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[Kel Riever]

...Somewhere in the Terminus Systems

The Mammoth Shuttle had landed, guided on its last approach by Iyana.  When the engines had throttled down, the white haired woman stood and looked out the forward viewing port of the cockpit which was raised substantially above the ground.  Below she saw that Xhuan had assembled with her cadre of lieutenants.  For several moments, she took in the spectacle of their discipline, an admiration reaching her that she would never show. 

The thought of Jess Stone, the monstrous woman in her dream, came to the forefront.  Iyana drew forth a long, thin stiletto, invoking the same gleaming, medieval imagery that her armor displayed.  It had been sheathed at the small of her back, and she held with her left hand, examining its impeccably sharp blade, made of modern alloy.  Since its use, the blade had been cleaned, but Iyana let the reflected light shine back into her eyes.  Then, her gaze wandered toward the pauldron and upper armor of her right arm.

Stabbing the blade into the arm of the pilot's chair, Iyana tore at the pauldron and upper arm mail until it came off, leaving everything from her socket to elbow bare.  With her left hand again, she seized the stiletto, its fifteen centimeter bladed more than sufficient for severing her limb.  Iyana focused, raised the blade, and swung down upon her right arm, just below the shoulder.

Fractions of a distance from her flesh, Iyana stopped.

At first, Iyana was silent.  Second, she made her contemplative, hollow clicking noise.  Then, she quieted herself again, put the stiletto's blade tip playfully in front of her right eye, then dropped the weapon to the ground where it sunk into the soft rubber covering the cockpit's floor.  Finally, she lifted the datacube she'd taken from Jess.

As if coming to a decision, Iyana walked back into the Mammoth's large compartment, able to transport a main battle tank in its size.  Of course, it was dominated by the cages meant to hold the massive Maltruvian Stalkers, empty except for the one that now imprisoned Jrudek.  Iyana went to his cage, opened the door, and stepped back, giving him room to leave.

"Come," Iyana commanded.

Jrudek exited with his head lowered.  "Thank you, my superior."

Iyana watched her loyal servant with analytical eyes.  "I could not ask for greater dedication, Jrudek Ib-vu.  There is a task I have, as important as the one you have just recently accomplished with success.  I have made a promise, so that I cannot do this thing myself."

"Anything, my superior.  I am honor bound to serve you."

"I want you to return this."  Iyana held Jess' datacube out to Jurik.  "Take it to Jess Stone, give it to her personally.  Make sure that your path cannot be retraced."

Jrudek's four eyes widened.  "They will...capture me.  What if they attempt to remove information from my mind."

"You know little more than Morgan did, and for that part which you do, I trust you to handle the transfer carefully enough so that it is not an issue.  Make no mistake, however, you are to hand it to her in person."

"I will do as you ask, Iyana."

Depositing the cube in Jrudek's grasp, Iyana added, "You are free after this, if you so desire."

"I...do not understand."

"You do not have to come back if you wish, Jrudek.  Your service to me has been sufficient such that it may end after this, if you would like.  There is no need for you to return, and no harm will come to you from me or the people I lead."

While Jrudek stood, stunned, Iyana started to turn on her near vertical heels for the exit hatch.  She hesitated before her first step, however, motioned towards Jrudek with upturned palm and informed him, "One more bit to add.  Let Jessica know I will be keeping the mask."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Just don't get too close. It fires a 25 gram slug at 5 km/sec, and I don't have to explain what that means," Irina said. "When that Colossus drops draw its fire and I'll hit it."

 

Arian nodded.

 

"Okay, here we go."

 

The first wave was pretty easy, just armored elites and pyros. Arian was really getting the feel for his new weapon, and shredding through the wave. Irina was doing the same on the other side of the map. Occasionally she'd throw a grenade, when Arian had to load. That was one thing about the Typhoon, the reload was cumbersome.

 

Then it landed with a thud that shook the floor. The Colossus homed in on Irina and fired. She ducked behind cover but the shot knocked her out of cover. Arian opened fire on it and it turned. Irina lined up the Cain and launched it. *BAWOOM*

 

Arian mopped up the last two geth.

 

"The match goes to Red and Arian! 10,000 points! Congratulations!"

