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[ParkBom]

"For what you are speaking of, yes, that is true. There have not been any mass disappearances of biotics for the past few decades. However, just think, every Asari is born with biotic potential. Imagine, taking a single being from an Asari city, the numbers of which in the thousands, if not millions. No one would notice, a single missing person, or put the clues together. To Asari, they are not stealing biotics, it is just someone within the city who is kidnapping another person. Over time, a biotic strike force could be captured and trained, though this process would most likely take decades. To your species, that seems like much time but for an Asari, it is a short while, the blink of an eye." 

While she spoke of biotics and the very outlandish theory, Elara's hand was outstretched in front of her, lazy blue eyes staring straight at it whilst biotic energy surged from her fingertips. "This is quite the conspiracy theory, however, without any proof. All I am saying, anything is possible. With what little I know, there's not much we can prove or disprove. As for the toxin, I wouldn't put it past the Salarians to develop such a drug. Distribute it into the water supply, rather than air, and it's a much surer way of infecting the entirety of a population, especially if said toxin can affect someone not only if they ingest it but if it is taken in through the skin."

 

Nearing the shuttle, the scientist noted the other Asari's... strange methods of getting around the ship, perhaps attributing it to lack of knowledge when it came to Turian military doctrine. Well, it could be as much ignorance as it was apathy. Either way, it seemed that while she was full of questions, the Spectre had his own answers to give. In response to the question, Elara once again brought up the building schematics of which they were going to. "Were you not present for the briefing...?" she asked, scratching her head as she truly could not remember. "Allow me to send them to you, that way we are not forced to go over the plan once again. My omni-tool recorded the briefing, as I do with all pre-mission statements." Despite it possibly being seen as quite odd, the Asari made a note to always record the mission briefings. If the operation went south and the incoming aid needed information, it would be a simple matter to relay the mission briefing and then just add whatever new information was learned.

 

"My biotics are quite above average, however, my disuse has caused them to weaken over time. In comparison to Human standards, you could compare my current strength to an L2 biotic."

[Terca]

People going missing is not uncommon... The number of Asari to power a Stasis field that strong is staggering though. It would need to have been a plan set in motion long before the Humans arrived if this were to truly be secret... Unless the group of biotics was created for another purpose and then was redirected towards humans for whatever reason. In his mind that made it somewhat less likely but... Then again this was all conjecture regardless of the viability of an idea. The circumstances would have to extraordinary for an entire colony to disappear regardless of the objectives or fashion in which the abductions were taking place. And then there are the communications dropping... A military-grade combat-VI would be needed to wreak that much havoc with systems. For them to not have been caught would require a tactical framework more solid than a Thresher Maw's skull.

 

"When you two are done meet me in the shuttle, we'll be dusting off soon." Deidrus told the two Asari as he began to walk past them. He fairly certain that Naleena would have more invigorating responses for him to roll his eyes at. She was not wrong in her statements, but he had simply replied that there was a deficit of information, which was correct. Apparently that made the mission a silly one, he saw it as a more common mission than uncommon really.

 

-----

[Redbelle]

Jess had an arm thrown over her eye's as she rested on her bed in her quarters.

 

Lush and palatial would have been apt descriptions of her accommodation. Not that she could take full credit for the way the captains cabin had been expanded over three generations of Kennedy's. All whom, had obviously thought that space was a luxury a captain could afford. She could however take all the credit for the décor. Velvet reds and drapes hid the metal of the bulkheads in large swathes while the low light, shining upwards illuminated a mural painted the false ceiling. That was how it looked until Jess hit a control and the Mural faded. Leaving her gazing up through the smart glass where she could watch the stars as the Medusa sailed by. This was her favourite place on the ship to unwind and destress.

 

It was not working for her this time however.

 

Damn Luscious. Of all the times to get drunk..... He'd been a problem since she'd won the crews popular vote and he hadn't. And the worst part of it had to be that deep down, he knew she'd won fairly through her strengths, while he had lost as she had revealed his weaknesses.

 

Luscious, brother however, the former captain and her once part time lover had been the polar opposite. Rasgul Kennedy.

 

…....

 

Who in blazes calls their children Luscious and Rasgul? She wondered idly.

