IA IA disclaimer fhtagn!
Author's Note: In this chapter, Turians. They don't blend. And the Author may be lying.
Motherlode System, Large Magellanic Cloud (POV: Decilio Paetnius)
As my most recent shift ended, I got up from my console in the control center. The room was Spartan in its aesthetics, with a few rugged control consoles for the mining drones, some chairs, and lighting, but that was about it. As I left, my replacement for the next shift (An Asari named Panarsa) passed by. She made some wisecrack as we passed, but I didn't pay any attention to what it was. I had more important things on my mind, namely food, with a stop by the medical office for my checkup on the way there.
I passed through a more 'lived in' area of the station on my way there, one of its prominent features was a large elaborate mural of an Elcor, a Quarian, and an Asari having a threesome. I resolved to apply a fresh coat of paint remover later today. Getting to the medical office, I immediately got into a conversation with my physician, a Salarian named Mordin. I opened up the conversation with "I'm here for my checkup, lets get this over with."
Mordin responded with "Yes. Efficiency is optimal."
With my checkup being over in about 15 minutes, I made my way back towards the public food court. On the way there I passed that accursed mural again, which only strengthened my resolve to remove it. Arriving at the food court, I ordered a bowl of crispy, spicy noodles, just the way I liked them. Namely, without any extra frilly garnishes. As I sat down to eat, another of my colleagues from the last shift (a Drell named Odrulot), sat down across from me. I opened the conversation.
"I presume you've seen the mural in sector 19."
"Yes, and it livens up the place quite nicely in my opinion."
"That is firmly in the realm of opinion. That mural is an affront to the professional nature of this station."
"Why do you hate art so much?"
"It isn't so much the art itself I have a problem with as where the 'artist' chose to put it. If it were in the recreation center I wouldn't have so much of a problem because I never go there anyway, but making it right next to main hydroponics is just counterproductive."
"Ah, you really need to lighten up."
"But."
"No buts, the Recreation Center is there so we don't all go stir crazy, and you are going to use it if I have to drag you there kicking and screaming."
"At least allow me to finish eating."
"Certainly!"
With that I unceremoniously finished eating my meal in relative peace. When that was done, I got up, put my trash in the disposal, and went through the 'north' exit, hoping Odrulot had forgotten about that little 'appointment'. It was not to be, as my happy-go-lucky co-worker landed in the wall ahead of me in a biotic haze before stating "No can do, you're going to go have some fun whether you like it or not!"
As I was dragged through the halls of Motherlode Station, we passed by the abominable mural once more. When we got to the Recreation Center, with its 8 story high ceiling and various rides and attractions, Odrulot said "OK, now that we're here you can do just about anything you like."
My gaze passed 3 roller coasters, 2 waterslides, 6 other assorted thrill rides, 20 gaming parlors of various descriptions, and a gallery filled with pinball machines (the idea came from the ASB, but we didn't trust them after the console incident). Then I finally found my destination. Without hesitation I fearlessly wandered through the crowds. After the harrowing experience of getting here, I sat down on the bench, activated my omnitool, and started filing paperwork. Of course, that's when Odrulot had to butt in with "Hey, that is NOT recreation. Now get up, you're going to ride a roller coaster." I groaned and did so, if only because trying to overpower a clever biotic without mechanical assistance was an exercise in futility.
Odrulot continued with "Pick a roller coaster, any roller coaster!" There were 3 to pick from. First was the Ricochet, which had no inversions, but was incredibly violent in its ups, downs, and turns. I decided not to do that one. Next was the cylotron. It was faster, yet had slower turns. In addition it possessed an interesting spiral loop-the-loop, which entered at the edge and went around three times before exiting near the middle. I decided that I might as well go for that one, as the last option would likely lead to Odrulot dragging me off to the Ricochet.
