6315 réponses à ce sujet

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena

 

"Or if I may be so bold as to take a literal translation of this vision of Jrudek. Where would the Queen seek a King? What is red with guards?" Naleena asked Jess.

 

Naleena sent Anika a text.

 

Anika,

 

Good to see you in one piece. I wish we had time to visit, but you know how this is. Let's spend a little time together after we finish our tasks.

 

N.

 

Naleela closed her omni-tool and looked around the room. "If there's nothing else, I can see each of us has something we need to do. I need to get Johnny caught up on everything, and deliver this canister to Dr. Tolus. Then Johnny and I will pay Lang a visit. We'll be in the port observation lounge. The rest of you, feel free to stay here and discuss what you need to discuss. VERA, give Jess any communication she needs."

 

Naleena and Johnny stood and left for the port side observation lounge.

 

******

 

C-sec Morgue

 

The medical examiner arrived. He stood about 5'8" tall with black hair and brown almond shaped eyes and was wearing an aqua colored lab coat and had a was prepared with surgical gloves and mask. "Sorry I'm late. I was at the other crime scene. The double homicide gathering evidence. I'm Dr. Chen. I was told to meet an associate of Spectre T'sarius here," he said and looked over at the C-sec officer. "I'm going to open the body, and I know how queasy you get, Will. Besides, isn't it time for you to be off shift?"

 

Lang looked over at him and his eyes darted back and forth between Dr. Chen and Essul. "Uh, yeah. I'll just be going."

 

"I really wish the Spectre was here, to fill in the details of the attack, but I'm sure you'll do just fine...."

 

"Essul... Essul Ran'perah."

 

******

 

Conference Room

 

After Naleena and Johnny left, VERA's attention turned to Jess. "I would like to make a personal request. I would like contact information for Molly Hagen."

 

******

 

The Case of the Dirty Cop - 1

 

Lang left C-sec, got in his car, stopped at the grocery store and picked up a frozen pizza and a six pack of beer. The World Cup semi-finals were on tonight between Germany and Brazil, and he didn't want to miss it. He had money on Germany. He remembered he needed toilet paper and laundry detergent, too. When he got to his complex, he parked his car, opened his apartment and flipped on the lights. He locked the door behind him, and kicked the debris out of the way, and stuck the pizza in the freezer. It was too early to eat, and grabbed a can of beer and stuffed the rest in the fridge. Then he flopped on the sofa and clicked on the vid with the remote.

[Kel Riever]

Keith

The Revenant was extended for firing, Keith was aiming it at the target crate he'd been instructed on and cleared to shoot at.  Nobody was around, which could be bad, he thought, or good...

Keith pulled the trigger.

BBRRRRAAAAPPP!!!

Keith was on his ass.

"Awesome!"

Babe

Of course the cable to the hidden aft turret had to be run along the outside of the ship.  This was one of those, 'It only gets worse,' upgrades.

Babe stared at the emergency turret evacuation hatch and the blazing, fluorescent yellow warning letters that read:

OPENS DIRECTLY TO OUTER HULL.  DO NOT OPEN UNLESS PRESSURIZED.

Who else is going to do this repair? Babe thought to herself.  Besides, she knew the docked Medusa's hull was entirely in the Citadel's pressurized zone.  Taking an electric drill with a bolt remover attachment, she went at the bolts that held the emergency hatch shut.  Clearly, someone had bolted it in place so it wouldn't open in an emergency anyway.  One of the modifications of the previously, apparently irrational, crew that had seized the ship. 

brrrr. brrrr. brrrr. brrrr.

The bolts were away.  Babe shoved the hatch open, and carefully braced herself to move out.

Below her, the Citadel's hard dock floor was thirty meters below the keel of the Medusa, where the aft turret was located.   There was nothing that would stop a fall out of the bottom of the ship until it smacked into that distant deck. 

With a shrug, Babe switched out the drill for a multi-tool, hooked her booted legs under something solid, and hung herself upside down out the bottom of the Medusa.  She started removing the protective cable cover on the outside of the turret so she could run the new cable. 

Nobody did this replacement without mag locks and a backup safety harness hooked to the ship in case the locks failed.  Babe laughed to herself, took a moment to pull a blowpop out of her now weirdly hanging denim jacket (she'd made sure nothing would fall out of the pockets), unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth.  Then she got back to work.
 

[Redbelle]

Citadel News.

 

"..... Concludes our report...... In other news, recent developments in the killings of several civilians today is believed to have been ended when a Spectre and what is believed to be her team took down the armed Batarian near the docking ring. While C-Sec have been unwilling to add to their statement, Images captured of the scene have begun to circulate through social networking before C-Sec took it offline. Here you can see a group of the Spectre's team after their take down. C-Sec has as yet not released their names but one is believed to have been the armed woman who seemingly beat a heckler just before the final confrontation. Again, C-Sec has no comment other than they are looking into possible courses of action to take......".

 

 

K&Q Flagship. Location Unknown.

