6315 réponses à ce sujet

[Redbelle]

Anika leaned back and gripped the bar. "Right". She called to Irina. "I'll mention it". Looking up at Tallis she took a grip on the bar once more. "Ready? Now lean in and balance". She said as she felt the weight of it all. Closing her eye's she took a deep long breath, then opened them and gave a quick, short exhale and lifted.

 

The bar came up and actually bent from the weight on both ends that Tallis was right in the middle of. The bar came up. Stopped as Anika held it above her chest with her elbows locked as her eye's focused on the bar. This time, she seemed to be focusing. Eyeing the bar warily as Tallis's weight shifted it and Anika jaw muscles trembled a little until she found her centre and allowed her elbows to bend, bringing Tallis and the bar down.

 

Anika's face was masked in concentration as she lowered it to the point where she held it, took another deep breath, then pushed up with another loud exhale as she raised both bar and Tallis up till she again reached full extension. This time however, she didn't place the bar back. She set about another rep. Then another. And another. Anika grit her teeth when it came for number ten and as she hit the end of a set, she raised the bar up to it's hooks and dropped it back in as the bar settled back in place and Anika was able to sit up and stretch her arms high up over her head.

 

"Mmmmmmm, beat's the Medusa's bar. That thing we have to put actual iron plate weights on".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Hey, Two-Times, why don't you check her out tomorrow in CQC? See how quick she is." Jenus said.

 

"In my book, there's only one way to handle someone as big as Blondie, and that's with a shotgun," Irina said, then looked over at Anika. "No offense, but if you get one of your mitts on anyone it's over."

[Redbelle]

Anika shrugged. "In my book a gun beats hand to hand everytime". She said as she rose and tuned to the bar to drop the settings back down to normal. "It's simple evolution of warfare. Hand to hand offer's no advantage except to the one whose stronger or better trained. It takes longer to down a mark, meaning you can't focus on multiple targets as effectively while the threat is so close. Hand to Hand is necessary sometimes when your given no choice but when I have the choice, I tend to go for the long range options".

 

The bar relaxed as the weight's on either end switched off and Anika picked up her tower and threw it over one shoulder. "Though I wouldn't say I'd win at the outset. The huntress who trained me made sure I knew that even the best can be taken down by a stroke of luck. A new tactic. A prepared situation". She moved to the treadmills and climbed up onto one as she ran it up to a steady pace that to her was an easy going run. "The complex trained me to be a soldier. My huntress trained me to be.... something more".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Hand to hand is good if you don't want to kill your opponent. You want to go non-lethal and quiet," Irina said. "That's what we were trained to use it for, and of course when there's no alternative. Sometimes though, you want to disarm someone and take a prisoner. Why don't you show us some of your moves, tomorrow? We're willing to learn, right, Goldie?"

 

Iole nodded.

[Redbelle]

"A punch is no substitute for a crack in the jaw with the butt of a rifle". Anika said back, her arms and legs pumping as the heart monitor on the treadmill reported back a steady sixty two beats per minute. "I'm not saying hand to hand doesn't have a place. Just that when it comes to modern warfare, a tool is more effective. People just aren't built for war. We're versitile. Not specialised. That's where equipment comes into play. I mean, look at me when we fought that sniper. Out of armour a bullet will kill me just as well it will anyone else. That gas took me out of the game whereas if I had my gear I wouldn't have lost any fighting abilty. Yes there are ways to incapacitate a person, but every way is unreliable and prone to to finding that one person who, for some reason, can take it. One girl before her augmentation was called Tank. When they showed us pressure point take downs, they had to make us susceptable with a specific warm up exercise, then a finger across the chin and a firm strike downwards was all it took to take everyone of us out..... Except her. She took five blows before the Guru decided not to risk a sixth and he couldn't explain why she wouldn't go down". Anika upped the speed of the treadmill and angled it upwards slightly.

 

"Besides, hand to hand take downs risk to much outside of exhibition matches. If your stealth recon better to kill silently and rely on the intelligence provided. If you want prisoner's then you have to take charge of them. Handle them. Keep them secure and hidden. All of which adds risk that the prisoner will wake up and sound an alert. Kidnapping is the only time I'd ever consider taking a prisoner. Though really, despite what Jess might tell you, it's not my thing".

[Kel Riever]

Jenus made a disdainful snort.  It came across as a bit insulting.

But Iole knew a few things about Jenus' playbook.  She stopped her round with Irina by holding up her hand.  "Go ahead," she said, calling over to her team leader.

Working a good pace on the treadmill, Jenus' dark eyes glanced over at Iole.  She ran a bit more, then she turned the machine down and slowed until she came to a halt.

"The order of response is dictated first by instinct, and then by training.  The only way to change this order is to have your training become your instinct.  And then the demands of the combat will dictate your actions as you have already determined them before you can think.  Know this, and know all training is crucial, so that your instincts may be prepared for everything.  Matriarch Syra, 1685, The Doctrines of Survival." 

Tallis clapped.  Iole smiled and said, "Spoken like a true text brain."

Jenus stepped off the treadmill and approached her fellow Commandos.  Ereba had just returned from her rifle fire, and Jenus gestured her aside.  "Sit this one out, Ereba, only because I want this between those of us who've spent a few decades together."  Then she beckoned Irina in closer.  "Or at least a couple of years.  VERA, set CQC drill 14, Team Boom, designed by Mira."

"Affirmative. Your drill is set."

A section of the room covered by the large mat was minimally enhanced with holograms to show a wide practice circle, and then very real shelving opened up in the nearby wall to reveal a set of both practice and real weapons.  "The run down, VERA, for the newcomers."

"This drill was designed for an escalating level of close quarters combat practice, determined by the session leader.  All weapons have non-lethal practice settings, but are electronically modified for scoring to reduce to a manageable probability any subjective interpretations.  Lethal strikes will be indicated by a chime and a red flash of light on the deceased participant.  If the purpose of the round is incapacitation, then incapacitated participants will be highlighted with blue light.  In this drill, all participants are considered to be fully functional until they are declared killed or incapacitated in combat.  Jenus, will you be the drill leader today?"

"I will.  Let's get started.  Every one for themselves, four participants, last person standing wins.  First round, last person standing, unarmed, no biotics, kills only."

Irina, Jenus, Iole and Tallis stood at the cardinal points of the circle's edge, and then a deep, crisp sound signaled to begin.  Each of the four moved in, watching their flanks.  The round was over quick, with Tallis out first and Irina coming out just ahead of Jenus, using her reach to put her down. 

