Chapter two
Aaaah yes, "reapers"
In the armoury of the Normandy
The Kodiak touched down with a rocking in the Normandy's armoury. Shepard was quick to jump out as soon as the doors opened. She took a stretch and called over a soldier to have him guide the brand new primarch to the war room. Offering the turian full use of their strategic centre, they both thanked each other before he was escorted through the elevator doors.
Vega was half out of his armour by now, but Shepard had even kept the helmet on through the ride back. Garrus put down his helmet and rifle on a table. There was a comfortable sense of familiarity being back on the Normandy. Even though the retrofit had changed much of the armoury he could still recognize the area. Then finally Shepard's voice rang without the distortion of the helmets radio.
"God that was a good fight. We should get more turians on our side so-"
"Shepard?"
Cut off in mid sentence she turned towards Garrus, finally letting him properly look into those clear blue eyes.
"Yeah?"
"You're hair... is purple."
"Oh that?" She smiled and proceeded to twine a lock between her fingers. "When they pulled me out of 'active duty' I pulled myself off regulations. Got this colour just to piss people off."
"I'm guessing it worked charmingly?"
"Still does." A crooked smile adorned her face.
So she had kept the length of the hair, just as he had asked her to. The sentiment had him realize just how long it had been since he last saw her. Six months. A lot of time for things to happen, move along, or just plain disappear.
"Commander." Traynors voice filled the armoury. "Admiral Hackett is available on vid-com."
"Alright, I'm on my way. Send someone to pick up my armour later, I'll just change in the com-room." Putting the helmet down she started off towards the elevator waving off Garrus and Vega with the line "Duty calls~"
In the AI Core of the Normandy
Scan complete. Laying out strategy, erecting additional firewalls. Hacking attempt detected. Deploying counter measurements.
Things went dark for a few seconds. The Normandy flickered, systems went haywire.
Retaining control. Repair firewalls, rerouteing power, provide additional security to environmental control, physical retaliation detected. Life support unaffected, flight controls unaffected. Attacking basecode.
A small fire broke out among the servers in the core. The automated cool-down system activated immediately.
Regaining auditory input.
"I thought I sent you back here to fix this?" Voice recognition: Kitten Mac Shepard, commander.
"We couldn't find the problem. We were still in the middle of running diagnostics. The source of it seems to be in-" Voice recognition: Liara
"The AI-Core. Traynor figured as much. I'll go have a look." Voice recognition: Kitten Mac Shepard, commander.
"Joker, what's that sound?"
"Fire extinguishers, Commander. Could be an electrical fire or... or something."
"Or something? I just love knowing what I'm going up against... All-right, I'm going in."
The two soldiers at her side checked the door with their omni-tools. After a short nod from the commander one of them moved in, extinguishing the last remnants of fire on the floor. Impatient Shepard moved in before he was done.
"Edi, talk to me."
There was the clear sound of hard-drives starting up and she cast a suspicious eye to them. Fans started up to slowly clear the air. Something strange was glowing in the back. An orange glow at eye-level. And it was moving towards her. The sound of heels clicking down on the floor could be heard and Shepard stopped short to listen. With every suspicion that the body they picked up on Mars was about to take it's revenge she waved in the two soldiers, now with arms drawn.
"Is there a particular topic you wish to discuss, Shepard?" Moving lips for the first time, countering balance, watching the commanders expression. All things enjoyable for the suddenly far more mobile AI Edi.
"Edi?" Shepard knitted her eyebrows, a little awaiting. Raising her hand to signal the soldiers not to shoot.
"Yes." Lifting a hand she tested out the mobility and vision field of her newly acquired body. Eyes blinking, she nodded.
"You're INSIDE doctor Eva's body?"
"Not all of me." She took up a more defensive position, folding her arms. "But I have control of it it. It was not a seamless transition."
The commander followed the body's lines from top to toe. One of the men diverted to a control panel, the other kept his pistol trailed at EDI.
"I'd say. You blacked out on us for a moment there."
"Correct. Since you brought this unit back on board I began a background process to search for information on the prothean device. This eventually triggered a trap, a backup power source and CPU activated and the unit attempted physical confrontation aswell as it launched a hacking attempt."
"It attacked, you fought back."
"Yes, I gained access to its core programming and was able to re-purpose it as I saw fit. It... struggled. Thus the fire."