 

Captain Rasgul had been the poster child of captains who lived free as an independent. Strong, fair, good humoured. But get on his wrong side and he'd quash any who opposed him.

 

A young girl named Babylon had met him..... nearly died meeting him actually. And in turn, he'd saved her. Taken her with him. Shown her a life that was free of regret and fears and doubt. The simple life. The good life.

 

And then he died. Leaving her to sweep up what he had left behind and continue his work while trying to do right with the blood family he'd left behind.

 

Only Luscious had finally crossed a line. Jess had known for a long time, she needed a new first mate. One who was every bit capable of being her equal. Who would look out for her ship and crew. Luscious getting drunk while going to meet a Spectre couldn't stand. She'd given him too many chances and the crew were whispering behind her back. Wondering why she hadn't simply cast him off the ship the way she had every other drifter who she's taken and then tossed when they didn't measure up.There was one rule for all. No special treatment. Luscious may be the brother of her former captain and lover, but even he would have kicked Luscious into bulkheads for how he'd been acting up.

 

Luscious needed to go. Only who was there to replace him? Oda?

 

Oda was reliable, but lacked the spark of imagination. The kind of man who was comfortable where he was with what he had. He'd never over reach himself which was good. But then, he would never try to reach to begin with unless something prompted him. No, second mate was where he would live out his days till he made his credits and retired back to that planet where he had wife and children waiting for him. Besides, she already knew who she wanted under her.

 

As if on cue her door slid open and Anika stood there. All 7ft of her wearing her snow white heavy armour, looking as comfortable wearing it as she did in her off duty fatigues. The armour told her what she wanted to know before Anika spoke.

 

“We found the Audron.”

[Redbelle]

As Jess walked onto the bridge, Oda turned and stepped up to hand her a tablet of what they knew. Anika, still clad in heavy armour, waited for Jess to finish.

 

Jess read the tablet. Frowned. Read it again. Looked up.

 

“...... Space port”? She asked incredulously. “They moored up in a space port.....”.

 

“Is that important”? Anika asked.

 

Jess shrugged. “Could be, could not..... Kinda implies we're not the only game in town. I mean..... you call out a pirate, do you moor somewhere so the ship's vulnerable and you can't react worth a damn? Or do you stay in orbit so you can react to whatever an unknown pirate might throw at you”?

 

She jerked her chin towards Oda, who took the hint, and moved back to his post. Jess motioned to Anika to step closer.

 

“Look luv. It's probably not important. But being moored up after waving sweeties under our noses implies certain things”.

 

Anika waited, then asked. “Like”?

 

Jess snorted. “They either have a moron for a captain, which he isn't because that's a spectre ship. They think I won't pop a shot at them..... which implies they think they know me”.

 

“You.....Not this Babylon woman”?

 

Jess gave her an acid stare. “Or......”. She drawled. “They have business on that world which is more important than us. Which frankly bugs me, because what's more important than me”?

 

Anika opened her mouth, then shut it quickly recognising the question as rhetorical.

 

Jess strode over to her terminal and hit a button. Calling on the space port arrivals she ran a finger down until she came to the Audron. “I don't like this”. She said. “Then again, I didn't like it when we started coming here”. She sighed. “Well, no sense putting it off”.

 

Anika turned and addressed her crew. “Here this you all. We're going be inviting a potentially dangerous person aboard ship. We don't know what he wants or what he'll do. You all know what the plan is. Let's get to it”.

 

Oda stepped forward. “Shall I move us to a lane closer to the Audron”?

 

“No. move us...... who are we by the way”?

 

Oda checked his display. “The Open Invitation”.

 

Jess looked at him, her lip caught between a smirk and an exasperated snort. “You are kidding”.

 

“No captain”.

 

“There's really a ship called that in the database”?

 

Oda nodded. “She's one of our aliases. It's all good in the system. I thought it would be appropriate under the circumstances”.

 

Jess shook her head as Anika stepped up behind her. “Won't they notice”?