"Second round," Jenus commanded, "All non-firearm weaponry available, no biotics, kills only."  Jenus then looked at Irina and jerked her head over to the rack.  "Go get your fun toy."

Tallis followed Irina to the rack.  Irina, of course, found a big-assed knife that was a replica of her preferred combat weapon, the only difference being this one scored instead of wounded or killed.  Tallis went for something unusual to those who didn't know her, a weapon that would be known as a bo staff in human martial arts.  Iole and Jenus remained unarmed, but noticeably changed their positioning.  When the four took their places and the round began, it lasted much longer, as the opponents gauged each other.  Once the combat broke out, though, it was furious and fast.  Jenus and Iole went down this time, though showed an impressive ability to avoid the touch of deadly weapons.  But Tallis took it, whirling the staff fast enough to whistle, backing up and out-reaching Irina despite her attempts to close.

"Third round, no biotics, firearms allowed, no biotics, kills only."

Though larger guns were available, only Tallis chose anything somewhat large, going for a mock Disciple with blade attachment.  Iole and Jenus went with hold outs, and Irina kept her knife.  This round was as short as expected, the close range preventing Tallis from even getting a hit as Jenus took her out with the smaller weapon.  Jenus was sim shot by Iole, which gave Irina a chance to close.  But Iole threw off the blows just enough to clear herself to use the hold out and put Irina down before the knife could strike.

"Fourth round, no biotics, all weapons allowed, taking prisoners."

All four switched out, each taking a series of ties to their belts and light stun batons.  Jenus, at this point, fastened a series of what would simulate grenades to her belt, which were meant to simulate flash or concussion grenades and then she donned her suit's helmet.  Again, the group engaged, and Jenus was unable to get to her grenade before Tallis got her with the baton.  In an amazing display of speed, for the seconds while Iole and Irina faced off against each other, unable to focus on Tallis, the youngest commando had flipped Jenus, who remained limp for the drill, onto her stomach and had her hands zip tied behind her back.  The three then fought, with Irina emerging victorious.  Iole was down by baton, but not before registering an incapacitating blow on Tallis with a martial arts hand strike.
 

"Final round, biotics, weapons, kills, or incapacitate for double points."

Now each participant seemed to go with their favored close combat weapon.  Irina her knife, Iole her hold out, Tallis her staff, and this time, Jenus went with a Disciple.  Oddly, she took no blade attachments for the Disciple.  There was a charge that seemed to fill the air as the four faced each other, and then the chime sounded.

It was over in an instant, dominated completely by Jenus inside that small range.  The biotic charge she launched was too fast for anyone to avoid but Iole, even though all present could anticipate the move.  It so happened that Iole could only avoid the attack by being the farthest, and biotically dashing to put Tallis in the way.  Irina and Tallis were staggered, each therein taking a follow up Disciple shot to the throat.  Iole got a shot off with her holdout, but missed as Jenus somehow had enough energy to pull off another immediate biotic charge, and delivering a blow with the butt of the Disciple to the side of Iole's head.  That registered an incapacitation, but before Iole could even drop to pretend she was unconscious, Jenus had her pinned to the ground, on her stomach, and zip tied her.

"You're just lucky we're in so close," Iole teased.

"I work on my luck every day," Jenus jibed back, then stood up over Iole, before kneeling again to untie her as the sim was over.

"Nice one, nice one." Tallis congratulated everyone.

When Jenus stood a second time, she looked over to Anika.  "How about it?  Why don't you show me what they taught you, Two-tall, in mutant school or wherever it is you come from."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Janiri pulled the Nos Astra Spaceport, and the Medusa was right behind. Naleena issued an order to the squad and team afer hearing how long Jess would need to acquire the omni-tools and allowed them 24 hr liberty, except for a security crew that  was kept  aboard the ship at all access points.

[Redbelle]

Anika slowed the treadmill gradually as the incline she had set it on leveled until she could simply let the floor deposit her onto the floor of the exercise room. She reached for her towel and flicking it over one shoulder, turned to face Jenus.

 

"What I was taught.... Doesn't belong in any training regiment any responsible.... reasonable.... sane person can conjour". She was quiet for a moment as she seemed to be focusing inwards. When she spoke, it was from a place far back in the past.

 

"It was called the complex. That was it's name. I was taken there and before our.... alterations, we were categorised. We were given boot camp essentially on top of everyday studies. The only difference was, they weren't breeding standard soldiers, they wanted soldier's whose performance could outstrip any other. But you can't make soldier's by gene's alone. They got us young so they could instill some very basic lessons. Lesson's like, two girls in a ring and one knife. Shock collar's that buzzed you until you obeyed the order. They bred us to realise one thing, the complex wasn't about building us up into something. it was about breaking us down so they could see what material they had to work with to build up from. I got off lightly, but not that lightly. And I'll say this for the place. It had the best medical facilities in the galaxy since it could take a half dead person and have them up and about inside of two days with a few skin grafts and some bandages".

 

She sighed and seemed to return to the moment. "The Janiri's medical team isn't quite as extensive and the lacerations alone would earn me confinement. The broken bones and shattered socket joints would take a long time to heal because.... we weren't allowed sims once we reached a certain level of competence. They made sure the fear of battle was a part of every exercise by making every exercise real. They had controls of course. Only two of us ever died for as long as I was there. But when they'd put two of us at it against one another.... it rarely ended without a couple of broken ribs and a limp.... So I'm content to practice your way since my way would probably end up with you paralysed from the waist down".

 

She paused. "You don't have to worry about me though. Some of us didn't take to the conditioning. We were singled out. Something about them wanting to know what made us resistant so they could try and add the trait to the Miranda project.... Whatever that was".

[Kel Riever]

Tallis shook her head sadly, "A shame.  A shame."

Iole looked disturbed.  "Where in the void was this?"

Jenus, however, looked directly at Anika with hardness in her dark eyes.  "In Too-Tall's tall story land.  But I'll pretend to believe you for a moment, Too Tall."  With a confident gait, Jenus approached Anika and looked up at her.  "So, what you're saying is you were in combat.  Combat, where people were actually trying to kill you, not just really hard training, right?  See, Too Tall, that's tough, but we've all been through combat here.  If the people you're talking about weren't trying to kill you, even if they were torturing you while they built you up, that wasn't combat.  I know you've been in combat, so you don't have to explain about that.  But so has everybody in this room now.  And I'm wondering why you think this tortured...whatever they did to you...training makes you better than me or anyone here?  Why you think Commando training which has been around for millennia dealing with every cruel species that ever existed doesn't train people in the way you're trained?  Or are you saying what we're doing is beneath you because we're not actually trying to kill each other?"