"Well... If it means having full access to the Prothean data in its head... nice going."
"I reasoned along similar lines." Edi turned towards Shepard, further adapting to its balance and the visual concept of forward optics only.
"So... If you're in there..." Shepard pointed towards the body then looked around the room. "Are you still in the ship?" Also she finally waved off the man who was still holding a pistol towards the robot body.
"I exist primarily within the ship. For optimal control, this unit should remain within the Normandy's broadcast or tightbeam range."
"Planning to go for a walk, Edi?"
"Normandy's weaponry is not suited for every combat situation. This platform could provide limited fire ground support."
"Wait." Shepard raised a finger. "You're saying you could come with us?"
"Yes. This body could accompany you to areas the Normandy cannot reach." Whilst Edi still didn't make full use of the body's potential to display emotions, Shepard was wearing hers on the outside.
"Edi, seriously. This is the best idea you've had, possibly ever."
"You approve?"
"Yes! Hell yes."
"Excellent. I will run tests to secure that it matches or exceeds the capabilities of organic squadmates."
"Yeah, sure."
"However my first step should be restoring full functionality to the Normandy, to reassure the crew that all is normal."
"Good idea. Just... don't be surprised if there'll be jaws dropping. Lots of staring. Especially from the male part of the crew. Oh and... it was shooting at us a while ago."
"Good point. I will take it to the bridge. Joker will also want to see it."
Edi watched Shepard trying to force down a laugh, clear her throat and shake her head.
"Yeah. To say the least."
In the main battery of the Normandy
Whilst trying to be at least of some use to the new primarch, Garrus was looking forward to just stay here and quietly calibrating the canon which he installed roughly a year ago. Though he almost threw the aim off the chart when he suddenly heard Shepard's voice next to him. She'd managed to get through the door without him catching a single sigh of it opening and closing.
"Didn't waste any time getting to work I see."
He cleared his throat, acting like nothing and turned towards her.
"After what I've been through lately, calibrating a giant gun is a vacation. Gives me something to focus on."
Shepard crossed her arms and leaned at said giant gun. A faint trace of amusement on her face. She as well gave him something to focus on. Despite the hair being coloured purple (much in the same shade as her former armour he might add) she was also running around the ship dressed in a black dress with an N7 logo on. Was this really official wear for an alliance vessel?
"We're going to need you for more than your aim."
Was she flirting?
"Oh I'm ready for it. But I'm pretty sure we'll still need giant guns, and lots of them."
"Yeah, no argument there."
Or maybe she wasn't.
"Yeah, so...Is this the part where we... shake hands?" He took a step closer. "Wasn't sure about the protocol on reunions," His eyes trailed off for a moment. "or if you even felt the same way about me.. The scars are starting to fade.. I remember they drove you wild." A rewarding smile with a soft laugh and she let her arms down. "But... I can go out and get all new ones.. if it'll help." Taking the chance, proving the point that he wasn't just joking around he stepped up to her.
"I'll never forget our time together."
"Well, I've been doing some more research on human customs, I didn't wa-"
Suddenly she took hold of his arm, leaned in and gave a kiss.
"That's the protocol on reunions." Her voice was low and strained. Her hand holding him firmly.
"The vids mentioned it might go something like this." Well, at least any form of doubts was out of his mind.
"The vids?"
"I had hoped it would. I mean... I didn't know-" As always, when he was trying to convey his emotions to her it resulted in a lot of staggering words and unfinished sentences. Luckily, she wasn't as lost or shy as him. Conveying emotions through words wasn't her forte, but then again she was a woman of action.
Shepard took hold of his other hand as well and looked down on their hands joined together. There was a whole register of emotion passing through her voice.
"I can't promise how things will work out.. Not with this war going on. But I've missed you Garrus." She looked up, bringing him out of balance with the sincerity in her eyes. "I thought about you a lot."
He followed her lead and closed the gap between them a little more. Taking her a little closer.
"Glad to know that my romantic, uuh, skills.. made an impression... Because it's going to take more than Reapers to come through this cross-species liaison."
Without a word she got up on her toes, he leaned slightly forward and they kissed.
"Speaking of which." Shepard continued. "You're an 'expert advisor' on reapers now huh?"
Garrus could very well hear the taunting in her voice.
