Presrop-Chapter Two: Ashley

"I just don't understand, Skipper." Shepard raised an eyebrow, clearly asking what exactly she was referring to. "The aliens, they all look human. I thought EDI said there were a few different species here," Ashley continued in a low voice, conscious of the four natives walking ahead of them. They were making their slow way back to the Inquisition's home base, Haven, and would arrive there before the day was up. "Even their biological make up is almost identical, I just don't see any reason for division."

"I think it has more to do with their cultures, Ash. Don't think they're even aware of their biology. At least, as we know it."

Ashely sighed, "It's just-ah whatever. I'll never understand this alien shit."

Shepard let out a short laugh, "As long as you can keep going along with it, I think we'll be fine." She shot Ashely a smile, "That part of you hasn't changed since we met, but you've managed."

"So far," she grumbled.

That got another laugh from Shepard.

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"Skipper."

"Yeah, Ash?"

"I'd like to be reassigned, preferably to the Citadel in a nice, comfortable office."

"You'd go stir crazy in five minutes. Besides, it's not so bad here." As Shepard spoke, Ashely couldn't help but feel a smile tug at the corner of her lips. No, it wasn't that bad. Sure as hell wasn't great, though.

They had made it to Haven a little before sunset, where they were promptly shuffled off to set up tents near the soldier's barracks. If they could be called that. The "barracks" were just a few rows of tents set side by side to give the impression of a cohesive unit. The tents Shepard's squad were given were of material Ashely wouldn't have let a dog sleep on and had more holes in it than she'd care to count. Apparently this Inquisition wasn't the most well-funded. That, or they didn't give a shit about their newest recruits. Ashley would bet her last paycheck on the latter.

Shepard had been offered a room in their main building-the Charity, was it?-but she'd wanted to make sure her squad settled in first. Ashley was sure Shepard felt guilty about getting better accommodations than her squad, although they all knew the advantage in being closer to those in charge.

"You'll be alright then, by yourself?" Shepard gave Ashley a quizzical look at her question before letting out a small laugh.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Shepard joked.

"Hey, at least I have our guys with me. You'll be over there with these hole-in-the sky freaks alone."

"…Wipe that worried look off your face, you know I've been through worse."

Ashely shook her head, "Yeah, yeah..Still, make sure you watch your back Shepard."

"Thanks, Ash."

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They had their first assignment. Bad fighting had broken out in some village towards the east. A few of the Inquisition's agents had been compromised and needed evac as soon as possible. Since these agents weren't high priority, apparently they made a great test for Shepard's squad. Ashely was a little resentful at being pushed so far away after only a few days, but she knew there was nothing to be done about it. They had their mission and she'd make damn sure to stick to it. If that meant leaving Shepard alone with these aliens, she'd have to accept it.