Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect, its characters or plots. I own my OC and anything original in this.
I was thinking… should I do liara and the shadow broker for the next chapter or should I do Thane?
BTW I know it's not coming up for a while but poll question who wants Kolyat to join the Normandy crew after that mission. He could be a brotherly figure for Dawn… or…son? Idk. Something. Also this is Horizon and a cute Grunt thing…I think it's cute. (at first I was gunna do it after Thane but this chapter was way too short. Next one probably won't be as long.)
I'm being nice and uploading this today as well.
Dawn was relieved when she wasn't picked to be part of the team that went to Horizon. She didn't think she was ready to see real live Collectors and humans in those pod things. Instead Shepard chose Jack and Grunt to bring with him.
Jack and Grunt were one of Dawn's favorite team pairings to bring with Shepard when she would play. The other teams she liked were Garrus and Thane, Garrus and Grunt (If she didn't have Thane yet) and Tali and Legion. She liked the power that Grunt and Jack seemed to hold what with Grunt being a Krogan and Jack being a super powerful biotic. Garrus and Thane were always her romance choices when she played so naturally she liked them on her team. Her favorite non-romance character was Grunt for the simple fact that he was Krogan, powerful and funny. Tali and Legion are pretty much opposites and would normally be enemies but Dawn liked the idea of them working together.
Dawn sat in the co-pilot chair on the bridge. Mordin was also there, in another chair, so he could talk to Shepard who was pretty much testing out the new armor upgrades.
"We're grounded." Shepard said over the radio. Mordin, you sure those armor upgrades will protect us from the seeker swarms?"
"Certainty impossible. But in limited numbers, should confuse detection, make us invisible to swarms in theory."
"In theory?" Grunt asked over the radio.
"Experimental technology. Only test is contact with seeker swarms. Look forward to seeing if you survive!"
"That was a bit morbid, Mordin." Dawn said raising an eyebrow. Mordin shrugged. After a few minutes there was a bit of feedback noise and Joker started pushing some buttons.
"Commander, we're getting all kinds of interference. We can't maintain a clear signal."
"The Collectors must be blocking it." Dawn said. Joker looked over at her for a moment. "So, now we wait." Joker looked back at the screens with a frown.
After what seemed like forever the radio made a noise.
"Normandy, do you copy?" Shepard's voice asked over radio. It was a bit crackly but clear enough to make out.
"Joker here. Signal's weak, Commander, but we got you."
"Time to show these things we give as good as we get. EDI – bring the defense towers online!"
"Errors in the calibration software are easily rectified, but it will take time to bring the towers to full power." EDI said. "I recommend a defensive posture. I will not be able to mask the increased generator output."
"The Collectors will try to stop it." Grunt said. "Good."
"Got any other helpful tips?" Shepard asked.
"Just one." EDI said. "Enemy reinforcements are closing in. I suggest you ready weapons."
"I suggest you also conserve ammo for your best weapon. You never know when they'll send out something big." Dawn said.
"Good idea, Dawn." Shepard said. Dawn smiled.
"Yeah, no problem." EDI started working and a few minutes went by as the ground team fought.
"GARDIAN anti-ship batteries at 60%. Syncing targeting protocols to Normandy's systems. Continue to protect the tower." EDI said. Another few minutes pasted by and Shepard came back on.
"EDI, we need that system online!"
"GARDIAN anti-ship batteries at 100%. I have control." EDI said. On Horizon the towers started firing at the collector ship. "Firing anti-ship batteries at Collector vessel." The Collector ship launched and pulled out.
"They got most of the humans." Dawn said sadly. Joker sighed.
"But not all of them." He said looking at her. "If you want to call that… good news."
"Joker." Shepard said. "send the shuttle to pick us up. I've had enough of this damn colony."
Later that day Dawn went down to Port Cargo.
"What now?" Grunt growled as Dawn entered his room.
"What, I can't pop in for no reason?" Dawn asked innocently.
"No, it's annoying."
"Oh, okay." Dawn said with a shrug, not phased. "See ya." She said before leaving the room. Grunt blinked.
Dawn was lying on her bed when Shepard came over the intercom.
"We'll be making a stop at the Citadel for supplies and a short break, if you want to call it that." Shepard said. "Anyone's welcome to leave the Normandy for about two to three hours." The intercom buzzed off and Dawn got up. She was in a thick strapped tank-top with a light jacket over it, a pair of short jean shorts and a pair of black sneakers.
"Finally somewhere I don't have to put on armor." Dawn said as she walked out of the crew's quarters. She walked to the elevator and rode it up to the second floor before walking to the airlock by the bridge.
