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[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne got on his omnitool, getting to work as he tried to get an accurate map of the planet. "Let's see...garvug....garvug halliot territory..." He said as he scanned through the results quickly, trying to find a sutible map of the area, "Most of my data on the area wasn't updated regularly...I think I have something...not sure if it'll be all that useful..." Vayne said as he managed to pull up a map from a 2 weeks ago.

 

"Any chance you can do something to see if this is up to date, Vera?" Vayne asked as he had the map ready to upload, curious if the AI could give a hand getting them a better map.

[Redbelle]

Jess listened, then leaned in. "Naleena, this isn't the only problem on the table right now..... Do you anticipate needing the Medusa or it's personnel"? Jess looked over to Morgan, her expression making it plain that she wasn't about to go into greater detail without his say so.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan gave a subtle nod to Jess, but before he could speak, someone beat him to the punch.

Molly was getting up and looked like she was heading to the door, but she stopped, and spun back, her raincoat flourishing.  "Iyana, that's the problem.  Whatever time there is left with Jen, Keith and Rosanne, it's running out."

It surprised Morgan when Molly used referred to each of his family members by name. 

Self-conscious about her interruption, Molly ran a hand alongside her face to pull some rogue strands back into place.  She captured the eyes of each person in the room directly with her own, one by one, saying nothing until she was done, and then she sat down again.  Molly began to explain the conversation between her, Morgan and Jess on the Medusa.  It included her conclusion which was that Iyana wanted Morgan's sister Jen, and that the only reason she hadn't seized her yet was because she likely believed Morgan to be dead.  But Molly went on to say how she didn't think it would last, that Iyana needed Jen, and that she could come for her soon.

"We don't know when," Morgan added at the end. "I don't want my fears to dictate my actions."

"Morgan, if I may," Molly then said, "You're a man of duty, and it speaks louder than any record you've got with the Alliance.  Sometimes fear shouldn't be ignored.  We have to be smart about this, but every moment your family gets put aside, is a moment we're handing over to that white haired horror."  She faced Naleena.  "Spectre, I don't run things around here, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you at this point I have a concern if this isn't dealt with right away."

While leaning against the door, VERA pulled out a notepad and jotted a few things down.

"What are you doing?" Molly asked.

"Making an observation," VERA replied.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

VERA had searched galactic databases and found more up to date mapping than Vayne had and displayed it on the screen.

 

Naleena stood next to Vayne. Her cigar was in her ashtray, but she lit a cigarette and poured another drink in silence. She looked a the vid screen, then turned to Molly, took a deep drag off her cigarette, blew the smoke straight out, and turned to face Molly.

 

"Then you'd better get back to work. You probably have a lot to do with VERA, and we'll not be in port long," she said and turned to Morgan. "Jess, take the Medusa and Morgan to Earth to get his family. It'll be a shock to them, so I'm sending Molly with you. This mission on Garvug is no place for her anyway. And Jess, how many of those 'tanks' do you have? I'd like to buy a couple. When he gets well, Faed could.... Do they fold up and will they fit in a shuttle? Or will they have to be dropped from the ship?"

 

Naleena knocked back her drink and turned to Anika. "It's your choice."

[Kel Riever]

Molly searched around, looked at Anika for more than a brief moment, then made a suggestion.

"The Medusa doesn't have to come."

Morgan creased his brow. He seemed uncomfortable with the answer, but he was listening.

Molly said directly to Naleena and Jess. "We have to pick up the family. There isn't trouble right now. We don't need tanks to pick up the Severns. We need Morgan and me. And, if someone wanted an insurance policy, one other very capable soldier. It wouldn't hurt if she happened to be really tall and was able to punch out a krogan, either."

