"So we're finally screwed," Siri assesses; standing behind her, Simrawi nods grimly. "We have Reapers on their way here and not much time left. We need to get our asses out of here ASAP, only our darling Alliance informs us that they may not be able to arrange an evac in time. We're told not to worry, though, 'cause "they are working on it intensively". She snorts. "I say, we send a distress signal and get on whatever ship answers, even if we should have a swim with the hanar. The estimates say that we have a couple more days left before the Reapers come say hello but I'd hate to bet our lives on estimates, especially after they worked oh-so-well for us before."
No-one protests, and to lighten the mood, preferences for an evac ship are being thrown around. The male half of the station fancies an asari ship while the reasonable half hopes for any ship, even though the idea of spending days in a sealed suit and walking bent forward on a volus ship is less than appealing.
When a turian cruiser, not even a day away, answers their call, the collective relief drowns all the unfulfilled fancies.
"If you guys have never met a turian, don't be afraid, or at least don't show it. And, behave, the turians are all about hierarchy and orders and manners – yeah, I'm talking to you specifically, Weasley," Jack instructs her students. She gets a defiant glare and Rodriguez giggles nervously. "No worries, you suckers won't be seeing any real combat just yet. You will have your share of Reapers to kick their asses later. Now, go and pack your stuff – just the basics, no fancy crap, mind you – and be ready."
Her own pack is rather small but for her combat gear (minus the gun, the Alliance wouldn't have her move around armed). She touches her asari hardsuit lovingly, the smooth black-bluish surface: she won't be wearing it just yet not to draw too much attention among the turians, her tattooed mug itself is notorious enough.
The door panel chimes: Rodriguez.
"Come in," Jack calls, and the way the girl's eyes bulge give her no little satisfaction.
"That's yours?" Rodriguez whispers in awe.
"Yep," and don't ask how I got it. "'Been checking it before we set out. Have you checked yours?"
The awe turns into a blush. "I, uh... not yet. I just, uh, meant to ask if you know where we will be going with those turians."
"Nope but most probably, the Citadel. You'll like that, Rodriguez."
When the girl is gone, Jack touches the hardsuit again. It's in no need of checking but by leaving Grissom, the chances of seeing Shepard again will rise dramatically and it's too sudden for her to grasp how she feels about that.
A/N: A double dose as a way of compensating for the delay, as well as for the New Year's Eve, and, yes! reunion finally under way for the new year! Happy New Year, everyone!