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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Jess received a message on her omni-tool from Naleena. "Jess, I'm at the Silver Coast. We're supposed to meet. I'm running out of free time. Where are you?"

 

**********************

 

The Janiri

 

Irina and Johnny entered the holographic interface. "Let's see what that devious creature put in here for us. (don't know if Johnny has noticed anything different about VERA yet)" Irina said and scanned the area with her omni-tool which she set to pick up the software inputs from VERA. "Fascinating. She picked an intelligence gathering scenario, but stealth is not my thing and I guess not yours either. There is are two data packets we have to retrieve and get out. It will require hacking. You'll have to get us through this door crypto-lock first, then we should stay low. We're in close quarters so nothing bulky." Irina unclipped her double barrel with the holorounds. Johnny gave the ancient weapon a stare. "I keep this around for close encounters. I'll tell you later. I just have to go through the reloading motions in the sim."

[Kel Riever]

Iole

"You never know what's going to work sometimes."  Iole smiled at the screen, then at Frank.  "I never know what's going to work."

Realizing the Vepr had left dock, Iole listened to the changing sounds of the ship.

"I guess I better meet everyone, huh?"

~ ~ ~ ~

Tallis

Tallis waited until the very last minute when Iole was supposed to be back from her shore leave.  After that, she had to respond.

Leaving her cabin in her magenta Command leathers, a heavy look on her face, she went to the Janiri's CIC, then the bridge.  She was cleared for both as a Commando, but she didn't see Naleena there.  Just an overly curious Selani.  She simply smiled and moved on.

Trying to get access to Naleena's quarters, she ended up activating VERA when the doors closed on the elevator and she pushed the button for the private deck.

"Commando, are you attempting to contact the Boss?"

"Yes.  Yes."

"The Boss is currently off the ship and should be returning shortly.  Shall I send her a message?

Tallis scrunched the side of her mouth.  "Personal.  Personal."

VERA analyzed the tone in Tallis' voice in a fraction of a second, then said, "I will inform her that you have an important matter to discuss with her.  My recommendation is that you wait by the airlock for when she returns."

Tallis nodded twice, then headed out of the elevator for the lock as VERA had suggested.
 

[Cknarf]

Janiri

 

Johnny and Irina had taken position on each side of the door. In just under 35 seconds, he had defeated the lock. The controls switched from red to green. Giving a nod to Irina, she hit the button, causing the door to slide open.

 

Johnny entered first, with his M-12 at the ready. After a quick glance left, he swept right, as Irina entered behind him. With the first room clear, the pair advanced down a short corridor towards the first of two consoles.

 

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

Vepr

 

“Ugh. I guess.” Frank sighed. Smiling, he offered a hand, and pulled Iole up from the bed.

 

“No one but Quintus knows you’re here, so this should be fun.” He started, while waiting for the elevator. “Unfortunately, I can’t promise you that the others will be as entertaining as he was.”

 

The doors opened to reveal Adir’Razt, preoccupied with his omni-tool. He glanced up briefly from his device. “Frank, Kira.” He nodded, as they stepped on. “How was your visit?”

 

“I’d say it went pretty well.”

 

“Good. Did you take photos? You promised me photos.”

 

“No.”

 

“What do you mean no?” Adir looked up again, the look of disappointment on his face was nearly visible through his visor. He took a closer look at ‘Kira’ “Who…”

 

Frank shrugged. When the smile he was fighting finally broke through, Adir knew who stood before him.

 

“Iole!” Adir immediately threw his arms around her and squeezed. “Keelah, I’ve heard so much about you!” He squeezed again before pulling away. “You’re all he writes about.” Adir whispered loudly.

 

Frank began to turn a little red.

 

“And I can see why! Frank, she’s gorgeous! How did you even…”

 

Ouch. Right in the feelings.

 

“Iole, this is--”

 

“Adir. Adir’Razt.” He shook her hand a bit roughly with both of his. “Sorry, I’m just a little excited.”

 

“Just a little…”

 

“You hush.” Adir waved a hand, and turned his attention back to Iole. “I was beginning to think he’d never bring a girl home.”

 

Ouch.

 

“Frank would always tell me about the girls he was after...” Adir continued. “And they were always… incompatible. First it was the turian… and then the salarian. Salarian! Of all things!” Adir laughed. “Can you believe that?”

 

“Allllllrighty, pops. I think that’s enough for now.”

 

Frank jabbed a thumb hard at the elevator button.

