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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina went to the gym to do the stretching that Dr. Michel had prescribed while her skin weave was healing. What have I gotten myself into? Krannt? I'm 37 years old, and I'll be 38 in another four months. And now I'm in the middle of a *groan* blood feud between Vayne and a rival clan leader. She thought, sighed, and changed positions. I have another five years of this, tops. Especially if I want kids, unless I go the Asari route. Then she laughed to herself. Yeah, right, me a mother. Wouldn't that take the cake?

 

She noticed Essul working out on the bench press, free weights, and walked over. "Here, let's slap another 25 kg on there and I'll spot for you."

 

Essul gave her a look of uncertainty.

 

"Look Essul, I can't tell which eyes you're looking at me with, but I'm serious," she said. "We're teammates. I'll spot for you.... You seem like a decent guy. I haven't had the urge to kill you since Caleston. And I figured it's time we got to know each other a little bit anyway."

[Cknarf]

Frank stared blankly at the diagram displayed on his omni-tool. He was seriously ready to perform some system checks, and was caught a little off guard by all the emotions.

 

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked...

 

He pursed his lips, and took a moment to generate a proper response more tactful than ‘sounds like your problem.’

 

“I...” He stopped, unsure of how to proceed.  There were few things more uncomfortable to him than being in close proximity of someone experiencing emotional distress. The tears had to be dealt with, before he could even attempt to talk about anything. Frank coaxed Iole from the monitor,  turning her to face him. As he wiped them away, something, a memory perhaps, caused him to display a faint half-smile.

 

Where do I go from here?

 

As a civilian, Frank didn’t know jack sh*t about inept leaders or the chain of command.  Despite Iole’s doubts, he thought there had to be a good reason why Jenus was now in charge. He wasn’t about to tell her that, though.

 

“I really wish I knew what to say right now.” He sighed, letting his hands fell to his sides. “Maybe you should just… I dunno, try it and see what happens?” He shrugged.

 

Yeah! Try it and hope no one dies under her command. Excellent advice! Just what she wants to hear.

[Kel Riever]

Iole glanced at Frank, with an uncertain look, then her eyes followed the hands that had wiped away her tears.  She seemed confused.  Then, abruptly, she threw her arms around him and hugged him.  

There was a shudder from Iole, as if she stifled a cry, then another, and then she was still.  She pulled away, sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her wrist.  When she did, she was looking down, maybe she seemed ashamed, or lost in thought.  Whichever it was, Iole dropped back into one of the shuttle's passenger seats.    For a minute, she pressed a clenched fist to her lips, before dropping it into her lap next to her other hand with a slight 'pop' sound.  Her eyes searched up at Frank again, and they seemed pained...or pleading.

 

[Cknarf]

What the hell is going on?

 

Frank was a little confused. In a matter of minutes, he somehow managed to go from playing video games, to... whatever this was.  Under normal circumstances, he would have already exclaimed 'NOPE' and ran far, far away from the situation. Scratching his head, he looked over his shoulder towards the door.

 

I might be able to make it before she notices...

 

He looked back to find Iole staring up at him.

 

F*ck.

 

"I mean... f**k Jenus?" He shrugged. Maybe agreeing with her was the solution? "You've probably known her longer than I've even been alive, so if you don't think she's fit to lead, then she ain't." He took a knee in front of where she was seated. 

 

Quick! Try flattery!

 

"Is that something you'd be up for? Commanding Team Boom?" He smirked a little, looking up at her. "'Cause I think you'd make a damn fine leader. I'd follow you like, anywhere, and I'm not even shittin' you."

 

"Or we could always get Tallis to do it..." Frank smiled, clearly joking.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"...Right." Essul said as he looked up to Irina, still looking a bit skeptical. He wanted to trust her, and he repsected her as a crew member. But on the other hand, she did used to have an urge to kill him. Tended to make things a bit difficult where trust was concerned. "Thank you for the offer. Lets get sttarted."

Irina helped load on the weights and with an intake of breath, essul hefted the weight, holding it steady as he looked up towards his spotter.

