Observations: Function

Primarch Adrien Victus could not believe Garrus Vakarian's sole function on the Normandy was to calibrate the main guns.

This was the son of the famed C-Sec detective, this was the turian who may be the alleged Omega vigilante Archangel, this was the Adviser who kicked and screamed of the Reapers inevitable arrival, and the soldier who led troops on Manae to secure perimeters and single handedly took down a brute.

And now he was reduced to calibrating.

Victus was shocked, insulted, and furious that the Commander didn't see the potential within him and what he had to offer. He, like any good turian, was able to keep his emotions under control when it was required, but listening to Vakarian talk about strategy with the Commander staring at the hologram of the Crucible reminded him of how underused Vakarian was.

"Primarch?"

Vakarian's voice pulled him out of his, well, glare to the woman across from him. She didn't seem to notice either of them anyway. "It's fine Vakarian. I'll tell Corinthus to move as you suggested."

The turian's subvocals acknowledged the statement and Vakarian tactfully saluted the Primarch to leave. Victus looked down at console and toyed with the idea of saying something to the Commander. He should. Vakarian was an immense asset and-

"Shepard, something on your mind?"

Victus' sharp hearing picked up on Vakarian's soft inquiry across the circular console.

"Seriously?" She snapped. Her voice was tight and for that, Victus could not blame her.

"Right now, in this moment, Shepard. What are you thinking?" Vakarian's voice was patient, as though he had done this before. Perhaps he had.

Victus glanced up cautiously, unable to avoid eavesdropping but he didn't want to get caught watching. The Commander sighed heavily, her green eyes fixated on the Crucible.

"What if it doesn't work?" She asked quietly. "I know it's all we've got, but what if it doesn't work?"

Vakarian leaned against the railing, his back to Victus, next to the Commander and perhaps a little too close for "just friends."

There was a long silence before Vakarian spoke. "Well, then we do what we can to help the next cycle." He paused and leaned into the Commander's field of vision, forcing her attention away from the hologram. "And then," he drawled, "we find someplace to make our last stand."

Victus thought the Commander was going to blow him off, but instead she cocked her head, her eyes far off. "Like… a deserted flat planet?" she asked.

"Mmm, that could work," Vakarian responded thoughtfully.

"We could lure Harbinger there, while secretly forcing the planet out of orbit and on some destruction path, while maintaining a temporary stasis field so the Reapers can't leave," she mused. Then she wrinkled her face, but Victus didn't know what it meant.

"Nah, that idea sucks. I'd rather blow them up."

Vakarian chuckled darkly. "That's my girl. I'm thinking we get the biggest guns we can find-"

"-giant missiles! Nuclear bombs! A1 Cannons!" She exclaimed. Her eyes lit up brightly as she spoke quickly.

"Yes! Then we load the planet with all the weapons in the perimeter we lure Harbinger to-"

"-Disable them temporarily and then press the big red button!" The Commander exclaimed.

"And kaboom! It's perfect!" Vakarian imitated an explosion ballooning, throwing his arms out in a circular motion.

Victus thought it was ridiculous, depressing, and had too many holes.

But then Vakarian paused and glanced at the Commander suspiciously. "Wait, big red button?"

"Yeah, all giant destroy-the-world missiles have big red buttons to launch them. Don't you watch the vids?" She asked.

"Yeah but… you always get to push the buttons," he complained.

The Commander gave him a sly look-at least Victus thought it was sly- and said, "Don't you know, Garrus? I'm Spectre Commander Jeyne Shepard and pushing big red buttons is my favorite thing to do on the Citadel."

Vakarian burst into laughter, hearty and vibrant. The Commander followed him soon after, and the frustration Victus felt earlier subsided. Since arriving on the Normandy, the Commander was very respectful and constantly reminded him that if he needed anything to contact her. He was dealing with Palaven, but she was dealing with the entire galaxy and Earth on top of it.

"So," The Commander's voice cut into Victus' thoughts, "What song will you play as we blow them up?" She tapped her forehead, referring to Vakarian's visor.

"Hmm, probably 'Die for the Cause,'" he responded thoughtfully.

The Commander snorted a laugh. "'Die for the Cause?' Garrus that's so…turian of you."

Vakarian frowned, his platelets flickering in annoyance. He crossed his arms and said, "I am turian."

"Yeah well," the Commander started, "I'm human. And not only human, but an American from New York. And you know what us Yanks do to beings that oppress us or demand our imminent destruction?"

She didn't bother waiting for Vakarian to respond before grinning madly and answering, "We play epic badass music and tell 'em to fuck off because if we're going to hell, we're taking them with us! No one tells me how to die, no one!"

And there it was, the famous fire Commander Shepard possessed. The fire that inspired hope and fear simultaneously, that pushed her drive and ambitions to the edge. Her eyes burned with a fierce flame and her face was lit with pure resolve. Victus knew at that moment she meant every word she just told Vakarian, and that if anyone was going ensure the galaxy's survival it was her.

Vakarian grinned. "I always thought you were crazy; now I know for sure."

The Commander laughed. "You love it, Vakarian, don't lie."

Vakarian simply continued to grin and stared down at the Commander, her eyes reaching his. Victus could not read human expressions well, but the feeling shared between them was something he recognized clear as day.

"Commander, we're close to Eden Prime." The pilot's voice entered over the comm.

"Good. Tell Vega to suit up," she instructed.

"Roger than," the pilot said before signing off.

"That lieutenant? Your jailer?" Vakarian snarled.

"He's not bad and it wasn't his fault. He got tapped for N7 and I want to evaluate him. You'll tell me what you think, right?" She asked, already heading out of the war room with Vakarian falling in step next to her.

"Of course," he responded, just before the doors closed.

Victus was left alone in the quiet of the war room. He stared at the door, pondering on the conversation that just occurred. The Commander didn't ask Vakarian if he was coming with her, or that he needed to get ready, she already assumed he would be there. Victus' thoughts traveled back to her somber expression, staring at the Crucible to her bright laughter, all from one question. Well, one question from the right person.

Perhaps Vakarian provided more functions on the Normandy than Victus thought.