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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena read the look on Arian's face, and given the length of time she knew he was withholding information. "Yet when my team tried to get you out of that alley, they found you in her car and she attacked them right there with you in her back seat. Arian, you're not telling me everything. You know more than anyone about her. How did she behave? Did she talk to you? If she did, what did she tell you? Why did she help you? Do you have any idea why she attacked my people and C-sec?"

[TheMajonese]

Now Arian got angry and began to raise his voice. "Hey, if you want to find out who this woman is, go and find her yourself", he pointed to the entrance of the building. "Bad enough I got lost in Zakera but then these damn bastards come to shoot me! Then a strange woman saves me and carries me around in her car while attacking everyone who comes too close to her...spirits, what is wrong with everyone? I don't want to have anything to do with her, so leave me out of this!" Arian didn't even need to lie, his words were completely honest.

[Redbelle]

The Armature accepted the frame without complaint as it came alive. It's plasma throwing eye now re-equipped with a trove of camera and sensor bubbles that were in turn protected behind a dome. As Anika dropped the frame off on it's back Kolme stepped up behind her.

 

"Naturally you don't need the frame to get into or out of the armor. You can do that where you like. It's simply a quick means of equipping and will diagnose and repair certain faults and damage. Be aware however that if critical and extensive damage occurs the frame will not be up to the task of repair. If that happens you need to bring it back here".

 

"I'll keep that in mind".

 

"I'll update the firmware and software, take out those voice controls. Updates can only occur in the frame. Otherwise the armor is completely sealed against intrusion apart from the in built radio....".

 

"I got it". Anika assured him as she looked up at the Armature looking at her and pointed to the cargo lift. "Go"?

 

The armature made a warbling noise and picking up it's legs, began crab walking to the lift.

 

"Huh.... Voice controls eh"?

 

"As I said. That Armature is yours to control but I've disarmed it and increased it's mobility and insertion potential....".

 

"Got it".

 

"Now Ms Anika....".

 

"Anika! Just Anika".

 

"Anika. There are other functions I haven't had time to go into detail on but as of now the armor will function as your old one....".

 

"I'm keeping the old one luv"! Jess called out behind Kolme. "It's getting it's own case and a polish! I'll have a plaque put in place and everything"!

 

"You do that Captain". Anika replied as she stepped onto the cargo lift with the Armature.

 

"Just one more thing". Kolme added as Anika reached for the lift controls. "Do try to be careful and bring my inventions back home in one piece".

 

Anika simply looked at Kolme for the longest of moments before she hit the button. "...... I won't expect you to see me off Jess. I'll keep in touch".

 

"Be sure that you do luv. Gotta few things to tie up down here but if I'm up before you leave... well....".

 

Anika nodded. "Catch you later Babe. Keep an eye on Jess. Without me around to guard her she can get up to all sort's of mischief. Trust me. All this toeing the line at the Citadel probably has her boiling over to something altruistic, illegal, and high in profit".

 

"Sling your hook Luv". Jess called out, picked up a spanner and throwing it halfheartedly at her. "Go on clear off before I deport you for libel".

 

"Libel's written Captain. When spoken it's slander". Hitting the lift button the lift began raising her up out of sight. "Stay good Captain".

 

"No promises luv".

 

"I'd be disappointed otherwise".

[Kel Riever]

Babe gave a look towards Jess.

A few things to tie up down here...

Up to all sorts of mischief...

Babe threw a wave at Anika while keeping her eye on Jess.  Anika's warnings were far, far too late.
 

[Redbelle]

Jess cast a look over at Babe once Anika had departed and threw her a grin. "She forgot the chip". She said with a twinkle in her eye.

[Kel Riever]

"Hmmmn, I suppose she did."

Babe looked at the chip as if it suddenly had become no big deal. 

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Keep your voice down..." Essul said with a stern look to both Arian and Naleena, "Tempers are high...but shouting so loudly when c-sec's not too far away isn't going to do much for keeping this private..." He said, his gaze going more towards Arian as he spoke.

 

"It's been a confusing day for you, I get it. But a debreifing is the least that can be done in this situation. Try to hold on, at least for a bit..." He said, his attention going to naleena next, "He's frustrated, but he's not lying. At least, his body language isn't." Essul replied simply.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena stood erect, a bit disgusted with the whole matter, pulled out a cigarette, lit it and blew the smoke down and to the side. "Fine. Let's get you on board then and down to Med-bay and have the doc take a look at you. I'll handle C-sec."