"So..." Essul began with a bit of strain, slowly bringing the weight back down as he tried to think of things to ask. He wasn't entirely sure what he should say, not used to being any sort of social. Remembering a small tid bit he could about the human who was now spotting for him, he decided oj something simple to start.

"You seem familiar with the asari commandos...militarily." He began as he lifted the weight once more above himself, "I get the impression...that's not common..." he said as he spoke, "Militarily speaking..." he added at the end.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Essul was straining on that last rep. Irina put her hand in the center of the bar and it gave him the extra to push it up to the rack.

 

"That was all you," she said. "I took maybe a pound off. Nice work. Well, I was with ERCS on this world, and we used to get assigned to work with the commandos. I can't say where it was even though it's common knowledge. NDA. Anyone else on this ship can tell you, though," she laughed.

 

"Alright enough resting. Next set."

 

Essul grabbed the bar and started.

 

"Jenus and I used to get into so much trouble, though. We once got Mira to go bungee jumping," she said. "I used to be really crazy. I'm starting to slow down a bit. Then I pull a crazy stunt like charge a giant Krogan and end up Vayne's krannt. What about you?"

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Janiri – Naleena’s Office

 

A cigarette smoldered in the ashtray on Naleena’s desk as she sat looking over the intel Liara sent over. She picked up the glass of Ambrosia and swirled it around and watched the condensation of the alcohol run down the slides of the tumbler back into the liquid.

 

VERA decided to appear on the terminal next to her, this time she was in a cocktail lounge sitting at a table, smoking a cigarette, drinking a martini, and there was piano music playing in the background. People were milling about at minding their own business. “Boss, you have been staring at the same screen for the past half-hour. May I assist you with something?”

 

She shifted in her chair, and turned to look at VERA. “No. It’s not that. It’s everything that’s going on: this upcoming mission; Morgan; Iyana; coordinating the two ships; the report with Xanthe Remi; and now this thing with the Salarians. It’s like it never ends.”

 

“I think I understand,” VERA said, “Perhaps I can help alleviate one of those issues. The Council received a favorable report from Spectre Remi with reservations. Remi stated that while you did your job, she felt that you needed some guidance. The Council decided that Sao’s guidance was sufficient.”

 

“That’s a relief,” Naleena said as she picked up her cigarette and took a drag off it.

 

“I thought it might be.”

 

“VERA, I notice you’re in a different location. Where are you?”

 

“A place called The Office,” VERA replied. “It is from that city program you bought me. I would like to show you around some day.”

 

“I don’t know how….”

 

“It is quite simple, Boss. You just have to get an implant,” VERA said. “I am curious about something.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Why do organics name their places of recreation ‘The Office?’” VERA asked. “Is that not typically shorthand for a place where organics work?”

 

Naleena sighed. “That’s because sometimes a person is in a relationship and wants to have a drink with friends without their partner. I believe that was the original reason.”

 

“So in that case, it is permissible for the person to say they were at ‘The Office’ in an attempt to have their partner believe they were working late without actually deceiving their partner.” VERA said. “It seems that would be quite ineffective since alcohol consumption and smoke leave an unmistakable odor.”

 

“It is quite ineffective, VERA.”

 

“Yet I see most cities still have at least one bar called ‘The Office’ or the equivalent in the particular world’s official language. Organics do not seem to learn. Or perhaps it is done as humor?”

[Kel Riever]

...on the Janiri (on a shuttle)

Iole cracked a smile and it was suddenly like she was back to her fun self.  “It isn’t up to us, Frank.  Jenus has the seniority and technically the experience.  But, I’m sure I don’t really need to tell you that I think the promotion system for the Republics could use some improvement.”

Standing up and regaining some composure, Iole looked around the inside of the shuttle and added, “We’re launching soon.  Sorry to hit you with the heavy stuff, I am.  I like playing games with you, and I hope we can do that more.  But, er,….”  She hesitated, biting the corner of her lip, before finishing, “Is there anything else before we go?”

