Day 2, "There is no Shepard without Vakarian, After All"
Everything was going so well for him over the last couple of days. He was thoroughly enjoying his new relationship with Tali, he got to laugh at Shepard again last night when he ran out of his quarters in the middle of the night. Apparently Liara had used her powers as the Shadow Broker to get an actual cockroach delivered to the Normandy, and had released it into his cabin.
I can now die peacefully knowing that Commander Shepard transforms into a little girl at the sight of a bug. I have to remember to not mess with Blue in the future though… That's just a scary amount of resources.
But yes, everything had been going well for him, he even got word two days ago that his family was able to get off Palaven. Hell, the war itself had taken a dramatic turn in the last month. The Reaper advance had been slowed, and they managed to enlist both the Quarian and Geth aid two weeks ago!
Spirits we might just win this thing yet…
He did have one problem however, and right now it was staring him in the face.
Firing Simulation #842… Complete! Thanix Power Chamber is operating at 99.985% of maximum efficiency.
Damn it! I was sure that would get at least 0.002% more yield!
He began to run the calculations in his head as ducked under the terminal to check some wiring he suspected he may be able to upgrade.
Ok, this one looks good, no, that one looks good too… hm, it looks like the engineers actually did some good work down here… could it be… He thought to himself as he checked the wires, interrupted by a voice he wasn't expecting.
"Hm, you spend so much time playing around with that gun… I might be a little jealous," Tali said, suggestively, running a hand down his back.
Spirits, how did I not hear her come in?
"Hm, you're right. I'm breaking up with you for the Thanix Cannon," He teased lightly, still focused on the terminal, although he was pleased to hear a small giggle from behind him.
"Break-up? We're not dating, I am only using you for your body, Mr. Vakarian," she replied lightly, stepping closer as he stood up from the terminal, although still not facing her. Wrapping her arms around his waist, beginning to unhook the seals on his armor.
"What are you doing, I thought we weren't doing this until later?" He said uncertainly, checking the readouts on the screen again.
"Hm, well I was bored and I figured you weren't doing anything," she replied happily, still working her fingers over the seals. She had told him that they were overly complex.
Hmm… actually I should try to get this extra .002%... I've been slacking with the calibrations since we started this…thing. This is why I told her later after all.
"Actually, I have to finish these calibrations first, tha-," he began before she interrupted him.
"Garrus, tell me you aren't turning down sex for some ridiculous fraction of a percent of yield from that gun," she said seriously, backing up from him abruptly.
Hm, there's definitely a warning in there… but I'm not some piece of meat she can use whenever she wants, she has to know that!
"This is important work Tali! Those ridiculous fractions of a percent add up!" He said defensively, turning to face her at last, and immediately wishing he hadn't, as her mask was off and the glare she was giving him was thus much more effective.
Not to mention she probably went through a lot of work to set this up and I'm kind of throwing it in her face… er- maybe this was a bad idea…
"Damn it Garrus! In all my time on this ship we have fired that gun twice! Meanwhile how many hours have you wasted away calibrating it?" She demanded, crossing her arms and intensifying the glare.
The effect of her glare was immediate, he felt his bones, and his resolve go to pudding, and found himself speechless for a moment. He vaguely remembered something his father told him once a long time ago. 'Son, when you find you have nothing to say it's better to just stay silent. It's when we have nothing to say we say the things we will later regret.' He never agreed with his father on much, and had never abided by that lesson. He always spoke his mind, he always argued. It was his nature.
"Well, um, it did take down a Collector ship with those two shots! It doesn't just do that without me calibrating it! Since we started this thing of ours I've had less time to work on it, so I have to do it now," He explained seriously.
Ha, take that Dad. A logically sound argument out of nowhere. Thinking on your feet, playing fast and loose with protocol. Being rash works yet again.
"Huh, I've never thought of it like that Garrus," she said sweetly, and paused just long enough for the trumpets to sound his victory in his head before she continued. "I've been way too distracting for you and your gun, I'm so sorry," she continued sweetly, although he caught what she had just implied.
Shit. Maybe I could've worded that a bit better…
"Tali-," he began apologetically before she cut him off.
"No it's ok Garrus! Really! I'll be out of your way from now on, don't worry!" She assured him the same voice before turning heel and stalking out. Leaving him absolute silence… for a moment at least.