 

She led the three of them to the checkpoint, and they were stopped by the blond haired human officer in charge. He checked the description of the Turian against Arian and called for backup in the area.

 

"I need to detain the Turian. He's wanted for questioning in a murder," the officer said.

 

Naleena flashed her Spectre badge. "I already questioned him. He says he knows nothing."

 

"We'd like to have a go at him," the officer replied.

 

"Officer Taylor?" Naleena said and scanned his badge number. "I'm sorry but that's not happening. He's a member of  my crew and he needs medical attention which he'll receive on board my ship. Rest assured that if I find out anything about the murder or the mystery woman that I will contact you, personally. Is that good enough?"

 

"Yes, Ma'am."

 

"Never let it be said that the Office of Special Tactics and Reconnaissance does not cooperate with local law enforcement," Naleena commented. "Now if you'll excuse us...." she nodded her head in the direction of the ship, and the three of them headed to the Janiri without incident.

[TheMajonese]

"Appreciated...", Arian said with a grunt when they moved toward the ship. The pain in his neck now was a constant sting that slowly began to get worse. He remembered what Quinn had said about the wound and that she didn't know how dangerous it actually was. It would be best if he had someone look ot over, rather sooner than later.

 

"If that's all, I'm heading for the med bay", he muttered and carefully placed one hand on the bandage around his neck. "If you want to ask me anything else, you know where to find me." Arian barely tried to hide the sarcastic tone in his voice.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Arian disappeared in the elevator to head to see the ship's doctor.

 

Naleena motioned to Essul to head into the observation lounge off the CIC and shut the door. She walked over to her favorite portal and looked out at the docks.

 

"Good work tracking him down," Naleena said. "He knows more than he's letting on. Keep an eye on him, and be very subtle about it. But that's not why I brought you in here.

 

"You did well on Garvug. You showed excellent judgement in the snake pit, and on the battlefield. You kept the team together after I was down. I don't know how you did but they followed your command. I would like you to be my lieutenant. Someone to make the calls if I'm unable to do so.

 

"Of course I have to clear it with the Council since it could involve temporary command of the ship. And... there's VERA. Garvug gave me a glimpse of my mortality. Should the worst happen, you must agree to fight for VERA's right to exist. It would be a relief to me if you accepted my offer."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul looked to Naleena as a slight quiver came across his lips, like he was trying to suppress a smile as he reached up with a hand as he looked down to the floor a few seconds, taking in a large breath before he sighed it out. He looked back up to Naleena, speaking in a formal enough tone, though with a bit of a cheerful peep in his words.

 

"I am honored, Naleena. I gladly accept your offer..." He said, giving a bow to her as he did so. 'Keep it together. Don't let her see you smile. Keep yourself professional. Joy can be expressed later...' He repeated to himself as he worked hard to not let himself get caught up in his emotions. This was wonderful, and whats more, it was a structure, a sense of familiarity for the batarian.

 

And a place he could call his own, that he could give back to in a real way. 'There is no crying in promotional acceptance offers.' He said to himself, keeping his cool and collected appearance up.

[TheMajonese]

Janiri - Med Bay

 

"Pure luck." Arian heard Dr. Tolus' assessment for the eigth time and if he'd been able to, Arian would have just left. But at the moment he had to sit on a bed and stare at the wall next to it.

 

"If that bullet had hit you a bit further up or down, you'd probably be dead." It looked a bit weird how the salarian had to stand on a stool to even be able to reach Arian's neck. 

 

There were several nasty stings around the wound. "What are you doing?", the turian asked impatiently.

 

"My job", came the laconic answer. From all of the patients Tolus used to have, Arian was by far the most frustrating to deal with. Everything he did was questioned as if the turian was expecting Tolus to try and murder him with his medical equipment. This injury was quite harmless, considered that the neck had been fully penetrated by the bullet, but as usual, Arian's behavior tried his patience as it caused everything to take twice as long as it needed to. The treatment itself wasn't too complicated; it wasn't much more than applying additional medi-gel and inserting a tiny device to help the body speeding up the natural healing process. But especially the latter was more complicated than expected. Sedating him would be less problematic...

 

"Done!", the salarian eventually said and Arian immediately jumped up from the bed. "Wait a few hours before attempting anything that involves movement of your head, like a workout. Come back here in two days to check if everything is fully healed..."

 

"Sure...", Arian interrupted him and quickly left the med-bay before Dr. Tolus could try and hold him back any longer.

