Chapter 29

Stereophonics: Dakota

I can see why Garrus does calibrations. They have a brilliant way of taking your mind off things.

I open up part of my pistol, checking the cooling system with my omni-tool as the other lies ready to go next to me. Completely unnecessary tests, but I'd rather do this than wander around the ship worrying about the mission up ahead. I'd really like to be confident…but the cynical bit of me is being, well, cynical. Which shouldn't be too surprising, but I'm fretting slightly because of it.

And now my mind's back on the mission. Good job, Ian. I snap the pistol shut again, closing up my omni-tool with new, semi-legal hack module uploaded. Right, that's it. I'm resolving not to think about it. As much as I'd like to plan ahead, it's inevitable that whatever plan I have will be smashed to pieces by countless factors outside of my control, and I'll just have to wing it like I normally do. That's not cynicism, that's fact. Caltan Xenvalis, the infiltration into that merc group's HQ, sneaking up on those Varren, necromorphs blowing my idea of opposition away on the Fedele…the list is almost endless. Bluffing and shooting frantically tend to be what I fall back on, and it's worked well so far.

Can't really bluff your way through a romance though…

Fuck! I hate my train of thought! Kill geth now, think later! I'm getting ready to whack my head off a wall to drive the thoughts out when there's a dry chuckle from behind me.

"Something bothering you, Ian?" Ash asks. I look around at her…then realise I've been grimacing the entire time I was thinking away to myself. Whoops. "Calibrating weapons isn't that bad, is it? Especially pistols."

"You'd be surprised," I reply, deciding to take the excuse she's presented to me. Can't exactly say I'm worrying about her dying, and that I've got a plan to avoid that happening which is freaking me out…so her actually suggesting my excuse is a godsend. "The cooldown system has been messing up a bit recently, took a little while to repair. But, got it in the end." I twirl both pistols on my fingers then slide them into the holsters, but Ash doesn't look particularly impressed. Damn. "So, how did the mission with Wrex go?"

Ash sighs slightly, folding her arms and frowning in her trademark fashion. "As well as you can expect. Ride in the Mako to the base they were holding the armour, took down some rookie mercs who should know better than to mess with the Alliance, and got that armour of his back. Krogan didn't even say a damn word when we got it, just a nod to Shepard. Then it was just a ride back to the ship."

Sounds about right…I don't remember the family armour mission being that interesting. When Wrex first mentioned it, I had some idea of a mission on the Citadel, like breaking into Tonn Atcus's place to steal it back, maybe befriending him in a bar then nicking it once he lets you into the place as the Paragon route…but no, just another Mako mission followed by a shootout.

"It's probably a lot more important to him then he likes to let on," I say, knowing fine well it is. Not having to worry about Charm/Intimidate is well worth that mission, though after Noveria I wouldn't be surprised if he was still a little pissed. Now there's something I didn't consider…fuck, nothing I can do about that now. If Wrex gets killed, though…I don't know what I'll do. But it won't be good.

"He could be a little more grateful," she mutters. "We're taking time from our main objectives to help him."

"They don't exactly have a culture like ours," I point out. "No krogan really wants to be in someone's debt for being helped."

Ash shakes her head. "I doubt Shepard sees him in her debt."

"Probably not, but he will, even it seems a little weird to you and me. Alien cultures are fascinating like that. They're similar to us in a lot of ways, but the little things like that…"

"Similar?" she says, grinning. "I don't look like a massive lizard, Ian."

"Don't flatter yourself." Haha, burn!

Ash mockingly raises a fist at me, making me flinch slightly. I'm still on edge after the sparring match with her, though I reckon I actually stand a chance after our combat training now…plus, I'm getting naturally fitter and stronger from all the missions. Just little improvements, but I'm running faster than before, and I'm a fair bit stronger. Not building muscle…just toning it, I assume. "You certainly know how to talk to a woman, Ian," she says sarcastically.

"Didn't have you down as the type who went for flattery and chocolates," I reply. "Sessions at the shooting range and hiking, maybe, but not that."

"You're probably right," she laughs. "If I was even looking for a relationship. Doesn't seem right to me, with a job like this. Maybe after all this over, I mean, retirement, but until then…though you probably don't agree with that."

I raise an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"We've all seen you around Tali, Ian," she smiles. "Personally, I can't understand it, but your call. What kind of type are you, then? Romantically?" Fuck, does everyone know? I bet Wrex brought it up in the Mako during his armour mission, the bastard!

