Well, hello. This one has been a long time coming, methinks. I'm back-ish again because you can't keep Supreme Distraction down! Tee hee. On a more serious note, I'll be working on this 100th fic (woo!) on and off while I post one shots and various pairing requests that I've let pile up.
I hope you folks look forward to it and thanks for your patience.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Mass Effect games, off of which this fiction piece is based. Thank you, GrimGrave, you're a peach.
Without further ado, here's my short, sweet introduction to—
Rumors and Misinformation – Prologue –
The Normandy's crew was tired and battered, but victorious.
Commander Mei Shepard peeled out of her armor, wincing as the motion exacerbated her still healing rib. She examined herself in the mirror, frowning at the purpling bruise that stained pale skin.
'Should have gonewith the heavy armor.'
She showered quickly then rummaged through her medicine cabinet, pulling from it some rolls of gauze and antiseptic spray. The resident doctor would chastise her for not having it properly treated, but it would do for now.
Navigation was abuzz with activity as the crew coordinated their next destination and she quickly crossed the floor, keeping her head down so as to avoid getting stopped.
Kaidan and Ashley were sitting in the mess hall, unwinding over a cup of coffee. Ashley was regaling him with their rather exciting latest adventure.
She'd been invaluable during the last mission; she smiled and waved when she noticed the other woman.
The Turian warrior, Garrus, was at his usual post in the gun battery and he grunted in greeting, but didn't shift his attention from his calibrations. "Glad you made it back in one piece, Commander."
He had been hard at work trying to reconfigure the Normandy's defenses and hadn't deployed with them.
The Krogan mercenary, Wrex, was cleaning blood and motor oil from his weapons, a scowl furrowing his brow. He was still wearing his armor, which bore scorch marks, and he muttered wrathfully to himself.
He'd been particularly aggressive of late. She made a note to talk to him later, though she didn't hope to make any headway.
The Commander squared her shoulders and rolled her neck, fatigue making her movements sluggish. She had just one more stop before she could retreat to her room.
The Asari scientist, Liara, had already returned to her study. She felt as though she'd been gone for months rather than days and the familiar organized chaos of her books and research notes put her at ease.
When Shepard entered the room, she looked up and smiled, chuckling inwardly when the other woman averted her gaze and nodded. The Commander, the first human Spectre and would-be saviour of the galaxy, wasn't the most social of creatures.
Liara returned her attention to the tabloid she'd been reading—one of the few that had yet to go paperless—and frowned. "This isn't good at all…"
Shepherd cocked an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"
"There's someone in the Citadel I'd like to see. A scientist whose research I've been following. I know you have plans, but it would only take a moment."
It would do them all good to take a breather…
"Fine."
It would do them all good to take a breather, but the bright smile that graced Liara's features was by far the best reason.
