VERA popped up next to Iole. "Hon, I just got word from the Commander that the ship will be in dry dock for a week.... The destination is Armali. We depart in 24 standard hours."
Iole glared at VERA. "You were listening!"
"I am always listening," VERA replied with a wink. "Or would you rather not have known?"
- Erszbat : Batarian Space -
Machaera's ship, The Blade Wolf, and its accompanying two frigates, snapped into the system as they made their way to the planet, the large defense fleet stationed there still in orbit around the planet as he sent his identification through to them. As he did so, he glanced to Ren'Danna, who nodded as she looked through the data.
"There's been tampering, that much I can tell. But it's all post data corruption. Whatever interfered has long stopped..." The quarian scientist said as she shifted through the information avaliable from their transmission to the fleet.
"The fact that there was tampering at all, is unacceptable..." Machaera said with a distorted hiss, standing on the bridge with his arms crossed, eyes burning red as he approached the planet, "When I find out whose responsible for this..." He stopped himself short, anger prevelant in his expression as he glanced towards the others, "Does everyone have their feeds ready?"
"Ready and waiting, just like he did a few minutes ago...." Yron replied sarcastically, the upgraded software to his omnitool linked up with his comms in order to monitor and counteract any sort of sonic vibrations he heard, "So why do we have to do this again?"
"Because the chip I pulled out of our fearless leader was a sophisticated device designed to either block or amplify signals received on an ultrasonic level. Which suggests that something with sonic vibrations may be going on at the base..." Ren'Danna replied with a hint of a cockiness in her voice, "Assuming this is the base that gave you that implant..."
"It was...." Machaera said plainly as he flew closer to the planet, "I know what's kept here. And I know what it'd likely do to people who came near it. I'm in control of my own destiny...so I refuse to let something or someone mess with my thoughts."
Ezkra was silent throughout the exchange, but did double check her software to make sure it would filter out any unwanted vibrations. She glanced towards the other two of the team to see if they did the same, her holographic eyes having 2 "tracking displays" on the visor to show where her attention was at.
“I was gonna say, just tell me where you’re gonna be, and I’ll find a way to get there. I’ve taken Quintus’ place as the Vepr’s pilot, so I’ve got a little more say in where we go. Assuming Marius is asleep, of course...”
Frank threw a thumb over his shoulder.
“The bionic turian might complicate things. She’s ‘commandeered’ the Vepr for some kinda spectre sh*t, or somethin’. I’m not sure what the mission is yet, but I imagine I’ll be finding out soon enough.” Frank smiled. “So much for getting away from the action, huh?”
“Anyways, what I do know is, we’re gonna be outfittin’ the ship with the latest and greatest in communications equipment, among other things, all on the council’s dime. I don’t know exactly where that’s happenin’, but the nearest council homeworld is a system over, so… It’s lookin’ like Thessia.”
Frank received a message on his omni-tool.
[Mr. Elias, the package you requested will be arriving shortly at these coordinates. --T]
"If anything, I'll just slip out with the '47." He said, looking up from the message. "We'll make it work either way."
Talking to Jenus hadn't really changed anything. Arian was still on the Janiri and he was still wondering if what he was doing here was the right thing for him to do. But it was at least somewhat reassuring to know that he wasn't the only one on this ship who saw that things didn't go like they should.
Leaving the team was certainly an option that had crossed his mind multiple times before. There just was no need for a soldier like him on the Janiri and it wasn't like he was an essential part of the team. But there were basically no alternatives for him. He couldn't go back to Omega and become a mercenary again, he couldn't return to Palaven and rejoin the military. He had no family, no home and nowhere to go. So staying was the only viable option. And there was probably noone else who would willingly work together with him.
Except for this turian..., Arian thought when he entered his cabin and locked the hatch behind him before turning off the lights. Yes, there had been this weird turian that he had met on the citadel just before he had encountered the two men that shot him. The tall turian with the grey skin that had seemed to know more about Arian than a complete stranger should know. The one who had mentioned a job for him but at the same time asked him to be patient. The one who hadn't even looked at Arian while he had obviously been talking to him...or maybe...maybe not?
