Chapter 4 Doing the Rounds I
Miranda was walking down the corridor to report to the Normandy SR-2, she passed by a window looking into the hangar that the ship was currently in. She was pleasantly surprised to see a last minute change, on the side it read Normandy. She spotted Shepard in the window around the corner and made her way to him, smiling as she got closer. Like him she still couldn't believe that they were together again at last, she knew that they would have to talk when they had a moment to themselves but for now she would take all the moments she could get. She walked up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder and resting her head on it, looking at the new Normandy.
"She is a beautiful Commander." She praised, Shepard kissed her head smiling.
"She's not the only one." He commented her heart swelled with his praise. Normally she cringed whenever someone called her that but she loved hearing it from him.
"Let's get going, don't want to keep the Collectors waiting." He said he grabbed her hand and led the way to the airlock. Letting go as they boarded the ship.
"Where to Commander?" Joker asked over the intercom, wasting no time as they entered.
"Citadel."
"Setting course ETA 45 hours." Joker said before falling silent.
Miranda led the way to the briefing room upon entering they found Jacob already waiting for them.
"Welcome aboard the new Normandy commander." Jacob said saluting, Shepard returned the salute.
"Thanks Taylor."
"I've been looking over the dossiers and believe going for Doctor Solus first is a good idea." Miranda stated
"First I want to go to the Citadel first try and get my Spectre status reinstated and any more help from the council I can get after that we can go to Omega and pick up Doctor Solus he can get working on the samples we collected at Freedom's Progress, not looking forward to fighting the Collectors if they can freeze you." Shepard said, fingering his chin in thought.
"Recruiting Professor Solus seems like a sound idea." A female voice from overhead said, Shepard looked around trying to find who spoke.
"Who are you?" A faceless blue head shaped hologram appeared over the briefing room table.
"I am Normandy's artificial Intelligence. The crew like to refer to me as EDI."
"Having an AI in charge of Normandy's system should give us an advantage." Shepard said, seizing any advantage he could get.
"I am not in control of the ship Commander, Due to the dangers of a rogue AI. Cerberus has severely restricted my abilities." Edi said.
"During combat I operate the electronic warfare and cyberware suites. Beyond that I can't interfere with the ship's systems."
"I observe and offer analysis of the situation, nothing more."
"Thanks, we will talk later." Shepard said, turning around.
"Logging you out Commander."
"I'm guessing it takes more than just the three of us plus Joker to fly this ship." Shepard asked.
"Normandy has a full crew." Miranda answered, gesturing around.
"Jacob and I should return to our posts. Come find us if you have any questions." Miranda said, and with that they both left the room. Shepard made his way to the cockpit to talk to Joker.
"Joker." He said when he reached the pilot, Joker almost jumped out of his skin.
"Dammit I forgot how much I hate you sneaking up on me." He complained, Shepard gave an unapologetic shrug.
"Damn Infiltrator." Joker muttered under his breath.
"How's the new ship?" Shepard asked changing the subject, Joker grinned.
"It's my baby, better than new! It fits me like a glove!" Joker said clearly happy.
"And leather seats. Military may set the hardware standard, but on a first-gen frigate they could care less if the eseats breathe. Civilian sector comfort by design."
"The reproduction is not intended to be perfect, Mr Moreau. Seamless improvements were made." Edi stated. Joker's smile instantly disappeared.
"And there's the downside. I liked Normandy when she was beautiful and quiet." Joker complained.
"Edi is part of the crew now Joker, have to put up with her." Shepard said he amazed himself at how quickly he had come to think of the AI as part of the crew.
"Yeah yeah." Joker muttered.
"What do you think about the Illusive Man?" Shepard was curious about his thoughts.
"I don't trust Tim, heck I don't trust anyone that makes more than me." Shepard smiled at the nickname.
"Not a bad way to live Joker." Shepard replied, Joker shrugged.
"No barrel rolls." He said before leaving, Joker threw his hands up.
"That was one time! And it was in the middle of a battle." He complained, Shepard laughed.
Leaving Joker to his musings Shepard walked over to the pretty redhead in the CIC standing near the galaxy map working on a terminal.
"Hello there." Shepard said she jumped as well, clearly not hearing Shepard make his way over.
"Sorry miss sometimes I forget myself." Shepard said, trying to clear the air.
"That's okay Commander." She said, smiling at him.
