A Brothers Duty - Mass Effect

by JustStartingOut

Shepard has always kept his personal life to himself. With good reason. A life working with the alliance was led by many guidelines. The responsibilities, and freedoms, of being a spectre started to blur those lines. This will follow a similar structure to the game but has undergone serious deviations. MShepXTali. I will be attempting to upload once every two weeks or monthly.

21. Commander's duties

John...

The gentle Asari voice attempted to wake John, who only turned onto his side pulling his arm over his eyes. Groaning quietly before speaking up in a tired voice.

"Just five… more…"

Come, John, they will soon arrive.

Shepard shot into an upright position, looking around for the source of the voice as he realized who it belonged to. Finding himself sitting on top of the hill he so often visited on Terra Nova. The moon shone uncharacteristically bright on this night. A hand slipping onto his left shoulder catching his attention. Turning to find Mino kneeling behind him, her shining blue eyes clearly worried about him.

"John, you must…"

She continued to speak, but he could no longer hear her. Opening his mouth to try and voice himself, but finding only silence escaped his lips. Mino suddenly grabbed Shepard by both his shoulders as she spoke faster and more panicked. Deep in the pit of his stomach, he knew she was trying to warn him of something.

As if it was a flick of a switch, night became a blinding day. John, tried as he might, could not close his eyes. Witnessing untold years of erosion passin mere seconds as the sun scorched the entirety of his home into a desolate desert. John found his hands clutching Mino desperately, fearing the sun may take her from him as well should he let go.

Although she now seemed eerily calm, as if a storm on the sea had suddenly dropped to a standstill. Her hands moved up to take his face within her gentle grasp. Speaking once more, and John could hear her voice in his mind as if it were his own thoughts.

Embrace eternity.

In a blink her eyes went black, his vision slowly blurring as his mind clouded. Visions flashing before his open eyes of flesh melded with machine, suddenly being torn at the seams. Grotesque visions of pain and suffering of a people he knew not of, causing a sudden brimming anger and sadness. It was difficult to tell if the hatred towards the visions was born of his own thoughts or of anothers; the feeling was distant, as if it had been carried on a breeze and he had just happened to be standing in its path.

The feeling was washed out by a sudden dread, as the sun that burned them was suddenly blotted out. John turned his gaze upwards, finding himself unable to make anything out but a massive black outline as the sun shone out from behind the looming figure.

His attention snapped to his shoulder once more as he felt someone grab ahold of it. Seeing only a shadow of a hand upon his left shoulder. Hearing someone speak in a faintly concerned tone.

"Spectre?"

Shepard shot into an upright position, finding himself sitting at the table in the mess hall of the Normandy. Realizing quickly there was in fact an Asari hand on his shoulder, turning to find Vaay watching him. Her hand pulled away immediately when they made eye contact, her stance snapping to attention immediately. Which got a small, half hearted chuckle from Shepard.

"You can drop the act, Miss Helyt."

For a moment, the Asari had a disheartened look at the comment. Watching the Commander turn his back to her, reaching to grab a bottle of water that was on the table in front of him. Stepping around and sitting across from Shepard in silence. Noting that his eyes were following her with a curiosity he either did not care to hide, or was too tired to hide.

"I was hoping to talk with you…"

"Do you have something else to tell me about your time before the Normandy?"

The sudden look of uncertainty plastering itself on her face told him it wasn't something to that effect. John watched her hands fold together, her thumbs almost immediately twiddling around each other in a nervous spur. Suddenly shaking her head to confirm what he already knew.

"You said that with my… situation…"

"Your utter lack of combat experience? Your inability to properly control your powers? The fact that everything from your age to your missions in your file is a lie?"

The string of already admitted truths silenced the nervous Asari, who quickly turned her eyes down to look at her hands. She had told the Spectre in hopes she would still be able to maintain her position aboard the ship. Taking a slow, steady breath before speaking up once more. Still avoiding eye contact with the human across from her.

"You said you'd be dropping me off at the Citadel."

"So that someone can train you."

"You can train me!" It was like a dam bursting, the Asari who had been mostly quiet and mild since her arrival, exploded in a frenzy of energy. Which managed to actually take the Commander by surprise. "The Republics records say that you served as a biotics teacher for the

Alliance and helped bring many that… struggled with their abilities, up to be adequate with their powers. Even more than just adequate according to some of the reports."

Shepards eyes squinted slightly as he leaned on the table. Speaking calmly, and with a much quieter voice than Vaay's. "Just what else do the reports say?"

"That you…" Vaay suddenly realized what he was doing, and the information she was nearly ready to divulge wasn't received by the Alliance but by operatives' observations.

"You've already shown your hand, Vaay. Tell me what they say."

Helyt's energy was snuffed out at the realization of the position she had put herself in. Quietly kicking herself for not holding her tongue on the sub she knew of. Eventually, with great hesitancy, she spoke up.

"I… read that you worked with some Commando's. A joint operation overseeing-"

Shepard held a hand up to cut her off, shaking his head in silence for a moment. Taking her look of confusion as a question. "No, I mean other than joint missions. Information that the Alliance didn't give the Republics."

Once again, she was silent, quite uncertain of what to do. Looking up when the Spectre cleared his throat to get her attention. "It mentioned some of your time in the Terminus. Supposedly outside the Alliance's navy."

"Supposedly?" Shepard posed his simple question, his eyes watching her every movement with a cautious curiosity.

"It stated that a lot of your actions were a benefit to the Alliance's reputation in the lawless areas. That, while you weren't working directly under the Alliance, you apparently pointed a lot of those you helped towards Alliance territory."

Shepard stared across the table now, his expression shifting to a completely blank look as he waited for the Asari to continue. Which she eventually did after an extended period of silence, but only to ask a short question.

"So it's true? You went to the Terminus, so that you could-"

"Kill slavers. Not form good relations."

John's statement was quick to cut her off, speaking in a quick but clear tone. Vaay sitting slightly baffled by his honesty. "Not… to help and save the slaves?"

Shepard found himself taken aback by the question. Feeling a cold shiver run down his spine for a moment as he considered the statement.

"Yes… That was my initial reason for stepping into the Terminus." Shepard folded his hands together on the table as he continued. "I found though, that killing the ones keeping people in chains helped prevent it from happening again."

