A/N: Here's my next World Cup shortened chapter, thought I'd include a little more Kasumi/Jacob here. PLEASE REVIEW. It's not much to ask but not many of you are doing it, I need some feedback and comments will only improve the story. For example a reviewer suggested I include several different endings and this is such a good idea I'm trying to think of a good way to do that. Thank you to those who have reviewed, much appreciated.
COERCITIO
"Kasumi, what the hell did Shepard have you do, and why did Migrant Fleet Security want me to post bail for Grunt?" demanded Jacob.
"The Flotilla accepts bail?"
"In the form of supplies; but that's not the point, what did you do?" he asked again.
"Well…Shepard had me break in and steal some files from the Admiralty Board offices. And because the job was on such short notice I couldn't rely completely on my subtlety so I needed a distraction, and Grunt can be really distracting." Kasumi replied.
"Fair enough, what did Shepard get you to steal?"
"The usual: codes, passwords, etcetera. Oh, and the schematics for the quarian ship Qwib Qwib too."
"That doesn't sound good. Didn't he just bring that annoying Admiral vas Qwib Qwib aboard, and Shepard has the plans to his vessel? What the hell is Shepard up to?" Jacob rhetorically asked the air around him.
Startled out of his brief, one sided consultation with emptiness Jacob returned his attention to Kasumi as she answered him, "I don't know, but we could find out."
"How?" Jacob asked, suspicious of the thief's grin.
"They went to the AI core, and I've got a bug in there."
"Good God woman, do you spend all your time sneaking around the ship and spying on people!"
"Yes. I'm bored on this ship and, besides, it's good practice." Kasumi replied defensively.
"Fine, let's listen then, I'm sure you would without me anyways." Jacob said, attempting to retain the moral high ground while going along with the thief's plan.
As they headed to Kasumi's quarters Jacob began shifting uncomfortably as he walked behind her. Finally he broke the increasingly awkward silence, "So…I'm just wondering but do you spy on anyone other than the Commander?"
"Of course! It's amazing what you can hear on a ship like this. For instance Garrus has interesting things to say when he thinks no one is around. For that matter so do you, especially when you're stumbling back drunk from 'guy's night' with Zaeed."
"Wha…Oh, that. You, ah, heard that, did you?" asked Jacob stopping in his tracks as the thief turned on him, a predatory leer visible under her hood.
"Yes, yes I did."
Suddenly uneasy Jacob found a paint chip on the bulkhead that seemed to be incredibly interesting as Kasumi continued, "What was it exactly you two said? Oh, that was it! Zaeed said, 'So…Jacob, you and Miranda, eh. Just out of curiosity, what's your favorite part of her? I, personally have a hard time concentrating on the Collector's while that ass of hers is swaying about the battlefield.'."
Grinning at Jacob's discomfort Kasumi kept the pressure on, "And what did you say? Right, you said, 'Got that right, though I'm more of a boob-man myself. Besides, you think it's hard for you to concentrate? I look at Miranda and can feel her nipples hardening against my fingers and hear her moaning in pleasure. Damn it, I have to keep stopping myself from unconsciously caressing my shotgun's ammo selector button during firefights!' I believe those were your words."
"Sorry, Kasumi. I, I…I'm just sorry. Please know it doesn't mean anything. It's over between me and Miranda." protested Jacob.
Staring at him levelly Kasumi didn't respond prompting Jacob to continue, "Really, it doesn't mean anything. It's not like Miranda's the only distracting one out there, Morinth's falling out of her 'armor' and Jack is…well mostly naked."
"But I'm not distracting?" Kasumi asked, sounding hurt.
"Well, not really…no." said Jacob hesitantly before hurrying to explain when he noticed her expression of mixed hurt and fury. "You're usually sneaking around invisible, after all. I can't actually see you."
Jacob stopped talking as he noticed Kasumi's body begin to shake. Wondering if he should attempt to comfort her or just get the hell out of there, having done enough damage already, Jacob was just about to reach out to comfort her when Kasumi exploded into gales of laughter.
Finally settling down Kasumi explained to a perplexed Jacob, "I'm just teasing you Jacob. I spy, remember. I heard you tell Shepard it was over with Miranda, implying he should go for her. Encouraging competition? Not something you would say if you still wanted her. Besides, I know exactly what you mean; Miranda is very distracting…for everyone."
Surprised at his unexpected escape from a terrible conversation Jacob sighed his relief as he gestured Kasumi to continue towards her room, and the monitoring equipment hidden there.
"Hello, Admiral, so nice of you to join us. Now, let me get down to business; you're going to rule that Tali's innocent of all charges."
Staring at Shepard Zaal'Koris audibly gulped in fear, bringing a grin to Shepard's menacing face, before speaking, "I…I can't. It's nothing personal but she did bring geth onto the fleet! I can't just ignore that."
