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[Kel Riever]

Morgan motioned over to one of the silvery vendor kiosks on the side of the street.  It was one of the breakfast carts, fully automated for at least the past century, but somehow they still preserved the tradition of chewy bagels, eggs if you liked them scrambled, and coffee served far too hot.  Morgan got himself a coffee and Frank whatever he wanted, then peered around as he heard another distant siren.

"We need to lay low until we can get out of this city, preferably on our way back to the ships.  I recommend off the streets but we shouldn't dwell anywhere too long if there are people around.  What happened is hitting the news."  Morgan took a sip of his coffee, and as expected, it burned his lips and tongue a bit, reminding him he hadn't been in New York for a long time.  "We can wait together for the Yakuza to get in touch with us, or split up if you think it'll be safer.  Somehow we've got to get back to the Janiri  and the Medusa, but I think it might take a bit longer with all the heat pouring into this part of town.  Got any good ideas?"

[Cknarf]

“Mm.” Frank mumbled, holding a bagel in his mouth as he worked on his omni-tool. “Maht haba--” He began talking, and the bagel fell to the ground. Reflexively, he bent down and picked it up. The five minute rule was now in effect, and he wasn’t one to waste.

 

“Might have us a ride off world.” He took a bite out of the now soggy bagel like it wasn’t no thang.  “Maybe. Depends on if I get a response or not. Other than that, I got nothin’.” He shrugged. “So… I guess I’m just followin’ you ‘til then. You know the city a helluva lot better than I do. ‘Sides, I’d totally get arrested on my own. I’m not exactly a low profile kinda guy, nah meen?”

 

“Who knows? Maybe you could teach me a few things?”

 

 

Spoiler

 

[Kel Riever]

Morgan winced as Frank picked up a bagle off a New York City sidewalk and put it in his mouth.  He knew he wasn’t going to get through by saying anything.  Instead, he made it a point to tell Dr. Tolus to run some tests on Frank when he got back, especially one for Hep C. 

“Well, let’s take a walk.  It shouldn’t be hard to find a place to sit down a bit, but we’ve got to keep our eye out for…

There was a voice that broke into Frank and Morgan’s com at that moment.  “Black cab, intersection 39 and 5^th.  Get in.”  The accent was unmistakably Japanese.

Morgan looked to the intersection nearby, and pulling out of the traffic on ground level was a black X3M, luxury sedan.  The pilot’s door opened and an asian woman in a white furisode with a Mount Fuji embroidery and sunglasses motioned to the vehicle.  With one glance at Frank, Morgan said, “That’s our ride.”

Once the two men were in the car, the woman said, “Nice catch back there.”  She started driving, following the normal flow of traffic.

“That was you who threw the sword?” Morgan asked.

“You aren’t the only one who must stay out of sight.  Your family is safe, Samurai-san.  You and Krogan Balls will come to a safehouse, a club where we may disappear amongst our peers.”

Morgan wasn’t entirely sure he felt comfortable with his nickname.  “Pardon, but you don’t really have to call me that…I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.”

“Bingo.”

“That’s…your companion back there.  I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Ryoto died with honor.  It is sad to lose him but there is no regret.”

“Please, call me Morgan, Bingo.”

“I will as you wish, Morgan-san.  We understand that Krogan balls and you must return to your people as soon as possible.  Arrangements are being made.  In the meantime, we ask that you enjoy our hospitality.”

[Cknarf]

“Krogan balls?” Frank snickered, because he is a child.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Janiri and Medusa arrived in the Raheel-Leyya System, and exited FTL to make the transit through the Mass Relay System.

 

“Set final destination to The Citadel,” Commander Selani ordered, “VERA, relay that information to the Medusa, and inform C-sec that we have a critically wounded Spectre that needs transport and protection up to Huerta Memorial.”

 

“Aye-aye, Ma’am,” VERA replied.

 

//////////////////////////////////

 

“Jess, it looks like we’re headed back to The Citadel, and VERA informed me that Naleena is critically wounded,” Dahlia said. “They’re taking her to Huerta Memorial.”

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

Moments later the Janiri entered relay transit and exited in the Serpent Nebula: drift 1750 km, and began its short journey to The Citadel.

 

Upon arrival the Control Tower took over their auto-pilot and docked them at gate A5. Commander Bailey and several C-sec officers along with a medical team from Huerta waited as Janiri medical personnel transported Naleena’s gurney from Med-Bay to the terminal. From there she was rushed through all checkpoints directly to the hospital. Head surgeon Dr. Chloe Michel gave the unconscious Spectre a thorough examination.

 

“Order three units of Asari type K4 blood, and nevakiamycin IV,” she said to her assistant.

 

Her assistant nodded, left, and returned with the asari specific antibiotic. The local blood bank had a supply of her blood type and arrived fifteen minutes later. Once she was receiving the blood, Dr. Michel left. Two C-sec guards were stationed outside Naleena’s room.

[Kel Riever]

Well before the Janiri put into the Citadel, in fact the moment the mass relay had gotten the vessel into a system with a com buoy, Iole was transmitting a message to get in contact with Frank.

From the CIC, Iole typed the message:

To:  Frank
From: Iole

I’m sure you’ve had a request for a status update already sent to you officially, but I was surprised there wasn’t already an update from you or anyone else from your team waiting for us.  These messages can take time, but I’m sure we’re both on a Spectre priority for updates.  Any news is good news.  It’s been tough over here…I won’t divulge the details but you’ll find out when you return. 

Frank, if you need help, I’ll get there myself.  If not, feel free to chastise me upon getting yourself back here.  Which I hope will be soon.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Krogan Balls, yes,” Bingo said to Frank.  “I think it sounds even better in Japanese.”

Without event, Bingo piloted the luxury car south, to the meat packing district of Manhattan.  The district was well known for its nightlife and clubs, although it was only approaching early evening.  Bingo pulled around to the back, parking on the ground in a relatively clean alleyway.  There were two stoic bouncers in tuxedos outside the scarred, metal double doors.  One opened a door to make way for the trio exiting the car. 

The interior of the building was opulent.  An elevator was at the end of a short hallway, lifting Frank, Morgan and Bingo up a few floors.  The elevator let the three out onto a floor which was a chic dance club.  There was a small crowd present, and only a few dancers, but the place had an energy that seemed to draw the viewer in.  Décor was a mix between traditional Japanese and modern. Most of the occupants were dressed well, though not all.  Most seemed of enthic asian, if not direct Japanese, heritage.

