Chapter 2

Author's Note: Hey there folks, here's chapter 2! Sorry it took so long, but school and other writing projects combined to hamper my progress. I hope you enjoy all the same.

Jack sat in a dark corner in her place of residence on the Normandy silently fuming. Anger and rage boiled up inside her far more than was healthy for anybody yet she held it all in anyway. Like a volcano that would erupt at any moment.

In her mind Jack fantasized about just exploding. At unleashing all of her fury into one big biotic explosion that would destroy everything it consumed. Her lips formed a slight smile at the thought. As it stood she only wanted to space the stupid cheerleader, though she wouldn't lose any sleep if anyone else bit it. That was just how it was.

Then again, there was the Quarian chick. She was nice enough, and hated Cerberus almost as much as she did. And the cook guy. Sure, he was Cerberus, but he didn't really know what they were. And she got better food from him then she did on Purgatory, or anywhere else she'd ever been in her life, so there was that. Even the image of that annoying but kind of sweet redhead flashed in her mind.

Jack snorted. Feelings again. She had them, but she didn't like to show them, save for rage with a good helping of sadism. But that didn't change the fact that as loathe as she was to admit it, there were some people on the ship she kind of liked. Kind of.

Finally, Jack let out a long, deep, sigh, followed by a brief flash of her biotics as she launched out a warp for no other reason than because she was pissed out of her mind. She couldn't take it anymore. Couldn't stand the cheerleader bitch or Shepard's keeping her in line anymore.

I think its high time I get some new lodgings Jack mused.

Well, as it stood, she had no way of getting off the Normandy now. She would just have to wait until Shepard came back from his latest mission and then "politely" ask to be dropped off.

And then where do I go? A small part of her brain asked her.

Who gives a fuck? Anyplace away from that damn cheerleader is better than here

-X-

Shepard, Miranda, and Garrus had all gotten into the Kodiak shuttle, Garrus hauling the new weapon Jacob had designed alongside his Vindicator and his signature Mantis Sniper Rifle. Shepard for his part had opted for the Geth Pulse Rifle instead of the Revenant this time. Miranda, as always, stuck with the Tempest and Carnifex Hand-Cannon.

As the Kodiak entered the atmosphere of Invictus, Shepard, Miranda, and Garrus were struck with the absolutely beautiful sight of a never-ending rainforest that made those left on Earth look like a person's garden in comparison.

"Why couldn't the Cerberus cells we took out before have had bases on planets like this?" Garrus quipped.

If it had been a few weeks ago, that remark would have elicited a decidedly unamused reaction from Miranda but as it stood she said nothing in response. Instead, she kept to the task at hand: "It will be difficult to locate the cell in such dense undergrowth, especially from this height. We'll need to go down lower but still stay airborne to have any chance of locating it"

Shepard nodded, before observing: "I can see why they set up camp here. All this dense foliage makes for a good hiding place."

"Sunny too" Garrus quipped again.

"You do know that its teeming with predators who have killed their share of Turians right?" Shepard quipped back.

"You're no fun Shepard" Garrus replied, feigning hurt at Shepard's remark.

"If you boys are done we have a cell to find" Miranda interjected

Shepard nodded. "Yeah, you're right. EDI, do you have any way of locating the cell? Tracking their communications perhaps?"

"Yes, through the Normandy's scanners I have detected an anomaly on the eastern edge of the jungle. I recommend investigating there first"

"Thanks EDI"

The Kodiak changed directions and went east, following the "anomaly" the scanners had detected. As the Kodiak continued its flight, the three occupants took in more of the lush jungles, the rolling hills and curves in the land, and even a majestic waterfall.

"Looks just like a postcard: dear Council: kicking ass in outer space, wish you were here"

Shepard couldn't help but laugh at that one. "I'd consider taking a vacation here if it weren't for the aforementioned animal problem."

"I'd go anyway. I always pack my sniper rifle"

Shepard was all set to chuckle again when Miranda's voice cut him off: "The cell is within sight"

Shepard and Garrus turned and saw that indeed, a mess of grayish-white buildings with an all-too familiar logo where off in the distance. But before the Kodiak could close in, land, or do anything for that matter, it shook violently, threatening to toss its three occupants around like rag-dolls.

"What the hell was that?" Garrus shouted.

"We've been hit. They must have had anti-air guns we didn't see!" Miranda said panicking.

The Kodiak suddenly began to plummet downwards, heading for the ground at a dangerously fast pace.

"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"

And with this, Miranda's day went from manageable to hell.

-X-

"Alert, connection with Commander Shepard's team lost"

"EDI, what the hell is going on?"

"Unknown Jeff, but I believe that Commander Shepard has encountered some…complications"

"Complications my ass" Jacob set, running up to the cockpit. "I'm taking a second team down to figure out what the hell is going on"

"Understood Operative Taylor. Jeff and I will manage the ship in the meantime."

Jacob nodded and ran down to the hangar area, beckoning Mordin to come with him. The good doctor was nearest to him and he'd rather not waste time searching around for other willing candidates.

As Jacob and Mordin made their way to the hangar, Jacob was all set to call down either Samara or Tali but a familiar obnoxious voice halted his efforts:

"Hey, I want in on this"

Jacob looked up and frowned upon seeing that it was Jack. He had a low opinion of the unstable biotic, and had said as much to Shepard in private. Even Thane and Zaeed were preferable to her. At least those two had some measure of self-control. At least Thane did anyway. Jack just seemed to be full of anger and rage non-stop, especially for the group Jacob had until just recently been a part of.

"Uh, Jack I—"

"Stow it. I said I want in. You could use someone like me and you know it. Besides I need an excuse to get off this fucking ship"

"Jack's temper high right now." Mordin observed. "Aware that physical exertion can be good stress reliever for humans. Biotic power levels also quite useful. Recommend taking Jack along"

"What he said" Jack said. Jacob sighed.

"All right fine. But you follow orders. Understood?"

"I'll consider it"

Jacob rolled his eyes but said nothing in response. Instead he beckoned for Jack to come along and she did. The hangar doors opened and the second Kodiak made its way down to where Shepard's team had been shot down. As they flew down, Jack thought about how Miranda was down there and remembered what she had said to Shepard when he headed off their first cat-fight:

"I'd hate to see her die before I get the chance to filet her myself"

Author's Note: Oh boy. Things ain't looking too good! Did anyone catch the little Halo reference I snuck in?

Yeah, I know the chapter's short, but I'll try to update soon, I promise!