 

“I was so relieved when I found out you were asari.” Adir gasped. “I might even live long enough to see grandchildren!” He excitedly fanned himself, a rather strange gesture for a quarian to be making.

 

Frank jabbed even harder.

[Kel Riever]

Iole blushed hard, but burst out laughing and shook her head.  "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Adir'Razt."  She had hugged him back when he embraced her warmly, being surprised by the affection.  When the talk about exes, and then kids came, Iole was more embarrassed for Frank than she was for herself.  "I see you two are incredibly close," she added, impressed that Frank had someone who cared for him enough to be doting on him about family things (but particularly the things that make kids squirm).  The parental affections threw Iole, but there was something about the glimpse into Frank having a connection to a quarian that seemed to fill in a part of the puzzle for her.

While the elevator was arriving, Iole couldn't do much else but smile and watch Frank look like he was going to melt.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Janiri

 

Johnny and Irina had taken position on each side of the door. In just under 35 seconds, he had defeated the lock. The controls switched from red to green. Giving a nod to Irina, she hit the button, causing the door to slide open.

 

Johnny entered first, with his M-12 at the ready. After a quick glance left, he swept right, as Irina entered behind him. With the first room clear, the pair advanced down a short corridor towards the first of two consoles.

 

"Okay, we're in," Irina said as they got to the first console. "This is too easy. VERA must have something up her sleeve. Sh*t! Security cameras. We've been spotted. And there's two entrances to this room. Set up a turret at the left entrance. I'll watch the right while you hack the console and recover the data."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia

 

Dahlia stopped at two of the boutiques and bought some new underwear and stuff. Then she stopped at a gun shop and bought an expensive gift for Morgan: an antique Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50 cal Mark XIX with a 10” barrel. She’d looked it up on the extranet and there was a lot of history involved with the gun. The dealer assured her it was a functioning model. She bought a box of ammunition for it and tried it in the shop at the firing range and it still functioned.

 

“What about spare parts? Do you have any?” she asked.

 

“You aren’t going to use this, are you?” the shop owner asked.

 

Dahlia rolled her eyes. “What good is a gun if you don’t use it?”

 

“But there are plenty of more modern weapons from which to choose, dear,” he replied.

 

“It’s a gift for a friend from Earth. And I know what I’m doing, so stop patronizing me. The sights aren’t lined up and the firing mechanism needs cleaning,” Dahlia scolded.

 

“But this is a collector weapon and it’s in its original condition.”

 

“I’m buying it. I want it in perfect condition, so let’s get to work, shall we?” Dahlia said. “I want to use your shop, too.”

 

The Turian sighed. “Fine.” And he began rummaging through some boxes and found parts for it. “But I want your credits before you even start. That’ll be 5000 CR because it’s an antique and in near perfect condition…. At least until you open it up.”

 

“Here’s my credit account,” Dahlia said. “And I’ll need a case for it and 10 boxes of ammunition, and four magazines.”

 

Dahlia finished up the work, tested the weapon and smiled. Morgan will love this. It’s an Earth weapon. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. She put the gun in the beautiful walnut case the shop owner supplied. The inside was molded and lined with red velvet. She put the ammunition in a separate box. Four of the ammo boxes were hollow points, and the other six were tungsten jacketed.

 

She left the gun shop and returned to the Medusa. When she arrived, she dropped off her underwear in her quarters, walked down to Morgan’s quarters and knocked on his door. There was no answer.

 

"He's at the political rally on the Citadel. He should be back soon," Sherie said when she noticed Dahlia at his door. "He should be back soon."

 

"Thanks, Sherie."

 

Dahlia sighed and wandered to her quarters. She kept her door ajar hoping to hear him.

[Cainhurst Crow]

((Short posts are short, but effective.))

 

VAYNE

 

Vayne walked out of the Janiri as he looked out to the citadel, letting out a sigh as he made his way into the station. Shore leave was just the thing he needed to clear his head, and nothing cleared ones head like the spiciest flavored sushi and ramen this station had to offer.

 

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

 

ESSUL

 

Essul, for his credit, had managed to last a long time without rest. But not even he were immune to the temptation of all biological beings. As essul had moved to one of the leather couches, coffee half finished, even the caffination couldn't keep him from the inevitable.

 

"A moments rest, just my eyes" he had told himself. Yet now he was here, slumpped in his seat, his head resting on his shoulders, quietly dozing with his arms crossed, coffee set down on the floor nearby.