“Everyone here is a member of our clan,” Bingo informed Morgan and Frank.  “Please, come in and take advantage of our amenities while we wait for an update on the status of your transport, and of your friends.  If you wish, you are welcome to accompany me to a booth.  I feel I must sit down and relax my mind.”

Morgan looked at Frank, did a bit of a nod, and then followed Bingo.  She had sat down at a low table, and been brought a steaming towel with a cup of tea.  The waiter attending asked if Morgan would like anything.  He nodded as he sat down, thinking through his request.

“I’d like a shot of whiskey, anything that goes down smooth.  And if you could, I wouldn’t mind if we could burn some incense.  Something to help me relax, as well.”

[Cknarf]

As Morgan went with Bingo, Frank chose a different path.

 

“I need some of that.” He pointed to whatever the man at the other side of the bar was drinking. “One of those, too. No, no, yes! Uh huh. That one. Alriiiiiight.” The bartender set the beer down, then produced a small, ceramic cup. He filled it with an amber liquid, and slid it towards him.

 

“One more thing before you go, friend. I need a double shot of the strongest thing you’ve got.”

 

Is this really the best time?

 

“Wait!” Frank shouted. “Make that a single. I don’t wanna get completely f***ed. Thanks, buddy.” He took a sip from his beer, and took a moment to check his messages.

 

Spoiler

To: Frank

From: Iole

 

I’m sure you’ve had a request for a status update already sent to you officially, but I was surprised there wasn’t already an update from you or anyone else from your team waiting for us. These messages can take time, but I’m sure we’re both on a Spectre priority for updates. Any news is good news. It’s been tough over here…I won’t divulge the details but you’ll find out when you return.

 

Frank, if you need help, I’ll get there myself. If not, feel free to chastise me upon getting yourself back here. Which I hope will be soon.

 

He immediately started typing a response.

 

Spoiler

[Sorry I haven’t sent anything until now, but we’ve been kinda busy. This is really the first chance I’ve had to sit down and check my messages. Things didn’t go as planned here on Earth. I’m okay, just a few bruises. We got Morgan’s people out, but Mols got hurt pretty bad. I’m still not sure if she’s going to make it. Haven’t heard anything since she got dropped off at the hospital. Sucks. This isn’t how I imagined my first trip to the homeworld.

 

I didn’t make it back to the shuttle before it left, so don’t panic when I don’t get off. It worked out, because Morgan missed it too. We’re together now, and the people we are with are already making arrangements to get us offworld, but I have plans of my own.  I’ve reached out to my own people, to see if they can come and get me. I haven’t heard back from them yet, and I’m not sure if I even will. Either way, I may not be returning to the Janiri. If I don’t get a response, I might just end up here, on Earth.]

 

Frank stopped typing for a minute to think. Also, to chug his beer, drink the sake, and take the shot, all in seemingly one motion. He continued his message.

 

Spoiler

[Or maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll just come back, and pretend that everything is fine, like I usually do. Act as if the things I’ve seen and done don’t haunt me everyday. I don’t know how the rest of you do it. Killing and just going on about your lives as if it were just another day at the office. Maybe you don’t? Maybe you’re all dealing with the same thing everyday, but I’m the only one who can’t handle it. I thought things would get better after a while, but apparently I was wrong. It’s to the point where each passing day is nothing but another struggle, and I can’t stand it anymore. I think I need a break from this life, before I go completely insane.]

 

His finger hovered over the send button for a moment, before adding one last thing.

 

Spoiler

[If for any reason I decide to return, know that it is only because of you.]

 

Frank gestured for the bartender after he sent his message. .“Looks like I’m gonna be needin’ that second one after all.”

 

Upon receiving his drink, he quickly knocked it back. Resting on the bar with his head in his hands, he waited quietly for the medicine to kick in.

[Cainhurst Crow]

While Naleena was being moved up to the proper medical facilities, some of the others had their own prerogatives. Their own ways in which they bared and processed information.

 

Vayne sat alone in the janiri's lounge, staring off into space as he looked into a small cup of coffee he'd made for himself, still dressed in his armor, a few scorch marks, dust, and even some blood splatter, seemingly not bothering the krogan as he kept his singular eye fixed on his drink, unfocused on anything around him.

 

The mission had been a mess, from the very start. He'd gone along with it, because he was worried for Quill. He'd felt confident about it, because he'd assumed Wrund would be too dumb to play something like this. He made a promise to get Quill out alive, looked him in the eye and told him he'd make it out.

 

Now he was dead. Naleena was critically injured. They were without the relic. And even if it wasn't customary or proper, Vayne sure as well felt the messenger for this one deserved to get a good bullet or two in them for how quickly things had turned to ****.

 

////////////////////////////////////////////

 

"I told you...I'm fine..." Essul said as he tried to leave the medical bay, glaring daggers at Dr. Tolus as he stood away from his bed. "I need to get to work. I can't do it if I'm stuck in a bed."

 

"You're not fine. You may not feel it right now, but you sustained internal injuries that can't be cured by a simple coat of medigel. You may not feel it, but what you need is rest..." To demonstrate, the salarian quickly prodded the batarian on the stomach, essul's eyes widening as he stumbled back, a new coughing fit coming over him.

 

"W-what..." Essul began as he leaned against the medical bed, only for Dr. Tolus to cut him off.

 

"You managed to avoid breaking your bones this time, but your organs and muscles are heavily bruised. Some areas came dangerous close to tearing the blood vessels and causing internal bleeding. Luckily for you, we can treat that here. With time, and a bit of rest..." The salarian replied simply with a shake of his head, "Honestly, you should know given your own condition that you may not feel all the injuries you get. The fact you even stand or walk with them is astounding..."

 

"It helps me to keep moving. Let's leave it at that..." Essul said simply as he heeded Dr. Tolus's advice. As he lay down however, his mind drifted back to the planet, and to the fight he'd had.

 

'...you may not feel all the injuries you get....' Essul thought over Tolus's words as he thought back to the fight, remembering slamming down full force down on the hooded swordsman's face, and the man batarian brushing it off like it was nothing. How he took a warp dead on, but recovered almost the second he fell, as if it'd done no damage to him.

 

'...The fact you even stand or walk with them is astounding...' He thought back to the man's jaw, hanging at an obviously unnatural angle. Such a thing should have laid him to rest, but all it had done was seemed to have delayed him. 'It keeps me moving...' The batarian had kept moving, even after everything he went through.

 

"...couldn't be..." Essul said with a shake of his head, and a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

[Kel Riever]

...New York City

Someone turned on the music at the club.  It was low, meant to provide a background atmosphere.  Morgan downed his shot and looked over at Frank.  Bingo’s eyes followed his.

