Kal'Reegar had been surprised at his promotion to Executive Officer. The idea of a Quarian having authority on a non-flotilla ship outside of engineering was almost laughable. The dark haired human looked understandably downtrodden. Suddenly losing a command position at the whim of a new ranking officer was something most military personnel had to deal with. He told Miranda that she could stay in her quarters. He needed to stay by his representative in case of an emergency.
He, Nera'Horul and Zun'Zoll vas Nadir were all chosen by the Admiralty board as each were skilled yet considered non-necessary personnel. Zun was exceptionally skilled at reverse engineering Geth tech and had a knack for teaching children the basics in circuitry and programming. Nera spent her pilgrimage training with a group of Salarian saboteurs; as good as Zun was at fixing tech she was better at breaking. Her skill with a stealth cloak was second to none. Kal was selected because he had never failed a mission. While he credidit that fact to having a good team, he'd learned to make hard choices.
After the Geth attack attitudes toward their creators went from dismissive to outright hatred. Most blamed them for simply being part of the race that made them. Those people Reegar could understand; he also blamed his ancestors. Some of the worst were that it had been their plan all along; play the helpless nomads for a few centuries then strike with an army of synthetics and a super-dreadnought to take over the Citadel. Idiots, if that was the plan why not have the Floatilla jump in and rip the Arcturus fleet to pieces.
After setting up a trio of cots beneath the stairwell on engineering deck it almost felt like home. The Tantalus Drive Core humming nearby made sleeping much easier than the pods other crew used. Kal was pretty sure Zun would have to be pulled away from the core kicking and screaming when they landed.
Six days left in FTL
Much of the first week involved little more than waiting around and making sure the Normandy didn't explode. Thankfully most of the crew were willing to talk or play Skyllian-Five and other time killer games. Week two however things started getting busy. Numerus gifts for the fledgling race were delivered to the ship during relay stops. Now bored crewmen wandered around sorting the presents by size, use and even color.
With all the commotion the Elcor 'Shipping Queen' Dyeppa requested a transfer to the second largest room aboard. Iroth Drog'nenrek was previously stationed in the port cargo bay, but was willing to stay elsewhere if Dyeppa paid a small moving fee. The elephantine woman happily agreed calling it a drop in the bucket for her. Unfortunately the Batarian labor commissioner failed to inform his workers and the female Vorcha refused to leave 'as her territory had been surrendered without her permission'. Kal was called to help solve the situation peacefully, but he knew that only a show of might would settle down the little mutant.
One minute. Last one left in the room. No claws, teeth or weapons. Simple rules with a simple outcome. In under ten seconds Dyeppa grabbed the Vorcha and tossed her out the door. #3 sulked in the hallway for close to an hour after the defeat.
Reegar hoped they would not totally destroy the conference room.
Two days left.
Tensions grew thin as the days wore on. Commander Shepard tasked Kal'Reegar with finding a way to get everyone back on track. A few of the crew's suggestions would accomplish the task, but not without leaving things fairly awkward. Kalius Gaition the Turian Hierarchy defense expert stated that in their military sparring sessions provided a way to settle differences.
After setting up a dozen crash pads, the hanger bay was transformed into a makeshift dojo. Only a handful of people sought to fight, but many found a place to watch the competition. While betting for credits was not allowed Reegar let the men and women exchange IOU's for extra bunk time, rations and the like; with EDI keeping track of course.
Most of the spats were between the humans as they numbered in the majority. Everything from simple roughhousing to actual martial arts were demonstrated. Even a war of words had been fought. Kilo Nes the Salarian pilot's sonnet versus the Hanar rep's soliloquy; nobody knew who won, but there was lots of clapping. However a bout involving a pair of less than fully clothed human women was a particular crowd favorite. Kal was very glad to be wearing a visor at the time. The following rounds were a bit more hectik.
Surprising everyone the normally polite Miranda challenged Commando Shagaly. Apparently the latter had eaten a very expensive confection called a tiramisu, that had been imported from Earth as a gift for the new race. The Asari accepted and gave her opponent a free shot. Almost instantly the Commando was on the ground clutching her stomach beneath a dented bulkhead. A biotic charge gut punch was not something anyone expected. Except Miranda's cheering security detail whom Reegar now suspected were more for show.
'Eat anything else that isn't yours and i'll aim lower next time.' Were the only words spoken as the crowd hurriedly made a gap as she strode to the elevator.
Lastly was the match of Officer Bellso and Ravanor Vrax. Kal had looked forward to this one. He'd spent most of his lunches aboard the Normandy conversing with the peppy Turian girl, and came to see her as a friend.
Appearing like a Krogan gladiator Vrax strutted out into the ring. More than a few women gave a sharp whistle as he flexed his tan and charcoal-blue body. His boss Nura shook her head; the mining executive clearly having seen this one to many times.
Bellso on the other hand pranced out bouncing on her toes, looking like a Quarian about to receive her first suit. her lithe pale gray and gold painted figure a stark contrast to the wall of muscle that was her opponent. Even out of their upper armors both aliens sported a formidable carapace.
"Worried about your 'little sister' Kal?" Shepard walked over to Reegar's spot on the catwalk overlooking the fight. She had referred to the playful Turian as such several times.
"Just don't want anyone to get hurt Ma'am."
"Well based on that bruse Shagaly got I think that's your first failed mission." She replied with a smirk
"Intel dropped the ball Ma'am. Nothing in her files indicated Ms. Lawson was a biotic." Kal's sitrep was quick and clean. Just like Shep would have said it.
"Ever the marine huh?"
"We both are Ma'am."
"Well I plan on changing that. Maybe you should too." The Commander turned back to the fight. "Don't worry. Anyone willing to go CQC with a Krogan is either incredibly skilled or crazy, and I doubt the Hierarchy would let a mad woman join this mission."
True to her point in the last three minutes Bellso had yet to be hit. The woman evaded each punch with ease. She danced around every strike without fear.
Vrax was getting annoyed. Left hook, straight right, low kick. Nothing was connecting. He'd fought people like this before. One who thought they could just dodge till he wore himself out. Krogan received endurance training almost from birth. He marked his last shadow boxing session at two days six hour and twenty-seven minutes.
"If you plan on beating me you should fight back."
"I only need one hit to put you on the ground big guy." the female giggled
Vrax was easily fifteen times this welp's senior. He could smell the sweat on her and wondered if she smelled the same elsewhere.
"So confident. How about a wager then?"
"Shoot."
"Loser does a naked mile around the ship." Winning the fight would be nice, but watching this Turian jog through out the Normandy in the buff. The Krogan could smell her shame already.
"Deal. I've never seen a naked krogan in person before."
Up above Shep walked back to the lift. "EDI make sure no one records anything until the loser's decent again."
"Yes Commander. would you like to be informed of the victor?"
"No need."
Kal wasn't sure if the woman's statement was one of experience or blind faith.
Back on the ground Vrax set up just the right angle for his last attack. Without warning Seven hundred and eighty six pounds of reptile shot forward.
His target scrambled back till the Turian met an I-beam which she used to leap over the charging beast. After an impact with the strength to flatten one of his crest ridges Vrax spun around to kiss the Turian's heel. The added force completing his rotation as skull met steel once again.
Three rapid fire head injuries were just enough damage for the born warrior to fall over.
"Strip."