First thing Shepard did was sort out her fish. She jumped in surprise at the voice behind her.
"So you gonna name them?" Kasumi grinned, pleased to make her jump once again.
"Geez woman! Can we refrain from giving me heart attacks in my own quarters?" she muttered, hand to her chest and casting a quick glare at the thief.
Kasumi chuckled, "If you insist. So names?"
"They're fish. They'll be lucky if I feed them let alone name them." Shepard shrugged.
"Oh the poor fish! Why'd you get them then?" Kasumi made herself comfortable on the lounge facing the tank.
"The tank looked stupid empty. I mean look at the size of it! If they're going to waste all this space with it might as well put it to use. So how do they look?" she asked moving to sit next to the woman and take in the view.
"Well it's better than an empty tank." Kasumi agreed, "I like those little blue ones."
"Yeah, thought they were pretty cute." Shepard shrugged, reaching over to the cooling unit and pulling out a bottle of wine and a couple glasses.
Kasumi glanced at her slyly, "I seem to recall you also think a certain operative is pretty cute." she grinned.
"Aw come on, she's a bloody goddess, cute doesn't even cover it." Shepard shot back amicably and poured her a glass.
Kasumi chuckled accepting the red wine, "So she told you her mysterious love's name is Persephone, awesome name by the way, but you never told her yours."
"That will take a few more drinks, then you'll laugh your arse off if I decide to tell you." Shepard smirked and poured her own drink.
"Oh and why's that?" Kasumi loved a good gossip and was surprised that Shepard had relaxed beside her and not on the other arm of the lounge.
"You'll have to wait and see. Now did you come up here to dig for gossip or did you have something else in mind?" Shepard sipped her wine, admiring her new fish.
"Actually had something else in mind. Did Mr. Illusive happen to mention what our arrangement is?" Kasumi asked, eager to get business done to work on finding out who Shepard pined for.
"Nothing other than how to reach you. Why?" Shepard looked to her with a touch of wariness.
"Ah. I see. Well I agreed to join your team in exchange for your help with something." Kasumi had hoped Shepard at least had a vague idea but would have to work with what she had.
"Let me guess, you want my help on a heist?" Shepard smirked, mulling that over.
"Yep. Not just any heist. Ever heard of Donovan Hock?" At the blank look on Shepard's face she smirked, "I suppose not, he'd be dead otherwise." she chuckled before continuing on, "He's a big time mercenary, respected and feared out in Terminus with his lavish mansion residing on Benkenstein. He's also into art in a big way, rumour has it his vault holds some of the most priceless pieces from a range of races." she looked away wistfully at the very thought of it.
"So you want my help stealing some priceless art?" Shepard frowned, not sure she liked the idea of that even if he was a merc.
"No." All humour left her, "My partner, Keigi Okuda, came across some highly sensitive data. He never said what it was but that data got him killed. Hock somehow found out about the data and had him killed for his graybox. That graybox contains priceless personal memories but also has something to do with the Alliance and it has to be big for Hock to go to all the trouble of hunting him down and killing him." she swirled the wine in her glass, studying it as it swirled smoothly.
"And you don't think Hock will have that data from it yet? How long has he had it?" Shepard asked softly, sensing the deep sadness in the woman, Keigi was more than a partner in crime to Kasumi.
"Keigi was a master at encrypting files. There's no way Hock would be able to decrypt them within ten years let along five months." she turned to look up at Shepard, "I can't do this one alone Shepard. I need your help." she pleaded with the woman.
Shepard considered her for a long moment before nodded, "You have a plan?"
"I do. He's hosting a party for some of the galaxy's lowest scum in a couple weeks. I've already begun giving you a background as a mercenary that'll catch his eye and get you invited. We sneak in, scope the vault, break in, get the graybox and walk out. Shouldn't even have to fire a single shot." Kasumi assured her eagerly.
Shepard burst out laughing, "Really? Have you heard how I operate? Someone always ends up shooting at me, something always ends up blowing up. Inviting me along is just begging for trouble."