"I'm Yeoman Kelly Chambers. I've been assigned as your administrative assistant." She said saluting him
"I'll manage your messages, and help you monitor the crew."
"And I must say, it's such an honor to work under you Commander Shepard." She said letting a little bit of hero worship into her voice.
"I"m glad to have you on the team Ms Chambers." Shepard said smiling.
"Please, call me Kelly." She said,
"Kelly it is." Shepard agreed.
"What are your responsibilities on the ship?" Shepard asked, generally curious he had never had a Yeoman before.
"I'll keep you notified of any messages or appointments you might have. If any of the crew has important business to discuss I'll make sure you know." Kelly answered smiling.
"It's this a task better suited to a VI?" Shepard asked.
"Yes, but being your yeoman is just my official role. Unofficially I observe the crew." A little bit of defensive creeping into her tone.
"Everyone knows how risky our mission is. Many of us may not be coming back. That's a lot of pressure. I have a degree in psychology. I'm good at sensing when people are overly taxed"
"You make sure the crew's mental health is sound?" Shepard asked, Kelly smiled in response.
"Pretty much." Shepard nodded content with his questions for now.
"Pleasure to meet you Kelly." Shepard said, he was thinking.
"I'm gonna have to be careful I'm sure she reports to the Illusive Man."
"Pleasure is all mine Commander."
Shepard made his way towards the elevator, he entered and saw the names of the floors. He hit the button for the Captain's Cabin, it took a few seconds for the elevator to reach the cabin. Stepping out, Shepard started to explore his new home.
First thing he noticed was that it was big, a lot bigger than any Alliance vessel he served on. Most Alliance ships had personal captain quarters but they were always small, mainly just a bed and desk. Walking in he saw a large desk with a terminal and room for decorations. He also saw that his Star of Terra had been recovered and was on display. The only other thing of note on the desk was a circular object that Shepard recognized as the place that Edi's hologram showed, although why she needed one he didn't know maybe to humanize herself to the crew. Above the desk was a large display case, he wondered briefly what he would put it in then he saw under the table were 2 model ship boxes for the destiny ascension, the ship he had saved along with the Council and the new Normandy, he had to smile at that. He always liked assembling model ships; it let his mind relax where he didn't have to think about anything else. Leaving them for later Shepard moved further in. The room was well lit but the most light came from the large aquarium on the left hand side, currently empty and waiting to be filled with fish. As a kid Shepard always liked fish and had a few at home. He wondered if the Illusive man knew that or if it was just a coincidence. There was a large wardrobe that had several different choices and he could access his armor from here as well. He changed out of his armor into his N7 leather jacket and jeans feeling more comfortable. A large double bed finished off the room walking back up the small stairs he went into the private bathroom to check out he had never had his own private bathroom before. The bathroom was of medium size, with a shower and sink and the necessities to look after himself. He looked at himself in the mirror the first time he had seen himself since he had woken up. His brown wavy hair was a mess with the scar near the top of his head stopping hair from growing there. His green eyes looked back at him. What concerned him the most was the slightly glowing orange scars on his face, he traced his finger along them.
"Guess it was too good to be true, coming back from the dead with nothing to show for it." He muttered to himself. He was a large man standing around just under 7ft tall, he had a well muscled and toned body from the endless exercise and tough requirements to become N7. Leaving the room he headed down to the Crew Deck. Stepping out he saw himself facing a wall with an opening on either side. He could see on either side of the elevator the male and female bathrooms on the starboard side were the crew quarters while on the port side were the life support systems on both sides at the end of the short hallway were observation decks.
He could hear some crewman talking on the other side of the wall.
"Chef's surprise again? Come on Rupert." One of the crewmen complained.
"Yeah yeah piss off the cook see what you get." someone else retorted. He walked around the wall and could see a large mess area and kitchen 2 crewmen were eating meals while the third was standing in the kitchen preparing some food. He saw that Miranda's XO office's door was closed and was about to walk in when he spotted a familiar face in the Med bay.
"No way." He gasped walking over quickly almost in a run. Entering the med bay he was amazed by the very welcome figure sitting in front of him.
"Dr Chakwas!" He greeted, Chakwas turned around and stood up. Shepard embraced the older woman, catching her by surprise.
"I can't believe you're here doc." He muttered burying his face in her neck. Chakwas stood back to get a better look at him.