Another look of disdain came from Jenus.  "Either way, I'm thinking you're looking down on us, and it isn't just because you're aberrantly large.  I think you either don't know me or people here as well as you think you do, or worse, you're scared.  Ask me, I say it's the second more than the first."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"I don't think that's what she's saying, Jen," Irina said concerned that Jenus was focusing her anger toward Naleena on Anika. "Why don't we all just take a deep breath here and settle down."

[Redbelle]

Anika looked down at Jenus and kept her tone neutral.

 

"Beaten but never defeated right? A word in your ear, boss. Is it worth being beaten fighting a fight that never had to be fought in the first place? Maybe you have the strength to drag yourself into one fight after another. But if you intend on dragging me and this team in after you to fight a battle that never needed fighting in the first place, risking this team to sate some wounded ego, just so she can force a little bit of the galaxy to abide by her terms.... Well then, I'm happy to be here, since it seems you need someone to point out that pushing people away with these teenage hissy fits isn't a dignified trait of a squad commander". 

 

Anika's mouth curled into a smile as she went on. "Now, your doctrine, is different to mine. I can see the benefits, I can see the disadvantages. But what you need to factor into that mind.... if there is anything in there.... is that I'm different. I don't expect you to like it but then I don't expect you to not like it. It's who I am. And let's be honest, who I am scares you. You don't don't know me. I don't fit. I'm not like other humans and your hung up on the differences between us, seeing them as threats that has you beating your chest, displaying your dominance over the group. You don't need to be afraid of me Jenus. Your the squad leader. I respect that and I'm professional enough to slot in without a fuss. But since your so afraid of not knowing your place in the hierarchy, I'll go over the what the situation is with me...."

 

"I'm exchanged. I'm still a member of the K&Q but I'm under the command of the Janiri's superior officer. I requested to be embedded in this team because I think this is where I can do the most good. That request was granted. If this is a customary hazing of the new blood then I'm finre with that. I expected it.... But what I need you to recognise is that I'm not your average soldier. I'm augmented and my expertise was body guarding, so my first instinct is to make sure no harm comes to those who I work alongside with. If you want to spar, that's fine. But since I don't want to hurt you I'll have to hold back. This attitude of yours tells me you'd take offence to that which means that you'd push me to demonstrate what I can do which could hurt you and as a body guard.... that runs against everything I'm about. My purpose is to hurt our opponents. Not to hurt my comrades. But it seems I am hurting you simply by being here. My presence has you lashing out at ghosts of your own inadequacies, and that kind of mental state in a squad leader is one I can't allow....".

 

Anika stepped onto the mats, still with a hand on the bottom of her towel and turned to Jenus. "You want me? Fine. Here I am. You want to see what I can do? Come at me. No holds barred. But for your sake, make sure you don't hold back either because like was said.... If I get my hands on you, it's over". Anika's face was fixed to look utterly calm and pleasant as she issued her challenge. "....Unless you'd prefer to show me those other exercises you were doing earlier".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Knowing what Jenus had just been through in the infirmary, no holds barred meant Jenus would have to use biotics. Anika could get injured and Jenus could get put out of action again. Irina knew that Jenus couldn't back down, and she knew what that would mean for the team. Irina had a heavy skin weave. That was something Jenus didn't have. This was going to hurt.

 

The red-head stepped forward onto the mat and faced Anika since she was already wearing her protective sparring gear. "I'll do it," she said and looked up at Anika. "You always knew I was a bit crazy, right?"

 

Jenus flared. "Red, this isn't your fight!"

 

"Your in charge of this team. You made it my fight. You threw down the gauntlet, and Anika picked it up. We're a team, right?" she said and looked up at Anika again and laughed nervously toward the blonde who towered 16 inches over her. "Besides, I'm supposed to be a Krogan's Krannt. We'll see how that works out."

[Kel Riever]

"One second," Jenus said to Irina as she stepped right up to Anika and stared up at her defiantly, "All the insults are one thing, and I'm fine with that, Too Tall, because it shows me you can dance, but let's get something clear that is a fact!  You have no say, whatsoever in what you can and can't allow on this team, you got that?  Because that is the way it is.  You are right about one thing and that is you are different.  You are not on this team.  This team works for the Spectre, but this team is not the Spectre's to go putting observers who have no part of it in.  And you better believe that Spectre license or not, I win that arguement.  Now if you want to go show me what you can do, that's fine.  I have half a mind to tell Red to back off, but the difference, because you are right you are different, is that Red is part of us.  She earned it.  You have not!"

Jenus backed off then, and removed her helmet.  She was surprisingly determined, and yet not enraged.  With a strong toss, she flung her helmet into a corner out of the way and stepped out of the ring.  "I want to see what you can do, too, Red.  So both of you listen, and listen very carefully to the parameters of the drill round.  VERA?"

"Yes, Jenus."

"Reset.  Two participants, combat area is the entirety of the mat, all simulated weapons and biotics available.  Best two of three, kill scores only.  And anyone here breaks someone's bones, or sends them to the med bay, you are disqualified, because then?  Then you have no control.  And there isn't a place in anyone's team for someone who can't control themselves, or learn everything they need to without hurting someone else.  That's a mistake, and everyone here who's made them knows that they are.  People here are assets, Too Tall, and that's why you're going to learn more here than in whatever fool run place you came from.  Now get to it!"

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne was a bit glad they were out of transit already, all this waiting on the ship was getting him antsy and he wanted to go for a walk. The 24 hour liberty was certainly welcome to him. But outside of that there was something else, something bigger. Vayne looked out the window at the city-scape of Nos Astra, letting out a contented sigh as he spoke.

 

"Been a long time since i came back here...." He said to himself as he stood up, rolling his neck as he headed towards the exits, "Let's see how the home's been doing..."

 

It was good to be back on the world he called home. His homeworld, for lack of a better term.

 

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

 

Essul let out a sigh as he rubbed his temples, leaning back in his chair as he kept his eyes closed. "It just keeps going...how is this even possible?" He wondered as he looked at the logged files. 80 percent completeled, but it had felt like enterinty filling out the paperwork. Hearing that they were docked made Essul sigh in relief as he stood up, his omnitool beeping.

 

"Oh....right..." Essul said as he reset the timer, activating his omnitool as he accessed his neural-suppressants, going through some of the additional stuff he'd found out as his omnitool fabricated just what it needed. A small injector formed, and essul pressed it against his neck, wincing as he felt the odd sensation of the omni-material press into his neck, the DIN doing its thing as a new wave of numbed stinging took hold of his nerves.

