Five crates of optimised and assorted thermal clips, three-month military dextro-amino rations, three sets of combat-customised biotic amplifiers, one crate of recyclable all-purpose thermal clips, two KT-Zero stealth thermal absorbers, five weapons servicing kits, two on-field fabrication kits, couple of empty mass accelerators, two spare hard battle suits, five underlying Newtonian fluid skin-tights, one Non-Newtonian fluid ballistics armour, a dozen new MN carbon cables, etc.
Third Flightcrew Nakamura whispered to herself as she worked down the list. Those were the few things that Horizon already had, but didn't hurt to have a few more. Considering they were on a far-depth, long-term mission, it would probably a good idea to stock up on them.
But what Emi couldn't understand were the boxes of things that rolled into the hanger bay after that: one modified N7 Typhoon, two boxes of Brimstone grenades, outdated omni-gel converters, three cryotubes and others that she couldn't even identify.
Oh, and a Turian. She noted, glancing at the tall creature who was admiring the things that she was despairing at. He was well-mannered but sociable, and clearly knew more about these weapons that she did. He arrived with the Captain (whom most of the crew has now started to call Cap or even Jackson when off duty), cradling the Typhoon and looking quite happy.
He was quick to introduce himself as Nekros Aigus, taking the position of a Lieutenant (although he made it clear that he didn't care much about formalities). He seemed to have the habit of calling the Captain "Bui", but nobody, not even the Asaris, would explain about that. Talking about the Asaris, they were both quite outgoing. Kisa, the shorter one, was a little shy but approachable, and Thea, her cousin, seemed to demand attention in a good way. Emi realised that she didn't mind their presence at all. Right now, they were both still in Omega.
Emi absent-mindedly watched as Nekros got out a small set of biotic amplifiers. Ripping off the seals, Nekros eagerly tried one on. He didn't seem to worry about the fact that they were not officially "his". With his newfound power, Nekros lifted up one of the boxes that held the spare weapon parts, carefully testing the limit of the amps.
Captain Jackson's past reputation, him recruiting aliens since his arrival and the lack of information regarding their mission had already caused rumours to spread like a wildfire. Arrival of Nekros seem to have turned that into a firestorm:
The Captain was planning to conquer Omega! (started by a non-HIGHCOM)
The Captain is chasing down a second Saren! (started by herself, but she didn't really believe it)
The Captain planning to overthrow the Council! (nobody actually believed in this, so it's turned into a joke)
Most of the HIGHCOM people (including herself) knew that their mission had something to do with the Reapers, but nobody was really sure. Emi's best guess was that it was an attempt to tell more people about their possible doom, but then again, wasn't the Admiral doing that? Perhaps the Admiral is trying a different approach.
Nekros turned around, and their eyes met. She blushed and looked down at her omni-tool.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did I blush? I was only staring! I wasn't! Damn! Emi thought as she tried desperately to act as if she was working. She looked up as Nekros laughed.
"There is no need to be embarrassed! It happens all the time. The last time I did that, it turns out that I was staring at a dancer! Next to my girlfriend! She gave me a good beating pretty soon. Ha ha ha!" Nekros' mandibles opened as he laughed, showing a startling number of teeth lining his lower jaw. But his laugh was infectious, so Emi returned with her smile.
A door opened and the Captain entered the hangers, weaving his way through the maze of boxes. He was reading something off his omni-tool. He quickly turned it off and scanned the room, right to left. Why the Captain did that all the time was a mystery to Emi.
"Captain on deck!" Emi shouted with a salute. Others around the hanger bay also followed her.
The captain returned the salute. "At ease. And please, don't do that too often. It's counterproductive." He said as he approached her. Emi noticed Nekros smile (or at least, that's what she thought – she could never read Turian faces) at Captain's last comment.
"Any weapons that's strikingly unusual to you?" the Captain asked as he picked up a Brimstone.
"Yes," Emi answered.
"No," Nekros replied simultaneously. "Not me. Right."
The Captain grinned. "Actually, what are you doing? Shouldn't you be writing the mission declaration for the Turian Military?"
"You know me Bui, no, Jackson, damn. I'm never gonna get used to that. The idiots can wait."
"Well, then, now that I'm your leader, am I an idiot to your standards?"
"You still haven't done something stupid yet, so … no."
Emi raised her eyebrow. Didn't this Turian know who he was talking to?
Probably not. Emi thought.
The Captain laughed.
Or maybe he knows him better than me. She concluded.
"Alright. Good. I don't want to ruin my reputation intergalactically. Well Nakamura, it seems that you should ask Nekros if you have any questions. And Nekros?"
"Yes?"
"Please don't pull any triggers. I would like to keep my crew in one piece, thank you."
"Sir yes sir!"
…
"Serrice Council makes the best amps. Have you seen the new E87 series? Their energy output is almost 146% of the previous E86-Plus!" Staff Lieutenant John Lock said as he searched up something on his omni-tool.
"Humph! I don't care. They are cumbersome. And slow, too! It takes 0.98 millisecond longer than the Avant Garde's! And because those amplifiers are custom-built, they have just as much effect." 1st Lieutenant Alexander Keniev grumbled.
