The invitations were sent out, and it seemed that everyone was being invited to celebrate in Shepard's apartment for a big bash before the assault against Cerberus. Unfortunately for Thane, his condition has been getting worse and had to decline the invite. He did send a few gifts as a show of appreciation for remembering him.
Nyona was walking in after everyone else had arrived, fashionably late and carrying at least five bags filled with glasses of many different kinds of drinks, all of them alcoholic. "Alright lightweights, time to see if any of you can stomach an Omega Plus."
"An Omega Plus? Please," Jack called out, "I've had one of those. They ain't that special."
Nyona placed the bags onto the bar to reveal all the different liquors she had with her before pulling out a few from the wine rack, "That was the watered down version Aria was selling from under me."
Rang was laughing, "No joking. Her first blend put Vren out like a light."
"Hey! She threw in more crap on that batch then usual!"
"Quit the bitching humpback, I served you the krogan version of the Omega Plus with a healthy dash of ryncol and mindfish oils. Oh, and don't worry your scaly hides, I've even got a dextro blend for you lot."
Prudii stopped Tali, "Not going to happen. You won't remember anything during or you'll either be out the entire party."
Kix took a seat as Nyona was starting to mix 'em up, "I remember drowning myself with that to force myself into some sleep for a week. I think I lost an omni-tool because of that. And most of my clothes that day."
"How many did you have? Four?"
"Five. I know how to hold my juice. So lay me one."
Nyona easily mixed a brew for Kix, "Well I guarantee you'll be on the floor with just one."
Kix took the shot glass and downed the drink in one go. "Ha, I don't feel any different."
"Oh, there's supposed to be a delayed kick. Wait for it…" Nyona's fingers counted down from four before she pushed Kix's forehead and pulled the glass out of his hand as he haplessly fell over, eyes still open. "He'll be fine in a few hours or morning."
Cortez wasn't going to touch that stuff, "You know, some of us want to at least remember part of this party, not spend it all on the couch or floor."
"Pussy. Come on Jack, I know you're gonna at least try one. I've even got a blend that'll buzz even us biotics."
"Hit me with your best stuff!"
The party was in full swing now, noise complaints and people attempting to crash the party just to party. A few of the Mandalorians, along with Cortez, James and Jack decided to draw a few doodles on Kix's face while he was still out like a light.
"We can't call him a bareface now."
"Yeah, I don't think that's what turians mean by that Jimmy. But it's sure as hell funny." Rang finished a doodle of a stick figure being kicked by another in the butt. "Nice pseudo-tat."
Jack's was a nude lady that was very detailed on Kix's right side, even using his mandible for part of the fun. "He can even make the bitch dance too," moving the mandible for him to show the 'leg' moving up and down.
Nyona was still behind the bar, making more of her concoctions, though these ones wouldn't drop a person like a weight. Nyona was even paying Grunt to act as bouncer to make sure no one not on the 'list' was allowed in.
Wrex though made a suggestion, "Why not feed any party crasher one of Nyona's Omega Plus'. Have 'em pay first, then just leave 'em where they fall at the front door."
"We do that, then C-Sec might try to shut us down. Loud music aside, a pile of bodies, unconscious or otherwise, was usually a bad indicator."
Dagger slapped Garrus' back. "Always good to have a former cop in on a party. Never know what kind of shit we can avoid before getting busted."
"Or better yet," Nyona turned back to Joker, "Have cripple here target practice those idiots. I'm sure he won't be hitting anyone yet. And we can always start off with a baby pistol."
"Oh, not this again…"
Javik even seemed to be loosening up for the night. "She is right. Everyone needs a means to defend themselves or their ship."
Forta agreed, "Even when I was alone back on Omega I always carried a knife and had a pistol close by. Never had to use either other than to scare a few vagrants away."
Vren nudged Wrex, "We can't let this gun virgin stay that way. Someone get him a shotgun!"
