>>3468189
>Head out to look for the missing item. (specific location or systematic search, room to room? Together or split the party? By yourselves or distribute the information to soldiers?)

There's got to be swcurity footage of it being moved, get Eve analyzing that while we searxh the room for clues.

Maybe take a look at the generator room too, maybe they were moving towards the item.

>>3468189
>Head out to look for the missing item. (specific location or systematic search, room to room? Together or split the party? By yourselves or distribute the information to soldiers?)

>>3468215
Looking the cameras is a good idea

Split up to search the most probable locations, Vox goes with Kris and we go with Lea, tell them to keep their eyes open, we don't know if the base has any surprises

Well, you got an idea what to look for, but that was not quite enough to avoid wasting time. Then an idea strikes you - if the container was accessed then someone had to physically come to the storeroom to do so.

“Eve, could you look through the security footage? Maybe we can figure out who and when accessed the storage from that.”

“Certainly.” Eve says and falls silent for a moment. You contemplate heading towards the generator room, maybe the excessively loyal troops took the missing statue with them on their last trip? Maybe there is an escape route there somewhere? “Done.” Eve announces. “Footage of the storeroom doesn’t show anyone physically accessing the container. However, it does show signs of having been altered...”

“Damn.” You say.

“I’ve not finished yet, Ford. Footage of the exterior corridor for us also showing signs of tampering but analysis of movement patterns shows one anomaly coinciding with the redacted footage that possibly points to the person who accessed the storage and then made effort to remove their traces. That person is none other than the base commander, referred to in personnel files as Kevin Wichse.”

Well, you had your prime suspect now.

>head to Kevin’s office, begin search there
>talk to someone about something
>do something else

>>3468334
>corridor for us

Thanks, fat fingers and autocorrect.

>>3468334
>head to Kevin’s office, begin search there

>>3468334
>head to Kevin’s office, begin search there

And so you found yourself headed back for the Boss’s office with your crew in tow. Vox stayed behind to finish the task she was assigned to. It seemed some of the boxes in the storeroom belonged to base she was formerly in charge of.

You had eyes on a different prize now. Brief look over the room revealed nothing resembling an Asari statuette in the plain sight, meaning you would had to dig deeper. Your crew spreads out throughout the cell leader’s private section, leaving you to decide where you wish to look for yourself.

>check office proper for hidden compartments
>search the dining room with Eve
>search bedroom with Lea
>check the bathroom where Kris went

>involve others in the search (Alliance, Turians, Libella)?

>>3468644
>check office proper for hidden compartments

>>3468644
>search bedroom with Lea

There's a joke to be made here, give her some help there before


>check office proper for hidden compartments

After it.

>>3468644
>search bedroom with Lea

>>3468644
>>search bedroom with Lea
>check office proper for hidden compartments

After some deliberation you decide to do a quick check of the Cerberus officer’s private chambers before performing more thorough scans of the office. Through the door in the back you enter a dining room, no less extravagantly decorated than the office, dominant feature being a long, massive wooden table, perhaps competing with the artificial waterfall covering a far wall. Eve was currently inspecting the cupboards.

You left her to it and proceeded to the bedroom. By now you knew what to expect and your expectations proved accurate. On one side of a queen size bed was a nightstand, on the other a lamp shaped like a statue carrying a sun on their shoulder. There were several armoires, one of which was currently being investigated by Lea, there was a leather sofa and there was a large vid screen viewable from either the bed or the sofa. Finally, there was a desk with a chair.

“Any chance you found a portal in there?” You ask.

“No. Just clothes in here. You were expecting a hidden passage?”

“Not really, although now that you mention it...”

You open another armoire and work past a layer of outfits matching style of the interior decorations and examine its back wall. Nothing.

“I’m a bit jealous, you know.” Lea says as she lets a silken cape slip through her fingers.

“Hm?”

“At the freedom you have when dressing yourselves. Never mind feeling the open sky. Wind in your hair. Raindrops on your skin.”

You’re silent for a moment, looking around, attention split between finding potential hiding spots and thinking of something neutral or comforting to reply.

“How often do you think about that?” You ask.

“I don’t know. Not very, especially not when I’m busy. Sometimes when I watch vids I wonder what it would be like...” Lea says, moving over to the nightstand and examining its compartments.

You walk over to the desk, opening its drawers and going through their contents. No relics here so far.

“Well, you have your homeworld back now. Perhaps you can acclimate?”

“From what I understand it’s not going to be quite so easy.” She sighs. “Still, at least it’s hope. Shepard has now become a legendary hero for our history books. It’s funny. Imagine having an Alien for a legendary, no, downright mythical historical figure.”

You can’t help but grin, thinking to various instances of this notion in human literature.

“What’s so funny?”

“Ah, it’s just... I’ll point you to some items in our library later. Or you can tell Eve about that, She’ll be happy to talk.”

“Hm, I’ll keep that in mind when we meet her.”

Right, she doesn’t know yet-

“Ah, would you look at that.” You hear yourself saying as you realize one of the drawers is slightly more shallow than you should be. Removing the fake bottom you uncover a hidden compartment containing... a notepad?

“What’s in there?” Lea asks, looking over your shoulder.

“Looks like notes for some personal project.” You day, flipping through the pages with omnitool active and set to record. “A lot of Asari names here. Some pictures of statues and temples. These look kind of like the statues we found. And this...” you reached the final page “might be our statue.”

On the final page was a blurry picture depicting a figurine out of metallic black-green material, similar in proportions to artifacts from the crate, although it’s shape didn’t exactly evoke an image of Asari. It felt vaguely familiar for some reason, as if you’ve seen it before somewhere...

The deja-vu passed by and with one more look around you’re confident you’ve found what there was to find in here.

>Talk to Lea about something before you go
>Continue search elsewhere
>Check on Eve, maybe she found something

You hear flushing sound from the bathroom. You’re reasonably sure there’s no benefit in checking on Kris right now.

>>3469269
>Continue search elsewhere
>check office proper for hidden compartments

>>3469269

>Talk to Lea about something before you go

You know, you said before you chose well, why did you chose me?

Just to take the opportunity to talk with her while we are away from others.

>>3469337
This and then
>>3469300

>>3469387
agreed

“Lea,” You say before you leave the room.

“Yes?”

“Why did you decide to go travel with me?” You ask, looking in her eyes. Well, visor, really, but you assumed those two bright green spots behind it were eyes. As it were they were digging into you as she contemplated her reply. Then she casts her gaze downwards and begins wringing her hands.

“It was because of your eyes. I was lost in them the moment I saw you. They engulfed me like the Coriolis storms of Kalimero V and I found myself drowned with no other way to go but in your wake.”

You keep looking at her. You’re not sure if your expression changed or if or how hard you got flustered because of how focused you were on trying to pierce the opaque visor and discern whether she kept her face straight during all that. Quarian helmets were good for cheating like that. But on some level you knew that she didn’t have to resort to cheap tricks. She was a natural.

“You really take after your mother.” You say with a grin.

“Thank you, Thank you,” She makes a bow. “But... if you really want to know...”

“Yes?”

“Well, truth be told, I was considering how to go about finally completing my pilgrimage. I know my good looks and youthful vigor may be misleading but I’m actually quite old to not have a ship name yet.”

You wait for her to go on, suspecting she has more to say.

“And when you showed up and brought it up... and then when dad was talking about how he had a good feeling about you... well, I figured that you’re the best shot I’m gonna have in a while to have an adventure in decent company.”

>do you have anything more to say at this time?

I retire into the night.

Tomorrow I have a busy day so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post. Maybe a sole update. For now I thank you for participating, friends.

>>3469963
"Well, I hope you were right, let's try not to disappoint, shall we? I'm not used to people having a "good feeling" about me...
but I guess I had a good one about you too"

>>3469963
So it wasn't my rugged charm and rustic good looks? Damn, I was so sure of it.
...glad to have you with us Miss Fari, now let's save the galaxy one mistery at a time.

Some teasing is due since she tried it too.

>>3470022
>>3469997
I like both

Even if we don't use that line we should give an honest thanks for the trust and then some light teasing

“Damn. Decent company, am I? And there I thought it was my rugged spacer’s charm that won you over.” Is your reply.

“Is that so? You need to have spent at least half your life in space to be considered one. How much have you got?” She replies brusquely.

“Actually I - “ you pause doing some elementary arithmetic before deflating. Childhood and adolescence on Earth. Hitch hiking between and across colonies. Intermittent stays at the Citadel intermingled with voyages past the rim, most of those spent technically planetside. “ -do not. You got me.”

You could virtually see the smug radiate through the visor.

“At any rate, thanks for the faith you placed in me, Lea. I can only hope I won’t fail to live up to it.”

The smug evaporates.

“Um, Well, from what I’ve seen so far you needn’t be worried about that.” She waves an arm around. “This place is like something out of a shepardime and we’re the heroes. Or at least you are.” What was that, some sort of new fiction genre? “Anyway, we have a mystery to solve, right?” She adds quickly.

“Right you are. Let’s go save the galaxy, one mystery at a time.” You say, maybe a but too dramatically.

“Yes!” Lea nods. With that the both of you leave the bedchamber.
“Found anything?” You ask Eve as you go through the dining room.

“Nothing of relevance, I’m afraid, except for cutlery and porcelainware that would probably qualify as artifacts in their own right.”

“Alright, I guess we need to dig deeper.”

You find yourself back in the cell leader’s office. Now that you know there has to be something here, several potential hiding places do stand out. Plant pots are fairly easy to eliminate from the list following a cursory scan and reasoning that placing the artifact in them would make accessing it for study highly impractical. The Aquarium was similarly easy to remove. Or virtually impossible to, as it were. Again, manipulating it seemed implausible to hide something one wanted to examine or work on.

You walk along the library. You don’t savor the thought of having to carefully displace the volumes one after another to examine what is behind them, but as you pass by them with your omnitool in scanning mode you can spot no irregularity.

You give wide berth to the accursed chandelier as you traverse the room.

“Heh.” Kris smirks behind you. “Imagine being the sucker that gets this to fall on him.”

You opt to not comment, focusing on your scanner instead. Captain Slusarski, currently browsing Wichse’s data stores with the Turian major looking over his shoulder, wisely kept his silence.

“Yeah, that would be like something straight out of blasto vids. You know, when the sidekick comes in before the protagonist and gets disabled. Or after Blasto is done with the bad guy and this happens to his backup.” Lea remarks. This hurts you. One of the marines present snickers quietly.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t watch that crap.” Kris growls.

Liar, liar, pants on fire, you think but keep from calling attention to yourself as you work.

“Ford, what do you think? You were here, right? How did the fight go?” Lea asks.

Shit.

You look up from your omnitool to survey the damage. If you did not speak, somebody else would, anyway. There was no escape. It was time to stand up for your principles and-

“Now would you look at that.” You say. One detail that escaped your attention during the fight as you were busy regaining your mobility was that one of the rings of the chandelier was lined not with abstract floral patterns but by a quintet of figurines holding an electric light.

The strange thing was that one of the figurines was out of symmetry with the others and not holding a light.

Maybe this was why the figurine felt familiar to you, it occurs to you, but somehow that doesn’t feel right. You must’ve seen the peculiar shape somewhere else before.

Stepping carefully forward you examine the base of the figurine and soon find the mechanism keeping it in place. With a soft *click* it is released from its hiding place. You have seized the prize, now it was time to figure it out...

>I am last fruit of a withered tree
>I can be burden even if I come free
>I may be object of conflict and strife
>I often bring sorrow when I’m coming ripe

With those posts I retire for today. Need to sleep off some alcohol.

The juffo wup is drawing near, need to be prepared.

>>3472360
this one's a little harder

It can be
Scarcity
The last artefact
death(as in the end)
age or old age

>>3472360
Just linked this on discord. My guess is FAITH.

>I am last fruit of a withered tree
The last thing an old priest gives.
>I can be burden even if I come free
"We all have our own crosses to bear." Religion often reminds us of the wrong we have done.
>I may be object of conflict and strife
The Crusades.
>I often bring sorrow when I’m coming ripe
People often feel their faith most when it is a trying time, and praying for the dead really hurts inside.

I'll be back on this when I'm done reading the rest of the threads.

>>3472360
A child?

I just got through the last thread, I hope we get an angry mail from Doctor Weintraub for eloping with her only functioning test subject.

>>3472437
Damn that's a pretty good guess. Might go with that then.

>>3472410
One of these is on right track for discerning one of the symbols, or two in a manner of speaking.
>>3472437
This one is not correct but with the amount of reasoning, it will do as a good mistake if correct answer is not found.

>>3472360
Necessity?
A parent?
Heirloom/inheritance?
Hmm...maybe inheritance is the best one?

>>3472360
Desiese

>>3473223
>One of these is on right track for discerning one of the symbols

wait, it's more than one answer? is each line corresponding to something or odes the 4 lines form an answer?

>>3472360
Rot
Famine

>>3472360
Revolution
End
Renewal


Revenge (this is thr one I have most faith of the ones I did, it fits the bill quite nicelly)

>>3473304
Well done sir, inheritance it was

>>3473572
that makes a lot of sense, this one was a tad more difficult heh

You stand there, with the statuette in one hand and your probing omnitool on the other, all other matters forgotten for the time being. Even if some of the readings were answers and questions in equal or even less than equal measure, sometimes a mystery can be a solution in itself.

First was the circumstance. The figurine was missing from a shipment with clear pattern to it: statues of the Asari goddess Athame. That alone was not really an evidence of anything. Rest of the shipment might have just as well been misdirection, or an honest mistake on part of the previous holder. You couldn’t deny the pattern, though - the size, humanoid shape, regal posture were all in common.

Next were specifics of shape of the figurine itself. Your extranet inquiry into religious Asari art prompted by the circumstantial pattern paid off when you came across the oldest frescos depicting the goddess with the characteristic elongated head that was source of much speculation among both Asari own scholars as well as xenoanthropologists of other species. Thus you were able to confirm the figurine indeed followed the pattern and was likely to be another likeness of Athame.

And then there was the material. This one was a puzzle in itself, but one that simultaneously offered a clue. Composition was unknown, but consistent with readings of Prothean artifacts! This fact hinted pretty heavily on Prothean involvement of some kind with the ancient Asari culture. Presence of the arcane alloy itself could be explained in a number of ways, some of them purely coincidental, like an accidental piece of Prothean debris finding its way into the atmosphere to be then reshaped by a primitive craftswoman.

The Prothean connection however called your attention to another uncanny resemblance, too striking to be ignored as mere coincidence, and it fit well into the image you were assembling, even if its implications were difficult to evaluate...

Towards the end of the Reaper crisis an unthinkable ally began appearing on the field of battle. Collectors, formerly mysterious inhabitants of unknown areas past the Omega relay later revealed to be scourge of Terran colonies, joined the fray... on both sides of the conflict. Those “awakened” collectors were clearly intelligent enough to cooperate within coalition teams, but singular minded in their pursuit of vengeance were far from sociable. You haven’t seen one since the battle of Earth, wondering if they fell prey to the same weapon that crippled Eve and her sisters, or maybe killed themselves out of loathing for their warped being. Because the Collectors, as it turned out, were none other than Protheans, turned by the Reapers into caricatures if themselves.

You paused to briefly consider the tragedy of the last Protheans. Then you return your mind to the case at hand: namely that of how accurately the figurine in your hand reflected a Prothean physiology as much as that if an Asari!

With the final piece having fallen into place you take a step back to look at the whole picture and nearly have your knees give out beneath you. It’s without a doubt an exciting one, but their implications hit with gravity of a neutron star.

Athame was a Prothean. The goddess that protected the Asari as a newborn species from the jealous gods was of distinctly Prothean features, meaning that not only were Protheans likely to directly intervene in Asari development, they showed themselves enough to leave an impression that would turn to mythology. You could not draw reliable conclusions on extent of their involvement, but presence of Prothean relic in ancient Asari history raised possibilities that would have clear and potentially disastrous implications for politics of today, especially considering Athame was not only a warrior but also a teacher who uplifted her worshippers and guided them to future prosperity.