 

“Notice what? They sent a message to the Medusa, The extra-net tagged it to us. We're rigged so they can't track messages sent to us. They don't know any name we've used in the past. Trust me luv, we're good”. To Oda she grinned. “Send a message to Audron telling them. 'The ghost of Babylon openly invites the sender permission to come aboard'. Then put us in a lane on the other side of the planet”.

 

“The rest of you”. She shouted out. “Get yourselves ready. I want this to be a simple meet and greet. Let's impress them shall we”?

 

“AYE CAP'N”! Came the rehearsed response.

 

Grinning, Jess turned to Anika. “C'mon, let's get dressed for the occasion”.

 

Anika winced. “As long as your not wearing that Bee armour”.

 

Jess raised an eyebrow as they waited for the lift to rise to their level.

 

Anika blinked. “Captain, those stripes.... really, stand out”.

 

“And that doesn't”. Jess said jerking her chin at Anika's white.

 

“I'm supposed to be your body guard, remember? I can pull fire away from you in this”.

 

As the lift arrived Jess shrugged. “Not that it matters. I've got an outfit picked out for you for this little performance”.

 

“Captain”!

 

“Enough of that”. Jess warned. “C'mon now. We're got to get Silver ready to meet her biggest fan”.

[Terca]

"Eteon."

 

The Turian moved away from her place at her locker as she pulled on the last piece of armor and activated the comms unit on her omni-tool. "Yes?" She wasn't sure who was adressing her so she just assumed it was one of the inter-ship coordinators. They were of rank and were notable but she wasn't that inclined to show a lot of respect to overblown pagers. They could always just message me. She though to herself.

 

"A ship by the name of the 'Open Invitation' has hailed us, the name Babylon was used." Eteon nodded though she couldn't be seen by the operator. "They've sent us coordinates to reach them at, shuttle 3 is available for your use."

 

"Alright." She rolled her neck and jogged over to the shuttle before sliding into it. "Send me the contact information so I can send a reply?" The reply was a low chime from her omni-tool. She immediately typed in a quick message and sent it off as the pilot assigned to her stepped into the vehicle and started it up.

 

"Miss? The ship is asking us to meet it on the other side of the planet." The Pilot informed the Turian who raised her eyes and then lowered them again.

 

"Of course they are. It's defensive and if I turn out to be a big-bad-Turian they can scram before the Audron leaves port." She replied airily as she refocused. The man sighed and shook his head. This lady...

 

Babylon;

 

We'll meet you at your current location. Docking instructions would be appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

Eteon.

[Redbelle]

"No no, this arm goes here." Anika bemoaned. "What's the point of having armour if you can't even get into it"?

 

Jess, with one arm stuck up through the neck piece, grumbled something that was lost as her head was stuck in the main torso of her black and yellow striped medium armour. The arm disappeared and reemerged out where it ought to and Jess's head popped out through the top. "Give me a break..... It's been awhile".

 

"Your doing this on purpose".

 

"Am not".

 

"Are too"!

 

"Am...." A chime interrupted them and Jess turned to slap a comm panel. "What"?

 

"Message coming in". Came Oda's voice. "They seem to be coming here. They want docking instructions".

 

"Tell em to come in the front cargo bay".

 

"Will do..... By the way, they used the name Babylon again".

 

Jess sighed. "Their talking to a ghost then. That girl died. Tell them that Captain Silver will meet with them in the front bay and will gladly entertain the council spect... OW!"

 

Anika was busy clasping her leg armour on as she had been talking. One of the clasps had pinched her skin though the exposure suit she wore beneath. "Will you watch that"! Jess swore.

 

"It's like dressing a baby". Anika muttered.

[Terca]

The Shuttle used FTL when it was out of atmosphere in order to arrive near the Cargo ship's coordinates as the message arrived at Eteon's omni-tool. She glanced over it and noted the deliberate use of the term 'Silver' despite the fact she had already addressed the captain as Babylon. You'd think they would have realized I know who she is. She mused to herself. She thought about using a somewhat unnecessarily witty response but...

 

Ah, f*ck it, they sent me on this mission so I can do what I damn well please.

 

As the Shuttle came out of its short FTL jump and approached the Cargo ship Eteon typed in a new message and hoped that nobody in the hierarchy was currently looking at the message stream because despite it being teasing more than anything, she was technically going to be meeting a pirate Queen-B*tch or some such thing.

