i.
"I used to think the Collectors sounded creepy, but then I heard a Cannibal."
She leans out from behind the communications tower wall and fires at the ex-batarian monstrosity barrelling toward her. Got it. Good thing she packed the Kassa Locust for a 'standard communication recon mission'. Pity she's running low on ammo – on Palaven, of all places. Don't turians practically eat ammo?
"Never heard a Collector myself, ma'am, so I can't comment." Her companion waits for her to return to cover, then steps out, aims, and fires. There is a great roar, burning yellow fire spreading out across the battle field. The screams of dying husks join the echoing blast.
Kasumi rests her head against the tower wall, reloading by instinct. She contemplates her companion's black visor for a moment, heedless of the bullets zipping past her head. "You know, I really have to question Tali's taste in men."
"Why's that, ma'am?"
She thinks a moment, tugs her hood over her eyes against the blaring scarlet explosions. "Well, I know she had a crush on Shepard way back when they were taking down Sovereign." She takes a moment to provide covering fire as her companion reloads his rocket launcher, then continues, "Anyone could see that. But I'm beginning to think that maybe she just likes men with heavy weapons."
Kal'Reegar chuckles, gesturing for her to step back into cover. He lifts the rocket launcher to his shoulder and says, "If you'd like to take your chances, ma'am, I think we can get you up that tower now."
"Wonderful." She flicks her cloak on, shimmering out of sight. As Kal takes the heat off her – literally – with another well-placed rocket sent into the hoard of oncoming Reaper forces, Kasumi swings beneath his protective arm and dances up the tower ladder.
"I hope they remember to come pick us up when we're done," she says, slightly breathless, into her comm. Kal's dry chuckle follows her up.
"I'll remind them, ma'am. Just get that comm relay fixed."