Chapter 2
"Approaching relay in 5-4-3..." Joker announced.
Standing at his side, Shepard prepared for the slight disorientation that accompanied the jump through the mass relay. After all this time, she still dreaded that feeling.
"You know, I think I can handle getting us there, Commander," the pilot quipped.
"What's the matter, Joker, I make you nervous?" Shepard teased back.
Grinning, he uncharacteristically held his tongue, not wanting to admit how close to the truth that really was.
"OK, can't have you diving into an asteroid, I'll leave you alone," she turned, smirking and headed toward the stairs leaving her pilot again just shaking his head.
"Oh and I need Liara and the ground team in the comm room in 15 minutes," the commander added.
"Yes, ma'am" Joker replied.
Shepard exchanged greetings with the crew she passed as she made her way to the med bay. She hoped to tie up a couple of loose ends before the meeting with her team. Dr. Chakwas was standing outside the door, quietly conversing with one of the crew. As the commander approached, the conversation quickly ended and the doctor watched with an amused expression as the ensign smarty saluted and bolted away.
"Am I interrupting something, Doctor?" the spectre asked.
"Of course not, Commander," Chakwas quipped.
"The crew have had some adjustments to make with their new shipmates, but they're working through it."
"Anything I should know about?" if it weren't for the grin on the doctor's face and the amusement in her voice, Shepard may have been concerned.
"No, Ma'am, nothing you should know about," the doctor's answered smoothly.
"So, how's our young patient?" the spectre asked, switching gears as she broached the subject she had come for.
"Physically, she's fine, mentally, a bit stressed, but you could do much to ease that," Dr. Chakwas commented quietly.
"What does this have to do with me?" the spectre returned, not liking the way the doctor was spinning this.
"She is concerned that you will send her back to the University. Extremely frightened by that possibility, I would say."
"I guess I'll go have a chat with her, then," Shepard turned toward the door, not expecting the doctor's response.
Ignoring the spectre's unspoken request, the doctor continued to block the door to the med bay.
"Well, Commander?" Chakwas asked, "is she staying?"
"Is there a specific reason you're asking?" the spectre challenged.
"Just preparing for the reaction you will be getting, ma'am, that's all."
"I guess you'll know after I speak to her then, doctor," the commander retorted ambiguously, brushing past the startled doctor as she entered the med bay.
Rayn was sitting on the second bunk, feet dangling and eyes on the floor. She seemed startled at the swish of the door and quickly glanced at the specter before averting her gaze.
"Mind if I sit here?" the commander asked softly, sitting next to the girl on the raised bed.
"Guess not, it's your ship," came the terse reply.
The young human kept her eyes down and was surprised when the spectre gently raised her chin, forcing their eyes to meet.
"Rayn, can I trust you?" Shepard asked quietly, looking deeply into the girl's eyes.
She knew the response before a word was spoken. Without breaking eye contact, Rayn nodded slightly and the spectre saw the determination in the young soul.
"Here's the deal then, you stay with our expedition, but you do nothing without my direct permission. That includes talking to anyone outside our team and working on any side projects, " the spectre paused to let the terms sink in.
"Well, do we have an agreement?"
Rayn's expression grew serious as she considered.
"Dr. Aemilia will not be happy about that. She definitely wanted me to let her know what was happening," there was only a slight hesitation before the girl came to a decision.
"Commander, I do want to be a part of this, but if I agree, then I can't go back to University, maybe ever," Rayn's voice faltered a bit as she continued.
"I don't have anywhere else to go."
"You belong with a human family anyway, Rayn. I'll make sure we get you settled once this is over," Shepard promised.
"I guess then I'll have to trust you too, Commander," the youth said softly, her eyes meeting the spectre.
"I agree."
Shepard smiled and hugged the girl sealing their deal.
"Then here's what we're going to do," the commander leaned close and whispered her plan into an attentive ear.
As she continued, the seriousness was replaced by a grin as the ideas began flooding the gifted young scientist's mind. Rayn practically jumped off the bed and headed to the back room, eager to begin her new assignment. One goal accomplished, the specter sighed and got up. She had not yet reached the door when it swished open and a concerned doctor entered. Chakwas quickly surveyed the situation, relaxing as she saw that Rayn had returned to her team.