Lissarkh was standing with Samara and Zaeed as they were looking at the strange painting behind the table they used for operations. Lissarkh did not say a word, simply listening to the two of them before Samara suggested to simply look in silence.
Some of the Mandalorian girls have taken over the hot tub, restricting access much to Rang and James' despair. Though they managed to occupy themselves with arguing about muscles vs biotics with some of the crew. "Come on, this is pure 110% raw power that just keeps on chugging!"
Bev was trying to talk some sense into these two, "Rang, you know what a Jedi can do. A biotic is the closest thing here."
"Yeah bro, but unlike Jedi, biotics need specialized implants to make them combat worthy. And these implants can falter, go buggy and or if you're unlucky cause a brain hemorrhage, like the human L2s. Not to mention that the fetuses has to be exposed to a certain level of eezo that doesn't outright abort the little sap or physically mangle it to the point of beyond ugly."
Hardcase didn't seem to agree. "The risks are great, however the power of a biotic far supersede those attainable through peak physical organic conditioning. But as Rang stated, the average combat biotic reaches exhaustion faster than the average soldier. Must there be a 'better' among those that cannot be compared?"
Rasen assured Hardcase, "This is all just friendly banter between friends. It's not like we're trying to rate anyone for real."
Bev added, "It's a social thing between organics, though usually amid friends and those you don't outright abhor. We compete against each other to improve ourselves. Think of it in terms of weapons development. One company make one gun that serves a purpose while a separate company creates a gun for a different role. Both corporations will try to outdo the other and improve their weapon to impress consumers. Both guns can't be compared traditionally, but they both push the other's development further."
Prudii was sitting with Tali and Legion as EDI inquired with Traynor about their conversations during the retrofitting. "You know Traynor, I've heard Kasumi talk about weird mechs and machines in these animated shows…"
Kasumi just popped in behind Traynor, "Oh, don't forget about the romance anime, I just love them. But are you talking about the ecchi stuff or the really hardcore hentai tentacle territory? Cause I've got both, if she ever wants to borrow any. I can even give a recommendation list based on preferences…"
And just as she had appeared, Kasumi disappeared before Traynor could swat at her. "Can we…can we change subjects now? Please!"
Legion flashed his head flaps, "I find this topic interesting in the respects of a sociological study. Especially for future relations between geth and creators."
Tali held up her glass, "I'm just here to avoid Nyona's drinks. Though this has been rather entertaining."
Shepard and Mandalore were both just watching their friends together. "Enjoy it while it last. One day generations from now, the Mandalorians may follow our ancient ancestors and try to conquer your galaxy."
"You wouldn't let them. And your asari and krogan members won't let them either. Though if you really want to make the Mandalorians more credible you'll need to claim a planet."
Mandalore smiled, "No worries there. Once we wipeout the Reapers there's gonna be plenty of colonies that need to be rebuilt. Some may be abandoned, and we'll just take from the top pickings. Or maybe the Mandalorians will disband instead and history will just remember us as near-invincible warriors of legend that helped save the galaxy. We better make sure the others aren't about to tear up this place any more than what we have already."
Now the party had reached its peak. Mandalore was dancing with Ash after James' attempt to prove his point about strength vs biotics, no thanks to Kasumi adding to his burdens.
Nyona was almost finished cleaning up the bar when the sound of glass shattered rang throughout the apartment. "Hey, dick wads, I told you to wait! I'm not letting you shot any of my bottles! Fucking pricks…"
Wrex, Zaeed, Javik, Hardcase, Legion and Vren had weapons in hand, "We told you we were going to set this shootin' gallery up. And you supported it too."
Nyona slapped Wrex's hump, "Yeah, empty bottle targets you humpback asshole! Not half full, not quarter full, E-M-P-T-Y! Do you realize how much even that little amount was worth?"
Javik shot the next bottle, "Then you should not have left them out."
"I was using the bathroom!"
Legion and Hardcase shot two empty bottles, though they were both making the strange geth noise. Zaeed looked to them. "What the hell are you two talking about?"
