"Two Spectres? Why the hell is that necessary?" Lieutenant Commander Aina Shepard linked her fingers behind her head and tilted her chair back.
"No idea, Shepard." Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams slapped the heat sink home to check the mechanism of the gun she had cleaned.
"That's just ridiculous. Unless there is some other bullshit going on that they aren't telling us." Shepard swung back on her chair.
"Well, they are all turian. Maybe they are checking out their investment?" Ash secured the weapon gently in its locker.
"Hah. Only one who cares about that are Admirals with more stars on their jackets than years spent on the ground in combat." Shepard's laugh echoed in the yawning chasm of the Normandy's engineering bay.
"Cares about what?" The dual toned voice heralded the entry of a grim looking turian with royal blue clan markings on his face.
The legs of Shepard's chair thudded down, and unlike Ash, she did not look the slightest shamefaced to be caught gossiping.
"Why a bunch of high end Council types want to come for a jaunt on the Normandy's maiden voyage to the stars." It was hard to miss the sarcasm.
"The 'high end types', as you put it, Lieutenant Commander, have their own business. Which means it is none of yours." The turian strode forward.
"You have no idea what they are doing, do you?" Shepard's insolent mouth curved in a mocking smile.
The blue eyes narrowed.
Shepard's green eyes crinkled with amusement. "I have to wonder just why you are here, CSec. Aren't you a long way from the safe little corridors of your Citadel?"
The turian took another menacing step forward. Shepard leapt to her feet. She barely came up to his chin. Muscular though she was, it looked as though he could snap her like a twig.
"Cool it, you two!" Ash's voice quavered with uncertainty. "Shepard, you know what the Captain said. You don't want to be thrown in the brig again for fighting."
Shepard stared up into the bright gaze, the flare of combat dying from her eyes. She unclenched her fist and the faint glow of her biotics faded.
"Yeah. Right." Shepard said as she took a deliberate step back.
The turian snorted. "Just stay out of my way."
Shepard held up both her hands, the scars and callouses a harsh reminder of her life. "You got it, CSec."
"Vakarian."
"What?"
"My name is Garrus Vakarian."
"I don't care." Shepard said coolly, sitting back down on her chair.
The turian abruptly turned and strode back to the elevator, slamming his fist on the sensor.
"What the hell was that?" Ash demanded, wiping her oily hands on a rag.
"What?" Shepard replied defensively, propping her hands on her lean hips as she watched the turian board the elevator.
"You just turned into superbitch for a moment there."
"He…annoyed me."
"He bloody well did nothing but respond to the poisoned darts you spat at him."
"Ash."
"What?"
"Shut up."
Shepard's omni-tool flared to life.
"Lieutenant Commander, the Captain wishes to speak to you in the Comm Room." Pressly's voice was gruff over the comm.
"Is he mad?" Shepard wrinkled her nose.
"Now, Shepard."
"Aye aye."
Shepard grimaced at Ash. "Guess I had better go get my ass hauled over the coals."
"See you later, Shepard." Ash pulled out her sniper rifle and lay it carefully on the bench.
"Downtime on the crew deck when I'm done?"
"You got it. And Shepard?"
"Yeah?"
"Just stay out of the turian's way."
"Oh, you can believe I plan on doing that."