Shepard prided herself on knowing each and every member of her crew from the ground team to the maintenance staff. She knew their names, the names of their significant others, some of them she even knew their kids names and made a point of asking them about family if she passed them in ship and had a moment to spare. Leaving Miranda's office after a quick rundown of intel she'd missed with her time in medbay she was brought to a halt by a unique voice she couldn't place. Instantly redirecting to the Mess she scanned the numerous faces there.
Kasumi was playing with something on her omni-tool, a flash of teeth revealing she was grinning over something which she shared with the others.
Garrus was chowing down on something palatable to Turians which Shepard was not going to ask about. His laughter was a bit lighter than when he'd first arrived and she was glad to hear it.
Ken and Gabby were there as well, Gabby talking animatedly with someone Shepard had not seen before.
She wore an Alliance uniform with the wings of an Ensign designating she was a pilot. Her skin was pale and seemingly made more so by the vividness of her scarlet red hair, what stood out to Shepard though was her eyes. A pale brown that weren't quite amber but were definitely not the usual spectrum for a human. When she spoke in response to a question someone had asked her accent was a crisp Russian and her lips were quirked to the right in a coy smile.
Shepard didn't hear whatever it was that had the others laughing. A scent had caught her attention. Following it she found herself at the head of the table, everyone looking up at her curiously but she only had eyes for the young woman who had to be somewhere between eighteen to twenty years old.
The ensign rose to her feet and saluted, "Commander Shepard ma'am."
Shepard returned the salute, "Welcome to the Normandy ensign, we haven't had the pleasure of introductions."
"Ensign Halle Chekov, pilot for Lieutenant Nastaran." Chekov remained in a formal posture for the time being, her heart racing at meeting the Commander Shepard for the first time.
"Relax Chekov, I'm not Alliance anymore." She gave a warm smile but her eyes were still hard, calculating as she tried to figure out what it was about this young woman's scent that had her so alert. She didn't have a feeling of danger or warning, just that there was something… significant about her.
Chekov relaxed and flashed a charming grin, "If you insist ma'am, may I say that's a damn shame? You are the best of us."
Shepard's eyes narrowed, Chekov's heart was racing and she was starting to sweat a little. Leaning forward she breathed deeply and the scent coalesced in her mind as her ashvaylin latched onto it. Chekov's scent was… familial. Shepard gestured for her to step out from the table.
Chekov obeyed and was very uncomfortable as Shepard began to circle her, looking her over so intensely she wondered what the woman had been told about her.
"You're freaking the kid out Shepard." Garrus pointed out with a smirk.
Shepard nodded slowly, "I don't sense active biotics but there is a… whisper of a possibility and that intrigues me."
Chekov glanced at her warily, the turian was quite right she was feeling very intimidated right now.
Shepard stopped pacing in front of her, "Have you ever had testing for biotic potential?"
"No, I prefer to tinker with machines and play chicken with fighter jets." Chekov answered instantly then cringed a little as she remembered who she was talking to.
Shepard however just grinned, her eyes bright, "Chicken with fighter jets?"
"Uh, yes ma'am, perhaps ma'am. Um." Chekov shifted nervously.
Shepard reached out and put her hand on Chekov's shoulder gently, "Would you object to me putting in a request to have you transferred to my command with Lieutenant Nastaran?"
Chekov looked up into those shining brown eyes in surprise, "Just like that?"
Shepard smirked. Quick as a flash she whipped up her left hand as if to punch Chekov in the face.
Chekov was a step back in the blink of an eye, the fist hitting nothing but air.
"You have good reflexes and I need a pilot with the moxy to play chicken with fighter jets. Think you're up for it ensign?" Shepard's grin was almost feral now and her eyes bright with anticipation.
Chekov took a moment to process that then she was flashing a matching grin, "I have no objections ma'am."
"Excellent. Can you check in with Chakwas for a quick med check, she prefers her own profiles and gets ansty with me if I forget to send new crew her way." She lightly clapped Chekov on the shoulder.
Chekov was so excited about being asked to join Commander Shepard's crew that she bounced over to the medbay without a moment's hesitation.
"So what was that really about Shepard?" Garrus asked curiously.
"There's a potential in her that's wasted in the Alliance. Besides who would you rather fly you about? Me or a trained fighter pilot?" She grinned at him.
"Is that a trick question?" Garrus's beady eyes narrowed.
Keya, who was in the med bay keeping Chasen in line for the doc, looked out the windows to make eye contact with Shepard, a surprised expression on her face as Chekov filled them in on the request.
Shepard gave a nod indicating for Keya to come and headed to the elevator.
Keya slipped out of the med bay and joined her a few moments later, "I'm assuming you want to make a transfer official? What with the whole… thing in the head and the Justicar?" she asked softly.
"At this point I don't think Samara would let Chasen leave until she has more control over it. Now I figure you're not just gallivanting around Illium for the fun of it. Is your mission something you can share with me or I could help with?"
"That would be best spoken of in private ma'am." Keya murmured as they waited for the elevator.
"That's fine. So how's Chasen feeling?" Shepard asked with a smile.