 

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

 

Machaera

 

Machaera smiled as he gave a nod, "Welcome aboard, Falling Leaf. We however, cannot let you out just yet..." Machaera said as he crossed his arms, a less confident look crossing them, "This vessel Captain, Larcas Vaith, has passed away due to a sudden illness. Until a new person is elected to the position, I technically have no power to act..." he said before he smirked.

 

"However, the base we are en route to land at is under my jurisdiction. Once there, we will transport you to a holding area there. Hmmm, the former recreational lounge should do nicely..." He said with a nod, making it clear that once she was off this ship, things were going to be very different.

[Cknarf]

Oh, thank god.

 

Frank squeezed out of the elevator without even waiting for the doors to fully open. Adir was making things hella awkward. He made his way through the kitchen area, and into the lounge where Marius was waiting.

 

“Eli!” Marius stood when Frank entered. He extended a hand.

 

“What’s up?” Frank asked, while shaking his hand.

 

“You just made me some credits, that’s what.”

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

While Frank burst from the elevator, Adir maintained his casual pace as he continued to speak (ramble) to Iole.

 

“I first met Frank when he was a very young man. Nine, maybe ten years old.” Adir nodded. “I had just picked up a shipment from Omega, as I had done so countless times before. Everything went smoothly, as it always did, until a few hours after we left.” He smiled under the helmet.  “I walk down into the bay, and what do I see? A sickly human child waving a gun at my crew.” Adir chuckled. “I’ll never forget the image of little Frank Eli holding a pair of turians, fresh out of the service, mind you, at gunpoint.”

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

 

“I’m giving you ten percent from the deal.”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Twenty thousand.”

 

“Marius, you don’t have to do that. I still owe for all the…”

 

Marius waved his hand. “We’re getting it back, remember? And when we do, there’ll be so much more where that came from, especially if I’ve got you making deals like that last one. That was brilliant!”

 

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

 

“No parents, no family, I couldn’t bring myself to just leave him. I needed another pair of hands, so… I took him in. Treated him as if he were my own. I gave him an omni-tool, and taught him everything I could.” Adir shook his head. “And it must’ve paid off! My boy, working for a council spectre! When he first told me, I tried so hard to talk him out of it, but for once, I’m glad he didn’t listen.”

 

“If he did, he wouldn’t have--”

 

“Who the f*ck is this?” Marius noticed the unfamiliar asari approaching with Adir over Frank’s shoulder.

 

“Marius!” Kira scolded.

 

Aw, f*ck.

 

“It’s alright.” Frank rubbed at his neck. “Guys, this is Iole, and she’s with me.”

 

“Welcome aboard, dear.” Kira smiled. “It’s good to finally meet you. Isn’t it, love?” She squinted at Marius, a faint, yet noticeable biotic aura emanated from her body.

 

“Of course.” Marius narrowed his eyes a bit, turning his attention back to Frank. “Eli, can I talk to you for a minute?”

 

“Uh... Sure.” Frank followed Marius up the stairs and into the Vepr’s cockpit.

 

“Don’t mind Him. He’s been rather stressed lately.” The matriarch uncrossed her legs, and stood. Like Adir, she was quick to embrace the new arrival. “I’m Kira.” She smiled again, while pulling away. “Please, have a seat.” She gestured to the couch, while sitting down herself. “Tell us a little about yourself.”

 

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

 

"Turret?" Johnny chuckled, already starting on the first console. "I doubt we'll be here long enough to need one."  Out of his peripheral vision, he saw the door to his left begin to open. Quickly moving his hand to his hip, he took hold of his Phalanx. The first simulated enemy to enter the door immediately ate an overload, and two consecutive slugs from Johnny's handgun. The second was thrown aside with biotics.

 

"Got it. Let's go." Johnny holstered his pistol, and retrieved the M-12 from his back.

[Kel Riever]

Iole had the strangest sensation of wanting to protect Frank from Marius, who looked like he had more than a bad temper, then she had to remind herself she was first, a guest, and second, really didn't know anybody at all.  Trying to set aside her first impression, she sat back and turned to the asari who'd welcomed her and who she had timidly hugged back due to being set on the defensive by the turian.  It took Iole a moment to recognize that Kira did have facial markings on her light blue skin, which were nearly the same color.  It took Iole a bit longer to recognize the asari she was looking at was likely a matriarch, incredibly fit for her age.  Kira seemed to put her at ease, and Iole felt herself answering the question.

