Hey everyone, thanks for sticking by this fic, we're starting to recruit other people now so the rest of the fic won't just be Miranda and Shepard like the previous chapters, although they will remain a focal point :) Anyway thanks for reading, as always feel free to leave a review, they really inspire me to write more chapters quicker. Hope you enjoy ^_^
Mess Sergeant Rupert Gardner called for dinner on the first night aboard the new Normandy SR-2. Commander Rayne Shepard took a seat in the Mess Hall amongst the rest of the crew, she liked to get to know her crew and this being the first day she thought this was the perfect time to start.
The entire crew had gathered for dinner including Kelly Chambers, Dr. Chakwas and Jacob Taylor, who was sitting directly opposite the Commander. As Shepard glanced around the room she realised there was one face missing.
'Jacob, do you know why Operative Lawson isn't here?' Shepard leaned in across the table as to try and be heard over the loud noises made by the rest of the crew.
Jacob shouted back at her 'You mean other than the fact that she's a total bitch? Miranda's not the type to sit and eat with the rest of the crews, besides I would imagine The Illusive Man has her filling in a lot of paperwork right about now'
Shepard rolled her eyes, this was her ship, which means it was going to be run her way and that couldn't be done without her getting to know her crew.
'Operative Lawson needs to learn that this is my ship and on my ship she's not above sitting with the rest of the crew'
Before Jacob could reply the red-headed Commander stood up and walked quickly over to Miranda's office, opening the door and walking in without notice. Miranda looked at her up from her desk.
'Shepard, what can I do for you?'
'Why are you not at dinner with the rest of the crew?'
'Apart from the fact that when Jacob talks he spits enough crumbs at your face to make an entire meal? The Illusive Man has given me a great deal of paper work with a strict deadline. As this is only the start of the mission he wants reports on everyone and everything to ensure this ship is running to it's full potential.'
'Would it really kill you just to come and sit with us for 10 minutes, to talk and eat? I'm sure the paperwork could wait'
Miranda leaned forward on her desk 'I fill in all this paperwork so that you don't have to and so that you can afford to have the time to get to know your crew, I'm just doing my job'
'You're part of my crew Miranda and I can't get to know you if you stay in this office all the time' Shepard smiled, she was beginning to think that Miranda's coldness was more due to her professionalism and less due to her just being a bitch. '10 minutes, that's all I'm asking for, come and talk with me, maybe even grab something to eat, we can even sit on the opposite end of the table to Jacob if that's what you'd like?' Shepard jested.
Miranda smiled briefly at Shepard's attempt at humour and looked down at her desk, after a few seconds she turned her attention back to her Commanding officer. 'There's a lot to do Shepard, maybe another time'
Rayne shook her head and let out a loud sigh 'Fine, suit yourself' she then continued to turn and walk out of Miranda's office and back to dinner.
The next hour continued on the whole as Rayne would've expected, the crew were nice enough although Jacob chewed with his mouth open just like Miranda said.
A few hours passed before the Normandy finally docked at it's first destination; Omega. Shepard geared up and departed from the ship with Jacob and Miranda at her side. After a short greeting from an eager salarian and a batarian, Shepard approached a well armoured man waiting at the end of the docks.
'Commander Shepard I assume' The man said in a grouchy voice.
'Zaeed Massani?' Shepard offered her hand to the older mercenary which he swiftly took in his own and shook. 'I'm Commander Shepard, glad to have you aboard the Normandy'
'Glad to be helping you out, especially for the amount of credits Cerberus is paying me' Zaeed chuckled before turning his attention to Miranda, looking her up and down. 'Who's your lady friend Shepard?'
Shepard gestured towards the brunette woman standing to her right 'This is Miranda Lawson, she's the XO'
Miranda spoke for herself 'I've read your dossier, you come very highly recommended, I have no doubt you will be a great addition to the team we are building'
Zaeed looked smiled and nodded in response to Miranda.
'And I'm Jacob Taylor'
Miranda shook her head 'No-one cares Jacob'
Jacob bit his tongue, trying not to respond to Miranda's comment
Zaeed broke the silence, 'So I guess I'll just see you on the ship then Shepard?'
Rayne paused for a few seconds to think.
'Actually, Jacob can take your things back to the ship, I want you to come with me and Miranda to recruit a salarian doctor'
Jacob was clearly not happy with this arrangement 'Shepard I…'
Miranda interrupted her Cerberus colleague 'Jacob, that was an order, take Mr. Massani's things back to the ship and get started on cleaning those guns'
Jacob shook his head and grabbed a small bag full of things that was placed at Zaeed's feet before heading back to the Normandy.
'Well then Zaeed, it seems we have been summoned by Aria, whoever she is, maybe she'll have some leads on where to find this salarian doctor, Miranda will brief you on the way'