I was drunk...maybe there was someone else I just didn't see, Arian tried to explain this weird encounter, when he laid down on his bed, staring at the ceiling that he couldn't see in the dark. Or maybe this turian wasn't even real...spirits, I can never drink again...
After agreeing to move out with Naleena on her shuttle, Jess called the Medusa and informed Aelias.
Unfortunately, Aelias had her headset unplugged as she was replacing the input connector. As a result, the message came through on her consoles embedded speaker and everyone on the bridge heard.
Marshall's ears pricked up and he called down to Duncan who was still confined to quarters. The captain having seemingly forgotten about him, which suited him just fine as he turned his own comm board talents to his first love. The art of gossip.
From Marshall, to Duncan, soon the whole ship was buzzing that the Captain would be gone a few day and people were already talking about how they would spend the time with the boss away. Amid all the chatter though, details started flooding through about why she was departing. The name Shia-ra didn't feature in the original message to Aelias, but after finding out the Captains destination, a new story swept through the ship about how Jess was eloping to finally get her appointment with the galactically famous consort.
The talk abounding throughout the ship didn't take long to reach Amy Babylon's ear's and inside of ten minutes she had her sound and camera gear packed up, was running out of the Medusa's boarding hatch and was barreling along the walkways, knocking over people who gawked in surprise that such a small human woman could knock them over and keep going as if nothing had happened.
Finally, Amy reached the Janiri and stopping to plant her hands on her knee's, she gasped for breath. The long years of cigarette use slowly catching up with her before she righted herself and stepped up to the boarding hatch. Punching the intercomm she announced herself.
"Excuse me? Hello? Amy Babylon here to see Captain Jess Stone on an urgent matter. Can you let her know I'm here"?
- Erszbat : Batarian Space -
"Quite ready," Tyrius replied. It did not seem like he took any particular precautions as he leaned with his fist on a nearby console. To the rest of the team, it was becoming apparent that the only time Tyrius was paying attention was when he still had a swarm of chaos in his head, but a swarm that he was simply not acting on at the moment.
"Feed is ready," Falling Leaf also affirmed. As Ezkra was paying particular attention, she caught Falling Leaf make an extra few motions over her omni-tool, though as to what she was doing was imperceptible. When done, Falling Leaf noticed Ezkra and gave her a simple, slight nod. Then she turned to Ren'Danna.
"Sonic vibrations at what level? I would think a simple environmental suit would pick up the anomaly and compensate, or at least notify its wearer. Or if no environmental suit, a basic suite of life support software? Wouldn't some detection equipment identify the problem and notify a user?"
Iole
Not exactly thrilled at the reminder that VERA was listening (really, do you want an AI, even a nice one, listening into your romantic converesations?), she said, "Yes, well, maybe I pleasantly forgot you were eavesdropping. But...we're going to Thessia?" It was like Iole instantly forgot her concern. "YESSS!"
"Hey, Frank!...," as if he didn't hear, "We're going to Thessia! You're going to Thessia! Iole hopped up and down and pointed back and forth between them with her finger. "WE'RE going to Thessia! Oh, OH WE SO NEED TO MEET UP! Steal the ship! I'll, uh, I'll do something. Whatever. I bet some other people will want to come along for...the RACE! It's the perfect reason for shore leave! We can do this! Oh, we're so gonna do this!"
Iole had little realization that the more she talked to Frank, the more her mannerisms were becoming more...human.
"Just you wait, Frank. I'm going to forward the promotional clips on the riders, you're going to love this!"
"It would, which is why I don't need to worry about it." Ren'danna said smugly, before bringing up a display of sonic ranges and a diagram of the inner ear, and the neurons of the brain. "However, even I needed to adjust my own suit for these. The vibrations are at a level beyond even most ultrasonic levels. Most wouldn't bother to proof their suits for such wavelengths because it would be improbable to filter at thst range..."
"What's more interesting is my observations of such wavelengths. The simulation suggests that these frequencies are capable of passing through the inner ear without affecting it. More importantly, their effect on the nervous system has shown to be quite troubling. " ren'danna said, sounding excited as she spoke and went on, despite the news she was delivering, "I believe these sonic vibrations, aid in contributing to the condition known as indoctrination. It's truly fascinating to watch."