"I'm  Iole."  Iole blushed slightly as she realized she'd repeated Frank's introduction.  "I'm a Commando...was a Commando until very, very recently."  She smiled nervously, embarrassed by having to basically admit she'd fled the service.  "It's been a long time since I've been...," free to do whatever I wanted to, was the thought Iole finished the sentence with.  She looked around nervously, somewhat intimidated by her new situation.  "I've been able to put my mind at ease."

And that was it.  Iole had settled that she had made the right move, as wrong as it had seemed.  Hearing her own words actually pop out of her mouth had felt better than anything, and changed what her mind was saying to herself.  It wasn't that she'd be free.  It was that she had made her choice and felt good about it, felt even perfect about it.  Iole smiled again, and this time it was relaxed, and happy. 

"I'm Iole Akros and what I'd tell you about myself is up until recently, my life wasn't that unusual..."

[Redbelle]

The skycar opened and expelled Jess onto the bustling walkway and she immediately started weaving through the crowd.

 

It was funny. Habit had her hands close to her pockets where she kept a spare cred chip. The one that had most of her creds was neatly hidden away about her person. The shady life she'd lived told her that places where people congregated so highly were prime spots for thieves and pickpockets yet she'd felt none of the brushes against hers where she shielded her possessions.

 

The Citadel was certainly a different walk of life than any other she thought..... then she felt a brush.

 

On reflex Jess pushed her palm back to ward off the effort and that was that. A professional pickpocket would recognise the push for a polite but firm 'move on'. The presence disappeared from behind her and she pressed on. Then felt before she felt the hand return behind her.

 

Great, just what she needed. A pickpocket who liked a challenge.

 

Jess's hand grabbed the one whose finger's starting to slip into her pocket. She marvelled that if she hadn't been keeping her attention on her belonging's in the crowd it was likely she wouldn't have felt a thing. The wrist in her hand though felt small and as she wrenched the figure forward she heard a high pitched scream yell out. "Let me go! Let me go! Help! Somebody! Help"!

 

Jess pulled the figure in front of her and foudn a small child practically standing on the floor by tip toe where Jess held him?

 

Already they were drawing attention. Jess scowled. More at the attempt to scare her into releasing her captive as she put on her best high pitched voice.

 

"Daniel Jenkins! You behave this instant or I won't be taking you to the arcade ever again! When your father hears how naughty you've been....".

 

"Your not my mother"!

 

Jess made a frsutrated sound in the back of her throught. "I was in labour for days and this is my thanks". Jess pulled the child across to a open booth and ducked inside. Looking around she saw that like the outside proclaimed, it did indeed sell food. She sniffed the air while the child tried vainly to loosen Jess's grip. Looking at the wall menu Jess called over to the man behind the counter.

 

"Yo! Two bowels of Ramen! Make them slow coming I've got company coming".

 

"Let me go"! Said the boy and Jess picked him up. Held him over a bar stool. Then dropped him into the seat. The boy was so surprised that he just sat there looking at her.

 

"Not a bad try kid but you never pick the pocket of someone whose been to Omega.... Now, I'm going to sit down and you can run.... Or we can get some food and we can go over your technique before you pick the wrong pocket and become a statistic on the violent crime board.... What do you say"?

 

The boy shifted. "Can't..... Gotta get enough for the share".

 

Jess knew then that the boy was part of a group as she moved out from between him and door and sat down. The boy didn't bolt though. Rather, he looked at at it. Then smelled the air that like as not was setting his mouth watering. The boy wasn't skinny, but he wasn't obviously being well fed either and the prize of a free meal.....

 

Jess picked up a drinks list. "Your loss is my gain luv. More for me". She handed him the list and as he looked down at it Jess sent a message to Naleena.

 

"Hey! Finally got to the strip. Had to shelter in a Ramen shop near the upper district skycar stop. If you hurry there's a bowl for you here. Can you come or shall I meet up"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina and Johnny

 

The kid is good. Irina thought as she fired her shotgun at the first mook that entered on her side splattering him on the wall. "Nice graphics, VERA. ****! Grenade!" she shouted as a concussion grenade rolled into the room from her side.

 

Johnny and Irina dove out the other entrance that Johnny had cleared. They were on a ramp about 30 feet up. The next console was in a lab on the other side. Most of the mooks were below them on the ground level, including an YMIR mech.... that had integrated weapons systems, shoulder missile launchers... and a jet pack.... something they'd never seen before.

 

"What the f*ck? RUN!" Irina shouted.