John wasn't certain as to what the Asari was thinking. Finding her to be able to hold at least a steady poker face, making him only more curious as to what she thought. The two sat in dead silence for over a minute as the Asari had a moment of self reflection.

"You just… kill them? No attempt to stop them without-"

"Why should I? Why give them any mercy if they've never shown any?"

There was a slight bite to his words, although it wasn't pointed towards Vaay. She was certainly showing that she felt the bite, as her eyes started to show signs of watering at the slight anger. Though she did her best to hide it, John saw the watering, immediately taking a slow breath to ease himself. Realizing that he needed to approach the young Asari in a calmer fashion. Clearing his throat before speaking without the edge on his words.

"I… worked for this, annoying, and rather rotund Volus in the Terminus a while back. We did what you suggested, of not killing them, brought him to the Citadel to be arrested." Helyt's attention picked up at his story, her face showing a plain curiosity. Reaching up to dab away the water from her eyes with her long black sleeve.

"We ended up nicking his ship and claiming it as our own. Thanks to the help from a… a good friend…"

John let the words hang in the air as his eyes began wandering towards the Captain's cabin. Once again clearing his throat before continuing. "Anyways, long story short, I found that stubby Volus once more, about a year after our initial meeting that is."

John finally brought his eyes back to look at Vaay. Leaning forward as he made eye contact. Speaking in a rather disappointed voice. "He was hauling slaves, again…"

"And…?" Vaay posed the single word question, and received a single word for her answer.

"Nevermore."

The story seemed to set the Asari into a quiet, introspective period. Her eyes moving down to ponder on what John had told her. Vaay would soon excuse herself to return to the room she was now sharing with Liara. Shepard remained up, looking at his omni tool for an hour before getting himself ready for the day. Knowing that the job Pressly was so diligent at was soon to fall in his hands.

The Commander soon stood in the CIC, the pad that Pressly usually held in Shepards left hand. His usually sharp eyes dulled by the monotony of the job he now fulfilled. Within the few hours that the Normandy had departed from Feros, Pressly had begun to feel sick. It wasn't long after when Chakwas quarantined the XO in the medbay for the crew's safety. Leaving the Commander to fulfill his role during the day shift.

Chicken pox.

How the hell did he even get that?

Shepard shook the thought from his head, knowing that the Doctor would handle the situation. Everyone aboard was subsequently tested to make sure it hadn't spread, a message sent out to the colony to make sure everyone there was tested as well. The Commander held a steady pace around the room, occasionally checking in on those working around the CIC. The tedium of the job bored the Commander to no end, so he would hum quietly to himself whenever he wasn't talking with someone.

You are my sunshine…

Pressly was usually responsible for a series of checks and balances aboard the Normandy. Keeping fuel, food and water monitored to make sure they don't run out. Each station and system aboard the ship would automatically send updates every half hour to his pad to confirm everything was operating optimally. Many actions required a superior's authorization before they could be executed. Instructions able to be sent to remote systems aboard the ship to control much of the inner workings. Lights, doors, the Mako launch door, the elevator, and air ducts could be sealed to control nearly any section of the ship in emergency situations. Escape pods could be fired remotely even, although it required at least a single registered life form inside to be able to do so. Both the guards and Chakwas could be requested to any part of the ship.

Although, he now had a lull in work as they waited at the mass relay. Standing at the map projection, still plotting out a course, although he had no clue how to proceed. Feros was an alliance mission, but still proved to provide information on the rogue Spectre. Shepard sent a request to Arcturus Station for any information on silent colonies or unauthorized ships landing planetside within Alliance territory. While he waited for a response from Arcturus, his humming continued.

Please don't take my-

"Having fun, Sir?"

He fell silent immediately, Shepard turning on his heel to see Williams standing a few paces behind him. Her left hand held neatly behind her back, her right arm at her side. The Commander gave a slight shrug before returning his attention to the pad he held.

"As much fun as to be expected." Shepard reached up to tap lightly on the screen to swipe something away. The Gunnery stepped up to stand on his right side, peeking at the screen.

"Did you figure out where we're going next?"

"Somewhat. Saren has all but disappeared, and I've got no string to follow his trail."

Williams turnt her eyes to the map in front of them, her eyes moving over the various places. "Seems more like a guessing game than tracking."

"Seems that way…" The vague comment caught Williams' attention, her left eyebrow lifting slightly. Turning her eyes over to him now.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I… not exactly a plan. There are people I can talk with, see if he's been spotted anywhere."

"What, are there people just sitting around, on the lookout for people?"

"It's not near that simple… but, essentially? Yeah, that's the idea. People of importance are often tracked. Political figures, military personnel, wealthy or powerful people always have others vying for their own."

"So… someone could be tracking your movements?"

…

Williams received no answer. The Gunnery noticed his eyes darting around rapidly, although his focus was on the middle distance. Like he was connecting a million little dots in the space before him. Williams quickly snapped to attention as the Commander turned to her. His expression was blank, but a tint of worry was evident in his eyes.

Why didn't I think of that? Why hadn't I considered…

Trojan Horse.

"One second, Ash."

Shepard made his way over to Officer Barret. Waving away the salute he received before starting to talk with her. Williams found her personal curiosity getting the better of her, slowly inching her way along the border of the map's hologram to try and hear what he was asking.

"You want all of them, Sir? They've sent several dozen each since their arrival."

"All of them, to my personal computer. Thank you, Officer."

Shepard turned around to find Williams waiting a few feet behind him, holding onto the pole that ran around the hologram with her left hand. "Listening in?"

Once again, she was suddenly standing at attention. Her eyes widening slightly as her mouth opened to speak. "I wasn't- I mean, I thought you…"

She fell silent as Shepard raised a hand, signaling for her to fall silent. "Relax, seriously."

The comment did little to calm Williams demeanor, only letting her stance ease from the attention she had been in. Giving a quick nod to Shepard.

"No, I mean relax, go read a book, go on the net, play some cards. You've been on edge since Feros."

"Well… you never answered my question, Sir."

"And which one was that?" It was an honest question. Shepard nodded for Williams to follow as he returned to the platform to look at the map.

"The… status of my… service aboard your vessel?"