"Not as impressive as it sounds. I ruffled some feathers and they gave me this token title along with a token task-force so I'd shut up." He turned towards the panel on the other side to fiddle a little with adjustments. At the moment it was kind of... hard to keep focus while looking at her.
"So, how did you manage that?" Again she crossed her arms and leaned back.
"Just followed your example Shepard." He turned towards her again. "Yell loud enough and eventually someone will come over and see what all the fuss is about.. Not that they'll actually do anything about it though."
"Aaaah yes, "reapers"." She said, imitating the turian councillor, making quotation marks with her fingers and all. Then shook her head. "Wish I could write that on a paper and shove it down his throat."
Garrus laughed and shook his head while they started towards the door.
"Not like the good old days, is it? Rouge spectre and a C-sec agent running and gunning outside the lines, making it up as we went along."
"Hmm, I preferred the second time around. A denounced, supposedly dead, spectre and a mysterious vigilante of Omega. Using the resources of humanity's most questionable faction."
"But we're respectable now."
"Yeah, I'm willing to bet that 'respect' comes with a lot of sleepless nights. And flying bullets." She shook her head with a sigh as she stopped and turned towards him. "I can't even count the number of lives that depends on us Garrus."
"Well, when things are looking grim, and I'm pretty sure they will, just remember:" He moved in closer and dropped his voice a level. Trying to make sure the message came across clearly. "We're in this together."
Shepard had this nasty habit of never letting anyone see what she was carrying on her shoulders. Bottling up everything on the inside and never bursting. Never seeking solace. He tried to provide it for her. Tried to soothe her. She hardly ever even showed the burden in her eyes, much less broke down in tears seeking his arms. Thinking about it, he hadn't seen her cry even once.
"And if it ends with both of us dying in a gigantic explosion taking out a reaper -remember I took the killshot." Before twisting the last sentence he took a walk over to the main panel in the room.
"Pffft, yeah right! After I've spent half an hour wearing it down with my biotics. Fucking kill-stealer." She shook her head. "About this primarch though.. It's no small thing he's asking. Will he live up to his word?"
"I've never known Victus to lie. Play fast and loose with strategy, maybe. But betray and ally? Not his style. But if he did try.. well, we'll just have to find you a new primarch."
"I noticed Generals saluting you Vakarian, sir. How far down the line of succession are you these days?"
"...Let's not go there." The pause before the answer and the fact that he had to look away while answering... That was a mistake. The grin went wide on her face.
"Oooh this is interesting. Why not? I've seen you in action. Come on, think about it. Primarch Vakarian, honoured War hero! Besides, I'd like to be the first lady of another race's homeworld. Not to mention having him completely wrapped around my finger."
"Oh so that's what this is all about."
"Hmmmm." She bit down on her little finger and eyed him from top to toe. "Stay close Garrus. We've got some.. catching up to do."
"You know where to find me. And this time..." He turned down to get hold of a dark blue bottle of wine. "I can afford the good stuff. There are a few perks to being an expert reaper advisor."
"Allright, deal."
"Now I'm sure somebody screwed up something down here. I want to get the old girl back in fighting shape."
"Of course, I'll leave you to it." She said walking over to the door that sighed open. "And Garrus. Don't forget to watch as I walk away."
And walk away she did, with Garrus eyes following her steps. Making a point to sway a bit more than usual.
"Why does she always do that?" He whispered, his eyes lingering even after the door closed.
Authors note: Anyone who knows me knew that Kitten would end up falling in love with Garrus. Though it wasn't easy for her, I promise you I'll tell you the tale in a later chapter. I'm trying to not write too many sappy scenes with those two together. But I do love writing romantic situations, and about love. So bear with me!
This post also came a bit earlier than expected. Mostly because I wanted it done and felt like I'd ruin it if I tried to fiddle with it more.
(I'm not at all satisfied with parts of it, but I'm not after making this perfect. English is not my first language and the way I write in my own vs second language differs alot. My way with words is waay better in Swedish)
The Shep/Garrus section was originally written entirely from Shepards view, but in a early stage of writing this, a friend pointed out that it was alot of fun seeing her from others eyes. There will be parts that's seen entirely from her pow, but they will be moments that weight extremely heavy on her.
Next update it's time for Jack to make an appearance!
Next Mission will include squad mates Vega and Garrus. Stay tuned!