 

Four towering hulks of metal and ceramic surrounded the 360 terminal displaying the feed. Captured and marked for their attention, it was the third time they had watched the footage in the same silence in which they carried out their duties.....

 

The lord, recently transformed from his meeting, would not require them for awhile. Normally they would rest. Train themselves to maintain their bodies. Eat to fuel themselves for the next engagement. But this time.....

 

Again the footage played and this time one of the armored figures reached out and paused it as the image centered over one in particular.

 

"Is it...."?

 

"It is".

 

"She hid well".

 

"Not well enough".

 

"Must we"?

 

"We are all that remains".

 

"But she lives.....".

 

"We are all that remains. Now including her. Others will see this".

 

"She needs our protection".

 

"As the Lord protects us".

 

All four turned to one another. Their visored helmet's showing nothing except the reflection of each other before each turned and departed the compartment.

 

The display left on, the image of Anika illuminated the room.

 

 

Lawson Industries

 

Henry Lawson had the best job in the world. What was best about it was that his job was to oversee the company he'd created. Seeing his profits rise quarterly, his stocks increasing with every success and knowing that his company had long ago bucked the trend every company followed to become the actual trend filled him with a deep seated satisfaction......

 

But it wasn't enough. Never was, never would be.

 

The problem with being on top is that at every waking and non waking moment of the day other would try to take him down a peg. To become the trend setter. That lofty position where your companies decisions could influence other companies to follow suit.

 

If he decided to make baby bottles nearly every other company out there would follow suit thinking he'd identified a growing trend to exploit.

 

Henry sighed and sat back. Immediately his 30'000 credit chair read his posture and adjusted itself to provide him maximum comfort while the massager in the back went to work on him..... Yes.... Life was good. If only he had someone to pass it all onto.

 

Years of fertility treatments and genetic experimentation had given him that brief hope of passing it all on. Now dashed because that devil spawned from his own test tube loins had snatched it away from him because she didn't have the stones to be what he needed her to be.

 

Should have made her a boy. He thought darkly.

 

All the time, money, specialists, all of it now thoroughly wasted. All the test candidates gone as part of the means of protecting his research. Bad enough he couldn't have a pinnacle of human bio engineering. The last thing he'd allow was to let anyone else benefit form his research by letting a group of asset's walk around with his gene mods spliced into them.

 

His comm chimed and he looked down to see his security advisor calling him. "Sir, look at Citadel news".

 

"That garbage? This better be good". Henry said, flicking on the screen.

 

A tall, blonde haired, Amazon like woman stood with a group of others in front of a body. Henry instantly knew the design of one of his own.

 

Sighing heavily, Henry let his face fall into his hands and held it there for a moment before clicking back on the comm. "Mr Phillips..... One of my, liquidated assets seems to be very much not liquidated. Please rectify that status and find the person's responsible for this discrepancy and send them to my office".

 

"I can't do that sir".

 

".....Why not"?

 

"You ah, liquidated all assets on that project".

 

Henry looked up at the ceiling.... He had done that hadn't he. "Well, make sure it sticks this time".

 

He grumpily shut off the comm and stretched himself back in his chair..

 

Greatest job in the world

 

that really had no idea what it was his company did anymore. But anytime he called his assistant and asked for something, it happened.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"That kid got a Typhoon? From where?" Vayne asked curiously as he glanced up to the news reports, raising a brow as the story played out, "Turian in Red...and someone using a...sword..."

 

Vayne set down the chopsticks he'd used, metal ones instead of the normal wood. "Guy in black armor with a sword...that sounds like that freak on Garvug..."

 

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

 

Essul stood besides the body as he looked down to it, frowning as he looked back to Dr. Chen. "He used a neural-toxic drug to enhance his body. It damaged his muscles and veins...That's all I know." He said as he looked to chen, ready to help.

 

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

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina sat with her jaw open. "Arian and I went to Rodan Expeditions and he picked up a Typhoon, and .... no, no, no. It couldn't be him. There's over 13 million people on this station.... But how many own a Typhoon? Anika? And that sword? Yeah, Vayne, it does.

 

"Arian and I went to the Arena to try out his weapon and to make some creds. Then I met an Alliance guy who was getting his discharge and looking for work so I took him back to the ship and gave him a run through the sim," Irina said as she ate her nigiri. "VERA cheated like mad and we got our arses kicked. It was bad enough with the normal baddies, but having us isolated on a suspended ramp against an YMIR mech with shoulder missile launchers and jump jets? Why didn't she just put a gunship in there? I know, the gunship wouldn't have been able to get into the corridor behind us."

[Redbelle]

Anika looked down at her Omni tool as it chimed she had a message. She opened it. Then looked at Naleena standing several feet away from her. Inclining her head slightly she opened up her own messenger and typed back.

 

I'll clear my diary. Let's hope no one crashes it. I hope VERA doesn't monitor your inbox otherwise she'll know just how bad I want to run a hand up that silky thigh of yours while I press you up against the bulkhead in the lift while I wet a thermal clip and........

