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SSV Normandy Docking Bay, the Citadel.
"Shepard," Udina said, "it's about time you got here."
"Why'd you want to see me?" Shepard asked.
Anderson said, "We've decided to give you command of the Normandy."
"Captain? Are you sure? The Normandy's your ship, not mine." Shepard said.
"You'll need a good ship to take Saren down, and the Normandy's the best one out there."
"The crew won't like this." Shepard replied.
"They all know and respect you. They'll follow your orders without complaint. But they might not like you adding new members to your crew." Anderson said, while looking at Miranda and Tali.
"I'm going to need as much help as I can to get out of this mission alive, and these are some of the best."
"That the only reason, Commander?" Udina asked.
"Shut up, Udina." Shepard said.
"Not a good idea, Jessica." Anderson said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"If you aren't more respectful to him he'll complain about it until me ears fall off."
"There anything else I need to know before we get going?" Shepard asked.
"Yes," The ambassador said, "we've got two leads on Saren. The first is heavy investment into the Binary Helix's Noveria Branch. The second is Benezia's daughter Dr. Liara T'soni is working in a prothean dig site on Therum."
"Understood, we'll head to Therum, then Noveria." Shepard said.
"Are you sure, Commander?" Udina asked, "Taking down his operations on Noveria would be a greater blow than recruiting T'soni."
"Listen," Shepard growled, "I won't let a civilian get get killed so that I can take out a corporation on Noveria."
"But, you're mission is to take down Saren, not save an asari!" Udina replied.
"My mission is to stop Saren from destroying all life, saving T'soni falls into that mission." Shepard said as she entered the Normandy followed by Miranda and Tali.
SSV Normandy Docking Bay elevator.
"Anderson, did you notice that Operative Lawson was following Shepard? The Illusive Man won't be pleased with this." Udina said.
"He'll have to deal with it." Anderson said, "Shepard isn't the kind of person to let a member of her crew leave without her permission. You won't be able to get that permission easily."
"We'll have to, the Illusive Man sent Lawson here for a reason that doesn't involve Shepard." Udina said.
SSV Normandy Bridge.
"Heard what happened to Anderson, survives a hundred battles and is then taken down by backroom politics." Joker said. "So watch your back Jessica, if things go bad on this mission, you'll be the next one on the chopping block."
"Thanks, Joker," Jessica replied, "but this doesn't feel right. It feels like I've stolen what Anderson worked his entire career to get."
"Yeah, he got screwed, but it's not like you could have stopped it. Also, told you she wasn't dead."
"Miri?" she asked.
"Yeah, feel better now?
"Joker, how could you know she was alive before now?"
"Because you teach people how to survive. If there's anything you want to tell the crew, now might be the time." Joker said.
"Why the sudden subject change?" Jessica asked.
"No reason, just trying to make sure that we leave for the next op asap."
"If you say so." Jessica said as she hit the intercom, "We have our orders. Find Saren before he finds the Conduit. I won't lie to you and say it'll be easy. For too long humanity's stood apart from the other races. Now's the time for us to step up and do our part for the rest of our galaxy. Time to show them what humans are made of. Our enemy knows we're coming. When we go into the Traverse, Saren's followers will be waiting for us. But we'll be ready for them too. Humanity needs to do this not just for ourselves, but for every species in the galaxy. Saren must be stopped, and I promise you, we will stop him from bringing the reapers into our galaxy.
"Nice, pleasant way to put it." Joker said.
"Anderson gave up everything for this mission, we can't fail." Jessica said, as she headed downstairs.
SSV Normandy Mess Hall.
"What's up, Kaidan?" Jessica asked.
"Nothing, Commander. Just making sure we have everything we need before leaving the Citadel." He replied.
"Do we need anything?"
"All we really need is some more dextro amino food supplies."
"How long will it take to get them?" She asked.
"They should get here within an hour."
"Good, let me know when they get here."
"Understood." Kaidan said as he turned back to his console.
"Got it." Shepard said.
Cronos Station: The Illusive Man's office.
"Anderson, get Operative Lawson off that ship asap." TIM said.
"Wouldn't it be best to have a Cerberus Agent on the Normandy?" Anderson asked.
"That isn't necessary, Shepard's focusing on a matter that Cerberus is not interested in."
"What do you mean it isn't of interest to Cerberus?"
"Shepard has the situation under control, while Lawson is needed on a special Project."
"What project?"
TIM said, "That's classified, Anderson. Get Lawson off the Normandy."
SSV Normandy Shuttle Bay.
Shepard walked up to Wrex and said, "Wrex."
"Shepard." The krogan replied.
"What do you know about the genophage?" she asked.
"Ask the salarians, they made it." Wrex said.
"All right, why do you wear that crappy armor? I've seen your collection, it has a lot of stuff better than that."