"What, are you giving Tali notes on me, or something?" I ask sardonically. "I don't know, really. Not the hiking type…but anything goes, I guess. Leaning towards old-fashioned romantic, taking someone out on a date…but I'm pretty flexible. Aye, I'm flexible."

"That would explain how your head got where it is," Ash comments dryly. Oh, snap! Though I probably deserved it for that crack about her looks.

I laugh, shaking my head. Ah, we get some good banter in around here. All the more reason I can't let my plan fail. "Good one. I'll deal with personal stuff later, but for now we've got the mission. Romance can wait. If anything comes of it at all."

"Good attitude," Ash nods. I knew she of all people would think that… "Focus on staying alive first and foremost." There's the familiar sound of the elevator hitting this floor…as Shepard, Wrex, Garrus and Kaidan step out, all looking at the Mako. Of course, it's a Mako drop to the planet's surface. Well, at least I'm looking forward to it this time, rather than being shit-scared like before Therum. Just like a rollercoaster!

"Looks like this is my cue to leave," I say, rising to my feet and grabbing my sniper rifle on the way up. From what I remember, it's gonna be hella useful. Lots of wide, open spaces on Virmire…paradise for Garrus and I. Well, if paradise had geth shooting at us. "Be careful out there, Ash. I've got a bad feeling about this one."

She shakes her head. "You've always got a bad feeling about something or other." True that. "I'm not actually going on the mission, though." Oh, shit, good point! She doesn't know that we're gonna need more support later on…

"I meant after we're done on the Mako," I backtrack quickly. "If there's a STG team down there in a lot of trouble, we'll probably need more people on the ground."

"Good point," Ash nods. "Well, I'll try and stay alive. Like I always do."

"That's all I can ask," I smile, nodding goodbye to Ash as I see the rest of the squad starting to pour into the Mako. She returns the nod, as I hurry over and stand next to Garrus…who's got his omni-tool open next to the Mako. Really? Just before the mission? Calibrations can wait!

"Garrus, Ian, get in here!" Shepard calls from the driving seat. "We'll be at the drop point any minute now!" Oh, right you are, ma'am! Garrus shuts his omni-tool down with a frown, as I hop in to the tank and strap myself into an empty seat, Garrus taking the one next to me for the drop. Ugh, I'm getting butterflies in my stomach…I guess this is just one of those things where the wait makes you really nervous. Like before an operation. Or a wedding.

STOP THINKING ABOUT ROMANCE RELATED THINGS!

Well, romance things related to me, anyway. Garrus is an entirely different matter. Wrex is talking to Kaidan, surprisingly, though from what I can gather it's about the mission, and how Wrex brutally killed Tonn Atcus. Delightful. Shepard's messing around with some controls in the front seat, letting me lean over and whisper to Garrus without anyone hearing. "How was it, then?" I ask, smiling.

"How was what?" he whispers back, though his expression shows he knows fine well what I'm talking about.

"Having Shepard cry on your shoulder after you went to talk to her." His eyes widen slightly…ha, he probably though I didn't see that! "Not bad, considering you were talking about her and love just a minute or so before hand."

"She just needed someone to talk to about it," Garrus hisses back, mandibles flared slightly in worry. "You were right, she wasn't completely over it."

I laugh lightly. "I know, but it didn't look like you were doing much talking. More hugging." Garrus shakes his head, sighing.

"Are you trying to say I took advantage?" he asks.

I shrug. "Did you?"

"No!" he replies indignantly, a little too loudly for my tastes, since it causes Wrex and Kaidan to give us a funny look. I smile and give them a little wave, and slowly both turn back to their conversation, Wrex shaking his head. "No," Garrus repeats, softly now. "Just comforting her. As a friend."

"Just bite the bullet and say something to her, Vakarian," I chuckle, leaning back in the seat. "Life's too short not to."

"So you've talked to Tali, then?" he asks slyly. Bastard…

"I'm working on it," I say, nice and vaguely. "Besides, do as I say, not as I do."

"Yeahhh," Garrus drones, laughing. "Isn't hypocrisy great? You do what you want, I'll deal with it my way."

I shake my head, tapping my foot impatiently. How long until we hit the drop zone? "Suit yourself, mate. Just thinking, you should probably seal the deal as soon as you can."

"Why?"

