"Well it looks just like the same as we left it," stated Mike as he examined the side of the Normandy, his eyes scanning over the shining hull of the spaceship. A while ago, the majesty of the ship would have impressed him. Now however he barely cared about that certain aspect of it. Due to all that he had seen, the sight of a spaceship was of little interest. The only thing he cared about was the technology inside.

"I would expect so," replied Shepard, "The Normandy is almost impenetrable to unwelcome visitors." Mike heard an edge in Shepard's voice near the end. "Anyways, let's get this over with." Mike watched as Shepard reached to the side of his head and Spoke, "EDI we're outside, open the airlock."

Almost instantly the moment Shepard finished, there was the sound of metal sliding and Mike watched as the airlock opened before them revealing the lightened interior of the ship. Falling into step behind Shepard and his companions, mike entered the Normandy and walked onto the command deck.

"Welcome back Commander Shepard."

Mike flinched slightly at the voice of the AI that seemed to come from everywhere. It was not fear that occupied his mind, but simply instinct. Every robot or AI that spoke in the way this one did usually was a hostile one. Not to mention that fact that a voice seeming to come from no identifiable source tended to make almost anyone react in some fashion.

"EDI we've got a robot for you to upload yourself into."

"Very good Commander Shepard. Bring it down to the core and we will begin the upload."

"Ok Mike, bring your securitron along. I'll show you where the AI Core is." Stated Shepard.

Complying, Mike followed Shepard to the elevator. However, before going in he spoke to Boone, "Stay here and keep a watch for any deathclaws. They probably won't come by but just in case." Boone only nodded in confirmation as Mike stepped into the elevator, followed by the securitron and Tali.

"I think I'm going to stay here Shepard," stated Garrus who was examining the anti-material rifle in a professional manner, "Might get a chance to use my new toy if anything comes and plus, someone needs to keep Boone company."

As the elevator door closed, separating the two groups and beginning the slow descent, Shepard turned to face Mike, "So once we upload EDI into your robot here what's next?"

Confused, Mike asked, "What do you mean? We're going back to New Vegas."

The man shook his head, "I mean in the long run, during the next few days or weeks that we will be in this world?"

Sighing he replied in a slow but calm tone, "That really depends on several things."

"Like?" Questioned Shepard.

"How badly your ship is damaged and if I can get enough resources and people I trust to help. Another depends on what you and your crew does in the mean time."

"What do you mean by that?" Responded Shepard, his tone remaining neutral, though his stance suggested defensiveness by the way his arms were crossed.

At this point, Tali spoke up, "Let's talk about this later you two. We have arrived."

Both Shepard and Mike glanced at the open elevator door in silence before they all proceeded out onto the third floor. Shepard led them in silence through a medical room into a smaller room full of computers and terminals that Mike did not recognize.

"EDI, what do we do now?" Asked Shepard seeming to address nobody.

"I will take care of it from here Shepard."

Shepard, Mike, and Tali watched as the securitron rolled over to one of the computer terminals and began to do what seemed like o be pushing various buttons. This event lasted only about a minute before the securitron suddenly began to shake violently followed by a low hum in which the face screen went black. Mike was about to ask if anything was wrong when the securitron powered back up, its screen changed to show a long horizontal glowing line instead of a face which he had become accustomed to.

"I have successfully integrated into this body." Stated the AI in an emotionless tone, and Mike saw that the horizontal line on the securitron's screen brightened and expanded slightly with each word.

"How is it?" Questioned Shepard, looking at EDI with concern.

"This body is well adept for fighting capabilities and has had some upgrades but all the information on its hard drive and memory core not related to these advance were erased."

Mike winced slightly at the AI's statement and waited for the inevitable.

"Did you erase the robot's data before bringing it along?" Asked Shepard frowning.

"I couldn't just hand you a wealth of valuable information now could I?" He replied with a shrug.

"I think it is time we had a talk."

"Shepard?" Said Tali nervously but Shepard ignored her.

"I want my earlier question answered, as well as some more. I have a feeling you're not doing all of this out of the kindness of your heart?" The commander seemed uneasy, as well as suspicious, "What are your plans?"

Mike knew that now was as good as a time as any to give the commander the information that he wanted, or at least, most of it. Smiling slightly he nodded, "You're right commander. I'm not doing this as an act of kindness. I have goals and need ways to attain them. Rarely have I done anything for free. There's always a catch. After all, to survive in this world, you have to be the strongest physically, mentally, or socially."

"So what do you intend to do with us?" A rough tone in Shepard's voice now.

"Do? I don't intend to do anything to you or your crew as long as you're not a problem. I simply expect to benefit from our encounter."

"And what would that be?" Asked Tali nervously, "What do you expect to gain from us?"

Mike began pacing before them, pretending to seem relaxed and in control while actually watchful for any signs of aggression, "As you already know humanity here is struggling just to survive. We're rebuilding slowly but our fate is hanging by a thin thread. Many attempts were made to improve our chances of survival and some have succeeded. However, those successes will most likely only return us back to where we were before the Great War and as I'm sure you're aware of Shepard, humanity is very violent and self-destructive."