Her cautiously worded question amused Shepard, a slight smile seen taking over the corners of his lips. Shepard shook his head a bit as he sighed. Leaning on the railing before answering. "Have you looked at the reports I've put in on you?"

Ashley shook her head feeling a slight tightness in her chest at the question. "I… Your reports have been classified, Sir."

The statement surprised Shepard, looking at the Gunnery with a curious look. "They have?" Williams gave John an affirmative nod, who turned back to the hologram to ponder what he learned. "I wonder who did that…"

After a short shrug, he looked down to the pad in his hand. Tapping lightly to confirm a few requests. "Well, try not to worry about it. You're a skilled soldier Williams, and, while you did blow up part of a building you also took out the Geth ship. Which was the main objective, so credit where credit is due. I just wish you consulted with me beforehand, maybe we could've gone a less destructive route."

Williams stood silent for a few seconds, finally giving a short nod as she spoke. "Thank you, Sir." The Gunnery was about to turn and walk away, stopping herself as she realized that wasn't all she had come to ask him about.

"I-" Williams caught herself in a bit of a casual lull, quickly sharpening herself up. "Sir?"

"Yes, Gunnery Williams?" Shepard kept his eyes on the pad, tapping through various tabs to check the systems. Wondering if Ashley would ever truly relax around him.

"What's going on with the Commando?"

The Commander pulled his lips into a thin line, taking a slow, deep breath of air in through his nose. Letting it go after holding it for a few seconds. "Miss Vaay is…" Shepard paused, considering his words carefully. Turning to Williams as he continued. "...an interesting case."

"So interesting as to let a Varren aboard?"

Again, the Commander took a long breath. Knowing that he'd get some sort of flack from the Alliance for his decision. "That was the deal, she helped me figure a few things out. In return… She gets to keep the Varren. Which stops being my problem as soon as she's off the ship."

"And…?" Williams sat halfway on the railing, using her legs to keep balanced. Her curious eyes searched the Commander's expression for any hint of what he thought. Finding he looked rather bored. "When is she going to be off the Normandy?"

"Just as soon as we get to the Citadel."

"And the Turians?"

"If everything goes as planned, at the same time as Miss Helyt."

"So… we're going back to the Citadel?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"We got an S.O.S this morning. I thought one of the ship's from the detachment would have pursued it… Alas, they are gone and we alone are left to handle the problem."

"We are smaller than them, so it's less of a resource drain…" Williams slipped off the bar, stepping over to peek over Shepards shoulder at the message. Seeing only a series of coordinates. "Where is it coming from?"

"An excellent question…" A quick swipe followed by a few taps on the pad he held and the map display began shifting in a blur of colored lights. After a second it displayed a system with two planets, one of which marked to be in the habitable zone. "A little over a weeks flight if we push the ship to its max."

"Why would anyone have gone out that way? There aren't any mass relays."

"Could be people looking for mineral rich planets, or other Prothean worlds. Won't know till we get there."

With another tap, the coordinates were sent to the pilot. Joker's voice rang in through Shepards omni tool a moment afterwards. "I'm surprised we aren't going back to the Citadel already."

"That comes afterwards. Are you ready to get underway?"

"We're already on the move."

Shepard stood in silence, his eyes gliding over a series of reports that had just been sent from each station. Well aware of Williams still standing behind him. Standing on the tips of her toes to continue peeking over his shoulder.

"Have you any other questions for me, Ashley? Or are you just trying to take Pressly's job?"

"Well… I am willing to learn if you are willing to teach me."

Shepard turned his head to look back at Williams. A look of curiosity apparent on the Commander's face, stepping to lean against the bar now. His attention flicked back and forth between Williams and the pad he held. "You don't strike me as the type to lay your weapon down in favor of running a ship."

"You don't seem to have a problem covering both."

"Because Pressly helps, a lot."

"And he'll be out for how long? A week? Maybe more than-"

"Fifteen days." Shepards attention dropped as he was once again pinged by the pad he held. Starting to quickly tap away at it. "That's the Alliance's requirement for keeping him secluded. Chakwas will tend to him as needed. It won't be too difficult for me to manage while he's out of the CIC. But I still don't know how he managed to catch it. If you figure that out, I'll give you a hundred credits."

Williams made a mental note of the offer, whether or not he seriously intended to award her the credits. The Gunnery figuring that she may be able to help in his report if she succeeded. Snapping to attention as she realized the pause that had grown between them. Offering her help to her Commander almost instinctively.

"Why not teach me enough to keep the ship running so you can take a break every so often." Williams held her left hand out, offering to take the pad from him.

Shepard's smile made it obvious he was quite amused at the idea of just letting the Gunnery take over. Pondering the idea for a minute as he watched her, the Gunnery patiently waited for him to hand it over. The Commander gestured for Williams to follow as he stepped down from the map's platform. Heading around the map towards the hallway, stopping just before he got to the bridge. Opening a panel on the wall and pulling a pad that was quite similar to his from within it, turning around to hold it out to the Gunnery.

Ashley reached up to grab it, her fingers just missing it as Shepard pulled it back towards himself. The Gunnery gave him a questioning look, her lips parting to question him. Shepard spoke up first though.

"I'll teach you… if you help me sift through everything those Turians have sent."

Williams found a smile slipping onto her lips at the offer. Giving a short nod before taking the pad from him.

"Deal."

Tali spent much of her time in the cargo, although she avoided the area when only the Turians were present. On one occasion Tali had caught Vitesia looming over the Quarian to see what she was doing. On another, she had caught the Turians poking through some of the scrap and Geth. After that, she had it locked away in the Mako to keep it safe whenever she wasn't in cargo.

Whether it was simply coincidence or Iromak catching on to what was happening, he'd start to regularly play cards with Wrex and Garrus in Cargo, Kaidan occasionally joining them. Tali would employ Iromaks help to move the Geth bodies with more ease. Finding that the hunks of metal weighed at least as much as her, making it near impossible for her to move it in and out of the Mako without great difficulty.

By the time Tali had gone downstairs to get started, Iromak was already present. Sitting next to the lifted Mako, his legs hanging into the pit underneath it. Two of the three Turians were still attempting to sleep through the bright lights. Vitesia sitting on her bunk, tapping through her omni tool.