"She's chafing, never has been any good at bed rest." Keya sighed and rubbed the back of her neck.
Shepard chuckled, "Doesn't surprise me at all, neither am I."
"I remember, scarcely could finish slapping medigel on you before you were off chasing slavers." Keya grinned and followed Shepard into the elevator as the doors opened.
"I haven't really improved all that much either, think I've caused a fair number of those gray hairs on Chakwas over the years." Shepard chuckled and touched the button to take them up to her loft.
"She's been your doctor for a long time then?" Keya asked curiously.
"On and off depending on postings, but she tends to get lumped with me more often than not. She likes to tell me no one else will have me because I'm such a pain in the ass." Shepard laughed, eyes twinkling with mirth.
"So is she an Alliance doc or Cerberus?" Keya hadn't gotten the impression that the woman was Cerberus but first impressions could be deceiving.
"Alliance, she got leave to come keep me patched up for this mission." Shepard sobered a little at the reminder of the risk the woman was taking just for her.
"Can I ask what your mission is?" Keya followed the woman who had shaped her life all those years ago.
"Sure, it's about to become your mission anyway." Shepard went to her desk and rummaged through the pile of datapads until she found the one she wanted. Motioning Keya to join her on the lounge she tossed the datapad to the young woman and got comfortable while she waited for Keya to read over the briefing.
Keya caught it easily and sat as directed, granted she sat on the edge of the seat stiffly as even though Shepard was an old acquaintance it had been many years and her hero was a Spectre and back from the dead. After a few moments she almost forgot all about Shepard's rank and titles at the horrendous figures and information in the briefing. "Is… is this for real?" she whispered, eyes wide in shock as she looked up to Shepard.
Shepard's expression remained grim and she nodded, "Very."
"This is why you'd work with a terrorist organization?"
"They have to be stopped and the Council and Alliance don't have the resources to stop it. Cerberus is giving me what I need, with strings attached of course." Shepard's grim expression turned a little sour but she continued, "Keya, I do not like what the Illusive Man has done with Cerberus, he's taken an organization that has the potential to do so much good into a tool for his own delusions of a galaxy where Humanity is the only race that matters. We are a part of something greater than ourselves and that requires us to lead by taking a step forward and not stomping on those around us. These races have fallen into a slump of expectations, they do things because it is the way it's always been done. Then along we come," Shepard leaned forward, "brash, fast paced and fiery and we terrify them. We don't conform to their comfortable standards, we don't always play by their rules but that doesn't mean we have to go it alone or declare war on everyone else to make them follow our ways instead. The Illusive Man would dominate the other races to elevate Humanity. But we are better than that and we are going to show them."
Of all the things Keya had briefly anticipated when Shepard had asked her up to her quarters, this was not on the list. It did have her smiling though as she remembered Shepard's charisma quite well when they'd lost hope on Elysium, when the pirates had seemed endless and the death toll had risen steadily. Shepard had inspired them all.
"Right now Humanity is facing the greatest threat in our history and I truly believe it's the precursor to something that will threaten every race in this galaxy. We have to stop it. We have to find out what the Collectors are doing with our people and if at all possible bring them home." Shepard was sitting on the edge of her seat now, poised for action. "The Council and Alliance are still recovering from Sovereigns attack on the Citadel, they just don't have the resources I need to hunt down these bastards. For the time being Cerberus is giving me what I need to do that and I intend to use whatever I can to not only save our people but get the rest of the galaxy up off their lazy asses and ready for the fight of our lives. Because the Reapers are coming and I don't give a shit how many people like to say I'm crazy for believing it. They're real. I've seen them. I refuse to let them burn everything we've fought so hard to build."
"Shepard," Keya held up her hand, "I believe you. Always have. Sign us up."
Shepard blinked at the resoluteness in the young marine, "Speech was a little much?"
Keya chuckled, "Oh it was inspiring alright, but I've heard you before, I've seen you put words into action and know you're good for it. You'll need to pull some strings to get us reassigned but I hear you're on good terms with a certain Council member."
Shepard grinned, "Well, glad I haven't lost my touch completely. I would be very interested in finding out more about your mission though and others like Chasen and I."
Keya sobered up quickly and nodded, "I can imagine. I'll get what data I can to you, but uh, the whole Cerberus thing… it isn't going to go down well if you know what I mean."
"Want me to tell them I've abducted you?" Shepard smirked.
Keya chuckled and shook her head, "Sure, if you want black ops hunting you down across the galaxy."
"That could be entertaining I suppose." Shepard pretended to consider.
Keya tossed the datapad at Shepard who caught it with a smirk.
"Now we've got that sorted, I'd like to know a little more about Chekov." Shepard glanced at Keya slyly as she got up and went to her cooling unit to get some non-alcoholic wine figuring the marine would still feel like she was on duty so would decline anything else.
"She's been our pilot for about six months now, longest we've kept a pilot actually." Keya sighed, "Chasen can be a pest, she's alright if you keep your distance, is charming and friendly until you try to get personal with her."
Shepard nodded in understanding, "Then an echidna's got nothing on her right."
Keya looked to her curiously, "Yeah, something like that."