"I've heard this saying…once you've gone blue, nothing else will do. How accurate is that?" Garrus mandibles open wide in slight shock, obviously trying to compose some comeback...just as Joker's voice crackles through the radio. Saved by the guy with brittle bones, never thought that would happen.

"Hitting the drop zone in thirty seconds, Commander. Everyone buckle up." Don't need to tell me twice, man…that story Wrex had of the krogan bouncing of impact and going splat is still freaking me out, even if it probably isn't true. Still, paranoia, not taking any chances.

"Roger that, Joker," Shepard says briskly, strapping herself in and glancing round at the rest of us. "Everyone good to go?"

This is it. Making a decision I can't go back on, and completely ignoring Shiara's 'advice' not to change anything. Well, that was before everything with Rebecca. That was before I met Kaidan and Ash in the flesh. To put it bluntly, fuck her. I'm writing my own damn future.

I nod firmly. "As much as I'll ever be." There's some murmurs of agreement around the interior of the Mako, as Shepard turns back around and puts it into gear as the Normandy's hangar doors burst open into dazzling daylight. Wow, it's as sunny as I remember…BioWare giving pathetic fallacy a big middle finger, I guess. Shepard revs the engine, with almost worrying fevour…and then she shoots forward and we're over.

Ugh, I'm getting that feeling of my stomach rising up in my chest again, adrenaline kick as the earth rushes towards us…and something streaks past the window. Something explosive looking. Whoa, what the fuck was that?

Then a hard slam into the ground that bounces me up, but the seatbelt holds it back. The belt itself bites into my legs a little bit, making me wince…but hey, better that than reduced to ketchup on the roof. That seemed a hell of a lot shorter than the drop on Therum, as well. Heh, must be getting used to it. Though I'm not used to near misses with missiles!

"They've got some big defence towers," Kaidan says grimly as Shepard starts the Mako slowly trundling forwards. "Might be a problem for Joker."

"Joker, are you seeing those towers?" Shepard says frantically into the radio. "Stay out of range and continue evasive manoeuvres! We'll bring them down."

"Yeah, yeah, I know the drill," Joker replies casually. Cocky bastard. "Meet at you at the camp once the AA towers are dealt with. Joker out."

Garrus frowns next to me. "Tower like that are bad news. Whatever's on this planet to do with Saren, he wants it protected."

"No shit," I mutter, as Shepard expertly manoeuvres through the shallow water and beach. It really is beautiful here…until the geth start shooting, anyway. Which reminds me. "I doubt the drive's gonna be peaceful. Should I man the gun?"

"Go ahead," Shepard nods from the driver's seat. "Keep your head on a swivel. Lot more places for geth to hide here, not like Therum."

"Got it." I stand up, leaning on the wall slightly for balance as the floor rocks beneath us. I heave myself up and into the gunner's chair, getting comfortable as I flick the safety covers off the triggers. Alright, time to kill some synthetic bastards!

If they turned up, anyway. So far, nothing, as Shepard cautiously advances forward and I spin the turret around. Not exactly the resistance I was expecting…hello, what's that? Something small floating in the distance, gun attached to its underside, telltale signs of a geth rocket drone. Quick squeeze of the machine gun trigger is enough to take it down, one of our own rockets taking care of his buddy. Would that be his buddy, actually? Seeing as they have shared consciousnesses and all that…something for later. Focus on shooting them for now. One of the little bastards is hiding behind a rock as we drive past, getting a lucky hit in on our shields, but a flurry of shots from the machine gun make short work of it.

I sigh as we hit the corner, adjusting my seating position slightly. I hate the Mako.

#######

So, yet another sodding explosion goes off as I fire the sodding cannon at even more sodding geth. I swear, pulling the trigger this often is going to pull some muscles in my hand, if the boredom doesn't make me ram my eyes through the joysticks first to end it all. A lot of people would probably love the opportunity to blow stuff up and fire heavy weaponry at pretty much defenceless enemies, but frankly the novelty wears off far, far too quickly.

We're pretty much invincible in the Mako. Which makes everything hella boring. I mean, not being in danger is something I'm normally grateful for…but this has just been like a glorified shooting range. For about twenty damn minutes. We've hopped out twice to take care of some gatehouses, but frankly it's nothing we couldn't handle too easily. No heroics, just easy resistance. Something seems odd…I definitely remember more enemies than this from my actual playthrough. Meh.