You reprimand yourself internally for this soothsaying. It was just a statue. Asari themselves could have been unaware of this involvement. It was not like that had a working Prothean databank in their hands all along, right?

Even so, existence along with knowledge of true nature of this artifact as symbol of Prothean bequest and possible contradiction to level playing field for the most developed Council species remained a hazard, especially in the wrong hands. You could hardly think of wronger hands than those of Cerberus, but that left unanswered a question of whose hands it should go to? It was, quite possibly, an item nations would kill for, and Cerberus almost certainly already did.

>try to smuggle the figurine with you (You don’t know if anyone else is aware of its significance, but it’s still an artifact. Risk of failure.)
>hand it over to Alliance, the base is technically under their jurisdiction now,
>hand it over to Libella, the everything is technically under her jurisdiction, on top of that she is an Asari which together with her morality will be a factor
>present it to one or more of the factions, then try argue why you should keep it


>reveal the nature of the artifact to those you give it to, everyone and/or your crew
>keep it to yourself

Consider your choice of actions with exceptional care.

>>3473732

>try to smuggle the figurine with you (You don’t know if anyone else is aware of its significance, but it’s still an artifact. Risk of failure.)

>reveal the nature of the artifact to those you give it to, everyone and/or your crew

Only our crew

>>3473756
I'm specially interested in Kris's take on it since he is a fellow scholar, to a lesser extent and to keep things open between ship members, Lea with her family background or Eve with her knowledge could contribute something too.

Without wanting to dissuade you from taking risks I feel you should be forewarned that smuggle atrempt will involve opposing rolls.

>>3473793
My reasoning for smuggling it is that, while Libella is an asari, she is also a spectre, loyal to the council, just revealing this to her can put her in a difficult position of conflicting loyalties, and so I would trynto search for an Asari schollar from the society to discuss this finding with.

Can we tell her what we find and ask her to help taking this out from here and explaining that, for her own good it would be better not to say what it is? If she trust us enough she may help us and use her authority to give us the piece, if she doesn't we hand it over to her and explain what it is and she'll have to deal with the consequences herself

>>3473804
You can certainly do that, it falls under option 4.

Also, write in options are always welcome

>>3473804
I'll go along with this, and maybe inform her the nature of it after we are out of here since she has the right to know if she helps us, but warn her that it will put her in a tight spot

>>3473732

>present it to one or more of the factions, then try argue why you should keep it
Libella


>reveal the nature of the artifact to those you give it to, everyone and/or your crew
Crew

Weighing your options is not an easy task for you, considering the charge hidden within this innocent relic you held in your hand, but when you review your options you find that choosing the path to take is surprisingly easy - you decide to seek out the person who has without a doubt and from multiple angles the greatest stake in the matter: the Asari Spectre, Libella Tefar.

After temporarily excusing yourself from your crew and sending her a brief message requesting for a private chat you head towards the room she indicates in her reply. It turns out to be a base armory; you walk in on her going through stocks of Cerberus weaponry, accompanied by one of the marines and one of the Turians, none of them batting an eye as she tests one of the Harriers and then unceremoniously snaps it onto her back. You smirk. Of course, Spectres.

“Please, leave us for a moment.” She asks softly. Both of the soldiers stop their cataloguing, give a respectful nod and walk out of the room.

“Exercising the dibs?”

She gives you a wry grin. “What can I say? It is the SOP. However, I doubt you called for a meeting to discuss looting.”

“In a manner of speaking, I have.” You say, lifting the statue in your hand.

“What is that?”

“First, Miss Tefar, I need to ask you whether you trust me.”

She raises her eyebrows and cocks her head back. “Oh? Why do you ask?”

“Because I trust you to make the right call, several of them, in fact, but may end up putting you into a difficult situation depending on some of them.”

She studies you for a moment, her silver irised eyes seemingly trying to bore into your soul. “That seems uncharacteristically conspiratory of you, Captain
Ford.”

You sigh. “I suppose so, but for good reason. But I stand by my question: do you trust me?”

Seemingly satisfied with whatever she could garner from her stare she turns her gaze away and ponders in silence fo pr a moment.

“I do trust you, Mr Ford. You’ve done nothing to make me consider otherwise. And that makes this line of conversation even more worrying to me. And so I will have to call upon this trust of yours to speak plainly.”

“Even if it could potentially bring you into conflict between your loyalties to the Council and that to your own people?”

“I’m no stranger to difficult situations, captain. Have some faith in me.”

You close your eyes, wondering if you’re making a mistake. If you read her wrong on one of many facets, possibly your last one. But, you couldn’t reply in good conscience do anything else. Handing the statue to the Alliance could have a range of outcomes, from disastrous to political gain the kind of which you preferred not to consider, handing it to Turians would, much as you otherwise valued them as allies, have been virtually guaranteed to end in a crisis, and spiriting it away would taint any chances of equitable outcome with a clandestine action had you been found out. This was the best way, even if it meant trusting a Spectre.

“Very well. I do. Here’s the thing, then: I’ve discovered that Cerberus has gotten its hands on a set of Asari statues, figurines of the goddess Athame.” You make a pause for effect, then present the artifact in your hand. “This... is the oldest one.”

Libella approaches you to examine the figurine. “I... see. What did they want with it, you think?” She asks. Before you can reply, she adds “what a peculiar style...”

“Therein lies the catch. The form you see is not result of artistic license, at least not in the way you probably imagine.” You say. “Everything points to suggest that the goddess Athame has or is a Prothean character.”

“That’s nonsense! In fact there are those among my people that would call it a heresy and execute you on the spot for such utterance.”

You decide against pointing out that she might yet be tempted to when full importance of the find hits her. “Then I thank you for your forbearance.” You say instead. “However, the evidence pointing to it being true cannot be ignored... and they wouldn’t be, by some people, especially if the story begins collecting embellishments, or worse, malicious propaganda.”

You can see her eyes go wide as she finally arrives at the realization you have earlier.

“By the goddess...” she exhales. “I can scarcely believe it. The faith in the goddess has long since become more of a value commitment than any actual worship, but this still has potential to be a shock to our society. And on international stage.... oh goddess, whoever you were...” she makes a few steps, thinking aloud. Then she stops and looks at you. “You were right. Forgive me for doubting you, Captain, your cautious approach was perfectly justified, and now I can properly appreciate amount of trust you showed me in bringing this here.”

She offers a genuine looking smile, even though you could feel the dull weight behind her eyes that wasn’t there moments ago.

“So tell me, Captain Ford, what did you intend to do with this artifact that you came to me?”

“My Intention was to carry it out with me until such time when I could hand it over to the Institute, preferably to an Asari branch. I believe whatever truth it represents should be object of study and, the sooner the better, publication. What I would hate to happen is for it to become a political weapon.”

Libella’s smile softens further. “You’re a rare breed, Captain.” She says, and then her expression hardens again. “Although, I doubt that openness in this question is going to happen anytime soon, academic floor or no.”

“Truth is the only reliable defense against distrust and discord.” You say. “The longer a painful secret is forced to fester the bigger stink it makes when it inevitably comes to light.”

“I remember your argument from last time, Captain.” Libella says. “And it warms my heart to hear it, but I still think you just haven’t seen what a sufficiently well crafted lie can do.” You open your mouth to protest but she waves it off. “No, I’m sorry. That was not right for me to say. Mr. Ford, I trust your judgment. I will support you in taking the artifact with you and will trust you will handle it with due discretion as you apparently understand its value. I just urge you to choose who to reveal it with exceptional care.”

She looks around, as if collecting her thoughts.

“I’m going to look into this matter myself when I have chance. Perhaps I’ll be able to find someone with enough pull to help your cause. This is an information of the kind that can make people disappear.”

You feel a chill at having your fears confirmed. The warm smile you get from Libella makes up for it, though.

“In the meantime, I’d be glad to be able to count you among my friends.”

She offers you a hand.

>Friendly handshake
>Formal handshake
>Refuse handshake
>something else

Do you want to ask/tell the Spectre anything else?

After that you feel you’ve done what you could in this base, unless you want to do something specific here still. Otherwise you’ll take your crew (minus Eve who will go with the Alliance Captain for one last time) to your skycar and depart for
>Alliance base Eve will be released from
>Turian base your ship is at
>somewhere else

With these questions I withdraw into the night. Have a pleasant & relaxing Labor Day, friends.

>>3474164
>A hug
>Alliance base Eve will be released from

>>3474169
>>Friendly handshake

>Alliance base Eve will be released from
I believe it's time for those drinks

>>3474169
Supporting >>3474185
We drink after safely stowing the artifact.

>>3474169

>Friendly handshake
>Alliance base Eve will be released from

It went better than expected I think, ugh, I just hope the Asari is not waifued.

>>3474169
>>3474185
second

You take her hand and return her warm smile with one of your own. Sharing a moment when you look into each other’s eyes you feel reaffirmed in your judgement, at least for now. Although aware that at a later time you may wonder if it was merely an act of a woman with centuries of experience in subterfuge or just a short-lived emotional response circumstance spurred in either of you, for now it seems Libella is earnest.

>you’ve made a friend! You are reasonably sure the Asari Spectre will assist you should you need it, possibly even without your knowledge, and that she may confide in you a distress of her own.

On that note you wrap up your presence in the Cerberus base. Libella accompanies you to the office where you collect your crew and settle with the Alliance captain some details like how you’ve been tasked by the Spectre to deliver the artifact discreetly on her behalf, how Eve will return to the lab until her paperwork is done and how Libella will do her best to expedite the process without stepping on any toes too forcefully. Then you exchange your goodbyes and head to the hangar.

Finally you find yourself in your skycar with Kris at your side, Lea on the backseat and a political bomb in a hidden compartment, speeding towards London.

“So, what was that all about?” Kris asks.

“Right the figurine.” You say. “First, I owe it to you to ask if you really want to know, because the thing is kind of sensitive and if you let it slip, you’re opening yourself to ridicule at best, disappearance at worst.”

“Huh. I thought I was the paranoid one. Okay, shoot.” Kris says.

“Lea?” You ask, the Quarian taking her time to answer.

“Well...” She says. “For one, I’m curious. And besides, it’s not like anyone trying to silence you would spare us just because you did not tell us.”

You grimace at the thought. She was right, and your fear of exposing her to danger by association was becoming more realized with every moment. She did sign up though, if she was going to share your risks, it was only fair for her to know their cause.

“Alright. Kris, did you take a look at the figurine?”

“Yeah. Didn’t have chance to scan it though, you were clutching it like it was your baby.”

“Noticed anything interesting?”

“The shape of the head was funny. Couldn’t find a justification for it that would inspire confidence.”

“Well, the short of it is that the Asari goddess is actually Protheans, who may have not only protected their civilization from other aliens but also uplifted them before the Reapers came.”

“Well, shit.” Kris says.

“That’s kind of cool, to be honest.” Lea says.

“I guess that is a way of looking at it.” You say.

“And not one that would be making rounds on the networks if it came out.” Kris says.

“What do you mean? It’s not like it changes who the Asari were all along. It’s just new information to give context to the history.” Lea asks.

“Not just history, girl. Biggest reason why Asari are taken seriously is due to their image of the senior, most developed, venerable species. It’s based more on reputation and trust than on their military and economic might which is not that impressive in comparison with Turians, Salarians, hell, even humanity.”

“Hey!” You object, Kris responds with a snicker before going on.

“Anyway, now it could turn out that their development is due to Alien meddling, diminishing their merit. And depending on how much of it was known, it could destroy any trust they accrued because it was created on basis of deception on civilizational level.”

“That’s... Huh.”

“Yeah, politicians have killed for less. Not with their own hands of course. And Ford went with it straight to the Spectre, the absolute madman.”

“Hey, it worked out.”

“Well, what are we going to do with this then?” Lea asks.

“I’m keeping it safe until we find some trustworthy enough Asari scholar to set up a way to publicize it.” You answer,

“Heh, you might want to write that down into your testament so your grandchildren know to pass it along.” Kris comments.

Silence descends on the skycar. With still some road ahead of you, you switch on the radio.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SybgWaQy7_c

Eventually you return to where you began your pursuit - the refugee camp with the Alliance compound overlooking it. You estimated you had some time to spend before Captain Slusarski’s men would catch up.

>Head to a civilian pub
>Head to the Alliance compound, ask about the space clearing mission
>Explore the refugee camp
>go somewhere specific not listed

>take one or both Kris and Lea with you
>free for all
>other arrangement

>>3475278

>Head to a civilian pub
Invite them both.

>>3475323
Supporting

>>3475278

>Head to a civilian pub
Good thing we had every race in the galaxy around here, maybe we'll find something Lea can ingest

>>3475323
+1

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The skycar touched down on the same parking lot, if not exactly in the same spot, and you climb out. Not much has changed in your absence. You were getting used to intense bouts of excitement between your moments of downtime that made it seem like days have passed, and compared to the Reaper invasion it was nice to see your downtime area did not get burned to the ground while you were gone.

As it were, the area in question was now home to several thousands of survivors as they regained their bearing in the recuperating world. As such it was virtually guaranteed that there would be a drinking establishment present where its occupants could make the transition to new circumstances more palatable, or avoid facing it altogether.

“Let’s go find someplace to drink.” You say.

“Aye aye.” Kris nods Lea says nothing, only falls in behind as you set out into the depths of the camp.

You make your way through a clearly improvised area where old world structures in various states of repair and modification were intermixed with hastily fabricated unmarked standardized housing cells. Well, unmarked... most of them have already shown some manner of personality of their occupants. A lot of them were mundane symbols or drawings, some humorous, some serious, some expressions of pain or frustration. But most of them were free of hallmarks of serial commercial productions: corporate logos, standardized information tablets or patterns, symbols of certification, indicating their origin in military fabricators of Alliance tender ships or assembly plants built in the outposts like the one formerly directed by sergeant Vox.

“I don’t want to be Saren anymore. Saren is lame.” Came a child’s voice from a side alley.

“Well, someone has to do it and you’re too small to be Shepard.” Replied another. Two young boys emerged from it, crossing the concourse You were traveling along, rushing towards the other side with a girl and a toy frigate in tow.

“That’s not fair. Lucy is smaller than me and she never plays Saren.”

“She’s a girl, she’s the only one that can play Spectre Williams. Maybe you’d rather play Udina?”

“You’re the worst.”

With this the children vanish out of sight.

“Chipper little things.” Kris commented.

You wondered where they were during the fights and occupation. How much did they see of the horrors. Or maybe they just exhibited the uncanny youthful resilience.

“Where are their parents?” Lea asks.

Right. One question was if they were even alive. But Lea probably was inspired by other phenomenon: children having autonomy to run about and explore. Another thing unthinkable on the migrant fleet where child would be confined to a protective bubble until it grew to a size where dedicated suit would be worthwhile.

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After a while of walking you make it to a clearing that probably served as a square even when the city was still working normally, surrounded by a ring of old, varyingly burned office buildings. Nestled among them was a singular structure that seemed miraculously undamaged.

“Lucky sod.” Kris remarks. “The surroundings taller buildings must’ve sheltered that one during the fights.”

“Wouldn’t it still be covered in rubble and soot though?”

“Guess he was quick on the cleanup. Maybe he had help, too.” The Krogan said, indicating a diverse gathering of people of all species that was scattered outside the undamaged building, seated in chairs and around tables that looked like something straight out of a domestic fabber unit, which is probably exactly where they came from. If there was ever any doubt as to the nature of establishment it was easily dispelled by the sign “Robinson’s” hung over the entrance.

“Well, looks like we found our tavern. Let’s see what they serve and at what cost.”

Entering the bar you find it easy to forget that a machined genocide was going on in this area just over a week ago. Interior was decorated in warm colors with a lot of wood, illuminated by several dim wall lights sporting what could very well be antiquated heat bulbs emitting a pleasant, warm light. Irregularly placed wooden tables were populated by similarly diverse cast of characters. In fact, you actually recognize two of them.

“Ford, you son of a gun. How’re you doing?”

“Abe! Well good until now, old man.” You say with a grin and pull the man into a hug. “Naira. Good to see you too.” You address a stern looking Asari sitting at the same table as the old man was. She responds with a narrow smile and a nod. She was never a talkative type. “This is my crew.” You say, making a round of introductions.