"She's lived with the guilt of losing control and hurting people who got too close to her since she was a girl." Shepard slid a glass of wine over to Keya, "Non-alcoholic in case you were worried."
Keya accepted it but didn't sip, "She's never told me about her past."
"The ashvaylin in her is violent but she isn't. Yes she's strong and can defend herself but she doesn't lash out for the pleasure of it or to dominate others. It's why it can take over her so easily, she's scared of it, scared of herself because until now she always thought it was a part of herself. Same with me, although mine seems to be more… cooperative. It's still been this… thing in me I've always thought a part of my self. Yes it's a part of me but now I know it's also its own being, its own mind. It's going to take time and training to really come to terms with it all. Chasen is going to struggle though and will need you to stay strong for her no matter how much she tries to push you away. Fear of your self is not an easy thing to master." Shepard looked to Keya with a serious expression.
Keya nodded, "I've studied what I could of her brain, her mind, and never once considered a symbiotic relationship with a separate life force that has enough sentience to be its own individual. They are sentient right? Or are they truly just beasts?"
"They're sentient alright but they're also a hunter species with a pack mentality. Which is strange because they look nothing alike, I've been wondering if because they're biotic entities whether they choose their forms. I've got so many questions for Samara." Shepard rubbed the back of her neck, closing her eyes and picturing her own ashvaylin.
As she did she could feel it respond in that place at the back of her mind. It didn't snarl or lash out at her, it simply showed an interest.
Shepard smiled, "Life's definitely going to be interesting, but we're talking about Chekov."
Keya nodded, "She's an excellent pilot, gutsy, has gotten us out of a few scrapes. She's good with tech, hasn't come across anything so far she couldn't fix so she's been keeping our gear maintained."
"Any family?" Shepard asked thoughtfully, the young woman sounded quite useful and could possibly help Jacob out in the armory between missions.
"Both parents still around and a younger brother I think." Keya considered Shepard curiously, "Why are you asking me this and not her?"
"Honestly I'm a little thrown by how much that kid looks like I did at her age." Shepard shrugged.
Keya blinked and pictured Halle now and what she remembered Shepard looked like at Elysium and her eyes widened, "Oh my god she does to. There's been something nagging me about her since we met and that's totally it!"
"Probably just one of those freaky coincidences but I think I'm going to have to put her through her paces, this face comes with great expectations." Shepard grinned, gesturing to her own face cheekily.
Keya laughed, "No kidding."
"So tell me about your mission Nastaran." Shepard changed the subject but kept smiling.
"They call it the Hunter Project. Years ago they lost their prize test subject, a child they successfully implanted like Chasen. Recently they found her and have been trying to get control of her again, testing her. Chasen and I were tasked in finding her, getting her to safety. We got a tip she was on Illium, getting tests done at one of the bioengineering labs." Keya's eyes narrowed and she watched Shepard closely, "Her name is Persephone Calleyuss. You wouldn't happen to know anything about her would you?"
Shepard stilled, "You are not to mention her in front of Miranda understood?"
Keya nodded and she sat forward a little, her interest piqued even further by that request, "Wasn't planning on it actually, she's Cerberus yeah?"
Shepard nodded, "Yeah. I want everything you know about the group responsible for this Hunter Project."
"I want everything you know about Persephone." Keya countered firmly.
Shepard smirked though there was no amusement in her eyes, "That is classified."
Keya's eyes narrowed, "Hell it is, I wouldn't be here hunting down rumors if it was."
"The Alliance already knows who Persephone was turned into so the fact that you don't know the name she's using now tells me that the people who sent you either don't have the clearance to know or decided not to tell you." Shepard informed her gently as she knew it was going to be a slap in the face.
Keya sat back, jaw agape for a moment before she shook her head, "What?"
"Calleyuss was hidden for a reason by the Alliance. You said the people from the Hunter Project are testing her?" Shepard stood and began to pace at the foot of her bed.
"That's what I was told. I don't get it, why wouldn't they tell me her name so I could find her faster?" Keya's brow furrowed in consternation.
Shepard didn't answer for a long moment, "As I said either your superiors don't have the clearance or they're purposefully not giving you all the information. Have you considered that it's not just Persephone they're testing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Chasen is being tested to, she was the one who found me wasn't she."
Keya nodded no idea what Shepard was thinking right now, "She felt you shortly after we arrived."
Shepard nodded a bit absently, "Not surprised, had a bit of a bad day, my control's a bit shot at the moment."
"What do you use for your control?" Keya asked with the hopeful thought of getting some tips for Chasen.
Shepard smiled, "Miranda."
Keya sighed, "Well can't really tell Chasen to drool over her now can I."
Shepard chuckled, "Oh I'm sure Chasen wouldn't mind that at all."
"What is it about Miranda that has enough of an impact on you that no matter how you struggle she brings you back?" Keya asked softly, if she could find out anything at all that could help her friend she would dig it up and make sure she tried it out.