"Yeah I did get that impression. Should be fun." Kasumi grinned. Her omni-tool pinged and she quickly activated it, "Looks like Miss Lawson has arranged for a touch up afterall."
Shepard smirked, "Thought she would. EDI where is Operative Lawson right now?"
"She's in her quarters." EDI responded promptly.
"Alert me if she leaves please, also alert me if she receives any communication from the people putting the logo on the hull but under no circumstances are you to inform her of my knowledge of these events." she instructed the AI.
"As you wish Commander." EDI acknowledged, suddenly rather curious about what was going on between the Commander and Operative Lawson.
Kasumi grinned, Shep was so planning something and she couldn't wait to see it or Miranda's response to it.
It was an hour later that Miranda was contacted by the people who'd just finished putting on the logo. Shepard bided her time as Miranda went out to inspect the work and transfer the credits completely unaware that Kasumi had followed her out and was waiting for her to return to the ship.
When Miranda was out of sight Kasumi approached the guy in charge, "You might not want to begin packing up your gear yet." she grinned up at the human.
"Eh? Why's that?" he frowned, scratching his cheek curiously.
"The Commander wants that logo you just painted removed now that her XO's seen it and will pay you double the removal costs." Kasumi held up her omni-tool and showed him the credits.
He whistled, "Sounds fine to me." he really didn't care so long as he was paid and this job was turning out to pay more than he'd thought it would. Besides taking it off wouldn't take nearly as long as putting it on.
Kasumi grinned, "The Commander will be very grateful." she bowed her head and sauntered off to return to the Loft with her mission accomplished.
The door chimed.
"Kelly has some packages for you Commander." EDI informed her curiously wondering what they contained.
"Oh let her in." Shepard put down her glass and reached for a third.
"Commander these packages arrived for you." Kelly strode in with the three boxes stacked in her arms, looking around for the Commander and not seeing her immediately.
"Bring them down here Kelly." Shepard called, pouring her a drink.
Kelly was very surprised to find Shepard with the new crew member sharing a glass of wine in her private quarters, then she noticed Shepard was holding out a glass for her.
"Just set them down next to the table and I'll sort them out." Shepard smiled, nodding where she meant.
Kelly did so and accepted the glass, "Thank you."
"Kelly, Kasumi. Kelly's my yeoman so if you ever need to reach me and can't find me or I'm busy... most likely busy." she amended at the look on Kasumi's face that said there would be no where she could hide she couldn't be found, "leave a message with her. Kasumi is our resident infiltration expert, need anything juicy I'm sure she'd be happy to lend a hand." she smirked.
"Oh definitely." Kasumi chuckled, "Speaking of juicy, want me to find out about this Persephone of Miranda's?" she glanced at Shepard slyly.
Shepard chuckled, "Go ahead, better yet find a picture of her. When you do find out about her, you'll find out about mine."
"Oh incentive! Done!" Kasumi agreed readily and would have left then and there but hadn't finished her wine yet and it was a crime to waste such an excellent beverage.
"Who's this Persephone?" Kelly asked curiously.
"Apparently Miranda's long lost love. Shepard was hitting on her and they got to talking about their hearts already pining for someone else."
"I was not hitting on her. Kelly don't you agree it's more interesting going shopping with a beautiful woman?" she looked to the yeoman to back her up.
"Oh absolutely." Kelly grinned, totally agreeing with her sentiment, "Shopping with you would be very interesting." she winked.
Shepard's brow furrowed a little and she blushed.
"Aw how cute! The mighty Commander Shepard blushes at being called beautiful!" Kasumi cackled gleefully.
Shepard rubbed her neck anxiously, "It's been a long time since anyone's thought of me and beautiful in the same sentence." she murmured.
"That's wrong on so many levels! Just who have you been hanging out with woman." Kasumi elbowed her, "You're gorgeous." even with the scars on her face she was pretty and her figure was to die for!
Shepard stood and walked over to the tank, "Before... before the Lazarus Project I was heavily scarred. Miranda had my scars removed during my restoration."
