A Matter Of Race And Character

GAMES NIGHT

CIC, Hierarchy Vessel 'Arcadias' – 16:48 Zulu – 2nd February 2183 CE

"Not your finest hour, Severan." The Captain's voice cut through the air as she paced up and down the CIC.

The four crewmen stood at attention; Severan, Donnelly, Leptis and the pilot waiting dutifully for Captain Verress to finish her interrogation.

It had been a long day. Following the explosion on Erros, a drone had been sent down to salvage whatever tech it could find from the blast site. What it had brought back could fit into a small box. The assignment had been surprisingly complex; their job complicated by the fact that Verress had ordered a blackout on the incident and only allowed the four of them to analyse the components. Not being a natural engineer, Valni quickly found herself drowning in a sea of technical terminology. Leptis completely lost her when he started talking about spatial-grammetric probes, so she was especially grateful when Kenneth came over to assist; the human kindly offering his own customised neutron scanner for her to use. It vastly improved her work-rate.

"I expected your team to conduct their search more thoroughly," Verress continued, "what happened?"

"We were lucky to get anything at all, sir. Most of the tech we retrieved was blast debris from the first explosion," Valni stated.

The Captain turned to Leptis. "What do we know about the remains of the probe?"

"That it's a mess, sir!" he replied. Verress fixed him with an icy glare. Leptis continued briskly. "No atomic signature; no idea who built it. But, we have managed to identify some of the constituent parts. The components have been sourced from all over the Galaxy. We've retrieved turian detonation components, human made capacitors, fused asari hull fragments, and even bits of a hanar field modulator. But, as I said, we have no idea who built it."

"And the intention of the probe, Artificer?" Verress asked. "I take it was no weather balloon?"

"No sir." Leptis smiled briefly at the Captain's comment. "The components have been damaged beyond repair, but I'm fairly certain its objective was to lure the thresher maw."

"For what purpose?" the Captain demanded of Leptis.

"We're still working on that, sir," he replied.

"And in the meantime, we have an unknown group gallivanting around with classified stealth systems." The Captain's gaze wandered over them, coming to linger on Kenneth. "I'm not ruling out human interference in this incident. There are no turian splinter groups currently operating with these kinds of resources. However, humanity has proven to be quite troublesome. The Terra Firma political faction has been making considerable noise on the Citadel pushing their isolationist agenda."

"From what I know of Terra Firma, sir," Kenneth volunteered, "they appear to be a fringe group. They don't have the funding for something like this."

"Their funding has long been a matter of speculation! But, you're right, according to the last Council report they don't have the capital to finance a covert vessel. Do you know of any other human groups that have these resources?" she asked him.

"No sir, none that I'm aware of."

Verress stared at Donnelly for a few seconds, silently assessing his claim to ignorance. "Hmm," she said finally. "The fragments will be despatched to the Citadel for further analysis. This matter is not for open discussion. It is to remain classified until we have explicit orders from the Hierarchy… And from Alliance Command," she added grudgingly. "I'm not comfortable having an outsider privy to this knowledge." She rounded on Valni. "You're the one who recommended Donnelly for this mission.

"I thought we could use his expertise, Captain. And I didn't anticipate a routine field assignment becoming a political issue."

"No, you didn't, Severan," the Captain stated emphatically, her tone accusing. Her gaze continued to linger on Valni until, with small shake of her head, she turned around. "You will discuss this with no-one," she ordered, walking back to the holo-display, "dismissed."

The quartet saluted and turned, striding out of the CIC into the hall. The doors shut behind them and the group relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief.

"I think she's starting to like you, Chief," Leptis commented.

"Aye, there was definite warmth and affection there," Kenneth agreed.

"I'll head off to the shuttle bay now, if you don't need me, sir?" the pilot enquired. "Still got a few repairs on the old girl." Valni nodded at the pilot and he wandered off. The turian pulled up at the sound of Leptis yelling after him.

"Just make sure you're ready for the league tournament."

The pilot nodded and turned away, continuing down the corridor.

"Tournament?" Kenneth asked.

"The Arcadias poker league," Valni explained. "They have competitions at the start of every month. There's a game tonight."

"Arcadias has a poker league? Why was I not informed?" Kenneth demanded, mock offended.

"It's a turian only league," Leptis explained, "for competitions on the Citadel." Kenneth nodded resignedly, trying to hide his disappointment. "But, there are no rules against a human joining us for a friendly game after the tournament," Leptis added. "I could set something up between the three of us and Antoni." He turned to Valni. "How about it, Chief? You fancy a game?"