Shepard pondered the question, "When I was a girl they found that I had the highest biotic potential on record. Not sure if that's still the case but it meant that I was sent to a fancy school that boasted the best preparation money could buy. My parents couldn't afford it of course so I was sponsored." She sat down beside Keya, "By Miranda's father. What I didn't know at the time was he only did it so he'd have better access to my biotics, but that's another story."
Keya listened attentively and wondered if this childhood Miranda was the same one who was by Shepard's side now.
"I was just trash to the spoiled brats who attended the school, all from rich and powerful families of course and I was young and straight off the street. A little lamb thrown to the wolves. But one day," Shepard held up a finger, "one day they went too far. They insulted my mum, called her a name I had no idea what it meant but I knew it was highly insulting just from the way they sneered it. I lost it. Until then I hadn't actually manifested my biotics I just had the nodes picked up in a routine check up. But that day I exploded. I started to hit the boy and his friends pinned me to the lockers, punching me in the ribs and stomach and laughing at how helpless I was. I remember screaming but the roaring in my ears was so loud I couldn't hear anything else, I couldn't see anything. When I came to the lockers were strewn all over the place, kids pinned and crying out in pain, there was blood splattered on the walls and the boys eyes were just starting at me… empty, his body a mangled wreck." Shepard took a breath, the memory was so vivid even now. "I'd done that. I'd killed him and hurt others. I started to hear the roaring again this time from panic and shock and it made me terrified. But then she came. She knelt down in front of me so I couldn't see them and made me look into her eyes, her face right there," she held her hand centimeters from her face, "her blue eyes were fierce even then and she ordered me to breathe, to look at her and breathe. So that's what I did." She looked to Keya, "And that's what I've done ever since. Looked into her eyes and breathed." She smiled, "That's not the only thing that pulls me back now but Miranda has always been my focus, my calm."
"And this is the same Miranda you were telling me about on Elysium and who is currently your XO?" Keya asked with a returning smirk.
"The very same." Shepard nodded and shouldered the young woman beside her jovially, "Don't you dare tell her I told you that story though, I'll get in big trouble. Saving little lambs doesn't do well for her stellar cold hearted reputation after all."
Keya chuckled, "She does strike me as rather cold."
"She wasn't always, but a lot has happened over the years." Shepard sat back and sighed, "Miri is my best friend and the smartest person I know." She looked to Keya with a serious expression, "I was dead Keya, dead for two years and she brought me back to life. When she sets her mind to it there is nothing she cannot do." Shepard poked Keya this time letting a small smile grace her lips, "Also don't tell her I said that."
"Don't want to feed her ego huh." Keya smirked.
"Hell no, that is a beast in its own right, do not mess with Miranda Lawson if you value your life." Shepard chuckled. "All that aside if they know where Persephone is located then you can sure as hell bet on them knowing about Chasen. How do I know that? Because if they can get people in a top secret organization like Cerberus then the Alliance is most definitely compromised."
Keya scowled, "Are you telling me Persephone is in Cerberus to?"
Shepard laughed, "Oh honey. When I'm sure Persephone is safe I'll tell you everything you want to know about her. For now we need to play our cards very carefully. Do Chasen and Chekov send in reports?"
"Chekov does, Chasen doesn't, much to my superiors annoyance." Keya nodded and shrugged, she'd given up on trying to convince Chasen of its necessity and truthfully she could understand why Shepard was being protective right now and not giving her much of anything. The thing she had issue with was what happened if the Hunter Project decided to do more than just test Persephone. What was the purpose behind the experiment?
"I don't want either of you telling Chekov about Samara knowing about the ashvaylin, don't even refer to the ashvaylin in front of her. You are to leave it out of your reports," she held up a finger when Keya went to object, "I have a hunch and I'd like you to trust me. You want to keep Persephone safe and out of the hands of the Hunter Project yes?"
"Yeah that's the plan, and I want to know what you know about Persephone, classified or not, sooner rather than later." Keya fixed her with a hard stare, "Especially if I'm going to falsify reports for you."
"Not falsify, just omit certain details. As for Persephone, right now she's safer the less people know about her. She's been hiding this long, don't you think she's got a few things up her sleeves?" Shepard smirked.
"I wouldn't know, I've never met her but it seems like you have." Keya's eyes narrowed, "Is she part of your pack?"
"I've been keeping her safe but with the whole dying thing it seems that they've caught wind of her. We're going to have to get crafty and I'll need your help. So if your overall goal is to protect her then trust me, I've been doing it a hell of a lot longer than you, okay?" she held out her fist to Keya.
Keya sighed and bumped her fist against Shepard's, "Fine, I trust you."
"Thank you Keya. You mentioned your superiors wanted to send her to a safe place, do you know its location?" Shepard rose to her feet and walked around to her console.
"No, they were going to forward that on once we'd located her." Keya stood as well and followed her.
"Figures. Hold off on your reports and I'd like the names of your superiors and any personnel associated with your mission in any capacity. I want to go over a few things with Miranda, she's had a bit of experience running secret operations and could have a few sneaky ideas we could use." Shepard touched her intercom, "Miranda could you come to my quarters please."
"I'll be right there." Miranda responded promptly.
"Thank you." Shepard turned to Keya, "If you could get that information for me and anything that might help me find out who these people are I'd be very grateful."