The Mako's area had slowly turned into Tali's workshop over the last few days. The machines she had been working so readily on, already laying below the raised vehicle. Iromak was tapping through his omni tool, Tali seeing as she arrived that he was reading an article about new ships the Alliance had constructed.

"Thank you, for setting everything out."

Iromak pulled his head up for a moment, returning his focus to his omni tool after giving a short nod. "Don't worry about it. There's nothing else to do, so I figured I'd make myself useful."

"You were bored, weren't you?"

"Very much so. Want help here?"

"If you're offering, I'll take it. I'm not sure how much you know about Geth though." Tali hopped into the pit to join the machines. Starting to poke through the available spare wiring they had pulled from the wreckage.

"Well, then it'll be like repairing the ship with John."

"John… doesn't know anything about ships, how would he help?"

"He can measure, cut and weld metal better than most that I'd hire. Although I taught him that. That's almost half the job when slapping a ship together. I take care of the more technical things…" Iromak paused for a moment as he remembered his current situation. "At least that's how it was for a while, before he went back to the Alliance."

"And…? How long was that?" Iromak was silent for a moment, Tali assuming he was simply gauging the time. Turning to see him shaking his head, causing the Quarian to give a sigh. "A question better meant for him?"

Iromak simply pointed towards the Turians, keeping his hand hidden from their view. Answering after a few seconds. "I suppose you could say that."

After realizing just what Iromak was silently telling her, she started to work away on the machines at her disposal. Deciding to bide her time till the three Turians were gone to continue her query. Finding Iromak helpful in dismantling the machines and organizing everything from the scrap pile faster than she thought he'd manage to. Giving her more time to work on the machines' internals.

Finding herself getting lost in the inner workings for longer than she had planned. The next time she bothered to look up from her work, several hours had passed. The Turians gone and Iromak was tapping through his omni tool, reading yet another article on ships created by the Alliance. Peeking over his shoulder to see just what it said.

"Three new cruisers have been added to the Fifth Fleet's firepower, two more nearly finished and destined to join the growing fleet. Rumors indicate that other fleets will possibly lose some of their own cruisers, and possibly entire flotillas, in an attempt to bolster the fleet that protects-

"What do you think?"

Iromaks rough voice interrupted Tali's reading. Tali remained silent for a second as she pondered his question. Soon answering with her own as she sat down next to him. "About?"

"The article I'm reading. You must have some thoughts on it." Moving his arm over so Tali had a better view of the display. Tali held his arm still as she read in silence.

She found that the article had been more guessing than stating facts for the majority of it. Posing several possibilities of why the Alliance may be arming a single fleet so heavily. From competing for the Turians spot of most powerful fleet, to invasion of the Hegemony in retaliation for repeated harassment of the colonies. One thing was concrete though, the Fifth Fleet was being armed to the teeth.

"The Fifth Fleet is Admiral Hacketts fleet…"

She couldn't read the look Iromak gave her, but had a good guess that it was one of surprise as she knew the name of an Alliance Admiral. Her guess was confirmed as he spoke. "And why do you know that?"

"I- Well… John introduced me to him when we were on the Citadel. A very serious looking man."

"And a very important one… Why did he introduce you to him?"

"It probably wasn't his intention. I was just trying to find him on the Citadel, and found him speaking with the Admiral. If I knew what was going on, I would've kept my distance till he was done."

Iromak nodded quietly to himself, soon finishing the article before continuing to aid Tali in her work the best he could.

Vaay awoke from the feeling of two small paws hitting her stomach. A light, discontent whine telling the Asari she had kept Laelaps waiting. Immediately pulling her head up off the pillow, which got a response from Laelaps. Clambering up the blanket to stand on top of the Asari. Vaay simply lifted the Varren off before sitting up, doing her best to stifle a long yawn. Looking around to find Liara had already gotten up. Vaay pet Laelaps with her right hand, her thumb running along the scales along Laelaps side. Vaays left hand rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat."

A single step into the medbay that connected Liara's room with the rest of the ship told Vaay something was up. Pressly, a man she had no experience speaking with, was sitting in a cube that was sealed from the rest of the medbay. Accessible from a tight, single person airlock. There wasn't much room inside, Pressly given only a spot to lay and a chair to sit. A port available to slide a tray through to keep the quarantined person fed. Pressly giving Vaay a short nod before returning his attention to his omni tool.

"Miss Helyt."

The Doctor's voice snapped the Asari's attention to the source, seeing Chakwas sitting at her desk. Gesturing for Vaay to approach her, picking up a small, plastic tube as she did. Helyt stepped over to stand in front of the Doctor, watching as she pulled a cotton swab from the tube with her gloved hands. Standing up to be level with the Asari.

"I need to swab inside your cheek, and draw some more blood." Chakwas found Vaay quite agreeable to the requests. Laelaps wandering the medbay while Helyt sat in one of the chairs, waiting for the Doctor to give her the OK to leave.

"I thought I only had to do it once?"

"I'm monitoring everyone on board for the next day or so. Just as a precaution, can't let this take over our ship, or we'll all have to wait it out."

"Can chicken pox jump species?"

"There has yet to be a recorded case for chickenpox to do so, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Be sure to check yourself for any scabs or blisters every hour or so, if you find even one, come back to me."

"I will."

Once Chakwas was certain that Vaay was fine, she shooed the Asari from her medbay to let her continue working. Laelaps chasing after her once Vaay gave a short whistle. Heading into the mess to get herself and Laelaps food. Finding the other Doctor aboard was sitting at the table, a tray of half eaten food in front of her. Liara's hands spun the metal bauble she had found on Feros around in circles, trying to figure what its use would be.

The two Asari would trade short nods of acknowledgement to each other as Vaay passed. Helyt going to grab herself and Laelaps food before sitting across the table from Liara. Watching the Doctor twirl the metal orb in circles, testing the strength of the small bits of metal by lightly pressing it with her fingers

"What is it?"

Liara's attention was pulled to her roommate, shrugging lightly before turning her eyes back to the shiny bit of metal in her hand. "I haven't the faintest clue. I asked Tali if it could have any technical use, but she didn't seem to think it did."

Over breakfast, Vaay and Liara did their best to determine just what the device was. They made no real headway into figuring out what it was, Vaay rolling the metal trinket around in her hand in a rather bored fashion.