 

Irina's omni-tool lit up. "Hey, Arian, we each get a 50% off on a purchase of armor from Kassa Fabrications in addition to our prize money. And they liked you with your high kill counts. Said you need to be a little more showy for the audience, though, but if you want a sponsor, they said to tell you they're interested."

[Cknarf]

Frank nodded in the affirmative.

 

“Quintus?”

 

“Yo.”

 

“Start movin’ your sh*t out of my quarters.” He couldn’t help but smile as he spoke.

 

“I… alright? I’ll uh… get right on that. So you’re comin’ back, then?”

 

“30 minutes, at the most.”

 

“A’ight. Quintus out.”

 

“I can’t wait for you to meet everyone. They’re gonna love you, I just know it.” Frank nodded, before putting his helmet back on.

 

“I’ll be waiting for you here.” Frank marked a location near the checkpoint that they’d have to pass through in order to reach the Vepr. “I’ll see you soon.” He smiled under the helmet before standing up. “Hey, in my room on the Janiri, there’s a little wooden box…”

 

Go AWOL, leave your friends. Then carry my luggage.

 

“Eh… you know what? On second thought, just forget it. I don’t need it.” He waved a hand. “See you in 20!”

 

=============================================

 

Armax Arsenal Arena

 

“Typical bird.” Friday scoffed, watching the action below. “They’re always so boring to watch.”

 

“Boring, yet efficient.” Velasquez responded. “You know what they say…”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Still, I wanted a show.”

 

“His armor screams mercenary.” Mason commented, as she clung to Johnny. “What do you think?”

 

Johnny didn’t respond immediately. He had been focusing more on the other challenger.

 

“Hey! I’m talkin’ to you, a**hole!”

 

“Sorry.” Johnny looked back down to the arena, and pointed to the turian “He’s definitely a merc. Likely freelance. Notice the lack of colors.”

 

“Alriiight. What about her?”

 

“Alliance. For sure. Or she used to be, at least. Look at how she moves.”

 

“Yo, Friday. Check this sh*t.” Velasquez slapped his arm. “M-920.”

 

“What?” Friday was suddenly interested in the match again.

 

The flash caused the four spectating marines to squint a little.

 

“F*** yes!” Friday pumped a fist. He climbed upon the railing, practically hanging over the edge. “I love youuuuuu!”

 

“Get down, you fuckin’ idiot.” Velasquez chuckled, yanking him back. “They probably can’t even hear you anyways.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina swaggered up the steps, smiling, and out to the main area in her leather pants, tank, and vest with her sawed-off double barrel shotgun strapped to her thigh. She had a towel in her hand and was wiping the sweat off her face and neck, waved to the people who watched the match, and headed over to collect her prize money.

 

Arian followed her.

[Cknarf]

"Dude, she totally waved at me. I think I'm gonna go talk to her." Friday ran a hand over his shaved head. "How's my hair?"

 

"Nice knowin' ya..." Velasquez smirked. "You pull your usual bullsh*t with her, and you may not make it outta here."

 

Johnny chuckled, still watching the pair curiously. He made note of their openly carried weapons. Very few people outside of C-SEC were granted such privileges.

 

Friday pushed off the railing, and began his strut over.  Johnny stuck an arm out to stop him.

 

"I think I'll take this one, Friday."

 

"Huh?" Friday was confused. He looked back at Velasquez who just shrugged. Mason got hella jealous.

 

"Hmph." She pushed away, and stormed off. Velasquez went after her.

 

"Don't worry, Friday. I'll put in a good word for you." Johnny smiled, slapping him on the back before heading over.

 

"Um... Excuse me." He began as he approached the pair. "Hi. I... watched your performance, and I have to say I found it rather impressive."

 

Johnny felt a little uncomfortable addressing the strangers. Any other time, he wouldn't even have bothered, but there was something about these people that he felt drawn to.

 

"Name's Johnny. I mean J-Johnathan. Daniels. Jonathan Daniels." He awkwardly extended a hand. "I just had a few questions, if you don't mind me asking."

[TheMajonese]

When Arian saw the stranger approaching, he turned to her and asked in a low voice: "You're not going to tell me that having adoring fans is part of this arena bullsh*t...are you?"