“Alright, now that we’re not strangers anymore, let’s sit down together and swap tales.”

“Are you sure? Wouldn’t want to intrude on your date.” You say, subtle shifts in Naira’s sphinxlike features confirming your guess.

“It’s fine. We’ve got all the time in the universe now. Might as well spend some if it with war buddies.”

Looking at the Asari you were unsure if she felt the same way.

“Apanyway, let’s see what’s on the tap first.” You say noncommittally and head off.

After some more weaving between the tables you arrive at a bar, tended to by a giant of a man who was, what else, polishing a glass.

“Welcome to Robinson’s. What’ll it be?”

“How do we pay for drinks these days, anyway?”

“First round’s on the house. Next one at my discretion if I feel you need it. If not, there’s one more round for table for a story.”

“A story? Do you listen to all the stories of the people here?”

He shrugs and you can almost feel the floor tremble. “I try. Doesn’t have to be told me, though, just shared. So. Any requests?”

>what would you like?
>will you drink at the bar, go to Abe’s table after all, or find a different one? One of the table seems to have a downcast salarian at it but with enough space for three more of you.

>>3475547
Let's try something new, chose whatever we haven't drunk yet.
Sit a while with the two and learn what they plan to do and how did they get out of that building alive
But then excuse ourselves and give them some privacy, Naira will appreciate

>>3475547
A beer should be good, sit with Abe.

>>3475576
sure, sounds good

>>3475576
Sure

“I’ll have a beer. Dark lager, maybe, if you have any.”

The bartender nods and pulls out a mug and put it under the tap.

“Do you have Ryncol?” Kris asked, then his eyes went wide when the bartender nodded and produced another mug alongside with a ceramic jug, pouring some liquid into the mug, then replacing the jug under the table.

“Is there anything I could drink?” Lea asks. The barkeep turns around, pulls some handle and a drink-lined section of a shelf behind him withdraws into the counter below, revealing another layer of shelved drinks. The man picks a bottle, pours some of its contents into a glass, then snaps a lid with a straw on top of it.

“What... is it?”

“A drink, acquired from Turian smugglers. The troops came to calling it ‘Te-Keelah’.”

You can’t help but grin a bit while Kris snickers audibly. Lea takes the glass, her eyes probing it suspiciously. She takes a sip and the green orbs widen.

“Damn, this is good. I knew mom was keeping the good stuff away.”

You thank the bartender as you pick up your own filled mug and the three of you head over to where Abe and Naira were sitting.

“So then, old man - don’t worry, old lady, we won’t be pestering you for long.”

“Don’t worry, whippersnapper, I have means of ensuring that you don’t.” Naira smirks. You don’t doubt that, you’ve seen her throw people through walls before.

“Alright then, until that happens, let us drink.” You say. “To new beginnings!”

The toast is echoed and vessels collide. You were glad to be able to do this with them, your only regret being that Eve wasn’t present, although at least now you knew she was fine.

“Anyway. Last I’ve seen you two you’ve been buried under a building. I heard you got out, but not how.” You say.

“All her fault, I’m afraid.” Abe says. “She kept a barrier up around us when the building fell. Was knocked out cold myself then, but she kept us safe till I came to. Dug ourselves out afterwards. Good thing we had our hardsuits, might’ve suffocated without them.”

You nod. “Glad that you made it. Sorry I didn’t stick around until you got out.”

“You made the right call. Pity about Eve, though. The bot was a deeper thinker than most of the staff at my secondary school. And yes, I was indeed goin uphill both ways back then.”

“Of course you did. And about Eve, she got better, actually.”

“She did? Bless her bolts, that’s good news. Might be first war of mine where entire company made it all the way to the end. ‘Course that hardly makes it easier on account how many companies got wiped out in an instant.”

“Yeah, we don’t really call it a war.” Kris says. He adopted your habit of referring to the conflict as a crisis, at least when he was in company he didn’t want to use swear words in front of. “War’s between people. This...” he waves his hand and falls silent.

“Well, at least it’s over.” Lea says, sipping at her drink.

“Right, the new lass. What’s your story, Miss Faris, was it?”

“I’m on a pilgrimage, decided to kick it off by serving on captain Ford’s ship, and he graciously accepted my services.”

“Oho! So you signed up for Henri to make a woman out of you?”

You are glad you just swallowed your most recent sip or else you’d be in temptation to spray it over old man’s face, as the table chuckles at your expense. Except Lea, apparently. “You are technically correct, sir. The best kind of correct.” Sip.

“So, you were on the migrant fleet recently, I take it? Have you heard of this incident the news is blowing all up?” Naira speaks up.

>I heard of it, and that’s about all I can tell about it
>Nope, wasn’t really paying attention past the delivery I was making.
>yes, I was there when it happened.
>I’d rather not talk about it here
>I’d rather not talk about anything news have to say
>something else

(Ford and his crew can gain fame among the general public, which comes with benefits as well as downsides)

>>3475889
>yes, I was there when it happened.

>>3475889
>yes, I was there when it happened.

The specters want to investigate more tho.

>>3475889
>yes, I was there when it happened.
But
>I’d rather not talk about it here

“Yeah,” You say with a slightly hushed tone, small part of you hoping nobody else than your compatriots would be listening. “I was there when it happened.”

“Damn. So it’s true, someone wanted to blow up the migrant fleet?”

“Yeah. Dreadful business. There was a solid chance...” or at least you’d like to think so “...that it wouldn’t come to worst, but still, the thought that someone might’ve actually made this kind of attempt just days after the victory over Reapers...”

“It’s not news to me that we’re more than adequate enemies to ourselves.” Naira remarks. “Although I did hope it would take longer than that for the old routine to kick in.”

“Doesn’t seem routine to me, darlin’... this kind of action hints at something bigger. Say, Ford, any idea who was behind that?”

“They’re still investigating that. Council’s on it, too.” You decide to omit the most sensitive parts due to circumstances, although it stings you a bit to be unable to talk openly with the couple you’ve shared more than a bit of pain with.

“Right, they mentioned joint investigation.” Abe nods. “So, what exactly did you do, if you can tell?”

“Well, long story short, I was the one who brought the bastard on board as part of a deal. When it turned out he’s got a sinister purpose I helped the locals chase him down.”

“Good man. Always respected it when people clean up after themselves. Seems like accountability has all but evaporated with today’s young’uns.”

“You’re overacting, Abe.” Naira chided.

“Aw shush. I know you like my old man antics. Now I only need to find a niece piece of lawn to lord over. Something for kids to mow down, too.”

“Kids, eh? You’re that far along already?”

“You bet.” Abe says, Naira placing her face in her palms, perhaps in anticipation of what’s to come. “We even made a deal. I’m picking name for girls, she for boys.”

You can’t help but chuckle at that, as do others. You can even spot a corner of Naira’s lips twitch upward.

“Anyway, I think we’ve intruded enough for the time being. Let’s go, people.” Kris and Lea nod and follow you to...

>the bar
>the still moping lone salarian
>outside
>look for a specific setup at one of the tables

I take my leave once more. Solar winds carry you to your next port, friends.

>>3476163
>the still moping lone salarian

Give me your hook reptilian friend

>>3476163
>the still moping lone salarian

>>3476163
>>the still moping lone salarian

>>3476163
>the still moping lone salarian

>Te-Keelah

This is great lol

„Excuse me, are these places taken?”

“Oh don’t mind me, human. It’s just me and my drink here.”

The three of you take your places at the table and you see he is in fact cradling an empty glass. For a moment you sip at what’s left of your drinks quietly, nobody sure how to ignite the conversation without upsetting the Salarian.

“You lost someone dear to you?” Lea is first to try.

“No, no, nothing like that. Well, yes, plenty of them. And for what?”

“I’m sorry for your loss, but the Reapers are beaten. Their deaths were not in vain. Wouldn’t they want you to carry them in your heart?”

“That’s exactly my point, Quarian. I wonder if they wouldn’t prefer being dead to witness the galaxy broken down to thus dismal state.”

“You can’t be serious.” You speak up. “I could imagine someone having gloomy thoughts when walking through the ruins, but right now you are in place that shows just how much the shared struggle brought people together.”

Just from your seat you could see several groups that would be somewhat unlikely to appear previously: Krogan, Turian and Salarian, men and Batarians, Alliance officer sitting next to a gruff terminus mercenary....

“That just show how constrained and myopic your consciousness is, human, if you only consider what’s in front of you. And you still manage to miss how volatile the mix is. This fake island of decency is a bomb waiting to blow into everyone’s face.”

“I should hope not, I really hate having to renovate every other week.” Bartender’s massive figure looms over you even as he leans down to collect empty vessels and replace them with full ones, including the one belonging to the now scared speechless Salarian. Then he leaves, as soundlessly as he arrived.

“So, what exactly makes you think that the outlook is so grim for the future?” Lea doesn’t let up.

“Everything. The wrecked infrastructure is barely able to cope with the survivors. As the population grows, it will not be able to keep up unless regulation is relaxed, which would in turn lead to instability, disputes, conflict. With common foe dead and no unifying purpose, old feuds and rivalries begin to pop up unchecked and with renewed intensity.”

Salarian’s eyes dart towards Kris, something you almost miss but the Krogan doesn’t - and sighs.

“This is about the genophage, isn’t it.”

The Salarian doesn’t say anything for once. “Listen, My amphibian friend. I‘ve studied history well enough to understand that it was a self inflicted disaster my people brought upon themselves. However I also know enough to recognize, that not every pattern unfolds exactly as you expect it.”

“Is that so? Then what do you expect?” The slightly emboldened Salarian asks.

“A good amount of conflict within Krogans, the warlord Wrex has no shortage of enemies, some of them n doubt itching for a fight to honor the tradition, but overall he’s in a good position to drag us into the future.”

“Yeah, future for Krogan.” The Salarian sneers.

“Maybe so, Although if his actions so far are of any indication, he won’t allow our species to go on a re-enactment of the Rebellions. And if he does... well, let’s say that this time rebellion would have a more fronts than just us versus them.” Kris continued quietly.

The Salarian had enough sense to not argue with him, but he seemed unconvinced of the brighter future, even though you could spot the cracks appearing as result of this encounter. “Anyway, aside from Krogan running rampant there’s a number of other issues. Scarcity, tensions, upheavals... we’re living in shadow of a volcano that can bury us at any moment.”

> add an argument of your own
> salarian’s brooding may be just a mask, try to probe deeper to find the root cause
> suggest him a hobby, like starting a band.
> appeal to his pride, tell him the otherwise chaotic situation is an opportunity for salarians to shine
>appeal to egoism, tell him he can use the chaos to his advantage
>other topic
>leave him to his thoughts.

With these sole posts I Return to rest once more.

>>3478446
>> add an argument of your own

You miss the point, I've seen enough horrors here, and those that extended their hands came from every walk in life, we are still people, with desires and ambitions, and conflict is bound to happen, but if this crysis proved something is that we will not roll over and die, not for the reapers,not for your so called volcano.
Old enemies became allies, sintethic fighting alongside organic, I don't know about you, but I'll try my best to make what we have here last.

and

> salarian’s brooding may be just a mask, try to probe deeper to find the root cause

>>3478446
>> salarian’s brooding may be just a mask, try to probe deeper to find the root cause

>>3478446
>add an argument of your own
Conflict is inevitable, but everyone in here has something they can do to help. The bartender's giving drinks for stories, a story doesn't make him money, and he might not even hear most of the good ones. He's doing it so everyone can sit down and look each other in the eye as people.
More on topic of your concerns, you've heard the news on the incident in the migrant fleet? The Terrorist was hunted down by the Quarrians AND the Freighter crew.
Come hell or high water, there are people fighting tooth and nail against that "volcano" of yours. You can sit here and worry, or you can stand for what you want to see in this galaxy.

“Well, yout concerns are not entirely baseless...” you say, taking a sip while the Salarian shifts attention to you. “But your dreary outlook seems to blind you to some pretty important points.”

“Like what? No offense, human, but I think if anyone is overlooking something here, it’s you.”

“To begin with, you miss that the shared victory that brought the whole galaxy together, bridging gaps between mortal enemies like the Quarians and the Geth or Krogans, Turians and Salarians...”

“Or Batarians and pretty much everyone else.” Said a Turian from a neighboring table, eliciting chuckle from most of his fellow patrons except for the one Batarian grumbling something mildly rude, even as his mouth twitched into a grin.

You went on: “...involved more than just struggle for survival. It brought struggle for *mutual* survival. It laid bare before each of us that we are dependent on each other to cover our weak spots, it got us to recognize our often demonized neighbors as actual human - “

“Hey!” One of the Turians listening in objected, probably in jest.

“Shut up, you know what he means.” The Batarian berated him all the same.

“ -beings. We’ve bled and died for each other, and that much will stay with us even if our common enemy is gone.”

“Yes, maybe positive experience of a few individuals will improve the relations for a time. At least while they’re able to share it.”

“Every civilization shares its memories and experience across generations, it would be unable to develop otherwise. But that leads me to another point you’ve omitted: we are each more than just a biological or in some cases mechanical automata, we all have our dreams and visions, and we are capable of working towards them even in face of adversity. Some say that we even need some adversity to bring out what is best in us. We have already demonstrated that during the crisis, not just on the field of battle, but also through hard work needed to pull through.”

“Worked for us, maybe, but not so much for the countless civilizations before us.”

“And yet it was their effort that boosted our own progress to the point where victory was possible. In a way they may have as well worked together with us despite gulf of aeons separating us. Even if they eventually succumbed, they helped lay groundwork for our triumph. And now that it’s been achieved, it’s up to us to make the best of it in face of whatever challenge there is to come. Some we may be aware of. Some yet remain hidden from us. And when the time comes to face them, it will again be up to each of us whether to yield... or rise up!”

On impulse, you raise your mug. That was accompanied by clatter of other vessels and some subdued cheering. You noticed that both Kris and Lea held their drinks high as well and you remembered yourself lowering your arm with a smile and a mild blush at your own antics.

The Salarian was staring off into distance now, but soon turned at you, a glint behind his eyes you don’t think was there earlier.

“You know wha, human? Maybe you’re not entirely wrong. At least you’ve got me thinking a bit.”

“That’s all I can ask for, mister... oh, by the way, I’m Henri Ford, CIX associate.

“Tufferson Kris, same.”

“Lea’Fari. I’m traveling as their crew mate.”

The Salarian sighs. “Fine, Fine. I’m Eji Maroon. I work for NSD, accounting department.”

“NSD?” Lea asks

“Hmm... something stellar dynamics, I believe. A corporation.” You say.

“I’m amazed so many of those survived to this day. What does an accountant even do these days? Don’t exactly see a lot of price tags anywhere.” Kris remarks.

“That never stopped us from making up numbers to present the board with.” Eji shrugs. “Or the board from demanding them, for that matter.”

Ugh. You decide to navigate the conversation to a topic you feel more comfortable with. “What happened that gave you the long face you’ve been wearing?”

At that the Salarian sags again.

“Well done, human. Did you deliver your speech just so you could kick me in the guts again?”

“That’s... look, I’m sorry, but it was kind of obvious you have more in your mind than existential crisis. Maybe if we bring out what got you down so then you won’t have to distract yourself by brooding.”

“Are you a psychoanalyst now, Ford?” Kris shakes his head.

“Oh leave him. He has a point.” Eji says, his voice dropping into whisper, hoping conversation in rest of the pub would grant him some privacy. “My friend got fired for disagreeing with my boss.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”

“Yeah, feel free to point me to a court that can be bothered with such case. Actually, don’t bother, I tried them all. All military of course. You can imagine what they told me.”

“I’m sure there will be civil court established soon, especially considering elections are coming.” You say.

“Funny you should mention those. You see, the issue my friend got fired over was that he found out our company is illicitly supporting one of the parties and wanted to put a stop to it.”

“Well that definitely sounds like something military court should take interest in.”

“Not when evidence is scarce and open to interpretation.” Eji shakes his head and sips from his refilled drink. The barkeep came and went like a ghost in spite of his stature.