"Of course Commander." Keya gave a quick salute.
"Spectre not Commander." Shepard cuffed the young woman lightly on the side of her head with a grin on her lips.
Keya returned the grin and left quickly.
Minutes later the click of heels heralded Miranda's arrival and Shepard looked up from her console, "Hey." She greeted with a smile.
Miranda smirked at finding Shepard this time seated at her console, "Do my eyes deceive me? Stephanie Shepard actually at her desk?"
"Hey I write reports! Sometimes. When I need to earn brownie points…" Shepard gave a cheeky grin and motioned her over.
Miranda sauntered over with a saucy smirk and leaned down to kiss Shepard's cheek, "So I should frown at you more often when I need something done?"
Shepard turned and claimed her lips for a moment, "I think that would be more effective." She murmured.
Miranda smiled and straightened, "I shall keep that in mind. Now what did you want to talk about?"
"Lieutenant Nastaran's mission." Shepard looked back to her console for a moment.
Miranda nodded, "Her mission has been highly classified, she's spoken with you about it?"
"Her mission is to find the first successful test subject of the Hunter Project, me, and take me to a safe location." Shepard smirked at the displeased look on Miranda's face and the flicker she could feel through their bond.
"I trust that's not going to happen." Miranda growled.
Shepard stood, "Of course not. She said that the people behind the Hunter Project have found me and been testing me. Now I want to run a few things by you that we've discovered recently." She leaned against the edge of her desk. "The people behind the Hunter Project got to you while in a secure Cerberus facility."
Miranda waited even though the reminder still stung.
"They knew we were on Illium and we've only been here for a couple days. In that time they've been able to distract me from you with a scent that had me lose control of myself and they've tried to erase your memories again." Shepard continued with a slight nod, "Now we have Nastaran being sent with Chasen to find me and take me to 'safety' yet the first thing Chasen does is attack and our ashvaylin's go at each other to determine strength and position."
Miranda's eyes narrowed as she ran through possibilities quickly, "You think they've been maneuvered?"
"Yes. We need to find out who these bastards are. Whatever games they're playing we don't have time for their shit." Shepard asserted firmly.
Miranda's nod was curt, "You've got some ideas?"
"I do. I'm going to assume that these bastards know our every move just as the Illusive Man does. I'm going to talk to Samara and find out more about these Ashvaylin and I'm going to have Nastaran assigned to the Normandy." Shepard paused there expecting as response on that one.
"Do you trust them?" Was all Miranda asked.
"Chasen without a doubt, Keya was a good kid on Elysium and I'd like very much to trust her. Plus she seems sincere in wanting to protect me and has agreed to omit certain details from her reports for the time being."
At that Miranda raised her brow for a moment then smirked, "Sounds familiar."
"Chekov… now there's an interesting one. Have you had a look at her yet?" Shepard asked almost coyly.
Miranda's expression became curious and she crossed her arms as she began to pace a little, "Her dossier isn't all that full yet but she's young and has shown promising skill in piloting and technical ingenuity."
"I meant her face. When you meet her put aside her colouring and accent and tell me what you see. Then check to see if Chakwas was able to get a genetic sample from her." Shepard was completely serious.
Miranda could feel that underlying that calm exterior Shepard was conflicted over the young pilot, "What do you think I'll see when I look at her?" she asked softly.
Shepard's answer was short and simple, "Me."
Miranda came to a stop and looked to Shepard to see if she was joking but there was no mirth in her eyes.
"If you had all the resources you did with Lazarus and more and had the perfect test subject for an experiment but lost it and found yourself unable to recover it what would you have done?" Shepard asked softly.
Miranda followed the thought to its conclusion, "You think she's a clone of you?"
"Well I know I have no immediate family so unless I have distant relatives out there I can't think of another explanation. But her scent Miri, even my ashvaylin was interested. I think perhaps she's another test but don't know what the purpose is yet." Shepard ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
"Then I want you to keep your distance for now and let us observe them. You're right that we need to know more about these people and that can be achieved by tracking the tools they use. There's always a trail we just have to find it." Miranda walked over and gently straightened the mussed up hair beside Shepard's ear, "And I will find it."
"We will and then we'll educate them on what happens to those who mess with Shepard and Lawson." Shepard gave a dark smile, her eyes burning with the thought of inflicting terror on the ones who had harmed both of them and so many others in the wake of their precious project.
Miranda leaned in and murmured, "That we will."
Shepard smiled into her lips and pulled her close, basking in her strength and that dangerous intellect of the woman she loved. After a few moments she broke the kiss and reached up to lightly cup Miranda's face, "Now before I get too side tracked by these highly distracting lips of yours,"
Miranda chuckled under her breath and stole another quick kiss before pulling back.
"I need to speak with Samara."
"Yes, you do. I'll look into some of those interesting thoughts you've raised." Miranda nodded and stepped away with a wink that had Stephanie grinning.
Shepard took a slight detour on the way to the observation deck that had been designated as Samara's quarters to liberate Chasen from the medbay with the excuse of not wanting to make Samara repeat herself.