"That was nice of her." Kasumi smiled and glanced at Kelly who was vigorously shaking her head in alarm.
Shepard took a deep breath then threw her head back and skulled her wine. "Yeah." she muttered darkly. Returning to the cooler she poured herself another glass.
Both women noticed the instant change in her and tried to buoy her back up with their combined cheerfulness. Kelly knew the reason why and Kasumi gathered it had something to do with Shepard's scars. After a few glasses they'd gotten out the model of Sovereign and were working on assembling it and having a blast. Kelly and Kasumi chatting away while Shepard concentrated on the model, chipping in to the conversation every now and then but more than happy to just sit and listen and absorb the cheerful aura's of the women with her.
They were almost done when Miranda came in, no door chime, just walked straight on in.
Shepard bit down her annoyance and simply smiled, "Miss Lawson, care for a glass?" she offered.
Miranda took in the scene before her. Clearly from Kelly and Kasumi's flushed faces they'd already had a few drinks and were starting to get a little tipsy as Kasumi was grinning up at her like a child with a secret and Kelly looked like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. They were gathered around the coffee table that had a mostly complete model ship of Sovereign in the centre of it. "No. We're ready to leave for Omega when you say the word." she informed curtly, this was no time for mucking around with toy ships. They'd received the package from Tali with the live samples, the logo had been repainted and it was time to go before Shepard could figure out what she'd done.
Shepard tapped her communicator, "Joker, take us out, we've got a date with Aria." she was grinning, not at the prospect of seeing Aria but at the fact she'd had the cursed logo removed from the hull for a second time and Miranda appeared none the wiser.
"Oh you've got to take pictures this time Commander!" Joker sounded excited at the prospect.
"You've got enough asari porn on your console to make EDI blush." she returned.
EDI's avatar popped up, "I cannot blush, Commander, that requires an increased blood flow to the facial region of which I have neither blood nor a face."
"Oh I'm sure you could get creative if you wanted to, make some systems spark a little, change the colour of your avatar." Shepard grinned.
EDI considered it, "This avatar was chosen to ensure the crew do not humanize me or feel uncomfortable with me. It would be inappropriate to do as you suggest Commander."
"Give it time EDI, give it time." Shepard gave her small lopsided smile. They felt the subtle shift of the ship as Joker began to take them out and she tapped off her communicator, "Sure you don't want to stay for a glass Miss Lawson? We'll be travelling for a minimum twenty hours so have plenty of time."
Miranda shot her an annoyed look, "I've got work to do, especially after wasting time with your little shopping spree." she snapped and stalked out, still pissed off about the paintjob.
"Thanks for coming by the way. I really appreciated your help." Shepard shot back, meaning her words but totally annoyed with the woman now.
Miranda didn't even hesitate or respond.
"That was a little harsh." Kasumi glanced at Shepard to catch the dark scowl before she quickly cleared the emotion from her face.
"Miranda Lawson isn't known for being friendly. I'm actually surprised you got her to admit anything personal to you." Kelly nodded towards the Commander.
"Persephone must be quite the woman to have captured the heart of the Ice Queen." Kasumi grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
"Or she's become the Ice Queen since losing her." Shepard suggested softly. She got up and went to the drawers by her bed.
"Ah a tragic romance that broke the heart of the brilliant and beautiful Miranda Lawson. Will she finally heal if they ever find each other again?" Kasumi posed theatrically putting her hand to her chest.
Shepard scoffed, "Depends if she recognized her wouldn't it." she muttered.
"Of course she'd recognize her! She's her lost love? Who wouldn't remember the face of the only one who's captured their heart?" Kasumi overheard the comment.
"Miranda fucking Lawson." Shepard muttered under her breath.
Kelly and Kasumi were more than a little concerned when she returned with a gun.
"Uh, what ya gonna do with that Shep?" Kasumi asked hesitantly.
Shepard's grin was maniacal and she chuckled darkly, "Why I'm gonna put a couple rounds in Sovereign then sink it in the tank. Something for the fishies to play with."
