"Mr.. uhh.. Lt.. Ummm" Shepard stuttered as Master Chief stared back at him
Carl Johnson stood next to Joker as the Normandy Flew. The people below not noticing an invisible spaceship flying about them at mach 10. A speed well below its maximum output.
A few minutes earlier, a midst the chaos, Master Chief had to carry a shocked Shepard into the Normandy. He threw the Commander inside, threw a smoke grenade and jumped in. The ship's cloaking device made it seem that the three had disappeared into thin air.
"Are they still chasing us?" Carl asked Joker who laughed, his voice sounds like he has just been insulted.
Joker faces the gang leader from Grove Street. "You are riding on a ship that's literally 100 years more advance than anything in this planet and piloted by THE best.. and you're worried about getting caught?"
"S-Sorry.. Just worried here." CJ apologized and looked around. This is the first time he had set foot inside the Normandy. A dozen screens and chairs clearly shows that his ship was ran by more than three people. He remembered what Shepard said about their mission and began to wonder why these three were the only one assigned to such an important task.
He must be something.. Johnson looked at their commander. "Uhh is he gonna be okay?"
"I..." Joker peeked and saw Shepard poking and prodding Master Chief's armor while the soldier sat motionless, waiting for the next order.
Shepard whispered "Dont tell anyone, but I bought all your action figures and played all your games.."
Joker's palm ran across his face "I.. Don't know. We've never really seen him like that."
"Damn.." Johnson looked back and saw Shepard taking a picture of himself and Master Chief with his Omnitool.
"Anyway..." Turning back to joker "..Whats our next move?"
"We should regroup back at the hanger and reassess our plans."
Johnson looked at EDI and Joker. The two sat beside each other and complemented each other so well that it seemed the ship can run on its own with just the two. They have this certain chemistry that gave Johnson an impression that they were something more than co-pilots and he just had to ask.
"So is joker your.."
"Partner." EDI kept her eyes on the screens.
"Flight Partner?"
"LIFE Partner" EDI looked at Johnson with straight eyes as if it was an unchanging fact.
"Woah.. so uhh do you do it?"
"If by do you mean engage in sexual intercourse..." EDI went back to her work with Joker looking at her, fearing what she'll say next."..Yes we do it. Though not as regular as normal partners are because Jeff has a weak bone structure and I might end up 'breaking' him."
"So thats how hard you're doing it right?"CJ eyed Joker.
"Correct." Edi answered "In Jeff's words he likes it 'rough, wet and wild'. So Im continously finding ways to comply to that request while still being safe for him just as adding inertia dampers on my-"
"LETS JUST STOP RIGHT THERE!" Joker screamed "Can't we talk about more important stuff? Like whats are next move?!"
"I want you and EDI working as fast as you can to make this ship be able to travel back home."
Shepard looked at the two. "What?"
Are you the real Shepard?
"What?!"
The two were unable to answer. 15 minutes ago, They had just landed and Carl Johnson led them to a room with a big table in the middle before leaving, trying to coordinate with his own group outside. The three exchanged glances in silence while Master Chief stared at all three of them.
"Nevermind" Joker intervened "We just didnt think you ever go back... anyway! Yeah we'll work on the ship so does it mean we failed the mission?"
"No" Shepard laid both of his hands on the table and leaned. "I cant let myself go back without that artifact.."
The Commander then faced Master Chief and asked "We're you briefed prior to your containment?"
The Soldier stared back in silence.
"I guess not.." Shepard went to back to the two. Johnson entered the room while the four stood quietly.
"Y'all need to eat something.." He placed a plate of doughnuts at the table. "I take it you dont have a plan?"
"No.." Shepard, grabbing a doughnut, continued "Our mission hinged on the support of your government. Though I dont blame their cautiousness, I just didnt realized we'd be lost this early on. Now we can't trust them. Hell, I''m sure we're already declared as enemies of the state."
Shepard then faces Johnson, he face looking a bit more desperate now. "You must know someone CJ.. Anyone who can help us.."
The gang leader stays quiet, skimming through all the contacts he remembers.
"Chief, I also need you to stay here."
We can still guard the Normandy, Shepard.
"No and that's an order. I need you to focus on FIXING the Normandy. Plus this is OUR ONLY way home.. I intend to make the best soldier I know guard it."
Shepard looks at Master Chief who gives him a nod.
"Now, use the time we still have... Me and Johnson here are going to figure things out."
The three left the room, leaving Shepard and Johnson alone. Shepard puts a hand on CJ's shoulder and says calmly.
"I need your help."