Hardcase looked to Zaeed. "Topics."
"Like?"
"Future plans for the geth."
"Potential alliance with the Mandalorians."
"Prospects for relations with the creators."
Vren took the next shot, "You mechs talk a lot in a short amount of time."
Shepard managed to trick Joker into a dance with EDI before joining Jack and the others on the dance floor. Jack whistled while dancing on the table, "Hell, yeah!"
Rang hollered, "Shake what you got!"
Shepard started to do his thing now in the middle of their circle as Cortez started clapping, "Captain on deck!"
Traynor couldn't help but laugh at the 'Shepard', "Has he always been like this?"
Tali spun around as Prudii caught her, "You learn to love it."
Swoop nearly fell over from the sight of Shepard dancing, "It's certainly enthusiastic. Or I'm not getting enough air while laughing."
Samara didn't lose her steps, though she did seem to be struggling a bit to hold in a laugh, "It is impressive."
Garrus stopped for a moment, 'capturing' Shepard in his view, "We should record this and broadcast it for the Reapers. They'll either run away, melt down, or fall in love."
Rang stopped too, "No, no! We gotta get an army of clankers to just stop in the middle of battlefields across the galaxy and they all, in synchronized unison, just start going into 'the Shepard'. The enemy will then join in, commit suicide, or make a treaty with this cycle to leave so long as that dance is never done again out of fear of self-destruction."
Forta stopped dancing after that, "Rang, does anything you do not involve an explosion or a scalpel?"
"If it doesn't involves women, or asari, yeah pretty much."
Jack was still amused by everything, "Good to see some things don't change."
Cortez though smiled, "Well, I like it, Commander. It's good to see you cut loose now and then!"
"Thank you all for your loyalty and support!"
Jorgal was dragging Grunt out of the cold shower, completely soaked. "Come on, runt. We can't miss out on the rest of this party."
Drok was finishing his latest bottle of ryncol, "Just let the runt sleep it off. We'll drag him around and do a few things to his face."
Even with the overall hyped attitude of the party, there were still some who were taking this time to remember a fallen comrade. Rasen, Hioja, Beviin, Tishad, the asari sisters and Aay'han, to name a few, with Lissarkh overseeing it. It was a small, quiet little ceremony involving incense and personal offerings. Kasumi watched from a distance, reminded of the little thing she did for Keiji.
Kix finally started to stir now after everything that had happened already. He went to the bathroom, "What hit me…" It took a moment before he finally looked in a mirror and saw what had happened. "What the hell?! Nyona, I'm going to kill you!"
"What was that?!"
"Figurative! Crazy psycho bitch asari…" Kix was really trying his best to remove the ink on his face. "The hell kind of pervert do you jackoffs think I am? Fucking naked human on my face… And I know the stick figures were you Rang!"
"Love you too, Kixie!"
Prath had been doing some mingling, though nothing as heavy as the others. He had been working with Glyph to keep the party contained within the apartment and avoid any trouble with C-Sec. "Everyone, we're ready for a group photo to commemorate this occasion."
"I want a copy!"
"Me too!"
Nyona kicked everyone away from the bar to finish up before rushing over to the couch where everyone was gathering around. Prath stood in front of the couch as Shepard and Jack sat in the center with EDI and Joker to their left as Traynor took the end seat. Everyone else stood behind the couch, trying to squeeze every face in, even Kasumi was visible for this. Prudii and Tali were holding hands, glancing toward each other, same went for Mandalore and Williams. Jorgal and Drok dragged Grunt to the back, holding his head up. Interestingly enough, James and Aay'han were the only ones actually saluting for the photo.
Even after the gang took the photo they went back to the party until they all crashed somewhere in the apartment for the night.
There were quite a few hangovers from the party last night, and many of them not wanting to wake just yet. Prudii was always an early waker, careful not to disturb Tali as she continued to sleep in the bed. He got dressed and cleaned up the room a bit before Tali finally started to wake. "Morning…"
Tali's head was throbbing from yesterday. "That was one party… Did I do anything I don't remember…?"