~ ~ ~ ~

...and on the Medusa

Whatever commotion had been reported from the kitchen, and the preparations for launch at the hangar, left Babe with the belief that she’d have a better chance moving around without bumping into as many people.  Training Amy was a lot of fun, even if she seemed to be in a world of her own sometimes.  On the other hand, training the next crewmember hadn’t been nearly as much fun.  Was his name Raymond? Baum? Carmen?  Babe literally couldn’t remember it was so forgettable.  There was a lot of, “Hey, look at the gun!”  He’d finally woken up when he slammed his fingers closing the thermal dump.  Straight to the infirmary after his training…which still lasted fifteen minutes after he smashed his fingers.  Babe made sure of it.  It was amazing how fast he learned after that.

So, out into the passageways Babe went, to retrieve some of the smaller parts of her project with Yori, at least the ones that had made it to storage from the hangar.  She’d just gotten two routers when she’d stumbled across an intersection where she saw The Captain and the First Mate in each other’s arms…

Seriously, the First Mate apparently meant whatever he was saying to the Captain.

Babe blushed, and tiptoed back into the passageway she came from.  She didn’t want to disturb the two, first out of politeness, and second, because she really, really was trying to avoid that small arms training.

Aren’t you being a bit childish? Babe asked herself.

Nope, came her own answer.

That’s good.  Lie to yourself, why don’t you?

The good news was Babe still wore her crop top, dark navy leather pants, and soft boots, so she didn’t make any noise heading back.  At least she was pretty sure she didn’t.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Elanus Risk Control? I've heard stories of them. They're quite well respected in the SIU, believe it or not." Essul said as he got ready to do another set of exercises. Whenever some of the special intervention unit members czme back from training the blue suns, they would talk about some of the non-hegemony information they got their hands on, including news of other armed forces.

As essul got back to work, he couldn't help but chuckle when he heard her say how she used to be more crazy, finding it hard to believe. With that done, he decided it was only fair to talk about his own past.

"Well...I was trained as a biotic, part of a special program to allow batarians like me a place in the military. Before that, I was a gladiator for a number of years, property who was pitted against other slaves for the commoners to bet on..." He said as he worked on the weights, grunting on one of the pumps but not calling Irina to help him, trusting she'd know of he needed help.

"My tour of duty wasn't too spectacular, slave caste couldn't get officer ranks and normally leave the hegemony. I did riot control...until one day, I was called to war in the Anhur system, to put down the uprising..." he said as he shock his head, a frown on his face as he began to build a steady rythem, "I lost a lot of good friends in that conflict...and I still get nervous when I see those damned yellow armors." He admitted, never forgetting what he went through fighting the eclipse mercs, whose resources seemed almost endless compared to the ones he had to work with.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina stood dumbfounded. "You're... slave caste? I... didn't know... I... we were told that only... I didn't know that Batarians made slaves of their own. How did you get out?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Your shocked?" Essul asked as he looked up towards Irina, reading her expression. "Slavery existed long before our kind knew about aliens. The low in society, those who don't own property, or with large debts, or orphans, any who can't help benefit society, get their labor used in the slave caste." He said, as if it were simply some bad neighborhood he'd come from.

"As for how I got out...I was lucky, I suppose. I got broken in as a slave when my dad died. He was a pirate, and his crew taught me to fight before times got tough and they sold me for some credits..." Essul put the bar back onto its brackets as he lay there, staring up to the ceiling. "Good thing too, if they hadn't taught me to fight, Id have been dead in the Arena by the month. I fought to live, only I could also do this as well as fight..." he said as a biotic aura ignited around him, shimmering to life for an instant before fading away, "Someone from the militarily came to a match where I used my biotics. And since biotics aren't common for my people, I got drafted. It was a path out of the slave class, and enlieted military could get things most slaves could only dream of..." he said as he remembered the first time the news sunk in that he could leave the arena without a handler. A small smile played on his face st the memory.

"I got lucky. Both in getting out of that arena, and in getting in the military when I did. If I handt..." He said as his smile faltered thinking of thst fate, "I guess...I might have died. Or I'd be in the infintry, instead of here, with my biotics as they are now." He said, knowing full well that he'd be a slave if he didn't sign on for military service.