 

Gunfire erupted from below. The mech jumped up to their level, and although too big to fit on the ramp jumped to their level, hovered and fired missiles. The missiles blew out the ramp behind them. Then the mech aimed in front of them and fired before having to return to the floor.

 

"I'm gonna kill that b*tch!" Irina shouted running at a full sprint, she and Johnny leaped and rolled just before the missile impacted the ramp and detonated, knocking out a 10 foot section. She grabbed the section on the other side and snagged Johnny's hand pulling him up to where he could grab the ramp and pull himself up. The mooks below were firing. Then the mech opened fire with its heavy machine guns.

 

"Sh*t! We're almost there. Get in defeat the lock grab it and lets get out of here!" Irina said as they entered a protected area in the entryway to the lab.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena got the message.

 

Jess,

 

I'm sitting at the bar in a sushi restaurant in the Silver Coast. Sushi. While it's not as good as the one with the fish swimming in the floor I couldn't get a reservation there. It's very good here. They even have yellowtail from Earth. I have a table waiting. We could have sushi and sake, but if you'd prefer ramen after all that time on board a ship....

 

I'll leave it up to you, Jess. I'm buying.

 

N.

 

PS. Biotics need about 4000 cals per day.

[Redbelle]

"....That's why on Omega you don't go for the one's who guard their pockets. You try it, you get one brush off and if you push them you get thrashed in public. Now you have a good spot out there in the crowd but your not working smart. Go for the easy marks first. Get a team. Work together".

 

"And share the share? No way"!

 

"Yes way. A team helps you recover from mistakes and gives you options. Next is rotation. Don't work the same place twice so you don't become a known. C-Sec may be daft but they know to spot patterns. If you work an area to hard they'll know to look for you there. You got times"?

 

"Rush... Twice a cycle".

 

"Competition"?

 

"Some other kid wants this patch but I told him it's mine".

 

"Get him onboard or set him up. Then when he's gone setup that team so when he comes back he'll either see it's better to be in the group than out. Going in or going out"?

 

"Both right? Cred's are creds".

 

"Going in they have creds on sticks. Coming out from all that gaming they have cred chips. Easier to lift, palm and harder to....". Jess's comm went off and she looked down to see Naleena had left a message. ".... notice.... Look, I gotta book". Lfting her head up she motioned to the man behind the counter. "Yo! Make those two bowls stat! Gotta book it! Son here will handle the bill".

 

"With what money"? The boy asked in a high pitched whine. His wide eyes grew wider still as Jess pulled out her decoy chip and put more than enough creds into the account machine.

 

"Whatever he wants"! Jess called. Then turned to the boy once more. "Enough for the share"?

 

The boy nodded and Jess gave him a tight smile. "Stick together. Makes hard times easier. And sometimes you get Ramen". Jess headed to the door without looking back and wondered at the boys future before sweeping out of the place and headed to the sushi restaurant Naleena was at.

 

Sushi.... Not something she'd ever tried before. To high brow to consider. But then lately, her life had been full of firsts".

[Kel Riever]

...in transit to Council Space

Jrudek was piloting a Kodiak 'acquired' from a bandit lord who had no need of the craft any longer.  He was exiting his last jump from a Mass Relay when he received Xhuan's message, inquiring of his status, his ability to pursue his mission, and if he had come to a 'decision' yet.  His reply:

To: Xhuan
From: Jrudek

I feel I will not come to a conclusion on my option until my task is resolved.  As you know, my loyalty is complete, and so our superior has clearly designed for me to be challenged with the choice I must make.  In the meantime, my status is as well as can be expected, I am almost at my destination, and hold no concern over my ability to locate my target.  Iyana may not have the resources of the past broker at this moment, but only a fool would underestimate the scope of her network.  Already I have received a promising lead.  And, as you know, you are not the only hunter of our pack.

We will meet again, in due course, Xhuan, one way or another, once this is behind me.

Jrudek had prepared as best he could. He wore his olive slaver suit, and was properly armed with all his weaponry.  Jrudek checked the software on his Omni-tool that would give him forged clearance for his arms and armor, and then bided his time.

[Cknarf]

Johnny

 

Once both inside, Johnny locked the virtual door behind them. After successfully clearing the floor they were on, Johnny began hacking into the second console.  His heart was pounding, and sweat rolled from his face. It was easily the most realistic combat simulation he had ever participated in. Except for the flying YMIR. That was just ridiculous.

