Chapter III - Friendly Faces
Once again, the chamber showing the display of the Illusive Man had not changed. There he sat, smoking another cigar, ( or was it the same one? ) casually looking over Shepard before finally responding:"Shepard, I'm glad you took the time to go to Freedom's Progress. The information we found on the Quarian's omni-tool has proven quite useful".
"Yeah, it helps to have friends that can trust you". Shepherd did not attempt to hide condescension in his remark. "I'd think it might turn your business around".
"Diplomacy is good when it works, but too much time talking can lead to inaction, something we can't afford, especially now, with the stakes so high". The Illusive Man halted for a moment as he dragged on the cigar. "Let's move on to the subject at hand. The information you obtained confirmed that the Collectors are behind these abductions".
"Confirmed? So you knew all along?". The Commander did not like being toyed with.
"I had my suspicions, but we needed proof".
"Okay, so now we know the Collectors are abducting people from your colonies. How does that involve the Reapers?".
"If you're still hesitant on this, then I see no point in trying to convince you of it. Regardless of who is controlling the Collectors, they are still abducting our people, and it's something we can't ignore".
For once, Shepard was a bit unsure of himself. If the Illusive Man couldn't prove the Reapers were involved, should he continue to help him? Entire humans from human colonies were missing, and the Council continued to ignore them. Helping humans... No, helping the galaxy was always a priority for him and he felt ashamed that he had forgotten that for a moment.
"Okay, I'll help you. How do we get the Collectors?".
The Illusive Man grinned smugly, now having Shepherd under his hat.
"The Collectors hail from beyond the Omega 4 Relay. If that doesn't ring a bell, it's a relay that no vessel has ever returned from, save for their own".
"Any idea why?".
"Nothing concrete. For the time being, my experts will continue to work on finding a way past the relay. As for you, you'll need a new team. I have constructed a list of scientists, mercenaries and specialists who would be useful for you mission. I'll be sending you their files for you to look over".
"Thanks, but I prefer my old team".
"Your old team was disbanded when you were killed. Since then, they have either dropped under the radar, or are engaged with other affairs".
"I just met up with Tali. Are you saying that was just a fluke?".
"Quite frankly, yes. Do not worry, these files of people are not members of Cerberus, and if they give any respect to anyone, it will be to you, and not me".
Shepard let out a sigh of contempt. "Very well. I suppose I'll have to take what I can get".
"Trust me, you'll be getting more than enough". Another drag. "Two more things: You'll need a ship. I just ordered one that I think will suit you nicely, and it should be docking at the station at this moment".
"And the last thing?".
"You'll need a pilot, and of this, I know you'll like him".
As if on cue, a familiar, limping man entered the holo-room from behind. Seeing him again in one piece was a pleasant sight.
"Hey, Commander. Just like old times, huh?".
"Now, Shepard", the Illusive Man said before fading away, "I leave you to your job. Make good use of your time and equipment."
With that, Shepard was finally able to pat his old friend on the back. The limping man groaned:"Hey, watch it! I've still got brittle bones".
"Sorry, Joker. I just can't believe it's you". Shepard laughed.
They were headed back out and towards the docking bay.
"Look who's talking. I saw you get spaced. I don't see anyone else rising from their grave". Joker slightly elbowed Shepard.
"Got lucky. Cerberus patched me up". They took an elevator down to the docking bay. That was when Shepherd took the time to notice Joker's uniform. "So you joined up with Cerberus?".
"Hell yes, I did. After you died, the Alliance tried to shuffle us around and pretend nothing happened, as if they could hide the fact that you were dead. They even tried to ground me. I just didn't have any other options".
"I suppose I can't blame you". Shepard nodded his head. He was beginning to wonder if Cerberus was as bad as he had remembered, or if it was faulty regeneration. "But do you think you can trust them?".
Joker stifled a chuckle. "I don't trust anyone who gets paid more than I do. But I gotta hand it to them; they saved your life, let me fly, and also, they got this...".
The elevator doors opened and they walked up to the window overlooking the docking bay. Through the window, Shepard saw another familiar, yet, special sight. The Normandy. The ship that was destroyed, had been rebuilt. With Cerberus markings declaring its allegiance, it almost looked as nice as the original, but Shepard would leave his conclusion until after his inspection of its insides. Still, it was a beautiful sight to behold. As they were staring in admiration, Samus Aran approached them.
