Part 3 – United
After getting new gear, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura found their way to the docks where the Councilors were waiting for them in front of a large glass window.
"Ah Agent Uchiha," Councilor Tevos said, "Welcome."
"We'd like to present to you the newest addition to the Alliance Navy," Councilor Sparatus said as the lights inside the hanger behind the glass lit up a large ship.
The front of the ship was based off an alliance cruiser, Sasuke could gather the center of the ship was based off of a Geth Dreadnought, near the rear of the ship was an open area with two rings inside like a Mass Relay's gyroscopic element zero core, and the very rear of the ship where the thrusters were was a pair of plus-shaped thrusters.
"Whoa," Naruto said as the three looked out onto the ship, "That's beautiful."
"Is she ours?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Councilor Tevos said, "Agent Uchiha, I'd like you to meet the United, one of our newest prototypes, all cumulated from the collective conscience of Human, Quarian, and Asari scientists, and now we're entrusting her to you."
"I'm honored councilors," Sasuke said as he bowed in front of them.
"Before you go we need you to consider building a team," Councilor Sparatus said, "We've got someone we thing will be invaluable to your team. Someone you can trust."
After the three councilor left, Sasuke heard a distinctive Quarian voice he recognized from his time in the Navy behind him, "Just like old times eh Lieutenant?"
Sasuke turned around, and saw a male Quarian dressed in green armor with white accents standing on the other side of the room.
"We'll I'll be," Sasuke said as he walked up to the Quarian, "Rock fucking Lee!"
Sasuke and Lee shared a friend's welcome by bumping the bottom of their fists against each other's, and then slapping each other's shoulders.
"It's great to see you buddy," Sasuke said, "What are you doing here?"
"Didn't you hear," Lee asked, "The old squad's been discharged from N7."
"What?" Sasuke asked.
"Yea," Lee said, "Shino abandoned the mission to save us and he was court-marshaled and arrested."
"What about Tenten, and Ino, and Garra?" Sasuke asked.
"They've returned to their homes," Lee said, "It's been three years since you left. We might be able to find them again."
"Sasuke," Sakura asked as she and Naruto walked up to him, "Are you going to introduce us?"
"Oh, sorry," Sasuke said as he turned to Sakura and Naruto, "Sakura, Naruto," Sasuke turned his attention to Lee, "This is Rock Lee vas Tonbay, he was one of my squad mates during my Navy days."
"It's Rock Lee vas United now," Lee said, "I had it changed when I realized you were going to be my CO and we were going to be saving the galaxy together."
"Well what are we standing around here for," Sasuke asked, "We've got a galaxy to save."
The four walked to the United, and when they entered Sasuke thought they could have been inside of the Normandy, despite the fact the color scheme was a dark blue (almost navy) with white and various inlays of gold.
"Welcome aboard the United sir," Lee said as they walked over to the galaxy map.
"She's beautiful." Sasuke said.
"I'm afraid all that's left is to designate an XO Agent," the AI interface that ran the ship said over the intercom in a female voice.
"Tell me," Sasuke said as he leaned onto the console next to the galaxy map, "What does our AI look like and what's her designation?"
"That would be me," the AI said as she came out of the ceiling, she was in the shape of a combat drone that looked like Glyph that serves Liara as the Shadow Broker except she was a bright gold color, "And you may call me GOLD."
"Well then, GOLD," Sasuke said with a tilt of his head, "What's your job, and could you give me a quick tour please?"
"The United is made from the schematics of the SR2 Normandy but with modifications featuring various Turian, Asari, and Quarian designs," GOLD said, "On the second level, which we are standing in now contains the cockpit, galaxy map, and the second story of the port and starboard lounges. The council has taken the liberty of adding several games and game tables, including poker, chess, and baccarat."
"I assume there are two to three floors beneath us?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," GOLD said, "Third floor is engineering, crew's quarters, XO's cabin, main battery, mess hall, infirmary, and the first floors of the port and starboard observation lounges. The fourth floor contains the hanger, Ezo core, and armory."
"And what about the one above us?" Sasuke asked.
"That would be the CO's cabin, in this case, it's yours." GOLD said.
"Thanks," Sasuke said, "Go tell the pilot I wish to speak to him."
"Of course," Gold said as she flew off.
"Ok," Sasuke said as he looked at Naruto, Sakura, and Lee, "Now we need to decide on who takes what. First I need a volunteer for an XO."
"I'll do it," Naruto said, "I'm your XO."
"Ok," Sasuke said, "You get the XO's cabin," Naruto saluted Sasuke, and walked toward the elevator, Sasuke then looked back at Sakura and Lee, "Lee, you're the resident mechanic. You take engineering?"
"Yes," Lee said as he walked toward the elevator.
"And you?" Sasuke asked.
"You know the answer Sasuke," Sakura said, "I'll be in the infirmary. Come by when you have time, I need to talk to you," Sakura walked up to Sasuke, and pressed her purple Asari lips against his stubble-covered cheeks before walking off.
After Sakura walked off, Sasuke watched as her jumpsuit flexed over her riveting Asari butt, and he started to get a little aroused but his godfather had taught him how to hold a straight face.
"Agent Uchiha," GOLD said as she came up behind Sasuke.
"Yes," Sasuke asked as he turned around to face GOLD.