"It's my family's armor. Passed down from generation to generation."
"So, you're sentimental, could have fooled me."
"Shepard, can I talk to you for a minute." Ashley asked.
"What is it, Williams?" Shepard asked.
"What is going on with you? You're acting completely differently from before."
"I've got less pressure on me now."
"That's a load of shit." Ashley replied, "You have to save all organics from certain death now. Before you just had to prove Saren had gone rogue."
"What are you getting at Williams?" Shepard asked.
"What's going on between you and the new recruit?"
"Which one? There are two."
"Lawson." Ashley said.
"She's an old friend." Shepard said, "That all?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Williams, you served with Kaidan back when I was on the Akuze op. Do you know what it is about today that makes him so down on this day every year?"
"If he isn't willing to talk to you about it, then I'm not going to say anything about it." Ashley said.
Shepard walked up to Garrus and asked, "What the hell are you doing to my mako?"
"Calibrating its weapon systems. Someone screwed them up, and it has to be fixed before we reach Therum or we won't live to tell the tale." the turian replied.
"Can you improve the handling too?"
"I'm good Shepard, but I'm not that good."
"Really, you aren't good enough to fix the mako's handling, I may have to relieve you of duty on the Normandy."
Garrus said, "The mako can't be helped, its bad handling is caused by a design flaw at the vehicles core. I'd have to redesign the whole damn thing to get it to work. Can't say I'm looking forward to ride in one."
"How about a little bet?" Shepard asked, "If I handle the mako so that you aren't terrified of riding in it, I win. If not, you win."
"I wouldn't want to take your credits, Shepard."
"Scared, Vakarian?" She asked.
"No, you're on Shepard. How much?"
"500 credits."
"Good, wouldn't want to bankrupt you."
"I chose 500 so you'd be able to afford it, Vakarian." Shepard said, as she walked towards the back of the room.
SSV Normandy Bridge.
"Moreau," Hackett said, "I need you to make sure that Shepard doesn't take the Normandy into batarian space."
"Shepard won't do that. We have a mission to stop Saren, nothing to do with the batarians." Joker replied.
"Don't risk it."
"Understood, sir."
"Good, Hackett out."
"Miranda, Tali, come with me." Shepard said.
"What for?' Tali asked.
"It's time for your tour of the ship." Shepard said, as the two women followed her out of the room. "Alright, this is the Cargo Hold where the Mako, our weapons and armor, and repair equipment are stored. Over there by the mako is the requisitions officer. If you need anything, go to him." Shepard said, "Next is the elevator, if you're going to use it, make sure no one else wants to use it as well, it's really slow for some reason. This next area is engineering where the Normandy's Tantalus drive core is stored. If you'd like, Tali you can work down here."
"It would be a good experience." Tali replied.
"Now, on the next deck, we have the mess hall, crew's quarters, captain's cabin, and med bay. Med bay is on the right, crew quarters in the back straight past the mess hall, and the captain's cabin is on the left. Then on the top deck we have the CIC and bridge. If you need any help, feel free to put the co-ordinates to the location where your problem is after seeing me. The Comms Center is also there, by the stairs. Oh, and don'ttry to pilot the Normandy under any circumstances short of Joker's death. He hates losing control of his ship. Any questions?" When none came, she said, "Tali, go tell engineer Adams that you're going to be helping him. Miri, if you'd come with me."
"What is it, Jessica?" Miranda asked.
"You'll see." Was all Shepard would say, before entering the elevator.
Therum: Prothean Dig site.
"Where's the asari?" a krogan asked. The geth units didn't reply, so he said, "Go guard the far perimeter. We don't want anyone trying to steal the asari."
SSV Normandy Bridge.
Joker said, "Exiting dry dock now. We'll be arriving on planet Therum in approximately four and a half hours."
SSV Normandy Communications Center.
Shepard said, "Team, we'll be arriving on Therum shortly. I want all of you ready to come down on the surface in case of emergencies. Miranda, Garrus, and Tali will go down to the surface with me at first. If backup is needed, I want all of you to come. Understood?" Shepard asked.
"Yes, ma'am." Kaidan and Ashley said.
"Good, everyone gear up." Shepard said, as she led Tali and Miranda down to the armory. In the elevator, Tali asked, "Why are you taking me along?"
"We'll need a skilled engineer to make sure the mako doesn't fall apart. Also, consider this a live fire test, to see if you're good enough to be a permanent member of the ground team. Same goes for you, Miri."
"Of course." she said.
Okay, we've got the HMW X series of weapons that was designed for the Spectres. I want each of you to take an assault rifle, sniper rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Additional weapons such as MLX 5's are available, if you think we'll need heavy weapons on the battlefield." Shepard said, while she geared up.