"So this is your new ship?".
Shepherd turned to address her. "Yes, it is... Looks almost like the old one too".
"If it's all right, I'd like to have my ship moved into the hangar".
Now Joker turned to look at their new company. He began to eye the armored figure closely, half in admiration, half in caution. Yeah, she's something, ain't she? It didn't stop the Commander to consult his new pilot, though. "I don't know. Joker, could her ship fit in the hangar?".
"I'd need the dimensions".
Samus ran the numbers off for him. "Ten meters, by eight meters, by three meters".
Joker nodded towards Shepard, who answered her question. "Sounds like it will. Once we've left the dock, we'll prepare for your arrival".
Samus thanked him before heading back towards her ship. Shepard watched as she left. After witnessing her in combat, he felt good knowing that she had his back.
Joker interrupted his train of thought. "Sure is beautiful, isn't she?".
"She's never taken the armor off, but through her voice, I'll bet". Shepard half joked, half be serious.
"I was referring to the ship, Commander". A sly grin streaking Joker's face as he said so.
Shepard didn't even waver at the misunderstanding, outwardly. Shit, damn you, Joker. He just started heading off towards their new ship. He couldn't wait to see what was inside. He was surprised when he finally boarded his new ship. Its features were slick and new, while still holding onto that tinge of familiarity. The biggest surprises were his new quarters and the ships A.I. called EDI. His quarters were furnished, like that of a luxury vessel, something that he had never had before. It was a new experience for him. As for the A.I. , as long as she was still restricted from controlling the ship, he'd be fine with her being around.
While changing into more casual clothes, he looked over the files that the Illusive Man had given him, deciding that their first stop would be Omega, the space station within the Sahrabarik System of the Omega Nebula. Several of the specialists were listed as being there, which would allow him to waste little time hiring people.
Once he had finished changing, he found himself wondering what to do next. He'd already spoken with Jacob and Miranda, whom had given their input on where to start. Miranda, being the highest ranking Cerberus officer, was made the XO of the ship, while Jacob chose a stance as the quartermaster. Both indicated they'd be busy for a while, and weren't free to speak to for long.
Among the other members of note, were Yeoman Chambers, essentially a secretary and psych evaluator, Mess Sergeant Gardner, the ship's cook, Engineers Donelly and Daniels, constantly tweaking engine performance, and finally Doctor Shakwas, who was a former member of the original Normandy. Each made mild suggestions to help upgrade the performance of the ship ( and its crew ) in some minor way. It seemed that all was well, and that he had some time to kill. Perhaps, now, he would have a chance to get some answers out of their mysterious passenger. Samus Aran had had her ship moved into the cargo hold, which was the last time he'd seen her. He decided that it was as good time.
With his mind made up, Shepard entered the lift and was headed down to the fourth deck. Once there, he navigated through the halls and passageways to reach the docked ship. The small yellow ship's lights were on, presumably because Samus was working inside. He pondered momentarily whether or not she'd notice him standing there, or if he should call her. Before having to decide, a lift lowered from her ship, revealing the armored figure. She slowly approached Shepard, and sat on a couple of crates just a few feet away from him.
That instant, she did the unexpected, for for the first time since he'd met her, Samus took off her helmet. A long, blonde ponytail dropped from underneath; and to his surprise, the warrior woman was not only strong and agile, but gorgeous as well. Even though many women he'd worked with were beautiful in their own right, he couldn't believe just how beautiful Samus was. Goodness, is she beautiful... Needless to say, he was glad to see her loosening up.
"It's good to see what's behind the helmet for once", He commented. Then, he added jokingly:"For a while I was wondering if you were even human underneath".
She replied with a small chuckle herself:"Sometimes I wonder that myself as well".
Shepard decided to take a seat on a couple of crates himself. Better to talk at the current eye level than to be above a person whom you are trying to get information from.
"Do you ever take the rest of your armor off?".
She nodded. "Back home, when things were calm, I'd almost never wear it. Still, during times of strife, I've felt really vulnerable without it".