 

I'll be there as soon as possible Baby.

 

Eteon.

 

She thought about not sending the message since it could be taken the wrong way... She really wasn't supposed to do this. And I'm not armed so this could become rather not-fun pretty quick. She shook her head and exited the messanger software. I can show restraint... I can show restraint... She busied herself by reading over Babylon's Dossier again, scanning more than anything.

[Redbelle]

Jess's lip curled into a smile inside her cabin before Anika leaned over her shoulder, read the new message and pointed out. "She's pushing the Babylon angle again".

 

Jess blinked as she realised Anika was right and used her command voice to hide her chagrin, "Get setup in the loading bay. I'll be there in a moment".

 

Anika, her arms full of red drapes, frowned, but did as she was told. As Jess heard her cabin doors slam closed she looked around, seeing the bare metal of the hull where her drapes had previously been hung. Then looked down at the tablet.

 

It was to good to resist. She quickly wrote her reply.

 

I'll be whoever you want me to be

 

Silver

 

XXX

 

She clicked send

[ParkBom]

"If you have any more questions or concerns, please relay them to me within the safety of the shuttle! No doubt Spectre Androkan is growing impatient with us, considering how the Turians prefer to handle things, without the grace of our species." As she spoke with some kind of camaraderie with her fellow Asari, in the moment, she didn't realize how different the two were. Naleena was an assassin with a dancer's flexibility, a Drell's cunning and skill, and a veteran's combat experience. On the other hand, Elara had the ingenuity of a Salarian, the tenacity of a Varren, and was as adaptable as the Humans, though her out-of-shape body somewhat limited her combat options. Truly, they were cut from two very different molds. "They seem like a much more bludgeon-friendly race."

Shaking her head to herself, the doctor made her way to the shuttle, following their Turian commander. She made no attempt to hide the excitement she felt, a grin across her face.

[Terca]

Eteon nearly laughed when she read the message 'Silver' sent back to her. Well, I think my diplomatic skills will not be lost here then. 'Diplomatic skills' is a term she would use somewhat loosely since her main method of choice was simply to attempt to make an amicable first impression by being mildly insulting and sarcastic. The fallback was usually using something somewhat illegal as a form of collateral. Extortion usually, fraud of various kinds. It was fun, but a bit... Boring.

 

The shuttle set down in the bay it had been directed to and Eteon decided not to reply to that particular statement. That'd be a dangerous path which would be just a little bit too much fun. That, and the people back on the Audron would already be somewhat... Disliking towards her style. Just because they're pirates doesn't mean they don't have a sense of humor.

 

"And here we are." The Pilot muttered as he looked out the front window at the stacks of cargo crates that were around. They were all angled so that there was a noticeable path leading away from the shuttle. "You want me to come along?"

 

"No, I think this will be just fine." Eteon replied, waving him off with a hand motion as she stepped off of the shuttle and onto the floor of the bay. She rested her 'thumbs' on her hips as she walked down the slightly darkened path towards whoever was down there. This Silver looked to at least have a sense of humor.

[Redbelle]

The figure that was Captain Silver sat atop the large ornate throne that in turn rested upon a large dias. Her mask was in place. The red drapes collected and wrapped around her. One of her crew had done it and since he was the ships barbar who couldn't help but advise everyone's fashion sense, she was confident that she looked elegent while also hiding the bulky nature of her armour.

 

The Silver mask was in place, shaded from the light somewhat by the hood her man had fashioned out of the long length's of cloth. The rest of her body was likewise covered, her arms hidden in the sleeves that ran down and hid her armoured fingers.

 

On either side of her, several of her more burly crew mates stood at ramrod attention, wearing full body suits made out of rubberlike material.

 

Come rain or shine, whatever this spectre did, they would be ready.

 

She hoped.

[Terca]

Eteon walked from the relatively narrow corridor into the open area where the dias was. The change in light was smooth enough that it didn't bother her but she blinked a few times rapidly regardless. Admittedly she had only met a few humans in her lifetime, and even fewer pirate humans, but this seemed a bit... Over the top. She kept her eyes on the red figure wrapped in cloth and pondered the decision to wrap someone in so much fabric. She came to a stop a little ways behind the dias and raised her right hand to rap her own chin with a knuckle once or twice. She looked down at her reddish armor and then back up to the covered Silver.