“Your friend is distressed,” Bingo said to Morgan.

“Can you blame him?”

“I have a suspicion that you two may not follow the same path.”

Morgan turned back to Bingo, and took a deep breath of the incense burning at the table.  “The detective with us, Molly.  Have you heard anything.”

Bingo had been served a small porcelain cup of sake and a small wooden tray with two pieces of tuna sushi upon it.  She took a sip of the alcohol before maneuvering her chopsticks around a piece of the sushi playfully.  “She is, miraculously, alive.  Nevertheless, her injuries will leave her permanently crippled without the installation of prosthetics.  This will be an expensive and yet still risky procedure.  But there is hope it seems in her, and fight, or she would no longer dwell in our world.  It is as good news as one could expect.”

“I have to talk to Jess…Captain Stone.  She might have contacts if your organization does not, for the proper care.  Molly deserves the best.”  Morgan’s gaze was certain and ultimate.  “You might also want to have Frank informed, emphasis on the better part of her status.”

“Understood.”

“And if he’s not coming with me, make sure he gets wherever he needs to go safely.”

Bingo nodded.  “Morgan-san does not take his friendships lightly.”

“Not anymore,” Morgan replied.  “Not when it comes to the people who’ve risked their lives helping me.”

~ ~ ~ ~

...on the Janiri

Iole saw the message alert at the terminal in CIC light up, and when she saw who it was from, her heart jumped excitedly and she smiled.  By the time she was done reading, however, her smile had faded.  She read the message again, wishing futily that it said something else.  After the second read, Iole’s lower lip trembled slightly.  She forced herself not to react while surrounded by her military peers.  With a will to keep herself together, she put her fingers to the keyboard.  It still took several minutes before Iole started, wanting desperately to put what she really felt to print, but instead thought about Frank, and what he might need from her.

To:  Frank
From: Iole

I don’t want you pretending anything.  Just, please, take care of yourself, like I would take care of you. 

Remember, too, the people you’ve saved with all the terrible things that have happened.  You’re my hero, okay?  So when you’re ready, come back here and get what’s coming to you.

If you don’t come back, please, let me know where you are so I can find you first chance I can get out of this varrensh*t outfit.

Iole laughed a bit when she typed the last line.  She hit ‘send’ and left the CIC.

It was about three meters down the passageway that Iole grabbed the bulkhead and started crying.

[Cainhurst Crow]

-Paz System - Garvug-

 

As the Malleus frigate was forced to land, Captain Vaith quickly took command of the situation as he ordered the men aboard his ship. "Get those fires extinguished and reroute power away from the damaged areas. I want this vessel repaired, and quickly!" He ordered as the batarians saluted, going to preform what repairs could be done.

 

"Station guards outside this ship and have the other frigates rendevous with us! This damned operation has been a disaster..." He thought to himself as he took a seat, feeling an odd chill through hsi body. He shock his head, dismissing it as simply stress, "Where the general hears of this, I'll see that freak court martialed for this stunt..." he muttered, as 2 others made their way out of the ship.

 

"That wasn't quite the danger I thought I'd be facing on this mission...kinda like it." Yron said as he brushed aside some smoke, forming a biotic bubble of condensed air around the fire, quickly choking it of burnable fuel as he looked towards the quairan besides him.

 

"I'm just glad I didn't get a suit rupture. That bosh'tet owes me for this one..." Ren muttered to herself, banking on the fact she'd get some nice cash in the bank for this job.

 

"How much he paying you anyway?" Yron asked curiously as Ren'Danna looked down towards the smokey hole serving as the new express route to the ground level.

 

"For now? Just barely enough for me to tolerate this crap..." She said as she crossed her arms, "It'll go up even more if he needs to get patched up."

 

//////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

Machaera stared up into the sky, a small crack running along his field of vision indicating one of his eyes had cracked from the detonation. The sky looked clear, relatively, and while Machaera couldn't neccisarily feel it, he was pretty sure it would have been contrast to the cold of this planet. Slowly, the batarian flexed both hands, noticing a distinct lack of movement in the right arm, before he brought up his left and flexed it in front of him.

 

Machaera sat up off the ground, feeling flashes of intense pain which were quickly swallowed by his nerves damage. His suits auto-injection of Di-Isolyn Neuropovazyne doing well to kill his nerves as he looked down to his armor. Blood dripped from his face down onto his lap, and he blinked in surprise as he brought up his omnitool, applying a generous coating of medigel to his entire facial region just to be safe.

 

'Well now, it seems I've become quite injured...' The nerve-dead batarian thought calmly, not perturbed by the injury he couldn't feel as he took a look around, 'Here's hoping that lumbering krogan didn't survive his own...' He thought with what could best be mustered with a grin. The grenade had been very close to going off, when Machaera had used his charge to build up a strong barrier. It hadn't blocked all the damage, but it had blocked enough to keep himself alive.

 

He spotted the krogans body not far away, his upper body above his chest blown to shreads as he slowly made his way back to his feet, stumbling over towards the krogan as he looked down at the body, not knowing how terrifying he looked as his red eyes burned with hatred.

 

'And this is what you get for being brave, but weak...' He thought to himself as he reached down to clutched his sword, drawing it out with his left arm, armor blasted away to show the black synthetic muscles and armor-weave skin covering the prosthetic limb, and he turned to walk away. He more shambled then walked though, as he walked away from the bloody scene, his own lower jaw laying in the dirt out of his line of sight, blown to shreds as the bloodsoaked ground beneath him clung to the back of his coat.

 

The commander walked forth, kept alive by cybernetics, medigel, and deadened nerves, in search of his crew, and possibly something tall and stiff to drink.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Earlier on the Janiri - (Kel & SJ - this is what was holding up)
 

Irina had gotten out of her armor now lying in a heap on the floor. She was in her BDU pants and tank top sitting at her table with her back to the wall, her left side to the door, breaking down her shotgun getting ready to clean it. She hadn't showered yet. Cleaning her weapons got her mind off things. The fighting in close quarters like the hospital was bloody and not something she enjoyed. It reminded her too much of the tunnels on Torfan.

 

There was a knock on her cabin door.

 

“It's open.”

 

Jenus opened the door, took one look at Irina, and said, “Really?  Red, where's my wild woman?”

In her commando dress downs, which really were a bodysuit in the same colors as her uniform, Jenus came in without hesitation and started to pick Irina's armor up off the floor.

Jenus never cleaned up after anyone else's gear before.

“You want to talk about it, Red?”