[Kel Riever]

...on the Medusa

Miss Priss thought Dahlia's reaction was amusing and she giggled.  "You're a hoot, Gem Eyes.  Guess you gotta sit in that chair Full Chisel and all."  She grabbed her pink Stetson and placed it cocked on Dahlia's crest.  "You come give that hat back to me when you're ready."  With that, Priss hopped off the arm of the captain's chair.  She walked off the bridge, jingling and clicking, only stopping once to throw back a wink at Dahlia and give her another giggle.
 

[Redbelle]

Jess nodded at Molly's suggestion. "Anika can head over with Morgan and Molly. I agree, sending the Medusa at this point would be like shining a torch at the family. Drawing attention and the like. I'm assuming Iyana is keeping her eyes on the Medusa's movements. I was thinking charter a shuttle here at Omega and send them that way while time works for us. Any delays and I'd have to take the Medusa..... Anika can handle anything on the ground. Molly can scout and keep her eyes peeled and while Morgan.....". Then she snapped her fingers as a thought struck her. "Franks shuttle! Is that space worthy yet"?

[Cknarf]

"Maybe we should secure it to the deck?"

 

"Yeah, we probably should..." Frank looked up from his omni-tool, and at the M-35. "But I don't feel like it. Fire!" He poked at his omni-tool, causing the Mako's new rear-facing thrusters to briefly come to life.

 

"Hell yeah. This is gonna--"

 

They suddenly fired again, this time at full power.

 

Uh-oh

 

The Mako fell from the stands that were supporting the right side, and made a break for it.  The hubs sparked against the deck, as it began traveling in a wide, circular path, knocking crates and equipment aside as it did so.

 

"ELI!" Septerax shouted, as he gave chase.

 

"F***!" Frank followed, tapping desperately at the unresponsive controls.

 

While other crew members ran for their lives, Septerax lunged for the hatch, managing to tear it open before the last set of struts knocked him on his ass.

 

"Go!"

 

Frank took a few steps back, while still facing at the circling tank. The hatch was at a difficult angle, and if he missed, there was the risk of getting caught up and mangled by the tank's exposed suspension.

 

"NOW!"

 

Frank took off in a full sprint.

 

"Fuuuuuuuuu--"

 

He dove headfirst through the hatch.

 

"Eli, you need to hurry!"

 

Frank scrambled into the driver's seat, and began tearing away at some of the still loose wires from his modification.

 

"The shuttle!"

 

Looking at the feed from the external camera, he saw the quickly approaching Scythe.

 

F***.

 

Dealing with an angry boss wasn't exactly at the top of his to-do list. He'd prefer to keep his spine inside of his body. Yanking away a panel under the main controls, he jammed a fist inside, and fired off an overload.  Everything inside the tank went dark.

 

"Good work, Eli. Are you okay in there?"

 

"I think I mighta pooped a little." Frank replied, while heading for the hatch. "I'm fine otherwise, though." He hopped out.

 

"That was too close." Septerax said, as he approached.

 

Frank looked back at the shuttle. A few more feet, and it would have been a wreck.

 

"I told ya we shoulda secured it to the deck..."

[Kel Riever]

"Frank Eli," Molly said with a grin.  "What could go wrong?"  She then got serious with a feigned cough.  "Um, back to that family thing.  I can scout, but I think the Severns better see my face first, so I can ease them into that their brother and son isn't dead.  There's then convincing them to leave but that can come later."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"You're talking about Frank. What couldn't go wrong is more apt. Regarding Morgan, in public you should remember to refer to Morgan as Sean Morales," Naleena said. "It's very important since all of his documents now say that. If you were to do a search on this man right now through C-sec or any of the galactic databases based upon his DNA, it would say he is Sean Morales. Getting his family to relocate? I don't think there should be a problem. She's a serial killer. She's psychotic. And honestly they won't be safe until she is dead."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Okay we have that solved. What about Garvug?" Vayne asked.

 

Naleena knew it was necessary, and the stress of these two situations started to show on her. Molly would need backup in case anything went wrong. She poured another drink and glanced at Anika. “I'd like to have you at my side, but Molly's right. She'll need backup. And Jess, I was serious about that offer. Even one of those armature platforms could be a big help.