Vulnerable. You? "Are you?".
Only a couple of questions in and he was already feeling for her. She attempted to defend herself at first, but quickly let her guard down. "Oh no! At least, not completely. I suspect I'm stronger and faster than the average humanoid, but still... the universe is a dangerous place".
"Perhaps. But there's usually a place isolated from it all that you could escape to, right? Then again, if the Reapers are returning, I doubt any settlement's safe".
"That's one thing I believe, coming from the Illusive Man".
"Did he do anything to you directly to make you think that way?". Despite his own experiences, he doubted they were in anyway similar to hers.
"Mostly his operatives, though I doubt he wasn't as involved as he claimed. They wanted to examine my DNA more closely".
"Did it have to do with my revival?". Hmm... Curious.
Samus nodded again. "It did. I don't like talking about it, but I'd had some genetic tailoring to help me use this armor. It's why you don't see anyone else using anything like it".
"You mean... it has certain biological features that make it work?".
"You're sharper than you look, Commander", she replied, with a slight sass in her tone.
"Thanks", he responded, playing along, also finding himself subconsciously stroking his crew cut hair. "You don't have to call me that here".
"So what should I call you? Of all the people I know, you're the only one whom everyone calls by your last name. Why's that?".
"Military thing, I guess". Shepard shrugged. "But if you prefer, you can call me John".
"All right, John". Samus took a deep breath before properly answering his previous question. "Anyway, the suit is capable of bonding with me. It makes it easier to access the numerous features in it".
"Interesting". Indeed. Shepard was deeply enthralled with this discovery.
"But you weren't here to ask about my armor, though, were you?". Now she's as sharp as me.
"It was an interesting topic, but no, I wasn't". Shepard leaned in to speak. "I'm more curious about whatever you did that brought me back and what effects it will have on me".
"If you're afraid of any drawbacks, don't be". She smiled slightly. It had been a long time since she'd felt so in charge when talking to a superior. "Though I doubt you'll be feeling any of these things, you might receive some enhanced reflexes, and possibly some added strength as well. However, that really depends on you. The only thing I can guarantee is that your body will heal faster than ever before, and that you'll probably live another twenty to forty good years more than the average person".
"Good to know. But why did you do it?".
She froze, just as she had done before when the Illusive Man had asked her the same question. Bingo. Though Shepherd didn't know, she still hadn't prepared herself to answer that kind of question, even if the summation was more than enough. "I- I need you".
Whoa. Shepard's eyes widened in surprise. Samus immediately tried to correct herself. "I mean- Ugh! What I meant was that... we need you".
Then, Samus stood up, clasping her hand over her face in embarrassment. Next, she dropped it as she fixed her mistake. "You're special, Shepard. This threat of the Reapers is too great for any single person, but there's an aura about you that compels people to follow your lead. No one else in the universe could lead the Alliance to defeat them". I'm flattered, but... uh... Uhm... Damn it.
Shepard coughed. "I appreciate all the confidence you've put into me, but certainly I'm not that special. I mean, I'm not having low self-esteem or anything, I just-". He sighed. "Look, all I wanted to say is: I'm not really one-of-a-kind kinda guy, I'm just a normal human; well, enhanced, yet still normal, human".
"You may say so, but I know what I'm talking about, John. And I definitely have faith in your leadership and skills".
"I'm... glad to know it. It's... difficult to lead when your troops don't".
For a moment, it seemed as if they had nothing left to say. After two minutes of awkwardness, Samus piped up:
"A question, if I may, John?". Shepard nodded. "Do you think any others from your old crew will join you if they know you're with Cerberus?".
"I'm not with Cerberus". Shepard folded his arms. "We just have a mutual understanding. As for your question, I don't know; I would like to think they will, but it's different when the threat is not as visible as before".
"Well, I hope they do, considering what we might be up against. We'll need every hand we can get".
Shepard sighed again, but he nodded nonetheless. He had considered the possibility that a small team of specialists might not be enough. Notwithstanding, the Citadel Council would never listen to him while he had any association with Cerberus.
Slowly, he stood up and began to walk back to the bridge, muttering lowly under his breath:"I hope so too".