 

.......

 

.....your turn ;P

 

Looking perfectly innocent Anika sent it off, then put her hands behind her back and rocked backwards and forwards on her heels. "Johnny huh? Hi. I'm Anika. Sometimes bodyguard these days.... Right Jess"?

 

"Your still on contract luv".

 

"What she said. Anyway, glad to meet you. And I'm getting a little behind on the crew status of both ships so it's I'm glad we're bulking up on the firepower. You look like you can take care of yourself. Won't keep you. Nally want's you. Catch you later".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Anika,

 

I have noticed that the boss has been more tense than usual. Let me know if there is anything I can do to enhance the mood. Lighting? Music? Any special food deliveries from The Citadel?

 

V.

 

PS. In the future if you do not want me to check your message you should code it "This is private, VERA" and I will make sure it goes in the appropriate box.

[Kel Riever]

Jenus

"I have a feeling we should look into that.  Let me com VERA and see if she can give me a last location on Arian."

Jenus activated her omni-tool and messaged VERA.
 

[Kel Riever]

Iole

Iole actually got serious once Frank started helping her.

Which actually didn't help Frank.

"Okay, look, the plates have to have a tight fit to the thigh, if they're going to matter.  Either you hold my thigh while I tighted the placement strap, or...never mind you hold my thigh...good!  No, tighter, please.  Yes, like grab it firmly. Okay.  Now to slip this on, and link it together...snug fit!  This is going to be great!  Frank?  Frank!  Other side now..."

[Redbelle]

Anika's mouth twitched as she read VERA's response and typed.

 

If Jess has taught me anything is that butter, jumper cables and a cheese cake for after go a long way towards setting the mood. Though personally I always liked the outfits. Maybe you could find a place.... but make sure to leave off the submission restraints. Elevating fear to enhance sensation isn't something I'm apt with yet.

 

Also, flowers. If you know her favorites order some up and send them to her. Other than that.... what else does she like?

[Cknarf]

“I don’t know, I think you might still have some circulation over on the left side...” Frank joked as he was firmly graspin’. “Seriously, any tighter and we’d have had to amputate.”

 

“Goddammit…” He grunted as they both struggled to pull the armor up. “You’re makin’ this way harder than it needs to be.” Frustrated, Frank stood up and changed positions. Now standing at her side, he took hold of the armor. “Now you grab it."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Jenus

"I have a feeling we should look into that.  Let me com VERA and see if she can give me a last location on Arian."

Jenus activated her omni-tool and messaged VERA.
 

 

VERA gave a fairly quick response:

 

I have located Arian's omni-tool. It is in Zakera Ward next to a bratwurst stall in Shin-Akiba, the human commercial zone.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Case of the Dirty Cop - 2 (Ckarf & SJ)

 

Naleena escorted Johnny into the port side observation lounge off the CIC and closed the door behind them. There was a drink and snack machine in the room. Naleena got a soft drink for herself and Johnny, and sat in one of the leather couches in the lounge. Johnny sat across from her.

 

"I know that you're probably thinking 'What did I just walk into?'" Naleena said. "It's a lot to take in, and what you just witnessed is part of an ongoing criminal investigation that everyone seems to want to ignore. C-sec was investigating, but for some reason it was mysteriously closed just as a break in the case was found. The investigating officer, who is now recovering from critical wounds, approached me and I used my authority to continue the investigation. I had her reassigned to my team, and she and VERA transferred all of C-sec's files on the case to a local copy. We now know who the mole in C-sec is, and we're going to pay him a visit tonight."

 

Johnny sat listening attentively.

 

Naleena took a sip from her drink. "You should become acquainted with VERA. She's the ship's artificial intelligence. I know what you've been told about AIs, as have most people. But trust me, she has saved lives. She rescued the team on Duellos, and during our last mission on Garvug if it were not for VERA, every one of us would have died."

 

VERA's hologram stood in her hounds tooth business suit on her terminal and winked at Johnny.

 

"Ma'am." Johnny nodded in response to the hologram. Under different circumstances, his reaction very well may have been different, possibly hostile, but after all that had happened to him in the past several hours, what he just heard didn't seem too far out of the ordinary. At this point, he decided that he was just going to roll with it.

 

Johnny turned his attention back to Naleena.

 

"So let me tell you a little about myself. I'm 350 years old. I have no military training. Before I became a Spectre I was a contractor. I did work for  corporations, governments, private individuals, and of course, The Council," Naleena said as she pulled a cigarette out of her case. "Do you mind?" She lit the cigarette. VERA automatically turned up the air exhaust near Naleena. "After a while I could tell for whom I was doing the work. It paid very well and made me quite wealthy. It's a long story, and one I don't want to discuss right now.

 

Naleena threw one leg over the other at  the  knee, tapped the  ashes  off  the cigarette and took a drag, exhaling as she spoke. "Then, six months ago, due to fortuitous circumstances, and because of exemplary work done in the service to the Council, I was made a Spectre. What about you?"