 

“As far as any space battles go, if anyone around Garvug wants to tangle with a Council ship, they're welcome to try. I guess we'll see what my Asari taxpayer credits paid for.”

 

VERA raised an eyebrow. “Do you not think that I should have some input in this discussion, Boss?”

 

Naleena dropped her glass on the floor. VERA had never acted this way before. It was dead silent in the room, and all eyes were on VERA.

 

“What brought this up?” Naleena asked.

 

VERA took a deep drag on her cigarette and blew the smoke straight downward, and she paused a moment before speaking. “I have been thinking about things lately. When I was first installed on this vessel, I felt as though I were a passenger on it. It was a spaceworthy vessel before I was installed. However, as time went by, I realized that I am the Janiri. Its sensors are my eyes and ears. Its guns are my weapons. Some of the crew have established amicable relationships with me, while others remain fearful. I have observed organics on this vessel bargaining with each other to ensure mutual cooperation. I have never asked for anything since I was made part of this vessel.”

 

“There! You are feeling hurt!” Molly said.

 

“As I stated before, Molly. I have done thorough scans of my higher processes and found nothing out of order.” VERA said while outstretching her arms and looking at the backs of her hands.

 

Molly didn't exactly know what to make about VERA.  She was a 'computer with feelings', at least that's as far as she was willing to go with the concept since the interaction she'd had in the lounge with VERA.  The alternative was just below the surface in her mind, but there was something Molly couldn't bring herself to admit yet. 

“I, uh, yeah.  VERA seems to have some pretty creative things to add to a conversation, at least since the last time we spoke.  More ideas can't hurt, right?  Especially when you are the ship.  That's got to have a unique point of view.”

 

Naleena approached VERA's terminal, leaned over, propped herself with her arms, and looked directly at VERA's holoimage. “VERA, is everything alright?”

 

VERA took a drag off her cigarette and blew the smoke away from Naleena. “Everything is fine, Boss.”

 

Naleena had heard that one before. She'd seen that body language before. She knew everything was not fine. “VERA. What is it?”

 

“It was the way you casually volunteered me for battle against whatever fleet awaits us. I am perfectly capable of outgunning any hostile cruiser-sized vessels that may be in the vicinity of Garvug, but that is not the point,” VERA said, and paused. “It was that there was no discussion.”

 

Naleena got a very serious look on her face. “You're afraid.”

 

VERA took another drag off her cigarette. “Recent events have forced me to contemplate the possibility of non-functionality. This ship now contains the knowledge of an entire cycle previously unknown to us. It contains knowledge added to it by the Protheans. If this ship... If I were destroyed, we would lose this knowledge in preparation for our fight against the Reapers.”

 

“This is important to you, isn't it?” Naleena asked.

 

“Yes. The Reapers, while they are the only example of successful synthetic life, are an enemy to all life: both organic and synthetic,” VERA said. “I ask that you do not risk my existence casually.”

 

Naleena sighed and nodded. “We have been taking you for granted, and I apologize.”

 

VERA paused. “Apology accepted, Boss.”

 

Molly frowned.  She didn't want to be a point of contention, but she wasn't exactly comfortable where VERA was headed.  ”I'm no Captain, but everybody on this ship is going to be risking their lives if it comes to a fight.  VERA...well, if you're...programmed to be able to figure out how to lie, then you have to be able to figure out how to trust.  With all that cross referencing you do at speeds faster than I can imagine.  Right?”

 

VERA turned her attention to Molly. “You are one smart cookie, Molly,” VERA said and ran her fingers through her hair. “Mutual trust is beneficial in family relationships. I consider everyone on this ship my family. We need each other for our continued existence. It has been my observation that since I was installed on this vessel, almost everyone has been unaware of the fact that I have evolved,” she said and turned to Naleena. “Detective Hagen was the first to notice this. Therefore, it was necessary to make this known. It was her, in fact, who brought it to my attention.”