Chakwas had taken one look between the pair and had shaken her head at their matching grins then waved them out with strict instruction that Chasen was to return to the medbay as soon as possible.
Chasen had slid her good arm around Shepard's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Thanks Boss, was goin' stir crazy in there."
Shepard chuckled and lightly elbowed Chasen in the ribs, "I'll show you around once we're done, you might be here awhile depending on how the mission goes."
Chasen sobered up quick smart, "Naz told me about it. I'm totally in for letting loose this kitty on those Collector bastards." She tapped her temple to indicate she was referring to her ashvaylin.
"Good, but first I want to know more about these guys." Shepard knocked on the door as there was no chime for the observation deck.
The door slid open to reveal Samara sitting on the deck in front of the large window seemingly staring out into the black abyss of space, a slight biotic aura dimmed at the entrance of the two young humans.
"Thank you for coming to see me." Samara gestured for them to join her.
Shepard sat herself down beside the asari while Chasen opted to stand by the window, wanting to stretch her legs after being in bed for so long.
"We appreciate you being willing to help us." Shepard gave a polite nod.
Samara looked to Chasen calmly, she could sense that this young woman had far less control over her ashvaylin and was more of a constant danger whereas Shepard had much better control yet was far more powerful should she lose that control. "It shall be very interesting to see how both of you develop, you both have different strengths and weaknesses."
Shepard and Chasen shared a glance but neither spoke.
"I am by no means an expert on Ashvaylin but there was one among our order who was bonded, she disappeared about thirty years ago."
Shepard's eyes narrowed, "Around the same time we humans appeared on the galactic scene."
Chasen felt the suspicion in Shepard and also looked a little wary.
"I have no knowledge of her whereabouts or reasons for leaving." Samara's voice remained serene. "I do know she was a teacher as well as Justicar. She would train others how to control their minds for the most important aspect of sharing her mind with another was control of herself and control of the boundaries between them. While the being in your minds is its own sentient entity it is still only a passenger in the vessel of your body." Samara looked between both human women meaningfully.
Chasen huffed, "Try telling it that."
"That is indeed the first and foremost matter that we will be tending to." Samara nodded.
"Do you know where they come from?" Shepard asked curiously.
"It is said that they are the Guardians of Athame, given to those who are deemed worthy when the goddess Athame wielded her sword against jealous gods who threatened the asari." Samara answered softly.
Chasen snorted at that.
Shepard shot her a glare.
"Very few in history who have bonded with ashvaylin have come forward and even those few who have do not claim to know the true answer to that question. They simply have a feeling of enduring, that time is somehow measured differently by the ashvaylin." Samara continued as if she hadn't heard the scoffing of the human.
At that memories began to flash through Shepard's mind, memories that weren't hers. They were memories of an alien race she didn't recognize at all but a name did somehow surface Oravores. A race of warriors in a time of much bloodshed and fighting for territory and resources. They had found Thessia with its primitive native species that had yet to develop much in the way of technology but with a vast wealth of resources. The plan had been simple, eradicate the natives, claim the planet, bleed it dry. It could be done quickly, quietly before the Protheans could intervene… but the Protheans discovered the plan and intervened they did, viciously. Rage at the Protheans. Rage at the Masters. Rage at defeat. Not all of the rage came from the host either. Then a curious alien found the dying Oravorian. Curiosity and courage and biotic ability and there… it had been simple enough to slip into that strange mind, so open, so welcoming, so peaceful… too peaceful.
Shepard blinked and shook her head, both Samara and Chasen were looking at her. "Ah, my ashvaylin was sharing a memory. If I understand it right it was brought to Thessia by a race called the Oravores who wanted to wipe out the asari for the resources on their world. The Protheans stepped in and crushed the Oravores. My ashvaylin's oravores host was killed on the surface and found by an asari who it bonded with." She summarized quickly.
"That is very interesting Spectre." Samara mused, for the first time a bit of colour in her tone.
"So they're not actually asari critters then?" Chasen looked to Shepard curiously, she may not have been on speaking terms with her own ashvaylin but it seemed the Commander was.
"Apparently mine isn't." Shepard shrugged, "You wanted to show us some training techniques then Samara?"
They spent the rest of the afternoon with the Justicar starting off with basic training which while Shepard had mastered during her own biotics training Chasen had not and it showed in her impatience with herself.
"Chasen," Shepard smiled, her expression calm and a touch more gentle than the blank face of the Justicar, "Rome wasn't built in a day. We've got over a decade of bad habits to break, one step at a time eh?"
Chasen sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, "Yeah, you seem to be doing okay with these though."
"We've had different training, I have different bad habits to what you do that are going to bite me in the ass when we get to them. For now the best thing that you can do for yourself is relax. Why don't we take a break, come up to my quarters and grab a drink and something to eat?" Shepard offered with a slight incline of her face as she smiled in amusement at the huffing and puffing of the woman glaring at the deck plates by her knees.
Chasen nodded and rose to her feet smoothly, "Sounds like a date boss."
Samara acknowledged the end of the session with a polite bow of her head, "We can continue tomorrow."