 

He decided he needed a break after all this paperwork, a chance to blow off some steam. "Vera...could you do me a favor and let Naleena know I'll be in the Exercise Deck...." He said, using the technical term for the Gym area team boom, Irina, and Anika, were currently using.

[Kel Riever]

(Note: the following is using SGJ's character with her permission)

Earth, New York City

Todd Roman was inside the tactical skyvan, on his Omni-tool, looking at the feeds on display screens.  He'd picked out each member of the team he was with, cleared the other members of all teams under his command by people through the Alliance.  All were federal agents, none worked with the city or state of New York.  It was a monumental amount of work to put together in a short amount of time.  To get all the warrants, keep the secrets, vet the people going in, these things took months and no technology sped that up.  At least they typically took months.  But the backup of a Spectre helped, and of course a lot of money.  This operation was costing a crushing amount of taxpayer money, so in the end, it had to be worth it. 

There were other skyvans ready, in position, to sweep into the upscale long island residence that was Chief McGowan's home.  Three-thirty in the morning was go time, and they were minutes away.  Simultaneously, across the city, and even in some locations outside of it, one as far as Los Angeles, another as far as Buenos Aires, there would be a crackdown on the agents who worked with the criminal, ex-Shadow Broker agent known as Iyana.  T'Sarius had trusted Roman with the job and he had no intention of letting her down.

The last seconds passed, and then the mark was hit.  With one, terse sentence, Todd Roman said over his com to all his operatives, coordinated across all fields, "Move now."

The skyvan's engine accelerated.  Two other skyvans with tactical teams were with Romans.  Others were moving in to shut off all avenues of escape and surround the house in one fell swoop.  The adrenaline was pumping, and as the skyvans came close enough to the ground, Roman and his teams were hitting the ground running.  Somewhere, in the modern, upscale neighborhood where homes were still two stories tall at most by regulation, a dog barked.  It was only seconds more before Roman's team was approaching the front door, McGowan's house surrounded.  Two officers with rams were in front, charging full speed.  Roman was the one to shout just before they got there.

"Police!  Stand clear of the door!"

This was a no-knock warrant, but McGowan had two children and a wife.  No flashes, no explosives, this was as risky and as dangerous as it got.  The two officers with rams alternated on the door, which was clearly reinforced, despite its elegant exterior.  Still, the second ram, well place, breached the door and the team flooded in.  The place was dark, no pets in McGowan's home.  Roman was racing up the stairs with the team to the bedroom areas.  There was a shout of surprise, the call of "Mommy," and a woman's scream. 

Roman was almost to the door at the end of the hallway on the second level, the one most likely to lead to the master bedroom, when he heard the shot.

Immediately the teams went to the sides for cover while advancing.  One of the children had been picked up, and recovered, crying the whole way, as the tactical officer retreated with the little girl over her shoulder.  Another was being fetched from the room when Roman himself kicked in the master bedroom door, ready to fire.  But there was no need, because there was no shot beyond the first.

Inside the room, McGowan's wife was out of the bed, staring down at her husband in silent shock with her hands over her mouth.  McGowan was dead, the gun he drew from his nightstand used to end his own life rather than that of another's.
 

~ ~ ~ ~

In the end, there were only two suspects recovered of the 12 that were gone after.  Roman had a hard time comprehending it all.  The Buenos Aires suspect was on vacation at the time, and had drowned himself in a pool.  Many had fought back to the death when confronted, knowing what would happen to themselves when they did.  A few even had killed themselves hours before the raid, even one man a day earlier.  There were two captured.  A man who fought back and was critically wounded, but not slain, and one woman who just couldn't bring herself to ending her own life.  A treasure, given the circumstances, but a pyrrhic one.  The cell of the criminal was gone, but the upstream was cut off with McGowan's own life lost for sure.  And the low level operatives left would provide some information, maybe some hints, but Roman already knew that what he had in his hands was little.  Very little indeed.

Roman was up all night and into the next morning coordinating, filing, thanking the tactical members who had performed brilliantly.  The fault was not theres . The fault was that of who they'd gone after.  And while in story books, the villains often fought to the death, the reality was most often far from the truth.  People wanted to live, some people.  There was always hope, even in the darkest minds of corruption, or even insanity.  Yet here Todd Roman was, with almost a dozen dead suspects, and only the satisfaction of shutting the one set of operatives down.  He'd have to take solace in that.  They were dangerous people and at least they had come to their end.

Todd's last message of note was to Spectre T'Sarius.  He let her know everything that happened once his work was complete.  She needed to know for her sake, and as soon as she could. 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena read Roman's report before departing the ship. Her heart sank. She'd hoped he'd snag McGowan and bring him in for interrogation, but that was hoping for too much. Still she sat back in her chair, lit a cigarette and smiled. Another arm of the octopus gone.

 

She swung the arm on her chair bearing the laptop in front of her and keyed a message.

 

To: Todd Roman

 

From: Spectre T'sarius

 

RE: New York

 

Excellent work. You coordinated the operation very well. It was executed with perfection. It is unfortunate that we did not have the opportunity to interrogate McGowan, but a person of his status would rather take his own life than drag his family through a lengthy trial. I am forwarding my recommendation to Yalson Sao, and to the members of the Council that you be considered for Spectre.

 

Humans need a Spectre patrolling the stars protecting their interests. We are left hand of The Council: the enforcers of the Council's law and will. Our primary job is to preserve galactic stability, not to be agents of change. That is for the people and their politicians to decide. You and I may have different methods, and I may have been harsh with you, but you need to keep in mind that sometimes an unforeseen situation will present itself and you will have to make a tough call on the spot. I believe you can do that.

 

Do me a favor while you are on Earth, will you? Check in on Detective Molly Hagen. Make sure she is well, and let me know exactly how she is doing.

 

Best wishes,

 

Naleena

 

VERA Encryption level 9

 

* send *

 

Then she typed one other memo:

 

To: Yalson Sao

 

CC: Councilors Sparatus, Tevos, Udina, Valern

 

RE: Spectre Candidate Todd Roman

 

After reviewing mission reports from Earth for the global shutdown of a major criminal network, it is my recommendation that Todd Roman be extended an offer to the Office of Special Tactics and Reconnaissance. I believe he will be an asset to the organization. Humanity needs someone who can represent it in a professional and competent manner. Mr. Roman has in my opinion passed the tests necessary to become a Spectre. Please forward the necessary documents to The Council.

 

Sincerely

 

Naleena T'sarius.

