Author's Headnote: Sorry, I had gone through a Writer's Block for a bit. So, I played some videogames to help unblock it, and now here we are with another chapter.

The Ruby of Cerberus: Lost in Translation

Miranda Lawson:

Health: Healthy

Abilities: Biotics, Omni-Tool Techs

Weapons: M-2 Kessler (Standard Issue)

Party Relations:

- Cerberus Soldier: Security Guard, that's all.

End of Major character status report

Anadius, Cronos Station, Lower-Station, December 11, 2174, 12:07 (Military Time), Sunday, Comm Rooms

The comms room, is for people who aren't the illusive man to make contact with the rest of the cells of the organization. It's a mid-sized room with a comm hub in the middle of it. It's mostly grey and white. Not that the colors matter when the holo-com goes on.

Miranda decided to make a call to the head of the Unity cell. The one where the strange Prothean gateway is hosted. The entire facility centered around quantum physics, however, biologists and engineers remain to study life and technology of extra-dimensional beings and tech. Not sure why they didn't cut up the girls, maybe they did after Miranda showed up, and then put them back together. But the main purpose is to study the gateway itself after Cerberus had found out what the thing does around a couple months ago. Being that this thing can travel to different points across reality, and knowing that different realities exist, needs to be kept to a minimum, and mostly confined to the Cerberus higher-ups and the Unity cell themselves. So, a mass majority doesn't even know the identity of the 'new agents'.

Likely for the better, if word gets out about the portal, chances are the Citadel's gonna want and take that thing and keep it locked up. Even though, it can provide sources of technology development independent of Prothean technology, ironically. Being that this is prothean technology that gives them this potential, just waiting a greenlight from the Illusive Man to begin a second attempt at the infiltration. Since the first attempt had resulted from some backfire, may need to wait to find a way to take on people like the girls in a fair fight, without a surprise fight or sleeping gas.

The girls were lucky that Unity was dedicated to quantum physics, otherwise they'd be sliced open, killed, or left to rot. Depending on what cell does to them. In normal cases, human trespassers would be imprisoned and experimented on. However, it appears that somehow the experiments were only basic at most, not attempting to test the limits of their bodies whatsoever.

And he calls. The man's name is Lionel Golden. His dossier states that he was born and raised in South Carolina, and has quite the plagiarist streak. He always copied his tests from others, it's why his highest form of education is a simple General Education Diploma, he was expelled from high school after one plagiarist incident too much. And was rejected from every college, even outside of the system's alliance because he's been known for copying other's work. His criminal record also consists of selling forgeries, making forged art, and usage of fake IDs. Not sure why the Illusive Man hired him, though, chances are, one of the other higher-ups recruited him. And he somehow managed to get in a high-ranking power.

And that's the man he's contacting.

"Yellow?" Lionel answered. Who the hell answers with 'yellow'? The guy is slouching, has a sloppy dressed suit. With the button shirt not tucked in, with the tie not tied. Along with wearing non-matching shoes. One's a shoe, the other's a boot. That, and he's not wearing a suit jacket. How did he get this promotion? Likely in that position because he's somewhere where the scientists do most of the work. So, he was likely moved to one of the less important cells... that was... until the prothean gateway was found.

"I've come to speak with you, did the girls do any damage to the gateway?" Miranda asked.

"Let's see here... they not only turned it off, but they also randomized the co-ordinate calculator. According to the scientists, should we turn it on, it'll lead to somewhere random, and not their home." Lionel stated.

Miranda was having a forced smile as she was comprehending the news. It appears that during the incident, those girls somehow managed to screw up their only way home. So, the only way they could get back is if someone manages to turn on the attempted gateway construction back on their world. Assuming they can find a power source and not mess with the configuration.

"So... what are you telling me? Is that the technology of their world is lost to us?" Miranda asked.

"Hold on... I'll get the operators." Lionel said, putting himself on hold.

Miranda waited patiently. Sometimes Miranda questions the choices made by the company, specifically putting people like Lionel in charge of an entire cell. Guy's an incompetent buffoon. However, he's somewhere he can do minimal damage. So, that's a plus.