 

Then he snarled at the human and placed himself in front of him. "If you don't have a good reason to annoy us, get lost!" Seemingly unintentional, Arian held his crossed arms a bit in front of his body, so that the human could see the short but sharp blades on the plating that covered his forearm and his elbow.

[Kel Riever]

Iole could feel the blood pounding through her drums.  On the outside, she forced herself to look calm.  On the inside she was terrified that someone would figure out she was leaving before she could, and at the same time she wanted to jump up and scream out in joy.  Walking the halls of the Janiri, she passed the twins.

“Hey, Boomer,” Asteria and Lusia called out the nickname of the Team Boom members. It had turned from a mocking joke to a title of some admiration.

“Hey, you two,” Iole said back, smiling widely.

The smile was infectios; the twins grinned and looked at each other, not exactly knowing why, as they passed. 

Without any further incident, Iole got to her quarters.  She was thankful it was empty, and she quickly threw her most important items into a small carrying bag. It would be conspicuous if she took her luggage case, or a full load of any kind, so she had to make hard decisions.  First, the commando leathers were her purchase, but she’d have to pull the Republics insignia and rank bars off once she was clear of the ship.  Slipping into the leathers was not a problem, just another day of duty.  No guns though; taking firearms was a big infraction…well, short of deserting.  There was her omni-tool, but that she’d have to accept the consequences for that, there was no getting by without one.  Most of her personal effects, now looking at them with the clock ticking, really weren’t that important.  Iole left everything except the backup datachips with videos from her family, and a pair of jeans she’d just picked up the day before on the Citadel.  Iole had seen the human detective with them on, casually wandering about, and they looked so comfortable she swore to try them.  She hadn’t yet and she wasn’t about to leave them in the cabin.

When Iole had zipped up, just as she turned to head out, the door slid open.  She gasped.

Tallis was standing there, looking shocked.  Then her eyes became sad as the door slid closed behind her, and it took only seconds for her to figure out what was happening.

Iole grabbed her friend and hugged her.

Tears welling up, Tallis could barely embrace Iole back.  “Leaving?  Leaving?”

“I have to,” Iole said, feeling like she was lying and telling the truth at the same time.  She clutched Tallis tighter.  “I’ll miss you.”

Tallis said nothing, but grabbed on tighter herself.

“Explain it to Jenus if she needs it.  You’ll see Mira before I do, tell her I said goodbye, and I bet she understands even if she doesn’t want to.  And Naleena…tell her I said thanks for the flying lessons.”

“Goldie…Goldie…”

Iole pressed her forehead against Tallis, her own tears coming now.  Quickly wiping them away and sniffing, Iole said.  “I’m not religious, you know that, but if there ever was a time to say it, all is one, Tallis.  We’ll meet again.”

Tallis stared into Iole’s golden eyes one last time, then Iole smiled lovingly and went past her, out into the adventure her life had become.

There was just the perfect amount of time to steal the wooden box Frank had asked for before Iole left.  Iole simply explained to VERA that Frank needed it, and that she was fine with the AI making record of it.  VERA asked about her elevated emotional state.  Iole had no better way of explaining that telling the truth.

“I’m in love.”

[Cknarf]

Johnny raised his hands submissively. "I didn't intend to--"

 

"You got a problem with my boy?" Friday appeared over his shoulder.

 

"James, please. It's alright."

 

"No Gogs. It ain't." Friday stepped around him, and up to the turian. "Cause if you do, you got a problem with me."

 

Standing at just 5'6", Friday was less than imposing, but that didn't stop him from getting in the turian's face. Sort of.

 

Johnny pinched the bridge of his nose.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The redheaded human female stepped forward after hearing the ruckus starting. "It's alright, Arian. Yeah, and having fans is part of the game," she said. "When you break the scoreboard, you tend to get a following. Did you guys want an autograph or something?"

[Cknarf]

"Nah. I was thinking something more along the lines of them digits."

 

"Friday!" Johnny shouted uncharacteristically loud, while yanking his squadmate back before he did anything he'd be regretting later. "I'm sorry for his... I'm sorry."

 

"Hey, don't you apologize for me!"

 

"Go... help find Mason, or something..." Johnny grunted, while shoving him away.

 

"But--"

 

"Please, Friday."

 

"Alright. But only 'cause you asked nicely." Friday backed off, but not before shooting another glare in the turian's direction.