 

"I think I'm wearing it better." She mused aloud with some amusement in her voice as she motioned between the two of them. She was joking of course because they weren't even the same color but breaking the ice when someone looked like some sort of ancient goddess of the overly flamboyant took charge over the initial seriousness of the situation. "'Silver', I'd be willing to guess?" She noticed some statue-like people not too far from Silver and her eyes narrowed a bit at the odd sheen on the material they were made from.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena followed the doctor into the shuttle, and she wondered if the doctor was truly ready for combat. The equivalent of an L2? And in the shape she is in? What is Androkan thinking?Clearly the only purpose in taking the doctor along would be in case Baladrum were to be seriously wounded. I guess this is the one he meant when he said 'picking up the slack.'

 

She took her seat in the shuttle where she had a vantage point to observe, study and make note of any and all habits and odd quirks of her squad mates on the way to the mission. She would listen to every inflection in their speech and speech pattern. Androkan and Elara would be unaware of this.

[Redbelle]

Silver inclined her head. "Spectre...... you guess correctly. I welcome you aboard my ship. I trust you did not go to too much trouble to reach me".

[Terca]

Androkan could almost feel the skepticism and criticism rolling off of Naleena despite her not making any outward action. It was probably her lack of words that made him feel it most acutely since she did not argue with Elara. He knew his method was odd but he had found in his life that the Turian method worked well, and when it didn't you simply didn't have enough men and women in the fight, or the tactics were wrong. He allowed some leeway in his planning but that's why a team was on call. In case an issue arose.

 

The shuttle pulled off the floor of the bay and exited through the back of the ship before turning in the direction of Ber'ah and speeding off. Naleena was quiet so he thought he would speak a little bit more with the doctor. Her grin was obvious and he thought he might as well get to know his crew better and he suspected Naleena would have something acrid to say. Alright, I can't just throw her under the bus like that.

 

"Excited to have some activity?" He asked generally of Elana to pass the time before they arrived.

 

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

 

"Androkan is unfortunately occupied at the moment, which is why I was sent." Eteon had momentarily pondered lying and allowing the woman to think she was the Spectre which might speed things along but she preferred to maintain ire once someone actually had a reason to not remove her mandibles by hand. "He is occupied in a ground mission from what I know and as the mission would take a variable amount of time he thought it would be better if someone less occupied was sent along to meet with you." She flicked her hand forwards and back slowly to motion to herself and the Pirate in one motion. "Eteon, it's a pleasure Babe."

 

She paused a moment and tilted her head and tried to gauge whether or not now would be the best time to begin what she did best... It was tempting but she held back. She'd tease with the name she knew but did not want to show her whole hand just yet. That was the tactic for when normal discussion fell apart.

[ParkBom]

Unaware Naleena's judgment on the her, the scientist's smile faded only slightly, as she answered the Spectre's question. "Quite, in fact. I haven't been on a real mission for... almost a century? I'm not sure. The idea of using my biotics in active combat is a fun one."

Rolling her neck and getting out the cracks, her eyes slowly drifted to the floor. Soon, she was stretching out her interlocked fingers, more cracking sounds coming from her joints. "The Asari military, as they do with all of their military personnel, kept my biotics usable as well as my marksmanship, just in case a war broke out and I would be forced into active duty. Still, throwing warp fields on mechs and shooting your gun at them gets rather boring quickly, being that it's pretty easy. This is especially true since our training programs, for non-combat personnel, were so mundane compared to the Commando training I went through."

Elara shrugged, her hand drawn to her Acolyte. "While I guess it's fortunate that they kept me ready for combat, this is going to be the real warm up for me. What of you, Spectre Androkan? You seem... silently assure of yourself, or at least of how the operation will go."

