(This is between Mass Effect 2-3. I do not own Mass Effect or any characters mentioned. I only own Scarlet and Sam).

A Resolute Mind

A young scientist worked tirelessly in her section of a lab. Determination in her face and with steady hands she placed an acidic solution into a petri dish. She was fighting to eradicate a disease. A disease that had strengthened throughout it's years of existence.

But what she really needed was someone who had the disease, so she could monitor them. She eventually got up and put her things away safely. She locked up and left for home. Practically falling asleep after she ate dinner, she drifted off into a peaceful state. Tomorrow was a new and hopefully better day.

The next morning, she came back into work. She did her bio-scan and security badge check at reception and her information came up on the main monitor:

Name: Scarlet Katherine Moore

Age: 24

Hair colour: Blond

Eye colour: Blue

Nationality: White, British

Height: 5ft 3in

Blood type: AB Positive.

Scarlet smiled at the receptionist. "I really doubt that my information has changed that much since yesterday Emma". They both laughed and Gerry the cleaner waved to her and she waved back. She entered the lab and put her lab coat on. Grabbing a coffee, her boss called her into his office. She took her boss a coffee too.

"Morning Scarlet. I have some potentially great news for you". "Goodmorning Sir and that sounds pretty good. May I inquire as to what that news is?" "I have a test subject for you. I am letting you help him as I do not think the others will be as kind as you. Please explain our procedures to him. Of course he is only a potential participant. He may walk out any time. He is in the waiting room down the hall and on the right. You really do work hard". Scarlet smiled and placed the coffee cup on his desk. "Of course. Thank you Sir. Bye".

Scarlet left the office and put down her cup to grab a biscuit. An insult flew her way. Bullying time, joy. "Scarlet! Bookworm Scarlet. It's such a shame. That pretty face could be doing something more interesting you know". Sam and his friends laughed. Scarlet ignored him, drank her coffee, ate her biscuit and walked down the hallway. Sam looked at her behind and winked to the lads.

She sighed and got to the waiting room door. She opened the door and the man stood up. Scarlet realised that she still held her now lukewarm coffee cup. "Well I look professional". She put the cup down and shook the man's hand. "Goodmorning. I am Scarlet Moore, I am the person that will be doing my best to assist you with your condition". The man looked a bit pensive but she expected that. "Thane Krios and it is good to meet you". She smiled and brought him to her office. "I am studying Kepral's Syndrome, it's symptoms, whether it is affected by other things etc. Now I do not claim to have a cure. I am working on a possible cure, and I will not tell you it works. And I promise that there is only one test that is needed. A blood test. That is completely optional, and you will not become a lab rat. You are free to leave at any time of course. If there is anything you need, or if you feel worse at any time, please tell me. Sorry, that was rather long. But it is compulsory". Thane nodded. His judgement told him that she was a nice person, and at least she didn't claim to be able to 'fix' him.

"You seem unsure". Thane's voice was calm. "Not of what I am doing. But a few colleagues of mine seem to think that work is silly and they dislike that I actually care about it. I am unsure as to why they are even here". Thane looked to her colleagues and sure enough, they were messing around. "My boss means well and I don't want to tell him that they don't bother working. When he walks past they run into their offices and scribble something down, so it looks like they work". She gestured to a huge stack of papers that had only been put there 20 minutes before. "That is supposed to be done by all of us. But I end up doing it all. It's pathetic really, they are adults. They should know better". Thane then picked up the papers and put them on the other's desks. "Er Mr Krios?" She stifled a laugh. He returned and her face held no expression.

"Okay, shall we head to my lab?" Thane nodded and they walked to her lab, leaving her colleagues swearing under their breaths.