Chapter 3

Flame Mail

Joker smiled smugly. After the day he had been having, taking out his frustration on the Normandy's AI was pure bliss. "It's just mad at me because all of its footage of me looks like a dream sequence."

Shepard seemed at a loss for words. Briefly. She studied the helmsman a moment. "You okay?"

Joker knew there was no getting around Shepard's questioning. The only thing to do was to make Shepard as uncomfortable as possible in order to get her to drop the subject.

Might as well be truthful about it. "It was strange hearing Ash—Operations Chief Williams' voice over the comm the other day," he admitted. It irritated him that his voice sounded all wistful and shit. He wasn't wistful. He was still pissed with Ashley and her latest holier-than-thou e-mail.

The Commander hefted an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't date crew mates."

"We never broke Alliance Regs, Commander," he told her quietly, gave her a shrug. "We were friends. After the crew went their separate ways, and I got stuck on Mars, Ash and I talked." He sighed and turned his chair so he could call up his mail. "She didn't like the bone mods," he commented lightly. Might as well go all the way. "Want to know what she thinks about me and you and Cerberus? Or are you still too pissed about it?" He gave the Commander clearance to read his mail with a vague gesture of his hand, then slumped back in his chair.

Shepard's hand on his shoulder was warm and reassuring.


To: Jeff Moreau (joker2183-sr1 at sr2. eldfell-ashland-group. term. net. oz)
Sent: June 16, 2185 15:02 UT
From: Ashley Williams (ashley. m. williams at ain. jalut. navy. mil. sa)
Subject: RE: RE: Happy Birthday

Moreau--

My "friend"? Don't give me that bullshit, you son of a bitch! I don't know which of you I'm more pissed at. You or her. Neither of you bothered to let me know that she was alive! You also conveniently left out the part about you two working for a terrorist group. Cerberus? Really, Joker? Was it worth it?

I'm hurt and I'm angry. If I want to take it out on you, then that's my prerogative. When I cool off I'll talk and be civil. Or maybe I won't. You're part of Cerberus now. The bad guys. Would serve you both right if I never spoke to either of you again.

Did you not think I would want to know that Shepard was alive and well? She was more than my commanding officer, Jeff. She was my friend. The same for you and Alenko. Friendships like we had are hard to come by these days. Thanks for stabbing me in the back.

I'm on my way back to the Citadel to deliver my report to Councilor Anderson and get my next assignment. At least I'm being pulled off Horizon. Those colonists really had it in for me. Now that the GARDIANs are working, I don't have to be stuck in the Terminus systems anymore.

And for your information, yes, I do know what it's like to watch someone you care about die. You weren't on Eden Prime, pal. You didn't get to see firsthand what the geth were doing to the colonists and my unit.

I'll talk to you later. If I feel like talking. Be careful out there.

--Operations Chief Ashley M. Williams

P. S. - Stop calling me Doll. I'm a marine.

This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.

--Original Message--

To: Ashley Williams (ashley. m. williams at ain. jalut. navy. mil. sa)
Sent: June 16, 2185 07:33 UT
From: Jeff Moreau (joker2183-sr1 at sr2. eldfell-ashland-group. term. net. oz)
Subject: RE: Happy Birthday

Hey Doll--

Where's all that animosity coming from, Ashley? I haven't done anything to you but try to be your friend.

So I didn't tell you who I work for. It was a little difficult pulling bone mods out of my ass. Had to have a little help, and since the Council and Alliance decided to shit on Shepard and everything we did when we took down Sovereign, they were the people to go to. They said they could bring back Shepard and they did. So I got a bonus out of the deal. End of story. Shepard needed a pilot who could have her back. I did a shitty job of it last time. I got an upgrade so I could do it better this time. Liver's still fine, thanks.

I don't trust them anymore than you do, but they brought Shepard back. It's more than anyone could have hoped for. It's got to count for something. The Reapers are still out there. Shepard's going to stop them. I saw her pull off miracles two years ago. You saw it too. Dr. Chakwas, Tali and Garrus are here with me. We trust Shepard. Why can't you?

Thanks for the birthday wishes. They were great. Especially when you peppered them with holier-than-thous. Just the kick in the teeth I needed for my 30th. I feel so special. We should go have hate sex on Tuchanka the next time we're both in the krogan DMZ.

And you're right. I have had work hard for everything my entire life. I don't expect this to be a free ride. I expect it to be a wild one. Wish you were here. The new Normandy is awesome. I get my own rack and the seats are leather.

Still miss me, or are you too angry to care any more?

--J

--You Replied To--

To: Jeff Moreau (joker2183-sr1 at sr2. eldfell-ashland-group. term. net. oz)
Sent: June 15, 2185 12:45 UT
From: Ashley Williams (ashley. m. williams at ain. jalut. navy. mil. sa)
Subject: Happy Birthday

Joker--

First of all, it's your birthday, so Happy Birthday. I hope your adventures in orbit around Horizon were fun and exciting. Yeah, I know you were there. I know who you work for. I pieced it together when Shepard told you to send down the shuttle.

You know what I really hate? When people you trust stab you in the back. It really hurts.

Shepard's alive. Just like the rumors said. So Cerberus isn't behind the abducted colonies. It's the Collectors. But you already know that. You've known that she was alive this entire time. You didn't tell me! How could you do that to me? I trusted you!

She said she was rebuilt by Cerberus, but how much of that is really true? I know they've got that controversy on Earth with Huerta, but how do you really know its her? Did she really even die? Was she spaced like you said or were you both working for Cerberus the entire time we were chasing after Saren?

Does Shepard realize you sold out the Alliance for a pair of legs and fancy ship? With everything you've been through in your life, you betrayed us for a free ride. How many innocent people died or were experimented on to get you those new legs?

You know what? I really, really hate you right now. You didn't just stab me in the back, Joker. You stabbed me in the heart too.

--Ash

P.S. Sar says "Happy Birthday" too. I haven't told her about Cerberus. It's classified. She doesn't know you betrayed her trust, too.

This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.