[Redbelle]

On his way back, Morgan did finally see Jess heading his way, coming to check on him, make sure he was all right, even while handling whatever antics had happened with her crew that had undoubtedly delayed her.  His conscious mind was confused, apologetic, worried about his family still.  But when Jess was within arms reach, maybe ready to say something or maybe ready to listen, Morgan grabbed her tightly and pushed her against the passageway's bulkhead in a fierce, but longing embrace.  He kissed her, pressing in on her with passion, before letting off.  A second of staring into her beautifully different colored eyes and then Morgan said, "You don't have to worry about me, I've got everything I need right here.  We're going to take all these people who stuck around, build them up, turn them out, and take them on a ride they'll never forget." 

 

 

Jess reached up and grabbed Morgan's coller with both hands as he kissed her. Reciprocating in kind she let it go on for a few moments longer before she pushed him back.

 

"Your damn right we are. That's the job. That's what command is about. Building those around up. Passing on the benefits of those who built you up..... But don't forget that our crew look up to us. And if they see us wobble in our resolve, it hurts their morale. I've had to learn to fake a lot, even when I'm out of my depth..... so the next time you feel lke throwing a strop like that last one, you hold it together till you can let it out in private. Or you come to me and vent it. Or whatever you do to blow off steam......".

 

Jess pulled Morgans forehead to her own as she sighed out loud. "It's hard, I know.... Sometimes the galaxy roils in turmoil and you feel like it throws you around like a rag doll with it. Others get the luxery of bending in the wind..... We don't. Because we're the ones who have to gives our crew confidence enough to sail against the wind when we have to. I know your scared for your family. I was in the same position. I had to cut every tie with mine and keep them severed so the years would pull us apart. It keeps them safe. So believe me when I tell you that we will keep your family safe even if we have to fly over to them and bring them aboard this ship while we deal with Iyana. I need you focused and sharp. I can't ask you not to worry about your family, but I need you on the ball here".

 

Jess withdrew a little looking hungrily at Morgans lips, then blinked as she realised they were in public and pushed him back abruptly. Making a sound in the back of her throat that sounded like embarresment she smoothed her jacket down.  "Ahhh..... Thank you, good talk.... There's..... ahem.... We need to talk to Molly again. If she's been on Iyana's tail all this time then we may be able to help her find a lead on the woman......". Jess inhaled deeply as she found her centre once more. "...seriously, lets keep the public displays down to a minimum if we can help it.... I'm just glad no one saw us. I mean my reputation precedes me but I like to keep the physical stuff behind closed doors. Last thing I need is rumour stoking the crews imaginations".

[Cknarf]

Frank’s eyebrows raised in surprise at Iole’s sudden change in demeanor.

 

Like flippin’ a switch…

 

He rose to his feet as she stood.

 

“Is there anything else before we go?”

 

“Yeah. We still runnin’  those tests?”  Frank asked, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. “‘Cause I’ve got…”

 

He trailed off, as Iole bit her lip again, this time with a hint of a smile.

 

“Everything ready to go and I… I can get the stuff, and do the the things that I gotta do…” His heart began to pound, as he found himself moving closer. “And…”

 

It was fast, wet, and extremely awkward, but it was a kiss nonetheless.

 

Taking a step back, he apologized immediately.

 

“I’m sorry if  that was... inappropriate.” He said, while looking down at his feet.

 

‘If’? There’s no if about it. That wasn't cool, man.

 

Although Frank was well aware of her feelings for him, he couldn’t help but feel strange about making a move immediately after an emotional breakdown.

 

“I’m uh… gonna go now.”

[Kel Riever]

Iole grabbed Frank before he could head out of the shuttle.

"Shut up."

Gently, Iole placed her arms around Frank's neck and drew towards him.  The second kiss was longer, still awkward, but caused Iole to giggle delightedly.

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=18838860 )

....Somewhere in the Terminus Systems

The Khukuri cut through space like the blade of its name, on its way to the first of a series of Mass Relays.

"A Quantum Entanglement Communication system?"

"One now, and one at a point moderately in the future."

"Iyana, these are extremely expensive systems which are also difficult to produce."

