Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect

Mass Fiction 2: Extended Cut

Episode 1: The Picture

The Normandy had changed quite a bit in the few months Kasumi had been away. Call Cerberus what you want, but they at least knew how to fly in style. The retrofit the Alliance had given her had all the charm of a cargo freighter. Bad lighting, wires running up and down the corridors, and plenty of guards. Just leave it to the military to make things harder on her.

Still not all the changes were bad. Her old room had gotten a brand newish poker table, which would have been nice. And Samara's room had a woman in blue armor passed out on the floor. Probably from drinking the bottle of whatever was lying next to her. Not her first choice to compliment the sofa, but a nice feng shui drunk really did liven up the room.

All in all, the ship just seemed depressing. The chatter and life of the old crew had been replaced by stone faced, unflinching military quiet. I mean yes, a race of sentient starships were purging the galaxy of life. And yes, Earth was a fiery ruin and this ship and Shepard might be the only hope for anyone, but it wouldn't kill them to add some ambient lighting.

Popping the hatch, Kasumi dropped into the small corridor before Shepard's cabin, wiping some dust from her suit.

"A complete overhaul of the ship and nobody bothers to clean the maintenance ducts," Kasumi said annoyed, "nice."

The door was naturally unlocked, as the thief strolled in knowing neither Shepard nor Tali would be around. Tali was down in engineering and Shepard had left for the Citadel to deliver some Ancient Tome of Something to someone. She wasn't sure of all the details, but apparently it would get him a squadron of fighters. Not much but every little bit helped.

Looking around, she was happy to see that Shepard's cabin was for the most part the same. The hamster was gone but he did have some new fish.

"And an automatic feeder," Kasumi said peering into the tank. "Guess you'll need it now that Kelly isn't here."

A few new model ships also cluttered the shelves as well as what looked like a partially deconstructed air filter on the coffee table amongst a pile of various small tools.

"Looks like Tali made herself at home," Kasumi thought smirking, "good for her."

Other than that the cabin was fairly sparse, although that wasn't anything new with Shepard. She turned to leave when a glint from a picture frame caught her eye. Walking over, she picked it up and brought it under the light for a better look.

It was a photo of a woman, young by the look of her, maybe about twenty or so. Her hair was long with a slight wave to it, her face was small with delicate features and what looked cybernetic implants over her neck. She looked fairly human with the obvious exceptions like a difference in the ears, the white eyes and the...three…fingers.

Kasumi's eyes went wide and she nearly dropped the picture out of shock as her brain registered what it was seeing.

"Oh my god, that's Tali," Kasumi nearly squealed.

Carefully she looked the photo over again, taking in every feature the Quarian had allowed to be presented. The extranet had always claimed that Humans and Quarians looked similar, but you never believed stuff you read on the extranet. But here was proof that they did look awfully similar.

"Actually," Kasumi said looking the photo over again, "why do I feel like I've seen this before?"

The thief scrutinized over the picture, ever one to notice little details, when it suddenly clicked. Bring up her omni-tool, she brought up that month's issue of European Vogue. Sure enough there was a very similar woman, in the exact same shawl, in the exact same pose in the foreground of the exact same background. A few digital touch ups here and there and the woman from the magazine could easily become the woman in the picture frame.

"What a jip," Kasumi complained to no one.

"Well that wasn't intended for you so I don't see why you're complaining," a very familiar voice said behind her.

Kasumi spun around, instinctively putting the photo behind her back to face Tali who was staring at her with her arms crossed, looking for all intents and purposes, smug.

"Hey Tali," Kasumi said giving a small wave with the hand not holding the picture, "heard you got Rannoch back."

"Yes, I still can't believe it," Tali said stepping into the room. "I heard from Shepard that you were with the Crucible project."

"Oh I am, just stopping by the Citadel to ask a few contacts about some materials I could get my hands on. Just thought I'd stop by and say hello," the thief replied.

"Isn't it customary for the people to be present when you do that Kasumi," Tali said trying to hide the smile from her voice.

"Well you know, you were busy and Shep was out and…I'm sorry?"

"I'm glad to see some things haven't changed," Tali said stepping forward and giving her friend a hug.

"Tell me about it, I'm gone for six months and suddenly Garrus is a general or something and you're an admiral. I feel a little title envy coming on."

"It's not as glamorous as you might think," Tali sighed, "instead of being in charge of a team, I'm responsible for a whole fleet. And John has to worry about five fleets let alone one, I have no idea how he handles that kind of responsibility."

"John huh," Kasumi said grinning.

"What? It's his name isn't it?"

Kasumi had half expected the usual shy or embarrassed response she would have gotten. The fact that Tali was now so straightforward about their relationship could only make Kasumi grin brighter.

"Speaking of 'John' does he know you doctored this photo from Vogue," Kasumi asked waving the picture around.

"Actually, that photo is for nosey bosh'tets, present company included," Tali said taking the photo and placing it back on the table.

"I don't get it? Why the fake photo."

"Revealing your face to a Quarian is a very intimate gesture. My face is for John and John alone. But I wanted him to have a picture of me. I programmed the holo-frame to have that photo layered over the real one. It's synced with John's optical implants so only he can see the real photo. Everyone else sees the fake."

"But anyone who sees this is going to think this is what you look like?"

"I could think of worse things to look like than a super model," Tali said shrugging.

"I guess," Kasumi conceded checking the time. "I have to get going, but maybe the three of us can get together later."

"I'd like that," Tali said as she watched Kasumi open the air duct panel. "Are you sure you just don't want to go out the airlock?"

"I'd like to avoid any unnecessary questions," Kasumi said ducking into the vent, "besides, this is more fun."

Tali just shook her head before reentering the cabin, walking over to the photo and adjusting it slightly.

"Excuse me Tali?"

"Yes EDI?"

"I do not mean to pry, but do you believe that Ms. Goto took that story at face value?"

"You were ease dropping again," Tali said annoyed.

"It is admittedly difficult not to. I am aware of everything that occurs on the Normandy. I do not mean to invade your privacy but at times it cannot be helped."

"She already thought the photo was a fake. I admit I used the picture as inspiration but honestly I really don't think I look like the woman from the magazine. Besides, the last thing I need is my face plaster all over the extranet and knowing Kasumi that would have happened."

"Oh…I see. Then I should not have sent that message to Ms. Goto's omni-tool about the photo's authenticity?"

"You…what?"

"That was a joke."

I want to say right off the bat that ME3 was a big disappointment for me. Not just the ending but the game as a whole. I think there were a lot of missed opportunities that could have made this an epic game like no other instead of the bare bones corner cutting we got. Rant over. For those who wanted more screen time for your ME2 people, this series will be for you. Writers block is hampering my other stories and I decided to put the finishing touches on this at least to get the creative juices flowing. Until next time, read and review people.