A/N: Well the file for the next chapter of A Whole New Kind of Trouble II is corrupted. And I'm too distraught to even thinking of rewriting that entire thing. :'[ But I like where this story is going so I'll continue it. Update for Mating Season coming soon I promise!
Shepard didn't waste any time going to the Normandy. There was something amiss about this mission. Something that had to do with her. She rubbed at her healing wounds as she entered the cockpit.
"Hey Commander." Joker said turning his chair to face her.
"Joker." She responded nodding to him.
"So what's the objective? Time to kick more slaver ass or quell some gang uprisings? I never get tired of seeing you shove that boot up the bad guys' asses." Shepard smirked at him. Somehow Joker always managed to brighten her day. Even when she felt like she was walking into a massive cluster fuck.
"Not this time. The council wants us to track down a rogue Spectre." Shepard said coming towards him and leaning against the Ensigns chair.
"Oooh top priority shit, huh?" the helmsman said twisting his face in mock excitement. "I can't say I like the idea of chasing another rogue Spectre across the galaxy."
"Me either." Shepard shook her head. "But I'm the councils bitch so it looks like we don't have much of a choice." Joker laughed. "By the way, we're going to have some company on this trip." Shepard said noting that EDI had detected someone at the airlock. Joker opened the door and Commander Vorik stepped into the ship.
"Commander Shepard." He said. "I know I am early, but I thought I should get to know your crew and the ship before my squad arrives." He glanced around the cockpit and down the bridge before returning his attention to the Commander. "If I may."
"Of course, Commander Vorik." Shepard said gesturing towards Joker. "That's our pilot, Joker. He has the best hands in the galaxy." Vorik stared at the smiling Commander for a moment wondering if the innuendo was deliberate. He decided it was.
"Hey." Joker said waving his 'talented' hands nonchalantly.
"I see." Vorik replied.
"Come on. I'll introduce you to Kelly. She likes aliens." Shepard said striding past the now slightly confused turian. He glanced back at the helmsman.
"Have fun." Joker said feeding the turian a shit eating smile. Vorik snorted and turned to follow his human guide.
"Jeff, I am worried about Shepard." EDI said once the two commanders were out of earshot.
"Why? She's fine." Joker said fiddling with the displays. He laughed manically when they changed from orange to purple.
"She has resisted contact with turians since we defeated the Reaper's. I do not believe that it is coincidence." The AI responded.
"Relax EDI, the Commander can handle herself." Joker said waving a hand at the AI's 'physical form'.
"If you believe so, Jeff." EDI said.
"Oooh fuchsia." Joker continued making the displays as gaudy as possible.
"You have a bar on your ship?" Commander Vorik asked staring at the counter that had been erected next to the kitchen.
"Yes, I do. And I make good use of it." Shepard responded rubbing the black countertop affectionately.
"I didn't realize you were so…casual when on missions." Vorik said straightening himself up as if to tower of his human counterpart.
"Turians have their ways of handling stress and human have theirs. There is no harm in having a few drinks when things are on the down low. However occasional those may be." Shepard replied staring the turian in the eye. She wasn't afraid of him. No matter how much bigger than her he was. She'd felled charging krogans, a disapproving turian wasn't going to faze her. "Don't worry. I've put an order in for some quality turian alcohol."
"Touché Commander." Vorik said smiling. "Speaking of which, is there an area where my men could spar if such a thing becomes necessary?" Vorik glanced around the mess area in search for a suitable spot.
"The cargo hold will do fine. I'll make sure the med station is well stocked, in case of any injuries." Shepard replied.
"Commander there are three turians waiting at the air lock. Should I let them in?" EDI chimed above their heads. Vorik stared at the ceiling in alarm.
"Please do, EDI." Shepard said smiling at the jumpy turian.
"Of course, Commander." EDI said and fell silent.
"Calm down Commander." Shepard said slapping his arm lightly. "That's EDI the ship's AI."
"An AI?" Vorik said whipping his head back down to all but gawk at the Commander.
"Yes. " Shepard replied. Vorik stared her down for a moment and then nodded. It wasn't worth questioning. If Shepard believed that the AI was trustworthy then he wasn't going to question it. The Commander was a sensible woman. "Come on. Introduce me to your squad, Vorik." Shepard said heading towards the elevator. Vorik followed without question.
Once all of the introductions were completed and everyone was aboard Shepard addressed her crew from her makeshift podium hovering above the galaxy map.
"As many of you may have noticed we have some new additions to the crew." Shepard said gesturing to the five turians that stood off to the left. "They are here to help us track down a rogue Spectre. As all of you know I don't have much luck when it comes to those. Hopefully this guy won't try to destroy the Citadel." Shepard smiled humorlessly. "Joker has plotted a course for Intai'sei where the Spectre was last sighted. Hopefully this will be an easy grab-and-go mission, but I doubt it. Everyone needs to stay on their toes…unless they already are." Shepard glanced towards the turians where they stared at her. A few humans coughed badly disguised giggles. "The turians are not to be bothered and if you antagonize them I will deal with you myself. I don't have time for your petty prejudices." Shepard pushed off the rail and descended.
"Commander." Shepard turned to face Cale. They had met not long after her defeat of the Reapers when Shepard hadn't been at her best. He had helped pull her out of a dark descent and they had been close ever since. He was a good man with a decent head on his shoulders and wicked scope. She'd been told by a few people, namely Kelly and Kasumi, that she was stupid for not accepting his offer to take her on a date. He was far from unattractive. What with his baby blues, nicely tanned complexion and shaggy hair that barely met regulations. The fact that he worked out every day didn't hurt either. But Shepard couldn't find it in herself to do it. He just didn't understand her. Not the way he had.
"You know its Shepard to you Cale." Shepard said shaking his out stretched hand and banishing her thoughts with a smile. Cale laughed.
"I know, but when you're my boss it's hard to call you that." Shepard shook her head. "How about a quick drink?" Cale asked gesturing towards the elevator.
"Yea, that sounds good." Shepard said draping an arm over his shoulders.
A/N: Less boring shit next time I swear. Review and stuff :3