 

Johnny unlatched his helmet, and let it fall to the ground. Using his forearm, he wiped the sweat away from his brow.

 

“This one is going to take a bit longer.” He leaned a bit closer to the console to focus. “Give me about--”

 

The front door burst into pieces, as the YMIR blasted its way through. Johnny emptied his M-12 in the direction of the enemies that were flooding in around it, as he and Irina took cover behind the pillar that the console was mounted on.  It was just big enough for both of them to fit behind, but was slowly being eroded by incoming fire.

 

“We’ll have to come back to it.” He said, before peeking out of cover.  A hail of bullets forced his head back down.  The lab’s open floor plan offered very little in terms of cover, aside from virtual lab equipment that was being absolutely shredded.  Directly in front of the pair was a short corridor. At the end, were two staircases.

 

“Get ready!”

 

Johnny hit the mech with an overload, and the pair took off in a dead sprint down the hall in an attempt to reach the stairs.  The mech quickly recovered, and targeted the wall at the end of the corridor with its missile launcher. Glancing over his shoulder, Johnny saw the launch, and gritted his teeth as he pushed himself harder.  They weren’t going to make it to stairs in time. At least he wasn’t.

 

 

Using his biotics, Johnny launched Irina up the staircase to the right, moments before the missile passed over his shoulder and impacted the wall in front of him. The simulation paused at the exact moment of impact.

 

Disappointed, and maybe a little winded, Johnny placed his back to the wall, and slid down to a sitting position.

[Cknarf]

Vepr

 

“What were you thinking, bringing a complete stranger aboard?”

 

“It’s not like I planned it. It just kinda happened, man. Sh*t.” Frank shrugged. “Besides, she’s not a stranger.”

 

“She isn’t? Well I sure as f*ck haven’t seen her before.”

 

Frank let out a sigh.

 

“You didn’t think to ask me? Or at least have the decency to give me a heads up?”

 

“I didn’t think--”

 

“Of course you f*cking didn’t.” Marius jabbed a talon at his own temple, as he got close to Frank’s face. “That’s the kind of sh*t that I would expect from that stupid bastard!” He thrust a finger at Quintus in the pilot’s seat.  Quintus’ head drooped a bit. “But you, Eli? Come on!” Marius threw his hands up, and took a couple steps back.

 

“You know Marius, you always were a real pr*ck.” Frank took a step towards him. “But you were never this bad. What the hell happened to you?”

 

Quintus winced a bit as Frank raised his voice. He glanced back to see the pair staring each other down.

 

Marius eventually backed off. Not out of fear, but out of conscience.

 

“Can she be trusted?” He asked, softening his tone a little.

 

“She’s a’ight bro. She’s--” Quintus started.

 

“Was I f*cking talking to you?” He snapped at Quintus.

 

Frank didn’t say anything. He just gave Marius a look like ‘really, bruh?’

 

“If I get even the slightest feeling that something’s off…” Marius wagged a finger. “Both of you are out of here.” He flung open the door and stormed down the stairs.

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

 

“I have nothing but good memories of my time as a commando…” Kira began to drift off, before catching herself. “It’s been… well over six centuries since my discharge.” She nodded. “I loved my squad, and the leathers. Goddess, how I miss my old set of leathers…” Kira smiled. “It’s good to see they come in more colors now. They were either black, or gray back then, I forget. I’m sure I have photos somewhere…”

 

Kira waved a hand.

 

“Forgive me, dear, I’m beginning to ramble.”

 

Marius stomped his way down the stairs, and through the lounge.

 

“I should go take care of that.” Kira stood. “Again, it was so nice to meet you, Iole. If you ever need to talk, you just come and find me, okay?” She placed a hand on her shoulder. “These boys are simply no fun to talk to.” She smiled again.

 

“Hmph.” Adir crossed his arms.

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

 

“What a fuckin’ A**hole.” Frank leaned against the pilot’s seat.

 

“Told ya.”

 

“How long has he been like that? All paranoid and sh*t?”

 

“Awhile now, Eli, and it gets worse by the day.” Quintus shook his head. “I think there’s seriously something wrong with him.”

 

“You ain’t lyin’ about that one.”

 

“When he’s havin’ a meltdown, it’s best to just sit there and take it. Let him cool down on his own, and don’t challenge him.”

 

“Who are you, and what have you done with Quintus Gavian?” Frank asked. Quintus was naturally one stubborn son of a ******.

