Normandy- Shepard's Cabin
Abigail Shepard's Omni-tool was on and she was fiddling with it. She was scrolling through her Extra-net profile looking for upgrades for her Omni-tool combat programs. Since she was back in the field she thought it was finally time to add some of those N7 apps she had access to. Finally finding the first of the set she began to upload it into her melee folder.
She heard James yawn behind him, "Yo Lola, what are you doing?"
"James," she nodded going back to work, "finding more apps for the Omni-blade, during the war the N7s added a lot of additional programs they were able to use. A bow, a shield. I think those might come in useful for the kind of combat we are likely to face."
"Nice," James said absentmindedly.
"Something on your mind James?" She asked turning to him.
"No-well yes, actually," He sighed, "you and Cameron?"
She felt her eyebrow arch slightly beyond her control, "What about us?"
"What is the nature of your relationship?" He asked.
Well that was awfully clinical, she smirked wryly. James shifted uncomfortably as she stared him down. He scratched at his neck.
Finally she let him off the hook, "Look, there is nothing between us."
"Uh huh," He said in a mirror of her tone.
"Honest." She muttered back.
He looked unconvinced, and she sighed.
Like I need this, "There is nothing between us James, I'm here for you."
"Yeah, well you've seemed pretty distant of late." James grumbled at her.
"I don't need this," She vocalized heading out, for the door, "I'm going for some air, I'll see you around."
"We're on a space ship orbiting a space station, where are-"
The door closing cut him off as Abby headed for the mess hall, and food. Her thoughts roiling slightly as she marched farther and farther away, each step more and more determined, trying to let the frustration roil off her down into the decking.
"Captain, you might want to come up here, we have something for you." Miranda's voice pierced the comparative quiet around her.
She sighed and glared up at the ceiling, "Miranda, you always seem to communicate right when I'm in the middle of transit to somewhere."
"Sorry ma'am, this can't wait." Miranda replied.
She sighed, "I'll be right there," and toggled her Omni-tool, "James meet me in the War Room."
On her way out she decided to grab herself a Croissant from one of the Omega's fine groceries, she bit into it, and nearly gagged.
The War Room was once again crowded with the people from all over the ship as Garrus and Cameron had decided to join them. Miranda was over by the controls sitting over them.
Abby nodded at the two, "Cameron, Garrus."
They nodded back, with an "Abigail," from Cameron.
"What have you got for me this time?" Abby asked Miranda.
"Well a communication, from Earth, actually, it seems the resistance wants a meet"
"We actually got a communication from Earth?" Cameron asked dubious.
Miranda manipulated the controls again causing the hologram on the table to revolve and turn into a view similar to the hack she used to have to run, a three by three grid of data. Certain sections started to highlight.
"This has been buried in the Alliance intercepts and junk data we have been intercepting." Miranda explained. "Certain codes and signals and information. Apparently we have been getting them off and on for a couple of weeks but only now has there been a definitive pattern, and only if you know what to look for."
"Sounds too easy." Cameron scoffed.
"Maybe," Abby agreed, "but what does the info packets say?"
"Only that there is an resistance on Earth which has been gathering for the last few weeks and they want to set up a personal face to face meeting. The message goes on to explain this is of vital importance and is a threat."
"Sounds interesting could be worth taking a look."
"Please, it could just as easily be a trap. All of this sounds a little convenient don't you think?" Cameron asked coming forward.
"You keep saying things are traps, I am really beginning to wonder if you know the meaning of the word." Abigail cast a look at him.
"Oh trust me, I have experience with traps." Cameron shot back sarcastically.
"Well, regardless if it's a trap or not it's almost too good an opportunity to pass up. Did the message give off any coordinates?"
Miranda pressed down on the controls as the view manipulated yet again, this time it showed corsairs hanging over typical Earth suburbs. "Here," Miranda explained, "just south of Central Chicago. It's a night club or bar of some sort."
"Interesting," Abby stroked her chin and nodded, "any more ways to get us to Earth undetected?"
"We could just take the Normandy, get in without being detected." Cameron suggested.
Abigail shook her head almost instantly, "If this is a trap then I don't want the Normandy to be anywhere near Earth Space. If we fall and are captured then the Normandy is our very last card to play. And without the Normandy Omega doesn't have any defenses or any starships to really talk about. You can only do so much with auto canons. If they are waiting for us then it would mean they are expecting us and will prepare accordingly, and we have no idea how long this mission will take, or how long we will be in the range. Better to play it at least somewhat safe."
"I agree," Cameron shrugged.
They both turned their gaze on Miranda.