 

VERA Encryption level 9

 

* send *

[Kel Riever]

aboard the Medusa

On the other side of the Relay, en route to Illium, the Medusa had reached a state of relative inactivity for the hours it would take before reaching the next destination.  Morgan cycled the bridge crew, just to get more people on the chairs.  He relieved Dahlia to take some time for herself, and went over a few things with Marshall before he'd give him the chair again.  Morgan wanted to see what was happening with Jess' new arm and how she felt about it, but he wanted to leave the bridge in good shape, without Dahlia or him.

Aelias was competent Morgan knew.  Hayashi too, but she wasn't around.  Morgan headed over to Aelias' station after Marshall took the chair and checked in to see how she was adjusting.  All he said to her before he went on his way off the bridge was, "Whatever got you here, Aelias, I'm glad.  People here could use someone like you, your ability to be calm under duress.  You're going to do a lot for people here and I hope that gives you some satisfaction.  I know the adjustment can be hard, but if there is anything I can provide for you to make it easier, let me know.  If you don't get me directly, leave me a message on my Omni-tool."

[Redbelle]

Aelias held up a box that trailed wire's in one end and out the other with it's panel off. A screwdriver in one hand she looked up at the unexpected diversion and blinked a few times. "Yes sir..... If you want to make my life easier though.... Could you invent time travel so I can go back in time and stop everything that happened to bring me here? Because with this gear in this much disrepair and bad maintenance.....". She raised the box in one hand to show him burned out component's along most of the axis of the circuit board. ".....I know I'm in what you humans call hell. That's a wavelength conformer that should be able to remove interfearence from channels. I keep hearing cosmic song in the upper bands. This one's been in service for so long it gave out along most of it's outputs and inputs except for one that's still feeding into the main output socket.... And before you say use the backup....". She held up the box. "This is the backup. The main's long gone".

 

She placed the box down and rubbed her eye's with the back of her palms. "Look, I know your looking for a big payday, and you probably have the cred's earmarked but this station needs a complete overhaul. It works, but it's failing hard and all this cobbling together only patches over comm advancement's for so long. I need to have ears and at some point, you'll need a voice. I'll keep it up and running for now, but I'm telling you it's only a matter of time before we hit a point I can't tape over".

[Kel Riever]

"The cost isn't something to concern yourself with," Morgan said as he took the backup box.  It literally had copper wires visible in parts of its exposed surface.  "We need something new...or...we're going to probably have to build one of these from scratch ourselves.  I'll bring it to Jess and see what she says.  Do what you can for now, and...I suppose we'll just have to get used to any PA announcements you might inadvertently make."  Morgan gave Aelias a knowing look.  "Yes, I heard about that.  Anyway, I'll get back to you as soon as I can."  With that, Morgan took the backup box and left the bridge.

[Redbelle]

Aelias waited till Morgan had left before she moved to cradle her head in her hands. The PA announcement...... Of course he knew about it. Probably not a big deal but......

 

Oh get over it girl. She thought as she picked up the box and regarded the circuitry. She could probably rewire it to run additional frequencies through the one remaining pathway, bolster the capacity of the resister to take the extra power input then use a converter to step it down so the device wouldn't overheat and fry. Doing so would void the warranty but then, practically everything was out of warranty on her board. And it would allow a wider range of cosmic frequencies to be removed from her audio channels when transmitting long range ship to ship.

 

Wondering where she could get a soldering iron, she looked up and seeing nothing that needed her immediate attention, set back to work on the box

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne left the Janiri as he stepped out of the decontamination room, as he liked to call it. He could feel the familiar heat from the planet, the high altitudes doing a lot to keep it from being a problem, but not enough to keep it from being felt. He breathed in the air, letting out a sighing breath as he walked through the spaceport, heading towards the outside area as he looked for a cab.

[Cknarf]

Aboard the Vepr

 

“Got a lot of activity on the landing deck, bro.”

 

“Then take us directly to them.” Marius ordered.

 

Nearly all of Lilith’s guests had scrambled for the landing deck almost immediately after the sh*t began to hit the fan in her bedroom. They were yelling and threatening the young valets, who were overwhelmed by the sudden surge of people demanding their vehicles. Over the commotion, a faint hum of ship engines could be heard, but no one seemed to notice.

 

“What are you doing, old man?” Marius asked, as an armored up Adir’Razt appeared.

 

“You’re going to need another pair of hands. I’m sure the authorities will be arriving soon.”

 

“These people care for no one but themselves.I highly doubt police will be an issue.” Marius secured his helmet, and checked over his gear. “We’ve got alllll the time in the galaxy.”

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

Inside...

 

“Kira, are you ready for pickup?”

 

“Just… about!” Kira screamed, putting everything she had into her final attack, that launched Ezra straight through the window, and over the balcony. Instead of falling, she remained suspended in the air, on top of the nearly invisible Vepr, prompting a sudden “What the f*ck?” from Quintus, as her body partially obstructed the external cameras, limiting his view. He rolled the ship slightly to the left, causing her body slide off the ship, and down into the stream of traffic below.  Her corpse landed on the canopy of a skycar, causing the driver to panic and smash into another skycar, that caused a truck to veer off and crash into the corner of one of the buildings nearby.

 

Kira made her way to Frank, and crouched on the ground next to him.

 

“Come, child. It’s time to go home.” She helped him up, and offered her shoulder. His wounds were mostly superficial, but he was still in a deal of pain that made walking extremely unpleasant.

 

The camouflaged Vepr’s cargo bay began to appear, seemingly out of thin air, as the ramp lowered. Marius hopped down before the ramp had even touched down without missing a beat. Adir was a little more cautious. He had been having a little trouble with his knee lately, and was doing his best to avoid another surgery.

 

Marius didn’t even acknowledge Frank and Kira as he walked by. The accident below was likely to draw attention from law enforcement, so they had to work fast.

 

“Keelah…” Adir gasped, upon seeing Frank. He quickly moved to check on him, but caught Kira’s eyes. She just shook her head and continued on.

 

“Adir, I need you to wipe all security footage, and see if you can get that door open from the control room.” Marius had already made his way further into the building.

 

Adir watched as Kira helped Frank aboard.

 

“You hear me, old man?”

 

“On it.” Adir went inside, and got to work.

 

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

Marius

 

“Hey, bro. I’m already getting some chatter from Milgrom PD. We should probably goin’.”

 

“How long do we have? Marius asked, as he rode one of the working elevators down.

 

“Hard to say. Ya’ll better be quick.”

 

“Adir, how are things up top?”