 

"Well..." Johnny began, as he thought of what to say.  All of the basics, like his age, rank, and other related info would have been sent along with his transfer, so he didn't bother with those.

 

"Before I signed up, I... didn't do much of anything, really." He shrugged a little. "Never had real friends until I began my military career."

 

A faint smile crossed Johnny's face, as he thought of the guys. He was really going to miss them.

 

"Been with the Alliance since I was 18. Signed up on my birthday, actually. I'll never forget the fight I had with my parents that day. We haven't really been on good terms since." Johnny shook his head. Despite looking a  little disappointed, he appeared to relax a bit, by leaning back onto the couch. "Dad was the first to write me, which I found quite surprising. Took him a couple years, though. Still haven't heard from mom." Johnny looked away. "Dad says they've split since."

 

Naleena frowned. "That's... too bad about your parents. Family is something I treasure," she said. "That may sound strange coming from someone like me, but like I said, it's a rather long story. I hope that once your parents see the difference you've made in the galaxy they warm up. Let us move on."

 

"VERA, display Iyana...." Naleena continued to brief about Iyana and her organization and how this all started with Morgan, the data file and the Collectors. Johnny had heard about the disappearance of human colonies. Alliance news had said that the Council was doing nothing about it. What he didn't know was that there was a covert investigation going on. Naleena and the others were part of it. Then there was Captain Stone's ship, the Medusa. She told Johnny about how Iyana murdered her entire crew by dismemberment, and that when she ripped it from Luscious' mind she saw the entire massacre. She went on how Iyana was after Morgan Severn's family to use to get to Morgan. How that had nearly cost the life of a member of Naleena's team, Molly Hagen, and the lives of several good police officers in New York City who were unaware of their superiors' involvement with Iyana.

 

"You see before you a beautiful woman, but make no mistake, that is a monster," Naleena said pointing at the holo-screen. "She is cunning, manipulative, highly intelligent, and extremely dangerous. She rarely makes mistakes, and  when she does she is quick to correct them. Her organization is deep. Her people are fiercely loyal. But tonight, you and I will strike at one of them. Their source within C-sec, and perhaps we'll learn more.

 

"Do you have any questions?"

 

“Just one.” Johnny said as he leaned forward. “When do we begin?” He pushed his glasses up. Badassfully.

 

Naleena smiled. "I like your attitude, Marine. Grab your gear: you'll need a pistol and SMG. Don't worry, you're with me; we'll get past security. Meet me by the port side airlock in 30 minutes," she said and stood.

[Redbelle]

Amy didn't look up as a knock cam at her door. "Come in". She said.

 

The door opened and a ragged, tired, beaten and bloody Nigel stepped in holding a cold pack to the side of his face. His suit was torn and dirty in several places. His shoes scuffed, the skin on his hands raw while his right eye was almost swollen shut. "I found him".

 

Amy cast a look up and seeing him for the first time, dropped her stylus and pushed herself back into her seat. "I hope you didn't look like that when you did". Nigel stared at her while she got up and began pacing. "Packaging Nigel. It's about first impressions. Fundamental to what we do is the first impression. It's like a man coming to your door. No one wants to speak to him because everyone knows it's another charity push to get money from people on their door step. But you present the right impression to them and they'll give you the benefit of the doubt and..... Nigel are you listening"?

 

Nigel had walked over to a chair by the wall and slumped down into it as Amy looked on. "He got your card".

 

"Excellent! And if you get blood on that it's coming out of your severance pay. So what's his name"?

 

".....I didn't..... wait. Severance pay"?

 

"Oh Nigel.... We had a great time. But let yourself get caught on camera. Granted you were being assaulted and I thank the everliving stars that was the case. If it had been the other way around I'd have barred you from this building. Pity it wasn't a Krogan. Would have given us some sympathy.... But at any rate your appearing in the media like that tars you. You will always be the man who got his backside handed to him on TV. Don't you see? Your finished in PR. You can't deliver a message anymore because your face has become synonymous with violent crime. It's a shame really but I can't let people's perceptions of you, or me be tarnished by that".

 

"......Your.... Firing me? After I did what you asked"?

 

"Well excuse me but I distinctly remember not asking you to set off that woman. We'll press charges by the way. But back to the matter at hand. You didn't get his name.... Well that's disappointing".

 

Nigel lifted the cold pack away to turn it and pressed it to his jaw. "Yeah well, people were shooting, that guy showed up and pulled me out....".

 

"I knew it. Bonafide hero. Oh the things I'm going to do with that man.....".

 

"But that woman who did this to me.... She's his captain".

 

Amy's eyebrows raised slightly. "I see.... Well that could make things awkward. Alright then we'll drop the charges as a gesture of good will".

 

"WHAT"!!!

 

"Nigel, Nigel, Nigel.... You don't expect me to seriously negotiate with them while holding a criminal case over them do you? I mean it's a handy backup, but you forget, we're in the business of establishing good relations! Well I am. You'll have to decide what your next career move is after this meeting".

