Chapter 37

"I'm honestly baffled over how much you and Shepard seem to be getting along." Joker said with a smile as he turned the comm off.

"Underneath all that plating and gunpowder there's simply a lonely girl who just wants a friend." Holt said in a dramatic tone as he stretched out his limbs. The co-pilot's chair was comfortable but damn was it unhealthy for you if you're supposed to be running around on a battlefield in just a few moments.

"I find it very difficult to see Shepard as a helpless girl." Joker laughed.

"Almost thought you were about to say that you 'find it difficult to see Shepard as a girl.'"

"Oh no no no. It's very easy to see that Shepard is a girl." Joker raised an eyebrow towards Holt who was still trying to get his blood flowing properly. "You have been 'geared up' this whole time. Did you know that Shepard was gonna bring you with her down to the planet?"

"I had a feeling." Holt smiled as he waved goodbye to the pilot and started making his way towards the elevator. The crew had paid less and less attention to him lately but he was being more paranoid than ever since the conversation with Tela. Knowing that The Shadow Broker had his eyes on you made you sleep a little bit less peaceful during the nights. He walked past a clearly agitated Alenko who were talking with some of the crew members. He threw a friendly nod which was only met with a cold glare. Holt kept on walking, not wanting a confrontation just yet, and got up to the elevator doors.

"Those were some daggers that Kaidan shot at you. What did you do to upset him this time?" A female voice asked from behind. Holt didn't need to turn around to know who it was as he could now place the voice to the person on most people on the ship.

"Didn't tie my shoelaces the right way? Who knows." Holt said with a shrug. He actually knew exactly why but decided that he wouldn't gossip about the sour mood between the commanding officer and her XO to anyone else on the ship. Joker might, but that wouldn't be on Holt's head if he did.

"Right, if you say so." Ashley said, not convinced at all by the sound of it. "Heading down to the cargo bay? Has Shepard already decided who's coming with her?" Just as she asked the question the elevator doors opened and on the opposite side were Shepard, leaning towards the wall. Arms crossed over her chest and a irritated expression on her face. No one said anything for a few moments and entering the tiny space with an angry Shepard felt like a bad idea. "Wow, you've managed to piss off quite a few people lately it seems." Ashley whispered to Holt which Shepard somehow managed to overhear anyway.

"You two are gonna enter the elevator or not?"

"Yes ma'am!" Ashley quickly responded to the authority in Shepard's voice and almost threw a salute on top of it. Holt laughed loudly as he followed her into the elevator.

"Rough day, Shepard?" He asked with a smirk once the doors closed. She only grumbled in response before her eyes narrowed on him.

"You're already geared up? I only told you to get ready two minutes ago."

"I change quickly."

"Uh-huh..."

"Who else are you taking with you, Commander?" Ashley asked as the conversation died down.

"You, Holt and Wrex will be coming with me. Liara is still trying to make some sense of the vision she saw as we melded. Don't comment on that, Holt." Holt who had opened his mouth to say something, in his opinion extremely hilarious, shut it instantly. "Tali and Garrus are in the middle of some tech project of theirs. They tried explaining it to me but I kind of lost track instantly of what they were talking about."

"Technology scares you, Shepard?" Holt asked and was pleased to see that her sour mood had improved as she smiled back at him.

"More like confuses me. I'm happy as long as the people who understand that stuff makes it user friendly for people like me."

"By the way, what's up with Kaidan?" Shepard noticeably winced as Ashley asked that question.

"I don't know." Shepard lied.

"He's not exactly been a ray of sunshine ever since I met him but lat-"

"I'll speak with him once we're done with the mission at hand. I suggest you focus on it as well, Williams." Shepard interrupted her.

"Yes, ma'am." Ashley responded as they arrived at the cargo bay. It was full of activity but it was still easy to notice the giant krogan who seemed to impatiently wait for some more action. They walked out and Shepard motioned for Wrex to gather up as they went to their lockers to pick up their weapons.

"You guys think this will be a rocket launcher mission?" Holt asked as he eyed his precious. Wrex grunted in approval while Ashley and Shepard threw him a questioning glance.

"We will be in close quarters once we get inside their base." Shepard said while keeping an eye on Holt, probably to make sure he didn't grab it. He would have to convince her that bringing it along would be a good idea.

"The Thorian was fought in somewhat close quarters. What if Cerberus has one of their own?" Shepard still didn't look convinced. "We would stand a much better chance if I brought it with me."

"Well, remember that you started shooting at us after a while." Shepard chuckled.

"She's right, Holt." Wrex added. "Bring it with you and maybe this time it'll be a more even fight." Holt nodded in agreement while looking at Shepard. She just sighed and shrugged, giving him the permission to bring it with him.

"What's up with men and explosions..." Shepard grumbled as they all finished picking out their weapons of choice.

"Also, if it's not too much trouble. Could we land with the mako a bit closer to our destination this time?" Holt asked as they started making their way over to the freshly calibrated vehicle. Holt thought that Garrus should seek help concerning his calibrating addiction. He swore he had seen him tinkering with the coffee machine earlier. Not that Holt would ever again touch that machine-spawn of satan.

"You don't enjoy my driving?" Shepard asked while faking a serious tone.

"I don't enjoy carrying you over a great distance for when you lose consciousness again." Holt joked as they got into the mako.

"You're saying that I'm heavy?" Shepard said with a dead-serious voice. Holt thought for a second that he had offended her before she started laughing and turning towards the comm unit. "Take us down quite a distance away from the Cerberus base, Joker. Better safe than sorry." Holt let out a groan to show his disapproval but Shepard simply kept on laughing and ignored him.