"Hey, Krinda. Yo, Commander, wake up!" Joker's voice called over the intercom.
"Uh…'yawn' what's the matter, Uncle Joker? 'yawn' is the ship on fire?" Krinda asked as she awoke.
After sharing memories of her father with her mother, Krinda had laid down to sleep for the night. She had slept soundly, as she always did after receiving those precious visions from Liara. The fact that it had been on the Normandy had made this patch of sleep particularly deep.
"Thankfully no. No, I just wanted you to know that we'll be hitting Tuchanka's atmosphere in about an hour."
"We've already been to the fuel station? When did that happen?" Krinda asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes and about one o'clock last night. I think you'd already punched out for the night by then. You were out cold. EDI told me that a biometric scan of your cabin said that you hit REM sleep in record time for any species last night."
"There's a biometric scanner in this room?" Krinda asked, looking around.
"There is, Commander. It is the small, black panel on the alcove above the entrance." Krinda heard EDI say.
"Well, good morning, aunt EDI." Krinda said, checking her clock.
"Good morning to you as well, my dear."
"My dear?"
"If you wish to address me by familial terms, such as aunt, then I will respond in kind. As such, I will refer to you like family. Just like I have always done, my darling niece."
"You know, some people would be creeped out by hearing that from an AI, but not me. Coming from you, that's strangely comforting. And nice one on the whole ramping up the affection level. Heh, alright then. If we're going to treat each other like family, then I guess there's something I have to do."
"What's that, Krinda?" EDI asked.
"Say good morning properly. Good Morning, Aunt EDI and Uncle Joker. I love you guys."
"Heh, we love you too, Commander. Ha-ha, I wish you could see EDI's face. She's got the biggest smile right now. She may be just an AI to some people, but she's family to us, right Krinda?"
"Damn straight. Alright, I'm going to catch a shower and get dressed. Shouldn't take me long."
"I can have breakfast ready for you in a few minutes, Krinda. I already know your favorites, so can you tell me how long you will be?" EDI asked.
"Not long. I shower fast, so it'll probably take me longer to put my clothes on than anything else. 'Sigh' good thing I'm next to naked right now."
"Wait, you're what!" Joker said.
"You perv!" Krinda feigned.
"No, wait, I didn't say any…"
"Ha-ha! I'm just kidding you, Uncle Joker. But, I really am under clothed, by traditional standards. I usually sleep in my panties and a large t-shirt. Got it for my grandma Hannah for her birthday a few years ago, but I accidentally got the wrong size. I thought about taking it back, but I'd already taken a really strong shine to it, so I just kept it and got Grandma a new shirt in the right size. Now, I use this shirt as part of my 'pajamas'."
"Permit me to ask, Commander. Are you currently wearing a brassier along with your underpants?" EDI asked.
"Nope. The girls are hanging free and there's a nice breeze in here thanks to the way I have the air conditioning set. Ah, that feels good."
"Krinda…" EDI stalled.
"Man, if mom could hear me, she'd want to snap my head off. Hey, tell me aunt EDI. How many shades of red has Uncle Joker turned?"
"Three. He is currently a solid tomato red."
"Wow, and he's pretty much family. Maybe I really am as hot as people keep saying. Well, anyway, I'm wide awake thanks to all joking. Alright, I'll go hop in the shower and join you soon."
"Roger that, Commander. I will round up the rest of the team and have them meet us in the dining area. I believe some ice will be needed for Jeff as well. His body temperature is spiking."
"Ew, okay, just ew. I'm his niece, so that's really creepy."
"You were the one who told him that you were almost naked. And then you told him the nature of your 'girls'."
"I know that, silly. I'm kidding you now, too. I like to play with all my family members when I can. But, in all seriousness, maybe you should try it, aunt EDI. I mean, your body has to have a format where your 'padding' can hang loose."
"My breasts are fine the way they are, Krinda. But I 'appreciate' the input. Now then, we must hurry. Tuchanka grows closer and closer."
"Roger, co-pilot Moreau. See you in a few."
In ten minutes, Krinda was showered and dressed. She wore some standard issue alliance military pants and her father's old N7 hoodie overtop of a black t-shirt. It had the Shepard family crest on it. It was a symbol that looked like a blue wing and had been made up by Krinda's five times great grandparents on her father's side nearly three hundred years ago. She also had on a necklace that ran through a golden ring to form a type of pendant. The ring had a large, beautiful gem at its core. After giving herself a once over in the bathroom mirror, she left her cabin and head for the mess hall down on c-deck. As she got off the elevator, she saw Ciala coming out of her quarters.
"Oh, hey, Cici. Good morning."