"It is Prothean, right?"

"I'm fairly certain. It was vacuum sealed in an ancient metal box, wrapped in a bit of colored paper."

"Maybe it's nothing? Maybe it's something that someone was working on and never finished?"

"I certainly hope not, otherwise I'll be bothered by these questions for the rest of my days."

The pair fell silent, Vaay returning the bit of metal to Liara before continuing to eat. Finding herself unbothered by the tasteless gruel that was provided by the Alliance. Speaking up once she was finished, standing to go clean her tray.

"Have you tried showing it to the Spectre?" The comment brought a face of obvious confusion to Liara. Turning about to watch the other Asari as she spoke.

"I'm not certain Shepard would have any usable knowledge on the Protheans."

"But what about the Cypher?" Vaay continued to clean the plate, making sure it was spotless before setting it to the side for drying.

"Cypher? What Cypher?"

Vaay shrugged slightly as she went to grab Laelaps plate, which had the pup's name cut into it so no one else would mistake it for another. Beginning to clean that one off as well. The pup

followed behind Helyt, seeming to be expecting a second serving of breakfast. "I don't know what it is, he just told me about it so I could report to Councilor Tevos. He said it had something to do with the Protheans."

"Is it a tablet of some kind? Or some sort of tool?"

Helyt shook her head quietly. Turning the water off before turning to face the Asari. Pushing herself up to sit on the counter, letting her legs hang off the edge. "He said it was something given to him by… Shiala? I think that was her name."

"I still don't understand, just… what is it?"

Once again, Vaay shrugged as she walked back to sit across from Liara. Folding her hands together on the table in front of her. "I don't think he's even sure of what it is. I could fetch the Spectre if you'd like."

"Oh, no. Even if he could tell me, it can wait till he's off duty. He's got to cover the CIC while Pressly is sick..." There was a moment of silence as Liara leaned over, poking her head underneath the table. Sitting upright after a moment, looking to Vaay with a faint concern. "Where is Laelaps?"

Vaay felt her heart jump at the question, turning to look around the mess hall for a moment. Finding that her newfound friend was nowhere to be seen. Although, in the silence, they could hear a light scrambling coming from the otherside of the elevator shaft, which immediately sent her heart into her throat. She knew that the pup wouldn't be able to accidentally activate the elevator, but the doors leading to the CIC would probably pick up the pup's movement and open for the Varren.

Darting from her chair as fast as she could to look for the loose Varren. Finding Laelaps unable to be seen on either set of stairs, she immediately ran up one of them. Hoping to find Laelaps before she found the top of the stairs.

Shepard stood next to the map projection, showing Williams how to keep things running smoothly. Tapping through his pad that was held out so Williams could see and follow along. "You'll be alerted to scheduled shift changes. Confirm that they've changed by checking the cameras on the lower decks, or looking around the CIC. If they haven't been changed, find out why, and fix it, or make a note about it on your report."

"You have to make a report on schedule changes?"

"No, those are done automatically when each person signs in. I make reports on the day's occurrences. If something irregular-"

The sound of the door sliding open caught Shepards and Williams' attention, both turning to look at the door. After a second of patience, Laelaps hopped up into the CIC, starting to scramble into Shepards direction. The guard at the door was about to stop the pup before Shepard held a hand up to stop him.

"Does this count as irregular, Sir?"

Shepard didn't answer, as a second later Vaay ran in from the otherside of the stairs, sliding to a halt. Suddenly looking around in a panicked manner. The panting Asari feeling her heart nearly jump out of her throat when she saw Laelaps had bitten the Commander's pant leg and was proceeding to put all of her weight into attempting to drag him. Weighing not even a tenth of what Shepard weighed, the pup made no progress. Vaay noticed an amused look on Williams face as she ran up, dropping down to her knees and grabbing a hold of the pup. Pleading with the Varren as she tried to get her to stop trying to drag Shepard.

"Release, Laelaps. Let him go. Please." Vaay only struggled, finding the animal's jaws much too strong to pull open against its will. 'Why… are… you…"

Liara arrived at the top of the stairs just as Laelaps let go. The pup gave two light barks at Shepard, who now watched the pair on the ground with a light smile. Finding himself amused at Helyt and the mischief her new friend had gotten into. Moving to kneel down to the other two's level. Vaay avoided direct eye contact, opting to instead look at the Gunnery's boots.

"...sorry…" Her voice was little more than a murmur, turning her attention down to Laelaps in her arms. Giving the pup a quiet scolding, which had no effect on Laelaps apparently pleased demeanor. The Varrens tongue hanging from its mouth as it panted lightly, giving the appearance of a large smile.

"I think you should probably teach her how to 'heel' next." Shepards voice was quite calm. In reality he was doing his best from laughing at the event.

"I- uh… yeah. Yes, Sir. I will. And… sorry, again."

Helyt pushed herself up to stand, twirling around to leave quickly. Nearly running smack into Liara who stood just behind her. Giving a short, flustered apology to the Doctor before quickly returning to the door had she arrived from. Liara watching her go, her head tilted to one side in curiosity. Her attention snapping to Shepard as he spoke up.

"Liara, is there anything I can help with?"

The Doctor hesitated for several long seconds, looking at the small bit of shiny metal in her hand. Sighing quietly as she decided there wouldn't be any harm in simply asking him about it. Holding her hand out with the hollow metal ball sitting in her palm.

"Would you happen to know… what this is?"

John reached out to pick it up, spinning it between his fingers with his thumb on the point and index finger on the opposite rung. Setting it back down once he was done, pulling his pad back up to check everything was sailing smoothly.

"A top, for biotics, you make a little spinning field above a table and put the pointed end down on the table with the field in the center."

Liara looked at the circular bits of metal all conjoined together. Blinking a couple times as she processed what he said. In silence, she'd turn around and followed Helyt back downstairs. Going to test if it truly was as he said. Shepard looked up, slightly confused at the lack of response. Shrugging it off as he turned back to Williams, who was tapping through her pad quietly. Attempting to act like she had been minding her business.

Shepard finally answered the Gunnery's question once they were gone. "That's attending to the crew, that's just part of the job. Let us continue."