 

"You.... You can't do this to me"!

 

"Don't be silly. I had the paper's written up. Naturally the HR department will give you a good reference. We'll have to mention the why as to releasing you.... Maybe just don't mention that in a letter to who you pitch for work in, yes"?

 

"I.... I.... I know who that Captain works for".

 

"Oh, whose that"?

 

Nigel shook his head. "No....".

 

"No? We don't do no's in this office Nigel. We don't do cant's or wont's. Now come along. Be a good boy".

 

"No! I want my job"!

 

Amy came around her desk and reached for a tablet. "See this? All I have to do is put my thumbprint on it and your out. So if you have something you want to trade it had better be good for all the aggravation keeping you on would cost me".

 

Nigel's eye's darted from her to the tablet before he blurted out. "She works for a shipping company! He works for her! The company is a pre first contact one! I have a friend in there! Help you bypass the Captain! Go up her chain"! Amy was nodding, looking unimpressed till Nigel added something that just popped into his head. ".....And he's single"!

 

"Oh really"? Amy said folding her arms.

 

"Yes.... I think". Nigel lied. "Just dropped it when we spoke. Well not dropped just.... Look I know the type. Single man looking for something more in his life. Maybe.... Maybe with more time I can profile him. Figure out how to make him more amiable too....".

 

"Oh don't Nigel. You'll just embarrass yourself. Now go get cleaned up".

 

"But my job...."!

 

"Is safe for now. Just stay hidden. I don't want your face on the news again".

 

Moving as if drunk, Nigel stood and staggered back to the door before exiting and Amy tossed the tablet back down on her desk. "Single huh? Good to know".

[Kel Riever]

Iole

"Okay, gimme," Iole said as she pulled up the inner lining of the suit, then got the plating attached.  She had to make sure the jacks for the tubes and wiring that ran between outer and inner surfaces were connected.  "I'm not going to say I am unimpressed with human tech, because this armor is going to be great.  But really, humanity needs to work on its instructions."  There was some more shifting and moving about, and figuring things out.  "You're lucky I didn't grab something of yours instead of this suit, Frank, but you're right, this is a lot of work.  Can't imagine what it would be like if we didn't concentrate on it."

The armor fit snuggly, but Iole felt it adjust to her shape and she knew now why it was so tight initially. "The good news is once we're done, we won't have to go through this again.  Just because Hahne-Kedar needs you to be an engineer to assemble this thing, it's easy in and easy out after that.  I'll need to get a helmet though.  That might be a trick since I'm not sure Hahne-Kedar even makes one for asari."  It took several more minutes but finally Iole was armored from her neck down in a brand new set of Hahne Kedar armor¹.
 

Iole was impressed.  "Look at this!"  She lifted her arms up and shifted around, examining herself.  Twisting, she even took a glance down her back.  "Look at my ass! That's as tight as I've ever seen it."  Teasing, Iole said to Frank.  "Go ahead, slap it.  I totally know you want to."

¹Hahne-Kedar armor is one of the best looking armors in Mass Effect 3.  Do you remember how good it looks on femshep?  Seriously, go put your disk in again to look.  It's awesome.
 

[Kel Riever]

Morgan

On their way out, Morgan said to Jess, "I'm glad you're coming along.  We should take a half minute stop over at the Medusa so I could get out of the armor, right?  I wouldn't want to show up looking like I was ready for war, do I?  There isn't much time before the meeting, but still..."

Morgan didn't know why he'd become self-conscious over what he was wearing, but for once he didn't want to come off as someone who put his fists through walls.
 

[Redbelle]

Jess shrugged. "Your choice luv. If you want to put on a show, be my guest.". Jess was silent as they walked down the dock walkways and felt better seeing the massive bulk of her ship come into sight.

 

"Soooo.... That message from Molly. It's funny. I didn't know her long but she certainly had a knack for seeing beneath things. She think's I ought to open up more.....". They trudged on till they were at the boarding tube where Jess turned and faced him. "Morgan.... What did you think of that Babylon woman"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Case of the Dirty Cop - 3 Janiri - Naleena

 

After the meeting with Johnny, Naleena went down to Med-Bay and dropped off the canister with Dr. Tolus.

 

“This is what Essul found on the Batarian. I think he may have had it running through his system,” Naleena said as she tossed the container to the doctor.

 

“Old news,” Dr. Tolus replied. “Essul confirmed it from the morgue. Already ran simulation. DIN is actually the anti-dote for a neural agent, but the bi-product is highly toxic, and without further dosage of DIN….”

 

“The person dies.”

 

Dr. Tolus sighed. “Correct. Waste of life….”

 

“And that, being a neurotoxin would have had a direct effect on the meld...” Naleena asked.

 

“And cause your migraine,” he replied. “Speaking of life. Faed is now conscious, but different. Just to let you know.”

 

Naleena cocked her head. “Different how?”

 

“You’ll see.”

