Chapter 18: The Day After
The information had finally been sent his way. It was an interesting case. After all, it had half the crew running across the galaxy, the other half scattered across the Citadel. It was a rare occasion that they would be stretched this thin, they did count twelve operatives, after all, minus the commander. Even then, it took everyone and Kelly Chambers to pull it off. Garrus gave the data one more look before opening a channel to Shepard.
Commander, I have some news concerning Billy, he explained.
Relay it on me, the commander prompted him.
Turns out, Billy was a regular of the human acolyte. He had confessed his troubles to her more than once and even though Sha'ira sports a certain confidentiality between her business and her customers, it had become increasingly clear to the acolyte that Billy was a violent individual, so she took up action, he clarified. The turian diplomat was another one of her regular customers. She asked him for advice on the matter and he had urged her to come forth to C-Sec with the information. As for the salarian former STG member, he had offered to protect her from Billy, while the case was under investigation and during the trial. Personal friend of our turian diplomat, it seems.
Thanks, Garrus. That does put a lot of things into perspective. Would have been nice to know that beforehand, he regretted.
You told me not to contact my father, commander, the turian reminded him.
I know. Remember to give him my thanks next time you talk. How did his surgery go? he asked out of courtesy.
My sister's taking care of him and, he paused, wait, how do you know about that?
Shepard bit his tongue. He shouldn't have mentioned it. A mutual friend told me.
Garrus sighed. Tell Liara to butt out. The broker doesn't need to keep a tab on my father. All she has to do is ask, he promptly cut the channel off.
It had just made the news. Mordin wasn't really proud of it, but on the other hand, he was. He had given quite the show. Firm, confident, logical, to the point, held the line. He felt sorry for the turian, but more so for his family. Still, not my fault. Had to defend Shepard, keep galaxy safe from Reapers. Maybe turian prosecutor's family survives because of him. Prosecutor would be more happy that way, if not dead. Should inform Shepard, he reasoned, leaving his lab behind. There, in the CIC, next to Chambers, sitting by the terminal, the commander considered his next mission.
Ah, Shepard! There you are, the salarian scientist greeted him. Have news, need to share.
Good morning to you too, doctor Solus, the specter replied in as official a tone as he could muster, mug in hand. What have you got for me? he asked, taking a sip.
Morning report, turian prosecutor, found dead. Suicide, C-Sec announced, after career ending trial. Wife and three kids left behind. Thought you should know, the doctor placed a comforting hand on the specter's shoulder. Your fault after all.
Shepard spat the sip he had just taken, from the cup of coffee Kelly had made him, all over Mordin. My fault? How is that my fault?
Your trial, Mordin explained, whipping the coffee off his face. Just defended. Had to be done. Save Shepard, save galaxy, Mordin Solus, silent hero.
You ruined his career with that defense, the specter objected.
Irrelevant! Can't take heat, don't step in fire, the good doctor defended himself. If better prosecutor, make better case, better man win. Sorry, Shepard, your fault, he concluded and returned to his lab.
The commander wobbled himself to his terminal, the yeoman giving him worried looks as he went. He couldn't believe it, but Mordin had actually convinced him to feel guilty. Behind him, the elevator door opened up and Tali walked out, her fingers fidgeting wildly the moment she saw Shepard in front of her.
Oh, keelah, she monologued remorsefully, approaching the commander.
Hey, Tali, he responded, almost sounding depressed.
Oh, keelah, she cowered. I'm so sorry, Shepard. I took Jack to Chakwas and she told me there was no, she made a short intermission, clearing her throat, forced entry.
It's alright. As long as you don't shoot my manhood off, I forgive you, the resigned specter sighed.
No, it's not alright, she snapped. You and Jack should have slept together like a couple in love should and I, her voice trailed off.
Tali, she tore my clothes and peed on my floor, he reminded her, pinching the ridge of his nose. The quarian blinked a couple of times, then chuckled and walked away laughing. The specter couldn't help but feel even more defeated.
The door to the lift rose up as it reached the mess hall. Miranda planned on taking it to reach to the briefing room, so she could prepare for the next mission Shepard had in mind. Seeing it was already occupied, she thought twice about walking inside, but didn't move away either.
You coming? Zero asked impatiently, throwing her hands out in frustration, even as she leaned against the side wall. Miranda, having a very different image still embedded in her mind, blushed at the mention of the word coming and strode inside, covering her face with her hand, the door closing behind her.
The ride felt like it took forever. The genetically perfect brunette felt the urge to say something. I heard about your hard work during the investigation, she spoke softly. She was afraid she might piss Jack off and in such a confined, yet exposed space, the psychotic biotic would have the upper hand. You did a great job, she praised her, if a little reluctant.
Jack tilted her head sideways, looking at the cheerleader with every bit of scorn she had. Thanks, she accepted. I was kinda excited too, when I heard that you returned successful from Omega, she admitted.