"The pilot is here." GOLD said.
Sasuke looked up, and what he saw made his heart skip a beat, the United's pilot was Neji Hyuuga, a Quarian Alliance Navy pilot that saved his life and his squad's life during the Blitz, and after the Blitz, Sasuke and Neji became friends.
"Well I'll be damned," Neji said as he walked down the stairs, and walked up to Sasuke.
"Neji Hyuuga," Sasuke said as he walked up to Neji, and they bumped fists, and slapped each other on the back.
"Good to see you again sir," Neji said, "It's been a while."
"I know," Sasuke said, "You look good," Sasuke flicked a little patched spot on Neji's shoulder, "See that scorch-mark has cleared up."
"Oh shut up," Neji said, "It was only a small mark. I tell you sir, it'll be good to work with you again."
"You to," Sasuke said, "How fast can you get us to Noveria?"
"Just plot the destination sir." Neji said.
"Good," Sasuke said as he slapped Neji on the shoulder, "Now go up to the bridge, and punch it."
"Yes sir," Neji said as he saluted Sasuke, and walked off.
Sasuke walked around to the galaxy-map, and turned on the navigation-computer.
After plotting a route to Noveria, Neji piloted the United toward the Mass Relay, "Relay in sight, Mass-Effect jump in five, four, three, two, one… Mark!"
The United leapt into a FTL jump toward Noveria, "Neji: status report." Sasuke said over the comm.
"Just cleared the relay sir," Neji said, "All systems running green."
"Very good," Sasuke said, "Contact me if anything changes."
"Gotcha." Neji said.
Sasuke walked over to the elevator, and took it down one floor.
Once he arrived on the third level, he walked to the infirmary.
Once he arrived, he saw Sakura typing away at her computer, her long, slender finger danced across the keys, the hue of her skin combined with the orange glow of the keys made the end of her fingers appear a more orange-green.
"You don't have to keep sneaking up on me Sasuke," Sakura said as she turned around to face him.
"I can't help it," Sasuke said, "I'm naturally sneaky. You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Sakura said as she walked up to Sasuke, and held up an injector that looked like it was made from a hot glue gun, "This is a tracking chip, I need to be able to track your position when away from the United."
Sasuke held out his arm as Sakura grabbed his wrist, placed the tip against his forearm, and squeezed the trigger.
After a slight sting, Sakura dispensed a small amount of medi-gell onto the wound.
"That should do it," Sakura said as she looked up at Sasuke.
"You know," Sasuke said, "I didn't come here just for a checkup."
"Sasuke," Sakura said as she placed a hand on his shoulder, "That night before you left was amazing but… I don't know."
"I know you're having reserves with about that night," Sasuke said, "But I ask you not to hold it against me if I say I think I still love you."
"I won't," Sakura said, "It's the same for the both of us," she looked up at Sasuke, "For now I think it would be best if we kept our relationship professional."
"Whatever you want," Sasuke said as he leaned down, and kissed Sakura on the forehead, he could feel the natural texture in her soft, blue skin through his chapped lips, "Still the softest skin in the galaxy."
"Oh shut up," Sakura said as she lightly slapped Sasuke on the arm.
Sasuke walked out of the infirmary, and back to the elevator which he took to his cabin.
Once he arrived he found himself in a small condo, bathroom to his left as he walked through the door, the bed was against the back wall, the sheets were black and had his family's symbol on the sheets.
As he looked at his desk, he noticed the N7 Volunteer Medal in a case along with the medals he received during his time in the Navy.
After losing his job at C-Sec, Sasuke signed up for the N7 Volunteer Corps and served under Admiral Hackett's command, and was fighting on Earth with N7 when Admiral Shepard destroyed the Reapers.
Even after the victory, he still has nightmares of the War, all those civilians he didn't save, the soldiers he left behind, and the lives he took, Rogue Geth, Reapers, and Cerberus.
During his time in the Volunteer Corps he had killed a combined four thousand mercenaries, Reapers, and Geth.
Now the Geth and Reapers were gone, but he still felt guilt over their deaths.
Sitting at his desk, he pinched the bridge of his nose, the sound of silence around him was painful, he closed his eyes he could see the final battle for Earth again, the sound of the war was burned into his memory, no matter how many times he prayed or how many people he saved, he still couldn't forget that battle.
As if it were yesterday he could remember the sound of guns firing, Reapers moaning, bullets whistling all around, the screams of people he couldn't save, the smell of decaying, rotting flesh, spent thermal clips, and the feeling of the N7 Avenger he was issued pushing against his shoulder as he fired the rifle.
He was saved from a flashback when Neji came over the line, "Sasuke we're approaching Noveria," Neji said over the line, causing Sasuke to fall backwards in his chair onto the floor.
"What?" Sasuke asked.
"I said we're approaching Noveria." Neji said.
"Thanks," Sasuke said as he pushed himself off the floor, stumbled around to the exit, and into the elevator.
After shaking himself off, he exited the elevator to see Sakura, Naruto, and Lee standing on the bridge.
After walking to the bridge, he saw the planet Noveria getting bigger in the window.
"Long time since you've been here right?" Sakura asked.
"Four months," Sasuke said, "Not that long considering your long life span."
"Shut up," Sakura said as she slapped Sasuke on the shoulder.
Onto Noveria and the truth…