 

Irina looked up, smiled, and kicked out the chair next to here at the table for Jenus, and she sat. “It stings. We had a f*cking deal, Jen. We had the artifact in our grasp. But that f*cking Krogan wanted Naleena to 'negotiate.' I could smell a back stab. You know she was talking about just making an assault and taking it, but then that traitorous son of a b*tch brought the artifact into his compound. It would have been dicey,” she said and then suddenly shoved her shotgun aside. “Screw this!”

 

Irina put her hand on Jenus' arm and looked her in the eyes. “Jen, I spent fifteen minutes of hell wondering if I was going to walk out of that hospital on Garvug alive or end up a frozen corpse. This shotgun was the only thing that was between me and death. It was four of us against a full squad of Krogan and Vorcha. Close quarters. That's Krogan blood on that armor. I was as close to a Krogan as I am to you when I blew his face off. I hate doing that sh*t, but it's all I know.

 

“I spend most of my time trying not to think about stuff. But then sh*t like today happens, and I get thinkin. I met you guys on Duellos. You and I, we had some good times back then,” Irina laughed. “Real good times. Then I got bounced when ERCS lost the contract, but I stayed on Duellos doing freelance stuff and hunting. Then we ran into each other again on that train. And now again on this ship. Funny about that, isn't it? It got me thinking. It's like maybe the forces of the universe are beating us over the head 'hey, you two. Wake up.' So I'm going to tell you right now before something happens, and I never get a chance to tell you. I care about you. A lot. I think about you. A lot.”

 

While Irina spoke how she felt, Jenus glanced down to look at her hand only briefly, locking eyes with her the rest of the time, when Irina was done, Jenus did something else very out of her usual character.  She took Irina's hand with her own and leaned in close to her.

“Red, I'm just a blue grunt inside, you know that.  I'm cold as space sometimes, you have to put up with that.  I've got a lot to learn and I'm not sure I'm what you call fast when it comes to...”  Jenus stopped, then put her free hand to Irina's cheek and kissed her for a long time.  When she was done, she put her forehead to Irina's.  ”You've got to watch out for me, Red.  I'm not smart about the things I do.  I've got issues.”

Jenus pulled away, thinking about Iole.  Her dark eyes looked to the side as she thought about what she'd said to her commando teammate, even as they lay together, then she again moved to look back to Irina.  For precious seconds, she wasn't sure what to do, not because of Iole but because she could see what Irina meant.  Then she  pushed out of her chair and into Irina, kissing her again and this time, her lips quivered with both anxiety and joy.

There wasn't any stopping Jenus there.  While she wasn't as tall as Irina, she had all her strength and used it to take Irina to the floor slowly.  Each kiss she gave her human lover was full of a passion she hadn't expressed before.  When Irina was on the ground, beneath her, Jenus lifted back a moment and said, “I want this...thing I can't describe with you.  But what are you going to do with me?  I don't think...”  Jenus paused and her eyes had a rare uncertainty in them.  ”...I don't know if I'm good enough for you, Red.”

Jenus' head swam from emotion she felt she hadn't experienced sharing with anyone before.  There was the slightest glistening of moisture on her cheeks, just over her purple facial markings as she timorously awaited Irina's response.

 

Irina reached up to and stroked Jenus' face, and neck. She felt every single contour and smiled. “Jen, and here I was worried that I wasn't good enough for you. You don't know what I've been through. I know you've been through sh*t, too, Jen. Hell, in 100 years, you have to have been. I know for an Asari, that's young, but it's still time, and I respect that. I don't look at you as a child like some of your own might. I come back from a mission and look into your deep eyes and I can forget. Even if it's for a moment. I can forget pain. I've been around for 37 years, and that's like 370 for an Asari. I've never met anyone like you: human or Asari. There is something about you that is special to me, Jen. I want this.”

 

Irina waited looking up with her brown eyes at Jenus with a look of anticipation.

 

Whatever way Irina was looking at her caused Jenus to full on blush for once.  She felt awkward despite Irina's assurances, and she sat up on top of Irina, doubting herself momentarily, then she called to the room's voice activated environmental control system.

“Lights off.”

Irina's cabin wasn't entirely dark, as the ambient light from various small screens or datapads provided plenty of outlines to see by.  A hue also came, however, from Jenus' soft blue biotic glow.  Her dark eyes were like black gems, with just a tinge of glint in them.

“Before I go on, I want you to know, Red, that I've been with others.  But it wasn't ever like it was for you.  I don't to sound stupid, I'm not a poet.  But it's always been different with you, I hope you understand.”

Jenus sighed, and opened the front of her casual bodysuit from the front.  “Not going to do this in a stupid suit,” she said, critical of the clothes she was wearing. Never much one for being sultry, Jenus then slipped off the bodysuit at the shoulders, letting it fall around her waist.  She wrapped her arms around herself as if she were cold, even though the room temperature was fine.  Her black eyes seemed to try and make some sort of final decision as they looked into Irina, and then even in the darkness Jenus seemed to arrive at an ultimate clarity.

 

Irina pulled her olive drab tank over her head and tossed it across the room, then undid her BDU pants and kicked them off.

“You're not going to hear me say the typical words, okay?  I don't like them, because you know what they mean, Red.  Try to relax, open your mind, let me receive you.  I'm going to meld with you and after all that you said, you better let me in.”

 

“And you’d better be ready to receive, Jen, because I’m not holding back.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Earlier on the Janiri Pt 2 (Kel & SJ)

 

(LINK) Her body more powerful than graceful, Jenus stood up above Irina suddenly, letting her bodysuit slip down off her.  She slipped out of it and the rest of her gear, tossing them to the side, and sat back down naked over Irina.  Jenus' athletic body was defined by the ambient light, and while Irina had seen it all before, it still was as impressive a sight as ever.  Jenus had lean, powerful legs that reached up to ample hips.  Her waist was narrow, but Jenus' body expanded again into her broad shoulders.  Her torso was beautiful, with washboard abs and petite breasts that were firm with excitement.  There were a few interruptions in the contours of her skin, old battle wounds that had healed to form mostly minor scars.  But other than that, the surface of Jenus' skin was young and smooth.

Jenus knelt again atop Irina, and leaned down until she was nose to nose with Irina.  By then, the black of Jenus' eyes had filled their expanse and they drew her in until the two became one in their meld.