For the rest of Shepards shift, which extended a few hours into the night cycle, he taught Williams a great many things about keeping an Alliance ship on track and in peak performance. Although he repeatedly clarified that operating a ship like the Normandy was a far cry from standing on the bridge of a Cruiser or a Dreadnought. Larger ships operating with several layers of Command, which extended to the ship's in the floatilla it was assigned to. Admirals exclusively took the lead on Dreadnoughts, as they were often used as a Center of Command for the rest of the fleet they accompanied.

Shepard remained at his post while the skeleton crew for the night shift took over. Overseeing that everything was a smooth transition for the beginning before handing the controls over to his night replacement. Soon, after the process was finished, the Gunnery and the Commander went to the mess. The three Turians sitting at the table, neither group acknowledging the other. Both the humans grabbing a tray of food before walking into the Captain's cabin.

Shepard and Williams were met by two Asari and a Varren they were playing with. Vaay was evidently surprised to find the Commander standing in the doorway, looking between him and the Gunnery for a moment. Unable to voice anything over the tightness that had overtaken her throat at the sight of the pair. Luckily for her, Liara spoke up.

"Shepard, sorry about this. We were in the mess, but it got quite awkward at the arrival of the Turians…"

"And your room?" Shepard responded in a calm voice, his eyes flicking between the two Asari as he awaited the response. Vaay finally speaking up to take the heat from Liara.

"I didn't want to bother Miss Chakwas…"

Shepard once again had a small smile slip onto his lips. Stepping to the side so the doorway was clear, Williams following in suit. The Commander gestured towards the way he had just came from. "Head on down to the cargo then. The Gunnery and I have some matters to discuss."

Both gave short nods to the Commander, the two Asari standing and leaving. Laelaps remained behind momentarily, giving the two humans a quiet whine for attention. The Varrens attention cut to the door at the sound of her name and a quick whistle. Suddenly scrambling off towards the elevator as fast as the little pup's legs could go.

Once the door closed, Shepard went to ease himself into the chair in front of his desk. Setting the tray on the desk before sitting back. Finding the blinking green light on his monitor told him what he already knew.

Messages o' plenty. Wonder what those Turians told the Council…

Williams took the seat next to his desk, setting her tray down alongside Shepards. Turning to try and use her good left arm to lean on the metal, although it was an obviously awkward and uncomfortable position, soon giving up on the attempt and letting her arms rest at her sides.

Shepard tapped quietly at his computer for a moment, pulling up the archived messages that each Turian had sent. Finding Vaay's messages were also sent to him. Seeing most of the titles for each simply being 'Mother'. His lips pressed together in a thin line before he trashed the messages belonging to the Asari.

"Just what did she tell you?"

John was silent as he tapped away at the keyboard. Williams held her tongue in the hope that he would answer the question once finished with his daily report. The Gunnery found it difficult not to peek at the screen as he worked. Although when she finally gave in, she found it rather plain. Shepard did not mention the event with Vaay and Laelaps in his report, but did praise Williams willingness to pick up the slack left by Pressly's absence.

"Would you like a drink, Miss Williams?"

Without waiting for an answer, the Commander stood. Heading towards the bed and going to the far corner of the bed. Fumbling for several seconds with his arm between the bed and wall. Soon pulling the bottle out and returning back to his desk. Setting the lightly glowing bottle down in front of them. The Gunnery looked between Shepard and the bottle sitting in front of her.

"Is that a trick question, Sir?"

Williams was overly cautious about drinking while serving. The Alliance would often crack down hard on any soldier caught doing so while not on leave, as drunk soldiers often did stupid things that could besmirch the record that their government strained to keep clean. It didn't stop many from drinking anyway.

John was clearly amused by the Gunnery's caution. Reaching down to open up the bottom drawer of his desk, showing two glasses placed facedown on a red cloth. Picking up both glasses and offering one to Ashley.

"You need not worry, even if you will continue to do just that. You are on leave till Chakwas clears you for duty."

Williams looked at the glass with caution still evident in her eyes. Reaching forward to take the glass from his hand, looking up at him as if expecting a trap to spring on her. John simply pulled the glass stopper from the bottle and poured her a small amount, filling only about a fifth of her cup. Enough for one good gulp. Doing the same for his own glass, stopping to speak before he took a drink.

"You… may want to brace yourself. It has quite the bite."

Lifting the glass, Williams took a small whiff of the liquid. Finding it had quite a sweet aroma, making her wonder if he was messing with her about the bite. Bringing the glass to her lips before tilting it back, shooting the green liquor down as swift as she could. Holding the air in her lungs as her eyes became overly watery, rapidly blinking to clear her vision.

Once she could see properly, the amused look on John's face was hard to ignore. Setting the glass down as she wiped the water from her eyes. Taking a slow breath in, the air felt like it was burning. Quickly clearing her throat in a vain attempt to rid herself of the feeling. Speaking up after she finally could control her breathing fully, although she still sounded quite winded from the event and would occasionally cough between words.

"What… is that… stuff?"

"It… is green."

For some unknown reason, his response got a light chuckle to arise from the Gunnery. Quickly getting ahold of herself, shaking her head to try and lose the fog that seemed to have descended upon her mind. Quickly realizing it was the drink that had made her feel muddled, wondering in silence how it managed to hit her so fast. Shepard spoke up before she got the chance to repeat her question.

"It's an Asari drink. Derived from a flower on Thessia. That's where it gets the deceptively sweet smell."

John set his empty glass aside, beginning to eat. Williams joined after she finally pulled her head free of the clouds that entrapped it. Beginning to pose her question once more, only to get cut off by the Commander.

"Speaking of Asari…"

"I know, I know. I'm considering just what she said, and what I should say."

"Was it secret Commando stuff?" A hint of sarcasm was evident in the question. Shepard shook his head no as he ate, speaking once he had swallowed.

"Not quite-"

Heavy thuds could be felt approaching the door to his cabin. The door sliding open suddenly with Wrex on the other side, the Krogan stepping into the room without waiting to be invited in.

"Shepard. Where's the contract?"

"Contract?" Williams looked at the old Krogan with curiosity, turning her attention to the Commander afterwards. "He's getting a contract with the Alliance?"