 

 

 

On his way back to his quarters, Arian kept thinking about the past hours. He had no idea what happened and if he had missed something important. Quinn's explainations didn't really help him now and he still didn't know what kind of trouble that crazy woman had caused. Naleena said that Quinn attacked them and that she thought Arian had been kidnapped...

 

After taking a decision, he abruptly changed turned around and walked into another direction. He wrote a message on his omni-tool to all of his team members. As long as anyone would respond at all, he didn't care who it was

 

I was gone for several hours and have no idea what happened. If someone could explain to me what I missed, that would be great. I'm at the mess hall.

 

At first Arian wasn't sure if he should really send a message like that, but he didn't know how to make it sound different. With a sigh he pressed 'send' and continued.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena took Essul's hand and bowed her head in exchange as a sign of respect. "Excellent, and thank you. I will contact the Council and make the announcement at our next briefing. Once that is approved, I'll introduce you to my supervisor, Yalson Sao, you may have to use the QEC in an emergency to contact him."

[Redbelle]

Jess was knee deep in technical schematics when Dogger came on the comm. "Cap'n. Got a call. You wanted me"?

 

"Dogger"! Jess said cheerfully. "I've got a job for you".

 

"Just name it Cap'n".

 

"Someone I need you to pick up. Well, get drunk and bring to the ship. Actually just get her here".

 

"Cap'n"?

 

"We're down our senior comm officer. Dahlia's pulling double duty".

 

"She handling the pressure"?

 

"Like a boss. But that's while things aren't to crazy and you know how I like my stations manned when the cray cray get's going".

 

"You got someone in mind"?

 

"Turian. Military. Well.... Ex Military now. Turns out she's a bit of a space-book blogger and recently got court-martialed. She's been blogging up a storm and I'd like to grab her before the Turian enforcer's come shut her down".

 

"Alien and courtmarshalled? I won't won't ask why you want her but.... Why was she court-martialed"?

 

"Ah... Well you see.... It was about a dress....".

 

"I'm on it Cap'n".

 

"Hurry luv. Need her out of view and onboard ASAP".

 

"What's the name of the lady I'm snatching"?

 

"Goes by Aelias luv. Now be off".

 

Shutting down her comm, Jess looked over the new tech specs on the padd of a human looking arm and reached for where her old one was now gone. "Look's good, different though".

 

"Of course". Kolme said proudly. "Your old arm was essentially a frame wrapped in synthetic tissue. Motor's that drove metal strips dictated the power it could bring in accordance with how much weight your skeleton could carry that defined the power to weight ratio. However, that was years ago and since you brought me that knowledge I've refined and improved upon it. Synthetic muscle strands are now the thing. Lighter mass that gives greater power means I can pack more into the space of your new arm. Though I suppose you want have another hollow to hide another weapon"?

 

"Hollow luv? I think we can go one better. Muscle is wrapped around a frame after all.... So I'm thinking....". She picked up a stylus and drew her impression of what she wanted. Kolme looked at her, his face mask showing nothing until he said.

 

"You, Captain Stone, are a sick, sick genius. I can work with this though. The potential for this to give you more functionality while blending in with society....".

 

"That's great luv. In the meantime, do you have something I can use while you build this"?

 

"Hmmm? Oh yes. Wait here, I'll see what I have in stock".

 

As Kolme went off Jess commed the Janiri. "Jess to Janiri. Message for Naleena. Anika has taken delivery of her new equipment and is running a few acclimitisation exercises with my first mate. She'll be a while longer. Just know luv.... Your getting a better version of her than I had". Jess sighed. "Anika and I talked. She's not leaving the K&Q. But.... okay, this is private so I hope VERA keeps this part away from anyone whose not party to..... I'm not going to stand between the two of you. Anika has obligations and she's going to meet them as a continuing member of the K&Q. But I'm detaching her from the Medusa to serve as a liason between Medusa and Janiri. She'll be exchanged and will follow orders provided they don't conflict with K&Q concerns. Hope that satisfies you luv. And as much as she'll be protecting you make sure you keep an eye on her. Much as she's good at her job, she can still get in over her head at times. Watch her back luv. I won't be there to do it for her anymore".

 

Jess sighed and signed off. "Medusa will stay with Janiri since whoever in the Citadel brought us together hasn't decreed we split yet. And I'm wanting to find out who knew enough about us to pull our strings. We're going to need to start getting more business done too. The Medusa has to pay it's way. Right now we're bleeding our accounts getting peanut sized pay days to cover us. Let me know where you stand on this luv. I gotta get a few things done over here...... Jess out".