[Terca]

The Turian let out a small 'hmph' noise at Elera's statement. "There is a certain amount of safety that is guaranteed by knowing that a team of Armigers can provide a sweep should there be trouble." Deidrus replied, evading the question of why he was confident for the moment. It was true, but not the whole truth. "And I have remained in combat condition since there has been such a state for myself. I have seen my share of conflict though it would seem insignificant to the lives of you two." He motioned to the two with an armored hand. "However I have had the density of conflict in my life which makes me somewhat assured in knowing whether or not the people I enter into a battle with are at least of use."

 

He leaned back in his seat and seemed to contemplate something. "That is not to say that you are of no use. That is to say that everyone on my ship must be able to fight and provide for the good of the entire crew. If you are injured here, die here, miss your mark, it tells me the use you are to the crew." He leaned forwards again. "We may be considered some of the more war-like of the nations, short of the Krogan. We enjoy a noble conflict, we celebrate victory over all else. We have pride in that. You are now, to me, living within the Hierarchy. If you two know anything of what the Hierarchy means to a Turian, you know what that pressure is upon me."

 

As the shuttle started to descend he continued. "And that is why I do not mind bringing you in to a firefight with limited assistance up front and one where we will be unable to predict some things. I will not install you within my crew's hierarchy without knowing your strengths. If you die here that issue is no longer mine, if you survive I now must be careful. There is no greater shame than misjudging someone's abilities. Not to me. Not when the mission is at stake."

[Redbelle]

The figure that was Silver paused. "An Envoy then. I assume you are here with the power to speak for your spectre and captain"?

 

She unfolded from her throne, revealing that her figure was remarkably tall as her masked face continued to look in her direction as she declared. "Attend"!

 

Immediately the figures who flanked the dias moved. One fell prone on the floor before where Silver stood while another fell to his hands and knee's as another stood, bent over ninety degree's.

 

Silver was already on the move, a foot hidden in robes swinging out, that the man only just got his back under before she was descending the human staircase with far more regal grace than anyone who was stepping on a trio of rubber clad men deserved.

 

Silver alighted on the decking without so much as a look backwards and stopped in front of Eteon. All 7ft of her towering over the Turian. "If you come in peace then I am pleased to hear what business the envoy wishes with Captain Silver. If you do not, then take this moment to withdraw. It is an offer you shall only recieve once so think well and be sure of your intent".

 

Silver paused once more. "Though for one as pretty as yourself, I would hope that you come with an offer that would allow us to continue some form of business. I do not spend nearly enough time with your people..... such is my loss".

[Terca]

It took remarkable restraint to not show some form of bewilderment on Eteon's behalf. She had considered that Babylon might be a bit odd when she saw her dressed completely in red but the man-stairs truly solidified that idea in her mind. I almost wish I had been recording that if only so I had a completely different style of blackmail. 'Selling family members out' is a pretty heavy threat, 'your long-lost sister is walking on steps made of rubber-coated humans' is a bit more... Candid? She blinked a couple of times to move from her thoughts to actually replying though she still thought the situation was weird.

 

"I speak with his authority and in general what I ask is what he wants though the wording is usually substantially different." She said, somewhat slowly as her eyes moved from Silver to the people behind and back again. "So when I say that the Hierarchy's medical coverage does not cover sadomasochistic furniture-play, he means it too but in a more politically friendly way." A pause. "Ah, it might, I haven't looked too far into it. This could be occupational for all I know."

 

You're getting sidetracked.

 

"Semantics and wordings aside, Androkan did send me in a spirit of cooperation. He would like to work with 'Silver' and use her expertise and understanding of things in the Terminus. Our mission will be taking us far, that much is certain, and he'd like to have someone on his crew which would be able to help deal with groups in the terminus as well as use their own contacts. To word it in a less stuffy way, he needs you because you know something about the Terminus' underworld and he's spent most his time stabbing it repeatedly like a Krogan cuts a Varren. He's not popular and he doubts most people with information would be willing to drop it for someone that is hovering near the top of the Eclipse's shi*t-list." She shrugged. "That specifically makes you a rather attractive option Babe."

[Redbelle]

Silver cocked her head as she looked down on Eteon from her towering height. “And hence, we come to what I found the truly perplexing, and thus, the most interesting part of this elaborate call for my attention. The Babylon girl...... There once was a Babylon, however, before I tell you of the fate that met her, perhaps you would tell me why you think I am her”?