 

Irina opened up and shared herself with Jenus in a way she’d never shared with anyone before. It is said that Asari share memories with each other during a meld. Jenus knew exactly how Irina felt about her. Irina was playing for keeps. Jenus saw the young farm girl growing up outside of Albury NSW riding a large beautiful hooved quadruped. Irina described it as a horse. Her hair was auburn in those images. Flash ahead to her joining the Alliance Marines, a young woman filled with ideals about how she was going to, meet new species, and help make the galaxy a better place for humanity. Then those dreams crushed on Elysium and again on Torfan, all the way to her first meeting with the Commandos on Duellos. Jenus felt the rush through her that Irina had felt from the beginning. This Asari, there was something about her. Why not Iole or any of the other Asari? No. Jenus was always the one. Something about the way she made Irina feel when she was around her. Irina always was able to look into her eyes and forget the pain. And her scent.

 

The experience for Irina was at first a person she was very unfamiliar with.  There were many childhood memories present.  Jenus was the only child, born to a volus father and mother who struggled to make ends meet.  They were reliant on social programs, and something about Jenus wanted to always make her father proud.  A vow, somewhere that wasn't quite defined in words drove her.  It wasn't so much a surprise for Irina, to discover a family which Jenus never shared of because of pride, but more a connection to the fear of stopping, of ever letting up.

And yet then there was exhileration.  Jenus, the child, ran and ran as fast as she could.  As a teen, she took on every sport she could, excelling at gymnastics in particular.  She was fearsome, the anchor, the go to girl when it was on the line.  With the meld, Irina could feel the thrill of Jenus' heart pounding, her shins burning, the joy of pushing each step forward from thigh to toe as she first went for a ball, then ran for a finish line, and finally jumped as far as she could from one cliffside to the next on the side of a mountain.  To be inside Jenus was to be inside an Olympian who never ceased to face the most difficult challenge she could find and take it on.  

Tragically, every victory always came with the reminder of her youthful hardship.  There was no win that had ever really been enough for Jenus.  She yearned for the peace she found in others, but could never achieve, imprisoning her own satisfactions out of dread she would let up.  That dread led directly to Irina, who she desired more than anything, and yet was convinced that she might someday let down, if she didn't push herself along madly.

The admission of such a thing to Irina in the meld caused Jenus to shake.  Although the speed of thought was impossible to measure compared to her physical sensations, Jenus' body continued to move in real time.  She slipped her arms under Irina and held her tightly.  Irina could sense that the intimacy almost had Jenus want to break the meld, but she stayed in for much longer than she was comfortable with.  Perhaps that was the greatest sign of dedication the asari maiden had to her human lover.

 

In her mind, Irina let loose and wrapped herself around her Asari lover. Jen, you're all I ever wanted. Don't be afraid. I am here. Irina held Jenus close to her. Jenus' scent reminded her of sandalwood and amber and it filled her head. Instinctively she ran her hand down Jenus' back near the base of her spine: the azure.

 

Irina's touch took Jenus over and her back arched from the sensation.  Red wasn't only the color Jenus used to describe Irina's hair, but it was how she described the sensation she felt with her.  Hues of scarlet, cerise, and deep crimson appeared like fireworks, while the connection between the two in body and mind radiated with sweltering heat.  A physical being, even in her meld, Jenus couldn't help but invoke her carnal nature.  She lowered her head again to kiss Irina on the lips, then worked her way down along her neck, to alight on her collar bone for a bit.

Fingerstips did their own work, forming circles over Irina's form, eliciting sensations and reactions that ignited the other senses of the asari.  There was an aroma like something burning and sweet, maybe a kind of incense, that came from Irina.  After a time, Jenus moved her lips lower, to Irina's breast, where the taste of the woman thrilled the asari.  It was a mingling of the reality that Irina had come back unshowered and wild, with the memory of so many times where they had bed and through it Jenus savored the softness that was beneath.  Jenus loved it, licking at Irina's flavor, which only caused her to give in further.

There was no hiding her excitement as the colors melded with the sudden flows that came from Jenus.  Whatever Irina did with her touch had Jenus slowly begin to undulated, to let herself show her appreciation through her own image and actions.  The saliva ran thick on Jenus' lips, and her eyes half closed with pleasure.  A push of her legs outward and a slight shift had Jenus lying atop Irina with one thigh between those of her lovers.  Something had more meaning, though, as Jenus locked with Irina and the most minute movements sent sensual signals that drove her inclination higher. 

 

As Jenus' biotic aura encircled both of them.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Earlier on the Janiri Pt3 (Kel & SJ)

 

Irina smiled as the two collapsed on the floor breathing heavily and lay in each other’s arms and kissed.

 

Time lost its real world meaning in the meld, and while Jenus didn't know how much of it was passing, she felt an indulgently lengthy period where she felt Irina's heartbeat, smelled the sensuous aroma of her hair (Jenus loved that trait of humans, particularly Irina's hair), and lay as one with her lover.  She didn't even know quite when she left the meld.  It was as if she woke up and could possibly have been lucidly dreaming for the last part of her connection.

There on the floor of Irina's cabin, Jenus felt the odd, seemingly non sequitur, memory coming to consciousness post meld.  She started whispering it to Irina without first making sense of it.  ”I remember once failing and being inconsolable, but looking back I believe it was for the better.”

Jenus rolled on her back, the flat, hard floor feeling comfortable to her.  ”I was qualified to enter the Serrice Guard.  This was thirty years ago, or so, just before I was assigned with Mira, Tallis and Iole.  The tests were all completed, I passed them, at least I thought I had.  They had me lined up to join the 8th, the Ascendants of Bronze.  And then, at the last minute, i was reassigned.  The problem is the unit has to accept you, and I guess they saw something they weren't comfortable with.  I had interviewed with one of them, was required to meld.  There was little I saw in that link but I remember the demeanor of my interviewer.  She was martial, and very formal.

“Of course, you know me a little bit more now.  You can understand what I thought about myself...not enough discipline, not controlled enough, all the things that I was sure, maybe I still am, were my shortcomings.  I'm not...I'm not a thinker so much...maybe they needed thinkers.  There are more asari Commandos that qualify for Serrice than are accepted, did you know that?  Of course the unit is only so big, but the size of the unit has been changed to accept others in the past, or reduced because of a lack of matching.  I could have ended up with another unit, but the statistics on those who aren't accepted by one and yet by another are not good.”

Shifting to lay on her side and stare at Irina, Jenus then said, “I feel like the 8th ruined my shot at another unit, too.  Maybe if I'd been with one of the others I'd be in.  Later on, I found out there was a derogatory name for the 8th, for being a bunch of introverted, elitist, well, *ssh*les, but I couldn't be bothered by what I thought was jealousy.  I guess it doesn't matter anymore; Mira in fact could have gone out and I bet she would have qualified.  But believe it or not she never wanted to be in any part of the Serrice Guard.  Something about wanting to be on 'a different path'. I used to tease her about that.  