"Wait a sec, Indoctrination?" Yron said as he perked up at that, "That crazy mind control thing the geth supposedly used?"
Ezkra was no longer looking at the two, but was now staring intently at Ren'danna, her frown deepening into a scowl as she clenched her fists.
"Exactly the one..." Machaera stated as he turned to address the others, "The upgrades to your comms should slow the vibrations to an audible level, preventing it from penetrating the inner ear and affecting your nervous system. And the reason we can't wear suits is simple.."
"We don't want to come off as suspicious here...not for this one at least."
Morgan
"What?"
"Yes, Mister Morgan," Mister Charles said, "I have indeed seen your lady friend in the business attire leave the ship. She's a fast girl...I mean in speed."
Morgan scowled. "Why would she leave the ship?"
"I don't know. Maybe, you know, we weren't the right crowd for her. She had her things with her, though it did seem she might have forgotten an item or two, considering her rush. I should go look."
"No light fingers!" Morgan stared at Mister Charles who quickly turned away. Then Morgan became lost in thoughts. "Why would Amy do that?"
"Well, I don't know, Mister Morgan, but I am quite excited about our destination. I mean, we are going, aren't we? To see the Consort, I mean. With Captain Stone? I bet you don't even know that Miss Priss and Miss Dila know Sha'ira personally."
The dark eyes of Morgan turned to catch Charles' gaze which couldn't be diverted this time. His voice dropping an octave, Morgan asked, "What are you talking about, and where did you hear bout this?"
"Uh, uhm, well, the talk is all around, Mister Morgan. I mean, you know...someone caught wind, and well, Duncan was feeling lonely so I paid him a visit. I mean by then I'd already heard it, it was just a bit better to hear it from...oh, boy..."
Morgan's clenched his jaw, then his anger barely contained, he said, "This is not a ship of school girls! You and everyone aboard will be confined to the Medusa until I get to the bottom of every loose lipped gossiper spilling this information around! And there's going to be some discipline around here, mark my words!" Morgan saw the look on Mister Charles' face. "And no, not the kind of discipline you like! Now you are dismissed!"
Mister Charles was already backing away. With a quick, "Aye, aye, mate," he turned heel and trotted back to his cabin.
Putting his fingers to his temples, Morgan made a frustrated sigh. Then he messaged Jess:
To: Jess
From: Morgan
Apparently someone spilled that you were going to visit the Consort. It's all over the ship like a bad flu. Amy, yes, Amy B., she's left the Medusa. Don't be surprised if she's heading your way.
I'm going to deal with the crew, if you're wondering what happened to them when you get back.
'Pandora'
As the conversation with Naleena seemed to be wrapping up, Babe looked at herfor a few steady seconds, then back at the cigarette case.
"Pardon me, but can you tell me a good place to get my hands on a pack of those?"
Jess saw the look in Babe's eyes, and it was hungry.
~ ~ ~ ~
An hour or two later, and in a different part of the Janiri, Septerax was waiting in the hangar when he received a com from Tollan Linra, requesting the daily report on ship stores.
"I'm sorry," Septerax told Tollan, "The report will be late today. I am waiting to hear back from two departments."
Tollan sounded disappointed on the other end of the com, and also puzzled. "Septerax, you've never had a delay in this report before."
Septerax sighed. "I know, it's just...well I usually have very reliable people. T'eney was supposed to be here a half hour ago with her update. And one of the maintenance workers hasn't gotten me the list from Fitzgerald, though Fitzgerald swears he sent him up. I was waiting in the event another officer got hold of him, but I'm going to have to send someone looking myself."
"It isn't the largest ship in the fleet, Septerax. I want that report in another half hour."
"Affirmative," Septerax replied. He really didn't know where his people were. T'eney, in particular was as reliable as a person could get. He'd put a call in to the Counselor. She generally had a good feel where people often were.
“I can think of a few people who might be interested in a little jetbike action. How ‘bout you, VERA? We won’t even need to buy tickets if you come along. Doubt anybody’s going to argue with a warship.” Frank smiled. He looked down at his omni-tool again.
“I should probably be going now. I’ve got uh… preparations to make for the trip. See you soon, commando.”