 

"Again, sorry." Johnny rubbed at the back of his head. "I... I didn't come to bother you two for an autograph, or anything." He glanced down at his feet. "Like I said before, I just had questions... For you, specifically, ma'am."

 

Out of habit, Johnny subconsciously pushed a finger up to where his glasses would normally be.

 

"I couldn't help but notice the way you handled yourself down there. I've seen plenty of marines perform well in the arena, but... well, not that well."

 

Johnny looked away again.

 

"Ex-special forces? I mean, I guess it's not really any of my business, but... I was just curious, assuming you were, what's it like? The training, I mean. I only ask because my superiors said I'd make a good candidate for the ICT program..."

 

"If I had the rank. Or the vision." Johnny's face began to feel a little warm. He let out a small, somewhat nervous chuckle. "Blind as a bat without the... yeah." He sighed, and looked down at his feet.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Goggles?" Irina finished his sentence. "Irina Sloane, ex-Gunnery Chief, Alliance Marines," she said and extended her hand. Johnny shook it.

 

"Don't let Arian bother you," she said and looked over at Arian with a grin. "He's really a good sort under that grumpy exterior. I think he has fun scaring people. He's a good one to have watching your back, trust me. Currently, we're serving aboard a Council ship working for a Spectre. Go new places, get shot at. The job pays well, too. So, what's your specialty?"

[Cknarf]

Johnny’s eyes widened a bit.

 

“I figured you guys were… with the weapons and all, but I never would have guessed…”

 

“Specialty! Right. My specialty… combat wise? I’d have to say CQB. Biotics are only effective within a certain range, you know?” He shrugged. “Of course you know, you’re… yeah.”

 

“My real passion is tech though. I wanted to be an engineer, but since I’m a biotic, I was directed elsewhere. I ended up as a sentinel. It’s the next best thing as as far as I’m concerned, like a biotic engineer. It’s a little more combat focused, but hey, that’s part of being a marine, right?”

 

“Not to change the subject or anything, but uh… you say the job pays well? How well, exactly?” Johnny raised an eyebrow.

[Redbelle]

...on the Medusa, in front of a punching bag getting what it deserves

"When you're ready, of course,"  Morgan said with a warmth in his voice.  "Now, why don't you tell me what's on your mind, Captain?"

 

Jess turned away and went back to where her guns and top lay. Snatching up a nearby towel she buried her face in it, wiping off the sweat while wondering if Morgan was just generally asking if she was okay, or if he'd picked up on some of her inner turmoil.

 

"I'm fine..... Just thinking about the past". She allowed as she moved to wipe the sweat from her arms. "Your mother's nice. She already asked if she could help around the ship. I'm thinking of pairing her with Sherie for now while she goes through basic ship orientation. See if there's an aspect of the ship she excels at. Your sister too..... Your brother?...... Anika's seems to have an apprentice. I think their in the gunnery container going through gun safety.....". Jess sighed and turned back to Morgan. "It's.... just been awhile since I had an actual family aboard..... I mean.... I think of this crew as my family. And when they leave and I hear they began their own it's always been at arms length. Then Dogger turns up with Sherie and that was fine. Then your family came aboard and.... hmmm..... just feeling a little nostalgic. It's fine. Your mother though? I think she thinks there's something going on between me and you". Jess paused. "Aaaand having someone that close to you looking at me like that..... I don't know. Maybe I'm worried about disappointing her when she learns that I can't be.... who she wants me to be.... or something".

 

Jess suddenly realized she was rambling and wiping herself down she pitched the towel into the towel bin. "You know what? Never mind. Things change. I just need to make sure we change to cope with things on our terms. Iyana's lost her hold on you so your in the clear and we have the advantage. Need to keep that going forward".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina raised an eyebrow and gave him the once over. "I don't know.... our salaries are kind of.... well, we're making around 30,000 CR a month, which is far better than your average merc because we're supposed to be the elite," she said. "We have the finest training sims in the galaxy. They're updated constantly based upon our cam footage from our last mission, and we get to go against them. The enemy AI keeps getting smarter and smarter. It's like a real life situation except you can't get killed in it."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Falling Leaf couldn't help but look at the batarian she'd rescued and the shocking visage that he had now donned.  She gulped, and her normally cool demeanor was shaken for the moment.  "I...did not consider race to be a factor in my decision, despite the prior conflict between batarians and humans."

