AN: Mass Effect and its characters are property of BioWare, I just try and make you laugh. Original characters are of my own creation.
Okay, so I argued with a liquor vendor at work yesterday about fuel surcharges, obviously it had nothing to do with bottles, but it gave me an idea for the this chapter, and to show some business interaction between Shea, the ever industrious entrepreneur, and Aria, who having managed Omega for centuries, would certainly know how to get around obstacles.
Shea sat at her data terminal in the den, going over the latest invoice from her bottle supplier. Apparently, the glass Salarian manufacturer forgot the negotiated rate per bottle was 5 credits, and decided to charge her over 20 credits per unit on their latest shipment. The last order was for 50,000 bottles, putting the cost to over a 1 million credits. Shea was beyond pissed. But, as angry as she was at the vendor, getting angry at them wouldn't solve the problem. It wasn't the supplier's fault that a recent hurricane near the plant had resulted in an increase in fuel cost. But it signaled Shea needed to find alternative sources to make any profit with the next brew.
Though Shea never thought of herself of going into the bottling business, the less than overnight increase in her cost did more than annoy her. After paying the bill, as they needed the bottles to make their next shipment on time, Shea called Aria to ask her advice.
Dialing the familiar number on her omni tool, Shea was soon greeted by the familiar face she'd grown to love and respect
"Shea?" Aria quipped, irritation lacing her voice as the call had woke her up. "DO you know how fucking early this is? It better be good or I'll kick your ass next time I see you."
Sighing deeply, Shea smiled sheepishly "Sorry. Did you get the latest shipping manifest from Tarago Glass? Fuckers quadrupled our fucking cost! We'll be lucky to break even with the resort order. There's no way I...we... can afford bottles at those prices when Omega gets its next shipment. That would be more than 10 million! We need an alternative."
Smirking at Shea's anger, Aria replied calmly "If you hadn't sucker punched Turak Matala at the brewers convention last year we could go to the Batarians, but as it stands our only option is to either buy from Armali or make your own."
"How much will it cost and what do I need to do?"
"I have a favor to call in to an old friend. It will cost nothing. But you need to curb your temper. The party I'm thinking of enjoys your company, but he feels you act a bit brashly."
"WREX!? He's a damn merc, what the hell's he know about bottling?"
"Nothing directly, but his grandfather owned the largest bottling facility on Tuchanka. Do you not want his help?"
"No...I mean yes, I do. It's just shit...he's the only one around here who makes me feel like I'm 12! He's always talking shit every time I see him. If he calls me runt one more time I'm gonna lose it. I'm no runt!"
Aria smirked at Shea's defiant nature. "That you aren't." Shea was young and often spoke before thinking things through, but she was also very intelligent, and damn sexy without trying shaking her head Aria continued "He sees a lot of wasted potential in you. You should listen to him more often."
"He's not my damn daddy!" Shea remarked as she rubbed her growing belly. Shea had always took great pride in keeping herself in excellent physical shape, but she was now heavily pregnant, and even the most hardened athlete gains a belly and sometimes more when pregnant."
"No, he's not, but just as myself, he only wants best for you. He may be gruff in his approach but he respects you in his own way. I'll schedule a meeting for us next week, if that's enough time."
"Guess I don't really got a choice do I?"
"No, you don't. And stop rubbing you stomach. That isn't going to keep that boy of your's any calmer. Goddess Shea I told you to stop sneaking to put that Armali pepper sauce on everything. "
"I can't help the cravings. Its not like I can get kosher dills and vanilla ice cream here. Anyway, you guys coming here?" Shea asked.
"Wrex is still barred from Nevos until next year after that freighter fiasco with the port authority. No, we'll have to meet on Omega, as I doubt Wrex would be up to visiting the Citadel any time soon."
"Okay, guess the girls get a chance to finally see where their aunt calls home."
"Shea, just you this time. Lenea can manage a week without you underfoot." Aria's smirk was clear through the omni's optical display.
"Okay, but your gonna tell her I'll be gone a week when I'm six months pregnant."
"I'll handle it." The asari replied. "Pack lightly, as I still have quite a few of your things at my apartment. I will see you in 36 hours Shea. And no more pepper sauce! I mean it."
Though Aria was right, and Shea left a decent amount of clothing at the pirate queen's apartment during her last visit, few if any of the items currently fit her. With this in mind, shortly after the call with her sister in law, Shea awkwardly maneuvered through her closet, packing a few pairs of maternity jeans, flannels and her boots. Though Omega did not have seasons as an atmospheric planet would have, the human still found areas of the space station chilly at times, and with her pregnancy, her sensitivity to temperatures was heightened.
Feeling a presence behind her, Shea turned around, finding Lenea and the girls standing in the door frame of the large walk-in closet.
"I just spoke to Aria, she informed me you are needed for a meeting on Omega? Is this truly necessary Shea? Can someone else not go in your place?" Lenea trusted her sister to keep her bondmate safe, but a small part of her knew the human attracted trouble no matter where she went.
"I'll be fine. I'm not even going to AfterLife. Wrex is going to meet us at Aria's place for dinner and to discuss the contract." Shea walked to her girls, pulling all three in her arms "Don't worry honey. I won't do anything foolish and I'll be with Aria the entire time. If it makes you rest easy, doc is coming with me on the transport, just in case."
"You are not taking the Tevura?" Lenea questioned, concern etched across the Asari's brow.
"I gave the crew the summer off remember. Most are back in Serrice or on the Citadel with their families. Only a few are even on board, just Damia Masi and Doc. Asana is staying here with you and the girls."
Lenea remained hesitant, but after her conversation with Aria, knew Shea would be alright in her care "Alright, but you will call me each day you are on Omega. No exceptions or we will be... 'on the first thing smoking?' as you say"
"I know babe. I'll miss you and the girls too, believe me." Picking Mina up. "Mina, Dana, you'll be good for Mama and listen to her, Sarah or Caleb while I'm gone?"
"Uh huh, will be good Daddy, promise." Mina said, Dana nodding in agreement. Mina looked up at her father, tiny blue hand circling the large tan hand "Pinky swear?"
Shea smiled at her daughter, offering the little Asari her little finger "Pinky swear baby girl."
"You gonna see Auntie Aria Daddy?" Dana asked the blonde human.
"Yes honey. Maybe I can get her to come back with me, stay for a bit even." Shea smiled at her family, enjoying the quiet time though she would be leaving soon.
"That would be nice. Maybe you may even convince her to remain until you are due. It would be nice to have her here for that."
"I'll try babe. She's had a lot going on lately, but we'll see." Shea kissed Lenea lightly before setting her daughter down to continue packing "The shuttle for the transport leaves in an hour so I need to get ready. Caleb's in charge of the brewery while I'm gone, so call him or Sarah if you need anything babe. I love you."
"Be safe love, and come home soon."
AN: Update 11/8/14 I would like to apologize to all of my readers for the lack of updates the past few months. Real life has been extremely stressful for me this year and I have been dealing with a lot of things both at work and at home. I don't want to say I'm depressed, but I haven't been sleeping well and haven't been in the best if moods going on more than three months now. When I have even had time to write, my muse had other opinions and won't cooperate. Just know I haven't abandoned the Turning Tide, I just need to get some more motivation to kick my creativity into gear, because right now its stalled. Anyway I appreciate everyone's continued support and again I'm sorry for the lack of updates.