[Cknarf]

Milgrom, Bekenstein.

 

“Are you alright?” Kira asked.

 

“Yeah…” Frank remained focused on the controls of Marius’ car, as he piloted it towards their destination.

 

“It was for the best.”

 

“I know.” Frank forced a bit of a smile, as he glanced over. “Still wish she coulda stuck around for a little while, you know? For this, at least. I think she woulda had a good time.”

 

“Alright, Eli. You’re close.” Marius came over comms. “You’ve got about two blocks to go. There should be a small landing deck on the west side of the building, you can’t miss it.”

 

“Ooh, Valet parking. Classy.” Frank looked into the back seat. “You think the bloodstains are going to be a problem?”

 

“Sh*t. I didn’t think about that. While they might raise a few eyebrows, I doubt they’ll be an issue. Remember who we’re dealing with. That sort of thing is a common sight for these people.”

 

“And who are we dealing with, again? I forget.” Frank asked, driving past the building, giving him time for another quick brief.

 

There was a long sigh from Marius.

 

“Your host goes by the name of Lilith Ezra.” Marius sent a photo to to Frank and Kira’s omni-tool.

 

“Oooooo, she fiiiiiine.” Frank chuckled, looking at the image of an older human woman.

 

“Fuckin’ right she is. I always loved doin’ business with ‘ol Lil.” Quintus interrupted.  ”And by business, I mean-- hunh!”

 

“Idiot. She’s a big name on the Bek. Quite possibly the biggest, now that Hock’s gone. If anyone’s got what we're after, it’s her.”

 

“Damn, son. Tell me you didn’t.”

 

“Didn’t what?” Marius asked.

 

“She might be old, but she still a freak tho.” Quintus laughed.

 

Kira just shook her head.

 

“Ayyyyyyyyyyy!”

 

“Ayyyy--hunh! Relax, bro. Sh*t fuckin' hurts...”

 

“Quintus, if you don’t get your ass back up to the cockpit, I swear…” There was a moment of radio silence, before Marius began to speak again. “Chances are, you won’t get much out of Ezra herself, especially since you’re an unknown. You’ll probably have better luck with the some of the smaller people.”

 

“So… is everyone here a dealer or what?”

 

“In some form or another…”

 

“Gotcha.”

 

“It shouldn’t be hard to sort them out. Good luck, you two. Marius out.”

 

“Wait, that’s it?” Frank didn’t receive a response. “I guess so…”

 

After another lap around the block, Frank set the skycar down in the landing area and opened the canopy. He was greeted by the young valet, who he tipped handsomely.

 

“Not a scratch.” Frank gestured to the stained back seat.

 

“What the…”

 

“Ya heard?”

 

“Yes, yes of course, sir. Not a scratch!” The young man climbed inside, and pulled away with the car.

 

Frank, arm in arm with his hot asari grandma, ascended the red carpeted stairs that led to the absurdly large penthouse.

 

“Security seems a bit light.” Frank made note of the young woman in light armor that stood at the entrance, armed only with a handgun and a datapad.

 

“Name?” The lone sentry asked unenthusiastically.

 

“Francis Elias.”

 

“Your name doesn’t appear to be on the list.” She looked up from her datapad.

 

“Are you sure? It’s spelled E-L-I--”

 

“Yes, I’m sure.” Her hand moved to her sidearm, and rested on the grip.

 

“There’s no need for all that…” Frank opened a menu on his omni-tool. “So. How much is it gonna take to get us inside, huh? Five, maybe ten credits? Alright. Fifteen. But that’s as high as I’m willin’ to go!”

 

“One moment.” She raised a finger, as someone contacted her via comms. “Yeah?”

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

Inside...

 

“But that’s as high as I’m willin’ to go!”

 

“Mica?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Let them in."

 

“Are you sure? They aren’t on the list.”

 

“I made the goddamned list! Now be a good girl and do as you’re told. Mama likes what she sees...”

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

“Ugh. Yes, mother.” Mica sighed. She stepped out of the way. “Sorry for the inconvenience. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening.”

[Kel Riever]

...aboard the Kurinth, in the medical bay

Xanthe Remi stood over Hal Bolag, who struggled against the ties that held him down in agony.  The middle aged human had not kept himself in good shape, and the doctor was trying to save his life.  She needed answers before he went under.

"Bolag!  Do you know how many charges you face in Council Space?  You don't give me what I want and I can assure you..."

Hal Bolag partially screamed, and was partially coherent in his dismay, "You destroyed my enclave!  With twelve Commandos!  It took me so long to build...."

