Chapter 4: Recruitment Drive
Shepard and Naruto were now back in a meeting with the Illusive Man with their findings from the abductions in Freedom's Progress.
Originally, Miranda had wanted to take Veetor himself with them for questioning which caused some tensions between the two parties. But after Naruto pointed out that the somewhat unhinged Quarian probably needed specialized medical assistance which Cerberus can't provide, they settled on taking Veetor's omnitool instead which contained all the data he had compiled on the abductions for further studies and parted ways with Tali and the surviving quarians in relatively civil terms.
"So the Collectors are the ones responsible for the recent abductions of human colonists." The Illusive Man stated thoughtfully as he watches the video record from Veetor's omnitool. "I can't say I'm surprised. They've always dealt for biological samples but it's always been their trading partners who acquires what they needed. It seems like they decided to do it themselves this time around."
"Yeah. So now our next step should be to try and figure out what their connection is with the Reapers." Shepard said. "But since it'll involve the Collectors, it's not going to be easy."
"Finding them is going to be hard enough in itself." Naruto opined. "Apart from the tech they deal in, we know almost next to nothing about them. Besides, what can only the four of us do against them."
"You underestimate your effectiveness Mister Uzumaki. But you nonetheless raise a valid point. Four individuals can only do so much." The Illusive Man said before sending over several dossiers to both Shepard's and Naruto's omnitools. "Which is why I took the liberty of compiling a list of individuals you can recruit with the necessary skills to assist you in your mission."
Even though he had absolutely no idea who these individuals were, Naruto nonetheless studies the dossiers he was given. Thus far, it looked like a competent bunch of recruits as far as their records show. But the fact that the list was provided by the Illusive Man was already a cause for concern.
A shared look between him and Shepard and Naruto knew that the female Spectre felt the same way.
"With all due respect here..." Shepard started to say and Naruto could swear he could detect a note of sarcasm in her voice. "...While I'm sure that these individuals are good at what they do, I prefer to have people I know who I can trust with having my back."
The Illusive Man chuckles darkly at this. "You'd be surprised Commander. You might find an old friend or two in that roster. I'll be expecting results Shepard. Keep me informed." With that, the image of the Illusive Man blinks out.
"What do you suppose he meant by what he said?" Naruto asks, studying the dossiers in his omnitool. "Do you really know any of these guys in the list?"
"I'm familiar with a couple of names. But other then that, I think the bastard's playing games with us." Shepard growled. "If we're to pull this off, we're going to have to at least get members of my old crew onboard. I need people I can trust and anybody he wants us to recruit is questionable at best till proven otherwise."
"Then it's a good thing you've already got a headstart on your recruitment drive." A voice stated. The door to the room open and the figure that hobbles in makes Shepard smile.
"Joker!" The female Spectre exclaims happily, meeting the man halfway and giving him a light hug. "You old dog! How have you been?"
"Much better now that I've seen you alive again with my own eyes." The man called Joker said with a grin, returning the hug.
"We've got Cerberus to thank for that. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that I kinda' owe them for it regardless of what my personal feelings are for them." Shepard replied.
"I hear you there Boss. I was going to tell 'em where they could shove their offer but when I found out you were onboard too, I signed up if only to see you again." Joker said.
Shepard was touched by her friend's loyalty. This was exactly the sort of thing she needed for a mission of great importance such as this. Not just some pea-brained hired muscle or sanctimonious egghead.
She then notices Joker staring at Naruto and realized that she had yet to introduce the two to each.
"Oh dammit. Where are my manners? Joker? This is Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto? This is my former pilot, Jeff Moreau. But we all call him Joker." Shepard introduced.
"How's it going." Naruto greeted easily, offering a hand which the pilot took.
"Not so bad." Joker said before wincing a little. "You might want to watch the grip though. I've got a medical condition which makes my bones kinda brittle."
"Oh. Sorry about that. Still trying to get used to this body." Naruto said, quickly pulling back his hand lest he does more damage.
"Getting used to your body?" Joker repeated, glancing at Shepard before looking back at Naruto. "I was told that Cerberus brought back the boss with w few new additions so does that mean that you're...?"
"Yeah..." Naruto confirmed. "Cerberus made too. Lets leave it at that, ok?"
"Don't worry about Naruto Joker. I can personally vouch him so he's ok." Shepard informs him.
Joker nods in acceptance and knew better then to pry further about their mysterious new companion.
"So Joker. If Cerberus brought you in, does that mean that we've got a ship?" Shepard asks.
At this, Joker's face breaks out into a huge smile. "Oh yeah. And have I got a ship for you boss. Follow me." He said before hobbling off. Naruto and Shepard glances at each other before following the pilot. A few minutes later, the female spectre finds herself looking up in disbelief at a familiar looking starship.
"You have got to be kidding me?" Shepard exclaims.
"You know this ship?" Naruto asks.
"I...It looks like my old vessel and yet..." Shepard glances at the Cerberus logo on the hull before turning to Joker. "...It's not, isn't it?"
"It's kinda the same. Just bigger and more advanced." Joker said. "Awfully considerate of them to make it look like the old Normandy though."
"Yeah... Considerate." Naruto said sarcastically before looking at Shepard. "So we've got our ship now. Where to first?"
"Omega." Shepard said after consulting her omni-tool. "We're to look for a certain Dr. Mordin Solus and a mercenary named Archangel there."
"So the only thing we need to do now is name the ship." Joker piped up. "It can't be a proper ship without a proper name after all."
Shepard stares at the ship in front of her with an indescribable look in her face before answering Joker.
"Isn't it already obvious Joker?" Shepard said with a smile. "Normandy."
Author's Notes: Next chappie's up. R&R pls.