[Redbelle]

From outside the cargo bay door where the confrontation was taking place, Jess felt her breath catch, listening to the exchanges through her helmet speakers. Normally she'd be the one acting as Silver, but on this occasion she'd handed over the role to Anika.

 

Poor sods who had to bear up under that heavy armour. She thought. She'd have to triple their pay for this one.

 

For someone who was unfamiliar with the role, she was managing to pull it off. Not like she would though. She was far to ice queen and all elegance. But then, that had been the whole idea of Silver to begin with. A faceless ask behind which anything could be projected.

 

And anyone could be Silver.

 

And hence, she would become someone who could be and yet, not be Jess Stone

 

Her attention drew back to the conversation. Things seemed to be reaching a point where the charade would soon come to a close. Business would soon need to be addressed. The Turian woman didn't seem to have any hostile intent and Jess's gut told her she was on the level.

 

But more than anything, she needed to know her angle on the Babylon issue.

 

She held her breath. And waited.

[Terca]

Eteon quirked a brow plate slightly at Silver's words and her head tilted slightly. Well there is no proof that this particular individual is Babylon. Regardless, Babylon was here. "I am under no guarantee that you in particular are the one I'm looking for, I can't tell under the linen closet you sacked to get all the fabric." She let out a short puff of breath from her nose before continuing. "And before you lead be along the merry tale of how Babylon does not exist, I can certainly assure you that you are lying to me. If you do not know that Babylon exists than you are not Silver and I am being fooled. If you do and you remain obstinate than I imagine that you do care about a particular Terra Firma advisor..." Eteon trailed off and paced slowly to the side. "Then again the individual I am looking for, Babylon might not even know that since she has been so far removed from family. So far removed that a known pirate could have her family found by the Alliance without her even realizing that some of the more cruel elements of that particular military organization would be willing to deal rather harshly with people operating outside their legality and their bounds. Enough so that a Spectre might get involved."

 

She stopped her pacing to the side and then turned on her heel and walked in the opposite direction. "Though of course this would not be her first interaction with a Spectre, and certainly not a situation to enjoy, and seeing as that previous Spectre is now dead there should be some omen to this, but if you are not the one I am looking for you would not be privy to that information and not feel that shadow."

 

She returned to halt in front of Silver and turn to face her. "So, sorry to dry out that particular Hanar but I thought we might get the seafood appetizer off the table before we move on to the main course, so to speak. Babylon is on this ship," She pointed to Silver. "she could be you," she pointed to one of the leather-clad people, "she could be one of those poor souls," she swept her hand across the room, "she could be anywhere. That doesn't matter to me. Her sister does to her though, and that will not be feigned."

 

She had been careful to not word things as a threat though she made it clear that there was knowledge of a particular individual and their particular relatives. It was more of a challenge she supposed; the real Babylon would be willing to stick their neck out from the shadows over their sister, they were willing to kill a Spectre over their brother at least and there's another Spectre not too far away. The fear, Eteon hoped, would be a result of the following of that mindset and allow her to negotiate without outright threatening anyone or anything. It's much nicer when I can just say there's a gun pointed at a particular head, it isn't good for long-term business relations though...

[Redbelle]

Silver remained quiet for a moment.

 

"Interesting. I thank you for your candor. Now I shall be candid with you. The captain of this vessel is Jess Stone. Not Jessica Babylon. Jessica Babylon died during a firefight against a mercenary group who had interfered with this crew business and wellbeing. How and why she came to be where she was..... I can only speculate. But she was caught in the cross fire".

 

Silver sighed. "Naturally, once the dust had settled, we realised that she was an innocent and tried to help her. But..... she was to far gone. A victim of her falling in with the wrong crowd who used violence as a means to solving every obstacle in life. Whatever you wish to say to Jessica Babylon...... I would suggest you find a spirit medium. If however you wish to conduct your business with the captain of this ship......"

 

Anika heard Jess in her helmet speaker. "Okay luv. I'll take it from here".

 

Anika, paused, then tilted her masked head towards the cargo bay doors. "......then it looks like you have gone from having grabbed her attention, to having earned her curiousity".