In her evergreen colored Justicar armor, with gold trim, Xanthe was an intimidating if not also austere sight.  She folded her arms and spoke with command.  "They are a unit of the Serrice Guard, the best this galaxy has to offer.  You never stood a chance and I gave you the chance to surrender.  Now, tell me, there is rumor you are behind the difficulties of a mining colony on Parasc.  There is word that Gelezul Okan has fallen, Hasan Amin is on the rise, and he has made overtures to you.  Is any of this true, Bolag?"

The man screamed in agony again.  His wounds reopened somehow.

The doctor turned to Xanthe as she struggled to save Bolag. "I don't know what is happening with him.  He is frail.  The medigel will not take.  There are conditions...but I don't have time to diagnose them."  Her message was clear.

Xanthe hid the concern she had and leaned in towards the human.  His grey, unkempt hair and unshaven face were sweating, and saliva coated his lips.  The weight of his face had given him a friendly smile in better times, but now he looked pale and sunken, his jowls hanging loose.  "Bolag," Xanthe said, "You're best chance lies with us.  Give my doctor a reason to fight with you for your life.  This is not how you want to die.  This is not how you want to be remembered."

Hal looked into Xanthe's eyes, and she could see that he wanted to live, but he was losing the battle.  "Yes. I want to!...AAHH!  But...there's...you can't make those promises to me anymore.  She was right...there will be a new era..."  And then Hal Bolag's heart seized.

"Out of my way!"  The doctor shouted, and went to work with her assistant.

In the next minutes, Hal Bolag, once a powerful warlord of the Terminus Systems, was dead.
 

[Redbelle]

".....And that's when I told him.... Shir.... Yes shir that is my dress.... But it was a gift shir....". Aelias's drink sloshed in her glass as she rested her arm on the bar in Purgatory and pointed for effect in the face of the Elcor that stood beside her. ".... It was that Captain..... The one with the eye.... Wasshername..... Slone? Soane? Rocky maybe? Anyway she bought me this dress you shee.... And Turian's don't wear dresses.... Lest the one's I know but then I looked on the galaxy web and it turns out.... Turian's DO wear dresses.... I've seen them....".

 

"With exhausted interest..............How fascinating".

 

"....I mean". Aelias went on, "In the military we wear regulation.... it's good.... But.... Everyone in the galshee.... galax..... gal-axy.... People thing we're all military.... or suit wearing stiffs.... But when I told my XO..... Spirit's damn him, he told me to get rid of it.... So I said yes..... But hid it.... Cause it was a gift! You know"?

 

"With borderline suicidal contemplation........... I know".

 

"I know you'd knew.... know.... Anyway, he found it.... inspection..... straight out the blue just like that and had me for regs.... And I told him it wasn't that bigger deal.... but he docked 6 months pay..... For tarnishing the reputation of the Turian military..... Anyway, I we went our separate ways and at night some of us bridge officer's got together for a card game and who turns up"?

 

"Dunno. Who turned up"?

 

Aelias was about to answer when she frowned and turned her eye's towards where the Elcor had been. The gravity on the station wasn't working right since everyone and everything wouldn't stop dancing around in a slow sway that looked like a snake oscillating. "You know.... I never noticed how you Elcor's.... Your not as big after a few hours".

 

"I don't doubt it". Dogger said as he leant against the bar and cast an eye over the empty tumbler's in front of Aelias. It had taken awhile to find her, but eventually he'd found someone who'd said she'd come here after a blowout aboard the Audron. "So you were saying about someone turning up at a card game"?

 

"Huh? Oh, yeah.... Spirits damned XO that's who. SOB decided to sit in on a game..... Naturally he aw me but I could tell he wasn't happy.... But since he was there to play he couldn't tell me to leave in front of the other officer's so he sat down and....". And at that point, Aelias sniggered. "He started dealing.... Gave me the best hand ever.... And then.... after that, I got another.... And another.... And then, you know what happened next? Another good hand! I was raking in the chips! Course then I had a few bad ones and then some that didn't do anything but.... Heh.... But most times I was winning the XO's chips and he was furious! Kept downing drinks.... And then I dealt a hand and lost, but he went all in and one of my friends?.... She cleaned him out because of the cards I'd dealt and...... Ahah..... Ooooh, he flipped the table! Sent everyone's chips flying and came at me saying I'd cheated him.... And what's a girl to do? I rolled back, got a foot on his chest and flipped him into a bulkhead! He landed upside down... hit the floor and....". And then, Aelias's face went deathly still as she looked away over the bar at a point far beyond. ".... And we all heard this snap as his neck broke..... Oh he's alive but he'll be off his feet for a few years. He was good enough to have charge's filed against me though and all I could do was grab my things and that stupid dress before they threw me off"!