Naleena - by Naleena
I went back to my quarters to get a few of the usual essentials for the trip. Ambrosia, a couple extra packs of cigarettes and coffee. Tea for Jess and the gang. Meanwhile, I'd ordered frozen meals from Zakera Cafe. I didn't want to eat crap made from military rations on this trip. Grag was good but he wasn't a miracle worker.
Then VERA got on the line with news I didn't need. "Boss, we have a bit of an emergency," she said in voice that had a tinge of guilt to it. "Amy Babylon has come aboard from the Medusa and is looking for Captain Stone. She said it's urgent."
I looked over at VERA's holo-image. I was glad she was confined to that terminal. As loyal as she was, she'd be trouble just like the bombshell down in the shuttle bay.
"Tell Yeoman Triana to stall her, but be hospitable," I replied. "Have her escorted to the usual place. I'll meet her there." The usual place was the port-side observation lounge.
I recognized the name. Amy Babylon: Public relations director for Terra Firma Party and a reporter. She was the last person I needed aboard the ship. I know reporters. They're sneaky. They have ways of finding out things you don't want them to know. In that way they're worse than cops. I ought to know. Ms. Babylon must have found out that we were headed to Nevos to look up the Asari Consort, and she wanted a piece of the action. No dice.
I had Chief Malkavian deliver the my goods to the shuttle while I paid Ms. Babylon a visit. I told him to try to keep his mandibles attached when he entered the shuttle bay, and that if he dropped the Ambrosia it was coming out of his paycheck.
I entered the lounge and saw Ms. Babylon standing by the portal waiting impatiently. Immediately I noticed a familial resemblance between her and Jess. I didn't say anything because Jess hadn't told me anything about this. I'd mention this to her later.
"Ms. Babylon, I'm Spectre T'sarius. What brings you aboard the Janiri?" I asked.
Jess
As Jess and Babe made their way to Naleena's shuttle Jess dug an elbow into Babe's ribs. "Not that it's my business luv but please tell me your not thinking of taking up the weed stick. I bumped hips with a chain smoker once. Said he was a fifty a day man seeing as he only smoked after sex..... More like a three a day and only for a weekend but that's not the point...... Kissing him was like licking out an ashtray that's full. If your looking up taking on a new habit, look into vaping. You inhale vapor from an electronic cigarette. Easier on the lungs. The vape fluids can be made to smell and taste one way on the inhalation, and something different on the exhalation..... Just want you to know your options luv. I'm sure you have your own reasons. Just letting you know, smoking aboard the Medusa is confined to non public area's". She shrugged. "Air scrubber's have enough to contend with without adding nicotene and tar to the filters".
Amy
Amy Babylon was in the conference room and as Naleena walked in Amy shot up out of her seat and stubbed out the cigarette she was holding in the ashtray on the table. "Naleena T'sarius. Newly appointed Spectre and latest in a long line of Asari personel to be given the responsibility of that title". Amy nodded. "Sorry, you were quite a hot topic back when you were appointed. Congratulations by the way. I understand you had more to overcome than most who gain access to the position of a council agent".
Amy stepped along the side of the table till it lay at her side, Naleena in front of her. Placing a hand on the surface as if for support, she took a deep breath. "I need to see Captain Stone. I've sent seventeen messages while I've been aboard this ship and nothings been getting through. I understand she's currently scheduled to go out of Citadel space to meet a person of, significant importance. I want to go with her to properly document that meeting". She took another deep breath and continued. "This is news. This is something that people need to know! By all account's Captain Stone is going to visit the former Consort of the Citadel and rumours have been plaguing her like the devil himself and thus far she's never been allowed the opportunity to clear her name or refute the allegations".