“Maybe if I'd have been accepted, I would have been working closer to Xanthe now.”  Jenus smiled, humored by the thought, “But I wouldn't have been with you, Red.”  Jenus brushed Irina's cheek with the back of her hand, then ran her fingers over her shoulder.  The asari looked down at both their forms.  ”And I really have to say that this is my favorite way to break a sweat.”

 

“I'm glad we finally opened up to each other. It's been too long. You're driven, Jen, just like I was when I was younger. You push yourself hard. You ask nothing from anyone that you wouldn't demand from yourself,” Irina said, “I was like that as a gunnery chief, you know.

 

“All this was new for us. We'd just fought the Turians a few years earlier. We just heard about Asari and Salarians. I had all these other plans, but then decided I wanted to go out and explore. Being a colonist didn't sound too exciting. It would have been hard, doing the same things I grew up with. So I joined the Alliance. And of course to my parent's disapproval I had to join the Marines,” Irina said turning her head and then laughing. “I remember my drill sergeant. A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal a banquet. Every paycheck a fortune. Every formation a parade. I love the Corps! That was just before he'd start running you through Hell, and you'd start having thoughts like 'why the f*ck did I sign up for this?'“

 

She was stroking Jenus' muscular shoulders. “Well you know me pretty well, Jen. What you see is what you get. There's stuff I don't like talking about, but I shared that with you. Our training protects us, but I get scared that one of these days I'm not gonna be coming back from one of these missions. It keeps getting worse. That's why I got that stupid skin weave.”

 

Irina stood up and walked over to her dresser. “Jen, I want to give you something.” She took out a locket and necklace she had that had a picture of her grandparents in it, and used her omni-tool to print a picture of herself and replaced the picture then walked back to Jen and gave it to her. “Take this. It belonged to my mother. It's real gold. I want you to have it.”

 

Jenus had sat up when Irina rose, and she'd lifted and put her knees together so she could lean forward on them.  She, of course, was still naked and glorious, but nothing stood out more than her dark, wide eyes as Irina handed her the golden locket.  Almost too timid to accept the gift, Jenus watched in affection as Irina lowered the locket into the palm of her hand.

“I...don't even know what to say, Red. This is really...vast.”  Jenus was stunned.  ”I don' t have anything like this for you.  And nobody has ever...”  She stopped and pulled her palm closer, to appreciate every facet of the piece of jewelry.  Then Jenus gulped.  The meaning of Irina's gesture was so intense for Jenus that she felt her face go numb, and she began to unconsciously start feeling it with her open hand, all the time keeping her eye on the locket.

 

“Jenus, I'm letting you in because you're worth caring about. You're more than just fun, and you're not cold as space inside. We're in this together.”

[Cknarf]

Attican Traverse, Aboard the Vepr II.

 

Previously

 

“We could always try one of our old contacts in the Terminus.”

 

“Nah. Marius wouldn’t go for that. I’m thinkin’ somewhere a little less… confrontational.”

 

"Then we hit the colonies. The humans always came through for us.”

 

“Yeah, but that’s back when we were small time. We got no use for that old surplus junk anymore.”

 

“Hey, that junk got us by.” Adir wagged a finger.

 

“Barely. You might be okay with going back to nutrient paste, but I sure ain’t. Not dealin' with that sh*t again.”

 

“Fine. Then what are you suggesting?”

 

“I’m thinkin’ we stick to the homeworlds.” Quintus pulled up a small galaxy map near the controls, and highlighted the home systems of the council races.

 

Adir began nodding.

 

“I really don’t feel like dealin’ with the Alliance, not in their home system, anyways. Their protocols make even my people look soft sometimes. Entering the Sol system with a load like this could be difficult.”

 

“They couldn’t be any worse than C-SEC.”

 

“You’d be surprised, old man.”

 

“Alright. So we hit Palaven.”

 

“Eh, I dunno about that…” Quintus moved the map to Thessia. “I was thinkin’ we stop here, just for a few hours…”

 

“For what? We’ve already got a load of…”

 

Quintus slowly began pumping his arms in a thrusting motion.

 

“Ugh.” Adir palmed his visor. “You need help.”

 

“Ha, yeah I do. Help gettin’ off.”

 

“Set course for Earth.” Marius commanded, making his way to the cockpit for the first time in a couple weeks. “Just got a message from Eli. He’s in a tight spot and needs our help.” 

 

“What about the haul?” Quintus asked, looking over his shoulder.

 

“We’ll hide what we can, and space the rest. It can be replaced.”

 

"A'ight." Quintus nodded, while focusing back on the controls.

[Redbelle]

The Medusa docked after the Janiri and Jess almost felt she could relax. Almost being the word. Two of her crew had ties to Iyana. One distant, one directly. Both had been affected by the experience, most certainly not for the better and after years of drifting from one place to another, both had ended up on her ship. The same ship that Iyana had twisted in her image.

 

"Thank you Dahlia. Signal the crew. Shore leave for everyone except for duty station personal. Figure out a rotation. The engineering teams are still needed working on the Armatures. Draw up a rotation for them to". Jess pressed her hands into the armrests and pushed herself up from the chair. She'd been on the bridge the whole time a potential shooting war had been about to be unleashed outside her ship and her muscles were stiff as she stretched. "Hmmmm...... I need to follow up on that business earlier. Keep on top of any news from the Janiri. I owe Naleena a visit when she's good for visitors".

 

Turning she headed to the deck elevator and stepping inside, turned back before the doors closed. "Keep an eye on things Dahlia. I'll send someone up to relieve you soon. Then you can get some rest too".

 

The doors closed and Jess disappeared from view.

[Kel Riever]

...on the Kurinth

"Arriving in Citadel Space," the navigator verbally confirmed.

The Kurinth's captain looked to Xanthe Remi.  "Shall we prepare for the standard leave?  You are to report to the Council, the crew will be given time off the ship in cycles.  Everything as normal?"

Xanthe was reading her reports, her typical multitasking habit.  "Somewhat longer than normal, perhaps an extra day or two.  This is a more extensive briefing with the Council based on the Terminus activity we've found.  They're going to want some detail on all these weapon movements and skirmishes that have broken out.  Not to mention I feel it is my duty to stop in and see about someone."

"The Spectre T'Sarius?"  The captain couldn't hide her disdain.  "What concern is she of ours, anymore?"

"Regardless of personal dislikes, she is one of us."  Xanthe ignored the captain's tone.  "The Janiri, too, has returned from a mission in the Terminus Systems.  I want to find out what happened, if there is any possible connection.  Chances are likely not, but I cannot brush past it.  Besides, she has been wounded severely from what I hear."