"Commander Shepard. I watched as the Normandy crumbled with you on board. It's good to see you alive." She said relief flooding her body.
"It's good to see you to Doc, it's nice to see another trusted face on board." Shepard said generally happy, Chakwas had served with most of the same ships as Shepard did and even when apart he always made sure to stay in contact with her. She became something of a mother figure for him when he couldn't be with his own mother.
"I agree John. I wish more of the original crew could be here." She said with a wishful look in her eye. Shepard smiled Chakwas was one of the few people he allowed to call him by his first name. Eyeing Shepard with a concerned eye.
"The kind of trauma you endured would have changed most people, but not you I see. Welcome back John." She said, smiling warmly.
"Doc, you have been with the Alliance for years. Why leave now?" Shepard asked. Chakwas sat down gesturing for Shepard to sit as well.
"After the Normandy was lost, the surviving crew was reassigned. I was stationed at the Mars Naval Medical Center. A very respectable position, but it wasn't on a starship." She explained.
"Colonial military life isn't for you?" Shepard asked.
"As you know I've spent most of my life on warships, never knowing what the next mission will bring. I'm used to the hum of the engines, the creaking of bulkheads, that subtle vertigo when the momentum dampeners kick in." She said with a faraway look in her eyes, looking back into Shepard's eyes she continued.
"Life on the planet side is just too static to be boring." Shepard smiled agreeing with the statement, his eyes landing on a Cerberus logo.
"You're not the Cerberus type Karin." Shepard commented.
"I don't work for Cerberus, I work for you." Shepard's eyes misted at that.
"On a mission that may be crucial to the survival of the human race. I have faith that your dealings with Cerberus will be ethical. I trust you, Commander." Chakwas said sincerity with every word.
"There's a very good chance this mission will be a one way trip. Are you sure you're prepared for that?" Shepard warned, concerned she might not have thought it through but her next words dashed that concern.
"I've been through the Reclaiming of the Shanxi, saving you after Akuze, the Skyllian Blitz. We went through your missions as a Spectre, survived the Battle of the Citadel and the destruction of Normandy together. I've lived a full life, no regrets. I'd like to make sure the crew gets the same opportunity." She stated her voice full of warmth.
Shepard nodded smiling, he looked around the med bay.
"Do you have everything you need?" He asked, she nodded.
"I believe so. This medical bay seems very much like the sick bay on the old Normandy, just bigger." She smiled thinking.
"Only thing missing are my private reserves. I even had a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy that I was saving for a special occasion." She said wishfully.
"I'll keep an eye out for a replacement bottle." Shepard offered, but Chakwas shook her head.
"Oh you needn't. It's expensive and we have much larger concerns ahead." She argued. Shepard thought for a second, a hand reaching up and touching one of his new scars.
"I'll make you a deal, I'll get you a bottle if you give me a full physical." Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, she knew that Shepard hated being in the medbay.
"A physical?" She repeated. Shepard nodded and pointed to his new scars.
"I see do they always glow." Chakwas said, leaning forward and cupping Shepard's head to turn it to get a better look.
"Only when I'm really pissed off." He replied, she let go of his head and pointed to one of the beds.
"Lay down Commander, let's start simple before going through the technical stuff."
"Why do you want this physical Commander? For as long as I've known you, you have always avoided the medbay like it's the plague." Chakwas asked.
"I was dead four 2 years Doc, for most of that time I was on a Cerberus operating table. While I trust Miranda I don't trust Cerberus and they could have done something to me that Miranda didn't know about. I prefer someone outside Cerberus and someone I trust to tell me about the 'upgrades' they put in me." Shepard finished, Chakwas raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you trust Miranda so much?" She asked and Shepard smiled. He remembered that he had told Chakwas all about Miri. She and his mother were the only 2 that knew about her but he had never told her Miri's full name.
"Miranda is Miri." He said watching her, Chakwas eyes go wide and then her face split into a huge grin. She knew how much Shepard loved Miri and knew the lengths he had gone to find her. Knew that he took no other lover because of his love for her, knew the reason that he lived and pushed through every battle. She rushed to Shepard and hugged him tightly.
"Oh John, I'm so happy for you." She said close to tears, she knew that she would most likely never have children of her own, but she had come to think of John as a son.
"Thanks Karin. I must be off. I'm sure I have some duties to perform, let me know when the results come in." Shepard said, smiling at her and turned to leave. Chakwas watched him leave, she prayed to whatever gods were out there to watch over him. She knew that the fate of the Galaxy rested on that man's shoulders.