>offer to infiltrate the corporate headquarters.
>you’d like to speak with that friend and see what he knows
>express sympathy for his plight and take your leave
>something else

It’s also getting late. For you, at least. Where would you like to rest?
>civilian bunkhouse nearby
>sleep in the car. Will be cramped and hardly comfortable, but should be doable
>maybe try if the Alliance barracks don’t have some bunks available.
>take the car out of the city and camp there
>look for another alternative (specify)

>>3480328
>you’d like to speak with that friend and see what he knows

>take the car out of the city and camp there

Enjoy a little bit of earth before we leave it behind, makes us remeber all those nights camped at strange planet wilderness

>>3480349
supporting

>>3480328

>offer to infiltrate the corporate headquarters.

>take the car out of the city and camp there

>>3480349
Supporting from phone.

>>3480328
>you’d like to speak with that friend and see what he knows
>civilian bunkhouse nearby

“I’d be very interested in talking to that friend of yours. Would it be possible to get his contact information?”

“What would you do with him? Do you have contacts in judiciary? Why do you even want to involve yourself?”

Technically Libella was even better for some cases, but in this case not so much. And you didn’t want to strain her with potentially irrelevant affairs, at least until you learned more of the situation.

“Let’s just say it bothers me when I see people suffer for petty or outright malicious reasons, or corporations usurping public sector.”

“You must live in state of constant botherness, then. Or have attention span of a goldfish.” Thats rich coming from you,. “But I’ll try to reach them.. give me you extraweb address”

You exchange contacts, finish your drinks and exchange farewells before leaving. Before long you’re back to your car.

“Don’t tell me you intend to sleep in here.” Kris states.

“Not quite. But we do have our survival kit here, meaning...”

“Ah, you want to go camping. Fine by me.

“Camping? Nish “*hic* nice, I don’t think I’ve done anything like this before, Lea says.

First things first, you check the hidden compartment of the car an find the statuette exactly where you left it. Satisfied you move behind the wheel and..

“Warning. Trace amounts of alcohol present, manual drive locked.” Skycar’s VI declared. Damn. Now you’ll have to find a suitable area on map rather than exploring by the feel. Oh well, better safe than sorry you suppose.

After several whiles of poring over the public satellite imagery the three of you settle on three potential candidate spots:

>green zone - lakeside meadow. The area belongs to someone. Ask them for permission (Y/N)
>blue zone - an orchard that somehow survived the Reapers, now provisionally claimed by the Alliance, but a portion of it that’s gone feral could conceal a decent spot for camping.
>red zone - forest clearing, technically you’re not supposed to be there and might get yourself in trouble with the military overseeing limit are enforced, but you doubt anyone would really care if you rested there for a day.

I retire. Safe travels, friends.

>>3480971
>blue zone - an orchard that somehow survived the Reapers, now provisionally claimed by the Alliance, but a portion of it that’s gone feral could conceal a decent spot for camping.
Eh

>>3480971

>green zone - lakeside meadow. The area belongs to someone. Ask them for permission (Y/N)
Y

If they don't give it

>red zone - forest clearing, technically you’re not supposed to be there and might get yourself in trouble with the military overseeing limit are enforced, but you doubt anyone would really care if you rested there for a day.

Drunk Lea, kek.

>>3480971
>Green Zone, Y. Or One of the other two if not given permission. (Coin flip on a tie)

>>3481055
Actually if one is physically closer to where we are pick that. If you haven’t worked that out before then go with the coin flip.

Bringing up another layer of information over your map you request contact to owner of the meadow in the green zone. As it turns out, the land belongs to the church, the catholic one to be precise. You raise your eyebrow slightly but are otherwise not very surprised. They did tend to keep good records of their property after all. Not wasting another moment you dialed in the address referred to as contact and after a while are greeted by a high pitched male voice.

“London diocese secretary, how can I be of assistance?”

“Hello. I was wondering if I could ask for permission to make a camp for the night at the property with designation...” you squint to make out a string of characters on the map projected by your omnitool and read them aloud.

“Hm-hm, I see...” the man on the other side answered, then fell silent for a moment. “Could I know your name, please?” He asks after a while.

“Certainly. Henri Ford, special consultant for Citadel Institute of Xenoarchaeology. I’d be with my crew of two.”

“I see, I see... please, hold on for a moment.” The man says and falls silent again. “Very well, permission is granted. Please, be considerate of the environment. Also, there is brother Hubert’s hermitage in the area. Please be considerate of his solitude as well, and... erm, not alarmed if you meet him.”

“Of course. Thank you very much for granting my request.”

“Go with God’s blessing.” The Secretary said and hung up.

“Huh, that went well.” Kris noted. “Wouldn’t expect them to be this welcoming of a random stranger on their land.”

“Well, either they were checking my credentials out and found no issue or, well, I guess we’ll see.” You shrug.

“Maybe they’re just this nice?” Lea proposed.

Kris measured her with a skeptical look.

“Anyway, no point in sitting around. Let’s head out.”

The three of you get in the car and put in desired coordinates, relying on autopilot to take you to the location. You could override it, of course, but at the moment it hardly felt necessary. Instead you settled into your seat and watch the landscape, a mixture of burnt, razed, pillaged and reclaimed neighborhoods for the time being, glide past.

Suburban landscape soon gave way to more sparse countryside and after a few minutes the car began to slow down on approach to a small, partially burnt forest. Border of the burnt section was apparently a battlefield at some point, judging by Reaper creations strewn across the field. You could not see any sapient bodies, however. One possible explanation presented itself in form of several crosses erected along the burned tree line.

Before you spot anything else of interest the car brings you past the burned portion of the woods and over the still living one. At this point water surface comes into view, a modestly sized lake with a small dam barring stream exiting it, brook or brooks feeding the lake out of your view for the moment - at least until the car swings around and settles on a small clearing in the woods at lake’s shore, a small trickle from among the trees making its way to the lake along the clearing’s western edge. You’ve arrived at your destination.

>Use last of the day’s light to have a short hike in the woods, you can set yourself up well enough under artificial light.
>Use last of the day’s light to set up camp, this was a long day, better not put rest off any more than necessary.
>other plan

>>3482498
>Use last of the day’s light to set up camp, this was a long day, better not put rest off any more than necessary.
Way safer as an option.

>>3482498
>>Use last of the day’s light to set up camp, this was a long day, better not put rest off any more than necessary.

>>3482498

>Use last of the day’s light to have a short hike in the woods, you can set yourself up well enough under artificial light.

Deciding to not waste more time, or day’s waning light, you break out your equipment and go about setting up camp for the night. Between your and Kris’s experience it doesn’t take long to see your two tents erected. Lea, not yet having much experience herself in such matters, mostly stands back and fiddles with her tool, occasionally lending either one of you a hand when called upon. After you’re done with standard setup, you and Kris dig through your spare supplies and construct an additional impromptu shelter which, while not as well insulated, will do well enough to provide a comfortable enough night’s rest.

Eventually, no sooner than last rays of dusk die down, yielding sky to clouds and stars, the camp is ready and the three of you are seated in front of a small heater, eating some rations.

“This place is beautiful.” Lea says softly. “I guess I omagined that war torn Earth would be all gloom and soot and ash, but I guess there are places that endured in better shape.”

“Indeed. Between here and that pub I find it easy to imagine Reapers were just a bad dream.”

“Well, at least some such places exist.” Kris shrugs.

“And hopefully will get enough appreciation that they end up multiplying.” You say. “In the meantime we might as well enjoy ourselves while we can.”

“Keelah se-lai.” Lea says. Can’t wait to do this on my own homeworld.”

You spend few moments in comfortable silence, the loudest sound being babbling of a nearby stream and gentle wind rustling the leaves and branches. But as all good things must come to an end, this one is no exception.

“So, before someone goes off on a tangent, let’s settle some practical things.” Kris speaks up. “Firstly, who takes the first watch...”

>thank you for volunteering, Kris
>you will
>the new girl will
>not necessary, skycar’s proximity sensor will pick up any potential threats, of which there should be none on landscape as domesticated as this one.

“...and secondly, who takes the cold storage.” He asks, the latter question referring to the improvised lean-to.

>you
>Lea
>Kris

What to do after this is settled?

>straight to sleep
>ask someone something

>>3482670
>you will


>you
It's our environment so I think we can handle.

>ask someone something
Ask them what they think about what the Salarian was talking, what they think the future holds for the galaxies races.

>>3482681
this, the earth is our home so let's be good hosts.

“It shouldn’t be necessary, but I’ll take the watch. And I’ll take the improvised housing, too. This is after all my world, what would it tell about me if I denied you hospitality?”

Kris nods in acknowledgment, after a moment so dies Lea, otherwise looking int distance.

“So,” you speak up after a while. “After hearing Maroon, What do you think of the future? “

For a moment, neither respond. Then finally Kris shifts a bit and takes the vote.

“Honestly, Ford, he made a few points I’m worried about myself.”

“Your compatriots?”

Kris nods. “Don’t get me wrong, living with knowledge that virtually any child you could bear is virtually guaranteed to be stillborn is a horrible fate. I wouldn’t dare to look a female in the eye, much less actually speak my mind in front of one. But...”

He falls silent for a moment, eyes towards eternity.

“...if you asked me this few years back, I would not have hesitated. Genophage was a necessary evil. Second wrong to compound another. Desperate measure taken in desperate circumstances. And attempt to reverse it... would be a mistake.”

“That’s cold.” Lea says.

“Not as cold as countless worlds bombarded to oblivion on our war of conquest. Not as cold as graves of people who did nothing more to deserve their death than being in our way, or belonging to a council species.”

There was another silence, rather less comfortable than previously. You break it: “Something changed you outlook, I take it?”

“Wrex.” Kris says.

“Shepard.” Lea follows.

“And Eve. And doctor Solus.” Kris adds. “But that was later. When I heard that Wrex returned to Tuchanka with his father’s armor, I was skeptical both of his motives as well as his chances of success. But as more news poured in, he proved me wrong on both counts.”

You sense a “But” in there, and you say as much.

“Yeah, even with all that happened, I’m still not sure how good his odds are. There’s certainly no shortage of Krogan mercs around, and there will definitely be voices urging us to take the chance while the galaxy is weakened, to press our advantage.” Kris shakes his head. “I want to believe, Ford. I really do. But I’m not sure whether to take the end of Reapers as proof that miracles happen, or that we’ve reached our allotted quota of them for next few millennia.”

Rolled 86, 9, 26, 23, 59, 66 = 269 (6d100)

Silence descends upon the three of you once more.

“I liked your speech more, cap.” Lea says quietly, hugging her knees as she keeps watching ripples on the lake surface.

“Hold on to that thought, girl.” Kris says. “Enough time for you to grow old and grumpy like me.”

“Grumpy you may be but old you are not.” You take the chance to lighten the mood. “He speaks as if he took part in Rachni wars and seen Quarians unmasked, But I have it on good authority that he’s no more than -“

“You finish that sentence and I’m throwing a pair of pyjaks into your clothes trunk.” Kris growls. You chuckle.

“Okay, well, let’s just say he graduated not that long before I did and leave it at that.”

“Alright, enough of this varren crap. What does our new crew mate think?” Kris chooses to resume previous topic.

“Well, I kinda worry as well. We made friends with the Geth, and I’d like to believe it will last, but there’s many people who hate them. You already stopped one attempt to restart our war, how many more are going to be made? Will we ever be able to trust each other without reservation?”

“I wonder what your robot friend would say to that, Ford.”

“And then there’s one thing that always bothered me: according to history Shepard uncovered before liberating our homeworld there were Geth sympathizers among our people during the morning war. Why didn’t we see any Quarians on Rannoch? Did they all die before the war? What happened to those who surrendered or were too weak to fight?”

“I guess those things are something that will need to be uncovered before actual trust can take hold.” You nod. “Still, no way to go, but forward.”

>Say something more
>ask someone something
>take watch while other two go to sleep

>>3482851
>Say something more
We can try to see that when visit Rannoch, I'm curious to see your homeworld and I hope we can make it there one day.
Now go to sleep you two.

>take watch while other two go to sleep

>>3482851
>take watch while other two go to sleep

>>3482851
>>3482919

>>3482851
>take watch while other two go to sleep

“And one direction I’d like to advance in would be towards your homeworld, Lea. Perhaps we’ll be able to do our part in cracking the mystery.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it, cap.” She nods.

“Now, off you go, get some rest. Given our track record it’s going to be another day that feels like weeks and filled with inordinate amount of danger and politics.”

“Hah.” Goes Kris. “G’night Ford.”

“Good Night, Ford.” Lea said.

As the two withdrew into the tents, you walked over to the car to make sure your gear is accessible should it become necessary, although you doubted it. You always had your omnitool anyway.

You walked around the meadow and let your senses run free in capturing the scene. The sky got cloudy, covering the stars and blocking out the moon, and so there was not much to see in the reflected, distant glow of more or less improvised settlements and engineering crews working tirelessly in the distance.

And the shooting stars. You’re not sure if granting wishes extended to battle debris, but you certainly hoped not many people would be killed or injured by remains of Reapers or the forces that fought them. You were not sure which would be more ironic. Someone should finally do something about that...

Right, Lea was saying she has an idea. You’ll have to ask her later what it was. For now you resume enjoying yourself in the natural luxury of Earth.

You drew in the scent of forest, carried by the chilly, but not uncomfortably so, air. Wandering towards edge of the meadow you crouch at edge of the stream and drop your hand, letting the water tingle your fingertips.

On the wave of sentiment you recall your voyages under alien suns, walking alien earths. You would often stop and marvel at their beauty, or uncanny resemblance of one pattern or another to what you e seen light years away, sometimes just before the beauty decided to try and make a snack out of you. But it was as you imagined, all these worlds had their charm, something irreplaceable. And now, not really for the first time, although it was an experience you didn’t think could truly get old, you were recognizing the same irreplaceable quality here on Earth.

Home may well be where you hang your hat, but this world will always be special to you. There is no other quite like it.

You go back over to the camp and get yourself seated. For a time you keep your vigil, you mind sometimes wandering in one direction or other. One such musing is interrupted by a thunderous echo of gunfire.

Well, so much for calm night.

“What was that?” Kris is first to emerge from his tent.

“Are we (yawn) under attack?” Lea asks sleepily.

“I don’t know, but let’s get ready for anything.” You say, reaching for your kit.

>Head into the Woods to investigate (who goes, who stays, how many parties?)
>take off with the car, search from air
>stay put, whatever it was is someone else’s problem for now
>other plan

>>3483222

>Head into the Woods to investigate (who goes, who stays, how many parties?)

Do not split while at night in an isolated forest and you hear strange noises

>>3483222

>Head into the Woods to investigate (who goes, who stays, how many parties?)

>>3483222
>Head into the Woods to investigate (together, spaced out to mitigate grenades and such.)

>>3483360
This

After you pick up your gear you gesture at Kris to take the left flank while you stay to the right.

“Lea...” you whisper.

“Center, got it.” She whispered back.

With that the three of you delve into the forest, hoping to learn origin of the gunfire, carefully placing your steps to make as little noise as possible.

Your search does not take very long. You hardly cover a hundred meters before a figure emerges ahead of you, prompting you to reach for your weapons.

“That won’t be necessary. Well met, travelers.” A man’s voice comes from the figure, their arms raised slightly in gesture of peaceful intentions. Then they drop and an omnitool comes to life. The stranger makes a few taps and a holographic drone comes into existence in front of him, illuminating him and, partially, you.

Before you stands a lanky human with mildly disheveled hair, simple linen robe with a hood tied with a rope around his waist. Man’s prodigious beard is tucked behind the belt as well. Somewhat out of place, but probably origin of the sound that spooked you, was a massive rifle slung over the man’s back.

“I take it you must be brother Hubert.” You say.

“That is correct. And you must be the campers. Please, forgive the ruckus. Some unholy beast made its way to this forest and needs to be cleansed before it hurts someone or, worse, begins to multiply.”

“An... unholy beast?”