"Let's not pretend that this trial is anything but politics, the geth are not the real reason you're going after Tali, they are just an excuse you can blind the public with. But that is not the point; I don't care if Tali's guilty or not. She doesn't want to be exiled, though after seeing all of you I don't understand why, and I will help Tali get what she wants. Which brings me to your situation, I will help Tali, and you will help me help her…simple."
"I will not, Shepard. Tali will be found guilty."
"Then I'll just have to convince you otherwise, Admiral."
"Never. The trial resumes in a few minutes, you can't make me change my mind in a matter of minutes." squeaked Zaal'Koris, his bravado failing him in the furnace of Shepard's eyes.
"A challenge then, good." Shepard stated as he began to circle the seated quarian, "This trial is about geth, and your civilization's fear of AI, correct?"
Ignoring Zaal'Koris Shepard continued without giving him a chance to answer the question, "You think that the geth Tali sent to the fleet are a danger, I have an AI at my disposal that is a far greater danger than a mere handful of geth. And I will set it loose on the Migrant Fleet unless you help me. So really, the responsibility lies with you; exile Tali and experience the true capabilities of an AI or declare her innocent and save yourself that unpleasantness."
"What are you talking about? You're bluffing, do you think I'm an idiot?" sputtered Zaal'Koris.
Smiling in an unnervingly friendly fashion Shepard spoke, "I hoped you'd say that." Shifting his attention from the hapless quarian Shepard began to talk into the air, "EDI, care to join us?"
A blue-white ball atop a neck-like shape materialized next to Zaal'Koris. Instinctively flinching from the sudden appearance Zaal'Koris warily eyed the shape until it spoke in a chillingly synthesized voice causing his body to go rigid in terror, "Hello, Commander Shepard. Welcome to the Normandy Admiral vas Qwib Qwib. I am EDI, the ship's artificial intelligence."
Once again wearing the smile Zaal'Koris was beginning to recognize as presaging torment Shepard began giving instructions to EDI. Wild with fear the quarian couldn't focus on Shepard's words as he desperately eyed the room for any means of escape, hope dwindling with every second that passed with no opportunity discovered. Pulled back to his immediate situation by Shepard speaking his name Zaal'Koris focused on Shepard's disturbingly cheerful voice,
"So, Admiral…I'm sorry it has come to this. Actually I'm not but that line always sounds good. Anyways, I've stolen security information from the Admiralty Board computers and have gained remote access to your home ship's systems by using EDI's cyber-warfare programming. Now I'll tell you how this will work; we will go to the trial and you will rule that Tali is innocent or I'll have our AI vent the Qwib Qwib's atmosphere." the cold, measured tone of Shepard sending fear twisting through Zaal'Koris' abdomen.
Desperately he argued with Shepard, "You can't do that, this is a trick. End this nonsense at once and I won't have you arrested."
Ignoring him Shepard resumed giving the AI instructions, "EDI, allow Zaal'Koris' omnitool through the firewall so he can access his ship's security cameras, but do not allow any messages to be sent."
The synthesized voice acknowledged the command and Zaal'Koris reluctantly opened his omnitool. Seeing that the quarian was following his wishes Shepard once again spoke to EDI, "Begin releasing atmosphere in section 13BH26, that's the aft galley Zaal…thank you EDI."
"Logging you off." the AI replied as panicked shouts became choking screams that echoed from Zaal'Koris' omnitool.
Turning to the quarian Shepard continued, his tone pleasantly conversational, "I was surprised when Tali told me quarian's suits weren't space worthy, though it makes some sense given the added expense that would entail. I can tell you're not enjoying this, Zaal; but don't worry, the screams should die down in a minute or two."
His unseemly joviality seeming to have vanished Shepard continued in a much more sedate voice, "You know, I can remember the searing pain as my lungs ran out of oxygen and the realization that I was going to die sinking in, it was excruciating."
Shaking his head Shepard's tone once again became cheerful, though to any observer besides the overly distraught Zaal'Koris there was a noticeably brittleness to Shepard's voice, "But don't worry, there are worse things than death…Oh, the screaming has stopped already, quarians must have less lung capacity than humans. Anyways, are you ready to be a good little admiral and give a not guilty verdict?"
Slowly Zaal'Koris nodded his head before it once again slumped to his chest in defeat. Seeing the capitulation Shepard's grin widened and he continued speaking, "Good, then this won't need to happen again. And, just because I'm a nice guy, I'll give some sort of inspirational speech at the trial so you can have a excuse to change your mind and avoid some of the political fallout your flip-flopping might otherwise cause."
Pulling the shaking quarian to his feet Shepard led the broken alien towards the elevator. "There you go, Admiral. That was only eighteen quarians, according to the sensors there are still…6,423 souls aboard the Qwib Qwib. If you do not rule Tali as innocent you will be the cause of their deaths, all for your petty political maneuvering."