"Nothing too bad. Jack offered you an omni-tat. Or so she claimed. Come on, the others are probably waking up about now."
Prudii waited for Tali to get into her suit before leaving the room to check on his brothers. Lissarkh and Samara were both meditating next to the bamboo and rock garden. Garrus, Liara and Tishad were relaxing on the couch nearby, talking about the fun from last night.
Prudii found Legion and Hardcase 'talking' with one another near the door. Tali finally rejoined Prudii, hugging his arm. "Looks like everyone else is awake…"
"Mostly," glancing toward Rang who was still passed out on the couch, snoring away. Prudii rolled up one of his socks and tossed it down and it landed right into Rang's open mouth.
Kasumi gently applauded, "Oh, nice throw."
Rang coughed and spat the sock out, looking around. "Hey, who did that?"
Kix was pour a drink from the fridge, "Don't know. But I should have done it myself."
Cortez laughed, "I was tempted to do so just to stop the monster Zs."
Jack pointed to the piano, "If I wasn't upstairs, I'd have tossed you and that couch out the window."
"Or my abuelita's omelets might have done the trick." Grunt was scarfing down the next plate James finished cooking resulting in a swat on the head with a spatula, "Hey, hey, save some for the others."
"Then just cook more food. They can fight for the rest."
"There's not much food to begin with!"
"Well then first come, first serve."
Jak smiled, "No worries there Jimmy, I added something extra to that last plate." He was holding up an empty bottle of tobacco sauce in hand, "Though I probably should have just left the bottle in there instead."
It didn't take long now before Grunt was fanning his mouth and rushing to one of the showers to try and cool himself down. Ash laughed, "Well, looks like he couldn't take the heat."
Miranda added, "At least he didn't knock down the kitchen."
Mandalore was doing a few stretches with a few other Mandalorians. "Now that Grunt's gone, let's see what we can grab before emptying out the fridge."
After everyone had a hearty breakfast, Shepard received a message from the Alliance. The retrofitting of the Normandy had finally finished. Shepard arrived at Bay D24, looking out to the Normandy. The Mandalorians and Shepard's friends gathered around him now, and Jack stood next to him.
"Break time's over, huh?"
"At least we threw one hell of a party. Probably the last one."
Rang cried out, "Hey man, don't jinx us. I plan to ride out the rest of my life in parties and celebration honoring us."
Wrex laughed, "That's right. You've got a few celebrations to experience on Tuchanka for what you've done."
Jack slugged Shepard's arm, "Yeah. You're gonna blow the Reapers to hell. And then you're coming back and taking me out dancing."
Mandalore agreed, "Cerberus, and maybe one or two more hurdles. This nightmare will end."
There was a moment of silence as Jack looked to the Normandy, remembering the first day she met Shepard. "You know, for all the shit we've been through, we've had a damn good ride."
"The best."
The crews waved, shook hands, but they all slowly said their goodbyes. Though they stopped as a new individual arrived. "I'm glad I didn't miss this." Thane smiled as he approached them. "I'm sorry I couldn't join you all last night."
"Don't worry," Kasumi snuck up behind as she showed photos, "I've got plenty for you."
Shepard gave a hand out to the drell, "Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon."
Thane gripped the hand, "Of course. Though I can no longer fight at your side, know that I'll do what I can here."
Lissarkh moved to his side, though she didn't say a word. Simply holding onto his shoulder before returning to the other Mandalorians. She did glance toward the Normandy, "May the Force be with us all in the battles to come. For they will be the most important ones in our lives…no for this galaxy."
Aay'han gave a reassuring smile, "We've been through hell and high water, General. We'll see the end of the fighting soon."
A/N: No I hadn't forgotten, I've just been working on trying to make this fun. All of the stories and life, not an easy balancing act. Though I like this send off with everyone together for one last moment.
Mando'a Translation:
N/A