 

“Tell him that I’ll visit him when I return, Doctor. There’s a very urgent matter I need to handle…. There’s always a very urgent matter,” she sighed and left Med-Bay.

[Kel Riever]

"Molly's a better detective than I ever thought she was," Morgan said first.  "And I already knew she was a great detective when she found me."

The sight of the Medusa made Morgan feel better too, though for him the ship and the woman next to him were one and the same.  He also was quiet up until the boarding tubes, lost a bit in his own assessment by Molly, which he couldn't argue with.  He didn't want Jess to think it wasn't on his mind, so he finally said before he answered her question.  "It was a little hard to hear, but I think Ms. Hagen had some good medicine for me.  She's certainly right in that you just have to ask, Jess, and if I can do it for you, I will."

Morgan's expression a bit hard to read as he felt a bit of himself sorting out, he did then go on to talk about Amy. "I don't want to put on a show with her.  I just prefer...who knows?  I like her, first, in a way that I have to say doesn't make much sense to me, yet.  Can't hold back from you, Jess, she has that quality where she's willing to do anything to get her job done.  But the difference is I'm not so sure I like that job.  Terra Firma?  She's good at what she does, I can tell.  But if you're going to be good at something, it should be the right something." He looked at Jess, seeing if he was getting across.  "I've done a lot of bad things in my life, Jess, but I don't think in the end they were for bad reasons.  And I don't think you have bad reasons for what you do, either.  Amy...I'm not so sure.  Not that she's leading loyal agents to their deaths to send messages."  In regards to Iyana, Morgan said, "That's the kind of problem that can't be put up with."

From the dock area, someone large was coming.  In fact, it was Largo (the barbarian).  He ran, or more trotted as his huge size had the visual effect of making it look like his legs were pin-wheeling under his massive torso.  With oversized arms he was pointing at the keel of the Medusa, as if the arms would do the talking.  Finally Largo spoke.

"Down.  Ship.  Close to fall off,"  Largo flattened his hands and put them close together, to indicate a small distance between them.  "Babe!"

[Cknarf]

Frank’s hand was on the move before she even finished the sentence.

 

*POP*

 

There was an echo throughout the holds. Maybe even the whole ship. People on Earth looked around like 'Did ya’ll hear that?'. There might have been a slight squeeze. “I’ve felt tighter.”

 

Frank closed his eyes, and braced for impact. The last time he slapped an ass with such force, the slapee responded with violence.

 

Spoiler

Ontarom, 2184.

 

“Do it. I fuckin’ dare ya.” Kravic nudged a heavily intoxicated Frank, who just responded with a snicker.

 

“Yeah, come on Beans. Do it for me.” Cooper slid her drink towards him. Frank downed it.

 

“Do it for Coop!”

 

“A’ight. Ima… Ima do it!” Frank stood up. “Buh only cuz I *hic* cause I wanna. Not cuz you wanna. K?”

 

“Go get ‘em, pal.”

 

“Tell him I said ‘hey’”

 

Frank staggered off towards his target. “Hey… I’s gotta find somethin’ out for… for uh…” He started, as he approached the burly looking marine. “My friend thinks you's fiiiiiiiine.”

 

“Is that so?” The marine looked back at Cooper, who gave him a wave.

 

“Yeah… yeah she’s like, DTF bro. For reals.” Frank nodded. “But you gotta… you’s gotta pass the test.”

 

“Yeah? And what’s that?”

 

“Turn around.”

 

Frank looked back to his table, and gave a thumbs up. Then he wound up.

 

*POP!*

 

There might have been a squeeze.

 

“Eeeeexcellent.” Frank nodded. “‘gratulations, marine. You pass-- huh!”

[Meat punching sounds, table crashing]

Modifié par Cknarf, 26 juin 2015 - 07:41 .

[Kel Riever]

Following the *POP* was a yowl and then a:

"THAT IS IT!"

Iole whirled on Frank and Commando threw him to the floor.

"You are going to get yours, right now, Eli!"

This time Iole did not hold back.  Not one bit.  And it turned out to be true.

The armor was much easier to take off than to put on.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with Shotgun Julia)

Dahlia and Miss Priss

Dahlia was still at the airlock when the alert as Miss Priss started the conversation with her.

Miss Priss tilted her stetson up as she looked up at the taller Dahlia.  "I'm just here to help, Gem Eyes, about that bit you whispered to me on the bridge.  Why don't you tell me what you want and maybe we can talk about it, lady to lady."  Priss leaned up against a bulkhead with her shoulder, folded her arms and pushed her hip out while awaiting Dahlia's response.

 

Dahlia looked down and cocked her head slightly at Priss. "Well, this... could be a bit delicate. I know that Morgan is interested in Jess, but Jess can't be tied down. Well, not figuratively anyway," she giggled, "I'd prefer to have Morgan's attention directed my way. And it's not like I really need money. I made quite a bit while working for Aria, and coming from humble roots, I saved it, living only on bare essentials you understand. So I thought, 'What do you get a man who likes to travel light - a man like Morgan?' Then it hit me. Something that he'd use, but unusual. So I bought him this." Dahlia showed her the gun.