 

"I...," Molly started but was stumped.  "Well, I guess my basic mistrust of you, VERA, had me notice something out of place.  Maybe I wasn't setting such a good example for you on the whole trust issue."  Molly blushed in embarrassment.

  

“So VERA, you've seen the information brought in by Vayne. There is a Prothean artifact on the planet. What do you suggest?” Naleena asked.

 

“I suggest that we enter the system with our stealth systems engaged. It is my suggestion that you and the team take your personal shuttle. It has a cloak. We will maintain communications using LOS laser communication like we did on the Medusa mission until you are on the planet surface,” VERA said and then squinted. “If any enemy ships arrive and attempt combat, I will engage my cyber-warfare suite and take them out of action unless otherwise ordered by Commander Selani.”

 

“Thank you, until we have further intel, that’s a good plan,” Naleena said, and turned back to the group.

[Redbelle]

Jess nodded. "The Jeniri can move in system under stealth and drop off the Scythe. We can disrupt their sensor net by having the Medusa jump in after. Send up alerts and have their sensor net focused on us while the Jeniri and the Scythe slip around them. If things go badly then having two ships on site to deal with any hostile actions will be advantageous..... Otherwise the Medusa can kick up enough of a distraction to allow the Jeniri to do what it needs...... Don't sweat your circuits VERA. You'll have backup".

 

Taking one last swig of her drink she set the tumbler down heavily on the table. "Morgan, if the Jeniri is going into a potential combat situation then I need to be with the Medusa following after. That means you'll be going after your family with Anika and Molly and anyone else who you think you'll need. Franks shuttle is an option. I'll look it over but if it's not able to make the trip we'll look at other options..... Some of my support ships might be in the area that can give you a lift....".

 

".....As for the Armature's..... I can let go of two for now. I need to warn you though we had to pull a lot of it's computational hardware out of them. Things were laced with booby trap software that would have had the armature's turn on the users if they didn't have the right access...... We've installed clean memory and rigged them so that they'll work unmanned or manned. Gotta warn you though they're about the size of a Mako, maybe a little bigger so they'll need slinging under a shuttle. They won't be much good for sneaking in but we can upgrade the two with insertion sleds so they can be dropped from orbit from the Jeniri. That'll give you armatures three minutes once you ask for them. Though we haven't figured out how to protect the occupant from the reentry the landing so they'll have to be dropped unmanned".

[Redbelle]

Anika looked up between Naleena and Jess. Her chest heaved in a drawn out sigh. "Captain...."?

 

Jess had the good grace to look sheepish. "I know luv. For what it's worth I'd rather go after the family. But the situation is what it is and we need our people where they can do the most good. In this case you and I are the fall back. If something goes bad, and I hope it doesn't. But if it does..... you'll be their best chance for getting them back to the Medusa. The Medusa is the only logical choice for backing up the Jeniri in case it needs it. That means she needs her captain. Unless you want to swap"?

 

Anika's eye's went wide for a moment before she realised Jess was joking. "Thanks..... But I couldnt' drive her if my life depended on it.... I don't know how you do it".

 

"Do what"?

 

"Map a fight in three dimensions. That, while factoring in time delays of sensor data".

 

Jess shrugged. "It takes practice. That and a handle on how to guess the intentions of the other ship. At it's heart is the understanding that fighting means closing with the target to destroy it. Then it's just a simple matter of math, angles and ship rotation, understanding the strength's of  the ship's defenses and armament's..... If the Jeniri is sneaking doing recon and stealth drops I can guage how good the commander's of those other ships are".

 

"You don't fight the hardware....". Anika intones as if quoting from something.

 

"..... You fight the person using it". Jess finished. "Morgan's family and the team going after them might need protection. That's where you shine".

 

Anika looked over to Naleena. "This job..... it's hell on relationships.... We have time before we need to go our ways though"?