 

Aelias threw her head back as she took a shot of something blue that eminated it's own light before slamming the tumbler on the table. "Career military family.... Only daughter.... Father wanted a son.... And I end up breaking a superior officer's neck because he's conservative about woman showing a little cartilage.... You know the funny thing? I wasn't even going to wear it.... I was just going to keep it to remind myself of that crazy human and the time we had to deal with their.... stuff.... Lotta stuff happened when they were around.... You know, we tried to rib a train once..... Rob.... a train.... once..... That was fun. Everything got blown up but it was fun..... Then there was the crates of people.... That wasn't fun..... but I got to speak to people who weren't of the Turian mindset and..... I got on with them.... That's important.... Getting along with people".

 

Dogger stood by listening and held up two finger's to the barman, indicating Aelias with a nod and two more drinks appeared before her. "Well, sounds  like you got short shafted there girl".

 

"M'gonna appeal....". Aelias slurred. "....He came at me.... But he's got connections.... And all I've got"? She reached down and almost fell off her chair as she grabbed something before bringing it up and shaking it before Dogger. "All I've got is this stupid dress!..... I should put it on... Put it on and get a snap of it and send it to that jackass!..... Oooooh, but then he'd send it to command and.... Noooooo won't do that.....". Aelias dropped the dress and knocked back another shot before gasping as it burned down her throat. "Spirits.... What was that"?

 

"Whisky darlin. Figure if your going to get drunk as a sailor you might want to do it right".

 

"Damn that's..... urrgh.... That's intense.... I didn't now they made dextro stuff like this....".

 

"Dextro"? Dogger asked feigning confusion.

 

"Dextro.... As in Dex..... you know.... Different.... Oh Spirit's did I just drink.... Was that a human drink? Amino"? Aelias got off her stool and nearly fell over when Dogger swooped in and catched her. "M'hero..... Giving me wrong.... Urrrgghh.... Gotta get to medical....".

 

"Can give you a shoulder to get there if you like". Dogger said as he looked to see the barman putting the whiskey bottle back in the Dextro array of drinks. "Leave it to me. Least I owe yah for getting you into this".

 

"Don't forget.... urrgh.... get dress".

 

"Sure thing darlin".

 

"Gonna wrap it round Rocky's throat if I ever shee her again".

 

With Dogger propping her up, he carried her along to a transport terminal where he booked a transport to the Medusa. On the way over Aelias passed out with nestled up against Dogger who on his return took her straight to the Medusa's medical bay where Doc scowled and gestured to one of the free beds. Setting her down, Dogger then looked about and saw those who had been a part of event's in Jess's cabin.

 

"On your feet! The lotta you. Port authority's gone. You can get back to work". With that, Dogger turned and strode out of the Medical bay.

[Kel Riever]

The Medusa:

Largo

...got up and got back to work.

Mister Chris

...got up and got back to work.  He didn't know if he could handle being aboard this ship much more, but he sure was going to give it all his best.  Or die trying.

Miss Dila

...got up and <HISS> got back to work.

Miss Priss

...wasn't in the medical bay.  In fact, she was coming back from 'bribing' the hanar Harbormaster.  She went to her cabin, flopped on her bunk, and almost fell asleep.  She then lifted her head a moment.  It seemed someone was missing.  It wasn't true, of course, but Miss Priss couldn't shake the feeling.  Eventually, her pillow won and she nodded off, dreaming.

Rosanne Severn

...was down in the lower decks below the crew quarters, near the engine room, where the 'laundry' was.  Actually it was a matter of simply putting certain things into a wash/dry cycle machine or deeming them in need of re-fabrication.  The Medusa had a simple one of these for clothes, though not everything could be perfectly replicated (or could with a lot of personal time on the machine, depending on intricacy).  So she was doing the sorting when she pulled out something interesting.

"Hmmmn," she said to herself.  Then she started whistling while looking up to the ceiling and tossing the item in the re-fabricator.  That one was going to need more than a wash/dry for sure.

Jen Severn

...still longed for her old studies, but she had to keep herself entertained in the meantime.  The little bird had returned to her, and set itself on her shoulder.  Jen began wandering about, in the direction of the engines.  She was on a starship for her first time, so she might as well find out what the big deal was all about.
 