Amy's face grew more animated as her mouth broke into a broad smile as she went on. "No matter the species, a person like Shia-ra ought to be protected from the character assassination plot that happened and has continued to happen since she left and her silence gives the impression of guilt to those who heard one side of the story, but not the other. As a media associate I can offer a platform for her voice. As well as offer news, documentary, docu drama, dramatical re-enactments, a series based on actual events. If she wants we push this all up the way to cinematic presentation and knock that flim flam who directed the last Blasto movie off his number one spot and give the galactic audience, not the cerebral thought provoking drama they need.... But the kind of drama... they deserve......"! She stopped suddenly and looked back to Naleena as she became aware of just how animated she had gotten. She coughed into her hand and added. "....Ahem.....Anyway. If you could point me in the direction of Captain Stone, that would be...... appreciated. Some time away from the Medusa would be a welcome change of pace too. Some of the things that happened on that ship were.......". She stopped as if suddenly realising what she would have to say if she went on, and instead said. "..... There's a woman aboard that ship who..... I could stand to gain some distance from and that's all I'll say on the matter"!
'Pandora'
Babe's eyes wandered over to Jess as the approached the hangar. Jess could see there was a craving in Babe's eyes, but it cooled with some disappointment, and a heeding of the warning. "I've seen other people do it and I suppose they look like they enjoy it. And I have to say...I felt like having more."
Then the hunger sparked back in her eyes. "But vaping? Sure...why not? No downsides, right? Wouldn't have to worry about all those downsides I hear about..."
Just then, a young-looking asari came jogging through the passageway and slipped past on her way to the hangar. "Sorry! Excuse me, I'm late..." The asari seemed to have her body suit uniform adjusted poorly and she hadn't closed her regulation collar.
When Babe and Jess entered the hangar, they saw Septerax give an annoyed glance at the asari. "T'eney, where have you been! You're going to have to answer for this."
"I'm sorry, sir! I...I don't know...it's a slip. It won't happen again!"
A message came through to Jess' omni-tool at that moment:
To: Honey Bee, From: Miss Priss, On my way, if you'll just give me a minute to finish an office session I'm having with...well, Honey Bee it looks like there's ten more minutes on the clock. I'll be prompt.
"That's right it won't happen again," Septerax scolded. "And you're lucky. I was about to go find the Counselor, but apparently I haven't been able to get in touch with her either."
Jess looked up from the message. Over to the newly arrived Asari. Over to Babe and then back down to the message as her brain connected the dots. Clearing her throat she said. "You, ah.... you sure there isn't something going around on the ship? Not that I doubt your decon standards but two people going down.... at the same time.... then one pops up looking a little flush? Maybe you want to talk to your doctor and ask if they've caught wind of something you picked up from that last mission.....".
".... After all, I haven't had any problems on the Medusa and lately the only thing that's been different is you had people on the world where they had the Dis test data. Just a thought". She added. "Though couls be the councillors having a session too.... you know. Personal stuff? Medically trained and...... and I'll just wait in the shuttle".
On her Omni-tool Jess quickly tapped a reply.
To: Miss Priss
From: Bee
Luv, if your doing what I think your doing then bad girl for doing the 
with Naleena's lot. Some crew are being missed so your on the clock. And if you ask nicely VERA might keep a secret and the video locked up tight...... Ten minutes. Don't be late or Naleena's liable to leave you behind.
Naleena - by Naleena
I lit a cigarette and listened to Ms. Babylon ramble. She started with flattery She had grand plans, alright, even more than I'd expected. A documentary, a docu-drama? Those were sure fire ways to twist around the facts to suit whatever agenda she was pushing.
"I don't know where you got your information, Ms. Babylon, but wherever we're going is on official business," I replied. "This is a Spectre mission, not some public ride along. Besides, who said we were going to see Sha'ira? If you want to see Sha'ira I'd suggest making an appointment with her.
"I'll let Captain Stone know you are aboard, and she can meet with you here. Regarding you traveling with us, the answer is no," I said and took a deep drag from my cigarette. I blew the smoke out my nose.
I had difficulty enough listening to her for the three minutes it took for her to spew her rambling. To put up with that for the entire trip, finding a dead reporter with a 9mm in the forehead on your own ship doesn't sit well with the Council, especially when ballistics match it to your gun. Then there was that familial resemblance with Jess that I just couldn't get over. Jess was a friend and if that were true I'd lose one for sure. Better to leave the trouble behind.
I got on the ship's communicator to Jess. "Captain Stone," I said and took a deep breath. "There's someone... Amy Babylon... here to see you. She's waiting in the port observation lounge."