Shepard turned and started walking over to Miranda's office, he could hear some of the crew complaining to the chef.
"Chef's surprise again? Come on Rupert." one of them said.
"I'm sorry princess, I've got a honey roast duck cooking in the oven just for you." the chef replied, Shepard had to grin at that. The crewman groaned.
"Thanks, now I'm hungry again."
Shepard arrived at Miranda's door pasering for a second as he entered her office. A smile touching her lips when she saw him, she got up from her desk and moved over to hug him.
"God I still can't get used to the fact I can see and hug you whenever I want now." He said when she released him. She smiled at him.
"I know after all this time." She shook her head in wonder. They moved to her sofa, they sat down when John pulled her into his lap. She gave a gasp of surprise but didn't protest. She leaned into the massive heat that he seemed to generate. He started stroking her raven hair and she gave another gasp but this one of pleasure.
"What?" John asked, smiling.
"I just remembered how much I loved you stroking my hair. I'm glad you remember." She said,
"Of course I remember Miri."
"While I'm not complaining, did you just come in here to stroke my hair or did you want to talk about something?" She asked.
"I would like to know what you did to me, you mentioned you upgraded me." He told her, and she nodded, gathering her thoughts.
"First off we gave you new L5 Amps to increase your biotic power." John frowned.
"I thought the Alliance only had L4s?" John asked. Miranda shook her head.
"L5s are a Cerberus prototype." John nodded slightly concerned to have more Cerberus gear in his head.
"Your bones were strengthened to be neigh unbreakable, you have enhanced healing, enhanced eyesight and night vision. You're also physically stronger now you would be able to go toe to toe with a young Krogan. Your omni tool has been grafted onto your skin as I'm sure you noticed. You should also be able to run faster and longer than any human as well as jump higher. In short you're a perfect bloody human specimen." Shepard listened to all this stroking her hair as he did, he had to grin at the last part.
"Perfect bloody human specimen huh? Didn't think you respected me so much." He mocked her, she rolled her eyes.
"I have the utmost respect for your abilities Commander Shepard." She teased him. He laughed but then his face grew serious.
"I would like to talk to you about Cerberus." John told her, she nodded but didn't move,
"Cerberus isn't as evil as most people believe. Ask any questions and I will do my best to answer them." She said John had to laugh to himself at the situation before his death; he had been tasked with hunting down any Cerberus labs he could find and gathering as much information as he could. Now he had one of their top operatives in his lap about to reveal said information to him.
"Are you military, political or both?" He asked her,
"Cerberus has several divisions, scientific, military and political. But we're all working towards the same goal. I'll be the first to admit we don't much care who we hire as long as they get the job done but that also means that some members go over the line."
"Was it Cerberus who ordered Akuze?" John asked and she shook her head.
"That was a rogue cell. We don't waste lives unnecessarily." John nodded, absorbing the information.
"What is Cerberus's long term goal?" He asked,
"The advancement of the human race. Nothing more, nothing less." She stated.
"The salarians have the Special Tasks Group. The asari have their legendary commandos. Cerberus is humanity's answer to those organizations." John frowned.
"But those organizations are regulated by governments. Who keeps Cerberus in check?"
"Nobody. We're privately funded, and our backers trust the Illusive Man to make the right choices to make the right decisions, but he is very clear on our goals: protect humanity and serve its advancement." She said John couldn't help but notice she used 'we' and 'our' when describing Cerberus.
"What kind of resources does Cerberus have?"
"We're very well funded, though I doubt anyone other than the Illusive Man knows exactly how well. But our resources aren't unlimited. Reviving you and rebuilding Normandy was a significant investment. And a significant risk. We are all hoping you can do the impossible Shepard no pressure." She said with a grin, John rolled his eyes.
"What can you tell me about Tim?" He asked using the nickname Joker had given him, Miranda sighed at the nickname she had heard Joker saying and now knew it was gonna catch on.
"Not much that you don't already know. I don't even have access to most of his background. And you've seen him more than most ever do, It's rare for him to become directly involved in missions. Most of the time, he oversees projects or missions through reports or other agents. But you're special. Whatever else people might say about him I can assure you he's got humanity's best interest at heart, that includes you and me."