“That’s right. The false machine gods have departed this realm, but their trail of destruction left more burdens for us than what was immediately apparent. This one probably escaped from some private collector’s personal zoo and now it gives us no end of trouble.”

“Have you see what it is?” Kris asked.

“I’ve seen enough to see to it that it bleeds, but I cannot help you classify it, I’m afraid. It seems mostly black and mostly man sized, and moves with nimbleness to match that of a simian.”

“How long has it been around?” Kris presses. You reckon he’s wondering whether the secretary knew there was an unknown feral beast on he loose.

“Only this evening did I chance upon a half devoured deer with wounds done by something out of this earth.” The hermit says. “Worry not, travelers. I shan’t rest until the creature has been dealt with.

>offer to help, you’re not gonna sleep knowing he’s out alone against some exotic monster.
>accept his words and go to sleep, surely the man knows what he’s up against
>pack up your things and move elsewhere
>something else

>>3483676
>>offer to help, you’re not gonna sleep knowing he’s out alone against some exotic monster.

>>3483676
>offer to help, you’re not gonna sleep knowing he’s out alone against some exotic monster

>>3483676

>>offer to help, you’re not gonna sleep knowing he’s out alone against some exotic monster.

>>3483676
>offer to help, you’re not gonna sleep knowing he’s out alone against some exotic monster.

“Well then, let us help you in your hunt, brother. After all, the creature is a danger to all of us.”

“True enough, and I’m certainly not one to turn down help offered in good will. Very well, let us pursue the creature together. It should be slowed down from the wound I inflicted on it, and it’s bleeding might help us in tracking.”

“Is there anything else you can tell us that could help?”

“I am afraid those were all the details I was able to discern so far.” The hermit rubs his chin through his beard. “Maybe one more thing, the felled deer showed signs of acid burns, the creature maybe able to spit it.”

Wonderful, you think to yourself. Well, no point in bemoaning this turn of events.
What is the plan?

>you all track the creature together
>split into two groups (decide who goes with who )
> someone get the skycar, maybe it’s sensors and spotlight will help you
>different plan

With this I retire. Thank you for coming, friends.

>>3483785
>you all track the creature together

>>3483785
>split into two groups (decide who goes with who )

The monk and Kriss, we and Lea

>>3483785
>you all track the creature together

Rolled 8, 13, 97, 25, 41, 84 = 268 (6d100)

“We should stick together.” You suggest. “If the creature is wounded, it will be easier to follow and more desperate to defend itself when found.”

“Fair reasoning,” The hermit says. “Let us set out, then. Last I’ve seen it, the beast made its escape this way.” He indicates an approximately eastern direction.

With that you fan out slightly, but close enough to help each other in case of trouble, and look for clues of the creature’s passing, the darkness not making things any easier for you.

Please, roll some 3d100s for picking up trail. One for you, one for Kris, one for Lea.
My rolls are for the brother and for the beast.

Rolled 31, 75, 79 = 185 (3d100)

>>3485594

Rolled 33, 90, 33 = 156 (3d100)

>>3485594

Rolled 70, 76, 90 = 236 (3d100)

>>3485594

Rolled 86, 67, 63, 17, 93, 6 = 332 (6d100)

Brother Hubert’s familiarity with the terrain is made obvious in the way he advances through the undergrowth, every step as sure and firm as the other, putting him at the lead of your party. Once again you don’t have to travel very far before he gestures for you to stop as he crouches down to examine a piece of shrubbery. Kris is first to spot the detail that caught hermit’s attention - a trail of discoloration left on the leaves as something rushed through them.

“Is that blood, or some secretion of its skin?” Kris wondered under his breath.

“Whatever it is, I’ve got a sample to follow now.” Lea says, examining readouts of her omnitool’s scanners. “We’ve got her now.”

“You can tell that already?” You raise your eyebrows.

“Eh, no, not really. Just a figure of speech.” She says, raising her omnitool and slowly scanning the foliage ahead. “Anyway, got more similar readings from this direction.” She says eventually.

“That matches the one indicated by tracks here.” Hubert says and moves out, with the three of you close behind.

You cover maybe two hundred meters more when the monk gestures for a halt.

You’re not sure how he could tell, but you’re glad he did. An uneven piece of ground not far ahead of you burst open, throwing moss, leaves and dirt around as a black carapaced shape emerges from its hiding spot, hissing angrily, its limbs, ending with claws glinting slightly with metallic sheen, folded and tense as it shifts around, choosing a target to charge now that it’s been deprived of its opportunity to ambush you from below.

Please, roll some 3d100s for combat.

Rolled 96, 11, 86 = 193 (3d100)

>>3485633

Rolled 65, 75, 63 = 203 (3d100)

>>3485633

Rolled 12, 66, 76 = 154 (3d100)

>>3485633

The creature seems to arrive at its decision soon enough and springs into action, its hind appendages propelling it forwards with enough momentum to fell one of the trees. It is not aiming for one of these, however - it charges brother Hubert.

The hermit doesn’t stand idly, waiting for the dark mass of claws and muscles to tear into him. Despite speed and ferocity of the wounded creature he manages, if only barely, to dodge the charge by a sidestep turned roll to the side; unable to level his rifle at the creature, at least he was out of the harm’s way for the moment.

The creature doesn’t stop immediately. Even as it hisses in frustration she picks a new target, the biggest one in its path - your Krogan colleague who was just about to unload his spike thrower. This time its claws found their mark... sort of. The creature was hoping to dig into soft human tissue, instead it found itself struggling with armored Krogan hide, all it accomplished was throwing off Kris’s aim and entering into a grapple that might’ve gone either way...

...had you and Lea not been there as well. Lea fired her sidearm several times, in her care not to hit Kris by accident most of her shots going wide and the ones that didn’t seemed to distract and annoy the creature rather than harm it.

Distraction was, however, more than enough for you.

As the creature took one second too long to hiss angrily at Lea you had comfortable enough time lining up your javelin and letting loose.

A tiny burst of superheated metal sparked through between the trees from your weapon to the hissing aberration, through its skull and then further still before burying itself in a rock some distance away. The creature’s toothed maw gasped twice, then its whole body went limp and collapsed into a heap at Kris’s feet.

“You alright?” You ask him.

“Yeah, except for my pride. Thing was going straight at me, should’ve... ah, never mind. Thanks Ford.”

“Thank you all, travelers.” Hubert says, dusting off his robes. “Please, forgive the Secretary for not warning you in advance. I may have underestimated the beast when I first learned of it. “

So that’s what happened, huh...
>no harm, no foul. At least the situation is resolved.
>that was irresponsible and dangerous
>we all make errors, do we not
>something else

At any rate, your hunt seems to be concluded.
>return to camp, time to finally get some shut eye
>Talk to the hermit some more (specify what about)
>other plan.

>>3485696
>no harm, no foul. At least the situation is resolved.
But if we were less prepared campers this could have turned very ugly, it'd be better to not repeat that.

Ask him how common are these monsters roaming here

>return to camp, time to finally get some shut eye
Incite him to sleep there too if he wants, there's no more tents but he can sleep in the car.

>>3485702
Sure

>>3485696
>we all make errors, do we not
>return to camp, time to finally get some shut eye

>>3485696
>no harm, no foul. At least the situation is resolved.
>other plan
>scan the creature
We're no big game hunter or xenobiologist, but the least we can do is take a look at what we bagged if the brother doesn't mind. We can make small talk with him in the meantime as we collectively cool our nerves.

>>3485987
this

>>3485696
>>3485987
This

“Do not worry about it, brother Hubert, we all make mistakes in our judgements.” You say. “We’re just glad we could have been of assistance. Although... things could’ve gotten nasty if someone less prepared for a fight came along.”

“That is true.” The hermit says. “I have Divine Grace to thank for sending you my way. I suppose there is a lesson there for me about hubris, too.”

“Does this happen often in these parts?” Kris asks.

“This is the first such case I’m aware of, aside from the obvious machine abominations that have been thankfully stopped for good.”

“What should we do with the body?” Lea asks. “I guess someone will be interested in examining this... whatever it is. Wonder if it’s of alien origin or some engineered hybrid...”

You step over and pull out your tool. Activating the scanning mode you try to take in as much data as you can for future reference - you never know what turns out to be a valuable clue later on.

“Doesn’t resemble anything in my databanks.” You mutter. “Although admittedly exobiology is not my specialty. Still...” you say, standing up. “Finding this on Earth seems to support the artificial hybrid theory.”

“It is truly shameful what some people can do with the gift of Reason.” The hermit shakes his head.

“Anyway, were going back to camp. Would you like to join us? I’m sure we can set up some extra accommodations.” You ask.

“I am grateful for your generosity but I should finish my rounds before retiring to ensure rest of the area is safe, and will return to my hermitage when I do. I’ll also notify the authorities of the incident so the body will be recovered for examination.”

“Very well, as you wish, brother.” You nod. With a round of goodbyes, and a few words in Latin calling for blessings to be conferred upon you, you head back to the camp.

“I’ll be watching for rest of the night.” Kris volunteers.

“Suit yourself.” You shrug as you drag yourself into the lean-to, settling into your assortments If spare blankets and drifting off into the land of dreams.

Rest of the night passes by without event. You awaken refreshed to a bird song and crawl out of your shelter to be met with a morning sun bathing the forest in its warm glow, casting a play of shadows on the undergrowth and sparkling in the nearby stream.

“Morning, Ford.”

“Kris.” You nod and look around. Lea is nowhere to be seen.

“She’s still sleeping, far as I can tell.”

As if on cue, the quarian opens flap of her tent and fumbles out.

“Keelah. So this is what it’s like to sleep on solid ground.”

“Enjoyed it?”

“Very. It was confusing and scary at first, to not feel the minute vibrations or hear the hum of various systems... but when I managed to convince myself we’re not drifting dead, I felt more at peace than ever in my life. And the wake up call, Damn, are these actual birds?”

“In the flesh. And feathers.” You nod.

“I hope we have some at home. Although I’m not sure, now that I think of it.”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of slagbird dweebs over there as soon as traffic lanes are open again.” Kris says.

“Slag birds? What are these?”

“Kris’s slur for Turians. Please don’t go spreading it around.”

“Rude. Anyway, what’s the plan now?”

That was a question, wasn’t it? You bring up your omnitool to see if there’s anything that calls for your personal attention and are rewarded with blinking inbox symbol.

Oldest message was from the Williams’s Redoubt, informing you that your ship has been unloaded and you’re free to take it away from their landing zone. Then there’s several more or less interesting updates from feeds you’ve subscribed to, you scroll past those for now.
Next interesting message comes from Council embassy, notifying you that in light of unspecified services rendered you are being given access to some Citadel facilities. You feel your heart skip a beat, but as you read on it becomes clear they’re not clearing you to actually visit the Citadel which is still under quarantine. Oh well, at least they appreciate your efforts. Or rather Libella is, anyway.
On that note there is message from Libella herself with instruction where to find a Council office block recently established in the Asari outpost in Normandy where she chose to set up her office for duration of her stay on Earth.

Last but not least is the most recent message from Alliance high command.
You have some strange misgivings about opening it at first, some voice in the back of your head urging you it’s a trap.
Nothing ventured, itching gained. You tap the message and read. And as you read, you feel corners of your lips shift upwards and outwards. The message I formed you that you’ve been awarded for your cooperation in undisclosed operation with a specially issued mech unit, specifications [redacted].

There are three additional messages piggybacking the formal one.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to fight alongside you. Providence watch over you.” By Captain Slusarski.

“Take good care of her, doctor Ford. Alliance is counting on both of you for discretion and continued support.” By Steven motherfucking Hackett. You pushed back a lump in your throat. Was the man taking personal interest in your antics, or was it just confluence of Spectre involvement, Banned technology and Cerberus activity?

Third one was slightly less ominous.

“Your ‘special needs mech’ is waiting for you, doctor. On unrelated note, thank you for recovering my most valuable research subject for the whole of half day before it has been taken from me again. Between your assistance and my frustration I find it difficult to express myself properly. Please, don’t push yourself in your hurry to visit.” From doctor Maria Weintraub.

Well, that reunion could turn out a bit awkward. You push the concern aside for now, putting the omnitool down and inhaling fresh morning air. The surrounding was nice, but you had to make a choice.

>Tarry a bit longer. Go for a hike, maybe?
>Talk to someone about something
>Pack up camp, fly somewhere (London compound (Eve), Turian outpost (ship), elsewhere...
>other plan

With this I withdraw, probably not going to be able to post another update without staying too late.

Should you wish to see the hermit again, he should be easy enough to find if you go hiking. Won’t have much to offer besides a chat, though.

>>3486276

>Tarry a bit longer. Go for a hike, maybe?

Enjoy earth a little, we did help save it.

>>3486276
>>Tarry a bit longer. Go for a hike, maybe?

>>3486276
>Tarry a bit longer, go take a hike.
We might not get a break like this for a while, knowing our luck.

>>3486276
>Tarry a bit longer. Go for a hike, maybe?
Enjoy the downtime while we have it. Really take in the environment.

>>3486322
Thanks for running, great as always OP.
>>3486276
London compound (Eve)

Looking around, you take in the idyllic landscape before you. Of course, you are painfully aware of metropolitan ruins short distance away, of the unmarked graves for millions scattered throughout the countryside intermingled with burns and scars of battle. Even from here you could make out part of a silhouette of what must’ve been a sovereign-class against the horizon. Even so, this little oasis of life that somehow escaped destruction fills you with hope.

“Let’s go for a hike.” You decide. “Who knows when next such an opportunity will come?”

“We’re freelancers. We make our own opportunities.” Kris said.

“Yeah, opportunities to get shot at.” You reply. The Krogan looks at you quizzically, causing you to struggle against temptation to point out apparent incongruity between his condemnation of Krogan warlike traditions and his own lust for battle. It was a sensitive topic for him enough as it was.

“Which way are we going?” Lea asked eagerly.

“Let’s head into the woods and loop around back to the lakeshore.”

Neither of your crew mates presented an alternative path and so off you went.
First leg of your foray took you through the mixed forest you’ve been to last night. Now without unknown shooters and synthetic aliens to distract you you could let your senses take in the scent of fresh oxygen mixed with that of mulching leaves and occasional waft of mushrooms.

As you go, you throw occasional glances at your companion, mainly to ensure Lea hasn’t wandered far off enough to become lost, even though between obvious direction to the lake and your omnitools’ and comlinks’ capabilities that was little more than symbolic consideration. At one point she vanished from your view for a moment - as it turned out, she crouched down and spent several minutes observing movements at an anthill.

“Damn. Masi’Sin would look at this and told us this is how maintenance crews are supposed to work.” She commented.

Kris on the other hand looked like he was looking for an enemy ambush behind every tree. You’re not sure how disappointed he was to not find any, but his features did seem to relax a bit. Maybe the boredom was not all that bad.

Going onwards, your footfalls on the soft soil were barely audible, at least to your own ears, against rustle of leaves in the mild wind, undergrowth against your clothes when it became thick enough or the occasional birdsong. At some point, however, a new sound came to grow stronger in the background as you neared it’s source, and eventually resolved into human singing.

“-with Thee at hand to bless / Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness / Where is death’s sting? / Where, grave, thy victory? / I triumph still if Thou abide with me.”

“Good Morning!” You call out, deciding that surprising anyone with gun as large as brother Hubert’s was a bad idea.

“Oh? Good morning, travelers.” The voice stopped singing and called back. Within next minute of walking and after cresting a small elevation, its owner came into view. A spring, emerging from a rock face at the end of a barely discernible valley poured into a small basin from which a tiny rivulet continued out and downwards towards the lake. Next to the spring a small wooden shack was erected, presumably brother Hubert’s hermitage. The good brother was in process of doing his laundry. Thankfully, he seemed to have spare robes available.

“Welcome to my humble abode.” He said, and possibly for the first time you heard the
phrase it actually sounded sincere.

“Forgive the intrusion. We were on a hike through this charming landscape and came across your dwelling by chance.”

“It’s perfectly fine. It’s true that I chose life of seclusion, but from time to time it doesn’t hurt to have company. In fact, since you’re already here, perhaps I could show you to a local landmark?”