"I know I could do with some relaxation," she replied.

Kenneth agreed emphatically. "Now you're speaking my language."


Most of the activity had died down in the games room. The majority of the crew had long since gone, with only a few lounging around the seating area, chatting amiably with their co-workers. Kenneth sat at the poker table, in the seat recently vacated by the winner of the tournament (he'd hoped it might prove lucky), as he dealt out the cards to Valni, Djamil and Antoni. The trio of turians were togged out in casual outfits, the attire accentuating their thin frames. Kenneth had to marvel at the difference in their appearance out of uniform. Their work clothes were padded and armoured, bulking up their otherwise slim forms, but their casual clothes hugged their bodies, making them look half the size. The contrast in appearance out of uniform almost made them look vulnerable.

He'd been introduced to the fourth member of the group just a few hours earlier; a Marine by the name of Antoni Cressoni. Demonstrably friendly and talkative, Kenneth had taken an instant liking to him. He was an old friend of Valni's. Upon being introduced he immediately pronounced Kenneth a lifelong comrade and proceeded to demonstrate his unnatural gift for poker.

The game had been going for a couple of hours. Antoni was winning, but Valni was making a concerted effort to catch up. Leptis and Kenneth were struggling to remain in the game and, he conceded, there was a distinct possibility he could lose his chips altogether.

As the night wore on the friendly conversation had moved on to the physical differences between turians and humans.

"Does your hair move about, Donnelly?" Leptis asked.

"Aye." Kenneth smiled at the question. "Hair generally moves about."

"I only ask because I've noticed Gab… Daniels' hair is longer and more… flexible, I suppose," Djamil clarified.

"It's just a different style. Plenty of humans like to style their hair in various shapes, cut it to different lengths, colour it. It's fairly versatile. Does your crest move?"

"My head horns? Not really, they're pretty rigid."

"So, you can't style them to shape? You know, perm them or something?"

"I've no idea what 'perming' is, but body modification is quite popular on some colonies."

"Too right," Antoni put in. "Some kids like to make individual statements and get their horns curved upwards at the tip, or outwards. It always seemed a little too personal for me. It was popular where I grew up. I saw one kid with his horns flared up vertically. It was quite impressive. The sensible ones, if you can call them that, curve them downwards."

"If they curl them into hooks wouldn't they get stuck on things? You know - hats?"

"Yeah, these are pubescent kids; I don't think they've really thought it through."

"Does it hurt?" Kenneth asked. "When they curl them?"

"Yeah," Antoni replied, "but that's part of the thrill of doing it."

Kenneth thought he understood. It was like getting a tattoo or some of the more extreme body modification that humans indulged in.

As the night wore on, Valni slowly began to fall behind while Kenneth's chips were replenished by a few wins – But, not as much as Antoni. He had an almost preternatural winning streak and took every opportunity he could to remind Valni she was struggling.

"You look like you need all the luck you can get," Antoni commented.

"I'm fine, Cressoni. Worry about your own hand," Valni replied.

"If I raise the stakes could you afford to stay in the game?" he needled her.

"Tell you what, let's find out, shall we?" Valni pushed all her remaining chips into the pot. "All in. You got the quad for this Cressoni?"

Antoni appraised Valni for a long time until he finally came to a decision.

"You're bluffing."

"I'm not bluffing," she replied.

"I've known you long enough. You're bluffing."

"It'll cost you 200 credits to find out."

"Okay. I'll meet you there." Antoni pushed his chips into the pot.

"You sure about this?" Djamil asked Antoni.

"She's bluffing." Antoni patted Djamil's hand reassuringly before folding his arms and leaning back in his chair.

Both Djamil and Kenneth exchanged a glance. Djamil slowly shook his head and discarded his cards into the muck.

"I fold," he muttered tersely, while Kenneth eagerly added 200 credits to the pot.

"You're gonna need a whole lotta luck to win this, Severan," Antoni goaded.

Kenneth leant towards Valni. "If you need a bit of extra luck you could always rub my head," he proposed.

Valni stared back at him, a shocked expression on her face. "I could do what now?"

"I'm offering - It's considered lucky," Kenneth said.

"I don't need to," she protested.

"No, go on you can touch it."

"Seriously, it's not necessary."

"It's no trouble…"

"That's a matter of opinion!"

"It's a tradition."

"That's a pretty weird tradition!"

"Last chance. I won't offer again."

Valni threw up her hands defensively. "I am not touching your head!"

Antoni and Djamil had been watching the bizarre exchange bounce back and forth. "Are all humans so forward?" Antoni asked.