"Does he know about you and me?" He asked although he guessed that he would.
"Yes, no idea how he knows but he told me he knew Cerberus doesn't care about fraternization as long as we get the job done." John smiled at least he didn't have to worry about keeping their relationship a secret.
"He's no saint and he would be the first to admit it, but he is committed. Humanity couldn't have a better advocate." She said she gave him a quick kiss and stood up from his lap.
"Was there anything else John? Some of us have work to do." She asked moving back to her desk.
"No, that's all for now, Miri." John said getting up and turning towards the door. He looked over his shoulder at her before he left.
"I'll see you later tonight?" He asked her nevisoly, but calmed when she smiled.
"Of course see you then John." He nodded and was about to leave the room when a thought struck him. Turning around he walked over to Miranda and she looked at him with a question in her eyes. He pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss puring all the love that he had built up over the years, she offered no resistance and reciprocated the kiss.
"That's for bring me back." He whispered when they had to break apart for air, she just looked at him a little dumbfounded. She felt the old connection back with him and she now felt complete. She had worried that after so many years that his feelings for her would have disappeared she knew that they would have to discuss her current employer at some point, she had felt a hole in her life like something was missing from her and now that John was back and his feelings for her have only grown she now felt complete. She smiled at him.
"Of course I couldn't lose my cheap source of heat." He laughed at the old joke, he stroked her cheek with his hand and she closed her eyes in bliss. They stayed that way for a few more minutes before John sighed he still had people to talk to.
"I need to finish my rounds and then I'll cook us something for dinner and we can properly catch up." He said a question in his eyes, she smiled at the idea she had missed his home style cooking.
"I think that's an excellent idea.
He walked through the doors to the engineering section of Normandy into an argument.
"Damn couplings. Couldn't those jackasses back at the docks put in the right ones?" A Scottish voice cursed.
"Calm down. Yelling won't make it better for either of us." A female voice argued back.
As Shepard entered they both stopped and looked at him with a slightly opened mouth.
"You came all the way down here to see us?" The Scottish speaker asked, making it sound like a chore.
"You're speaking to our commanding officer." The young woman chastised him and saluted Shepard which he returned.
"Just exploring the new ship and getting to know my crew." He said in a way.
"I'm Engineer Ken Donnelly, handling the power control systems." The young man introduced himself and he pointed to the female engineer.
"That's Gabby." He said bluntly, Shepard had to fight a smile from appearing on his lips. Gabby just rolled her eyes.
"Engineer Gariella Danels actually." She said shooting Ken an annoyed glare.
"I'm responsible for the propulsion systems." She told him and he nodded.
"What can we do for you Commander?" Ken asked.
"I heard you arguing, everything alright?" Shepard asked.
"We can't complain. I just wish it didn't take so long to calibrate the FBA arrays." Ken complained.
"Kenneth, you're complaining." Gabby pointed out.
"What problems are you having?" Shepard asked if energizing was out of his wheelhouse, he missed Tail more than ever.
"When they upgraded the Normandy design, they got a bit sloppy with the FBA couplings. I won't bore you with the tech, but there is an array of attenuators in the primary power transfer system that channels the field bleed…" Ken began lecturing and Shepard started to get a headache, Gabby saw that he didn't understand a word Ken said and stepped in.
"Kenneth, you're boring the Commander with tech." Shepard shot her a thank you look and she smiled in response, Ken sighed.
"In short, if we had T-6-FBA couplings installed, it'd save us a lot of maintenance time each day." Gabby translated.
"Why isn't something like that installed?" Shepard asked while Shepard hated to complement Cerberus but they knew how to build a ship.
"It's probably just a design oversight. Efficiency isn't affected. It's a maintenance issue.'' Gabby answered him, Shepard fingered his chin thoughtfully.
"Also the T-6 model can be hard to find. Nashan Stellar Dynamics discontinued them." Ken but in.
"Could properly find a used one in Omega. I've got some contacts there." Shepard said thoughtfully, both Gabby and Ken's eyes widened but they said nothing. Shepard nodded.
"Carry on." He said and left.
"I'm amazed Shepard came down to see us." Ken whispered but Shepard still heard him and smiled.