 

“I’m serious, Eli.” Quintus looked up at him. “He uh… threatened to kill me the other day.” He shook his head, and focused back on the controls. “Put a gun in my face and everything.”

 

Frank bit his lip.

 

“He eventually came to his senses and put it down, but sh*t, bro. I thought I was done. I’m scared, you know? For him, more than myself.”

 

Oh, this is gonna be fun.

 

“That doesn’t leave the cockpit, you got me?”

 

“For sure. I’ma head back down, and… yeah.”

 

“A’ight, man. See ya.”

 

Frank opened the door, and headed back down to the lounge.

[TheMajonese]

Now that Irina and this other human were on their way back to the Janiri, Arian felt like he should use something more useful than wasting his time in this arena. He didn't need a single credit of the prize money but Arian still planned to give all of it to Jona the next time he saw her. 

 

It took him a while to find a bar that he liked. Most bars were these unnaturally clean clubs with the unbearable lightning that gave him headaches and music that wasn't much more than loud bass without any audible rhythm or melody. Arian had no idea how people could enjoy listening to something like this. But the third bar he entered was more to his liking.

 

Loud voices, paired with laughter and the sound of clanking glasses from the inside had caught his attention and with a good feeling he entered the slightly sordid building in the wards. The main room was very small but also full to the last seat. Most customers were either humans or turians, there were also a few asari and a couple of krogans. Rock music was playing in the background but the conversations drowned out most of it. Arian made his way through the crowd, everyone moved out of the way when they saw the tall turian with the unusual armor. Some stared at him a bit longer than others but nobody bothered him.

 

He was lucky; there was a single seat at the bar which wasn't occupied yet. With a sigh he sat down and ordered a strong drink. As usual, he skipped the light stuff to start with.

 

The human right next to him turned to Arian and gave him a curious look. "You don't look like military...you're a freelancer, right?", he wanted to know but when he noticed the look in the turian's face, he quickly turned away. "Got it", he said, "you don't want to talk."

 

Arian wasn't good at guessing how old someone was, especially not humans, but the man seemed to be nearly as old as Irina. He had very short, dark hair and green eyes that looked a bit dull due to the alcohol. Both his slightly pale skin and his simple clothes were partially covered with something that looked like stains of oil.

 

But when he got his drink, Arian didn't care any longer who this stranger was. He grabbed his glass but then the human suddenly opened his mouth again. "Sorry, if I'm bothering you...I'm just curious about your armor. It looks...rather unusual..."

 

Baring his sharp teeth, Arian turned back to the human and lowered his glass a bit. "I thought you already realized that I'm not here to talk."

 

The man raised both his arms and grinned. "I'm sorry, just felt like talking to somebody..."

 

"Wrong address!"

 

With a shrug, the human turned away again but Arian was afraid that this man wasn't done annoying him.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Johnny and Irina

 

The simulation ended. Irina gathered herself and grabbed Johnny's hand. "Thanks, you did fine."

 

"But we failed."

 

"You did fine!" she said in an angry voice and stomped over to VERA's terminal.

 

"What the hell was that?" she demanded.

 

VERA stood lighting a cigarette. She looked up and blinked. "My recent experience in a Geth platform informed me that mech design needed improvement. I was experimenting."

 

"I'm putting a potential recruit through a skills proficiency test. That's not the time to experiment," Irina said.

 

"Au contrare, Irina. That is a perfect time to experiment and determine the organic's ability to adapt to new circumstances," VERA replied. "You both fared better than expected given the level of the challenge," she took a drag off her cigarette, exhaled, tapped the ashes into her ashtray, and walked away.

 

"Don't you walk away on me!"

 

VERA turned around. "You still wish to debate the point?"

 

"No, just stop gloating. You won, okay. You turned the level up to insanity," Irina said.

 

"I turned the level up only to what we faced during our last mission," VERA countered. "I study the suit cam recordings of each team member. I study the enemy movements through them and make adjustments to my simulated enemies. During the last mission there were mechs and gunships. I must prepare our team to meet the challenges of increasingly difficult situations. Am I not correct in my assessment?

 

"I was, however, directly controlling the YMIR mech. You were adapting well."

 

Irina sighed. "You're right, VERA, but take today. Johnny and I never worked with each other before. We needed some practice first, but I got to see what I needed to see."

 

She turned to face the new recruit who was still slumped, sitting on the floor. "Johnny, if that had been a real life situation, you would have saved my life at the expense of your own. You had my back. I'll tell the boss as far as I'm concerned you're in."

