I wanted to add that I couldn't have gotten through this chapter or the next without the assistance of two amazing writers and one reviewer.
Amyress, your knowledge of the ME world and instincts on character development helped immensely, thank you!
Kira Tamarion, your insight was of great help. As always, thank you!
BJ Hanssen, you challenge me and encourage me, giving me the nudges that are what keep my writing constantly developing. Thank you!
The communal shower was decent enough. It was clean and the water was hot, just short-lived. I towel-dried my hair and reached for the uniform provided. Dressing, I let my mind go over every detail of the last few hours to be sure everything was catalogued.
With no way to write anything down I had to rely on my memory. Names, faces, rank, everything had to be put in order before I moved on to the dossiers. I couldn't ask any questions, even though I really wanted to know what fucking year it was, because Miranda would be on me like white on rice so I had to rely on my deduction abilities to come to any conclusions.
I slipped on the boots and sighed, closing my eyes to try to center myself. A few minutes of meditation would help me to keep everything straight and the shower was quiet enough so I decided to give it a try. With everything that I learned in just the last few minutes before John left I knew I needed some serious help, especially to keep my sanity.
Seriously, aliens?
I took a few minutes, did some different breathing exercises then went to find this CIC and Kelly. I didn't know how long John would be gone so I figured I may as well do my homework. The more prepared to go out there the better.
Maybe he'd even let me off the ship for a little while.
I wandered around the level I was on, found a maintenance area at the far end of a hallway and even walked in on Miranda at one point in her office/bedroom. She was annoyed (shocking) so I just waved an apology and moved along. I finally found the elevator and saw there was a button that said CIC. Feeling like a complete noob I pushed it and the doors closed.
When they opened again I saw what appeared to be a bridge complete with a bunch of control panels surrounding what appeared to be a holographic map of the galaxy. Trying not to look overwhelmed, I looked around and saw a young woman standing off to the right, appearing to be very interested in the console in front of her.
"Excuse me," I said, walking toward her. She turned and smiled wide at me, her bright green eyes almost dancing. She was an attractive girl, short red hair and creamy skin, though she seemed young to be on a mission like this. "I don't suppose you're Kelly?" She gave me a quick nod and turned to grab a data pad from her console.
"You must be Kayla," she said, handing me the tablet. "Commander Shepard wanted me to put this together for you, details on the different species we deal with regularly in this galaxy." She stood at attention as I perused the first few pages, looking at me expectantly. I smiled at her, tucking the tablet under my arm.
"Thank you so much," I said. She continued to look at me so I waited but she said nothing. "Is there something I can help you with, Miss Chambers?" I asked, giving her my most welcoming smile. She flushed a little and bit her bottom lip.
"I apologize," she began, ringing her hands a bit behind her back, "I'm a naturally curious person so when I only get tid bits of info I tend to want to ask more but Commander Shepard made it clear I wasn't to ask you any questions so I won't." She seemed unsure at first but then apparently made up her mind and nodded stiffly. I couldn't help the amused look that came over my face as I reached out to put a hand on her arm.
"Don't worry," I assured her, "You're not the only one." I gave her arm a little squeeze and dropped it to my side. "Thanks for the info, would you mind if I came to you with any questions I might have?" She seemed pleasantly surprised and started to relax.
"Oh yes, of course, please feel free to stop by and ask anything." She was so perky and those eyes… almost neon green they were so bright. I had a difficult time tearing mine away but did so with a small wave.
"See you later, Kelly," I said as I walked back into the elevator.
"I'll be here if you need anything."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I found the perfect spot in the lower deck, a room at the far end of the hall opposite Zaeed's space, to read through the novel Kelly had handed me. The hum of the engines helping me to focus, I leaned up against the inner wall and looked out the window at the stars.
"I will never get used to that," I whispered as I shook my head and dug into the data pad.