"Hey bud, that looked pretty bad, you want to talk about it?" Joker's voice that was way too smug for his liking came over the intercom.
"I've said it once I'll say it again, Shepard really needs to cut your access to the cameras," he said wearily. "I liked it better when we were with Cerberus and you were getting spied on like the rest of us," he added bitterly.
"Oh Garrus, like that would do any good. I'm dating the ships' AI, not to mention I'm in our way too personal group chat. You know, the one that already has the video uploaded to it?" He said with a chuckle.
Frowning he opened his omni-tool and the group chat.
Group Chat: "Normandy- SR-2 (2)"
Joker4ever has posted video "FleetnFlotilla Gone Bad"
Zorah92- I hate you Joker. Seriously it's been like a minute since that even happened!
Liara- Don't worry Tali, I'm not going to watch it.
Zorah92- Thanks.
JVega- Two things: 1. Scales…really? 2. First time I've seen a Quarian without a mask, you should work that look more often Sparks!
Vegasmells- Really? That's like… insanely insulting… not that I'm at all surprised with Lieutenant Meathead here.
Zorah92- Don't worry Cortez, it's fine.
JVega- See? Sparks has a sense of humor at least.
Shepard45- Just to interject, Garrus I'm glad you're willing to follow me anywhere but following me to the doghouse wasn't really necessary haha.
Liara- I'm glad you think it's a joke.
Shepard45- Oh come on! Really? You're mad about this now too?
Liara- Oh I'm not mad about anything, dear.
JVega- Huh, that turned pretty quickly, bet you didn't see that one coming CMDR.
Shepard45- I'm not saying anything anymore… Apparently jokes aren't allowed…on MY ship no less…
Zorah92- Probably a good idea Shep.
Liara- The best he's had in a few days.
Shepard45- Really? You just had to chime in again? I GET IT! Jeez… You're quickly on your way to replacing Javik as the most unpleasant person on the ship right now!
Javik- Stupid Primitives. This is perhaps the most useless piece of primitive technology I've yet experienced.
Vegasmells- And the champ swoops in to defend his title! The crowd goes wild.
Liara- Hm… you really have a way of showing the 'love?'
Shepard45- Not in the mood for the bullshit Liara. I didn't get much sleep, I mean less than usual because there was a cockroach on my bed.
Joker4ever- Still think that has to be up for joke of the month. EDI says that it was both 'Well timed and very inventive'.
Liara- Thank you Joker, and EDI. I try.
Zorah92- Don't thank them! They posted that stupid video!
Liara- I mean- it wasn't that bad for you. That one part where you hugged him from behind was actually pretty sweet!
Zorah92- I thought you said you didn't watch it…
Liara has disconnected from the group chat.
Shepard45- Ha!
Zorah92- Ugh. I hate all of you now.
Zorah92 has disconnected from the group chat.
Shepard45- On that note I have some important stuff to do. Like checking my room to make sure there aren't any more cockroaches. I guess that's some of the benefits of being in a relationship with the Shadow Broker hm?
Joker4ever- I thought the benefits were when you're not fighting she literally 'blows your mind'?
Shepard45- Hm... I guess there are pros and cons.
Shepard45 has disconnected from the group chat.
Joker4ever- Hm, and then there were three. Where's Alenko? He probably should have made some obnoxiously neutral comment by now.
JVega- Or some thinly veiled flirtatious comments aimed at the CMDR?
Joker4ever- Ha!
KAlenko- Really? This again?
Joker4ever- Nah, I actually have stuff to do too, although while I'm on the subject I really think you should embrace your new found sexuality.
KAlenko- I've said it like ten times! That was a onetime thing, I've never felt that way about any other man!
Joker4ever- Right…
Joker4ever has disconnected from the group chat.
KAlenko- Ugh, whatever.
KAlenko has disconnected from the group chat.
JVega- So… Esteban what's up?
Vegasmells- I can see you Vega. We don't need to talk in the group chat.
Vegasmells has disconnected from the group chat.
JVega- Right… uh, see you Javik!
JVega has disconnected from the group chat.
Javik- Stupid primitives.
Garrus merely scowled at the omni-tool before shutting it again. Turning back to the console to continue to work on the calibrations.
Well, I gave up sex not once but for the foreseeable future to do this so I guess I should at least do it… and I'm certainly not walking around the ship after reading that… damn it! Sorry I doubted you Dad…