chapter 21-
survival of the fittest

Chapter 21

Jane had barely stepped foot on the ship and everything was in chaos; the ship was still having problems; EDI was offline and people were panicking trying desperately to figure out the problem.

"I'll check out the main battery," Garrus told jane as he took off.

"Primarch, I'll escort you to the conference room for now until we get this mess sorted out," Jane prompted

"Thank you," Victus nodded as he followed her further into the ship.

once victus was out of the chaos jane began to ask the crew members about the problem right now. She made her way to Liara's quarters.

"Shepard, what's happening?"

"I have no idea…I thought maybe you knew something."

"I haven't got a clue. I'm checking through my computers and running safe-mode diagnostics. If I find anything, I'll let you know."

"Okay Liara, keep me posted."

She exited the asari's quarters with no more answers than she went in and headed for the main battery. She saw Garrus checking an open battery terminal and he was talking to Joker over the comm.

"The problem isn't here. Systems all look green on my board," Garrus said.

"You sure? Maybe something was mis-calibrated."

"You do know who you're talking to, right?"

"Yeah, yeah…just had to check. Well, if you see Shepard, tell her to get over to the AI core and figure this out."

"Will do," Garrus replied as he looked over at her. "You heard him, Shepard. We're dead in the water."

"Okay, I'll go check it out," she replied as she exited the room.

jane made her way to the AI core and was met my Engineer Adams who was standing by the door.

"Automated systems have the fires contained. It should be safe to enter," he stated to Jane with a frown

"Fires? what the hell is going on?" she ground her teeth, "Okay, open the door."

"Yes, Commander; we'll follow your lead."

They opened the door and Shepard slowly walked in as smoked filtered out of the room.

"EDI? Talk to me."

There was no reply for a moment, jane frowned, "EDI?" the AI core lit up, all systems were back online.

"EDI? You there?" jane asked again

Jane heard footsteps, she balled her fists and stepped back eyes scanning the smoke as the female android stepped into her vison.

"Is there a particular topic you wish to discuss, Shepard?" it asked her.

"EDI?!" jane cocked her head "what the fuck-" she shook her head, "You're in Dr. Eva's body?"

"Not all of me, but I have control of it. It was not a seamless transition."

"A transition? You blacked out on us for a while there!" jane snapped

"Correct. When we brought this unit on board, I began a background process to search for its information on the Prothean device. This eventually triggered a trap; a backup power source and CPU activated, and the unit attempted physical confrontation. Fortunately, I was able to gain root access and repurpose it as I saw fit. During this process, it…struggled. Thus, the fire."

"That was very dangerous, EDI. But, if it means having full access to the Prothean data in its memory, then good work"

"I reasoned along similar lines."

"So if you're in there, are you still in the ship?"

"I exist primarily within the ship. For optimal control, this unit should remain within the Normandy's broadcast or tight-beam range."

"are you planning to take that body somewhere?"

"The Normandy's weaponry is not suited to every combat situation. This platform could provide limited-fire ground support."

"You mean you could come with us?" jane asked still slightly dumfounded

"Correct. This body could accompany you to areas the Normandy cannot reach. "

"before we do that, I need you to guarantee this mech doesn't have any more surprises in it. So, run whatever tests you can, then we can talk about using it in combat situations." Jane wanted certainty that the thing wasn't going to shoot her in the back during a ground mission.

"One moment…I am running trials…complete. I can send you a full report if you wish. However, my first step should be restoring functionality to the Normandy to reassure the crew that all is normal."

"Yeah…let's start there. EDI just don't be surprised if the crew is a little wary of your new body. After all, it was shooting at them a little while ago."

"An excellent point. I will take to the bridge - Joker will also want to see it."

Shepard chuckled under her breath, "Uh…yeah, on that we can agree."

EDI exited the room as jane scanned the AI core to make sure everything was in order, there seemed to be order now, thank fuck. Jane exited the room and walked by Dr. Chakwas.

"Was that EDI that just walked by?" the doctor asked surprised.

"Yes, yes it was," Shepard replied with a smirk.

Chakwas laughed, "Oh my…Joker is going to have a field day with this."

"That he is." Jane laughed softly.

-
jane made her rounds to check on her crew and to make sure everything was in working order the last thing they would needs is some more upheaval.

She had given orders to Joker to set a course for the diplomatic ship in the Pranas system and let her know when they were a couple hours out. Then she headed back to the main battery. As she entered the room she could hear Garrus on the comm with Victus.

"Two of our dreadnoughts have been lost in a matter of hours."

"I know, Primarch. I'm seeing the same numbers myself. They don't look good."

"We have to turn this around…and fast."

"Well you can trust Shepard, sir. If anybody can get the krogan to cooperate, it's her. She's an old friend of Urdnot Wrex."

"Let's just hope friendship still counts for something in this war."

"I'm sure it will, sir."

Garrus looked over as he saw Shepard approaching him. He closed off his comm and turned to face her.

"Didn't waste much time getting to work I see," she smiled sadly.

"Yes well, after what I've been through…calibrating a giant gun is a vacation," he replied. "It gives me something to focus on." Anything other than loss.

"do you want to talk?" she asked taking a seat on the edge of his bunk as he took a seat on the stool beside his terminal.

"I'm trying not to think about it" he swallowed audibly, "I've still no word from my family-"

"it'll happen- I'm sure they made it out safe"

He swallowed hard his mandibles clicking "jane-"

"she's okay Garrus- she won't die on us like that"

"I hope so"

"she spoke about you a lot, she really missed you"

"I missed her too" he breathed "I heard about kaidan, I'm glad he's going to pull through"

"Me too" she smiled sadly "we're going to make it through this, all of us, we're going to take down those fucking reapers"

"I absolutely believe it" he looked to her to those pained green eyes, "I'm here jane, for as long as you need me"

"that means a lot, you too garrus, anything you need, let me know" she cleared her throat, "I've got some rounds to run but I'll meet up with my expert Reaper advisor later?" she said with a smirk

"Yeah, it's not as impressive as it sounds. my dad and I, ruffled some feathers and then they gave me my token title and a token task force so I'd shut up. Yell loud enough and someone will come and see what the fuss is about - not that they'll actually do anything about it."

"Until hell shows up at their door - then they put you in charge." She laughed

"Not like the old days, is it? Rogue spectre and C-Sec agent running and gunning outside the lines making it up as we went along. We're actually respectable now."

"We've lost enough friends trying to make sure this day never came…I'd say we've all earned some respect." She nodded

"Then the first Reaper we take out with this gun will be in their honour; just give the word."

"I like that…thank you, Garrus. I'm so glad you're here with me," she said with a heavy sigh. "I can use as many friends as possible in my corner"

"you know where to find me jane"

"You got plenty to keep you busy?" she asked

"Oh yeah, I'm sure somebody screwed up something down here and I'm gonna get the old girl back in fighting shape."

"Glad to hear it," she chuckled.