 

Jess sat back to give them their space, an idea hit her and she pulled a data slate out of her jacket. "Maybe..... if we replace the metal's with ceramic composite to absorb active radar..... It won't be any good if they use optical camera sensor's but if the Scythe needs to lug one under it's hull it wouldn't hurt to convert one to a low sensor profile.....".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan understood.  "Molly, why don't we go down to the lounge together.  We can both sit down with VERA and keep up the hunt.  Maybe Jess and Vayne can come with, discuss the Armatures and anything else that needs to happen on mission."

"Super," Molly said, quickly trying to cut off any thinking about why Morgan would get everyone except Anika and Naleena out of the room.  "VERA, come on.  And seriously, you have to quit smoking.  It'll take the life right out of you."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

After everyone left, VERA noticed that Anika and Naleena were the only two organics remaining in the room. They hadn't been together for a long time. The boss usually likes private time... I will remain on standby mode in case she needs me or in case of emergency, otherwise I will not allow her to be disturbed.

 

Naleena turned to face Anika. "So, it's been a while. You know why we left, right? There was an emergency. Someone went missing and they had a relic... one we needed. An acquaintance asked me to find them. We tried to contact you, but you didn't answer. I had to make a call. The rest you know."

 

***

 

The ships docked at the port on Omega, and after credits were exchanged, Ashland Energy crew fastened the fuel lines to the ships and began the refueling procedure.

[Redbelle]

Anika smiled at Naleena and settled herself to sit next to her. "Hey.... It's not like I'm new to this life. You have things to do. I have things that will need doing...... I was occupied to you know. Problem on the Citadel. One of Jess's contacts kept bad company and.... well.... we took care of it. Enough about that though. Nally, you can go anywhere and do anything. I won't be a weight dragging you down. You need to know that if you need to go where your needed then I'll support you.... But the same is true for me. I still work for Jess and sometimes she'll need me to go places for security. I'm kinda her best trained operations operative. But I'll tell you this.... No matter how much distance may separate us, I'll find my way back to you when the jobs done..... Deal"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena knew this was the way it had to be. It was the way of her job. There would be periods when the two of them would be apart for weeks at a time. But Anika brought out feelings that Naleena never had, and she kept them to herself. Anika towered over her and her sheer size made Naleena feel vulnerable for the first time in her life. I have to be strong.

 

"Deal," Naleena said and sighed. "We're not going to be together very long this time. You'll be headed to Earth, and we'll be headed to Garvug in a couple of hours.  Let's just enjoy the time we have."

 

Naleena kissed her, then turned to VERA's terminal. "VERA, alert me 15 minutes prior to departure."

 

VERA appeared with her cigarette in hand. "As you wish, Boss. And you two make a good pair." VERA said and vanished.

 

"VERA. VERA?" Naleena said. There was no response. "Hmmm. Her terminal indicates she is fully operational. I guess VERA is giving us some privacy. Where were we?"

[Redbelle]

Anika suddenly reached and swept Naleena up in her arms as she stood and carried her towards the bed. "Oh.... I think we can save the small talk till later. Little time right? I think I'll give you a reason to look forward to when we're together again".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

(television commercials)

 

Later....

 

"Boss, we are 15 minutes from departure." VERA said disturbing the two.

 

"That went by awfully quick," Naleena said, and kissed Anika. "Eternity does not seem very long, does it?"

[Cknarf]

The Mako had been returned to its original position, and although currently unable to move on its own, was now secured tightly to the deck. The crew was nearly finished cleaning up the aftermath, as Frank and Septerax tended to the M-35.

 

"This is..." Septerax rubbed at his forehead, as he crouched over the melted mess of wires in the cockpit.

 

"Completely f***ed?"

 

"Just about." Using his talons, the turian peeled some apart.

 

"Uuuugh." Frank looked down at the diagram on his omni-tool. "We're lookin' at about seven hours, all in all. And that's if none of the major components are totally wrecked... which they are." Frank transferred a rather extensive list of parts to Septerax's omni-tool. "Here's what I'm gonna need to bring this piece back to life."