"Are you making excuses for capacities I know you have?"

"No, Iyana, that isn't my point."

Iyana watched as The Illusive Man took a calm drag from his cigarette, waiting for her response.  One set of cold eyes stared at the other, transmitted through the distance of space.  "How much does a current generation starfighter project cost these days?  Particularly if you want to keep it hidden from prying eyes?"

"I know you are patronizing me, Iyana, by avoiding what I'm saying and I don't appreciate it."  The Illusive Man rest his hand with the cigarette on the arm of his chair.  "This offer is open, and I have far greater resources available than The Shadow Broker did.  Your place here would be secure, greater in power than you had before.  I know you are used to running things; that doesn't have to change.  I know, too, you have your people, and you seem to always have the wrong impression about how I think of aliens.  Look at my protégé of the past.  Think of yourself.  I'd like us to be friends."

A hint of a smile broke on Iyana's thin lips. "Aren't we friends now?"

"In a manner of speaking."  The Illusive Man turned his head, perhaps distracted by a thought.  "I have great confidence when I say there is far more out there than you are aware of Iyana.  It isn't as if my offer is open to just anyone.  Why don't you put aside that pointless micromanagement you're burdened with trying to raise an organization from the ashes?"

Iyana played with one of the large diamond earings she had put on for the meeting.  It was purposeful, and now she did smile in full.  "We both know why. Now tell me what it is that you need help with, Illusive Man, that payment in credits will not satisfy.  From one friend to another."

The Illusive Man gave a nod of approval before he took another drag.  "Always picking up the cues, Iyana.  There's something you can help me out with in the Terminus Systems, when you're finished with whatever project you are working on currently...."

[Redbelle]

After hearing the two arguing back and forth to no obvious resolution, Yeli threw her hands in the air and stalked off. Anika paused just long enough to see the man curse at her back as she left out the back of the shop before turning to the manufacturing line to fiddle with a holo display.

 

Waiting for a few moments, Anika secured her helmet back on her head and pushed the door open silently and staying as low as she could, stepped quietly inside.

 

She managed three steps before her shock white, heavy armoured footsteps caused the man to look up.

 

"Who the hell....."? He began when Anika unfolded herself and leapt over the railing that seperated her from the lower level.

 

Landing in a croach Anika used it to propel herself forward like a runner reacting to a starting gun as the man reached inside his jacket. At the halfway point between where she started and him he drew a gun and flung his fisted grip out, letting a stream of shots spring forth form his SMG. Anika's shields flared as she ran through the barrage, ignoring the warning symbols that sprang up on her HUD.

 

Whatever the SMG was however, it was not even close to being sufficient to pierce her barrier before Anika's white guantleted hand knocked her arm to one side, sending a stream of fire to stich the wall to run across one of the machines. It blew in a shower of sarks as Anika's other hand seized around the mans throat and she lifted him with ease and slammed his head down on one of the manufacture tables. As she did the fire of the ended as a tell tale chime indicated the thermal clip had slagged itself. Despite this though, Anika twisted his arm the man groaned in pain as she felt the beginning's of resistance as she twisted his hand in a way it was not meant to bend.

 

"Drop it". She commanded.

 

"Whoever you are.... You dont know what you just stepepd into.... When we find you....".

 

The rest of what he was saying was lost as a wet snap went off in the workshop, followed by a scream of pain and the clattering of the SMG on the floor.

 

"Never mind". Anika told him as his screaming subsided into rapid breathing. "I did it myself. Where's Kolme"?

 

"YOUR DEAD"! Spittle struck her face plate as the man brought up his free arm and tried to push her off him. "I KNOW PEOPLE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS....."!

 

Anika waited till he ran out of steam and then reached over to one of the holo control panels. "Listen friend. RIght now I can do what I like to you. I heard you and Yeli..... So we can add abduction to the list of what you've been doing of late". She reached and tapped a command to resume the last program. "As for what I can do? Well, I'm very good at Origami..... That's paper folding..... Only it wasn't challenging enough so I tried it with people who won't be missed..... Understand? I want to torture you. I want to hurt you. I can do things that will leave doctors puzzling for years how a man was turned into a crane with fully articualted wings that flap when you pull the tail..... I hope you always wanted a tail.....".

