Shepard and Daniel got back on the deck of Normandy. Daniel wasn't expecting the surprises he will get while becoming member of Normandy. As soon as they crossed the bridge, Joker turned on his pilot chair, he was surprised to see Daniel.
"Commander? We're ready to leave when you are… oh. Who is him?" Joker pointed at Daniel.
"His name is Daniel. He's our new crew member." Shepard explained.
"Oh, good. Should we meet better?"
"Not now, Joker. There will be a lot of time later. EDI?" Shepard asked and the AI appeared on Joker's right side.
"Yes, Shepard?"
"Please navigate Daniel down to the crew deck and offer him some rooms by the memorial stand. He will choose his room. Also prepare some uniform for him."
"Will do, Shepard." EDI disappeared and Shepard pointed at the elevator. Daniel went deeper in the Normandy and Shepard turned back to Joker.
"What?" Shepard asked as Joker tilted his head.
"Sorry it just looked funny to watch how you guide adult man like he was a kid."
"He's autist."
"Oh… I see captain."
"But there's more to it. It's more than century since he saw the world. Joker I hope there's nothing to it… or is there something you want to say before I go to my cabin?"
"Well, yeah. I just think if it's wise to bring autist on board of military ship. I mean, are you sure army is suitable for him?"
"Anderson gave me his file. I think he is expecting me to take care about him."
"Why would Anderson want this sort of thing? After destroying Collectors, I would expect he would give you a puppy instead of some human…" Joker said but Shepard raised his eyebrows, "Okay, I know that I shouldn't care when I think of my brittle bone disease. Sorry, commander."
"I think there's much more to it, Joker. Anderson isn't telling me what is going on and Daniel has to do something with it! Maybe yes, he could be useful in my crew, but something seems off."
"If you say so. Hey, commander, there is something waiting for you in your cabin."
"What?"
"Just go and see yourself. Tell me where you want to take this ship and in the meantime you can use the time. I think you might like it." Joker said and turned around to the controls.
"Take us to the Geth ship. I want to take Legion back."
"Aye, aye, captain!" Joker said and Normandy started with undocking from the Citadel. As soon as Normandy left the orbit of the Citadel, Shepard used the elevator to get up to his cabin on the first deck. He proceeded inside his cabin and when the door opened, he froze on place. Liara T'Soni was sitting on his bed.
"Hello, Shepard."
"Liara! What are you doing here? I thought you had bunch of work as a new Shadow Broker!" Shepard said and Liara stood up from his bed, both of them walked to each other. Once they were close enough, Liara rested her palms on Shepard's shoulders and Shepard placed his arms on her waist. Both of them stared at each other's eyes for a while, Liara smiling at Shepard.
"I've got what was necessary for a work of Shadow Broker. I landed with my pilot to the Citadel's docking bay and found Normandy so my men helped me with moving the stuff on board. I think I should have told you I will be coming but–"
"It's ok, Liara. It's good to have you back." Shepard smiled.
"I'm glad to be back. It was silent in the Shadow Broker base, silent too much for me. I needed to hear engines of Normandy and see the crew around me! And I wanted to be with you." Liara said and kissed Shepard on his lips.
"Well, our journey will be long and so, maybe we could use the time." Shepard suggested, looking at Liara's eyes.
"It's nice offer Shepard, but I have much work to do. I am at the office that belonged to Miranda and computers aren't going to set themselves up yet," She said and went around Shepard towards the door, "But I'll be looking forward to the nearest opportunity." She smiled and left Shepard's room. For a while, Shepard remained at silence of his room, nothing but sound of his aquarium with the fish he had was the only thing he could hear. He decided to sit to his table surrounded by models of space ships. Shepard opened his private console and spotted some messages.
You're back!
Have you got time?
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE
Normandy's status
Why didn't you tell me sooner?!
Shepard started checking each one of them:
Subject: You're back!
Sender: Garrus Vakarian
Shepard! I just received info from Anderson that you're back! Can't wait to see you so we can kick some asses like the old times! I'll be waiting for you in the Hades Nexus cluster, here are my coordinates…
Shepard took the coordinates and transferred them to the galaxy map.
Subject: Have you got time?
Sender: Miranda Lawson
Hello, commander. There are rumors about you that you've been set free. Can you come to the Citadel once you have time? I need to talk to you about something…
This time Shepard frowned.
Subject: ENCRYPTED MESSAGE
Sender: The Illusive man
Shepard. I am deeply sorry for your attitude towards my intentions. You are not able to understand that if you want to uplift humanity, there are some necessary sacrifices. Unfortunately for you, leaving Cerberus and blocking communication with me doesn't mean I cannot contact you. Normandy is still originally my ship and I can send you messages whenever I want, but don't worry. This is the last message you see from me. I just want to tell you that it's not the end, not entirely. I will make sure I'll get what I want, even if you try to cross my path.
Shepard shook his head at that.
Subject: Normandy's status
Sender: EDI
Shepard, there are currently 6 crew members on the ship. Here's the list of them:
- Shuttle pilot: Steve Cortez
- Ship pilot: Jeff "Joker" Moreau
- Administrative assistant: Samantha Taylor
- The Alliance soldier: James Vega
- Other crew members: Daniel Husk, Liara T'Soni
Shepard skipped to the next message after reading the report.
Subject: Why didn't you tell me sooner?!
Sender: Tali'Zorah vas Normandy
Shepard, I'm mad! Just few minutes back I was notified that you're free and that you're looking for crew! You should have written me in the first place! I don't know who told you that I wouldn't be attending you but he or she was wrong! I will be waiting for you to arrive to pick me up. That is also a reason why my name hasn't changed! I am proud member of Normandy and that will never change!
Shepard had to laugh. He knew temper of quarian people but reading message from Tali made him laugh. There was still much time before they would arrive at Geth space ship and thanks to that, he thought it would be good to see how was Daniel acclimatizing. Shepard took elevator to the deck three and saw opened door in the life support. The commander didn't hesitate to come closer and see if Daniel was there. He walked in the room silently, seeing that Daniel watched the mass effect core.
"It looks like EDI managed to find the right size of your uniform." Shepard said which startled Daniel a little bit so he turned around.
"Shepard… yes. I've been just watching this." Daniel pointed at the core and Shepard came next to him.
"That is a mass effect core. It's something that helps us in intergalactic jump. We can travel FTL so we jump across star clusters which are distanced many light years away."
"Jump, faster than light, light years… that sounds like you were able to break through first rule of Einstein's relativity… rule of highest speed which was speed of light."
"Actually, Daniel, it's not us who broke the rule. We can travel FTL thanks to mass relays."
"What is that?"
"Massive objects on the edge of each system. It charges up mass effect core which provides energy for the jump. Nobody really knows where did they come from, but we can be grateful for them."
"I see. It seems that the things they taught me on the university are no longer true…"
"Maybe, but everything we use is based on old knowledge. You don't need to feel bad about it."
"I guess you are right, Shepard." Daniel said and Shepard nodded. After a while he decided to change subject.
"Daniel, there is time before we arrive at the place. I will need you on the mission…" Shepard said and Daniel looked at him.
"I am not sure if I can be used in combat…"
"Come and meet me at the shuttle bay. I'll teach you some basics that you can use on the battlefield. I'll be waiting for you." Shepard said and left Daniel alone.