 

"I know, not the most romantic thing, right? I'd just like him to start paying more attention to me, and less of a certain type of attention to Jess."

"Huh," Miss Priss nodded, looking at the gift, "That's a fine gift, for Morgan.  Don't you worry yourself none."

Moving next to Dahlia as she looked at the weapon, Miss Priss leaned her back against the wall then, and stayed very close.  She took off her Stetson and held it in one hand while fixing her hair with the other.  "Now, you're as healthy as a buck and a beauty of a calico, so I might be inclined normally to ask, 'Why so affixed?'  But you don't gotta explain it to me, Gem Eyes.  Morgan, that's a catch."

Miss Priss sighed and tossed her hat to catch the edge of one of the Medusa's old fashioned levers.  It landed expertly, and then Priss made a satisfied hum.  "You know we've been perooting, and a cat like me, she don't have the right to expect anything.  But I have my thoughts and heart to heart, Gem Eyes, they've wandered in Morgan's direction.  I'm a strange cat, though, 'cause you know I got this other thought wandering towards the Captain too, and I don't gotta tell you why.  But while I'm unlucky in one regard, I'm very lucky in another, and that's 'cause in my job I can get a little of everything."

There was a giggle from Priss, but then the smile faded and Priss was apologetic.  "I sure am sorry if I make you uncomfortable with such talk, but maybe what I'm trying to say, Gem Eyes is you're special, and don't you go believing for a minute Morgan don't think so.  He's seen it, and I know he has.  I can tell.  Thing is, you got a heap of a tough one if what you're doing is come callin' on Morgan."

With sympathy, Priss said, "I said I'd help you and I will.  Thing to understand, Morgan is a man of principles.  Not your ordinary kind, like he's with this one or that one, house and kids and such.  His is a polyamorous existence brought on by his trade.  Yes, though, I know what you mean, and it is that the Captain has a place of devotion it seems with him that is unrivaled.  So, you've got to see if you want Morgan to compromise his principles, in which case is the question of why would you then want him, or you share, or you wait, or you somehow entice him."

Miss Priss coughed, perhaps discomforted by her thought.  "Gem Eyes, you got nothing a person wouldn't want.  If, and I'm not saying you said this, but if it's love you're talking about, would be a shame to watch a well go dry when so many would be pleased to tend to it.  I ain't got to say it gentler than that.  But it's true a love's gotta be returned.  Morgan, if you're there for him when things turn, if he's denied, maybe that's when things change.  I seen Jess, and I couldn't stand to be anywhere else but around her.  And him too, I ain't lying.  You gotta see the magic there.  But I see there's a trouble behind Honey Bee's eyes, like she ain't resolved something for herself yet.  And if she don't, well, it sure is true that Morgan is hers to lose.  I say wishing for it to happen is a horrible thing, but I have my temptations and like I said, I have my thoughts."

Then Priss put her arm gently around Dahlia waist, holding her in a comforting way.  "I don't deserve a Morgan, though, not lil' painted Priss.  I ain't but a passing thing, I suppose, and there ain't no needing to soften that blow.  I know what I am.  So that's the answer to the question you may be asking, if it's, 'Why is Miss Priss helping me, exactly?'  Because, Gem Eyes, you do deserve someone such as he."

Pulling her arm suddenly away from Dahlia, Priss seemed to retreat into her thoughts.  "I didn't say none of this, you hear?  I don't want to know nothing about it.  What happens is what happens.  They're my people, they are.  Everyone's an adult so I leave it to you.  I say I don't see what a good talking through can't help and Gem Eyes, there's a galaxy full of them out there.  But there ain't no other particular Morgan, like there just is one, beautiful sun for Earth, though it shines on everyone."

Miss Priss deflected her feelings with humor.  "I don't tell Morgan this because I couldn't stand it if it went to his head.  The top one.  The lower one...I'll spare you the crass."  She grinned nervously, then made a giant roll of her light brown eyes.  "This whole damn crew's got talent one way or another, I'm tellin' you!"
 

"You have my word that I'll never tell anyone what we've discussed, and you must never tell anyone about our conversation either. I'll give Morgan this gift, no strings attached," Dahlia said. "That's one thing about Asari. We live a long time and I can be very patient. It's just been so long... if you know what I mean. And I don't think Morgan fully trusts Asari, but this has been different for me ever since... ever since he was shot. I melded with him for... I don't know exactly how long, but it was almost immediate and throughout the surgery to slow down his heart so he wouldn't bleed out. Do you know what it's like? It's like we carry a piece of them with us. This is why we have to be careful with whom we choose to meld."

 

Dahlia looked at Priss. "I should get back to my post before anyone wonders where I've gone. Thanks, Priss. You're a gem yourself. If you ever want to talk sometime, you just give me a 'holler.' I should be getting back to my station."

