Our New Guest Part II

The horde of turians pushed themselves past John to greet the ambassador. The commander found himself pushed back and shuffled to his side to make his way to Talid. He wanted to be the first to officially invite him onto his ship as human and quarian customs demanded.

Even though the number of turian guests weren't of any large number, the size of the airlock in comparison made it cramped and hard to move. A bad situation in case of an emergency, he thought.As he pushed his way past the krogan body guards to get to Talid he saw the ambassador walk past him, shaking hands and pointing at his friends with a large excited smile.

John decided to slide his way out of the airlock and into the hallway, where he would stand next to Miranda. That should count as an official area to greet a dignitary.

He tripped and caught himself on the back of the young turian aide as she was trying to dodge the mass of men around her. "Sorry," she said.

"No problem, let me just," he squeezed behind another body guard, "there. We're free."

She smiled and let out a sweet giggle. "Thanks. Um, do you know if the ambassador's bags have come aboard?" she curiously asked. John could only shrug.

"I will check with the cargo deck," Miranda chimed in, standing in exactly the same spot and exactly the same manner John thought she would be in, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Oh, good. Good," Qar said satisfied and stood next to the XO, her PDA held tightly to her chest.

Shepard sucked in a deep breath and stepped to the opposite side of his first officer, in front of the bridge, "We haven't done this in a while."

Miranda's stern gaze relaxed a little, "I told Jenny and Gardner to bring out the turian champagne. Hackett and the quarian admirals weren't much for entertainment, but I have a feeling Talid's going to be different."

"Good call."

"I also had Kelly lay out your formal dress if the occasion calls for it."

John looked over to his XO and raised an eyebrow. Miranda leaned into him, "Don't worry, we didn't bother Tali. When your clone was here he brought his bags aboard and had his own replica dress uniform in storage."

"Yeah, please remind me of that," he sighed sarcastically and returned his gaze forward. He felt the presence of his tall turian friend as he joined him on his side. "Quite a show so far," Garrus quietly uttered, "wonder if the first act will be anything like the previews."

"We'll see. I just hope it's a quick show. I want to get this ship moving and get up to my cabin."

A friendly nudge from the tall turian put a smile on his face, one that quickly disappeared as soon as Talid cleared the mass of turians and headed towards them.

The ambassador exhaled his excitement and rubbed his hands together. Kish was on the turian's heels where the light from his Omni-tool shined on the back of Talid's head. "Ah, I see the crew's ready to go," Talid said as he looked onto the three leading members of this ship.

Shepard stepped forward and offered his hand, "Joram Talid, welcome…", was all he could get out before the turian forced his hand in the air.

Talid starred at Shepard for a moment, "Be a sport and get my bags for me," was all the turian said as he walked past the Normandy's officers and onto the bridge.

"Did that really just happen?" Garrus sputtered as he turned around and gazed onto the bridge. John and Miranda looked at each other in shock and followed suit

…..

"A.I.," Talid called as he approached Joker's seat. He stared at the ceiling and waited for a response.

EDI's blue image appeared over her holo-projector, "My name is EDI, ambassador. How may I be of service?"

Joram gazed in amazement at the blue form. "So it really is true. A.I., I need you to make an official log. I, Joram Talid, am taking over as commander of this mission. In accordance to Citadel Convention Article Two of the Intersystem Diplomatic Order all communications and all course plots are to be authorized by me alone. I will need docking protocols for batarian and hanar ships downloaded and all personnel briefed before our first encounter tomorrow."

"I have added your log to the ship records; will you like me to forward it to the Citadel?"

Talid nodded his head, "Yes, let's make this official," he looked around and saw Garrus and Miranda standing on the bridge, the other turians had gathered at the door. He relished in everyone's gaze as Kish pointed his omni-tool at him.

"Your log has been sent, ambassador."

"Pilot," he quickly spat at Joker, "take us to Pax in the Horsehead Nebula. I want to be there in ten hours. Chop, chop." Jeff looked dumbfounded at the turian and the salarian standing behind him. He then scanned the bridge and found Miranda, who reluctantly nodded at him to proceed. "Aye aye, ambassador," he murmured and turned around in his chair.

Talid stood proud and rested his hand on the pilot's chair. He looked around at the faces in the room. "As the new commander of this ship I…"

"Ambassador Talid," EDI interrupted, "according to Citadel Convention Article Two, a dignitary cannot command a vessel. The Normandy is still under the command of Commander John Shepard." Talid grimaced.

"Also under Alliance regulations, only an official of higher rank in the Alliance navy may relieve the commanding officer."

Talid started to uncomfortably bob his head.

"As well," EDI continued, "since the Normandy is also registered under a quarian designation it is therefore recognized as a special member of the flotilla and any transfer of command must…"

"Okay, okay, okay," Talid spat and swatted at Kish, "turn that damn thing off!" The salarian quickly backed off and withdrew his wrist. Talid then scanned the room and reluctantly looked for the one man he so wanted to ignore. Shepard leaned against the bulkhead in the back of the bridge, his arms crossed and taking in the scene that entertained him so much. Talid cracked his neck and walked up to the commander.

"Commander Shepard."

"Ambassador Talid."

"So, the famous commander that's in all the stories. I trust you've been briefed about the importance of my mission," he inquired loud enough for all to hear.

"I've been told who the major players are," Shepard countered.

Talid twitched his eye at the sly attack, "Well, as long as you know your place I don't see why I shouldn't be grateful for your… assistance in my mission."

"I have plenty of experience…assisting you, if my job is to keep you alive."

The turian clicked his mandibles and stared at the human, who stared right back at him. The staring contest brought the entire bridge to a still. Nervous eyes darted back and forth at the two in their power play. Miranda broke the tension when she cleared her throat and walked up to the two. "Commander, the ship is departing dry dock, I'll have EDI inform you when we get to the Pax relay," then turned to Talid, "Ambassador, we have prepared a small reception for you and your guests on the crew deck."

Talid slowly nodded and considered the invitation, "Yes. Yes, that sounds doable," he said. He straightened his posture, turned and left the bridge.

John stood still as Garrus leaned next to him, "Thank the spirits you don't have to be anywhere near him during all this."

"You'll keep an eye on him?"

"How can I keep my eyes off? That show down you two did? Wow!" he exclaimed, "that was exciting."

"Commander," the XO called as she lowered her voice to an intimate level, "I know this isn't going to be easy, but I think we should try to be civil to him."

"Didn't you see him try to steal my own ship in front of me?"

"I think he's trying to get under your skin, Shepard," Garrus added. "He should have known that wouldn't have worked."

"Still, we aren't out there on our own anymore and Talid's right. This isn't your mission," Miranda sadly stated. Both the commander and the turian rebel looked in surprise at her. "I'm sorry to say it Shepard," she continued, "what he had EDI record is true. As an ambassador, he tells us where to go and when to get there." She crossed her arms and leaned on one hip, "Really our only job is to be his transport."

"And the best damn transporters we'll be," Garrus exclaimed, trying to be positive.

"Alright, let's play along then. We should be down there too," Shepard conceded and pushed himself off the wall. "Need anything Joker?"

"Nah, I'm good. Wait, Miranda!" he excitedly jumped, "did you pick up those Space Twinkies I like?"

"Those things are disgusting," she answered back.

"Yeah and did you get them?" Jeff asked with delight in his eyes.

The ex-Cerberus officer sighed and followed Shepard out of the bridge, "I'll get Jenny to bring up a box for you."

"Don't forget a glass of milk," the pilot called over his shoulder as the bridge quickly emptied.

Try to be civil, John thought as headed down to the CIC. That should be easy.