Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Alliances

Chapter 44 : Scotch

"Shepard, Thane and Grunt have both been notified that we will be moving from Illium space. I instructed them to just stay where they are until we have reached our new location." Miranda said looking at him expectantly.

"Thanks Miranda and no, no idea yet where we are going to end up but I've instructed Joker to plot a course for the Enoch system. The Migrant Fleet has to pass through there to Aeia and it's a large enough system that we can hide in it easily if anyone decides to look there." he replied.

"Are you really expecting to take us to geth space?" she asked.

"If that allows the ship and crew the safety needed the yes. You said it yourself, we still have some major work to be accomplished and I do not want to be caught anywhere without either a fully functional ship or at least a place that can protect it. Without the Normandy, we, I am useless." he replied.

"Hampered yes but hardly useless Shepard. Somehow I know you would find a way to keep moving forward but don't worry, this ship and her crew will follow you no matter where we may end up going. Now, dealing with Brevaert." she said changing topics. "The only real concern I had was with them is tracking us, we changed the registry of the ship to hide us but they know who and what we are. So I've begun taking precautions."

"I have been working with the Brevaert Docks, sometimes even with their knowledge on...adjustments. Having EDI back where she belongs has been a tremendous help in this. Any reference to T'S Salvage has been removed and the original SR-2 designators reinstated. Also, again with EDI's assistance, all monies transmitted here now point to a dummy account I had from my earlier days with Cerberus. The Illusive man will know who the account belongs to but he already knows my feelings so there should be no difficulty there." Miranda said.

"Excellent work Miranda, seems I'm the only one who's done nothing lately to help our situation." he replied.

"That's not true Shepard, none of this would even matter if not for you. Don't let your inability to help right now get to you, you're not a engineer or technician. You belong on the battle field whether that's on a planet, aboard a ship or," she adds with a smirk, "a courtroom. That's where your strength lies Shepard, not dealing with faceless corporations but dealing with people and places."

"I appreciate your attempt at making me feel useful but until the Normandy is clear of this dock I might as well be standing guard duty at the forward hatch.

No, scratch that, I will not let the recent events drag me down. You're right Miranda, it's why we spent so much time recruiting the specialists. Each person does what they do best when they're needed, maybe what I'm feeling now is just what everyone aboard feels when a mission is underway and they are stuck aboard the ship waiting."

"And Shepard, fair warning. Seems the crew has decided to accept the quarian's view of you. You're Captain now, you always have been. You better get used to it because you'll be hearing that a lot now." Miranda says smiling at him.

"She is correct Captain Shepard." stated EDI. "Sorry for the intrusion but an unknown ship has just fired upon an asari transport as it was nearing the relay. The transport has been disabled but ships are responding to the distress calls. The only communication from the unknown vessel was a short 'Die squids'."

"A random attack here? In Tasale? Since the attack on my shuttle the patrols have been increased, there is no way they could expect to board that vessel so close to the relay. What is the ship doing now EDI?" John asks.

Replying EDI states "It has changed course and is proceeding towards another transport, a salarian one this time. The transport is vectoring towards a Blue Suns patrol-ship, attempting to use it for cover."

"It left the first transport and is moving towards another? That makes no sense at all Shepard." stated Miranda. "If they wanted to kill the asari why then just damage it and leave?"

"No sense is right. Illium Security forces will respond to the attack and now their taking a chance the Blue Suns will come after them as well? EDI, keep us updated on this please." said Shepard.

"Understood Captain. Logging you out." EDI replied.

"Something feels wrong with this Shepard, no pirate would just fire to disable then run off or attack another ship. Their captain must be crazy." stated Miranda.

"Crazy or not, I want this watched closely." he said and turning heads towards the elevator.

…

Well at least those bosh'tets didn't destroy the test data Tali thought to herself as she picked up the used gas grenade. Still, two and a half solid days of monitoring and no pressure drop. Smiling she checked the data once more and knew the new airlock was safe. Other than the tests Ken was running this was the last item on the pre-flight that needed to be completed.

Entering the cabin she was relieved to find that they had not just wantonly destroyed the room, glancing at John's model collection brought another smile to her. They had worked on a couple of them together and those meant more to her that all the rest though had any of them been damaged it would have upset her.