Then I turned to Ms. Babylon. "You're to wait here. You do not have clearance to go anywhere else on the ship."
I left the lounge, closed the door, and posted two guards outside the door. I don't trust reporters. I waited near the elevator to intercept Jess before she spoke with her.
Fifteen minutes later, Miss Priss showed up, with that sashay walk of hers. She was twirling one of the strands of her long, brown hair and batting her lashes. Once she got up to the shuttle, she tilted her pink Stetson and looked at each person present.
"A girl's got to make a living, ya'all."
Commander Selani was agitated. She noticed Naleena leave the observation lounge and even she appeared agitated enough to pull two of her petty officers off their stations to stand guard by the door. Either there was someone whom she wanted to limit access to or someone whom she wanted to keep inside. All she knew is that things were not getting done on schedule and she was furious.
She got on her com to the Quartermaster. "Septerax! What in the Void is going on down there? Your deliveries of goods to Engineering are behind," she said. "We're trying to discharge and refuel this ship so we can depart on schedule!"
Septerax was tongue tied as Miss Priss sashayed back into the shuttle bay. "Uh... uh... it won't happen again, Ma'am."
"Get it together, Chief!"
"Aye aye, Ma'am!"
Jess stood with Babe as Miss Priss came into the hanger with a satisfied look plastered all over her face. "Guess that's another couple of notches to the bedpost then luv? Well, hope you mad the most of them since it'll just be the four of us on the trip over. Now excuse me will y'all. Amy got onboard. Seems to want to see me. Plus when we get back Morgan's going to have pistol whipped my crew into shape. Like as not I'll need you to smooth over a few egos". She said to Miss Priss as Naleena stepped into the hanger.
Naleena - by Naleena
Mysteriously, I was teleported to the shuttle bay. Mere seconds ago I was near the CIC. It must have been a glitch in the space-time continuum. I'll have to check with VERA to find out if there were any anomalies detected. In any event, I saw Jess standing next to Babe, and I called her over. Babe started to approach with her. I waved her off. This was private. I had a few questions.
"Jess, you got my message about Ms. Babylon? I have a few things I need to clear up before you speak with her," I said. I took another drag from my cigarette. "First is how does she know we're going to see Sha'ira? Second is that she is insisting on tagging along and the answer is no. And lastly, I happened to notice what appears to be a resemblance between you. Are the two of you related?"
Essul had finished filing the reports and acquisition forms, at long last. After the mission they had gone through, it was a relief to say the least. Looking through the data had, as it turned out, been a dead end as of now. Most of it was encrypted, not all of it, but most of it. The stuff that wasn't seemed to tip him off that there were experiments of some kind going on.
Just not the ones he'd been looking for. Which left him even more agitated that he could be right. Artificial Biotics were not a thought he liked. The asari didn't do much with their gift, but the batarians? He knew they would press it for all it was worth, even he would given the temptation.
As he passed the lounge, he noticed the two guards posted outside of it. He paused as he raised a brow curiously, "Is there a meeting going on?" Essul asked curiously to the two guards, not sure why they were there, when most times he passed by this room, there was normally nobody.
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"About damn time..." Vayne mumbled to himself as he left through the c-sec checkpoints, his weapons and armor still on him, and smirking like a fool as he looked around the wards. He had some shopping to do, and nothing was going to stop him. His first stop was...he didn't really know. He looked around the area when he spotted one shop in particular.
"...Zakera Cafe, huh?" He asked to himself as he began to appraoch the shop, curious about what they might have. As he did so, however, there were two people watching him from afar. They looked to each other as they stood outside.
"Krogan with one eye. Old, and armed to the teeth..." One of the krogan said as they looked to their partner, "You think it's the guy?"
"Could be. There's lots of krogan dumb enough to lose an eye though...." The other one said, turning around to look into the shop where their boss, some turian looking to make themselves something big on the citadel, was shaking down another store for votes. "It'll beat standing around here to find out..."
"Sounds like a plan to me..." The bloodpack merc agreed, before he looked back to vayne from accross the walkways, "So who we gonna decide this?"
"Same way we usually do..." The krogan said as he raised his fist, "Dagger, Bullet, Maw..."