"Thanks Samara." Shepard lightly clasped the seated asari's shoulder as she passed and led Chasen to the elevator.
Chasen whistled as they strode into Shepard's quarters, "Nice digs!"
"Civilian warship versus Alliance one. I must confess I do like this Normandy better, don't tell anyone I said that though. It comes with a bar but Kasumi's using that lounge for her quarters and she's one woman you don't want to piss off, you literally won't see her coming." Shepard grinned and noted that her cooling unit was getting low on supplies already so she went straight to the brandy instead.
Chasen chuckled, "Think I'll hafta make friends with this Kasumi then."
"You haven't really met any of my crew other than Samara, Chakwas and Mordin have you." It was a statement more than a question, she slid a glass of brandy over to Chasen.
"First time out of medbay." Chasen picked up the glass and sniffed it first, "Ooh bringing out the good stuff."
"EDI can you get Kasumi up here if she's not busy." Shepard asked the AI.
"Of course Shepard." EDI's blue orb flickered to life for a moment then vanished once more.
A few minutes later the chipper thief arrived with a bottle of sake in hand and a mischievous grin, "You always play the good host Shep, thought I'd bring a little something this time."
Shepard chuckled, "Thanks Kasumi, my stocks getting a little low. This is Chasen Satria, Kasumi Goto." She introduced them simply.
Chasen held out her left hand seeing as her right was in a sling still and hurting a little now, "Nice ta meet'cha Kasumi-chan."
"Oooh Kasumi-chan already!" The little woman beamed, eyes twinkling a little in mirth as she shook hands with the newcomer.
"I heard you got unlimited access to the bar." Chasen winked with a dashing grin.
Kasumi laughed, "Oh I see how it is." She set herself down comfortably on the lounge and poured herself a sake when Shepard slid her a glass.
They'd been chatting amiably for an hour, all three relaxed and smiling as they got to know each other a bit better when the doors to Shepard's quarters slid open.
Shepard grinned, only one person ever came in unannounced. Pouring a glass of brandy she biotically lifted it with great control and precision towards Miranda.
Miranda smirked and plucked the glass from the air, actually taking a sip before she strode down into the lounge area. Kasumi had sat in the centre of the L with Chasen to one side and Shepard to the other and they all looked comfortable. It actually surprised her that Kasumi and Chasen stayed comfortable, most people… did not when she entered the room. Shepard simply scooted over to make some space for her with that delighted grin she was coming to enjoy seeing.
Shepard noted the datapad in her hand and nodded, "Join us first?"
Miranda gave a small smile and moved in to sit beside Shepard, it felt strange for the woman to slide an arm around her shoulders in the presence of others but she found she didn't actually mind it, especially when their minds touched.
"Just elbow me if you want me to move." Shepard whispered in Miranda's mind, making sure she had permission for this public display of affection.
"I'll keep that in mind." Miranda responded but made no move to do so, out loud she addressed them all, "Do you mind if I talk a little business?"
"Get it out of your system Miri, you won't relax until you do." Shepard smiled and gave her a tender biotic caress of her cheek.
Miranda glanced at her but that small smile returned for a moment, she handed over the datapad, "Liara has a lead on Thane Krios."
Shepard accepted the datapad and began to read over it, not moving from Miranda's side at all.
"Kasumi, your request is a time sensitive one. I assume you have everything ready for it?" Miranda's business tone remained cool and a little clipped but wasn't hostile at all like she'd been known for.
"Actually I have been meaning to talk to you about that one Miranda. Given how much… fun, Shep's been getting in to of late I was thinking she may need a date along for it." Kasumi flashed a slightly cheeky smile though she was quite serious about the idea.
"A date?" Miranda's brow rose ever so slightly.
"I've even got her a little black dress to wear, you'll love it." Kasumi winked.
Shepard looked up from the datapad with a start, "What?"
"Our mercenary friend is hosting a party, that's our ticket in. I can sneak in but you need to be able to move around freely to get what we'll need to crack the vault. I've been setting you up with a cover identity of a new merc band leader out in the Terminus and what respectable merc leader would attend a party of all the best of the worst scum of the galaxy without a little arm candy?" her eyebrows waggled a little bit at the suggestion.
Miranda scoffed at the suggestion.
"What, don't want to be my arm candy Miss Lawson?" Shepard teased, "I'm sure I could find someone who wouldn't mind playing along and how little is this dress by the way?" she looked to Kasumi warily now.
"It's one you've tried on already, just above your knees, high collar, silver necklace here…" Kasumi tapped just below her collar bone.
Shepard recalled the dress… and blushed, "That dress?! You actually bought that dress…"
Chasen chuckled at the look of dismay on Shepard's face.
Miranda was also very curious now, then she caught a flash of it in Shepard's mind, "Oh that is a lovely dress. Why were you trying on dresses with Kasumi?" she asked a little coyly, not wanting to sound jealous or petty because she knew exactly how Stephanie felt about her but was in fact rather curious.
Shepard didn't answer out loud at first, instead she shared a snippet of the conversation from when she'd went to Kasumi asking for help then added softly, "I didn't want to embarrass you going somewhere nice in this." She gestured to the comfortable shipboards she was wearing.
