Shepard sat beside Vega's bed, leaning back in the backbreaking chair, her booted feet on the window ledge. Her head was tilted at an angle that she would regret upon waking. Vega opened his eyes slowly. Had he been run over by a krogan tank? That might explain the way he was feeling right now.
He groaned and moved his hand to rub his brow. It set off the heart rate monitors and Shepard stirred awake, red rimmed eyes blearily regarding her XO. She rubbed the back of her neck as it protested the sudden motion as she sat up.
"Hey," she growled.
"So, like, that was a fucking huge mech, right? Not my imagination?" Vega frowned, pain etching his features.
"Yeah. Cerberus upgraded. Our weapons are struggling to bust through their barriers, and their weapons can slice through ours a whole lot faster than they can refresh," Shepard leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees, "We are picking up a quarian tech to help us on the ground. I'm going to head to Khar'shan and meet with Balak."
"Right, good. Should be good to go," Vega nodded sharply.
"You aren't coming," Shepard replied bluntly, "I need your A-game and right now, you would be lucky to get off the bench."
"That's bullshit, Shepard," Vega snarled.
"It's not and you know it. When the docs clear you, you get on the first transport out and we will get you. But until then, I can't use you."
"Fuck," Vega clenched his hands on the sheets, "What good am I if you can't even trust me not to get shot up on a simple mission."
Shepard paused. Undid the top buttons on her tunic.
"Hey now, I know you want me to feel better, Captain, but…" Vega held out his hands, only half serious.
She rolled her eyes and opened her tunic. The flesh over her clavicle was laid open to the bone, her cybernetics glowed red through the rend. There was a new healed scar on her neck.
"I went down, Vega. Hard. Only the fact I have biotics and cybernetics kept me alive, and I'm only alive because, like a moron, you ran out and tackled an Atlas face on. And I owe you my life for that."
Vega still scowled, but his eyes were narrowed on her wounds.
"You will be on your feet soon, Vega. I promise. You are a tough asshole," Shepard paused at the door, "Besides, Ash said she was on her way back to Earth to report to the Council." She grinned. "You can use the apartment."
"Alright," Vega grumbled grudgingly, looking vaguely mollified with a small flicker of interest in his eyes.
"Captain Shepard vas Normandy, I am First Lieutenant Lia'Vael nar Ulnay vas Neema…" the lithe Quarian saluted, her trunk resting by her feet.
Shepard narrowed her eyes, "I know you."
The Quarian lowered her hand, "Yes, sir. I was on my Pilgrimage several years ago when I was nearly arrested by C-Sec for stealing a credit chit. You used your Spectre status to investigate it when you didn't have to."
"That's right," Shepard pointed at the Quarian, "I would have thought you would have been on Rannoch."
Lia'Vael shrugged, "One day, I will. I lost my betrothed upon Palaven and I have not felt the desire to return to my ship yet."
"On Palaven?" Shepard frowned, "Who was your betrothed?"
"Ja'kel nar Tonbay vas Neema. He was part of Kal'Reegar's squad. I was informed that they died before we came into Earth space."
"Ah, damn. I'm sorry. Too many good people died in the war," Shepard shook her head, "Well, you are welcome on board the Normandy." She held out her hand, and Lia'Vael shook it with solemnity.
"We depart for Khar'shan at 0700."
"Yes, sir,"
"Traynor will show you to your cabin. I will come see you when you are settled in. We have to brief you on the situation before we enter Batarian space."
"I was warned it would be interesting being on the Normandy,"
"You have no idea," Shepard replied drily, "My XO on this trip is a self aware AI, First Lieutenant." She keyed her omnitool, "Alright, Lieutenant, you should be clear to enter."
"Huh, an AI" the Quarian glanced toward the ship, "Interesting."
Shepard watched the woman pick up her trunk and enter the ship with her authorisation. Kal'Reegar was dead? Huh.