"Going out?" Joker asked as she walked into the bridge.
"Mhm." Dawn hummed. "Just thought I'd say hello to the best pilot it know." Joker smiled.
"I'm the only pilot you know." Joker said after a minute with a frown. Dawn giggled and leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Whoa." His eyebrows went up and he chuckled. He turned his chair around to see her. "Whatever I did, tell me so I can do it again" He said with a grin making Dawn laugh. She shrugged.
"You looked cute." She said with a giggled. He raised an eyebrow but shrugged lightly. Shepard walked up the aisle to the bridge.
"Everything okay up here?" He asked.
"Everything is perfect." Joker said with a smile. Dawn rolled her eyes. "Apparently if you look cute Dawn can't help but kiss your cheek." Shepard looked at Dawn confused.
"He made a cute frowny face." Dawn said with a shrug. Shepard rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Suddenly the three heard loud footsteps. Shepard and Dawn turned to see Grunt walk up.
"I want to go." Grunt said.
"Uhh…" Shepard started.
"To the Citadel." He clarified.
"You can go with me, Grunt." Dawn said with a smile. "I need to do some minor shopping but then we'll go for drinks, kay?" Grunt thought about it for a minute before nodding. Shepard gave Dawn a grateful look. Dawn could tell Shepard didn't want Grunt walking around the Citadel by himself.
"We don't get there for another half hour." Shepard said.
"I'll come get you when we're ready to leave." Dawn said to Grunt who nodded.
Dawn walked into the main batteries and sat on the crate in the corner.
"Coming to the Citadel?" Dawn asked.
"Actually." Garrus turned to face Dawn. "I was wondering if you'd want to… hang out… with me….on the Citadel." Dawn frowned.
"I'd love to," Garrus smiled. "But I kinda promised Shepard," Garrus frowned. "That I'd watch Grunt." At the mention of Grunt Garrus' frown lessened. "Probably so he doesn't break anything." Dawn added with a chuckled. Garrus chuckled slightly.
"Well, next time." Garrus said turning back to the console. Dawn nodded. She stood up and smirked. She moved the crate she was sitting on right next to Garrus.
"Next time." She said. Garrus turned and watched her curiously as she stood on the crate.
"What are you-?" Garrus started to ask but stopped when Dawn kissed the side of his face. "It's a date." She said with a smile before hoping down and leaving. Garrus stood there a bit stunned but soon a grin made its way onto his face.
Later Normandy docked at the Citadel and the crew got off. Dawn got off and turned to Grunt who was looking around.
"Okay quick shopping then I'll take you to the bar." Dawn said. Grunt nodded.
"Be quick." He said. Dawn nodded.
"Come on, follow me." Grunt 'hmph'ed before following her.
Grunt sighed loudly. He was standing in a clothing shop for Asari and Humans waiting for Dawn who was in a changing room.
"Humans take too long." He grumbled.
"Nope, just girls." Dawn said coming out. "What do you think?" Dawn said looking down at what she was wearing. Grunt sighed again.
"I don't care." He said. Dawn stuck her tongue out at him.
"The more you help the faster this'll go." Dawn said.
"Fine." Grunt said. "You look… good?" Dawn rolled her eyes.
"Thanks."
"I'm not attracted to human females." Grunt said looking away. Dawn rolled her eyes again.
"You don't have to be. Just tell me if I look good or bad."
"You look good." Grunt repeated. "Can we go now?" Dawn chuckled.
"One more outfit." Dawn said going back into the dressing room. Grunt groaned loudly.
Dawn and Grunt were walking past a few shops when Dawn heard a lack of loud footsteps. She turned around and saw Grunt had stopped outside a gift shop. Dawn walked back.
"Whacha lookin' at?" Dawn asked. Grunt shook his head and started walking again. "I'll get it for you if you want." Dawn said walking after him.
"You don't even know what it is." Grunt said.
"But it is something." Dawn said with a smirk. Grunt groaned. Dawn grabbed Grunt's hand and started to pull him back towards the shop. Grunt yanked his hand away as if burned. "Come on." Dawn said walking backwards, not phased. "I'm not gunna drop it until I get it for you." Grunt groaned again and marched back over to the shop. He stopped in front of the window and pointed. Dawn looked at what he was pointing at and saw it was a simple snow globe. It had a small fan that made the snow fall constantly. Inside was a hologram of a figure making a snow angel. The front seemed to have a slot for different chips to go into to. Presumably the chips would be different holograms.