Keith Severn

...had finished having fun with the Revenant Anika had made into an actual weapon for him.  He put it in his cabin and thought to himself that he hadn't seen certain people in a while.  But that was all right, because Keith had gotten really, really hungry.   And it was time to find out what the Medusa had in the way of eating food.  When he got to the 'kithchen' or 'galley' or 'mess hall' or whatever they called it on a ship, he didn't know what to expect, but figured on one of those big buffet things he always saw in the movies, where a guy behind a counter doled out what was available from his list of foods on a computer screen, all semi-edible.  Instead, Keith was faced with something that looked like a café.

Keith wandered in hesitantly.  "Well, okay...."


 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena

 

Essul left the port side observation lounge.

 

Naleena remained behind. "VERA, delete record of last conversation."

 

"As you wish. Are you going back on your word to Essul?"

 

"No. It's the first part of the conversation that is of concern," Naleena said. "I have to go ashore for a while. Inform Commander Selani she has the con."

 

"Yes, Boss. And Boss? Thank you for requiring that he stand up for me."

 

"He's honorable. He'll do what he says. I'll return shortly. Please inform the Asari Councilor I need to meet with her in private."

 

Naleena left and disembarked. When she entered the Councilor's office, Tevos was waiting seated behind her desk a bit annoyed with the short notice.

 

"This better be good, T'sarius, you're supposed to be on a mission," Tevos admonished with a glare.

 

Naleena took a seat in one of the guest chairs in front of her desk. "There have been several complications. No doubt you heard about the attack on the docks. And later one of my team we believe was kidnapped in Zakera ward."

 

"I heard. Trouble seems to follow you around."

 

"We Asari live very long lives compared to others in the galaxy," Naleena said. "And the last mission put me in touch with my mortality. I have a request."

 

Tevos cocked her head to one side.

 

"I would like Essul Ran'perah to be officially made my lieutenant, second in command of the team and of the missions," she said and set a data pad on Tevos' desk, "Here is his file."

 

"He's... a Batarian!" she retorted. "And a member of the Special Intervention Unit. Absolutely not!"

 

"Former member. With all due respect, Councilor, you don't know what it's like out there. You've seen Remi's evaluation, and you've seen my report on the Garvug situation. After I was wounded, Ran'perah could have let me die. Instead, he saved my life."

 

"So you feel you owe him?"

 

"No. He took command of the team, and the team listened to him. They respect him," Naleena said. "Not only that, there were his actions on Caleston where he killed the two BSIU officers who were in charge of the operation in Dome 410. He's loyal. He's earned this."

 

"You're headed into Batarian space on your next mission. What if he turns on you?" Tevos asked.

 

"He won't."

 

"You're certain?"

 

"He's been ostracized by his own government. Stripped of caste."

 

Tevos paused. "I see. When did that happen?"

 

"After Caleston," Naleena replied. "I have offered him a home. The Batarian government may be a lot of things, but don't dismiss the people."

 

Tevos leaned forward on her desk. "You're intent on this, aren't you? Very well, then. I'll make sure he has the necessary clearances and transmit them to your ship."

 

"Thank you, Councilor," Naleena replied. "I will take my leave, then."

[Kel Riever]

Jenus

Jenus asked Ereba to fill in for her admin duty.  It wasn't like her to shunt the data entry required daily for Commandos to another member of the team, mostly because Jenus hated it so much herself, she was loathe to put it on another.  But Jenus had gotten that message from Arian and she wasn't going to pass it up.

Arian, of course, was alone in the mess hall.  Nobody sat with the turian, even when seats were filled, opting to head to their cabin or another part of their ship for a meal.  Jenus would feel bad for the turian if it didn't seem that he liked it that way.  So when Jenus grabbed a plate of, well whatever, from Aknot Grag (the stew of meat and vegetables did not suit Jenus, but she shut up and took a heap full anyway), and sat down across from Arian, she was pretty sure she was intruding into his space.  Despite his message.

At first, Jenus took a spoonful, saying nothing but looking displeased by her meal.  Then as she picked up another spoonful, she said to Arian, "So this is what happened."  Jenus told him the story from her perspective, what they knew, all the details, including the part where she ran after him, though she changed a bit of what she had actually thought and said at the end.  "Not because I care about you.  Because I wanted to hand that killer her own ass for swatting me in the side of the head.  And to think, I was giving her a break."

By then, Jenus was half way done and that was enough for her.  She pushed the soup aside and then asked, "So, more to discuss?  By the way, you look like s**t."
 