They both burst out laughing at Shepard's idea, laughing so hard they cried in their tipsy states. Meanwhile Shepard had taken the completed model over to her bed and set it down. Taking a few steps back she lined up her shot.
"You fucking ruined my life Sovereign. I'm going to stop the rest of your kind." she growled to it before taking a couple shots and smashing the model.
The internal ship alarm went off at the weapons fire detected.
"EDI switch that thing off it was just me." Shepard snapped.
It was immediately silenced.
Gathering up the pieces she placed them in the tank with Kelly and Kasumi's aesthetic observations of how they should be positioned for the best look. She was elbow deep in the tank when Miranda stormed in.
"What the hell Shepard!" Miranda demanded, hand on her hip and glaring angrily at the woman who looked quite comical where she was.
Shepard grinned, "Come see." she gestured with her head.
Stalking over to where Kelly and Kasumi were standing she rolled her eyes, "That's why you got the Reaper?"
"Yep." Shepard finished placing the piece in her hands and pulled out, accepting a towel from Kelly.
"You risked putting a hole in the hull to sink a toy Reaper ship?" She groaned.
"Yep." Shepard smirked.
"Bloody childish. Any other toys you intend on shooting in here?" Miranda muttered in frustration.
"Depends. If I can get a geth ship might do the same." she shrugged innocently.
"At least shoot it in the armoury will you, it's designed to absorb bullets." Miranda snarled before stalking out again muttering something else about Shepard being childish under her breath. There was no way she could stop the Commander but she could try and control the damage.
"I'll keep that in mind Miss Lawson." Shepard sighed.
"That looks awesome Shep." Kasumi chuckled, "So worth it."
Shepard stepped back to admire her handiwork. "Yep. Sinking Sovereign yet again." Smirking at the ship her vision suddenly changed.
The ship disappeared around her. Flashes. Flashes of Collectors taking humans. Flashes of Collectors shooting at her on a temperate world. Flashes of Ash in danger. Flashes of something worse, far, far worse she couldn't quite see or identify. A deep voice that sounded like a Reaper whispered in her mind as the flashes continued.
"We are Harbinger."
A glowing Collector was approaching her and she could feel its sinister and malevolent power. It was the voice. But it was not a Collector.
"Shit!" Shepard hissed, jumping back and lighting up her biotics defensively.
"Whoa Shep easy, he's dead already!" Kasumi quickly tried to get Shepard's attention before she did something dangerous.
Shepard groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose as her mind adjusted to where she was. She was on the Normandy. There were no Collectors here. She released the dark energy harmlessly.
"Are you alright?" Kelly asked in concern.
"Flashback that's all." she muttered. "Thanks for joining me for drinks. Your lounge next time?" she flashed a weak smile at Kasumi.
"Sure thing Shep." Kasumi nodded, she decided she liked the woman who'd turned out to be quite entertaining when she did join in the conversation between her and Kelly. She wasn't aware that the reason Shepard had been rather subdued was because of the reminder of her scars. Shepard wasn't anything like she'd expected and she looked forward to getting to know her.
Shepard decided to have a shower, debating on if she should talk with Miranda or perhaps Doc Chakwas about the vision. She decided neither as she dried off and went to get into a change of clothes. "EDI?"
"Yes Commander?" The AI's avatar popped up.
"Just for interest sake can you mark the moment I flared my biotics earlier and make a note of the name Harbinger for me." she asked the AI.
"Certainly, do you wish to note why this is important?" EDI asked curiously.
"I'm not sure what I had before was actually a flashback. It felt like the Prothean vision but it wasn't of Reapers and Protheans, it was of Collectors and what I thought was the leader called itself Harbinger but somehow I knew it wasn't a Collector, it was something else and it sounded a hell of a lot like Sovereign." Shepard was a little unnerved by it still. "Just in case something similar happens or we meet something called Harbinger, remind me of today and see if there was anything out of the ordinary going on somewhere around the time of this... vision thing." she sighed and rubbed her neck.
"Certainly Commander." EDI acknowledged the order and set to work, pleased to be doing something interesting.