Hey!"  Miss Priss found herself trot after Dahlia for a few steps to catch her before she left, then turned a bit rosy in the cheeks from embarrassment.  "I think Morgan's change a lot about asari since you've been around.  At least since Duellos.  I bet that has to do with you."

Biting the edge of her lip, Priss added, "And I do have an idea of what you're talking about with melding.  I long for Miss Shiana...we were as close as I've been.  She and I...we had that.  A lot.  So if you ever...well, if you ever get lonely and don't want it to be so long next time...Hell, I ain't saying more than that Gem Eyes.  You go on now."  Miss Priss went to grab her Stetson and get on with her own, mostly self appointed, tasks. 
 

[Cknarf]

I am going to die.

 

Frank thought, his eyes still closed tight as he was expertly taken to the ground.  His landing was a little softer than he expected.

 

Maybe n-- nope. Still getting mine, apparently

 

He gritted his teeth, waiting for a boot to the ribs. Or a knee to the sternum. Or the much dreaded kick to the groin.

 

Still alive...

 

The familiar clunk of armor caused him to crack open an eye. He quickly sat up on his elbows.

 

Oh. Well then. This changes everything!

 

Frank was frozen for a moment, as he stared up at the goddess before him. Slowly, he began to nod. With his gloved hand, he gestured for her to come.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Case of the Dirty Cop - 4 Naleena & Johnny – In the car (Cknarf & SJ)

 

The canopy of the dark green skycar opened and Johnny and Naleena climbed in. Naleena handed Johnny a cup of coffee and set the bag of donuts she’d picked up from the Dunkin’ Donuts shop on the concourse between them, then closed the canopy, strapped in and began flipping switches to start the engine. The engine whined and the car lifted off the pad and began to move toward the traffic. She waited for clearance to enter the traffic pattern.

 

“Have a donut. There’s a couple of jelly filled,” Naleena said as she reached and grabbed one. She took a bite out of it, and then got the clearance to enter the traffic flow. “We’re headed to William Lang’s apartment. He acted very nervous at the crime scene so I suspect he knows he’s been made. He’s probably sh*tting his pants now. I expect him to be armed.”

 

The stop at an Earth-based donut chain was unexpected, but welcome. As he took a bite, a glob of jelly squirted out and onto his armor.

 

“Every time...” He wiped it with his thumb and licked it. “So. How are we going about this?” He asked.

 

While negotiating their way through traffic, Naleena neatly took a bite out of her donut, sucking the jelly out of it. “I found that this was the best way to eat these things while driving. Whether or not you're supposed to do that is another matter,” she said and glanced over at him. “We'll walk straight up to Lang's apartment and ring his doorbell. Citadel apartments only have one entrance. We'll keep ringing the bell until he opens the door. I know the timing on being super annoying, trust me.

 

“Once we're inside, we'll play good cop - bad cop. I've had a real rough day, so I want to be the bad cop. You watch the door and play good cop. Periodically try to talk him into confessing as an alternative to further bad actions from me. I’ll give you cues,” Naleena continued and took a drink from her coffee in which she'd put two sugars and enough cream to turn a light shade of tan. “I don't really feel like ripping it from his mind like I had to with that Batarian earlier today. I got one f*cker of a migraine from it. I have a hunch it won't get that far. Lang's a coward. Put enough pressure on him and he'll sing.

 

“And don't worry about him. He's a dirty cop, and he's on Iyana's payroll. That makes him special.”

 

“Keep an eye on the door while you kick his ass.” Johnny took a sip of his own coffee, a cup of black decaffeinated, basically the most pointless coffee of all time. “Sounds easy enough.” He turned his attention to the passing streets below.

 

Naleena turned to him with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “Johnny, I said nothing about kicking his ass. That’s bad police work. We’ll tighten the screws on him. If he really deserves an ass kicking, then we’ll give it to him.

 

“Here we are. Just relax. This will be fun.”

[Cknarf]

Vepr Lounge

 

“...and she’s more than willing to learn.”

 

Marius stroked his mandible.

 

“In fact, she’s down in the holds with Frank right now. He’s showing her the goods as we speak.”

 

Marius’ eyes narrowed, as they snapped to Adir’s. It was bad enough that Frank had snuck her aboard, but letting her snoop through his cargo, too? His fists clenched a bit, but he managed to remain calm. He had too much respect for the old quarian to blow up on him.

 

“Frank wouldn’t have brought her along if she wasn’t trustworthy.” Adir continued. “She was serving aboard a council vessel, Marius. They don’t just let anyone do that.”

 

“Then how did Eli end up on one?”

 

“Well… He...” Adir was at a loss.

 

“My point exactly.” Marius stood.

 

"Just... think about it." Adir watched Marius as he paced. "Please."

 

"Fine. If she really wants in, I'll give her a shot."

 

Adir smiled under the helmet.

 

"But only because I trust your judgement, old man. And I don't want her making any deals. Not yet." Marius shook his head. "I'll send her with Eli on this job, and see how she does. Then we can go from there."