"Oh, good morning to you too, Commander. Keelah, after the day we had yesterday, I'm amazed I got to see the next morning."
"Do you regret joining up with me? You can back out if you want. It won't hurt my feelings."
"Hell no I don't want to back out!" Ciala nearly shouted while catching Krinda off guard.
"Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. It's just that…well, after you said what you did after you made me your second, I want to see just how right you are. I want to see if I'm really as strong as you said. And I want to see if I can get stronger. I feel that if I stay with you and do everything in my power to help you, I'll see just what the limits of Lieutenant-commander Ciala 'Reegar Vas Normandy really are. So, now, if anyone even suggests giving up, I take some offense, I guess. Sorry, again."
Krinda smiled and walked forward. She suddenly wrapped her arms around Ciala's shoulders in a tight hug.
"K, Krinda…"
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm actually proud of you. You're finally doing the one thing I've always wanted you to do: have faith and pride in yourself. You've made steps here and there, but it's full blown now. I'm proud of you Ci. I love what you're becoming. Just keep this 'evolution' going and you will always have my backing. Well, you would regardless, but I'll back you even more than before if you keep this up. And you're welcome to stay with me for as long you like."
"How close?" Ciala said quietly.
"What?"
"How close can, or rather should, I stand to you? You know, as we work together on this."
"You're my second, my right hand woman. Your place is directly by my side unless I order you to go somewhere else, which I don't see happening much. Hell, you can stand arm in arm with me if you want. We'll form the beginnings of the wall that will close in on and crush the cult."
Ciala smiled at the idea of standing arm in arm with Krinda, but remembered the secret trick Liara had let her in on. She put her hands on Krinda's shoulders and pushed her away slightly, while never releasing contact.
"As nice as that sounds, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather stand just behind you. You know, to watch your back. With this cult around and us only knowing one of its members in any way, shape or form, you never know when a cult spy might try to sneak up on you. So, I'll stand by your side, just from behind. Okay, green?"
"Finally, someone calls me the right damn color. And yeah, it's perfectly fine, purple." Krinda said, turning to a joking tone near the end.
"I've always thought of myself as a nice shade of magenta."
"I think magenta is actually a shade of pink there, babe. You're more like a lite plum, which I know is a shade of purple. And I'm technically teal, but it's still a shade of green. So, let's kiss."
"K-k-k-kiss!"
"Not that kind of kiss, Ci. It's an anagram for an old earth saying. It stands for keep it simple, stupid. Or keep it simple, Simon. It depends on who you talk to."
"Oh, I see."
"But, if you really wanna make out, I can think of worse things to do before breakfast and worse people to do it with. Alright, pucker up!"
"W, what?"
"Here I come!"
Ciala closed her eyes tightly. She didn't think this was how it would turn out, but she still readied herself for it. Then, she felt a slightly wet and very warm feeling on her forehead. She opened her eyes to see Krinda kissing her forehead. Krinda back away and put on a wide grin.
"Gotcha! You really thought I was going to kiss you on the lips, didn't you?"
"Oh, Krinda! You're always teasing me!"
"Sorry, sorry. Come on! Let's go get breakfast. I'll even fix your plate for you to show how sorry I am."
Ciala squinted her eyes at Krinda and tilted her head to the right ever so slightly.
"Make it two plates and I might just forgive you."
"Whatever you want! Let's go!" Krinda called, while grabbing ahold of Ciala's arm and dragging her off.
As they entered the room they found that Joker and EDI had worked double time and had gotten the entire ground squad gathered at the main table. Krinda released Ciala and they walked side by side towards the table. As they did, every member of crew sitting at the tables turned and saluted them.
"Seems they already respect you, Krinda. Those salutes seem more honest than the usual protocol salutes." Ciala said.
"They aren't just for her, Ma'am." An officer said from a nearby table.
"Ma'am?" Ciala said.
"I'd imagine that aunt EDI sent out a mass message to the whole crew last night. I'd say everybody in this room knows who you are. Isn't that right, Normandy?" Krinda asked.
"Yes, ma'am! Congratulations, lieutenant-commander!" the entire crew called.
Ciala blushed furiously and tear began to form in her eyes.
"Cici? You okay?" Krinda asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that, well, maybe I'm reading too much into it but, I could 'sense' the amount of trust and support in that crew-wide yell just now. I'm just so happy to know that I've got everyone's faith already. Although, maybe they just believe in me because you chose me and they trust your judgment."
"Ciala!" Tali called from the main table.
"Yes, mother?"