Checking the room she satisfies herself that nothing was done and activates the decontamination system. Her omnitool constantly updating with the data coming from the units main processor. She watched as the contagion count dropped, nearing zero but not reaching it. Resetting base parameters on the control system she reactivates it and is please with the results. 1 part per trillion, about as close to zero as she could hope for outside an actual clean room or hospital surgical field.

Resetting the controls to automatic she enters the small head and repeats the process. Once more pleased with the results she resets it and walks out into the small corridor fully activating the entire suite of decon units.

Waiting in the corridor she pulls up the latest balance and calibration data for the thrusters. Surprised, she notes the balancing is completed and calibrations should be done shortly as well. The quality of the Brevaert techs showed clearly here at the ease and speed of getting the engines online. Glancing at the boxes Kelly had delivered to the loft she grabs the one she wanted and waits. After waiting 10 minutes she enters the airlock and as it seals the decontamination sequence started.

Rechecking it twice she is finally satisfied that she would be safe within the cabin but more importantly, that Lana would not be stuck hiding under a blanket until her new suit was obtained. She knew how she would feel had she been without her suit like that and she would not let another go through those fears when she could help.

With one last check of her data she opens the one container that was special, that needed the clean rooms environment and was surprised to find not the single flower she had asked Kelly to bring up but four full vases of them as well as the others items she had asked for. Placing the flowers around the room she stepped back and admired what was now a safe home for her and John.

"Tali, calibrations have been completed on the thrusters. All attitude controls tested and the Normandy is flight ready again, theoretically speaking." stated EDI from her new less visible location. "I must say, the view from here is not as enjoyable but I do understand the need to move the holopad. I am concerned though that I will be unable to monitor the room as effectively as before."

Walking up to John's 'office' area Tali said "Thank you EDI. Now, if they perform as expected when we can apply real power to the units we should be ready. Sorry about your new position but it would not have made sense to leave you where you were, it now being the inside of the airlock."

"I agree but this corner of the office does not allow a view of the lower level." EDI responded sounding slightly annoyed.

Smiling to herself she turns and exits the cabin, a slight bounce in her step.

…

"Well if it isn't Captain Shepard." Garrus stated glancing up from his weapons console. "Finally coming around to see if we can defend ourselves?"

"Well, that's part of the reason but it's more from what Miranda made me realize." Shepard said. "I haven't been as active talking with the crew like I did before the Omega 4 relay and I don't want to make it seem like I'm ignoring anyone."

"Shepard, I hear things at meals, I speak with anyone who wishes and I have never heard anyone say or even imply that they felt ignored by you." responded Garrus. "Before the Omega 4 relay you were always checking up with us and after we entered Space Dock, well, everyone knew you were alittle busy." giving a chuckle. "By the way, I haven't seen the growler today since we disposed of those Cerberus operatives."

"Garrus, you know she still has that shotgun." John replied and after looking at him sternly for a moment they both shared a chuckle. "She's been tied up getting engineering in order. Hows our weaponry?"

"The Thanix is operational and ready. I even pulled a few strings and installed a slight upgrade, it packs more of a punch now. It's not a great amount but anything more is better right?" said Garrus. "Engineer O'Donnell already called me up wondering just what I was doing in here that caused the power draw. He's got it compensated for, or so he says, so there should be no more problems with that."

"You're right, it never hurts to have a bigger, badder punch." John said checking his chrono. "Well, we have about 5 more hours before we have to leave so if you're done here you're free to leave the ship just don't be late getting back."

"Thanks but I've had enough leisure for now, there's always something here that needs calibrations." Hearing a beep from his console Garrus looks down and says "Speaking of which, time to get back to work. Thanks for dropping by."

"Just tell me one thing Garrus," John says smirking, "What do you call her?"

Looking at Shepard for a moment he says "Ash. She's still in here," Garrus says thumping his chest. "Every time we fire her, I know it's Ash spitting fire at anyone who opposes us."

…

Entering the lab Tali asks "You needed to see me Mordin?" Glancing around she asks again "Mordin?" Looking under the table as well she turns to EDI and asks "EDI, where is Mordin?"

"Professor Solus is in sickbay currently." Replied EDI. "Would not the starboard corner near the clothing lockers be a better place for my holopad?"

"Sorry EDI but we don't have the time to move it now. It's really in a good spot though, you can still detect anyone entering the cabin." Tali said and turning left the heading to the elevator.