With a brief but nervous smirk, Leaf then said, "I have never operated as part of a military organization.  I am a professional assassin, and as such, I seek gainful employment.  There was an opportunity to work with someone worthy of my service, and so I have displayed to you my ability.  Efficiency, I suppose.  There is a presumption on my part that you could always use another good gun for the proper pay.  Am I right?  I would be crestfallen if, after watching one who is so admirable with his art, he did not find a certain appeal for my particular brand of extermination."

 

Machaera was silent as he listened to falling leaf's explanation, his hand slowly going to his waist as he spoke. When she finished talking, he slowly grasped the handle of his sword, drawing out the slightly curved saber-like weapon as he brought it in front of him gently, reaching up to run a finger along the blades body.

 

"My art, as you called it, is in service to my government. I fight for them, bleed for them...and in return, I am allowed to use my abilities unhindered..." He say as he reaches the tip of his blade, eyes moving from the blade to falling leaf, "My superiors can be such in name only, yet it is my duty to serve out their wishes..." he removes his hand from the blade, holding it at his side with a calm grace, "You seek to work for someone worthy of yourself. Tell me, then. Does you're loyalty lie only to those who you deem worthy? Who, or rather what, is it that you put your life on the line for?" He asked as he brought his blade to rest gently upon the mass effect barrier keeping falling leaf in her cell, the blade crackling softly against the barrier as it worked to try and cut through the field, to no success.

 

His red eyes stared into her own as he awaited her answer, watching her every move like a hawk.

[Kel Riever]

Falling Leaf

The reaction Leaf had to Machaera was a bit unusual when faced with his blade.

"Well," Falling Leaf said with eyes wide with fascination, "Isn't that a lovely pet..."

Leaf stood and approached the field, as if she would press through it towards the blade if she could.  She paid no heed that the threat of the weapon could be to her.  Instead, she watched with avaricious eyes as the blade caught the light. 

"I have my own honor, so to speak," Falling Leaf answered Machaera as her gaze kept upon the blade.  "You may conduct your due diligence on me through your standard investigative channels if you wish, it is out there, a thinly veiled secret.  But I will tell you that you see I have never betrayed an employer, including my last as I was never technically under the contract of Cerberus.  If only those fools had thought to reveal themselves to me, they might be alive right now."  Her eyes briefly went to Machaera.  "But then you would be dead."

Finally pulling away from the blade, as if there was a small struggle to do so, Falling Leaf moved back in her cell.  "I answer to one.  It is not my concern if that one answers to another above them.  Killing is best coupled with simplicity, and in simplicity there is beauty.  I die for my master, who is the one who pays me.  But it is better to say that I kill for my master, so that my master may live, and fight another day.  You would be my master and your worth to me is in the wisdom you display, for it goes almost without saying that my own future lies in your hand.  A master who does not value his tool will break both wielder and weapon.  Place me in your grip and use me for what I was meant for.  I believe you are a fine assessor of value." 
 

[Kel Riever]

Iole

The checkpoint that Frank had directed Iole to was lightly populated.  It seemed more of a place that people passed as they went along to more important docks.  Iole was in her navy colored Commando leathers with gold trim, but had thrown a leather jacket over it that she'd seen on the way.  It was of human manufacture, and the jacket had stood out from the display when Iole passed it.  She'd found it was perfect, just a shade larger than her size, which gave her a bit of room.  It was also heavy, a rich dark brown, warm and has a scent that she loved.  Iole had also cashed out her account to a personal datapad, so she wouldn't need money.  At least for a while.

Without a weapon, and minimally trained as a biotic without much in the study of that art anyway, Iole had never felt more disarmed.  She would miss her Hellbringer (she wondered if she'd really ever find out why the asari weapon was called that), but strangely she most missed her holdout, because she had never gone anywhere without it.  Iole would have to rely on Frank to get her a new arsenal, among other things.  There was another sudden feeling of dread, and Iole looked around as if she was being watched, before she calmed herself down.

Jenus came to mind again, and Tallis and Mira.  Her team, her comrades of three decades.  It wasn't long for most asari, but it still was a good part of Iole's young life.  Then she remembered Irina.