>Agree (Go with him)
>Decline (Go alone)

Optional: is there anything you want to ask / talk to the hermit about?

These will have to be the only posts for tonight. Solar wind in your sails, friends.

>>3489385
>>Agree (Go with him)

let's see that landmark

>>3489385
>Agree (Go with him)
Ask him if he's been to town at all.

>>3489385
>>Agree (Go with him)

>>3489385
>Agree (Go with him)

You exchange glances with your fellows and upon receiving an enthusiastic nod and an indifferent shrug you agree:

“By all means, lead on, brother.”

The hermit offers you a smile, puts the robes he was washing out to dry, picks up the rifle and heads out, motioning for you to follow.

“You carry that gun everywhere?” Kris asks.

“Since the machine invasion, yes. I considered storing it away when the false gods fell, but as it turns out it was a good thing I didn’t.”

“The creature from yesterday.” Lea nods. “What about the corpse?”

“It’s been recovered. I contacted the nearby Alliance garrison and they picked it up rather quickly, probably to try and limit damage done by decomposition. I believe they handed it i er to the Asari base mead Rouen as it had better biotech facilities.”

“Huh. Alliance handing proprietary Terran illicit goods to the Asari. What’s the world coming to?” Kris.

“Have you visited a city recently, brother?” You ask.

“Not for a while, I’m afraid. The diocese sometimes sends me some supplies to get by, and I don’t miss the hustle of a city enough to seek them out.”

“Not even now the Reapers are gone? after the war? I imagine people could appreciate every bit of help they can get.” Kris inquires.

“Ah, in the material aspect, perhaps. For what good it will do during our stay in this valley of sorrows. I believe I’ll do most good by staying on prayers out here.” Brother shakes his head. “Besides, I’m better at killing and destroying that i am at building. But who knows? Unknown are the ways of God. Also, we’re drawing near.”

You direct greater part of your attention to the surroundings and note that this part of the woods is thicker than others, despite that several bright beams penetrated the canopy and formed shafts of light in the humid forest air.

“This looks like a scene from a kids’ cartoon.” Kris remarks. You suppress a snicker and take in the surroundings. He’s not wrong, after all. Between the colorful flowers and berry bushes you’re sort of expecting a fairy to spring out of nowhere at any moment. There certainly is a circle of amanitas for them to dance in, you note as you scan the ground. It’s in your path, but you avoid it without thinking.

“Hey, is that a treecat?” Lea asks.

“No, that’s a squirrel.” You correct when you spot the offending critter.

Further queries are cut off as the four of you enter a clearing, a small meadow in the forest, covered in soft, fine grass, its middle illuminated by the rising sun, it’s edges dotted by berry bushes.

Most interesting, or at least eye catching, feature of the small meadow however was a stone slab resting in its center, partially overgrown by moss.

“Is that a grave?” Lea asks.

“As far as I can tell, yes.” Brother Hubert says. “You may have noticed the area has a certain charm to it. I’d like to believe a righteous person was laid to rest here, and the surroundings have been blessed in their recognition. But that’s probably just a romantic fantasy of mine.”

“It certainly gives impression of something locals might start folk tales about.” You comment.

“If they have, I didn’t hear any.” The hermit shrugs. “At any rate, While I’m here, I’m going to pay my respects to those fallen to the machine shaves nearby, and since I’m probably going to stay there for a while in contemplation, I suppose this is where we will trade our goodbyes.”

>you’ve imposed on the man enough, loop back towards the camp.
>ask to go on with him. (Specify if f you want to talk about something )
>excuse yourself and go into another direction entirely
>other plan.

I’m retiring once more.

>>3492248
>>excuse yourself and go into another direction entirely

>>3492248

>excuse yourself and go into another direction entirely

Take a closer look at the stone

>>3492248
>excuse yourself and go into another direction entirely
Pay our respects to the grave. Reflect on our actions so far.

“We’d like to stay here for a while.” You say.

“Suit yourselves. It was nice seeing you around.” The hermit says and after a round of goodbyes and another benediction he pauses once more facing the tombstone, makes a sign of cross and heads off, presumably towards the wooden crosses you saw while flying here.

You on the other hand remain in the enchanted (?) clearing, taking in its ambience once more before refocusing on the mysterious grave.

For a moment you just stand there letting your though wander towards the matters of finality. You wonder how accurate hermit’s fantasy could have been, and what are the chances of such transcendence being anything else than a delusion. Or, alternatively, following Clarke’s third law, a trick.

Not wanting to break the moment, you spend a while on recollection of your adventures thus far. There were rarely times when you considered whether your course is just, trusting your conscience and gut feeling to pick what would be the right path under most circumstances. Often, when you had to trick or elude a corporate security, there was hardly an opportunity to dissect all circumstances to make a moral calculus. Perhaps this was a valuable chance for you to review your past actions?

You think back to your first adventures. Technically involving theft, trespassing and perhaps some assault if you couldn’t plead justifiable self-defense. Even so, you have little regrets from that time. What right did corporations have to seize legacy of ancient civilizations and deny them to galactic society for no other reason than profit? Most of their operations were conducted in legally gray area of Attican colonies, with no court to bring you to - or protect you when you got caught.

You could have very well paid your adventures with your life back then. Things have taken a turn for better when Professor Stahlberg took note of your shenanigans.. Your formal affiliation with the CIX gave young measure of protection, as corporates would rather avoid bad press associated with vanishing a researcher, although it also meant they were more likely to be aware of what you were after.

Ironically the association and subsequently Stahlberg’s leads, added Terminus region to your area of operations where on top of greedy corporates you faced ruthless pirates and slavers. It was also here Thant you took a man’s life for the first time.

He was not exactly going to give you a choice in the matter. Even so, the though of denying someone a future in such a final and irrecoverable manner was not something you shook off very quickly. At some point that must’ve changed, you muse, as you think back to the firefights with Cerberus. Was it before the Reapers? Probably earlier, as you wiped out several smuggling ring shipments and outposts before that. You find yourself wondering just how jaded you’ve become

And then there was the crisis itself. You don’t agonize over that at all. Rarely you find an example of circumstances where right and wrong is as clear cut as here. Though obviously there were concerns where combatants could harm and clash with each other, the enemy in Reapers was something everyone could agree with, to the point formerly irreconcilable enemies came to fight alongside, and appreciate, each other.

Maybe except Cerberus. And so you return to the present day. You found yourself thwarting plans of an agency that would reignite conflict between Quarians and the Geth, and that apparently aimed to destabilize galactic politics. You wondered what else you could expect from them, as you doubted the base you helped capture was the only one. Someone had to prepare the dead drops for them after all. And even more than that you wondered how could anyone look at the devastated galaxy struggling to recover and decide that creating more chaos at expense of lives, human and otherwise, was a good idea.

Even as your thoughts wandered down this path, you expected a measure of rage begin to swell within you but find to some surprise that you’re able to consider these matters with relative calm. Looking around you attribute it to the environment, which seemed impassive to any malice and machinations. We survived several extinction events already and we survived the Reapers, the birds were singing, why should we worry about some delusional terrorists?

Even so, you think to yourself, you’ll need to be careful going forward. The world might go on, but ugly things can happen in it, sometimes from innocuous causes. And while you knew better than to think you can save it by yourself, you resolved to at least keep your eyes open so you don’t accidentally become an accessory like it could have well happened during the Turian Milk Run. There would be those who seek to seize power, there would be those who would obfuscate the truth believing themselves to know better, there would be those who simply don’t hesitate to harm others in pursuit of their goals.

You shake your head. Those were too heavy topics for such a nice day. Your attention fell back upon the unknown grave that brought this train of thought on the track in first place. With a grin you pull up your omnitool and approach it.

“I was wondering when your occupational deformation overcomes your brooding.” Kris comments.

“Oh shut it, at least I don’t push buttons randomly in hopes they do something.”

“It was only one time and we had two separate pirate bands coming at us. And besides, it was you who then decided to break the coolant valves just to keep them away.”

“Hey, nothing was permanently damaged. Except those pirates at least.”

“I rest my case.”

You decide to let the matter drop. Crouching down next to the gravestone you commence your scans...

...they find nothing out of the ordinary. The stone is a rock common to the region, below it you can pick up traces of human remains, although not with precision you’d need for any sort of identification. Only thing standing out slightly is a runic inscription that reads:

“In loving memory of Erana. May her embrace from past the great beyond give you comfort and keep you safe.”

“Found anything?” Lea asks from the far side if the glade.

“An epitaph, probably. Nothing extraordinary.” You reply. Standing up you incline your head in a bow to whatever love has bloomed here, then turn around to look at your crew mates. You were confident you gained what information you could from here, and even though the environment was pleasing, the time waited for no man.

“Alright. Let’s go.” You say. Kris nods wordlessly and Lea strides towards you as you head...

>straight towards the camp (shortest route)
>through the forest to the lake (scenic route)
>elsewhere

>>3493668
>>through the forest to the lake (scenic route)

what a nice update man, really nice

>>3493668
>through the forest to the lake (scenic route)

>>3493668
>through the forest to the lake (scenic route)

...back onto the route you had originally planned, through the forest and towards the lake.

The hike is no less comfortable than it was before, forest shade keeping the climate temperate despite the sun approaching its zenith and beating down through a clear sky, although as you progress away from the memorial glade you think you can notice the green becoming ever so slightly less vibrant. It's just an illusion, you decide eventually. Regardless, the air remains fresh and fragrant.

"I wonder how Tuchanka is doing, now that the Shroud is gone." Kris remarks.

You break your step momentarily as you consider his words. Shroud installation, the terraforming device Salarians installed on the Krogan homeworld to stabilize the weather conditions. Last of its kind, the final tower was still serving this purpose until it was eventually destroyed during the crisis. Headlines did not go into details except that one of Shepard's legendary companions and a salarian celebrity in his own right, Doctor Solus, apparently perished when it fell.

What was the installation's importance for Tuchanka's habitability was unknown to you. Regardless, for the time being it was out of hands of anyone but Krogans themselves and maybe whoever was stuck in the system when Hackett's superweapon fired. At least assuming that other mass relays followed the fate of that of Charon relay, which kind of stood to reason - they were apparently Reaper tech all along. Or not? That was another thought that gave you pause. After all, Reapers had to start somewhere as well, hadn't they?

"I'm sure your people will pull through." You say. "You're a hardy bunch."

"We have to be, after all we have each other to deal with." Kris nods.

This diversion served to once again remind you why you were taking time for this little trip and you return to enjoying the rare luxury of a leisurely stroll, although your expression is now somber once more. Then, as your thoughts wander once more, you recall another issue that might soon become of imminent concern.

"Lea?"

"Hm?" The Quarian responded.

"You were saying earlier, back when we were arriving on Earth, that you had an idea. About the space trash."

"Ah, yes. Well, I haven't really had time to work on that. The idea was to make some drones that would follow the ship in a formation to help comb the space at greater pace, and potentially with ability to recover some debris rather that just scoop it all up with kinetic fields."

"That's pretty neat. And you can do it?"

She shrugs. "I don't know, haven't really done anything quite similar yet. Might be I come across problems with calculations I won't know how to tackle."

"You'll have good help for that." You say.

"Oh? Feeling confident, are we? Or do you mean Kris?"

"Nothing like that. We'll be picking Eve up."

"Ooh, nice." Lea coos. "She looked kinda badass in, you know."

"She is." You nod. "Anyway, was there anything else?"

"Yes. I'm going to need access to a fabricator for a while to produce the drones. The short lived ones projected by omnitools wouldn't be much help. And eezo."

You wince. Several options should now be available to you when it comes to fabricators, although getting Turians to make the industrial one available for a time might be difficult unless you get Libella to bully them for you, which you'd rather not do for a number of reasons.

Securing eezo will be the real pickle if you want to go with this plan, though. There's probably no commodity more scarce within parsecs from here, and parsecs might as well be a span of the universe for the time being.

"How much would you need?"

"Well, depending on the amount of drones we want to deploy, five to fifteen units."

Well, that was not that horrible. Chariot's drive was using about two thousands, skycar's about hundred fifty. You could, at an appropriate facility, maybe siphon some from your shuttle's drive. That would deprive you of its use at least until you put it back together, though, and that's assuming nothing went wrong... maybe finding another source would be more prudent.

"We'll see what we can do. In any case, good thinking."

"Don't thank me yet." Lea shrugs.

After another while of silent hiking through the mixed forest the three of you come across a path. You can already venture a guess where it leads and decide to follow it. It's a simple tarmac path weaving its way through the forest, the solid surface making your progress quicker. In several minutes you reach its end, confirming your suspicion - the path led to lake's dam. From your position you could see your camp some distance away along the shore, everything the way you left it.

Sun was overhead, probably past noon, casting its light on the calm, transparent water of the lake. The scenery was making you contemplate going for a swim. You don't recall seeing a Krogan swim, so that might be interesting, too. You're not sure how Quarians handled water bodies, though. Something to consider in the future, maybe?

For now, though, you put such thoughts away. You did not exactly bring your swimwear and going in birthday suit might be not only awkward but, considering the occasional perch cruising the waters below, potentially painful and dangerous.

The three of you spend a few moments overlooking the horizon, taking in the landscape.

"So, how do you guys like the Earth?"

"I thought this would be boring and I was not disappointed." Kris said.

"I loved it. Now I can't wait to do something similar on the homeworld." Lea added.

"Glad to hear it. I'll be looking forward to it."

With that it seemed your hike was coming to an end. Dragging your feet a bit you set yourself to motion along the coast. Before long you'll be back at the camp.

Now, What to do when you reach it?

>anything else to do or say before departing?
>pack up and head to the Alliance compound to pick up Eve
>pack up and head to the Turian base to return to the ship
>pack up and fly somewhere else (specify aim or destination)

I withdraw into the aether once again. Thank you for bearing with me, happy campers.

>>3494642
>>pack up and head to the Alliance compound to pick up Eve

can we ask to use the eezo from one of the Cerberus cars we helped capture?

>>3494642
>>pack up and head to the Alliance compound to pick up Eve

>>3494642
>pack up and head to the Alliance compound to pick up Eve

>>3494642
>pack up and head to the Alliance compound to pick up Eve

>>3494656
If we can do that it would be good.

The walk along the lakeshore is a swift one, with your route level with no terrain obstacles to impede you. Before long you reach your camp and get to work packing up. The sun is still high in the sky when you cast one last sentimental glance over the lake and inhale the fresh scent of forest one more time, board the skycar and set out back towards the London outpost.

As you set the car down at approximately the same spot as before you come to quick agreement that both Kris and Lea would accompany you to the Alliance compound to pick up your newest collegaue. And so, several minutes later, you find yourself once again passing through the checkpoints. The soldier on guard duty recognizes you, you wonder if it's because of your memorable face or because there's not many people going around with a Krogan and a Quarian.

"Doctor Ford, right? We're supposed to direct you to the meeting lounge in the office section." he tells you, along with directions to the place. You thank the man and follow them, finding your way back to the command post you've visited earlier. Miss Thompson seems to recognize you as well directing you to a room to wait in, as relevant parties have been informed of your arrival and will be coming presently. Again following the directions you enter a room fitted with a few chairs around a conference table, vidwall displaying Alliance insignia, a water dispenser and a few decorative objects like a potted plant and some recruitment posters to make it more hospitable. You take seats at the table.

"Why bring us here? Could've just as well waited on the reception." Kris wonders.

"This rooms is shielded for privacy." Lea observes.

"Guess they want to talk before letting Eve go with us." You add. "In any case I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

"Well, before we do, you going to go through with this orbital cleanup job?" Kris asks.

"Yeah, I feel we've been putting it off long enough."

"Hah. For good reasons. Anyway, point is we haven't made any real committments yet, right?"

"Is there something else you'd want to do?" You narrow your eyes, wondering where this is going.

"Hmm." Kris growls. "Nah, forget I said anything."

"Come on, spit it out. You have something on your mind or you wouldn't be bringing it up.

Kris shifts in his chair. "Have you checked the news recently?"

"Not really." You frown, pulling up your omnitool. "What should I be looking for?"

"You'll know it when you see it."