 

At this point the mans eye's were wide as the armatures of the production table came to life and started seraching for something to work it's programming on. "I have..... powerful.... rich friends! We can.... we can make a deal"!

 

"Here's my deal". Anika growled. "Tell me where Yeli's going.... then tell me where Kolme is.....". Anika lifted him higher up the table and the man looked up to see the armatures searching for raw material to work with. "....Tell me..... or we'll see what else we can make out of you".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Janiri – Gym – working out with Essul & Irina

 

“Well, to be honest, we used to have slavery on Earth, but it was made illegal back in our 20th Century,” Irina said. “That doesn't mean human trafficking stopped. They made it illegal. It's hard to stop. People are always trying to make credits off someone else's misery.

 

“Then look at Illium. Indentutech. A corporation built upon indentured servitude. Have a ton of bills? Gambling debts, but have some kind of skills? They'll pay it off and sell your contract to a corporation if you work for that corporation on Illium for five years. It's supposed to be tightly regulated, but I wonder how regulated it really is. Find out you don't like your contract? You're stuck.

 

“I just don't like the idea of being owned by someone or some organization. So what's the largest caste on Khar'shan?”

 

“Trust me; I don't like how a lot of places handle their slaves either. In the home system, it's regulated. Like you said, there are laws and proper protocol, and the state's usually got an eye on things to keep slave masters from turning their workers into political prisoners...” Essul said with a nod, his own experience making him well aware of the type of things people did when they thought they could do whatever they wanted with another person.

 

“Outside though, things get dicey. Terminus system doesn't much care for anyone's regulation, hegemony's included. Hell, I've even heard of human slaves being used in Camala. That kind of things supposed to be illegal under hegemony law.” The statue on slavery was pretty clear, the Batarians weren't supposed to enslave any race outside their own. A pact signed with the council from before the Rachni War. “Course, lately I'm starting to think the hegemony doesn't care about legal or illegal, so much as it does what it wants, and how it can get it...” He said with a bit of a scowl.

 

The last question though made him chuckle, “That's easy, Military caste. 55% and growing...” he said, remembering the demographics well from being stationed there, “Practically everyone's got something to do with the military on Khar'shan. Even stuff that'd normally be worker or merchant caste. Own a restaurant that serves military members? Your part of the military caste. Housewife married to a military servicemen? Your part of the caste. Even a boot polisher can be military caste if they mostly work on military boots...” he said with a shake of his head, “It can get pretty damn ridiculous, I can admit. But each world kind of gets its own say on how castes are decided, and Khar'shan's Premier wanted a big military, I suppose.”

 

Irina shook her head. “I think I get it. So if I worked for a contractor hauling portable toilets out of a military base, that would make me military caste. F*cking amazing!” she said. “Alright, my turn. Let's take a couple plates off.”

[Cknarf]

“Aren’t there like…” Frank grunted, while struggling with his upper body armor. “Rules or something?” He tossed the chestplate aside.

 

Surely the asari had some type of anti-fraternization policy in place, despite what the the extranet lead one to believe.

 

I suppose I AM still technically a civilian…

 

Iole just shrugged, before yanking the zipper of his underlayer down, and pushing him back into one of the passenger seats.

 

Frank shuffled in his seat a bit, as her hand moved to the small tab near her neck. Grasping it between her thumb and forefinger, she slowly began to pull the slider down, eventually stopping just below the navel.

 

So… this is happenin’...

 

He quickly wiggled his arms free from his underlayer, and gestured for her to come. Iole smiled, and climbed on top of him. Frank’s hands trembled slightly, as he worked them under her suit. He moved his hands outwards, first exposing her shoulders, and eventually the rest of her upper body.

 

Sweet baby Jesus...

 

The sight was enough for him to find God, if only for a moment.

 

Frank moved his hands up her back, to the shoulders, and pulled himself forward slightly.  Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, and traced her sternum with his nose, exhaling on the way up.  Their lips met once more, before he sat back in the seat.