 

 

[Cknarf]

"Any one else in my squad would have done the same." Johnny said, as Irina helped him to his feet. "Doesn't change the fact that-- wait, what?" Her words finally clicked.

 

"Y-you mean like... Ha!" Johnny hugged Irina, which was odd considering his personality. Talking to strangers was one thing, but physical contact? That was usually a big nope for him. "I gotta tell the guys!"

 

He brought a hand to his forehead.

 

"Sh*t. The guys!" Johnny had just remembered that he had left without even telling them where he was going.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Grab your gear, and when you get back here, check in with Septerax, our Quartermaster. He'll assign your quarters," Irina said, "And I'd pick up a couple of extra sets of BDUs while you're on The Citadel. The Asari supply some... uh... rather tight fitting casual wear. You don't look like that type of guy.... And don't forget to put in for your discharge. The boss hates doing extra paperwork.

 

"Pick up your pass card at the terminal next to the airlock on your way out," Irina said and smiled. "Good work, and welcome aboard."

[Kel Riever]

Iole

When Frank came back to the lounge, Iole was talking with Adir.  She seemed relaxed, with her arms stretched over the back of the couch.  And she was sharing her own embarrassing stories with the quarian.

"...and so that's how I ended up drenched in water."  Iole laughed.  "Like I was saying to Kira, regardless of all the little details, plenty of excitement, but nothing you'd write a book about until I ended up trying to stop that crazy train robbery.  And I wouldn't have met Frank if I didn't accidentally blow him off into a canyon.  You might make fun, but honestly most people wouldn't have taken it nearly as well as he did."

Finally noticing Frank was back, Iole turned to him.  "Oh, there you are!"

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne sent a message as he stepped out onto the citadel, smiling as he did. It was more a general invitation, one he intended on sending out as he set the message for all members of the Janiri, be they current or former, even any of the audron.

 

"Anyone up for Sushi? I'm buying.

 

Sake's on your own tab, though.

 

-Vayne"

[Cknarf]

"So this is the one?" Adir looked up to Frank, pointing a finger at the asari across from him. "This is the one who almost gave me a heart attack?" He chuckled.

 

"It was bad enough that he was gone for two years, but when he gets back, what's the first thing he tells me?"

 

"I got blasted from a train and into a canyon by a buncha babes, and broke a few ribs in the process?" Frank rubbed at his side.

 

"Yes, exactly. Also, you sh*t your armor." Adir added, smirking behind the visor, intentionally embarrassing Frank this time.

 

"Adir!"

 

"What? That's what you told me." He shrugged, looking back to Iole.

 

"Alright." Frank raised his hands with a sigh. "Iole, when we first met... I was indeed carrying a full load." He nodded.

[Kel Riever]

Iole's equivalent of an eye roll in this case was lowering her lids to half mast and taking an exaggerated breath through her nose.

"So....," Iole did her best to change the conversation, "You have to have something for me to do around here.  I'm an extra set of hands at a minimum, but I've got some other things I can do besides defend the Republics with guns.  I'm a field medic, so I can tend to whatever we have around here for the quick patch up, if you don't have that in order, and I'm pretty all right with tech, though my focus does tend to go towards military hardware...I couldn't replace Frank."  Iole looked towards Adir, "Or you, I bet.  So you might have that covered.  But I suppose once I acclimate, I'll be looking for something to keep me from being idle."

[Cknarf]

“Hell, I still haven’t gotten a job yet.”

 

“To be honest, we already have more crew than we need to keep things running smoothly.” Adir shrugged. “Not that that is a problem or anything!” He quickly added, not wanting Iole to get the wrong idea. “It’s just that the ship was designed to operate with a crew of only two, one if absolutely necessary. Actually, the brothers have been doing just that for several years.”

 

“So… you just want us to sit around or…?”

 

“Keelah, no. There are plenty of things I can find for you two to do.” Adir waved a hand. “I’m actually not too fond of the HVAC system on this ship… Always seems to be giving me an issue.  Crawling through the ducts is a giant pain in the ass…”

 

“Ain’t no thing, I used to live in one.”

 

“Excellent! You two will be the first to know when something goes wrong.”

 

“Anything else?”

 

“Nothing that I can think of at the moment...” Adir shrugged again. “Although… Marius might have a few ideas…” He turned his attention to Iole. “You think you can handle a deal?" Adir asked, assuming that Iole knew what kind of ship she was on.