 

“Everything has been deleted. Cameras are disabled, and the door should be open.”

 

“Excellent. Get back to the ship, I’ve got it from here. Quintus? Once Adir boards, go ahead and pull out.”

 

“You sure?”

 

“Yeah. Just put her down somewhere outside of the city. I’m going to find out where that door leads. I’ll send you the coordinates when I find an exit.”

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

Adir

 

Adir made sure to gather Frank’s belongings before boarding the ship.

 

“Quintus, I’m back on board. Get us out of here.” The ramp began to raise behind him

 

Adir arrived on deck two with Frank’s things. He set the neatly folded clothes upon the table, along with his glove and sunglasses. He thought it was best to hold on to the revolver, though, and took it back to the upper deck with him.

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

Kira

 

Kira began tending to Frank immediately after they boarded.  She had taken him to the shower area  to get cleaned up a little, just before the Vepr pulled away. Neither said a word. Frank just stood there, and let Kira work.

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

Marius

 

Marius jumped from the top of the elevator, to a service catwalk.  The shaft to access the underground was the next one over, it extended about five floors below ground level, but had no stairs or ladders to descend. He’d have to rappel the rest of the way down.

 

He pulled the rope from his shoulder, and tied off. He carefully began his descent to the bottom. Once there, he forced the doors open, and entered the underground storage area. The large doors on the other end were open, as Adir said they would be. After a quick look around, he began loading random crates into a nearby UT-47-A, finished in matte black. Quintus may have not been getting that A-61 he wanted, but a stealth-capable A-model was just as good, if not better.

 

It wasn’t long before the shuttle was stuffed full of exotic weapons and explosives, but Marius was confident that he could fit at least a couple more items inside.

 

“-ow you doin’ -wn th- bro?” Quintus asked, communications less than clear due Marius’ location.

 

“Fine. I’ll be on my way in a minute. There’s something I want to look into.” Marius replied, placing some charges around another door.

 

“Bro? Yo-- -here?” Quintus asked again.

 

Marius just sighed, and shook his head. He’d speak with his brother soon enough. But first…

 

The blast destroyed the entire frame around the large, steel doors, causing them to fall inward. Marius entered without even waiting for the dust to settle.

 

“Spirits…”

 

Before him, suspended in the air, was a metallic purple spheroid. It looked kinda like a football, but was much larger, about five times the regular size. Beams of light emitted vertically from each end. The device in which it was kept was tall, and cylindrical. Outside the glass, was a protective field of some kind.  Marius had no idea what it was, but he’d be damned if he was going to leave it behind.

 

He started up the spiral stairway that circled the device. At the top, was a console. He punched some things into it, causing the protective barrier to fade. A walkway extended out, and closer to the object. First checking some readings on his omni-tool, he began walking slowly towards it.  The nearer he got, the more he felt drawn to it. It’s as if something was compelling him to just reach out and…

 

There was a flash of light, and a deafening boom. Marius fell to his knees, then on to hs face. It was if he had been switched off.

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

 

Aboard the Vepr, two hours later...

 

“Have you heard from Marius?” Kira asked, entering the cockpit. “I’m getting worried.”

 

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Quintus waved a hand. “Where’s Eli?”

 

“He’s resting now.” Kira briefly placed a reassuring hand on Adir’s shoulder. “Goddess knows he could use it.”

 

“So what happened down there?” Quintus rotated in his chair.”I uh... see ‘ol Lil didn’t make it.” He chuckled a bit.

 

“She was hostile, so we killed her.”

 

“That’s it?”

 

“I’ll leave it up to Frank if he wants to share details.” Kira moved near Quintus. “But don’t you dare think of asking him.”

 

“I… yeah, alright. Whatever you say, Kira. Quit lookin’ at me like that, will ya? You’re creepin’ me out.”

“Thank you for understanding” Kira smiled. She made an attempt to contact Marius.

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

Marius

 

“--rius, can you -ear me? We’re s--ting to worry, love.”

 

Marius’ eyes snapped open. He groaned, and clutched at his helmet, as if it would help ease the pain within head. Apparently, it worked, because suddenly, the pain was gone. He sat up, still a little confused, and stared up to the object. It had shrunk to a much more convenient size.

 

“On my way now. Sorry for the delay. I’ll see you soon, dear.”

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  the following was a collaboration with RedBelle and Shotgun Julia)

The Challenge (the first half)

 

Anika kept her gaze leveled at Jenus. A look of disappointment on her face till she sighed and stepped up to Irinia. "Sorry about this". She said. "I expected Jenus to show more bite and..... well, I'm going to have to show her my steps through you it seems".

 

The towel slipped from her shoulder as she pulled it off to hang in her hand by her side as her eye's showed that she was thinking about something. At last she nodded. "All right. Since Jenus choose us the exercise, I'll choose the weapons. And I choose..... Thumbs". Anika's hand came up in a loose grip with her thumb sticking up in the air as Anika looked solemnly on, her voice resonating with the gravity she was placing on this event.

 

"As our ancestors once settled matters, so I choose to decide who shall be the victor by thumb war. I was planning on Jenus being in your place.... but....". Another sigh and this time it was one of resigation. "I guess he needs a moment to build up her confidence. So? You up for this"? Despite the weight of her words, Anika's eye's twinkled in merriment as confused looks were shared among the commando's who had gathered to watch.

 

"Thumb war"?

 

"What's a thumb war"?

 

"Human thing! Human thing"!

 

"I've never seen a thumb war....".

 

"Let's watch and see".

Irina cocked her head and winked the eye that was away from Jenus and only Anika could see, and spoke nervously. "Thumb war, eh? I... don't know, but alright. Let's do it."

Anika raised her chin. "Fair warning. I thumbed for Oxford. There wasn't a man or woman who wouldn't fall under this thumb". She extended her arm and took Irina's offered grip as she resisted the urge to giggle. "Do you want to say the words? Or shall I"?

Irina got a very serious wide-eyed look. "You... just do it."

 

Anika nodded solemnly. "Then like our ancestors.....". She intoned. And then hers and Irina's thumbs started hopping over and under each other as Anika recited.

 

"One...Two... Three... Four! I declare a THUMB WAR"!

 

Anika's thumb darted quickly to the side and up, hoping to catch Irina on the way over to catch her from above, but Irina was to fast as she moved over like Anika had expected, but slid back just as Anika pounced, leaving her exposed as Irina moved in for the pin. Anika just managed to get out the way  in time before lunging forward, sliding her thumb up Irina's second Phalange as she tried to mount it to bring herself into a position to attack the first from above but Irina simply raised her own and Anika found herself sliding off.