 

The doors opened with a creak and began sliding aside. A figure emerged. Clad in yellow and black striped armour whose hands were on her helmet, tugging loose the seals before twisting it off. Jess's dark features emerged as her brown red hair flopped down. Setting the helmet in the crook of her arm she grinned at their arrival.

 

"Welcome aboard the Medusa darlin! Sorry for the smoke and mirrors. Our line of work, you learn to be careful. And.....well..... someone with a Spectre's credentials at their back......". She waved it off as she continued walking towards the two, unslinging her helmet and tossing it towards one of the suited men who remained at the dias.

 

"Did you like the guys"? She asked enthusiatically. "Tell me you liked the guys. Their the best part of this.....".

 

She was interrupted when one of the men whined. "My back is killing me".

 

Jess blinked. "Oh..... right. Well..... medical then. What are you waiting around for! Medical. Chop chop chop".

 

The men moved as one, the one at the back holding his lower back causing Jess to wince. "M'kay. Maybe we over did it this time. That usually doens't happen. But if you like the human male form then those suits leave nothing to the imagination! But let's not forget Anika in all this". Jess held up a finger. "Which, before I forget..... and I think this is one of those times which lends itself to me promoting my good name and standing in the community.....".

 

Jess had sidled up to where Anika, still dressed as Silver, stood and snaked an arm around her neck to pull her down so she and the mask were paraller as she brought her Omni-Tool's camera up. "Lemme take a selfie".

 

The light on the tool flashed and Jess released Anika who just sighed and let her shoulders slump. "She not armed". Said her voice from the mask. "She's clean". Then turning to Eteon she gestured with a draped arm. "This is Captain Jess Stone. Your bid to conduct business is with her".

 

Jess was looking at her picture with a smirk. "There, who says Stone and Silver are never around at the same time". She held it up to Eteon. "What do you think? To much exposure luv"?

[Terca]

Remarkably like when the director calls 'cut' and everyone starts moving from their place on set. Eteon mused to herself as she watched one of the men trudge off to medical. I mean, the show was nice but it really was a show. She was interested in knowing whether or not the crew realized that the woman actually was Babylon or if they were simply trying to misdirect. Either way, the charade was more or less over. She would humor them for now, she supposed. Stone knew what was up, and that was enough for her.

 

"The levels are fine, I think your current armor is rather hard on the eyes compared to the red." Eteon replied honestly and pushing past any initial chance for hesitance. Stone obviously was someone who was unflappable and being reserved would be no way to chat. "Though horizontal stripes aren't the most slimming for a human. Vertical stripes might be a nice change." She let out a short hum in her subvocals, a somewhat amused sound. She extended her hand to the human handshake and inclined her head slightly. "Horizontal stripes and all, it's a pleasure Babe."

 

That's going to be a habit.

[Redbelle]

Jess let her Omni-tool fade and strode over to clasp Eteon's hand. "Come up to my cabin and I'll show you more than one pleas......".

 

"Ahhhemmmm". Anika clearing her throat could be heard across the bay. "Captain, if you don't mind"?

 

Jess dropped Eteon's hand and half turned to twist her head around. "Yes. Yes those drapes back to the cabin".

 

Anika reached up and removed the mask, revealing her armoured destroyers mask. "Not what I meant Jess".

 

"I'll behave. Our guest is here to conduct a deal. You know I don't mix buisiness with pleasure".

 

Anika snorted in response bu moved off, pulling at the drapes that started to unravel with her tugs.

 

As Jess watched her leave she turned back to Eteon. "Now luv. I'm sure there's alot we could say. But I'd suggest we get right down to business". With that she crossed over to three crates that were arranged nearby. Jess kicked the middle one and the top slid open and a flat section rose. The crate turned table had mugs and dispensers along the surface. Picking up one, Jess sat on one of the crates and gesturing Eteon to come over, put a mug under the dispenser. It poured out a dark brown liquid and Jess brought it to her nose and inhaled.

 

"Coffee"? She asked. "We tend to negotiate contracts alot in here. We've got Dextro stuff if your worried". She slid her eye's up to Eteons. "Unless you'd prefer something stronger for our first encounter"?