"Only when they're winning," Kenneth insisted. "I'm calling it." He laid his cards on the table. "Kings full of Nines. Hope you enjoy losing, lad."

Antoni threw down his cards in frustration. Kenneth turned to Valni. "Your call, Officer Severan."

"Kings are good," Valni conceded. "I only have Tens." Kenneth grinned wildly and moved to gather his chips. "Of course, I have all the Tens. And an Ace." She laid the cards out. "How does four-of-a-kind stack up against a full house, would you say?"

Antoni laughed and clapped his hands together.

"Oh, nicely done, Severan."

"You do have a good poker face," Kenneth said, impressed. "Guess you didn't need to rub the head after all."

Valni glanced slyly across at him as she gathered up her winnings. "Maybe later," she said, smirking.


Arcadias seemed eerily quiet at this time during the night-shift. Only a few solitary crewmembers had been encountered so far as Valni and Kenneth strolled together, back to their own cabins from the games room; their fellow poker players having recently retired to the crew quarters.

"How long have you known Djamil and Antoni?" Kenneth asked.

"Djamil, only about two years; but I've known Antoni since before we graduated from military college together. He was a visiting student from Taetrus. I got involved in a fight with some of the other cadets and that's how we met. We've been practically conjoined ever since."

"He helped you out in a fight?" Kenneth asked.

"No, I helped him. It was tradition to 'initiate' the new guy; which usually involved the inventive use of wooden clubs; and some of the other students took it too far. I defended him."

"And by 'defended him' you mean you…?"

"I beat the living crap out of his tormentors," Valni clarified.

"Wow! That's deeply impressive and a tad scary."

"Yeah, I have that effect on people," Valni added, a wry grin spreading across her face.

"Well, Antoni seems like a fun guy and a good friend."

"He's always been there for me – I'm very lucky to have him," Valni said firmly.

"Oh." Kenneth's smile seemed to falter as he considered her words. "So, does that mean… are you and Antoni… um… you know, close?" he asked. Valni's eyes widened. Kenneth had voiced the question and immediately regretted it. What if she took offence? Assuaging his concerns, the turian shook her head and chuckled softly.

"As much as we enjoy spending time together, Antoni has certain requirements that I don't meet," she replied.

"Oh." Kenneth looked genuinely affronted for her. "That seems a little harsh. What is it? The place you were born? Too strong a woman for him? The colour of your fringe?"

"Too female."

Kenneth's eyebrows arched in surprise. "What, really?"

"You didn't notice him stroking Djamil's arm?"

"I thought that was part of the game. I thought it was a good luck charm."

"I'm sure it brings Antoni repeated luck!"

"I guess the Universe really does love diversity!" Kenneth exclaimed. "Well, I hope Antoni is planning to make an honest turian out of Djamil?"

"Eh, as honest as possible on a soldier's pay."

"They seem happy." Kenneth smiled warmly.

"They are. Annoyingly happy. It does tend to highlight my own lack of a partner, so I just wish they wouldn't flaunt it in front of me, the adorable pair of gits!"

"Well, I'm glad for them. Everyone deserves to find the right person."

Valni nodded. "Yeah," she agreed, glancing at Kenneth. "Yeah, they do."

The pair came to a halt at a split in the corridor.

"That was a fun night. Any chance Djamil could arrange more games?"

"I'll be sure to ask him," Valni agreed. "And, if you're having trouble scaring up more cash for me to win, you could always put up that bottle of Scotch of yours as collateral."

Kenneth grinned broadly at the smiling turian. "You keep playing you way you did tonight and you'll be having the shirt off my back!" Valni's eyes widened, she tilted her head in confusion. "Oh, just an expression," Kenneth assured her. "It means you'll be taking everything I own." Valni nodded in understanding.

"Oh, that reminds me," she said reaching into her trouser pocket and pulling out a slim, white device, "I still have your neutron scanner. It's a handy piece of kit."

"Thank you. I thought it'd prove useful."

"Invaluable," she agreed, handing it back to him.

Her fingers grazed against his as she passed the tool back, her thumb trailing softly over his index finger. The contact lingered; the smooth skin of her fingertips feathering across his hand. For an instant, Kenneth's fingers enfolded her palm, clinching the textured but pliable skin. Eventually, Kenneth pulled away, letting his arm drop to his side. The hairs had risen up on the back of his hand.

The couple were silent for a long moment. Kenneth licked his dry lips.

"Well. Goodnight, sir," he said finally.

"Night, Donnelly."

The human turned and walked back to his cabin. She watched him wander down the corridor until he'd disappeared from view.