 

What occurred next was ten seconds of furious moves and counter moves as each attempted to gain the upper hand, but found each had extensive experience to see ahead and plan for the other's efforts as their grip tightened on each other as each, responding to one another, began sidestepping around to let them try to twist and counter twist one another for advantage.

 

Then Anika saw it, the slight dip as Anika's thumb flew under Irina's as it circled back up in what Anika had intended as another pounce, but instead became a dummy run as she flew on by to repeat the circular motion that saw her sail under Irina's poised digit. Anika let out a grunt. A small, carefully calculated omission of frustration that saw Irina react as she fell upon the thumb as it was moving under her's.....

 

Anika whipped hers back and up quick as a flash and descended on Irina. Cuticle flashing in the overhead's as sweaty ridges connected and found purchase enough that by the time Irina had put enough pressure on to slip out from under Anika, Anika had brought them both crashing to the fleshy ground as she managed to find the pin and hold her there long enough that both knew it was over......

 

Both dropped hands, both grinning madly as Anika asked. "Two out of three"?

"Do it!" Irina nodded.

"All right, show offs," Jenus said, "Use weapons to augment your combat now.  Weapons besides your bodies."

Anika looked at Irina. "I don't think she respects the thumb war..... Maybe she's a rock, paper, scissor's person"?

 

"She's a real stickler for the rules," Irina mentioned and proceeded with the throw down.

 

Anika threw out "paper," and Irina had her hand in the "rock" position.

 

"Paper covers rock. Crap!" Irina said. "You win."

 

Anika nodded but returned to the throw down position.

 

"1 - 2 - 3"!

 

This time, Anika threw out scissors while Irina had again chosen rock.

 

"Dammit". Anika grouched. "Okay, last one. Ready"?

 

"Ready"

 

"1-2-3."
 

Irina threw out paper and Anika once again scissors.

 

"Your match!" Irina grumbled and gave her a fist bump.

 

Jenus was fuming.

 

"What? She picked up the gauntlet and according to the rules gets to choose the weapons," Irina said.

"All right, look," Jenus said, "If you two are going to make a joke out of this, then stand aside, Red.  This isn't fool around time here.  This is time to do something productive."

[Kel Riever]

(Collaboration, again, with RedBelle and Shotgun Julia)

The Challenge (the second half)

Anika looked surprise. "To be fair, your not giving us very clear direction. I'm not exactly clear what it is you want me to do. I challenged you against my better judgement and in response, you pit me against Irina. In my opinion, this training.... Naleena beating.... thing we're doing is all over the map in terms of end goal". She turned to the group. "Why did you all come down here? I don't mind being left out, seeing as Jenus says she doesn't think I'm part of the group.... but earlier Naleena inferred I was when we faced off the sniper. I'm getting mixed signals here".

Jenus looked like she was getting ready to step in.  "I'll give you both this, you listened.  You did what I said.  But we're going to go beyond that now.  We're going to learn something other than play child games."

Stepping to the edge of the circle which really was no more than a starting position at this point, Jenus said, "I really don't know what's going on under T'Sarius' crest.  I've seen her make smart decisions before."

Jenus waited to see if Irina was going to step aside, or insist on finishing.  "Guess I did learn that from T'Sarius, the not changing my mind part."  There was clear bitterness in Jenus' tone.  "Now, are we going to get serious here or not?"

 

Irina knew she didn't need it, but since they were in a training exercise she followed protocol. "Permission to speak freely, Sergeant."

 

"Red, you don't...." Jenus replied.

 

"Permission to speak freely, Sergeant?" Irina asked again.

 

"Go ahead."

 

Irina took a breath and put her left foot up on a crate. "I've been around the block before. I've led and trained squads and taken them into action. I'm all about doing better. I'm all about setting training targets and beating them. I'm all for unit identity. We're a unit, and a damned proud unit.

 

"Now our CO did something that some of us, myself included do not agree with. So you set her stat numbers as our target training numbers. Great. I'm all for beating those. I'd be mighty proud of this unit if we could prove that we're one tough group of b*tches that rival the Serrice Guard, and I'm sure these girls are following you to that end."

 

"Are you finished, Red?"

 

Irina looked at Jenus. "No. I'll apologize for clowning around. But what's happening with Blondie is personal because she's associated with our CO. Personal is what gets us killed. I'll go after it with her with my MCMAP training like I was showing Goldie, and she can show us how her training would counter it. I can take being thrown to the mat. But you'll have to score differently than kill scores only, because it could take more than just kill scores to bring her down. Three points or a kill, and that goes both ways. Jen, you could easily get inside with a biotic charge, but that could cause a serious injury, and we don't want that in training.

 

"And if Blondie can bring something to this team, great. I say we welcome her," Irina said, and turned back to Anika. "But where I came from we had a rule. What happened on the team stayed on the team or went through the chain of command, and until we see otherwise that means any disagreement with how things are being run on this team goes through Commander Selani. Is that something we can all agree on?"

Jenus was, in fact, angry.  But moreover she was disappointed too.  It just didn't seem to stem from the fact that she hadn't gotten to face off against Anika.

"Second time, Red, second time I've set myself to teach Too Tall hear a lesson and you've gotten in my way.  And that, I'm not going to lie, is a let down."  Jenus' look was as distant and hard as anyone had ever seen her, yet her fury either was gone or had gotten completely internal.  "All I hear is excuses, none of what I hear is loyalty.  And that lesson, if you aren't going to learn it from me, is something you're going to pay for one day.  What I don't want to hear when that day comes was either how much you thought you knew about loyalty, or how you never had the chance to learn.  Because you just did, and you turned it down."

Scooping up her helmet from where it was thrown, Jenus finished her thought.  "We're done here.  I'm sick of giving you all every bit of what I have and having it thrown back in my face.  When I'm wrong, sure, I can be an ass.  But you can take it to the void that nobody here knows loyalty better than me.  Not you, Too Tall, not you Red, goddess Goldie maybe you learned and I hope this hasn't been lost on you.  Maybe Tallis knows too, and I don't know Ereba well enough to say.  Worst, though, the worst, and you call me subordinate if you want.  You can have me shoveling latrines until the end of my term and it would change not one thing of what I'm about to say.  I know loyalty better than T'Sarius even, and you all can take that to your graves."

Jenus spun her helmet on the end of her finger like a ball.  She had more than enough to wait for a response beyond that.  For her, she was beyond reach, because in her world, the people she was talking to didn't want to hear the message.  Therefore it didn't matter what they said back to her.  Jenus just left at that point, closed to the idea of resolving anything with those present.