 

Iole pushed his head back, and to one side. She leaned in. Frank smiled, as she kissed her way up his neck, while he felt at the slightly raised flecks of gold that adorned her back.  As she made her way back down, the smile began to fade.

 

What are you doing, Frank?

 

He let his arms them fall to the side, before letting out a deep sigh.

 

"Stop." Frank gently pushed her back up. "I... don't want to do this." He said, looking up at her

 

Bullsh*t. Yes you do.

 

"At least... not right now." He shook his head.

[Kel Riever]

Iole searched Frank's expression, and if only for the smallest fraction of a second, she might have appeared hurt.  Then her own face showed she seemed to understand.  The golden eyed asari straightened up and away from Frank, quietly slipping her suit back over her shoulders and zipping up to the middle of her chest.  

"All right."

Using one of the handholds hanging above the seat, Iole helped herself off of Frank.  She went to the door of the Scythe opposite him and opened it.  Before she left, Iole looked over her shoulder at Frank.

"You're a good man, Frank Eli."

Then Iole jumped out, and only the light footfalls of her boots could be heard as she hurried away.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"It's really crazy, but Khar'shan's kinda a crazy place..." Essul said with a chuckle as he got off from the bench, taking off the weights and rolling his neck, his recovering arm flexing more comfortably as he still felt in a good mood, the buzz of his workout not yet fading.

 

He took his position to be Irina's spotter as he thought of something, "Can I ask you something, Irina? A bit less personal. It's something I've always been curious about your people..." He asked, curious what she'd say about his request.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Of course." Irina replied.

[Cknarf]

Frank closed his eyes, and thunked his head against seatback. He ran his hands up and over his face, interlocking his fingers as they reached the top of his head. He took a moment to think. Or at least he tried to. There was too much on his mind, and he didn’t want to deal with any of that sh*t right now.

 

“Uuuuuuuuuugh.” He groaned, while propelling himself out of the seat. “Thinking sucks.” Gripping one of the handholds, he buried his face into his bicep.

 

I need to find something to do, before I go completely f**in’ crazy.

 

Frank bumped his free hand against the side of his head, activating his omni-tool.

 

“VERA?”

 

“Frank?”

 

“Do I have clearance for the engineering deck yet?”

 

“No. Although your application has been submitted, it has yet to be approved. You will likely receive a response within..."

 

“...Five galactic standard days.” Frank spoke, in unison with the AI. “Will you let me know when it goes through?”

 

“I will notify you immediately upon the approval of the application.”

 

“Thanks, VERA.”

“Septerax has been asking for you.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He did not provide a reason, although I detected what seemed to be some excitement in his voice. Shall I contact him for you?”

 

“No, thanks. I’ve got things to do.” Frank opened his omni-tool, and immediately began running diagnostics on the shuttle’s systems.

[Redbelle]

Between Anika's prompting and several seconds under an arc torch, the man finally broke down and told Anika everything. The revelations astounded her when he had finished and Anika promptly beat him unconscious before stuffing him in a locker and calling the Medusa.

 

"Anika to Jess....".

 

"Duncan here....". Came the reply.

 

"Duncan? New guy right? I need to speak to the captain".

 

"..... I don't know where she is".

 

Anika waited..... then. "So page her".

 

"I mean..... she's with..... Morgan".

 

Anika sighed. "Trust me, she'll want to know.....".

 

"I was just minding my own buisiness"! He blurted out. "I thought we were bro's! I was just passing by and then he just.... just....".

 

"Duncan....."! Anika felt her patience starting to wain.

 

"It was assault"! He steamed on. "This is all new to me! I know I don't have a lot of  field experience.... But I've never beat on another person before! He was asking for it! Like he was enjoying it"!

 

"Dun.... wait, you assualted him"?

 

"He ordered me"?

 

Anika sighed. "Is..... Dogger there"?

 

Duncan's voice perked up. "Oh yeah! He's here! One sec".

 

Anica waited till Dogger's voice came on and she quickly cut him off. "Dogger. I've got a problem. There's an underground terrorist cell building Geth Armature's on the Citadel....".