"The salarian camp should be just up ahead," Shepard says, her voice muffled slightly by the controls around me. "We're looking at another gatehouse, and…holy shit, what are they all doing there?"

I swivel the turret around to look at the gatehouse, and the sight that hits my eyes is astounding. We've got three geth colossi just chillin' there, along with rocket troops, at least ten regular geth, rocket drones…and they've put up shields.

Well. I guess this is where all the enemies I remember went to.

"Looks like they expected us," Kaidan mutters, as Shepard reverses quickly behind cover. Thankfully, the geth haven't detected us, which means we've got time for a plan. Not that anything's really springing to mind.

"That's…a lot of geth," Garrus admits. "We've fought a few, but that many at once is going to be a problem."

"Only an idiot charges at odds like that," Wrex says. Holy shit, even Wrex isn't suggesting we Leeroy Jenkins it? Serious business indeed. "Think we can snipe them out from here with the cannon?"

Shepard shakes her head from the front seat. "No, they'd have our shields down in seconds with that much firepower. Air support from the Normandy could do it, if it weren't for those damn AA towers. They've still got some up."

"We'd need a bomb of some description," Kaidan mutters. "A big one at that. Even then, we'd need some way of getting it to them without being killed." Fuck, this is a conundrum…we need something highly explosive, that we can somehow get over there quickly, without any of us being near it. If I learnt one thing from Therum, the Mako is hella explosive. Some kind of remote detonator for it? I eye up the grenades on my belt…and everyone else's. If we put every grenade in here on a remote detonator, that would be more than enough to blow the Mako up. And then some, I'm guessing.

So, we've got a bomb. Though, there's no way we can get anyone to drive it up to the geth. That's total suicide for the driver, and even if they could make it there without being killed, they'd have to literally run back. No, a driver is out of the question. Curses, plan foiled at the last hurdle! It actually would have been rather good too, especially to see the look on Garrus's face.

Unless…unless we had some way of remote controlling the Mako. And all of a sudden, an idea forms in my mind. A little glimmer of hope. "Shepard, the steering on this has electronic steering, right?"

The Commander looks surprised. "Yeah. Why?" She obviously catches the look on my face, as she raises an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"

"I think I've got the same idea as Ian, actually," Garrus grins. Psychic connection, I'm telling you… "We stack this thing with explosives, grenades, the like. If we can hack the controls so we can control the Mako remotely…"

"We can drive it right into them and set it off," Kaidan finishes the sentence for him. "Can you get into the controls?"

"Give us a minute," I mutter, hopping down from the Mako and opening up my omni-tool. "Shepard, can you open up the steering so we can access the circuitry?"

She nods, still looking a bit shocked at the sudden turn of events, and after a few button presses looses the wheel to let us see the systems underneath. Makes sense the wheel would come off, since these things are gonna need maintenance once in a while…though it'll probably need a bit more than that once we're done with it.

"You take the lead, Garrus, you're better with this stuff than I am," I admit. Don't want to give his ego a boost, but desperate times, right?

"Deferring to the expert," the turian chuckles, as he starts tapping away at buttons after both our omni-tools are linked into the system on a maintenance level. "Good call."

I shake my head ruefully. "Didn't say you were an expert, just that you might be better than me. Though I'm rethinking that, since you should probably set that power node," I point at the circuit diagram on his omni-tool, 'to manual control, since it's linked into the entire mainframe."

"Shit, good point…" he says. "That should let us take control of most major systems, just need to program acceleration…" Garrus's beady eyes almost seem to glaze over as he gets into the hack/calibrations, frantically pressing at buttons…until, with a grin, he finally stops. "We have control. Everyone, grab your grenades and stick them around here. On a remote detonator." I take my three grenades off my belt, sticking one of my chair, another on the roof and one on the floor.

Everyone else follows suit, and I notice Wrex putting all of his as close to the fuel tank as possible. Hmm, good thinking… "Alright, everyone out!" Shepard shouts, popping open the doors, as we all jump out into the shallow water. Oh, the climate here is lush…almost a shame we're gonna make it a hell of a lot hotter in a few seconds.

"I'm surprised, you know," I say to Garrus, as he gets ready to remote pilot the Mako. "You, getting stuck into a plan to blow up the Mako."

"We don't have a choice," he smiles. "I shouldn't be too surprised anyway, after all the other missions. Best to make it go out with a bang, right?"