"Not… quite…" Wrex immediately seemed dissatisfied at the comment, Shepard holding a hand up to stop the Krogan from assuming the worst. "You are getting your contract, it's written up and ready for you to sign." Shepard opened the top drawer of his desk to pull out a pad, handing it to Williams, who passed it on to Wrex.

"Good… I need to read through this before I sign anything."

The comment was far from what Shepard had expected, thoroughly surprising the Commander. The Krogan turned on his heel to march right back out the door, which slid closed behind him moments later. Shepard watched the door for several seconds before turning to the desk in front of him.

"Then… who is he getting a contract for?"

"A lovely little arms and ship repair company that will pay him well."

Williams watched Shepard with mild confusion, reaching up to scratch her chin. Feeling her thoughts trudge through the drink that now inhibited ability to process the information properly. "Did you just… lease out Wrex?"

"That's an awfully… weird way to put it."

"Well… it sounds a lot like that. You gave him a contract with an arms company."

"He's not leaving, just being paid by the company as I don't have the actual power to sign contracts out for the Alliance."

"But you do have the power to hand out contracts for some weapons manufacturer?"

Shepard nodded as he filled his glass to half full. Offering more to Williams, who cautiously obliged. Still not totally believing it wasn't a setup as she watched the glass hit just below half. "I do indeed, as Iromak and myself are the owners and the only two who work for it… I suppose Wrex will join that count soon."

Williams found her mouth hanging slightly open as she stared at the cup in her hand. Taking longer than usual to process the information she'd been given. A few blinks acting as a way for Ashley to recollect her thoughts. "So, that's why he's got an inordinate amount of grenades…"

Shepard nodded as he ate, sitting back in his chair. They both ate in silence for a few minutes. Williams only occasionally sipped the liquor from her glass, sticking mostly to water though. John spoke up once he had finished eating.

"You understand that what I tell you here is to be kept quiet. The situation with Vaay is not a… normal one."

"You've made that apparent, on both accounts."

"Good. I figured you understood, but sometimes it's best to hammer the point just to make sure." John downed the rest that was still in his glass, setting his empty cup and tray onto his table.

"She isn't a Commando."

Williams nearly choked on her water at his statement, coughing up the few drops that went down the wrong tube before speaking up in a scratchy, strained voice. "What?"

"She is… trying to train to be one."

"So she was assigned her to the Normandy? Without actual training?"

Shepard could already hear the frustration bubbling up within the Gunnery. Knowing he needed to bring it in to check as the drink he provided was certainly stoking the fire that burned within her. "Not exactly. Like I said, the situation is not normal…"

John paused for a moment before starting off on another tangent. "To be a Commando, an Asari has to meet a set of criteria that is considered their standard. The standard happens to range across a vast set of abilities from combat discipline and weapon expertise to biotic skills and endurance training, proper pilot's training and certification, medical training, technical experience, explosives knowledge, the list goes on."

Shepard took a moment to think of his available paths to try and calm the Gunnery. Looking up to see her watching him with a rather intently look, like she eagerly awaited what he had to say.

"Sometimes… some Asari, after certain years of training, will simply call themselves 'Commando'. Even if they still have things to work on, which will sometimes lead people to overestimate every 'Commando's' experience. It seems that Vasy started off with a very… similar state."

"Started off? So she's not even-"

Shepard raised his index finger up to silence Williams for a moment, hearing more of the frustration rising in her voice. "She is very young, and very inexperienced. Which means that she's looking for people to help her. Now, she won't be on the ship long, I'm asking you to just treat her kindly while she's here."

Williams gave a curious look to the Commander, her eyes squinting slightly. Before she even posed a question though, Shepard spoke up. "She likely has been on her home world the majority of her life. So traveling out here, on an Alliance vessel, is a massive step into an unknown for her. She needs people to guide her, and help her figure things out. I'm not saying you have to be the guide, I'm just asking for you to be an… example."

"An example? Of what?" Williams sounded almost offended by the comment, not entirely sure of what he meant.

"The Alliance, and why people like it. You're cautious, and rightly so. Yet you also are very kind, and caring."

Ashley scoffed lightly and rolled her eyes. Trying to turn the statement into a joke in an attempt to avoid taking the compliment. "Oh God, don't get all sappy on me."

Shepard chuckled lightly and shook his head at the Gunnery. "I've seen you watching over Liara, don't think I haven't. Ever since Noveria, you've been there for her."

Williams sat in a thoughtful silence, knowing there wasn't any way for her to wriggle away from the truth. Eventually pulling herself back to the present, finding Shepard was watching her with slight curiosity. "You… seem to know a lot about Commando's."

"I know many things, Ashley. It's part of the job."

Even with her clouded perception, Williams was able to link bits and pieces of Shepards life together. "And you favor some Asari drink?"

"I do, so what?"

"And you took Liara under your wing pretty fast after… what happened."

"She needs time to recuperate, shoving her out onto her own wouldn't be the best choice. I'm sure you agree."

"She's over a hundred years old. I'm sure she can handle herself."

Shepard nodded to agree, which confused Williams. John spoke as he poured himself another glass, filling it up this time around. "It'd be like kicking an eighteen year old out a few days after a traumatic event. Sure, she'd recover, maybe even land on her feet. However, she'd be much better off if she was able to take her time before turning her sights on the future."

"And as soon as Vaay had trouble with the Turians…"

"Where are you going with this Ashley?"

"I'm not going anywhere, just connecting the dots… Sir."

John chuckled lightly as he shook his head. Setting the cup down as he started typing at his computer again, skimming through the reports and messages the Turians had sent. "I'm not so certain about that. You don't drink much, do you?"

"I can hold my drink, this stuff is just…"

Ashley fell silent as she tried to find a word to properly express just how she felt. Though no one word was able to aptly explain the sensation that rolled through her mind. It was as if her mind was trying to part itself from her body, like it wished to walk away from the physical aspect that she was so heavily tied to.

"Eat some food, try and relax. The feeling will pass soon enough and you'll have your wits about you again."

Ashley worked on doing just that, finding herself sitting in complete silence while John typed away. Finding herself unable to be bothered by whatever he was typing, finding herself utterly fascinated by the light glinting off of her glass. After an unknown amount of time, she brought her head up. Speaking just as soon as a question popped into her head.

"Why did you join the Alliance?"