Lieutenant Lock obviously couldn't find whatever he was looking for, so he gave up and looked at Lieutenant Keniev. "0.98 milliseconds. Really? When has that ever mattered to you? I know time is important, but not that important!"
"Well you've never learnt to look down the sniper's scope, so you wouldn't know."
"What has pulling the trigger ever got to do with using biotics?"
There we go again. Jason Nguyen thought. There's always a pair in the group – arguing over how to spell check or cheque. It's just my luck that both of them are my superiors. Please don't ask me what I think.
"What do you think Corporal Nguyen?" Lieutenant Lock asked, turning his head towards him.
I jinxed myself.
"Well, sirs, both of you are correct. I assume it's just different for every person."
Neither Lieutenants seemed happy with the response.
I should have left the room earlier.
"Personally though, I tend to trust the Serrice Council more, Lieutenant Lock."
"A wise choice." Lt Lock said with a smug expression. That expression exaggerated his chubby cheeks, making his already comical face even funnier. Jason bowed his head to hide his laugh, but someone behind him laughed out for him.
"You two never change, do you?"
All three of them turned around, which revealed the Cap standing within the shadows of the doorframe.
Ah! A saviour!
"And you never change your habit of-"
"Jackson!" Lock cut off Keniev's comment, rising up to greet the Cap. They each grabbed each other's hands tightly and gave a quick bear hug.
"So, a Captain now, hu? You are three ranks higher than us already! Damn, your promotions are fast!"
"Indeed – from a Sergeant straight to a Captain." Lt Keniev said, although in a much softer tone compared to his usual snarky voice.
"Well, I did serve the Alliance a year longer than you, Lock. And it's not really a promotion, either."
"Yeah, yeah, with you having refused that position, of course everybody still remembers the fact that you should have been a Captain, especially after you went MIA for three years! Ha! Lucky you."
"Lucky me indeed." The Cap agreed. He turned towards Jason.
"Private Nguyen, are these Lieutenants giving you a hard time asking questions?"
"No sir!" Jason replied.
Yes sir! But if I say that sir, then they will have my head! On a plate! With Ketchup and Biotic Amps!
The Cap seem to understand him.
"Why didn't you come earlier? I heard you speak right outside on our way here, but you never came in!" Lt Lock asked.
"Like you were trying to avoid us." Lt Keniev added.
"Of course I didn't want to see you. You're going to ask me about biotic amps or something!" the Cap answered sarcastically. "No, I just thought this was a storeroom. I was busy for a while – this is the second time I came out of my cabin. A neat little room you've got here by the way!"
They were standing in a tight room that followed the curve of the ship's hull. The ceiling was set so low that it brushed Lieutenant Lock's (who was the tallest out of the four) hat. Most of the room was filled with two very large seats that were set inside the ground – the gunner's seats. Each "seat" was like an independent module, surrounded by screens which connected with all the weapons on the Horizon. Due to the complexity of the weapons and the fact that many of the guns were prototypes, no virtual intelligence would be able to handle the combat. Jason took care of the left side, while Lt Lock took care of the right side of the ship. The main central gun could be accessed by both sides (and by the pilot currently on duty) but Lt Lock had the priority control over it.
A chair with two tables were also present in the room, as well a wardrobe-style lockers for their belongings. It also had a small window where the light could enter, though right now that was closed, doused in the blue light that was in line with the ship's general theme. It was designated to house Lieutenant Lock and Jason only, but Lieutenant Keniev would often chase Lock during their arguments. All that Jason could do was to feel somewhat claustrophobic when they entered together. But interestingly, the addition of the fourth person made him feel much better.
"I don't really love it, but I guess I can get used to this." Lock declared, waving his hand at his chair. "So, are you for Serrice or Avant?"
"I don't use amps, remember?"
"Hmmm, yes. I remember. You just drink eezo. That's right."
He drinks what?
"Why did I forget that? It's not like there are many eezo-drinkers in the galaxy. Ha! Must be getting old Jackson! Getting old! But no fear, my friend! I can still shoot at anything that is flashing and moving." Lock said with a laugh.
He… drinks eezo?
"I trust you, my friend. It's good to see you again. And you two, Keniev. Perhaps we can talk later."
"Indeed, Captain. We can't avoid your orders." Keniev said with a small smile. A rare sight.
The Cap gave all of them a smile and left the room. The Lieutenants sat on the chairs and started to whisper, just loud enough for Jason to hear.
"Still hasn't changed, has he?" Lock asked.
"No, he hasn't. It's already been years." Keniev replied, his voice losing all their bitterness. In its place was pity.
"I doubt it's because of her. No – Jackson's a strong man. It's probably because of everyone else combined."
"You are right… I don't know how he does it."
Jason wanted to ask, but he held his tongue. He instinctively sensed a dark past, something that would take a long time to heal... or perhaps never heal and leave a raw scar forever in its place. And a lot of talking would be needed to explain why their captain drank element zero.