"Well, I and Liara have been working on that." She said working on her controls. "Ever since Soren seized power a large number of ore and supply freighters have been heading in through Alliance Space, even as far out as Horizon, heading for Earth. I can get you and the squad of your choice fake credentials that will hold up to scrutiny on one of these ships. From there you should be able to infiltrate Earth easily."
"Why?" Cameron asked.
Miranda opened her mouth to speak, and thought better of it as Abigail was going to beat her to the punch.
"Only one way to find out."
Cameron shrugged again and looked around the room. "Want me to take a look at it?"
"At what?" Abby asked.
"Well go to Earth; get in touch with this resistance."
"They don't know you they only know me, no sadly if we are going to do this it has to be me; we have to find a way of getting in there."
"Personally I'd be more concerned with getting out." Cynthia grunted from her side of the room.
"Now there's something." Miranda snorted.
"Anyways, yeah, we have to do this." Abigail muttered.
The room was silent for a few minutes as the squad considered the tactical ramifications, Cynthia looked more eager than nervous at the prospect, Miranda started typing away at her console probably running a few scenarios for getting them to Earth without being caught, or getting them home again. Cameron folded his arms over his chest.
"Alright," Abby announced so they would all focus in on her, "we can't take the Normandy and we probably shouldn't take the entire squad along at the same time. We need to keep people here and a minimalist squad in case things do go wrong on the other end." She scanned the crowd, "James, Paul, you're with me. Ashley you and Cameron will maintain command here. Take good care of her."
"Don't I always?" Ashley smirked. "Besides you don't have to worry about her anymore, just go to Earth and give Soren my regards."
"At muzzle velocity." Cynthia agreed.
"Well, I will try and swing by Archturus on my way back, but no promises." Abigail joined in the fun chuckling.
"They probably won't run DNA or anything, given that they probably won't expect us to make a stand like this, intentionally put ourselves in the line of fire like this. I would try and go as dirty as possible though, and this means the load out will have to be…limited." Miranda explained back to business
"Suggestions?" Abigail turned to her friend.
Miranda bit her lip, "I have been modifying the Suppressor since I came back and discovered it from your little detour on the Citadel. It's now made out of composite materials, and can be assembled. Should not show up on sensors unless the bad guys specifically know what to look for."
"Awesome," James grunted, "That only gives something for Abigail and Paul to use, I don't tend to use Pistols."
"Well," Miranda smirked, "I only have one of them anyways."
"What's the use in having one pistol?" James asked.
"Well, it was supposed to be a prototype." Miranda started, "I was going to use it as a standard side arm for my operatives, when I had enough combat trained operatives to matter."
"But, it's good enough for our purposes." Abigail held up her hand. "Good work people, we'll be leaving first thing tomorrow, other than that grab your gear and let's get a move on."
Armory
Abigail Shepard held her weapon in a perfect two handed stance, feet spread apart, getting used to the feel. She sighed, relaxed dropping her arms slightly, bringing the weapon pointing skyward. She eyed the target at the other end of the corridor, imagining it was a Brute who was stalking her, waiting for her, realizing she only had a pistol for her defense and was savoring its kill. In a flash she brought the pistol back up with two hands and fired down range, emptying the entire clip, the weapon felt hot, hotter than usual.
"Nice form," a male voice spoke behind her
She started, and glanced over her shoulder at who would disturb her. And saw Cameron in his N7 hoodied glory taking her in.
She turned to him fully, "you know it probably isn't a good idea to sneak up on a woman holding a pistol."
The Vanguard smiled wryly, "A woman who is a well-trained special forces operative who knows her ship just can't be infiltrated willy nilly."
"You saying you aren't an infiltrator?" Abigail asked.
Cameron nodded, and stood there for a second, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
"So…"
"You are putting an awful lot of trust in me." Cameron murmured.
"You've earned it." Abigail's signatory frown deepened.
"And, you have a lot of trust in your ability to get out of this mission alive."
She snorted, "I've earned it."
"Yeah, but…we've been very lucky to make it this far. Hell I suppose it's lucky I am here or else you would never even go on this mission."
"Maybe," Abigail conceded, "your point?"
"Ever wonder what will happen when our luck will run out?"
Abigail hesitated, "We just have to hope our skill is enough to get us through. Especially since we have more skill and determination, rather than luck."
"If you say so."
"You worried you can't handle this without me?"
He laughed, "No, although I imagine something will happen with you away from the house, I can feel it."
"Well," She grinned moving to clap him on the shoulder, "thankfully I can be in two placed at once."
"Take care Shepard," He said.
She stalked out towards the elevator, "you too Shepard."