"Good attitude," I laugh. "Don't mess this up, though. We only get one shot at this."

Garrus shakes his head. "No pressure, then. Just don't press the detonator early."

"What, this detonator?" I tease, hovering my finger of the button. Garrus's eyes widen slightly…then narrow when he realises I'm taking the piss. Sighing lightly, mandibles widened in a disapproving fashion, he presses a button on the omni-tool, and the Mako hurtles forward at full speed. Straight towards the geth.

It covers about half the distance before the geth finally catch sight of it, another ten metres before they start shooting. Pretty much a wall of shots impact the Mako, knocking it off course slightly…but Garrus expertly brings it back around. Yep, no way in hell the geth are escaping now. Just a few more seconds until explosion time…

"Now!" Shepard yells, and as one we all stab down on our detonators. There's a huge explosion, knocking all of us except Wrex off our feet, and even the krogan staggers a few steps back. The air's filled with the sound of birds taking to the sky, screeching in shock…accompanied with a huge splash as various bits of the gatehouse hit the water. Apart from the odd bit of scrap metal, there's no sign of the geth. At all. Now that's what I call awesome.

My ears are ringing massively as I slowly clamber back up to my feet, but I can still faintly hear Joker's voice coming through my headseat. "Normandy to ground team! Come in, ground team!"

"We're here, Joker," Shepard groans from next to me. "The AA towers are down, head for the salarian camp."

"That's great, Commander, but what the hell just happened? We picked up seismic activity from your position, 6.3 on the Richter scale over a small area, but it hit about 3.9 a few miles around you. What happened?"

"Just clearing the way, Joker," Shepard replies, blinking a few times quickly, presumably to try and clear her head. "We lost the Mako, but the salarian camp's only three hundred or so metres away from here. We're gonna walk the rest of the way, so get ready for us when we arrive. Ground team out." She drops her hand from the headset, and turns to face Garrus and I. "Nice plan. Feels like I've been hit with a stun grenade, but cleared the way nicely. Alliance are going to be furious, though."

"Sucks to be them, then," I shrug. "Better lose the Mako than our lives, right?"

"Knowing bureaucrats, I doubt they'd agree," Wrex grunts. The depressing thing is, he's probably right. "Let's go see these damn salarians, then, before anymore geth get here."

Damn salarians, indeed. God, I'm not looking forward to this talk with Kirrahe…but Shepard got Wrex's armour back. It should be fine.

I hope.

##########

"So," I hear Ash say faintly, as we close the distance towards her and the salarian she's glaring furiously at, "what do we now?"

"Wait until we come up with a plan," Kirrahe explains calmly. Ah, Captain Kirrahe, you beast. Second coolest salarian to Mordin. As far as I know. Shepard jogs up quickly, presumably before Ash 'accidentally' lets her mouth run away with her as her facial expression is suggesting.

"Are you in charge here?" she asks, a little impatiently. "What's going on exactly?"

The salarian folds his arms. "Captain Kirrahe. Third Infiltration Regiment STG. You and your crew just landed in the middle of a hotzone, where every AA gun for miles is now aware of your presence."

"We noticed," Shepard says dryly. "So, what are we going to do about it?"

"Stay put until the reinforcements we requested turn up," Kirrahe says happily. "We felt some explosion on a huge scale, so they must be mopping up the geth. With some impressive firepower, too." Oh, God, awkward…all of our crew just stands there, not really making eye contact with Kirrahe.

I raise an eyebrow. "Should I tell him?" Kirrahe looks at me, eyes narrowing in concern. "Sorry, mate, we're the reinforcements. That explosion was us. No-one else is coming."

"I told the Council to send a fleet!" he protests. "What happened?"

"Your transmission was crap," Wrex says bluntly. "We got sent to investigate."

"That's exactly what we were doing!" Kirrahe says, sounding frustrated. "Lost half my men 'investigating' this place. This is Saren's base of operations. He has a research facility, but it's extremely well fortified. Oh, and crawling with geth." We never visit anywhere not crawling with geth, do we?

Kaidan shakes his head next to me. "After what happened on Noveria, Saren and research facilities can't be good."

"You weren't there," Shepard shivers. "But he's got a point. What's Saren researching?"

"As far as we can tell," Kirrahe says, "he's using it to breed an army of krogan." Fuck. That can't be good…and Wrex seems to have picked up on that as well, taking steps closer to the salarian.