Tallis and Iole looked downcast for a moment, but both also seemed to shrug off Jenus' reaction and abandonment faster than expected.  Iole tried to put words to it, a simple statement of.  "Well, I've known Jenus for three decades.  Sometimes she surprises me. But it isn't often.  I guess I've learned to accept the way she is.  I hope that doesn't rub off the wrong way on either you, Red, or you, Anika.  We're a crazy team.  But we're a team."

There was an emphatic nod from Tallis and a shrug of her shoulders. 

Anika watched Jenus go with her cool demeaner  as she stood, simply watching Jenus go before she turned to the gathering, took a deep breath and said. "....... Well....... I'm confused. And to be frank, Jenus sounds confused to..... She's really going to lead this team"? She asked seriously. "Maybe I'm wrong. You know her better than I do. But with all the changes going on lately, Jenus seems to be having trouble adapting. I hope your all happy that I asked to be put on this team".

Iole shrugged and said, "Of course we are."

Tallis was more decisive, and went up to hug Anika.  "You're wanted!  You're wanted!"

 

"I'm stayin' out of this, but just so everyone knows, I'll work with whoever is on the team," Ereba said. "I'm just here temporary until Mora, or Mira gets back."

 

Irina shook her head.  Jesus H f***ing Christ! where the f*** is Textbrain when we need her? Irina thought. She threw her head gear on the mat and took off down the corridor after the fast walking Jenus, and caught up with her near her quarters.

 

"Uh oh." Ereba said as Irina left.

[Kel Riever]

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

The Challenge (Coda)

Irina shook her head.  "So that's all this is about? Teaching her a lesson? Now? About 20 hours before we go on a critical mission in Batarian territory?" Irina asked. "Just so one or both of you can end up in the infirmary again like you and Iole did?"

 

Jenus looked shocked that Irina would throw that at her.

 

Irina continued with emphasis. "And you question my loyalty? I didn't say anything in front of the group because of my loyalty. I would never undermine your authority. I gave you an out in front of the group and you threw it away, and I'm not leaving you an out here. But this isn't about loyalty at all, is it? So what is it about?"

You didn't give me an out, Red," Jenus said, her tone subdued for once.  "You showed me up.  And, really, you made fun of me."  Jenus looked like she was withholding what she really wanted to say.  "I can take it, Red.  You didn't mean it, I'm sure.  Words can't hurt.  It's just a let down is all.  I thought you'd have my back.  Instead, you fell in with that woman who thinks she's better than us.  Can't recover that now.  We're just going to have to move ahead."

Irina knew debating the details with Jenus was pointless. Jenus had her own version of things in her head and that's the way things were no matter how things really played out.

 

She looked into Jenus' eyes. "You're right, Jen. I didn't want to get all banged up and barely able to walk 20 hours before a mission, so I didn't want a no-holds barred match. And me have your back? That's why I went out there. Because I thought that you, fire team leader, having a grudge match with her just to prove some goddess knows what point right now wouldn't be a good idea. I thought that of the two of us, I was expendable.

 

"Goddess, you're stubborn. That stubbornness is your worst enemy and your greatest strength. But i sense you're holding something back that you want to say. Those things fester. So just say it."

Jenus stopped in the passageway they were walking down and nearly shouted, "Do you really think that little of me?  Just some grudge match?  That is what you think the point of what I was doing was?" Then her skin tinged deeper purple with her anger.  "And you think you're expendable...of the two of us?  Meaning you think I'd lose?"

The Commando team leader's jaw clenched.  "That is the worst thing you could do to me.  You have so little confidence in me?  You're the woman I'm with.  Who I thought was with me, all the way.  So what you are saying is you don't believe in me?"

It was a question that Jenus sounded like she knew the answer to.

"I didn't want to say anything about it, but you pulled the lid off it."  Jenus' brow furrowed with obvious pain at what she thought she was hearing from Irina, and her eyes began to well up, though she drove the tears back with that same stubbornness.  "We don't need to talk about anything else, Irina.  Enough has been said already."

Jenus was reaching up to the collar of her suit and inside for the necklace Irina had given her.

Irina sat down and put her head in her hands. "You think I don't believe in you? No. No. No. Is that what you think? My being in here right now should tell you whose side I choose. If I chose her side, I'd be out there," she said, stood and walked to the portal then turned to face Jenus. "All I was trying to say was now is not the time. Maybe I just should have come out and said it. You want to put her in her place? Fine, do it after the mission. VERA can officiate. But going into the mission we need two healthy soldiers. Not one. Your biotic charge can really injure someone.

 

"I don't think you'd lose. You're tough and you're quick, and I also saw what happened between you and Iole. Your adrenaline builds as you fight." she said and paused. "I love you.... I'd die for you, Jen. Isn't that enough?"

Frozen in the mid-motion grab for the necklace, Jenus felt confused, angered, and betrayed.  But she saw Irina, heard her, and didn't know what to do, until she finally spoke, her voice shaking.

"I can't deal with this," Jenus said, too overwhelmed to express her feelings or admit her inability.  All she could do was stop what was to be her next, possibly irretrievable action.  There was a numbness that overcame her, and a realization she could not face, and so she turned away even from Irina and left.

Jenus' mind was swimming, throwing her stare into a tunnel vision without direction.  Away from Irina and out of sight of anyone else, Jenus stepped into an alcove along the passageway she was walking.  She dropped her helmet and hid her head in both her hands, while feeling the blood in her temples pound.  She couldn't remember when she last felt so alone.

Irina went back to the gym, angry at the world. She took off her protective gear and stripped down to her BDU pants and tank, put on her gloves and went to work on the heavy bag. She worked the bag until she dropped from exhaustion. Then took a break, drank water, and went back to work on it. She didn't speak to anyone. In about an hour her arms were so heavy she couldn't lift them and she showered, changed, and went back to her quarters.

 

At chow time she sat alone with her back to everyone at one of the small tables, and threw a pile of  gear  on the other side  of the table  so no one could join her. And she had a data pad with her and she was reading news from home: news from Albury, NSW. Was anyone still around with whom she grew up, before she became some big goddam hero in the war.

 

Jenus. Irina had made up her mind. If Jenus didn't come around there was nothing keeping her here. She'd pack her bag, pick up her bike on the Citadel and head for Earth. Hell, maybe she'd just sell the bike. It was more trouble than it was worth, and it would save transport costs. She hadn't see her mum and dad in years. And it's not like she couldn't get a job. She was a good mechanic.