A few hours later I dropped the pad to the floor and sighed, raking my hands through my hair. My gut was in knots so I stood and started pacing the small room, trying to focus on ingesting the information and categorizing it without letting the content overwhelm me. I decided on repeating the different species' names to myself to commit them to memory.
Asari, Batarians, Collectors, Drell, Elcor, Geth, Hanar, Humans, Krogan, Protheans, Quarians, Rachni, Reapers, Salarians, Turians, Volus, Vorcha and Yahg.
And these things are all over the galaxy. I am pretty much guaranteed to run into at least one every time I leave this ship and those Vorcha travel in packs.
Focus!
I took a breath, shaking out my arms and legs to get the nervous energy out.
This is training, act like it! Nodding, I took another breath.
Ok, vital details: appearance, strength and weakness.
I went over all the info in my head, anything I couldn't recall I would look up on the pad, repeat it then move on. Going through the list again, making sure to emphasize those I'd missed the first time then one more time using visualization and speaking out loud. Once completed, I was confident I'd absorbed everything I would need. I was uncomfortable with the information but I knew it was necessary.
Krogan have multiple organs and can regenerate? Lucky bastards.
There was still the tension in my chest, the kind that had gotten me into big trouble before. This tension made me doubt myself and that was never good.
No, I will not let that in. I am here, I am focused and I am ready. I looked down at my hands, watching with dread as they shook like autumn leaves.
I'm fucked.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"You, my dear, need to take it easy."
Dr. Chakwas wrapped the knuckles on my right hand one more time with the healing tape before moving on to the left as John walked into the med bay. Confusion flashed over his features before he crossed his arms, giving me the Commander look once again. I gave him my best sheepish expression and shrugged.
"I can explain?" I said, more of a question as to whether or not he'd listen. He blinked and I took that as an opening. "I, uh, well… I got a little carried away with the punching bag and..." I wriggled my free hand at him like a wave but John remained still, waiting. I sighed. "Ok, so I read the dossiers and…"
The floor became very interesting at that moment. I couldn't believe I lost it over learning about the other life forms in the galaxy. When I was a kid it was all I dreamed about! I looked back up at him. He still had his arms crossed but his eyes were curious.
You have no idea how badly I want to tell you.
I sighed and shook my head, looking back down to the floor. "I feel like I don't even know myself anymore." His feet came into view so I looked up and into those eyes.
"If you're referring to fear, that's something we all have experienced," he said, uncrossing his arms and resting his hands on his hips.
He was thoughtful for a moment and I watched the gears grinding behind his eyes. I had to hold back my smile; it delighted me that he put so much thought into what he said to me. His eyes softened, eliciting a flutter in my lower abdomen.
"This is all new to you so you can't beat yourself up over it. It has to be a lot." I huffed out a small laugh and shook my head.
"My CO would disagree," I smiled, "I was picked because of my ability to adapt then I was trained extensively…" I bit down on my lip to stop myself. I smiled, shaking my head. "You have a knack, Commander." John smirked at me, sending an unexpected but pleasant lurch through my stomach.
"A knack, huh?" he asked, his eyes never leaving mine. "For what, may I ask?"
"For getting in my way, Commander," Dr. Chakwas spoke up, cutting the excess tape from my left hand and turning to put the roll away. She looked back at us and shook her head.
"I'll leave you to whatever it is that's going on here." She walked out the med bay doors, still shaking her head. We both smiled and looked back at each other. Electing to change the subject, I remembered their mission.
"How did it go on Omega?" I asked, looking down at my hands, pretending to check the bandage. When he didn't answer right away I looked up at him to see his eyes focused on my hand as well. I gave it a flex and cleared my throat, bringing him out of his daze.
"Omega, yeah, everything went great," he replied. "Recruited the scientist but we will have to go back to get the other guy." He looked at me with that appraising look again then nodded as if coming to a decision. "Have you looked through all of the dossiers?"
"Yes," I nodded, "but I find that being thrown in head first is better for me. Learn by doing." His smile grew, coaxing mine out of hiding.
"Well then, let's get you suited up."