Miranda gambled a look towards her, disbelieving. Maybe Shepard was right. Maybe she has changed, she thought to herself.
So I heard you fucked a krogan, Zero mocked, smiling. And just like that, whatever musing Miranda had regarding her, disappeared.
What? I didn't ... Who told you ... Oh, I'm going to toss that AI right to the Omega relay, IFF or no IFF, Miranda snapped.
I really wish you wouldn't, Jack interrupted her, the operative forgetting her rage over Jack's choice of words.
I thought you hated EDI, she asked, taken aback.
I don't, she objected, cocking an eyebrow. Well, yeah, I kinda do, she re-thought her earlier statement, bobbing her head along, but I'd have to listen to Joker's whimpering over how he got cock blocked out of his one chance for love and, she stopped mid sentence as Miranda started laughing. What's so funny, cheerleader? Jack inquired, itching for a fight instantly.
It's nothing, she dismissed, waving her hands in accordance and laughing simultaneously. I just pictured Joker trying to have sex with EDI's projection in the cockpit, she clarified.
What? That's not, the biotic paused for a moment, conjuring the image in her mind's eye. She chortled, then tried walking around in imitation of the pilot's limp. Oh, yes, EDI, take my little Vrolik dick, she mocked with her usual exaggeration, thrusting her hips, while still maintaining the limp. Miranda found herself gasping for breath. She knew it was wrong to make fun of a disabled man like this and it was a cheap attempt at humour, but deep down, she felt that he had it coming. Zero on the other hand, had to lean on the wall, the spams from her guffaw making her lose her balance. It took the two women about a minute or so to realize the door had opened to the CIC and the crew was staring at them awkwardly. Hastily they collected themselves.
Biotic slut, Miranda spat and darted towards the armory.
Cerberus bitch, Jack returned the compliment and walked over to Shepard, who stared just as dumbfounded as the rest of the Normandy's personnel. What? she snapped at him.
Nothing, he prompted, composing himself. I was thinking maybe you could use the day off so you and your new bff could go shopping together, he teased, his mood alleviated.
Not funny, Shepard, she raised an accusing finger at him. She put her hands up on the little desk that supported the commander's private terminal, next to the galaxy map. I forgot something in your cabin last night, she added as an afterthought.
I noticed, he replied, taking something out of his pocket and shoving it in hers. I need to know something, Jack, he started off rather seriously. He leaned forward so his head would be about the same height as hers. Zero turned around to face him. I can take biting my lips till they bleed, digging your nails under my skin, tearing my clothes apart, but I have to know; did you pee in my cabin?
Jack pursed her lips together. I had a very violent orgasm, she stated in a matter of fact tone.
Oh, the specter replied, his eyebrows contorted, seemingly still thinking about it. Oh, he repeated as his brows raised in unison, realization achieved. Oh, he concluded.
And I'm still sore, you asshole, she punched his arm vindictively. Not to mention the trip to the infirmary, she grimaced and shivered in disgust at the same time.
Yeah, Tali came by a minute ago, talking about that, the commander informed her. What was so wrong about it?
Chakwas. That's what was wrong, she barked. You know how they check you for rape? They touch and prod everywhere for semen samples and signs of bruising, she muttered softly, but her frustration was evident. Your biting and slapping didn't help either, dumbass.
I'm so sorry to hear that, he tried to sound earnest, but his chuckles made it seem otherwise. Zero just shook her head.
There seemed to have been a lot of movement around the ship that day, as the elevator's whirred once more, then stopped, the door opening again. Jack, came a soft feminine voice behind her. The biotic and the commander turned around to face the asari as she stood in front of the now shut lift. Shepard, she continued, tilting her head towards the specter. He replied in kind with a nod of his own. I'm sorry, but there is still one thing that needs to be done, she strode towards Zero, her hands reaching for her head.
Hey, what the-, she started to protest at the Justicar's bold advance, but as soon as contact was made, she froze in place. It only lasted for a second, though, as Samara retracted her arms. -hell do you think you're, she paused, seeing the asari moving away from her, doing, she concluded.
The link has been severed. I shan't trouble you again, she said with another bow and retreated back to the elevator, the door closing behind her.
What was that about? Shepard inquired, both surprised and confused.
Beats the hell outta me, Zero complained. She's been doing all sorts of things with my head lately, like its her fucking playground, she explained, agitated. I'm going to be relieved if this is the last time she ever messes with it, she sighed.
Like what kind of stuff, Shepard quizzed as he shifted around her.
Like yesterday, when I was after Billy, she somehow got in my head, saw what I saw, felt what I felt, and amplified it a million times, Jack explained.
Is that why yesterday, the commander insinuated, but Zero just stared at him confused. I mean when you and I, we, you know, he tried to clarify, fumbling for the words.
I don't think it works that way, Jack dismissed his assumption with a shake of her head. I'm pretty sure, last night, it was all you, she smiled, leaning on him.