"I told you he would." Gabby whispered back
He spent the next several hours talking to various members of the crew the chef had asked him to get some quality ingredients and Shepard agreed no sense on surviving on hardtack if they didn't have to. He spoke to Jacob and learned he used to be Alliance and found that while he worked for Cerberus didn't always agree with their methods, something which Shepard could work with. Around 7pm Normandy time Shepard entered the kitchen Rupert had already cooked the evening meal for the rest of the ship and had left to attend to his other duties. Shepard looked around wondering what to make for Miranda.
"Rupert was right, these ingredients weren't the best." Shepard thought. He had enough to cook a simple lasagna he knew that was one of Miranda's favorites. Letting it cook he went to the bar to pick up a bottle of wine and some glasses, returning he found Joker in the kitchen preparing something for himself.
"So Commander some wine and lasagna? You're spoiling me." Joker said smiling, Shepard snorted.
"Definitely not for you Joker. I don't cook just for anyone." He replied, Joker's smile grew.
"Only a certain Australian XO?" He asked innocently, Joker was one of the few people who Shepard had told about Miranda mainly because Joker wouldn't stop asking why he didn't have a girlfriend.
"Happy you found each other Shepard, only took you dying to find her." Joker said he couldn't resist adding that last part in. Shepard smiled.
"If I had known that I would have died long ago." He replied, he saw that the lasagna was done and served it on two plates putting the wine under his arm and carrying it to Miranda's office.
"Night Joker." He said.
"Night Commander." Joker replied before returning himself to his food.
Using his elbow John hit the door's dime.
"Come in." Miranda said, she smiled as John walked in. The smile of the lasagna made its way over and her mouth watered.
"Brought you dinner." John said he walked over and put it down on her coffee table
"You remembered." She said lasagna was her favourite, John's mother had cooked it for her the first time John brought her over. It was the first time she had felt a part of a real family.
"Of course I did." He replied pulling her into a kiss, he poured her a glass of wine and the pair began to eat the meal. They caught each other up on what the other had been doing, John told her of his missions and while she had read the reports of all of his missions things were always left out and they never had how he felt about them. She told him about some of her missions for Cerberus while she never went into detail he didn't seem to mind too much. Although when she described that sometimes she had to flirt and present herself to her targets he wasn't all together happy.
"Johnny all I did was flirt and maybe occasionally kiss and let them feel me up but I never slept with anyone." John nodded but he still wasn't happy about it.
"And now that I've got you back I'm going to decline those missions in the future, Cerberus has plenty of other beautiful operatives they can use instead of me." John smiled at that. They finished the meal and talked late into the night, John glanced at the time and sighed.
"Do you want me to leave or go?" John asked he knew that Cerberus didn't disapprove of relationships between its ranks and some members of the crew knew already or had figured it out but they didn't need to start any rumours.
"Stay John, I don't want us to be apart any more than we have to." John's smile widened to the point that he didn't think his smile could go that far. They finished off the wine and John left quickly to get his night clothes and have a quick shower. Miranda also had a quick shower and changed into a simple nightgown as much as she wanted to have sex with John she didn't think they should start off with it and lean back into their relationship. She would ask John when he got back and see what he thought, a part of her hoped he would agree but a small part hoped he didn't. About 15 minutes later John entered weaning simple pants and a t-shirt.
"John this is a little awkward to ask but I don't think we should have sex so soon after finding each other, we should take it slow we have been apart for years." She said, watching him closely. She could see a quick flash of disappointment but he nodded agreement.
"I've waited 13 years to be with you again, I think I can wait a little longer." He said smiling moving forward to kiss her affectionately, she let out a small groan of pleasure. They got under the blankets and continued making out for another hour before Miranda broke it off stating they must get some sleep at some point. They fell asleep in each other's arms, John stroking Miranda's hair.
Authors Note
So sorry this took so long I did start work on a Dragon Age fic but I'm gonna wait until I finish this one as I have some plans for it. I've also had trouble at work that I'm sorting though, I'm also writing a Skyrim fan fic as well that I'm looking forward to putting out.
So no action in this chapter basically whenever a chapter is titled Doing the Rounds is between missions and when Shepard walks around talking to people and it's most likely gonna be longer as well then normal chapters but I am aiming to make my chapters longer anyway.
A few points to clear up whenever it's just John and Miranda its gonna be John said that or John did that but when its Shepard and anyone else it's gonna be Shepard said that or Shepard did that
When the font is like this it's either Shepard thinking, EDI talking or someone talking on radio just to clarify
Edit: just a slight change on how long he was waiting for Miranda