Dawn blinked. Grunt lowered his arm and started to walk away. He walked for a moment before looking back. When he didn't see Dawn he walked back and saw she was buying something in the gift shop. Grunt sighed. Dawn walked out with a small box. She held it out for Grunt. He looked down at it then at her. "Here." Dawn said. Grunt slowly took the box and Dawn started waking. Grunt looked down at the box then after Dawn.
Before Dawn and Grunt reached the bar Shepard found them.
"We're leaving a bit early." He said.
"Aw. Alright." Dawn said. She looked at Grunt. "Another time." Shepard looked at the box Grunt was holding with both hands.
"Whacha got there?" Shepard asked curiously. Grunt held the box closer. "I was only asking." Shepard said holding up his hands.
Dawn walked into the Port Cargo and saw Grunt sitting on the ground holding the snow globe. He was staring at it. Dawn had gotten him a hologram chip with a Varren running around in the snow. She'd gotten him other chips but this was the one he'd put it. Grunt looked up as Dawn walked in.
"Glad you like it." Dawn said. She walked over to him. "We'll have to visit a snowy planet someday." Dawn said sitting in front of him, crossing her legs.
"What for?"
"So we can do snow things." Dawn said. Grunt blinked.
"Like what?"
"We could build a snowman, make a snow fort or have a snowball fight."
"…Why?"
"Cause it's fun." Grunt blinked again.
"Fun?" He asked. Dawn nodded. "How are those things…fun?"
"They just are." Dawn said with a shrug.
"Could this snow-man help us in battle?"
"Uh.. no." Dawn giggled.
"Can this fort withstand an army?"
"Nope." Dawn said popping the 'p'.
"Will this fight be bloody?"
"Uh-uh." Dawn said shaking her head.
"Then how are those things fun?" Grunt asked.
"They just are." Dawn said with another shrug. Grunt frowned and looked back down at the snow globe. "I'll ask Shepard if we could go on vacation to a snow planet or maybe Earth in December." Grunt glanced at Dawn. "Then we could all celebrate Christmas together."
"What's that?" Grunt asked. Dawn blinked. "What?" Grunt asked, noting her expression.
"Hmm…. What do you know about human culture?"
"Only want the tank told me."
"Which was?"
"…Not much."
"Anything on holidays?" Dawn asked. Grunt blinked. "Oh boy." Dawn said with a frown. "Well… Each month of the human calendar has a special day in which everyone, or a large portion of the population, celebrates." Grunt nodded.
About an hour later Dawn had informed Grunt of human holidays and birthdays as well as other things of human culture.
"This was a present." Grunt said looking at the snow globe.
"Yep. It's a gift for a friend." Dawn said.
"I have no need for friends." Grunt said without looking at Dawn.
"I don't have to be your friend. I'll just be your teammate." Dawn said and Grunt looked up at her.
"What's the difference?" He asked.
"Huh?"
"Between a friend and a teammate."
"Well, teammates work together and cooperate. Friends…" Dawn shrugged. "I can't really explain it… but I think it's better to have friends." Grunt nodded. "I'm gunna go make dinner." Dawn said standing up. "Come up if you get hungry."
"I'm not." Grunt said.
"Alright, if you do though, tell me." Dawn said before leaving.
Dawn had just finished cooking when she heard loud footsteps. Dawn glanced back and saw Grunt walk over to a chair and sit down. All the chairs were reinforced with steel so they would handle a Krogan's weight. A few more of the crew sat down at the table, away from Grunt. Dawn put the food out along with some bowls and spoons. Grunt got up while the rest of the crew remained seated. He got himself a bowl of stew, not taking a spoon, before sitting back down. The rest of the crew got up to get food. Dawn got herself a bowl and sat down next to Grunt. He looked at her and she smiled. A few moments later Garrus left the main batteries and Shepard walked around the corner After getting food Garrus sat next to Dawn, Shepard sat across from her.
"Finally got hungry?" Shepard said to Grunt.
"Krogans don't eat as often as you." Grunt said.
"Let's face it; no one can resist Dawn's cooking." Garrus said. Dawn smiled.
"Thanks guys." Dawn said. There were a few moments of quiet, only the sound of spoons against bowls and the quiet chatter of the crew.
"We'll be arriving at Illium shortly." Shepard said. "I'm going to recruit an assassin and visit an old friend. I'd like Dawn and Mordin to come with me." Dawn nodded.
Still don't know whether to do shadow broker first or Thane. In my gameplay I did Shadow broker first only cause I forgot you go right into it after talking to liara.
Review and tell me which one and also should Kolyat join the Normandy crew?