Goddess! I didn't say good-bye to Red!
 

I bet she's going to be pissed .

[Kel Riever]

Morgan

"Hold on Space Pirate," Morgan said, "Let's slow this down a bit, before we blast past it."

Morgan took off the gauntlets on his armor, rubbed his hands together, and found a place to sit close, without getting into Jess' space so he could give her some room.  "Forward is wherever you say it is, and I take it that's with the Janiri, until you tell me otherwise.  It may be my family but you run this ship and nobody, including me, will ever take you for granted.  I like that you're thinking how they can fit in, but they, and especially I, understand whether they do is your call.  They can be useful, of that I have no doubt.  Jen...probably will want to get a look at the Janiri once she hears about it and how advanced it is, but where she ends up, where any of them end up...you don't need a reason, Jess, if it doesn't feel right to you."

Giving himself some breathing room, Morgan paused briefly, opening the collar of his armor as if feeling momentarily constrained, but as soon as he did, he went on.  "I understand I'm not telling you something you don't know.  But I'm saying it because I want you to know I understand it, too."  He kept his eyes on Jess, and they were calming.

"Now, what's going on Jess.  That punching bag is good for venting, but it won't listen to you.  Talking is not something you can do with everyone, but there has to be someone.  Don't give me any of your obligation excuses either, I'm the safest person you can confide in.  If you aren't talking to me, you aren't talking to anyone as far as I can figure out.  So let's have it.  Don't make me get it out of you the hard way, either, because I will.  I owe it to you."

[TheMajonese]

Arian didn't feel the need to say anything, he just glared at the human and hoped that he wouldn't bother them any longer. 

[Redbelle]

Jess glared at Morgan couldn't muster any heat to it. The back her neck itched and she raised a hand to scratch as she turned and paced, only to find a bulkhead blocking her way, causing her to turn back the other way as she crunched the facts.

 

She couldn't tell him........

 

......She wanted to tell him.

 

There was a pressure inside of her. Something wanted out but Jess knew if she let it out and lost control she'd be in deep, deep trouble.

 

"Morgan.....". She said finally coming to a halt but managing to fidget enough that she almost looked like she was still moving. "......Hiding your family was a smart idea. Protecting them that way I mean. They..... thought you were dead so they never came looking for you and because you stayed away..... that kept them safe. It's hard though. Cutting ties. Leaving people you care about grieving.....". Jess looked up and looked him dead in the eye. "I have people I miss..... People who if anyone knew about, would be targets by the plenty of scumbags and murdering psycho's I've done business with in the past.....".

 

Jess stopped and looked down at the decking under her feet. Lifting her foot to kick the plate under her gently. "I have a past you know.... before the Medusa and Silver and Stone. And I like it tucked away..... safe. But safe means I can't touch it. Then along comes everyone elses family and I see what I left behind and..... I wonder..... what happened to them all while I wasn't there? Did they miss me? Did they grieve? I can't think about that..... Not ever because if I hurt them then it's something I can't fix because my place is here and their's isn't. If the people I knew, know I'm here, being who I am instead of who they raised me to be....".

 

Jess stopped. Unable to complete the thought that arose in her mind and she closed her eye's and let out a long breath as she tilted her face to the overhead. "I just miss mine sometimes. I wonder..... and sometimes I can go for months without ever thinking about them but then I do and it's onto the next job to take my mind off of..... where I came from". She crossed her arms and leaned back against a nearby bulkhead. "I used to have a cat. White as snow with a black nose. If I go home now it won't be there. To much time. To much time for change and I don't want anything to have changed but that was all that did happen back when..... I had to leave. I don't even know that home still exists. A place out of the city. Countryside and fields. They could have moved now. Changed their names. Moved on with their lives..... So I'm moving on to".

 

Jess gave a sidelong look at Morgan as she stood up from the bulkhead. "So that's what's on my mind. It's nothing. And no details luv. If word get's out Stone has family not of the trade they'd be marked as targets and used as bargaining chips. That's why I don't look for them. The reason I don't let Naleena meld. It's all up here". She tapped the side of her head. "And as long as it stays there my family is safe. Maybe some think it's extreme risk management I'm doing but when you have something that precious and your work involves meeting the worst of the galaxy you don't take chances".