Seeing John exiting the elevator she approaches him saying "John, all thruster calibrations are completed and load balancing as well. We still need to actually apply power to the thrusters before we are 100 percent sure but engineering is ready to respond to your orders."

"Thanks Tali, that's the last big issue then. We are still waiting on some replacement parts but Brevaert says they will be here in about an hour. Once they are aboard we can get underway and hopefully leave Cerberus guessing as to where we went." he said.

"What's happening there?" Tali asks as a red indicator flashes again on the screen. Quickly scanning the display she can see there are 5 ships apparently trying to catch the one indicated by red.

"Seems there is a rogue ship out there causing damage to anything that it can approach. It's course is what's more puzzling though, the direction it's headed leads nowhere. There are no systems near their vector." he said.

"As long as their not near us I suppose their course doesn't matter but it does remind me of an attack on the fleet a number of years ago, before my pilgrimage. Never mind, I need to get to medical so see you later." she said and pressed the elevator call icon.

John watched her as she entered the elevator and returned her wave as the doors closed. Looking back at the display he noticed that although there was nothing for days on the rogues course, the reverse of that course crossed over the Brevaert docks. "EDI, that rogue ship. Is it on a course directly away from us? The dock I mean?"

"Yes it is and I am still upset enough with my earlier failure to believe this is not a coincidence. I am interfaced already with the docks security and tracking systems. Currently there are no viable threats detected but I will maintain a constant watch." replied EDI. "In the meantime, the placement of my holopad in your cabin has introduced a blind spot to my sensors. Would you please talk with Tali about this?"

"Um, sure EDI. I'll bring it up as soon as I see her again." he replies wondering what that was about.

"Thank you Captain." EDI replied.

…

"Time helm. Plot a course for the relay and then Illium, make sure the vector puts us near the Brevaert Docks but not directly at it." called out Captain Giovanni. "The Moros has had their two hours, time for us to corner our prey."

"Aye aye Captain replied the helm. Thrusters to full power, relay transit in 5 minutes."

"Mr. Ouyang, verify once more we are transmitting the asari IFF transponder codes please." stated Giovanni.

Checking the IFF settings she responds "Yes sir, we will show up as a simple asari freelancer ship."

"You still planning on blocking that dock with the ship Luigi?" asked Donovan, the Thanatos's XO. "She may be an old Lady but the Thanatos still has fight in her. We can bottle up the Normandy and you know it."

Barely glancing at Donovan he stands there watching them approach the relay. Replying he said "We have our orders Mr. Donovan. If you wish to file a complaint please see my yeoman otherwise keep them to yourself."

"As you wish Captain, orders?" he asked knowing arguing with him was pointless. A straight by the books man, Giovanni would follow his orders to the letter and would not tolerate any deviance from them. Still he had to try at least once to reason with him. If they hit the docks and took out the door control then the Normandy would be trapped inside but those had not been the orders.

Finally, actually looking at him, Giovanni said "Go tend to your precious shields. At least there you will not be bothering me or trying to change our orders. Just make sure when the time comes they're ready for combat."

"Transit in 3..2..1..Transit...Complete sir. Setting course for the Illium." stated the helmsman.

"Fire control, I want a plot on every ship out here. No matter the range." said Giovanni.

"Aye sir. Data-feed on your tactical now Captain." replied Santiago.

Looking down at his tactical screen Giovanni smiles. The Moros has been busy, and effective. The closest warship is 7 hours away and nothing bigger than themselves. A heavy cruiser like the Hunley will tear these people apart if they try to stop us reclaiming what is our. Checking the chrono he calculates 6.5 hours before the Hunley can reenter the system, by then the Normandy should be ours.

"Captain, since there are no patrols around here should I increase speed to full?" as the helm.

"No helm, maintain current speed. We do not want to draw unneeded attention to ourselves, at least not yet." Giovanni replied as he continued to study the tactical readout. 4 ships damaged by the Moros, one of them totally dead in space and it looked like it had been a clean shot into the vessels bridge. Pulling up the registry he smiles as he sees the listing for the asari transport. They have already left it for salvage, all command crew dead.

Turning to head to his cabin he makes a mental note to buy Captain Oloff a bottle of scotch. Nice shooting.