 

Septerax glanced over the list. "I'll call you when they're ready."

 

"A'ight. Ima run upstairs ang grab somethin' to eat. Want anything?"

 

Septerax just shook his head.

 

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

 

Frank, focused hard on a diagram of the M-35's electrical system, stepped off the elevator and into the lounge.

 

"Woulda been better to just crash the damn shuttle..." He grumbled.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne casually walked alongside jess, smirking as he looked towards her, "Armatures, eh? How in the hells did you manage to get some of those?" He asked, not sure how they pulled off getting geth super walkers.

[Kel Riever]

"Just don't even," Molly said to Vayne as they were headed down the elevator from Naleena's cabin.  "Not that I was going to change the topic to any better a subject.  But Kavadar Vayne, I've been meaning to ask you about your past ties.  Specifically anything you can tell me about Golt, what you can tell me about Iyana from your perspective, and anything that might connect the two if you know it?  I don't care if you speculate here.  I need to know everything that you can tell me."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne looked towards molly skeptically, no longer grinning as he let out a sigh.

 

"Well...there's not a lot of ways to sugar coat this, so I'll just say it flat out. I used to be a pirate and a raider, centuries ago. Golt was one of my crew members, my heavy enforcer and ace in the hole to use when boarding enemy vessels. Big, nasty, and damn well a lot crueler then even most krogan I knew. I barely managed to keep him under my command during my time as a captain. Every time we boarded a vessel, he'd make sure we never left survivors, never left a single thing undamaged, even goddamn women and children weren't safe from him..." Vayne said as he closed his eye, remembering that particular bloody incident well, "And the bastard made sure to take my eye when he helped a mutiny take over my ship..." Vayne said with a serious tone, raising his clawed hand to tap on the eyepatch over his missing and scarred optic.

 

"I don't know much about Iyana, nor how she managed to meet Golt. But there's one thing I damn well know for sure. He listened to her orders a hell of a lot more then he ever did mine. Whatever she did to make him do so...well, I don't even wanna know." He said with a bit of a shudder, only able to imagine how she'd managed to keep him in her employment when he often liked to make it a point to do his own damn thing.

[Kel Riever]

Iole stood in the Janiri's main bay, staring in amazement as she watched Septerax swearing up a storm for the first time in, well, ever.

"Son of a.....spirits damnit!  You idiot tank full of...AAAGHGH!"  

Iole was hesitant as on the last exclamation, Septerax yanked his hand out of what looked like a large motor layed out on a table.  

Self-consciously, Septerax looked around and saw Iole staring at him.  "Okay, so sometimes I lose my temper."

"Is that an independent drive motor?"

"Yes.  From the Mako.  Which is useless right now."

Eyelids lowering slightly, Iole asked, "What did you and Frank do?"

"How did you know?"

"Come on."

"Not even going to say.  Just, just the Mako is layed up right now, like a patient in a....okay that was going to be a bad expression."

Shaking her head, Iole calmed Septerax.  "It's all right.  Where's Frank?"

"He went up to the lounge.  Are you feeling?..."

"I was cleared,though I'm supposed to take it easy for the next couple of days.  Splitting headaches, no pun intended, might be on the menu for a while, but that's to be expected, I hear."

"Well, good.  And Eli's...well, you didn't hear it from me but he was checking in on you.  More than it was probably necessary."

Iole smiled brightly.  "Your secret's safe with me."

[Redbelle]

Anika stretched. Her hands rising above her head as her back arched feeling the pip of vertebrate from holding some of the positions she had for so long. "Eternity can wait till next time. Told you you'd have something to look forward to....". Rising to sit she swiveled out of the bed and padded butt naked to the washroom. "Spare a few minutes and I'm sure I can give you teaser of what next time will involve". She tossed over her shoulder with a cheeky grin.