"They trust you because they can read you. Your almost an open book, girl. You wear your heart on your sleeve, just like Krinda. There's not much you hide. You don't seem to hide anything from what I can tell. And I'm your mother. Who knows you better than the woman who gave birth to you? So, since I'm sure you're not hiding anything, I can reassure everyone that their trust in you is well founded. But, they already knew that, I'm sure. They've read you, sweetheart, and they like what they see. Krinda's judgment doesn't have much to do with it."
Ciala scanned the crowd and found everyone nodding in agreement with her mother.
"Thanks guys. I won't let your faith in me be for nothing, you have my word."
"Good. And with that, let's eat, people!" Krinda called.
As the crew dug in, Liara scanned over her daughter.
"How many times does that make that you've worn that jacket this month, Krinda?"
"I lost count, honestly. But, I thought, considering my new station, it was appropriate casual clothes."
"I'm just worried that you're going to wear it out. You know we don't have much of your father's old clothes."
"Yeah, I know, but…" Krinda said, clutching at the N7 logo on the breast of the hoodie.
"'Sigh' Just don't let it get worn down. If you see any loose fibers, bring it to me. I'll sew it back up." Liara said with a reassuring smile.
"Thanks, mom."
Krinda then noticed EDI staring at her.
"Can I help you, aunt EDI?"
"Please excuse my staring. I am admiring the ring you are using for your necklace's pendant."
"Does it look familiar?"
"As a matter of fact it does. I am positive that it is the victory ring I gave Shepard during our private, 'hanging out' time before that incredible party."
"And you are exactly right. The old memory processors seem to be fully functional. Dad put this up for safe keeping before the final battle. Mom found it afterward and passed it on to me years later. I got ahold of this chain and made this necklace. And, well, ever since then, it's sort of been my lucky charm. Thanks for getting this for dad, Aunt EDI."
EDI smiled and nodded.
"You are quite welcome, Krinda. Let that ring be a symbol of our bond as family, just like it was a symbol of my friendship with your father."
"Not a bad idea. Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's eat and get to Tuchanka."
Thirty minutes later, Krinda and team were making their way towards Wrex's seat of power. As they approached the appropriate sized, but overly ornate, throne, Krinda noticed the surprising lack of any Krogan.
"Um, did we land on the wrong planet? This is Tuchanka, right?" Devin asked.
Suddenly, a loud cracking noise sounded from the team's direct back.
"Who's there?" Krinda yelled.
"Krinda, do you think the cult somehow snuck onto Tuchanka in the middle of the night and, you know?" Ciala asked.
"A good possibility, Lieutenant. They all could be playing a prank us too. They might of saw the ship coming in and ran to hide. You know how uncle Wrex loves to mess around. But, regardless of what it is, we'd best fan out and see what's what. Don't spread out too far and partner up. Teams of two, scan the immediate area. Ciala, you're with me."
"As you wish. Let's go."
Guns drawn and teams formed, the group searched the area. Every noise and shadow made them jump and thoroughly check the direction it came from.
"I'm beginning to get worried, Krin. There should be a sign. Evidence of a struggle or foot prints or something. This is too clean." Ciala said.
"I know what you mean. This feels set up. Like it's been staged for somethi…."
"Raaar!" Came a yell.
Krinda wield around in time to see an eight foot tall Krogan warrior knock Gunny and Devin over. She saw that he was barreling down on her.
"Move!" Krinda shouted, pushing Ciala to the side.
After successfully dodging the charge, Ciala and Krinda got to work. Ciala summoned her drone and had it pelt the massive warrior with shock attacks. Krinda, meanwhile, charged a strong warp shot and then used her biotic charge to slam into the back of the Krogan's hard as possible. Krinda's weight combined with the force of the attack managed to trip the Krogan up long enough for Krinda to flip over his head using her biotics and fire the warp attack directly into his face. Ciala then turned on the energy drain tech stored on her omni-tool. She had acquired it shortly after boarding the Normandy as an official crew-member. It was part of the advanced gear the council had provided. Ciala turned the drain on the Krogan and sapped away his strength.
"Now krinda!" Ciala shouted.
"Got it!"
Krinda used her biotics once more to vault into the air. She then charged as much energy into her hands as possible and then clasped them together. As she came down, her clasped hands connected with the crown of the krogan's head. At this moment, Krinda revealed that they energy was for a shockwave attack. The energy radiated through the krogan's body and sent him smashing into the ground. Ciala and Krinda both drew their guns and pointed them at the krogan's head.
"Who sent you?" Krinda yelled.
"I did." Came a familiar voice.
Krinda turned to face the voice and saw Urdnot Wrex, Bakara and Mordin emerging from the shadows.
"Uncle Wrex?"
"Congrats, Krinda. You just passed the qualifiers."