[Cknarf]

Johnny

 

Johnny had been given a quick tour of the Janiri when he first came aboard, but he decided to do a little exploring on his own. Naturally, the tech minded marine ended up in the shuttle bay. He made a beeline to the M-35.

 

"You the new guy?" Asked a human tech, that rolled out from underneath the tank.

 

"Yes sir." Johnny pushed up his glasses.

 

"Good. Give me a hand will ya?"

 

Johnny didn't hesitate. As a biotic in the Alliance, he didn't get a lot of hands on time with any of the big stuff.

[Cknarf]

Lilith Ezra's baller-ass penthouse. Milgrom, Bekenstein.

 

Marble. Marble, everywhere.

 

Frank stared in awe at the sight before him.

 

“Holy fuckin’… fuckin’... what are those called again?”

 

“That’s called a chandelier, child. ” Kira sighed, as she patted him lightly on the back, coaxing him farther inside.

 

“Holy fuckin’ chandelier…” Frank kept his eye on the fixture, which was at least six feet in diameter, as they passed under it. Kira gave a bit of a nudge. “Sorry.”

 

“It’s fine, dear. I know you’re excited, but I think it’s best if we don’t draw any more attention to ourselves than we have to.”

 

“Pffft.  Says the one wearing her own weight in diamonds...” Frank rolled his eyes. He noticed a butler lookin’ dude approaching.

 

“Good evening, sir. May I interest you in--”

 

“Yes.” Frank already had a martini in each hand before the man could even finish his sentence. He handed one off to Kira, and downed his own like he would any other alcohol. His free hand quickly went to his throat.

 

[Choking noises]

 

Kira threw back a fist, lookin’ like the Fonz poundin’ the jukebox, hitting Frank just below the sternum. The olive came up and out, landing in another martini… which Frank promptly took in his hand, and sipped on.

 

“Thanks.” Frank said, sounding a little hoarse. He turned his attention to the butler fella. “Come find me in a bit, yeah? It’s gonna take a little more than that to get me where I’m goin’, know what I’m sayin’?”

 

Kira pinched the bridge of her nose. All eyes were now on the new arrivals.

[TheMajonese]

Janiri - Mess Hall

 

Despite feeling quite hungry, Arian didn't want to eat anything and when Jenus entered he just continued to stare at the ceiling.

 

Arian said nothing until the asari was finished. He didn't feel bad about hearing that Quinn had attacked Jenus and the others. It was just good to hear that she had not killed anyone else, still, for him there was no doubt that this woman was crazy, unpredictable and dangerous. She might have saved his life, she might know Ruyak, but Arian would never help her with her problem, even though he wanted the same thing. Find Banes...and then murder him... 

 

He looked down at himself. There were still the stains of his own blood on his armor and Jenus could probably see the inner exhaustion in his face. "I always do", he tried to weaken her assessment. But in reality, he probably felt even worse than he looked like. "Let's hope that we never see this woman again. Better for everyone." 

 

Then he felt like he should add something else. "And...ahm...thanks...? I guess...for trying to find me and...yeah...you know..." 

[Kel Riever]

"Uh huh."

Jenus shifted her position as if she was about to leave, then seemed to change her mind and said only just loudly for Arian to hear.  "One time, someone gave me a chance I assure you I didn't deserve.  We don't have to like any of it, but you're with us now, and I will reach into the void itself if I have to, to get you out of trouble."

Arian could see in Jenus' dark stare that she meant it.

And then, Jenus picked up her bowl and left.  On her way out, she flashed two-fingers spread out and down at him. 

Arian didn't have to be an asari to know what the vulgar gesture meant.

[TheMajonese]

For several moments Arian just stared at the entrance of the hall where the asari disappeared. He still heard Jenus' voice in his head. Reach into the void itself... But why? Why would she think like that? But after a while he realized that there was no point in racking his brain about this. Jenus probably had her reason and even though Arian didn't understand them, it wasn't so bad after all if someone had his back.

 

With a sigh he stood up and left the mess hall as well. After the last twenty hours he really needed something familiar, something to keep him busy.

 

His armor needed cleaning, he had to make sure that his Typhoon wasn't damaged in any way, especially after his involuntary trip through Zakera, he also had to attach the modifications from his Phaeston to his new gun, therefore a test on the firing range would necessary as well. Then he had to write a message to his krogan friend Ruyak and after all that, he could use some rest and a good meal...

 

Arian stopped short when he realized that there was quite a lot for him to do. Time to set priorities.