"So I take it your conversation went well, Commander?" the doctor inquired.
"Yes, Rayn and I have an agreement and I know she will keep her part of the bargain. If everything else today goes as smoothly, I'll be fortunate. See you later Doc."
Shepard made a quick exit before the doctor could comment and headed to the comm room. She knew that this meeting would not be as easy.
The buzz of conversation died off as she entered the room. A quick glance around confirmed that everyone was present. She didn't want to prolong this any more than necessary. This was not a team to sit around idle in meetings.
"Tomorrow we will reach Binthu," she began, immediately seizing their attention.
"I want to be sure everyone knows what I will expect of them. This mission breaks new ground for us. We don't exactly have an exploration class ship and we don't want a lot of attention. I'd like to move quickly, collect what we can, then get to somewhere more controlled to go through it," Shepard continued quickly, not giving them a chance yet to slow her down with questions.
"Liara, no more than 5 days. That may even be too long."
"Very well, Commander," the asari replied after a brief hesitation, clearly surprised by the announcement.
"But my team was hoping to conduct a more comprehensive study of the pyramid," the doctor was agitated by the spectre's approach.
"If I may ask, why the secrecy? Why the rush?" T'Soni asked.
"Everyone knows what we're searching for and I can't believe that anyone would want to prevent us from reaching our goal."
"Just because Sovereign's not out there anymore doesn't mean the Geth have given up. I'd rather they didn't even know where we're looking," the spectre responded.
The krogan shifted in his seat, uncomfortable even in the largest chair the human ship had to offer.
"I didn't come along to run and hide, Shepard," he growled.
"Don't worry, Wrex, I'm sure you'll get a chance to play," the commander answered smoothly.
"I will meet with my team to modify our strategy," the scientist was still reluctant and tentatively met the spectre's eyes.
The commander tried to convey a different message, assurance as well as an invitation in a glance. The commander then turned to the gunnery chief, bracing for her reaction.
"Ashley, you're with Liara's team. I want you to keep the kid out of trouble."
The marine's eyes blazed but she kept her voice level. "I'm sure Liara can handle that, Commander."
"I'm sure she could, but she may have her hands full with the task at hand. Your charge is to keep them safe," the spectre's tone had an air of finality that ended the discussion.
From the look on Ashley's face though, it only meant that it would continue in private. She was too professional to ever question an order in front of an audience. And too much of a friend to ever just let it be.
"Garrus and Wrex, you'll be with me groundside in the Mako. We'll make sure the area is clear and see what else the planet has to offer. "
Glancing at T'Soni, she added "We'll make sure you have your quality time with the pyramid."
"Shi'ala will stay on the Normandy to provide both our teams with data and to investigate any other Prothean artifacts we come across."
Liara looked up at that announcement. "I had assumed she would be with the research team," the doctor commented quietly, a questioning look in her eye.
"I wanted to round out the teams," the specter explained. "That way we can deal with any situations that come our way."
"Any questions?" the tone of the commander's voice did not welcome responses and the team began to file out of the room.
As expected, Ashley and Liara remained behind.
Both were cautious, but as usual, Ashley spit out her thoughts.
"I belong with the ground team, not babysitting some scientists."
Surprisingly, Liara nodded her head, quietly adding "I would rather you had the chief at your side. You do tend to take some unnecessary risks."
Looking at the concerned expressions, Shepard's countenance and her voice softened.
"Ashley, I need you to take care of her for me," the spectre said, her gaze lingering on the asari.
"You're the one I trust the most to do that. I have to know she's safe."
Definitely not the response she anticipated, the tough gunnery chief was at a momentary loss for words.
"I can do that, Commander, " she sputtered and turned quickly, leaving the room.
The room's two remaining occupants stepped closer, both hesitant on breaking the silence.
"Then how will I know that you are safe?" the asari breathed quietly, taking the spectre's hands in her own.
"Guess you'll just have to trust me, Li," the commander smirked, leaning in to steal a kiss.
"You better go prepare your team, we can continue this discussion tonight."
The unspoken promise brought a quick smile to the asari's face, but did little to ease her anxiety. She slowly disengaged and touched the door control, leaving the commander deep in thought.