through what was once a lounge area, now devoid of any decoration or furniture whatsoever.  They both looked around as if they were a mile from anything.

"Pretty good job," Morgan remarked as he came closer.  "You're literally a hall away from the first cabin areas.  How'd you fair?"

[Redbelle]

"Uhhh". Duncan began, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck when Sherie stepped forward.

 

"Mr Morgan? I understand that as first mate aboard a ship you are naturally busy with many a varied tasks. But really... Poor Duncan here is absolutely turned around in this place and after being lost myself, I must protest. Why are there no signs"?

[Kel Riever]

"Well," Morgan started, then paused as Tarus decided to ruffle his feathers loudly.  Morgan peered at the bird on his shoulder as if it were trying to say something.  It cheeped innocently.  "Well, there are signs," Morgan went on, then looked disappointedly at Duncan, "That anyone with common working knowledge of being aboard a ship should know."

Morgan pointed to a small set of arrow decals, slightly off color from the wall, at eye height.  "These are the directionals.  On a human ship, they are always placed on the starboard wall, so people can know their right from their left.  Maybe Jess will have them removed, but they are there right now, certainly at least for the workers who have to move about.  And most ships keep them there for emergencies, since being aboard a space vessel can be disorienting."  Morgan ran along the arrows with his finger.  "Note they indicate which way is fore and aft.  If you know the directionals are on the starboard wall, and which way fore and aft are, you'll know which way is above and which way is below.  Since this ship is basically a box, without long, curving corridors, even if you don't know where a room is, you'll be able to figure out which way you're facing."

Pausing for a moment, Morgan pointed around.  "Most everything crew related is in the aft of the ship, behind all the cargo.  The bridge is up, the engine room down and the most rearward section of the Medusa.  That means crew accommodations, whether its the mess, your cabin, the lounge, the bathrooms...its between the forward cargo, and the aft engines, below the bridge, and above the main engine room.  In other words, where we are, roughly, right now."

Morgan looked at Sherie optimistically and Duncan skeptically.  "Make sense?"

[Cknarf]

Having abandoned his original plans to get wasted, and possibly score, Quintus began fighting his way to the exit.  His 'gastric evacuation' had started a bit of a chain reaction. Not everyone was affected, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the whole bar was tossin' cookies. He wasn't about to stick around.

 

At first, the brawl was organized, at least to some extent. Each species looked out for their own. Of course, the massive amounts of alcohol consumed by each faction, eventually caused them to turn against one another. Quintus repeatedly slammed his elbow into another turian's back, before taking him by the collar, and launching him headfirst into the bar. Using a leg from a busted stool, he managed to push through a good portion of the crowd, close enough to see the door. 

 

A couple punches, elbows, and another glorious headbutt later, Quintus emerged from the bar. Winded, he leaned forward, with his hands on his knees. He turned his head and spat, leaving a puddle of dark blue on the ground.

 

Those reviews were bullshit. I had a great time!

 

Quintus began to notice a stinging pain in his back.  He reached back, and felt around. He was able to get a talon around the object, and it became obvious to him that he'd been stabbed.  

 

And to think I wasn't going to wear armor today.

 

When going out, Quintus would normally wear something more casual. Something easier to get out of, should the need arise.  This time, however, Marius had convinced him to wear armor 'just in case'. Had he not been wearing it, his wound may have been serious, instead of a minor inconvenience. Reaching back again, he tried for a better grip on the knife.

 

"F***."

[Redbelle]

Duncan cleared his throat. "I passed on the message". He said cheerfully. "And.... Ah.... Can I go now"?

 

Sherie turned and smiled. "Of course you can". She soothed. "I'm sure you'll find your way now". With that said she turned back to Morgan and drew her shawl tighter across her shoulders. "And thank you for the explanation Mr Morgan. Now, I'm sure your busy so I won't keep you. What was it you wanted to pass on"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

In the conference room, Naleena stood on the long side of the table and the commandos were seated on the other. She rubbed the inside of her eyes with the index finger and thumb of her left hand. VERA was running a background check.

 

"I brought everyone together about Arian's combat test. There seems to be some confusion about his qualifications. Would someone care to enlighten me as to what happened?"

Tallis shrugged her shoulders.

Mira was about to respond when Jenus interrupted, "He's good!  Even if he can be an *ssh*le.  I mean, have you seen the video?  You know, I had him pegged for another murderer with a gun using money as an excuse to roam the galaxy killing people because he was too much of an idiot to do anything else.  But void if he didnt' shut down Mira and get me a clear path to Tallis.  Put him on, there are too many wimps around here."

"Wimps? Vayne, Irina, Eteon are wimps?" Naleena asked. "VERA, roll the vid."

 

"Very well, Boss."

 

The room went dark and the video of the action was up. Mira's view first, followed by Tallis, then by Jenus, then by Arian.

 

"Alright, he's good. Obviously more than just some homeless Turian in Dome 410 with some merc experience. And Mira, why after knowing he was a hostage in that very building did you choose that very scenario for his test? Is that why the angry look? Or was it something else? You were about to say something before we watched the vid."

Mira thought carefully before she spoke. "I didn't hold back.  You left the testing in my hands and I wanted to make sure I knew whatever I could about Arian, so I challenged him.  My assessment is that he is fully capable and I would certainly work with him if it were up to me, but it isn't."