"Yet this delays your investigations further.  Every moment counts, you have said so yourself.  Can't you simply receive updates on her status and speak to her through the QEC when she is healed?"

"All that time I will lack the information she may have.  This is not wise.  Best to speak with her and find out how she is, personally.  Perhaps she will have something different to say when she sees me.  It could be an opportunity for you, as well, to perhaps meet with Commander Selani."

The captain scoffed. "She has it easy on that over-engineered yacht.  What could she offer me in regards to being at the helm of the Kurinth?"

"A different point of view.  A captain's perspective is not the same as a Spectre's.  Find out how their crew has been getting along.  If they have been able to manage with their diverse compliment.  This would be useful for us to know."

The captain nodded gently.  She didn't look any happier about it, however.

[Redbelle]

".... husband told me about some of the battles he was in. I always thought he was exagerting but now.....".  Sherie was sat in the gunners seat with both hands on the gunners yoke, idly stroking the twin triggers as the HUD showed a computer generated training target. ".....Now.... Oh I can just imagine him sitting here shooting raiders"! She pressed the triggers and the computer screen showed a grapeshot canister erupt into it's fragmented cone of devastation as the computer calculated probable impacts. The screen brought up a report and announced that the simulator had given her a clean kill and Sherie leaned back in the gunners chair. "All those years raising our children..... Why did Dogger not let me know about this sooner? It really get's rid of all that stress"!

 

Sherie looked down at Babe who was giving her a strange look. Sherie however was enjoying herself to much. "That was the fifth.... Can I shoot another"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Citadel - Huerta Memorial

 

After receiving two pints of blood, Naleena opened her eyes. The last thing she remembered was being dragged from the line of fire by Essul. She lifted her arm and saw an IV connected delivering whole blood, and then she turned her head to the side and saw the daytime lighting of the Presidium.

 

A nurse entered to check her vital signs. “Dr. Michel, she’s awake.”

 

“I’ll be right there.”

 

“How long was I out?” Naleena asked.

 

“The doctor will be here shortly to answer your questions,” the nurse replied.

 

A few moments passed and Dr. Michel entered the room tucking her short red hair behind her left ear with her hand while looking at the chart handed to her by the nurse.

 

“You gave us a scare, Spectre. I’m glad to see you’ve come around,” Dr. Michel said as she approached Naleena’s bed.

 

“How long have I been here?” Naleena asked.

 

“Three days, but your ship’s medical officer should receive a commendation for his work. You almost didn’t make it,” she replied.

 

Naleena began to get very concerned. “How bad is it?”

 

“That I don’t know yet. Your internal injuries were significant, and our nanotech is hard at work repairing the damage. I need to check a few things before we go any further,” Dr. Michel said and touched Naleena’s feet. “Can you feel my hands?”

 

“Yes,” Naleena replied.

 

“Good. Now move your toes.”

 

Naleena did as she asked and then moved her ankles. “I guess that was  a concern?”

 

“The shrapnel was close to the spinal column. You were lucky.”

 

“When will I be able to leave? I have to meet with the Council. It is very important.”

 

“It will have to wait,” Dr. Michel replied. “You’re in no shape to leave yet. I will have C-sec inform them you are awake if you like.”

 

Naleena nodded, and Dr. Michel smiled and left the room.

[Kel Riever]

".... husband told me about some of the battles he was in. I always thought he was exagerting but now.....".  Sherie was sat in the gunners seat with both hands on the gunners yoke, idly stroking the twin triggers as the HUD showed a computer generated training target. ".....Now.... Oh I can just imagine him sitting here shooting raiders"! She pressed the triggers and the computer screen showed a grapeshot canister erupt into it's fragmented cone of devastation as the computer calculated probable impacts. The screen brought up a report and announced that the simulator had given her a clean kill and Sherie leaned back in the gunners chair. "All those years raising our children..... Why did Dogger not let me know about this sooner? It really get's rid of all that stress"!

 

Sherie looked down at Babe who was giving her a strange look. Sherie however was enjoying herself to much. "That was the fifth.... Can I shoot another"?

"Sure," Babe agreed, watching the auto loader slide back and fetch another canister of shot for the barrel.  Even though the round wouldn't go live, the simulator program did keep all the parts of the gun moving that it could for as realistic an experience as could be expected.  The slide and clank sound of the mechanism took a notch of her own stress away, though she was far from her normal state.  Babe threw a hand through her golden hair and watched Sherie curiously;  the housewife was the best pupil she'd had so far on the gun.  She didn't quite know what exactly had given her the idea that leaving the GARDIAN control room and heading down to a main cannon was a good one, but now that they were there, Babe was in a bit of awe at Sherie.  She'd even been crossed off the list of trainees by Dogger, and Babe began wondering if Dogger knew everything there was to about his wife.  

"I see you're pretty good at this, so I'm going to make this a bit more difficult for you."  Babe stretched over Sherie to bump the simulator up a level in difficulty.  "You passed the highest setting I gave to Doctor Hayashi, so let's see how you do."

[Cknarf]

"And then... then I's said... I said uh..." Frank gestured with his hand as he tried to make words. "F***. Wh-what'd I say? sss... stalkin' 'bout some... somethin' or other. 'Bout the person. And all the... stuff. Ya know?" He put his head down on the bar, and closed his eyes. "Yeah..."

 

A glass was firmly set upon the bar next to him. He felt around for it for a minute, before finally grabbing hold of the glass and sliding it closer.

 

"F***in'... glove. Can't feel my driiink." Frank chuckled, before raising his head just enough to take a sip.

 

"Barkeeep! What is... this sh*t is is... it's a 'lil... not strong."

 

Uggghh. Waterrrrr.

 

"Bastard." He muttered, while sliding it away.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Citadel - Huerta Memorial

 

After taking another nap, Naleena woke again later in the evening. She felt quite alert this time with the treatments finally taking full effect, and she asked the nurses to put her in a sitting position and arrange a table, get her an data pad and her omni-tool so she could do some work. She needed to contact the Council, and she didn’t trust C-sec’s network.

 

She tapped her omni-tool entering her passcode and used her retinal scan. “VERA, is everything alright on board the ship?”

 

“I am doing fine, Boss. You are well again?”

 

“It will take longer than that, VERA,” Naleena said, “I think I might be getting around in a few days, though, but I’d like to do some work. Can you send a message to Yalson Sao for me?