Waiting in line took about 20 minutes. During this time I took the opportunity to do some paperwork, much to Odulot's consternation. Eventually, we reached the front of the line. I went for a seat in the front row, and sighed as the safety restraints lowered over my shoulders. Unlike some roller coasters, the Cyclotron immediately started on its lift hill instead of turning beforehand. As I got to the top, I looked out at the bright red track the majority of the coaster was constructed from. It had 4 ups and downs, a half loop, and the infamous spiral. We reached the top. There was a brief feeling of weightlessness as the first drop began. I was rushing towards the ground ohspiritswe'reallgoingtodie! Suddenly, there was a feeling of intense weight as the track turned upwards.
Reaching the top of the bump almost made me regurgitate, but I kept it down. We descended once more. Though it was still disconcerting, I managed to avoid a panic attack. It was at this point that we went into the banked turn which started the spiral. Contrary to what some might think, the spiral was only about 15 degrees from being level with the deck. Nevertheless, it still counts as an inversion, which was a particular sore point as the world started to spin. Then the inversion went to full upside down as we came to the half-loop that exited the spiral. In some ways it could theoretically be comparable to doing a back-flip, however as I have never done a back-flip I have no points of comparison. There was one more up, then a significantly lesser down, and the station brakes activated.
As I shakily got out of the roller coaster, Odrulot literally bounced up to me (biotics...) before saying "That was awesome!"
I replied with "No, it was not 'awesome'. It was in fact terrifying. Now I've got a mural to remove so get out of my way."
Arcturus Ring (POV: Yelena Val Emerson)
I currently had shore leave. I had decided to spend it at Arcturus. Yes, the Ring wasn't completed yet in terms of biotorus, but it still had an awesome view. After all, it's not every day you get to see a star being forcibly diminished from a red giant to a red dwarf, with excess matter being used to make 'storage Jupiters' or used as reaction mass to keep Arcturus from screaming straight out of the galactic plane. Oh, that old depleted core Arcturus had was also being replace with fresh hydrogen from its outer layers while those delicious heavy elements from the old core were being used for industry.
Currently I was at a VR establishment named Freak's, which had a rather interesting gimmick. Namely, each night they used a spinner loaded with various impossible (or at least impractical to implement normally) abilities. Whatever the spinner landed on, the patrons all had that ability forcibly activated, at least for the duration of their stay, though the form could be retained after leaving if the patrons left (at least in a VR environment). Tonight, Mr. Freak (a stage name if I ever saw one), gave the spinner his usual heavy heave.
clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick
click click click click click click click click click click click click
click. click. click. click. click. click. click. click. click. click.
click... click... click... click... click...
click.
The spinner landed on 'Detachable', and I flt my neck loosening somewhat, as well as my wast and shoulders. Carefully, I ran my finger along my neck, until I found a groove. Carefully, I tried pulling. Nothing happened at first, but I eventually heard a 'pop' somewhat like a suction cup letting go. Gently lifting, I set my head in my lap and ruffled my hair. This is about when I decided on what I wanted to drink.
=2 subjective hours, 18 simulated alcoholic beverages, and 1 sobriety reset code later=
As my mind-state automatically reset to sobriety (Freak's was currently closing) I realized just what an absurd situation I was in. From what I could see, my head and left arm had been superglued to the table, my torso was currently completely undressed and atop one of the bar stools, with my shirt being draped over my left shoulder. And from what I could tell my right arm had been stuck to the ceiling. My legs were currently on a different bar stool, but thankfully I could still see them. Also, someone apparently decided to steal my breasts. Without much fanfare, I activated the routine to restore my avatar to a default state. Everything went back in the right places (shirt and breasts included). With that I took a step towards the exit, and my head promptly fell off my neck.
I quickly analyzed my code, and found that particular bit had been damaged. It was near enough important stuff about my personality that I didn't want to mess with it, and I had more important things to do anyway. It seemed an awful lot like I would be going headless for quite a while, at least as far as VR was concerned. Without much fanfare, I picked up my head, tucked it under my arm, and left Freak's. Good Riddance.