You call up most recent news feeds and scroll past updates on reconstruction effort, reports of improvised social events, more or less eye catching tabloid oneliners... you see nothing about Cerberus which is not very surprising... and then you find it. Or at least what you think is "it".

"The Krogan Safari" Well, off to a promising start. You open the link. "The Krogan community that has been previously been quarreling over roaming rights in northern Congo region and has since withdrawn to the red zone designated as natural preserve has been making itself known again. Surveillance service has registered numerous weapon discharges in the area, nature of which yet to be determined. Are our allies holding battlesports in the area, or just old fashioned big game hunting? Commentary by Taris Wett."

Just what were they doing out there?

"I think I found what you were talking about." You say. "What would you like to do with that?"

"I'd like to check out if they aren't doing something stupid. It's probably not a pressing issue, but... yeah. Seeing news like that is doing little to reassure me."

>Suggest that he forgets it. Wrex will intervene before matters get out of hand, and neither of you have any clout to change mind of a Krogan tribe.
>Offer to drop the cleanup job and head straight to the Krogan camp to find out what's what. Maybe there is something you can do?
>Promise that you'll go check it out after you comb the sky for a while, that debris is dangerous and you might come across something useful.
>Suggest that he goes investigate the issue on his own for now, you probably won't need his help on the cleanup job and you'll be ready to drop in if he needs help
>something else

>>3495820
>Suggest that he goes investigate the issue on his own for now, you probably won't need his help on the cleanup job and you'll be ready to drop in if he needs help

Tell him to take a look and if anything seems off he calls us and we drop what se are doing and go there

>>3495850
Support

>>3495820
>>Offer to drop the cleanup job and head straight to the Krogan camp to find out what's what. Maybe there is something you can do?

those reaper direlicts are not going anywhere....are they?

>>3495850
This
He probably doesn't care about being a space garbage man with us anyway

Kris falls silent and looks off into the distance, lost in thought. As far as you can tell, his concerns are genuine and far from misplaced. Wrex will probably intervene if things get too complicated, but in doing so may undermine his own status among the Krogans. If he micromanages every point of friction, he'll be judged by how his intervention favours the Krogans and potentially will threaten to build up opposition against him if he's seen as too meek. If there's a chance to resolve this conflict without him having to stomp around or it otherwise escalating then that's what should be done.

"How about you look into it?" You ask.

"Yeah, that's what I've been considering." He regards you. "although I was worried that you'd run off and do something stupid if I let you alone."

"I think I'll be fine collecting space garbage for the time being, Kris. And not alone, either. Take the car and check out what's up with that "Safari". We'll be ready to drop in when you call."

"Yeah. I know." He nods. There's nothing more to be said for now.

Before the silence has chance to settle in, the door opens.

"Um, hello? Did I come to the right place?" A young woman peeks in. Pair of gray eyes nestled above a rich set of lips, her spotless face framed by a smooth, neatly trimmed crown of brown hair. "I believe I was told this is the room." She adds in an unsure voice and steps in, revealing rest of her body, slim, finely toned and clad in a form fitting civilian blouse. "I'd hate to accidentally 'infiltrate' some sort of classified meeting, now."

>feel free to roll 1d100 or just recognize the lady that came in.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>3496058
Eve?

What'd up with the new skin?

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>3496058

>>3496063
Yeah, that infiltrate comment was really smooth, compleately inconspicuous.

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>3496058
Kris! How could you? Leave us alone in a cramped space ship with a beautiful and charming yound quarian girl and a womanly infiltrator gynoid
Woe is me

Something clicks and you feel your face warp into a grin. "I think you're exactly where you're needed, miss...?"

"Eve. Eve Ferrum. Pleased to make your acquaintance, mister..."

"Gold is for the mistress, silver for the maid." You say, ignoring her implied question. "Copper for the craftsman, cunning at his trade. Good, said the baron, sitting in his hall, but iron, cold iron, is the master of them all! Did you pick the name for yourself, or was that someone else's idea, Eve?"

The woman smiles. "I was allowed the privilege. Miss Tefar informed me that she arranged an identity for me to support my capabilities."

You nod appreciatively. "Interesting. That gives you a lot more freedom than you'd have as a custom mech."

"And an easy way for her to be tracked by the spectre whenever that identity is invoked." Kris remarks.

"I don't think we'd be particularly hard to track by any alphabet agency as it is." You wave it off. "If they put their minds to it, anyway."

"What's with the, er... makeup?, anyway?" Lea asks.

"This is baseline functionality for our line." Eve says. "It's not as much makeup as it is customisable surface." With that color drains from her face and, well, everything else. Within seconds she stands before you in her default gray.

"Nifty." You say. "Never seen you do that on the battlefield, though."

"There was no need to. Enemy did not care about looks and lifelike settings marginally reduced protective properties of the skin."

"Well, in any case, glad to have you with us, Eve. Welcome aboard."

"Thank you for having me, Ford. Miss Fari. Doctor Tufferson. I'm looking forward to our adventures together."

>Eve has joined the party!
>Eve is an Alliance Infiltration Unit. She's proficient with small firearms right now, most accustomed to smg's, but can equip any sort of weapon and learn to use it on the go.
>She has ability to take on human form or mech form. Formally she is your property as a customised personal mech, but she also has a fabricated identity, courtesy of your spectre friend, that she can use to go around impersonating a human. Of course her internals will show up on any scanner she hasn't had opportunity to hack.
>As an uninhibited AI she is adept at dealing with computer systems, although interfacing with alien ones can be very difficult.
>Unlike Normandy's EDI (which as far as Ford is aware is just another of the infiltrators) her entire mind and personality is stored in her mechanical body, for now. Do not treat her as expendable because at the moment she's not.

"Yeah, about that. It seems Kris is going on a solo assignment for now."

"Is that so? I got the feeling the two of you were joined at hip." Eve raises her eyebrow.

"I'm going to investigate the troubles Krogan face, or are more likely causing, down south." Kris explains.

Eve is silent for maybe one second before nodding. "I see. I looked it up and estimate 3,6 % chance of violent escalation, 76,4 % chance of causing an internal rift among Krogan given current development."

"Aren't you a ray of sunshine." Kris growls.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance during this assignment?" Eve asks, switching gaze between you and Kris.

That was a question now, wasn't it?

>Ask her to go with Kris in her human guise. May look out of place among the Krogan, but you know she can handle herself.
>Ask her to come with you on the kessler run. Lea mentioned she could use some help with her recovery swarm project.
>Say something else

>>3496214
>Well, what would you prefer?we could use your assistence and If there is trouble there we will be going down to assist but if you think it would be better to see it first hand and you want to go now you can...it's one of the perks of your new situation, you get to decide what to do.

>>3496250
+1

"What would you like, Eve?" you ask. "You make good point. We could use your help up there as well for Lea's project, but Kris will be in the thick of it and some close in support could be called for. And what about your preference, Kris? Eve will be a help, but she'll also stand out as human and may attract additional attention to your movements."

"Hmm. That is exactly what I'm worried about. The best I could ask for would be for someone to stay with or near the car as a backup."

"How's your driving, Eve?" You ask.

There's that pause again. "Better than yours, now."

"Like that's an achievement." Kris snorts.

"You both wound me." You shake your head and notice Lea silently chuckling under cover of her helmet. "Et tu, brute... Anyway. Sure, sounds like a solid arrangement." You nod.

Someone clears their throat. You all turn your attention to the door. There's a man of middling posture and receding hairline in alliance uniform standing there, his face sporting a scowl that somehow looks so effortless that a notion crosses your mind that it must be a deformation caused by decades of practicing the same expression. You realize that you're in an Alliance boardroom and are thankful you didn't get comfortable enough to put your legs on the table.

"This is colonel Graves." Eve introduces him. "He's the man who authorised my transfer under your care, Ford."

"That is a way of putting it." Colonel remarks. "You have friends in high places, it seems, doctor Ford. And enemies by now as well, I imagine."

"Sir." you respond with a neutral deference. Ending up in spotlights of the powers that be could be both blessing and a curse, and it certainly ensured your life could become varyingly interesting whether you liked it or not.

"Alliance is entrusting you with this... Eve. I trust you're aware of various... specifics of this transfer. There was a time when such a... movement would not have passed by me. But in the light of various circumstances and your... friends... my concerns have somewhat eroded."

Your concerns were only growing, considering this gentleman's placement of ellipses.

"I am," You had to force yourself to not put one of your own in here. "grateful for your consideration, sir."

"See to it that you don't prove Alliance's... trust... in you to be... misplaced." The colonel turns to leave. "And... not let it be said I don't recognize your valiant efforts... I thank you for your assistance in helping improve Earth's security situation. We all hope you will continue to be an... asset to the Alliance."

Seems like, having made his presence and attention known to you, he's leaving. If there's something you want to ask the colonel, now would be the time... if you think it's a good idea.

>Ask about the orbital cleanup job
>Ask if he knows anything about Krogan "safari".
>Ask him something else
>Let him leave

After he's gone...
>Ask something at the reception
>Just leave - go to town?
>Just leave - head to your ship
>Something else

With this I withdraw back into the void. Safe travels, friends.

>>3496602
>>Let him leave
yeah nah
>Just leave - head to your ship

>>3496602

>Ask about the orbital cleanup job
>Just leave - head to your ship

>>3496602
>Ask about the orbital cleanup job
>Just leave - head to your ship

"One more question, if you'll allow, colonel?"

"...Yes?" The man, already turned to leave, stops in his tracks, turning his head back.

"I was going to volunteer my ship and time to the orbital cleanup assignment. I was wondering..."

"Ah, I see... well, that doesn't really fall under my... purview. If you seek to go over the details, you are advised to head to the Kourou... spaceport."

"Thank you, colonel." You say to Graves's back. You think you can make out a nod of acknowledgment before he vanishes behind corner.

Well, that was that. You look at your assembled crew. "Alright, I think we're done here. Let's roll out."

With that the four of you file out of the room, navigate the office building, pass through reception with a nod of goodbye for the asari receptionist and head to the car. As you reach it and prepare to get aboard, a young man, almost teenager, approaches you.

"Doctor Ford?" He asks.

"That's right. What can I do for you?"

"I'm Cyril Townsend and I work for the diocese. I've been tasked with delivering some items for you in recognition of trouble you've endured and assistance provided."

"That's not necce-" You begin but the young man is already handing you something. It's a medallion on a chain, looks like brass to you, depicting a friar holding a child and a book. "This is Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of wanderers and lost things."

"Uh, thanks, but..." You say, looking at the medallion in your palm, but Cyril doesn't let up and reaches for something else. It's a small device, a module for omnitool with an auxiliary power pack attached to it. "The Bishop thought that maybe you'd appreciate something tangible and practical; this is a cutting module for an omnitool. It has been contributed by a neophyte as part of his penance for attempting to break into a museum repository."

You examine the device. You could tell at a glance that this was a custom made piece of gear, and by someone who knew what they were doing. Whoever organized the presumably failed heist had resources to burn.

Well, you were not going to look gift horses in the mouth. Besides, the young man didn't look like he was going to take "no" for an answer.

"I see, well, thank you, Cyril." You say. "And, eh, tell the Bishop it's quite fine. We were glad to help."

The young man bows his head. "Go with God, good sir." He says, turns away and vanishes out of sight.

"Well, if you ask me, they got off pretty cheap." Kris remarks. "For roping us into hunting this creature."

"Even assuming that was the plan, I'm not sure." You say. "This thing looks expensive. We'll see how it works out."

"What exactly happened?" Eve inquires.

"It's a bit of a story. We'll tell you on the way."

With that you pocket both items and finally board the skycar. Moments later you're flying back towards the Williams's Redoubt. First thing you and Lea, with Kris throwing a comment in from time to time, recount your camping adventure to Eve. For additional context you give her access to databanks of your omnitool.

"Fascinating." She says. "Your conclusion that the creature is an artificial splice seems likely. I'll keep it as reference in case we come across similar pattern in the future."

"Good, good." You hum.

"Regarding the other observed anomaly I can't reach any reliable conclusion. Your readouts show deviations too subtle to provide reliable basis for judgement. It's impossible to rule anything out but for the most part it seems related to perception bias."

"Fair enough. In any case, it was a pleasant diversion. We'll take you on the next one, Eve."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

With the topic closed, silence descends upon the car as it flies over the ruined, recovering world. Once again you find yourself reaching for the radio to fill it in.

https://youtu.be/acnRnulCEY4

Out of the corner of your eye you can spot Eve having helpfully posted lyrics of the song to a side display:
https://pastebin.com/jHXFMtLp

As the tune draws to an end you are reminded that this may be last chance for you to interact with entirety of your crew for a while.

Is there anything you'd like to ask/talk to them about?
>(specify)
>No, we're fine.

>>3497755
"That is a nice song...
Take care out there friends, don't hesitate to call us if you need any help.
Let's hope for hope eh?">>3497755

>>3497755
Tell them to not do anything we wouldn't and keep the headbutting to a minimum

>>3497755
Ask Eve to keep a close eye on Kris, we don't want him having TOO much fun

You travel in silence for a while, watching the landscape go by. It's beginning to become somewhat familiar to you by now. You grimace slightly, this is probably the most time you've spent on and around Earth since leaving it back then... shaking off the sentiment for the moment you redirect your attention to your next assignments.

"So, Kris. Eve."

Kris grumbles and you can feel Eve's stare on the back of your neck.

"Friends, be careful out there. Don't hesitate to call when you need backup."

"Geeze, there's no need to be so dramatic, Ford." Kris says. "We've been on solo jobs before, and under worse circumstances."

You feel yourself grinning. He's got a point, maybe you're worrying tad too much? Although...

"Just take care, guys. And, ah, don't do anything we wouldn't do."

Kris regards you with a glance.

"Got it. Not gonna look ahead before jumping through windows." He says. You frown.

"Advice taken: Not going to check status of my weapon before attracting enemy attention." Eve seconds.

"Now hold on a moment - "

"I'm also definitely not going to consider that opposition might have hired more than one mercenary crew."

"Advice taken: Not going to confirm viability of ambush from above when picking a defensible location."

"Are you two keeping a list, or what?" You ask with partly mock indignation.

"Yes." Kris says simply.

"I make it a point to not purge my databanks of anything related to my friends." Eve says.

Well that last remark at least warmed you up a bit. "Eh, thanks, Eve. Anyway, please, keep an eye on Kris. He likes to seem tough but he's a big softie on the inside."

"Will do."

"Fuck (You), Ford."

Smiling once again you turn up the volume again as the skycar speeds towards the Alps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_PBqdLl6ps
Eventually you arrive back to the Turian outpost. After landing next to the Chariot you quickly transfer your kits - and a carefully wrapped asari/prothean statuette - to your ship. Then, with one more round of "Good luck"s you and Lea watch Eve take the wheel and take off towards the south.

"All right, cap, what's the plan?" Lea asks when the skycar's gone from sight.

>"Let's see if the Turians here would be amenable to sharing some resources and fabricator time for your drones." - you estimate the amount of eezo you need should not be out of Turians' reach, although you're unsure whether they'll be willing to part with any for your benefit.
>"Let's head to Kourou spaceport to go over the details of the job. They're likely to have resources and fabbers of their own, too." - It's Alliance base and your requests are related to the job you intend to do, although you don't really know what shape the spaceport is in.
>"Let's head to orbit, read the small print on our way up and get to work with what we've on hand." - No drones unless you chance upon a piece of salvage you can work with.

>>3497755
>>3497787
"Don't do anything we wouldn't."? We shouldn't give so much leeway.
+1

>>3497895
>"Let's head to Kourou spaceport to go over the details of the job. They're likely to have resources and fabbers of their own, too." - It's Alliance base and your requests are related to the job you intend to do, although you don't really know what shape the spaceport is in.
We can always give data when we've tested the drones out as payment. They might like that.

>>3497895

>"Let's head to Kourou spaceport to go over the details of the job. They're likely to have resources and fabbers of their own, too." - It's Alliance base and your requests are related to the job you intend to do, although you don't really know what shape the spaceport is in.