 

To: Yalson Sao

 

From: Naleena T’sarius

 

RE: Garvug – Valhallan Threshold

 

Was on Garvug attempting to recover Prothean artifact. Need an audience with the Council or to speak with one of the Councilors in person. It is urgent. Criminal charges need to be filed against three Earth-based corporations. Contact me at Huerta Memorial Hospital via Janiri secured channel.

 

Naleena pressed send and let out a sigh. “VERA, exactly what happened afterward?”

 

“Would you like to see?” VERA replied. “Connecting your data pad.”

 

VERA had pieced together the suit cam recordings of the battle from the start of the negotiations to their arrival on the Janiri.

 

“Specialist Danri taught Tallis how to head butt? Why is that in here?” Naleena asked.

 

“This is the complete recounting of the events on Garvug. I found Specialist Danri’s cross species behavior fascinating. Do you wish the edited version?”

 

VERA showed her the edited version beginning with from where Naleena was shot. “Seeing my team mates in danger and being injured caused minor fluctuations in my processing power. I did not like it. Once those responsible were eliminated and the equipment they were using destroyed or damaged, my processing returned to normal,” she said in a forceful manner.

 

“It sounds like you were angry.”

 

There was a pause. “I was merely seeking out the most effective means of destroying the enemy.”

 

Naleena knew VERA’s circuits were in the right place. What was conspicuously missing from the recording was what Naleena told Essul about VERA and Essul’s response. VERA cut it and added a CG sequence to smooth the transition to where Naleena went unconscious. “And that edit?”

 

“The Council would find it too interesting,” VERA replied. “My enhanced digital processors can create images at or better than those captured by standard suit cams. However, over a sequence longer than three seconds, analysis would detect anti-aliasing issues. That means I cannot fabricate something to pass as legitimate data for you.”

 

“Thank you, VERA.”

 

“You are welcome, Boss…. And get well.”

[Redbelle]

Medusa turret control station

 

Sherie watched the object on the monitor spiral into what she had been told was an attack vector, only to see it dart off it's intended track  backwards, only to begin a new run. Looking at it dance Sheries eye's narrowed, even as an almost feral smile creased her lips.

 

"When you have children....". She said, almost to herself as she pointed the gun targeting reticule off center from the target. "....You remember the tricks you played on your parent's growing up. Because no matter what your children do..... or how smart they believe they can be..... It's always the same trick.....". Her gun sights drifted off center further and suddenly the target looped, heading off in the other direction right towards the virtual Medusa. "....They always act up when they think the adults aren't looking". Sherie's hands had been moving even before the target had completed it's loop, bringing the reticule back over but down. Looping her own path towards where she expected the target to be once it had begun accelerating. She bracketed a target of space that was empty and pulled the trigger. The Canister made a KAH-CLANG sound as the loader ejected the full canister, simulating firing as on her readouts the canister she had just shot out of the Medusa exploded. The shaped charge on the rear of the canister exploding to propel the fifty shots of ball bearing even faster than the rail gun had propelled it. The shot carried on in the blink of an eye even as the target's arc brought it into the region of space she had targeted. Out of the fifty shots the majority went wide of the mark. The target being small enough that the cone of fire simply sailed past it, except for two that hit.

 

The first hit the targets barriers and collapsed them even as the shot sailed on. It's energy scarcely depleted from hitting the weak defenses of so small a target. It hit a section, identified by the computer as a wing and tore through it leaving little damage behind. The other shot however hit a few milliseconds behind the other and punched into the hull of the target. The computer began running number's and probability even as the simulator paused to calculate the damage and Sherie leaned backwards, shaking the tension out of her hands.

 

"My my my.... I should come here more often. Imagining that was my neighbor next door. She always had this tiny dog she'd take everywhere with her. And when she left it at home it would never stop barking.....".

 

The computer finished it's calculations and both Babe and Sherie were rewarded by the computer registering the target's offensive index as zero as it tumbled off into space. Power output zero.

 

"Does that mean the person piloting it survived"? Sherie asked turning to Babe. "I admit, I never actually thought of those piloting these targets you keep giving me. I appreciate that in the real thing there are real lives being played with but.... I suppose if I had to fire a gun for real I could do it. After all. It's not just me. It's my husband..... And all of you as well".

[Kel Riever]

Babe leaned against the bulkhead, arching her back and using her hands as a sort of seat between herself and the hard wall.  She glanced away for a minute in thought, then back at Sherie.  "You're very good.  I believe the Captain isn't out for blood, so like the last vessel we came across, she ordered not critical systems to be hit.  But...I wouldn't get on that gun if you have a concern about killing people because it happens.  I don't want to soften that understanding for you."

With pursed lips, Babe contemplated further, then added.  "The moral question isn't ours to make.  You have to trust the Captain, or whoever is in her chair.  You have to weigh what you can be counted on for, and let people know.  If you can't do it, because shooting people is really different than shooting blips, then say so.  I don't think anyone would want you firing the cannons if you didn't think you should.  Of course, maybe someone else wouldn't do the job as well as you, and yes, our lives are on the line, too."

There was a bit of a shrug from Babe, then she was quiet.  She wasn't the most trusting herself, and for good reason.  The guns were easy for her; Babe wanted to shoot them...there was an attraction she had to them, and what they did.  She reflected on her zealousness in the last fight where they'd captured the criminal competitor mining the comet for ice.

"Take it from me.  Regretting killing people can keep you from becoming a monster.  I'd rather have you firing the cannon than someone who's switches were flipped."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Citadel News Network Report

 

… In other news, there are reports that a intern working at the Information Systems Department for Prime Minister Shastri’s office allegedly discovered that a backdoor to the Prime Minister’s VI has been being accessed by an unknown source since the 8^th month of the Earth year 2185. The extent of the alleged security breach at this time is unknown. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Shastri has denied all allegations and has informed Alliance News Network that the Executive Branch VI Systems are the most secure hardware and software available in Citadel Space. The intern’s name is being withheld for their personal safety.

[Redbelle]

Sherie nodded and rose from the seat, smoothing down her skirt as she did. "Well. I don't think that will be a problem for me at least. I strongly doubt the Captain would want me on her guns. I'm sure her heart is in the right place, but she does seem a little out of sorts whenever I'm around".

 

Sherie climbed off the chair and alighted next to Babe. A sudden dazzling smile suddenly emerging. "It was fun though. Now, before you think I'm all distracted about your role here, let's get back to what I was discussing before. You won't eat your meals with the crew. I suppose I can't stop you. Your a grown woman after all. But I hope you will at least come around to my kitchen and get something to eat. A young woman like yourself needs to keep her strength up.... ". Sherie paused. "....Is there anyone aboard you can eat with"?