"How is that possible?" he asks, sounding angry.

"Apparently," Kirrahe replies, with the tone of someone choosing their words very carefully indeed, "Saren has discovered a cure for the genophage." Oh, shit, here we go…

Shepard looks alarmed. "A krogan army would just about make him unstoppable."

"Exactly," Kirrahe nods grimly. "We need to destroy this facility, and its secrets."

"I don't think so," Wrex chuckles dangerously, shaking his head. "My people are dying. This can save them."

"If the cure leaves the planet, the krogan will become unstoppable," the salarian points out simply. "We can't make the same mistake twice." Mistake? Bloody hell, that's a bit harsh…Wrex seems to share that sentiment, sticking a huge finger in Kirrahe's face.

"We are not a mistake," he growls, then turns away and strides off towards the sea. Kirrahe, to his credit, just surveys the krogan coolly as he leaves then turns back to Shepard.

"Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough krogan to deal with." I shoot him a filthy glare for that, which he just ignores.

Shepard shakes her head, sighing. "I'll talk to him. Don't worry."

"I do worry," Kirrahe says coldly. "That's why I'm still alive." With that, he turns on his heel and strides back towards the other salarians, presumably to form some kind of battle plan. Which leaves us in the sticky situation of talking Wrex down. It's a pickle, alright.

"This place is in a hell of state," I sigh, as Shepard, Kaidan, Ash and I form a group huddle. I've got no idea where Garrus has gone…presumably to stock up on grenades from the Normandy, I'm guessing. Hope he brings some for me. "Wrex ain't helping that, either."

"He looks like he's gonna blow a gasket," Ash says. "It's not my call, Commander…but you should go talk to him."

"It wouldn't hurt," Kaidan admits. "Actually, on second thoughts…do it carefully."

Shepard nods. "I can calm him down. He'll listen."

"If you say so," Ash replies cynically. "I'm keeping an eye on him, though. Just in case." Oh, overaggressive space marine cliché for the loss…I'm supposed to be the paranoid one, not her! Still, family armour, all should go well.

Ash and I both watch Shepard as she strides off towards Wrex, and I'm feeling pretty damn apprehensive as she does. Sure, Wrex has a way of winding me up sometimes…but he's a good friend. A really good friend, come to think of it. But I've got confidence in Shepard. "You think he'll come around?" I say, still watching the scene unfolding ahead, as Wrex looks up at Shepard and they start talking.

"Dunno. Krogan are known for aggression," Ash says simply.

"So are you."

"You're on fire today, aren't you?" she replies sarcastically. Wrex has moved from his position by the water, slowing advancing on Shepard and staring her down. No guns drawn yet…but it must be getting close.

I shrug. "Can't help having a quick wit." Wrex has his face right up against Shepard's, now…and in the blink of an eye, he takes two quick steps back and brings out the shotgun, as Shepard pulls her pistol. Fuck! Come on, Shepard, just say the magic words…

"Hold back, Ash," I say, voice shaking slightly with tension. "Shepard's got this." I can see them both talking…but Wrex doesn't seem to be getting any calmer. What happened to the family armour! It ain't doing shit! "Give them a second." No reply. Huh? "Ash?"

I swivel around to where she's standing…or was standing. Crap, where's she gone! I whirl around frantically, looking back at Wrex…and then, just in his blind spot to my left, about ten metres ahead of me, I can see her.

Ashley Williams calmly stares at Wrex. And in her right hand she holds a pistol, aimed squarely at his head.

A/N: Cliffhanger! Haven't had one for a while :-)

So, yet another Mako destroyed, the eve of battle is upon us…and Wrex's fate hangs in the balance. Along with Kaidan and Ash's. Normally, I'd go for a preview of the next chapter, but hey. That spoils the whole cliffhanger, right?

In other news, my man Animesage is writing a SI called 'These Roles We Play', and it's rather good, if I do say so myself. It's for Mass Effect as well, so bonus! Give it a read, since the wait for next chapter may be rather large. I've got a lot of coursework. I know I say that most chapters, then have an update in about a week anyway, but I mean A LOT this time. Blows the old stuff out of the water.

Regular updates (every one or two days) will be on my profile page, though, so I'll let you know how the next chapter is coming along.

Later!

P.S: Thanks to Guardian54 for the 'once you've gone blue, nothing else will do' line.