John's hands slowed to a stop, his hands hovering over the board as he considered the answers. Turning his head to look at Williams, finding her eyes watching him with a strange look that he couldn't quite place. Almost as if she was uncertain of the question, or uncertain if she was posing it to the right person. John cleared his throat before speaking.

"It wasn't really something I ever planned. More of a… sudden, instinctual move almost…"

John stopped, turning to look at the computer screen. Although it was more to avoid the constant gaze of Ashley than to return to his typing.

"Then… why come back?"

His lips pulled in to form a thin line, contemplating the question, or how to answer it.

"A question that doesn't truly have an answer. It's something to do I guess…"

John fell silent for a moment, a slight smile taking his lips as he remembered something. "Man needs something to keep himself busy, lest he forget what a precious commodity time is."

The comment got a questioning look from the Gunnery. Which was soon paired with a question from her. "What's that from?"

"Just something my old man would say. I don't know if it's from anything at all."

Williams stared at the computer for a moment, a quiet thought occurring to her. Soon turning it into a question for Shepard. "You… don't read my- or… the crew's messages, do you?" Williams felt her cheeks warming up quietly, paired with a feeling of tightness in her throat at the idea.

Shepard only chuckled and shook his head to relieve her anxieties. "Officer Barret does though. A requirement to censor any information deemed too vital to let slip. If it's clear that someone is passing vital information, then I get involved."

"Loose lips sink ships."

John nodded at the comment as he leaned towards his computer. Tapping through a few tabs, sending the Turians messages to the Gunnery's omni tool. "Now, let's poke through these and see if we can find anything. If anything catches your eye, show it to me."

John and Ashley spent much time combing through the messages of the Turians. Though they eventually gave up on the tedium and started trading stories of their time in the Alliance, as well as a few stories from John that weren't from his time in the Navy. Eventually, after eating, and a few more drinks, John and Ashley left his quarters. Williams headed for the crew's quarters to crash in her bed, Shepard heading down the elevator to see how everything was going.

The doors hadn't finished opening before Shepard saw a Geth standing upright with its back facing the Commander about thirty yards from the elevator door. John was always prepared for something, so he was always carrying, it was a policy that had saved his life on several occasions in the past. The doors hadn't finished opening before he had drawn and aimed at the machine, even after a few drinks and a headache that slowly made it's push for territory. Tali's voice shouting out just as he was pulling the trigger.

"John! Don't-"

It was too late, the bullet buried itself into the back of the machine. John turned his head to see Tali watching him with wide eyes, her gaze suddenly flicking to the machine in front of Shepard as it started turning around. Immediately starting to tap away at the pad in her hands as she realized what was happening.

"I can stop it. I can stop it!" The panicked Quarian started to repeat the words, mostly to herself more than anyone else around her.

Garrus, Wrex and Iromak were all sitting around a crate near where the Turians' cots were. Turning to look at the Machine starting to focus on the Commander. Liara and Vaay were playing with Laelaps in the pit. Vaay turning to see what was happening as she heard Tali repeating herself rapidly.

John was counting on what Tali continued to repeat to be true, feeling his feet itching to move at the sight of a charging Geth. Shifting his weight back and forth on each foot as he readied to try and sidestep the machine. The machine suddenly crumpled in one of it's steps, falling to the ground and tumbling to a standstill. Leaving Shepard standing still now, watching the still bit of metal that now lay dormant on the floor.

Silence now taking over the cargo hold, except for the quiet sounds of a scampering Varren and Liara playing with it. The two of them blissfully unaware of what had transpired. Tali staring at the pad she held, wanting to apologize, but also hoping to avoid the innate awkwardness of the conversation that was to come.

John was tucking his pistol back behind his belt. Taking a few, slow breaths to try and ease his hearts rapid beating. A healthy dose of adrenaline pumping through his system as he now had nothing to expend it on. He didn't get the chance to say anything before Tali approached him in the elevator, pressing the button to close the doors. The four people who had been witness to what happened watched the doors close before returning to their things.

Tali opened her omni tool to stop the elevator before it reached the next floor. Her head turned towards the wall as she didn't want to know the look she was receiving. "I… I'm sorry, I should have alerted you to what I was doing. I didn't think I'd make so much progress and-"

"Tali?"

The calmness of his voice was a relief to the worried Quarian. Turning her head slowly and finally bringing her gaze up from her hands. "It's alright, no one got hurt."

"I-I know, it's just that Garrus said you wouldn't like what I'm doing. And I told that…" Tali found herself muttering a few inappropriate remarks about the Turian, not totally audible to John. Who was still watching with a curious look. Tali eventually getting to the point as she realized he was waiting. "I thought I had everything under control."

"You did." Tali looked up, a bit surprised at the comment. Starting to reply, only for John to continue again. "You said you could stop it, and you stopped it."

"Barely..."

"Barely is better than not at all. I know a lot of people who owe their whole career and lives to that word. Barely is what makes or breaks us, and you made it."

Tali found herself somewhat comforted by the words looking at her Captain with squinted eyes. Noticing the grin plastered on his lips and a carefree look in his eyes.

"You're drunk, aren't you?" Tali opened her omni tool once more, a single swipe of her offhand getting the elevator to move upwards once more.

"Not quite, but I have been drinking with the Gunnery. It seemed like she needed to relax."

"I see…" There was a quiet hesitation in Tali's voice, wanting to pose a question to the Commander. Though she knew he was busy in the day and it was now getting later, she was hoping to get a bit of his time.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no… I was just wondering…" Tali's sentence fell off as she found her suit beginning to warm up. Double checking that the temperature it was regularly at had not changed. Finally speaking up again, determined to get her sentence out. "I was wondering if you would like to go watch a vid? I-I know it's getting late though so it's really not a problem if-"

She hadn't even finished setting up an excuse for her Captain before he accepted the proposal. The pair went to watch a vid Tali had found on the extranet about the history of the Citadel. The pair sat side by side as they watched the vid on his computer. Tali occasionally tried to nudge John to his own bed late in the night, finding her attempts turned on herself as she ended up taking the bed as hers once more when John left the room to her.

---

Life has been all but normal for me. Those of you still bothering to read, I am sorry. Events have been constant and work has been busy as could be. I'm still dedicated and have been spending time fortifying the future of the fic I'm creating.