>>3497895
>>"Let's see if the Turians here would be amenable to sharing some resources and fabricator time for your drones." - you estimate the amount of eezo you need should not be out of Turians' reach, although you're unsure whether they'll be willing to part with any for your benefit.

"Let's head to Kourou." You say. "Someone at the spaceport will be able to tell us more detailed mission description. And considering the outpost is active and asking for this service, they're likely to have some fabber infrastructure in place."

"Alright. I'll get to work on the specs while we're on the way." The Quarian nods.

With your next course of action settled you move to board the Chariot. On your way to the airlock you meet a Turian technician.

"Ah, you're captain of this girl, are you? We made sure she's all fixed up and refueled." He says. "I heard you're to thank for marginally more edible stuff they serve us now. We all appreciate it."

"Happy to have been able to help, and thank you." You say and, with a parting nod, enter the ship.

Lea heads to the manipulator bay while you make your way to the cockpit. As you sit down in the pilot chair you consider what happened since the last time you sat at Chariot's helm. More than you expected, that's for sure. You initiate pre-flight procedure and while the instruments come to life and perform their autodiagnostics you reach into your pocket, pulling out the extra module for your omnitool.

Looking it over you wonder at the story behind this item. Was it the thief who crafted this piece? What a waste of talent that would be. Was it commissioned by someone who ordered a heist? Or was the tool itself stolen? Well, there was no point in dwelling on this now. You plug the module into your omnitool, which accepts the addition gratefully. You estimate the cutting tool will come in handy both in its intended purpose and, maybe, in a pinch, as a melee weapon. Although that latter use seemed situational at best as activating the cutter puts strain on your personal shield in order to keep you from frying your own hand.

You recover the other item you received from the young man - the medallion. Closer inspection doesn't reveal anything unexpected as you flip the memento over in your fingers. Patron saint of lost items, eh? Sounds appropriate. The secretary must've done their homework after all. Shaking your head at the turn of events you place the medallion safely back into your pocket. The Chariot was ready to depart.

Next comes exchanging some pleasantries with local traffic control. A female Turian voice informs you that you're clear to takeoff and gives you some vectors to use when leaving base's airspace.

After several taps on the controls the drive core comes to life, inertial dampers activate and finally the landing thrusters fire. With a soft shudder your trusty freighter parts with the ground and ascends into the sky. When you're clear of the base you alter the course to put you into a trajectory for a sub-orbital trip to the Alliance spaceport at Kourou. When that is done you know you can basically kick back and enjoy rest of the flight on autopilot, at least until you reach area controlled by the spaceport authority.

The flight proves uneventful, except for a glancing hit by a piece of debris which serves as a reminder that the task before you is not a pointless one. Either way, before long the blue curvature flattens out into a horizon as the Chariot descends over the Atlantic.

Spaceport authority contacts you long before the installation itself is discernible on viewscreen and directs you to a landing zone thirteen. As you approach and more details become available to be made out, you realize just how dismal state the spaceport is in. It stands to reason, you suppose, that a strategic installation like this would be targeted by the Reapers with greater intensity. As it stands, the landing pads are pretty much the only thing reminiscent of the once bustling transit hub, along with general layout, where it can be discerned among partially cleaned rubble, prefab structures and few freshly (re)erected hangar halls. You could make out a cluster of industrial machinery that by your estimation housed two rather large fabrication bays, no doubt a rarity on Earth's surface, with a - was that dismantled cruiser between them? They must've cannibalized a capital ship in their rush to restore the spaceport.

Eventually your freighter touches down at the designated landing zone.

"We're here." You inform Lea over the intercom.

"I'll meet you at the airlock." comes the reply.

After experience of previous few days you don't leave anything to chance, grabbing your kit before heading to the airlock and find that Lea also has her sidearm hanging at her hip.

"How're your drones?"

"Work in progress." She says. "The small fabber in manipulator bay can push a few out, but hardly in numbers to make a big difference. Better than nothing I guess, if we can gain access to the ones on the base. And I'm still gonna need that eezo."

You nod. "We'll see what the locals can part with." You say. With that the two of you head out into the late afternoon of another jetlag extended day.

With that I retire for the night. Safe starlanes, spacefarers.

>>3498498
have a good rest qm

Leaving the Chariot behind you and Lea make your way to one of the more complex prefab assemblies, one that was waving an Alliance flag from its post. Your guess is proved right when you walk in to face a diminutive woman sitting behind desk, a spreadsheet projected in front of her. When she sees you enter she speaks without turning her gaze.

"Welcome to the Spaceport Authority. What brings you here?"

"I'm Henri Ford and I have a ship." You say. "I've come to inquire about the Orbital Cleanup assistance request posted on the extranet service."

"I see..." She says and actually looks at you to size both of you up before turning back to her work. "You'll want to talk with commander Kang about that, it ties into a pet project of his. He's in the office behind these doors."

With this the woman dives back into her tables, marking this conversation as concluded.

"Thank you." You say and head to the indicated office.

"Come in." A voice comes in response to you registering yourself to the door controls. The door slides open and you enter a room lit dimly by thin slits of light passing through the almost closed window blinds. Reason for this was probably the dominant feature of the room - a holographic projector that was presently showing an image of inner Solar system with apparent focus on the asteroid field where a nuber of objects were sporting labels of various level of detail and coloured highlights. Next to the projector stands a tall, lean man in Alliance colours, whites of his eyes contrasting with the tone of his skin and the ambient gloom.

"Welcome to Kourou Spaceport, doctor Ford." The man says with a grin, row of pristine white teeth adding to the contrast. "I've heard of your exploits in Europe and Uranus. Allow me to introduce myself - Jean-Baptiste Kang, commander of this presently humble installation."

"Delighted to make your acquaintance." You say with a small bow. "This is miss Lea'Fari, a technician and my crewmate."

"Hello." Lea says.

"Pleasure is all mine." Commander says. "Now, to what do I owe it, I wonder?"

"I wanted to contribute to the cause of cleaning up the sky some. I've got a ship and my associate has an idea to make the most of it."

Lea shifted a bit at being pointed out.

"Oh, is that so? That is most fortunate. Please, tell me more."

"Well, we'd like to hear more specifics of the job before we commit, but essentially if we're taking it we could use some support from your resources to prepare a swarm of drones to assist us." You explain and see commander's smile wilt a bit.

"Hmm. That might be difficult, our resources are stretched thin as it is. What exactly do you think you need?" he says.

"Some tens of units of eezo and some time on one of your fabber units. But I reckon the exact measures depend on what exactly our goal is supposed to be, right?" You turn to Lea.

"That's right. I'm not completely done with the schematics yet, but I'll need more numbers to calculate the needs."

"I see, I see..." Kang looks away and considers your request. "Well, I'm going to need to see that your plan is feasible before committing any base resources to it."

"Won't be a problem. I think I can make a prototype with what we have on hand... except for the eezo." Lea says.

"I'll see what we can do about that. In the meantime, let us discuss the objective in detail."

The officer invites you to join him at the projector and you do so.

"As you've no doubt noticed on your way down, the space around Earth is quite cluttered with battle debris which is a nuisance for ships and a mortal hazard for any spacewalkers." Kang says as the view zooms towards Earth and its orbit. "Our long term objective is to neutralize any such wayward objects and set up a satellite ring forming a defensive and monitoring network. But that is really rather a target state at which we'd like one day arrive. More imminently we need to clear a specific orbit..." an orange line appeared tracing a geosynchronous orbit. "...as well as approaches to it..." dimmer orange area along with a few new lines leading from surface to the previously shown orbit emerged to highlight commander's point. "...in order to make room for an orbital material processor that will be built here and serve to support both terrestrial industry and further orbital construction. We need to have facilities in place by the time larger vessels assembled in system begin to have issues requiring extensive maintenance, so as you can see, the project is quite an important one."

The man falls silent for a moment, perhaps to collect his thoughts, perhaps to give you chance for the explanation to sink in. Then he addresses you again.

"First order of business, and first task for you should you choose to accept it, would be to survey the target orbit and being process of clearing it of wayward debris. From how well this goes we will decide on what our next steps should be and what resources we can allocate to this enterprise."

Kang locks eyes with you until you nod your understanding, then turns to Lea who does the same. "Does the idea you've had still apply to the task as described, miss... Fari, was it?" He asks the Quarian.

"Yes, and yes, I think so." She says. "I mean, now that I know we're clearing out a specific orbit... I think I can adapt the concept to the role. Yes. Aaand..." She looks at the projection for a moment. "Yes, that should work. Basically I'm going to take your targed monitoring stations and make the drones fill that role. Obviously they will not be enough for your final solution on account of mass restrictions and maintenance issues, but they should help clean up the smaller pieces on intersecting orbits just fine."

"That would be wonderful. If you could demonstrate a functioning prototype I will make spaceport's resources available to you."

"I could use at least half unit of eezo to get started so we don't have to dig into the drive core." Lea says.

"Done." Kang nods. "Is there anything else you need or would like to discuss?"

>Yes, our compensation.
>Yes, conspiracies
>Yes, (other question)
>No, we'll get to it
>Can you tell us about the area? (specify topic)

>>3499721

>Yes, our compensation
More ship modules? Guns and shield if possible

>>3499721
>>Yes, our compensation.
>Yes, conspiracies
does he know anything about the Cerberus fucks? is this to ask him or just to see if he has any info on something?

>>3499742
This, let's see what he knows

"Well, two things actually. Firstly, I'd like to discuss what sort of compensation can we expect for our services."

Commander Kang grins again. "Do you now? Satisfaction of doing a good deed for the Alliance not enough for you? Ah, I jest. I understand you freelancers need to look out after themselves. Unfortunately, there's not much I can offer at this time. Down the line, if our undertaking is successful, I'll be sure that you will be able to draw benefit from the orbital installation in proportion to your participation. For now, though, all I can offer are some elementary supplies and maintenance at Alliance installations."

"I understand." You nod. That was about what you expected.

"However," Kang says in a quieter voice. "you will also be the first person to handle some of the pieces there and could find something usable among them."

"I wouldn't count on it, though. This is battle debris, not excavation of a starship graveyard." Lea remarks. "Still, maybe we do get lucky."

"I'm sorry, but that's really the most I can offer at this time."

"It's fine." you say. "Now there was one more thing I was wondering... have you noticed any unusual movements around your installations? Anything at all out of the ordinary?"

The grin is gone, replaced by a frown of concern. "Doctor Ford, this station has been assigned to me a week ago, and its situation is completely unprecedented. I don't have anything "usual" to compare against. Why do you ask? Do you have any reason to suspect something is afoot?"

"Nothing particular, I'm afraid." You reply. "I'm just asking because of, well, you know."

The commander relaxes a little. "I see. Well, I'm not aware of any... terrorists here. And I'd rather not begin jumping at shadows now. But..."

He hesitates for a moment.

"...if you find something strange, please do let me know. Or my superiors obviously, if I'm somehow implicated. Last thing we need is for the hounds of Hades to infiltrate what could potentially become a vital artery... or sabotage it."

So he had high enough clearance to be notified of continued Cerberus operations. One way or another. Well, you could only hope he was right and no cell was active here.

"Thank you for your time, commander Kang. We'll get to work on plan and get back to you when we're ready to deploy." You say aloud.

"I'll be waiting for the good news. In the meantime I'll arrange for the supplies to be delivered to your ship, including the trial eezo young lady requested."

"That will be much appreciated."

With this you part and withdraw from commander's office. The lady at the desk doesn't pay you any mind as you head to the ship.

"Alright, I'll get to work on completing the specs. Or do you have another plan in mind, cap?"

Well, do you?

>Let Lea work on the drones.
>Have Lea take a look at the starport comms first, see if she can spot anything suspicious (you don't have any leads to go on for now, though)
>Something else

What will you do in the meantime?
>Read/hear something from the library/extranet (news, nerd stuff, specify lookup)
>Help Lea out (you have some tech aptitude, but the project is not yet familiar to you, risk of getting in the way)
>Explore (specify what for or where to look)
>Something else

>>3499982

>Let Lea work on the drones

Be around if Lea needs any help she can ask but try not to get on her way, while she works we

>Read/hear something from the library/extranet (news, nerd stuff, specify lookup)
Lets see the news, how the system is going

>>3500001
+1

"Sounds good. Good luck. Actually... do you think I can be of help?"

"Hmm..." Lea gives you a look. "Don't take this personally, cap, but it would probably take me as much time to explain you what I want to do as it would to actually work."

"It's fine," You say, waving it off. "That's why I'm asking. Still, don't hesitate to call if you need something. I'll be looking through the news feeds in the cockpit."

"Noted." Lea nods. It's about that time that you reach the airlock. Lea heads again to the manipulator bay while you go on to ship's bridge and do as you said you would, relaxing in the pilot seat and bringing up the data connections. Moments later, familiar voice echoes in the room.

"This is Emily Wong and the Citadel News Net, welcome to the daily digest of the most important developments in our little corner of the galaxy.

First in, the daily progress report on the Citadel reclamation: There's nothing new to report. Council authorities assure us that the reclamation is ongoing effort, spearheaded by the Alliance forces and supported by entirety of the coalition. We can not confirm or deny involvement of Commander Shepard in the process, even though his continued absence from public view gives rise to a number of rumors. We can at least debunk some of these: we've already confirmed that the man shouting quotes from classical 20th century cinema in the Scotland area is not, in fact, commander Shepard. We've also been able to confirm identity of another reported sighting in Rio de Janeiro green zones, although we're forced to withhold it until court martial is concluded. Finally we can with certainty debunk the theory that the first human Spectre has left the system - activation of the mass relay would be registered by civilian systems outside of the Charon Relay quarantine zone.

Regarding the Relay Reconstruction progress, the other issue on everyone's minds, the quarantine remains in effect. Reported signs of combat have been explained by the coalition forces as attempted blockade runners, mostly deserters from the Omega fleet, most of which is currently gathered around Saturn. The authorities would like to urge anyone who would consider attempting to intrude into the quarantine zone to reconsider - we are being assured that the repairs are underway and the Relay will be available for travel as soon as they are completed.

Moving on to the outer solar system, the investigation into the terrorist attack attempted in the Quarian flotilla is drawing to its close. Most recent findings confirm that the attempt was carried out by a rogue Turian officer motivated by his personal feelings regarding synthetic forms of life. According to the spokesman of the joint investigation team the only remaining question is whether the rogue's aim was to try and exterminate the Geth on his own or spark conflict between Quarians and the Geth to justify his political stance. So far neither Turian nor Quarian authorities have issued any further statements regarding the incident or its possible aftermath. We at the CNN are currently gathering information for an independent comprehensive report of the incident.

From a different part of the solar system, an independent outpost on Enceladus has gone silent. The colony has not been authorised by the Coalition forces and consisted mostly of Terminus elements of the coalition fleet. Our sources report that Council authorities are currently in contact with Omega fleet leadership over the issue. Civilians are advised to avoid the location.

Coming to Earth we are cautiously optimistic to report that we have no reliable knowledge of any extraordinary event that could threaten the reconstruction and stabilisation efforts. The so called "Krogan Safari" row is so far contained to the red zones of subsaharan Africa and the authorities are issuing statements that peaceful, political resolution of the issue is being undertaken. Our station has dispatched a team of journalists to monitor the situation and starting tomorrow we'll be able to deliver live reports on the situation.

This was Emily Wong from Citadel News Net's Daily digest, thank you for listening."

The report comes to a close and the channel falls silent. You imagine this would be a time for commercial to begin playing, but you're not going to quesion your good fortune.

So the journalists will be collecting information. You wonder how long will it take for one of them to get on your trail. If they also sent a team to monitor the Krogan situation Kris might wind up in the spotlight as well. Maybe you should practice giving evasive question. Or maybe your most winning smile as you announce your badassery to the public?

Shaking your head off such idle thoughts you...

>Bring up another news programme (specify query)
>Bring up something smart to read (suggest topic)
>contact Lea and ask her how far along she's with her work
>Go somewhere (within ship? outside of ship?)
>Take a nap
>Something else

Also, please roll some 1d100s for Lea.

and with this I retire once again. Stay safe, friends.