Hi everyone! I came up with this story as a little aside while I was writing my longer story. The first chapter is pretty short, but more will follow. I hope parts aren't difficult to understand; I was trying to convey how I thought a space hamster might think. I'd love to know what you guys think, or if there was something I could have done better before I get more chapters up!
The Adventures of Max, Space Hamster
Rumbling stopped. Owner-human back in cabin. Not upset, but not happy. Tired. Maybe if I…*meep*. Owner-human turns and smiles. Good. Sleep now. Wait.
Miranda-human opening door. Sits on couch near Owner-human.
"Shepard. What now? Are you going back to the Alliance? They'll court martial you, or worse. Your whole crew has technically been working for Cerberus. I won't go to the Alliance; they catch sight of me and I'm locked up for the rest of my life," the Miranda-human says.
"I have to go to the Alliance, Miranda. It's part of who I am; you know that. But never would I expect the rest of you to go down with me. The non-human crew will go back to their respective governments. I know Garrus, Tali, Mordin, Samara, and Grunt for sure won't face repercussions upon their return. Thane is wanted for a lot more than working with Cerberus; he'll do what he does and be fine. It's the human crew we need to find a solution for. They're the only ones the Alliance has jurisdiction over," Owner-human says.
"We did steal the choice away from most of them. Leaving Cerberus is life-threatening. What if we just give them the choice? We dock at a large space station that won't notice the people and then give everyone two choices. They can leave the Normandy, no questions asked. I suppose they could even go back to Cerberus if they didn't want to deal with the Illusive Man's backlash. Or they can go to the Alliance with you, and face those consequences," the Miranda-human says.
"That would work. Hell, we might as well stop at the Citadel. Tell the Alliance that we'll meet there, and show up 3 days before the day we tell them. That'll give everyone time to disappear. I just….I know it's the right thing to do. But seeing everyone split up again is just awful. Plus, I'll have to give the Alliance the Normandy. This ship and the original Normandy have been my home for over a year, if you don't count the two years I was dead. I can't imagine they'll give me command of it again. And that doesn't feel right. I'm an Alliance soldier and I know I need to answer for my actions with Cerberus, even if they were justified. But this is my ship," Owner-human says.
*meep*
"And shoot, what am I going to do with Max? And the fish I haven't managed to kill?" Owner-human says. She shakes her head.
"Really, Shepard? The hamster is on the list of things you're worried about right now? Well, give Kelly the damn fish. She's got a soft spot for you and you know she'll actually keep them alive. Why don't you give the hamster to Liara? What good is a girlfriend if they won't watch your pets for you while you're in jail?"
"I guess that'll work. Liara doesn't really get the hamster thing though. She doesn't understand why I'm so attached to Max. I can tell Glyph to remind her to feed him though. Hell, I might as well ask Glyph to watch Max," Owner-human says.
The two humans walk to door. Door closes. Cabin quiet. Know of Liara-blue-not-human. Liara-blue-not-human not Owner-human. Liara-blue-not-human not on Normandy. Want to stay in Max-home. Will not leave. Will plan. Not now. Sleep. Tomorrow plan.