There was a pause before Mira went on.  "I wanted to give Arian the opportunity to express his opinion about the test himself, but he clearly declined.  His deferral confirms my belief that while he is fully combat capable, will work with a team and obey orders, is that he is not necessarily happy with something beyond the scope of the tests..."

"Oh, please," Jenus interrupted. "You're always taking the psychology route."

Unfazed, Mira responded and went on, "As is part of the evaluation.  You went through the same evaluation, if you'll recall.  The assessment is not beyond my scope of training.  Arian, if I had to call it, has a fatalistic view.  He does not trust easily, and has unresolved issues, particularly as they pertain to Batarians.  In the short term, he is effective and deals with his goals well.  In the long term, or perhaps in a situation where he is not on his best behavior, such as with the testing, there may be problems to deal with."

"What?" Jenus blurted.

Mira held him her hand.  "Problems to deal with, I said.  Resolvable problems.  But they will take some work.  And it would be irresponsible of me to give him a pass by my standards without expressing all concerns.  That is my assessment, in the end.  I would accept Arian, if his desire is to be with us."

 

Naleena opened her hands. "So the team gives Arian a passing grade on the test?"

 

Jenus spoke first. "Yes."

 

Then Tallis. "Yes. Yes."

 

"From what I observed, he's good," Iole said.

 

"You already have my evaluation," Mira said.

 

"Fine, then everyone is dismissed, except for Mira," Naleena said, and she waited for the commandos to leave.

 

"Good work on the test, Mira," Naleena said and she was very calm, "And a very good analysis. That's why I delegated the testing to you. You're an asset to the team. Don't hesitate to give me your honest opinion about things. If you have any concerns, give me a little signal and we can speak privately. The organization chart has you reporting to Commander Selani for ship security, and directly to me for team operations. And thank you. Dismissed, Commando."

 

Mira blushed, unused to kind of genuine compliment that Naleena bestowed on her.  "Thank you, Spectre." 

 

Thank the Maker. Now I can get back to the lounge. Naleena thought and left the conference room for the lounge.

 

VERA interrupted her walk back to the lounge with a report on Arian’s background. “It appears that your applicant has Turian military training in addition to his time with the Blue Suns. His psychological profile indicates intense aggression toward Batarians which was aggravated when the Suns began hiring more and more Batarians. The exact reason is unknown.”

 

“Thank you, VERA.” Naleena continued back to the conference room.  Well we’ll give him a try.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena poked her head in the lounge and saw Arian standing looking out one of the portals into space. She walked over to him, leaned on the rail next to him, and looked out into space.

 

"I delegate things to other members of my team. Things like evaluations," Naleena said. "It helps build trust. You passed, by the way. Your testmate was yelling that we should hire you because we have enough wimps on the team... present company in this room excluded. Your Turian military training will come in handy. I know you didn't mention it, but VERA's background check revealed it.

 

"See the quartermaster, Septerax Paria, and get set up with a cabin. Then go to med-bay and see Dr. Tolus for a physical. Welcome aboard."

[KingTony]

LYSIX T'DAARI, CALESTON-

 

       Lysix tried to find peace in the sound of her knife against the whetstone.  She had barely managed to recover the silvery blade from the Batarian she'd lodged it in before being captured.

 

       Skrrrrrt. 

 

       Her employment status was now unknown, but far from her mind at the moment.  Instead, her thoughts concentrated on her friend Deek.  She was haunted by the image of him lying spread eagle in a pool of blood, a permanent expression of surprise etched on his face and a red hot spike buried in his back.  

 

       Skrrrrrt. The knife rasped.  It was already far sharper than it would ever need to be, but still she scraped it on the block absentmindedly while the attack played out in her head.

 

       It happened fast.  Deek went down without a chance to return fire.  Lysix had blasted down the corridor with the shotgun a few times, but they'd hit her with a submission net before she got a good idea of what was going down.  She managed to get one of them with her knife, earning a beating before they even got to the makeshift cell.  Then she'd met Faed'Vell, the kind but somewhat odd Quarian.  She'd been somewhat dazed by the ordeal, but she remembered his offer to contact him if she needed work.

 

       Skrr- She ceased drawing the knife abruptly and slammed it back into it's hard case, a decision made.  There were worse people to be stuck with, and maybe his new people were really out for the good of the galaxy.  Opening the communicator on her omni tool, she sent a message to the address he had provided. 

 

Faed,

 

If your new crew still needs gunslingers, I'm in.  Sounds like more fun than going back to daytime drinking.

 

T'Daari

 

 

       Surprisingly, Lysix felt good.  An old human song she'd hear on Omega sprung to her mind, and she couldn't help but murmur the words as she packed up her meager belongings.  

 

Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better...

 

        Maybe she wasn't completely f*cked after all.

[TheMajonese]

Arian didn't show any sign of the relief he felt. Finally, something had changed. For months he had lived in absolute desperation, without anything to distract him and refusing to make contact with anyone. More than once he thought of pointing his gun at his own head and pulling the trigger. Now he realised that this was no way he wanted to die.

Gratefully he nodded to Naleena. She had no idea how much of a favor she did him.

 

He was about the leave the lounge to meet this quartermaster she had mentioned but suddenly turned back to the spectre. "You said, that human colonies are disappearing? What exactly is happening and where are you planning to go next?"