[Kel Riever]

"If you don't have to.  If someone didn't find out about them first."  Morgan stood again and moved to Jess, but he didn't touch her.  He simply was close.  "You said enough if you can go on without suffering.  I like to think that there is a part of you that can be gotten to, even if you'll do your damn best to prevent it.  Nobody can unlock the doors but you, and that is the way it should be.  Well, maybe some people like to be cornered..."

There was a heat coming off Morgan, but it was restrained, like some engineer was in control of the blazing furnace.  He seemed to watch Jess with an admiration that was not so much a looking up to her as it was an appreciation for what she was.  "Yes, really, if I had to guess, is the answer to most of your questions.  Will they forgive you, is the one I'd add.  And I'll dare say if they are worth the love you have for them, then the answer to that is yes, as well.  It doesn't mean you have to go after them, if that means putting them in danger.  But maybe you could take a shot at answering that for yourself?  I'll tell you what:  You can watch how it goes with the Severns and see if it helps at all.  Maybe I'll blow it and put all your concerns to rest."

Morgan's voice was steady and certain, less the earthquake now, and more solid ground.  "You just let me know anytime you want me to try breaking into that part of yours, Jess.   I think the more I go at it, the better I like it."

[Redbelle]

A smile played across Jess's lips. "Go at it? As in break into me here and now? My my Morgan.... you have gotten bold while you've been gone. It suits you". The smile faded and Jess looked away. "Okay.... So maybe I know where one of my family is. I'll look her up seeing how she's hard to miss. But you mister, need to focus on yours". Jess poked Morgan in the chest as she took a step forward. Then she sniffed the air and her nose wrinkled. "Grud, Morgan! When did you last take a shower? Did you end up living in that shell for the past few days? You can't meet your family like that"!

[Kel Riever]

"Oh come on," Morgan said, stepping away.  "You make it sound horrible."

Then Morgan got suspicious and Jess could see his nostrils open slightly.

"Fine.  You're the Captain.  Don't even make me say it because..."

[Cknarf]

C-SEC Checkpoint

 

Frank arrived at the checkpoint shortly after Iole, which was odd, since he didn’t really have anything he needed to do. Who knows with that guy. His author probably showed up late to work a little hungover, or something.

 

“Sorry I’m late. Again.” Frank said, as he approached. “There was a line at the-- hey! You brought it!” He smiled, taking the box and placing it under his arm. “It’s where I keep all of my stuff from…” He trailed off. It was clear, even to Frank that Iole was distressed. He pulled her aside.

 

“I understand if you’re havin’ second thoughts.  ‘Cause once we leave leave the station, that’s it. There’s no turnin’ back.” Frank shifted his weight a little. “I just don’t want you to feel… forced, you know? If… if you don’t wanna go through with this, it’s not too late to change your mind.” He shook his head. “We could just go our separate ways here, and… I mean, it’s not like we’d never see each other again…”

 

“Are you sure this is what you really want?”

 

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

 

Armax Arsenal Arena

 

“I’d... have to see that to believe it. The sims I’ve experienced aren’t even close to real live combat.” Johnny shook his head. “But they were just the standard Alliance sims for mass training purposes…”

 

“I really don’t want to be a bother, but…” It took him a bit to work up the courage to continue.

 

It doesn’t hurt to ask...

 

“I... don’t suppose there’s a way I could see it? The sim you train with, I mean?”

[Redbelle]

Anika sat at the bench with Keith's gun in front of her. The tools in her hand poised like tiny needles waiting to stab into it's body as she explained.

 

".....good weapon you need to know it like you know your own hands. I'm not going to make you assemble it blindfolded but I am going to show you how it comes apart. How many pieces it breaks down to. What they all do and why each is important. Then how they go back together again. Once we see it broken apart I'll know how to improve it so it'll be an optimised weapon again..... Though if you wanted we could just give you a new gun and you could keep this as a trophy.....".

 

Anika's sudden coldness as she talked of the weapon being a trophy spoke about what she thought of the idea as she leaned back and twirled one of the tools between her fingers with practiced ease.

 

"It's up to you. One way or another I'll have you using a decent weapon so well you'll end up sleeping with it at night with you..... Ever heard the mantra, 'This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine'"?