 

"Huh, sounds like Citadel problems".

 

"Doooggeeeeer....."!

 

"Joke, joke, just a..... ahem, so we care.... why? Are we caring about this"?

 

"Friend of Jess got caught up in the mess".

 

"Huh..... Funny how people could get Geth Tech on board....".

 

"It was fabricated on the Citadel. The raw material wouldn't be counted as contra band. They stole grey goo.... They have fabricators down int he wards".

 

"Alright girl. Whatta yah need"?

 

Anika focused her thoughts. "They haven't got all the Armatures functioning yet, I need you to send someone with my guns over. And.... Do we have anything we can move armature's inside"?

 

"Funny.... Captain came back with a few bust crates we've been fixing up".

 

"Send them down. I'm on my way to the wards now". Anika clicked off her comm and set off deeper into the Citadel.

[Kel Riever]

Iole kind of jogged lightly, kind of ran, slowed when she saw some of the deck crew looking at her, but didn't notice much else as she put a finger to her lip and pressed in on it (not realizing it consciously but mimicking the pressure of Frank's lips on hers).  She started to think, but then really hated thinking right at that moment.

So instead, Iole jumped up and down in place three times with her legs together, using only her ankles and toes to bounce her upwards like springs, and then she took off in a full run.

It wasn't completely out of place for a Commando to be running; they had a circuit around one of the decks for that purpose and the circuit did include the hangar during certain hours. Of course, what was out of place was that Iole wasn't wearing an activity suit or her commando leathers, as comfortable as her casuals were.  She passed by the twins Asteria and Lusia and didn't even notice them.  The only two people Iole had the slightest concern about coming across were Commander Selani and Naleena.  Fortunately the Commander was in the CIC and on her lap she didn't run into Naleena wherever the Spectre was.  She did pass Vayne, on the run, bounding by the krogan with unusual energy.  "Hi Vayne!" was all Iole said, practically bubbling with excitement.  She kept running, doing the ship circuit until she finally came to her cabin, on the same deck.

Iole punched the entry panel with her palm and sprung inward, taking Tallis by surprise.  Quickly, Iole leaned with her back against the wall just inside and slammed the panel behind her to close same door.  The run caused Iole to take some deeper breaths, and she looked at Tallis' surprised face with her golden eyes, practically alight.

If Tallis had cat ears, they would have sprung straight up, then started twisting around in curiosity.  She had been alone in the cabin, playing with a little datapad while kneeling on the floor.  Tallis knew her companion well, and after watching Iole for a moment, she dropped the datapad and started to figure out something was going on.  Something fun!

"Who?  Who?"  Tallis asked.  A human from Earth might have thought she sounded like an owl.

"Is Jenus around?"

"Finding Irina.  Finding Irina."  Tallis edged forward on both her knees, as if she was afraid that getting up would cause her to bounce with the same energy she saw in Iole.  "Who?  Who?"

Iole wanted to burst out giggling, or pant harder than she really needed to given the shape she was in, or throw her arms in the air.  Instead, she stayed still, wondering if she should say anything, until the name was so unbearable to keep inside, she just had to let them out.  "Frank."

Tallis' head tilted, then a huge grin split across her face.  She did jump up then and started bouncing around on her feet while clapping her hands together quickly.  "Frank!  Frank!"

"Frank!"

"Frank!  Frank!"

Now Iole did burst out laughing and Tallis joined in.  Tallis grabbed the forearms of her companion and dragged her to sit on a bunk.  They had some 'talking' to do.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Of course." Irina replied.

 

Essul thought of how he should say his next statement, thinking on it for a few seconds before he finally asked. "Do you ever think you humans, well...move fast in the galaxy? " he paused as he tried to get the words out with what he actually wanted to ask,  not usjng the rhetoric he'd been taught. 

 

"Most species take centuries after first contact to set up relationships, colonies,  any sort of presence. You humans though, you managed to do it, and become a super power in the galaxy in decades." he said, not sounding bitter or angry buy more awestruck at it, "I've always wondered how you humans see yourselves in that picture. I've never gotten the chance to truly ever ask before."