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The Blade Wolf touched down on the planet, Machaera looking to his team, specifically Yorn, Ren'Danna, and Ezkra, "You three stay here. Keep our guests on their ship. Check up on them to see if they're alright..."
The asari they recruited had been taken back to HQ, Sanctum, to make sure they were fit for combat, and outfitted with proper gear. Not all of them had been dropped off however, a few volunteering to serve on the vessels right away, apparently commandos. They couldn't afford to be seen, not now at least.
As the ships opened their ramps, Machaera and his crew stepped out of the ramp, the men of the base looking worried as they glanced to one another nervously.
"That's...That's the generals son, isn't it? Fayyar the Kaskara?" One off them whispered, knowing the rumors about him, and his nickname of "Fayyar the Razor" .
"The Mad Dog of the Military. Why'd they send him of all people?"
"I hear he's killed more then a hundred men under his command. Twice that many humans during his time."
"What's with the freakshow he's bringing along with him? Is this some kind of zoo to him?"
"By the gods, what happened to his face?"
Machaera stopped at this, glancing over to the officer who whispered that to his friend, and making the man freeze in his step in fear. The batarian cyborg approached the two, staring down the petty officer as he backed up, then fell down on his backside. Machaera, despite his short height, was still intimidating to look at, and as his red eyes stared down at the man, he cleared his throat to speak.
"Name and Rank, Solider...." Machaera inquired, the officer giving a shaking salute as he answered.
"P-Private Kasim, S-Sir! Red Brigade, 3rd Battalion S-Sir!!! Kaas Division!" the solider sputtered out, giving more infromation then ever and his voice going higher then ever out of fear.
"....Alright private....Get me your boss...." Macheara said coldly, his eyes narrowing as he spoke, "Or I'll show you what happened to my face...first hand."
Janiri – Outside the Lounge
“Is there a meeting going on?” Essul asked Yeoman Triana who was one of the two petty officers standing guard outside the portside observation lounge.
“No, just a visitor on the ship. A reporter to be exact,” she replied. “Reporters have a tendency to wander and the Commander ordered that she be kept inside the room. I believe Captain Stone may be on her way to see her.”
///////
Irina
With 24 hour liberty, Irina decided to stretch her legs on the Citadel. The first thing she did was check with the dealer who had her bike on consignment, and to her dismay there had been no inquiries.
Another 2000 CR storage. Hell, I might as well take it out for a spin. She tapped her omni-tool.
To: Jenus
Fr: Red
RE: Fun
Get your ass out of that gym and join me. Let’s go for a joy ride and break some Citadel speed laws. Grab your leathers and helmet. Meet you by outside.
She threw on her leathers and snapped her shotgun in its leg holster, and her Phalanx in her shoulder holster. She had 12 shells.
///////
Faed
Since he became ambulatory sat in his quarters in front of his terminal analyzing the data taken from Eingana. Faed was still uncomfortable outside of his suit, the wreckage of which hung on a hanger in his quarters. He tried to repair it but it was impossible. He’d thought about ordering a new one from the Migrant Fleet, but he’d wanted to get out of it for so long that he didn’t want to go back into one either. This was a very strange situation for him. And he now shared his body with a former enemy. This former enemy needed him to survive, and he needed it to survive.
Legion was different than the other Geth come in contact with in that it wasn’t hostile to begin with. It said its mission was to better understand organics. Well now it was part of an organic and it was getting the grand tour. Legion had acceded control of the body to Faed as part of their arrangement since it was preoccupied with keeping Faed alive. Faed would have to give control to Legion for it to interact with the others. But Faed could hear Legion’s voice in his head.
“Do you not think we should leave these quarters and interact with the others, Faed?” Legion asked.
Faed paused, his hands still on the keypad. “I still feel too uncomfortable to face the rest of the crew, Legion.”
“Please explain.”
“You know I always wanted to be out of my suit. Just not this way,” Faed said, shaking his head. “And look at me. I don’t even look presentable. The only one who even remembers what a Quarian looks like is the Spectre. And then… and then there’s you.”
“We are keeping you alive. We are no threat to the rest of the crew. We do not understand,” Legion said.