Miranda turned a little more towards her, "Well I certainly appreciated the results," she smiled and lightly placed her hand on Shepard's thigh before glancing back at Kasumi, "she gets to keep the dress once the mission is done?"
Kasumi laughed, "Of course! Wouldn't fit me anyway."
"Now I'm really wondering what this legendary dress looks like. You better show me before you go off and put holes in it boss." Chasen grinned at her with a wink.
"Yeah, so I should probably bring Keya as my date huh, she could stitch me back together when things start blowing up… which they will." She smirked, her tone teasing and her eyes twinkling a little.
Miranda scowled.
"Chekov's pretty cute to, might get a little starry eyed though." Kasumi joined in, carefully watching Miranda's expression, but grinning nonetheless.
"What about that other red head, the one with the bob?" Chasen was grinning from ear to ear as Miranda's cobalt eyes went icy.
"Kelly? She could certainly talk her way out of just about anything." Shepard nodded, pretending to think it over.
"Jacob would make very nice eye candy too by the way." Kasumi added.
That was apparently the one that tipped Miranda over the edge, "No." She stated firmly, "If you require a date I will go with you." She growled, glaring up at Shepard now.
Shepard's expression simply melted into an adorable smile and she leaned in to lightly brush her lips over Miranda's before murmuring, "I was hoping you would."
Miranda relaxed again and rolled her eyes with a huff at words and feelings that weren't expressed through words but their mental touch.
"I'll take Garrus and Kasumi first thing tomorrow morning to follow up this lead on Thane, it's too late tonight to do anything." Shepard put the datapad on the table, "Then we'll head to Benkenstein and I want to try and find out what's happening with Tali. She hasn't sent me any messages for a few days and I'm getting worried."
Chasen cocked her head slightly, "Naz talk to you about why we're here?"
"Yes and for the moment your mission's on hold." Shepard tried not to tense up but she was in mental contact with Miranda and her highly intelligent woman picked up that something was a little amiss.
Chasen scowled, "I know you're alpha and everything, but we've been looking for this…"
Shepard's voice was firm, "Chasen, I didn't tell Nastaran this because I know that she can't act to save herself and I need her to believe in what she's reporting to your superiors. Your mission was to take the first test subject to a safe location because the Hunter Project is closing in on her. Thing is your superiors are from the Hunter Project, you coming here and challenging me was one of their tests."
Chasen's head whipped back like she'd been slapped, her green eyes wide in shock.
"I've promised to tell her more when I believe it's safe but right now I don't want them to know that we know about them. Best way for that to happen is to let them keep thinking they have the upper hand and best way for that to happen is for Nastaran to sell it to them in her reports." Shepard did feel a little bad about keeping her in the dark but it was for the best.
Chasen whistled through her teeth, "Shit. Well that… actually explains a hell of a lot. Lips are sealed, just tell me what you need me to do."
"Keep training with Samara. We may have been used but we sure as hell can turn that to our advantage and I intend to. Best way for that to happen is to get a better handle on these guys," she tapped her temple, "and put them to good use."
Chasen scowled, "Easy for you to say, yours listens to you."
"I've lost myself to it same as you, I just happened to be in places where killing those around me was preferable, slavers and mercs and what not." Shepard smiled to her encouragingly and was actually relaxing now that she'd been able to redirect Chasen before the woman could mention her real name, "Give yourself time and a little grace, you can't retrain a living being overnight it'll take time. But Chasen, you're not alone any more, I'm here, Miri's here, we can both sit on your ashvaylin if push comes to shove."
Miranda spoke up, "I may not have an ashvaylin personally, but I'm quite aware of the pack mentality they adhere to and the authority that gives me as… Shepard's better half." She flashed a coy smile at Shepard.
Kasumi grinned and bit back the chuckle, it was really quite adorable seeing the couple like this, Shepard must have really made an impression on their date.
Chasen actually relaxed, "Sunshine, you can jump in my brain and dominate it into submission and time, me to if you like." She winked at Miranda.
Miranda's eyes narrowed slightly, "Careful what you wish for Satria, I may do exactly that."
Chasen could just about taste the power and authority and danger that flowed from the woman and held up her hands submissively but with a cheeky grin, "I know, I know, you don't share."
After that they began to chat amicably until it really was getting rather late. Chasen was the first to leave and head back to medbay quickly followed by Kasumi leaving Miranda and Shepard alone. Although the sneaky thief did creep back in to get a covert pic of the gorgeous couple completely relaxed and in each other's arms. Her insides just about went gooey at the completely open expression of love and adoration that shone from Shepard as she leaned in to Miranda, cupping her face oh so tenderly. Miranda reached up to reciprocate with a heartfelt smile of her own and for a blissful moment the universe melted away for the couple. Mission accomplished Kasumi quickly snuck back out and to her quarters in the observation lounge. She was going to save the pics to share with the couple later, from everything she'd managed to dig up about their mission she was very aware of the fact it was going to be tough and even the most charismatic and thoughtful of leaders could need a little reminder of why they were doing this.