Mike stopped his pacing and spoke slowly, "We need to prevent another possible apocalypse. Resources, land, and food… they are the main factors that result in war. This is only one planet Tali and it's already depleted, not to mention tainted. However, if we have space flight capabilities, a nuclear war on one planet won't mean the destruction of the human species."

Tali was about to say something else but Mike over rid her, "Your weaponry is also unique, as well as your medical technology. I mean to have all of this to help benefit all of us here." Anticipating their next question, he continued, "Yes I probably could have asked you this in the beginning but what if you didn't want to? There are many reasons not to agree to share your knowledge with the people of this universe. So I had to make sure I had a place of equal footing or an advantage."

"And what if we don't agree to what you ask?" Tali asked hesitantly?

Mike raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "Then you can expect no aid from me, or anyone in New Vegas and the surrounding areas. And believe me, you won't find aid anywhere else. This world is a dangerous place. Few are unaffected by it."

"What is to prevent us from forcibly taking what we need?" Asked Shepard, and Mike knew that he wasn't bluffing and maybe actually considering doing such.

"Because I have all the cards. I'm well-known and liked by many powerful figures in and around New Vegas. I have the things you need to escape back to your world and I have the power and force to do so." He leaned back against a wall, arms crossed, watching them with an amused look. There was a long silence and Mike could literally feel the tension in the air. "Listen," interjected Mike, "You get along with me and I'll get along with you. I'm no threat to you or your friends unless you make me one." He pushed away from the wall and uncrossed his arms. "I'm speaking in all honesty to not make you feel isolated or threatened. I prefer cooperation instead of opposition."

Another silence followed, more intense than the one before and he wondered if this talk would result into conflict.

"Very well." Shepard shrugged, "At least you are more forthcoming with your intentions, unlike the Illusive Man."

Nodding, Mike relaxed a bit, "So you done here?"

"Yes, you can lead us back to Vegas now. You know the safer routes."

"That I do but I won't." He saw Shepard tense and quickly continued before he could interrupt, "I have to go somewhere real quick but Boone will lead you back."

"Where are you going?" Questioned Tali.

Mike decided it would not hurt to tell them, "I'm going to the Divide to meet a friend."

Shepard took a step forward, "When will you return?"

"I'm not sure. But maybe before the day ends."

"And who is this friend you are off to meet? Is it someone who can help us with our situation?"

Mike himself paused as he thought over the question. Would Ulysses be able to aid them? "I'm not sure if he can. Ulysses is a unique person with many skills but as for aiding us. I'm unsure of that. Maybe so and maybe not."

Mike saw the expression on Shepard's face, a confused look, "When you return to New Vegas you can do whatever you wish, within reason of course. I wouldn't want to return to New Vegas to find an unwelcome return or some form of trouble." Mike watched Shepard who met his stare with equal intensity.

It was Tali who broke the silence again, "Let's go. We got what we came for."

Shepard looked away from Mike to Tali and smiled, "Sure. We better check on the crew."

A sense of relief came over Tali as the tension between Shepard and Mike slowly dissipated. She had feared that, once started, a confrontation would lead to violence, so she had decided to step in and stop the beginnings of a fight. Not that she was worried for Shepard, he could easily take care of himself, or Mike, whom she did not really care for, but because of what Mike said. They needed him and he wanted something from them. If Mike became and enemy she doubted any of them would survive, not even Shepard.

As Shepard headed towards the elevator Tali noticed Mike watching her and, meeting his gaze, began to feel very uncomfortable. He did that thing where if felt like he was examining you, dissecting you piece by piece and extracting every little secret. It was the sort of thing trained assassins and killers did, the sort of thing people like Aria or the Illusive Man did. Shivering slightly, Tali headed after Shepard, moving a little quicker than necessary.

The elevator ride back seemed to take longer than it did earlier and despite the silence, no one spoke. At least not out loud. Shepard felt rage boiling within him. The audacity of the man for him to threaten his people like that, to speak to rudely to Tali, and to act so relaxed and confident while he spoke of how little their lives meant. He had though about taking a swing at Mike, and to hell with the consequences, but had managed to contain himself. He could not let Mike think he had gotten the better of him. No matter what, he had to stay strong and steadfast for not only himself, but for Tali and the rest of the crew.

As the elevator doors opened, an odd unexpected sight greeted Shepard. Garrus and Boone were sitting on the floor, side by side with their backs to the elevator, speaking in low mournful tones. They must have heard the elevator because before Shepard could hear what they were talking about, the two became quiet. Garrus got up and turned to face Shepard.

"We all good to go?" There hasn't been any activity since you left. Not that you were gone long."

"Yes. Mike says Boone is going to take us back to Vegas."

Shepard waited for Garrus to catch the hint but he was surprised when Garrus only replied by saying, "Seems good. Don't think I know the way back myself yet."

Shepard frowned and spoke again, "And while Boone leads us, Mike is going somewhere else to meet a friend."

"Sounds good," replied Garrus to Shepard's continued surprise. Shepard felt tempted to give it another try but decided not to. No good wasting time out here.

"Let's go." That was all Boone said as he began to walk towards the airlock, which Mike was already opening to leave. Sighing, Shepard followed the man with Tali and EDI close behind. This was going to be a long trip back to Vegas.