Faed sighed. “That is exactly the point,” he said, stood and walked to the portal to look out at the dock. “No one out there will understand and they’ll ask a lot of questions. I’ll have to explain everything. You’ll ask even more questions. They’ll want to talk to you. I’ll have to give up control. I don’t know if I can.” His hands balled into fists.
“Do you not know how?”
“Yes, I know how, but will you give it back when I want it back?” Faed asked. “I need to not lose myself.”
Legion was silent. “Your concern is logical. You cannot survive without us. We cannot survive without you. We also require the need to communicate with others. Since we have reached consensus that you will dominate motor functions of this organic platform, we request an equal opportunity to communicate with others should the need arise. Will you reach consensus with us?” Legion asked.
Faed pondered Legion’s proposal. It was sound, and he really had no choice either. “Yes, Legion, I agree with your request. It is… going to feel strange, that is all… having another being using my vocal cords to speak.
“And you’re right. I should get out and mingle with the crew,” Faed continued but then looked at himself in the mirror, his purplish shoulder length hair matted from years in the suit. “But… we’re a mess.”
“We do not understand.”
“You wouldn’t.”
Sanves, aboard the Vepr II
“Hello, beautiful.” Frank smiled, as he approached the all-black UT-47A that Marius had lifted from Ezra’s vault. While it had been riding along since Bekenstein, he hadn’t taken the time to look it over. On the outside, it didn’t appear much different than his old ‘C’ model Kodiak, aside from the shorter overall length… and the side-mounted 30mm mass accelerator cannons.
“Neat.” He ran a hand across one as he passed.
Climbing inside, one of the first things he noticed were the door guns, tucked neatly in their resting positions.. Instead of the standard twin-barreled armaments, these had five barrels, arranged in a rotary configuration.
Those should be fun later.
Frank made his way to the pilot’s seat, and strapped in. After fiddling with his omni-tool for a moment, the coordinates sent to him by Mr. Taetrus were displayed on the shuttle’s navigation system.
- Erszbat : Batarian Space -
Presuming the unsaid part of Machaera's instruction to mean for them to follow, Falling Leaf, and 'Broken Fang' (Tyrius) followed behind and to the side of their leader. Tyrius simply shook his head at the underling foolish enough to talk behind Machaera's back. Falling Leaf, for her part, scanned the area as usual for signs of trouble.
It was that way always with falling Leaf. Never a moment of rest. It was that way for most in her business and in that regard she was no different.
Iole
It was hard for Iole to watch Frank disappear off the QEC but the idea of them seeing each other, and over possibly her favorite thing in the galaxy, had her barely able to keep herself from jumping around. Actually she did for a few minutes before she calmed herself and left for her duties. But she had to put a packet together for Frank as soon as she had the chance!
'Pandora'
Babe and Miss Priss waited on board the Scythe while Jess and Naleena had their private conversation. Babe was looking down at the second blowpop (grape) she'd put in her mouth, staring away in thought until she came back to the moment enough to glance up at Miss Priss. Priss was staring back at her, chin resting on arm, resting on knee. She was grinning.
It took a bit for Babe to respond and she peered away again. Peering back showed Miss Priss hadn't changed her position or stare. Babe sucked on the pop, withdrew it, and asked. "Go ahead."
"Go ahead and what, calico. Because you know that could mean a few different things. Shall I count?..."
"Go ahead and say what's first on your mind."
"Aw, I thought you'd ask what was second on my mind." Miss Priss leaned back but her grin was still full. "But first on my mind is I wonder what it's going to be like for you if we see Sha'ira. Which I am certain we will."
Babe's expression clouded a bit, but she nodded gently. "I suppose it will be better for everyone. That's my hope."
Miss Priss' eyes softened. "If you're going to try to fill in those blanks you say you have, it might. You ready to hear what you forgot?"
Babe shuddered, but kept nodding. "I'm ready."
Jess looked at Naleena with a purplexed expression. "Well if she can't come on the shuttle luv then that's it then isn't it..... Me going there to deliver the news you told her seems a bit redundant. All it is, is a chance for her to talk me round her finger and beg aboard. Seems like it would be better if we just said we're off.... Although.... There's nothing to stop her from booking her own flight and following us".
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