"So... I'm back. The lab coats say that they've managed to save the previous co-ordinates beforehand, in case something exactly like this happens. Though, just to test it, we're gonna need some infantry." Lionel stated.

"You're going to go on another expedition without the Illusive Man's knowledge?" Miranda asked.

"Nah, just testing to see if we don't end up putting them somewhere horrifying."

"I'm not in charge of soldier dispatching, you'll have to recruit your own."

"Mmmmmm... noted!"

"Any other analysis of the inventory those girls have?"

"Well, for one... the moon dust seems to look like the stuff on Luna. I've gotten some local geologists to do a cross analysis, it's a close match, too."

"How... interesting."

"So... how did you fit their language into the translator implant thingy? I don't know how that works."

"Neither do I. but it works, let's just put it at that, instead of having to spend years teaching them english."

"Fair, fair... still don't know how they manage to do that, it's gotta be some sort of magic. Their weird power stuff, not the translator."

"Don't be ridiculous, magic isn't real."

"Kay, I'll just end the call. got somethings to manage." Lionel said, hanging up.

The most unprofessional man Miranda had the pleasure to speak to in Cerberus. On the job, and constantly behaves like he's out an about on leisure. Pretty sure even green employees have higher sense of professionalism than him. Though, for one. A crisis was averted, so that's good.

Character Change: Miranda Lawson - Unknown

Widow, The Citadel, Citadel Slums, December 15, 2174, 15:00 Thursday, Old Security Rooms

Well, it appears her credit syphon got attacked again. Damnit, she needed that money. Who is she? Well, the she's not going to reveal that quite yet. Same with what the money is for. No matter, she retrofitted the old security hub into her girl-cave. And she's at the computer, browsing the classic twenty-first century music. She's a fan of the twenty-first century media. Seeing it as classic and intricate. Well, 1990's to 2010's human stuff would be more accurate and precise.

Though the Omnitool ports are quite lacking in the authenticity of the real-deal, and the color. So, she needed to get some old gear, old gear. Like, very old. She managed to get a hold of an old computer with the perfect OS and specs she needs to play all her video-games on. How did she afford all of this? That's obvious. Sure, stealing money is illegal... well, she's not stealing it, she's... copying it. Which would be counterfeit.

Though, she heard the door open. In which she went to check the cameras.

Let's see here, a woman wearing a bow on her head, wearing some casual clothes. Not to mention, a chunk of her hair is shaven off. Though, she does look familiar. She just can't put her finger on it. Anyways, she decided to go and hide inside one the closets. They were small, but they fit. Apon seeing the trespasser. On closer look, she was seen wearing mostly black, along with the bow. She pulled up her omnitool.

"Hello. Me am in the place of the thief of the credits." the woman said to her omnitool, communicating with someone obviously.

"Excellent, Blake! Though, you kind of sound silly. You don't have to speak English when you're talking to me. Now go catch that thief!" the voice from the omnitool said.

Well, one thing is for sure. Is that those two are bounty hunters. With the one physically here speaking like she walked out of a polandball comic. English isn't obviously her native language, not sure why she's trying to speak it in public, though. From her accent, it's hard to tell what her native tongue might be.

And on that topic, why couldn't she just use a translator and not go through the hassle of learning a second language?

Character Change: Unknown - Miranda Lawson

Anadius, Cronos Station, Lower-Station, December 12, 2174, 12:00 (Military Time), Monday, Hangar bay

Seeing off a shipment of Cerberus soldiers, Miranda got a notification.

Translation Implant on SUBJECT 1, Removed, please re-insert.

Well... damnit. Those translator implants, being from a technology that's experimental, also carried a tracking device should they go rogue or get sidetracked from whatever Cerberus needs them to do. So not only does it make it hard for her to be tracked down, but makes communicating with the outside world impossible, given that their native tongue is most likely not registered in the translators. And likely need a non-vocal source for it to download.

Miranda will just call her to see if she responds. Blake Belladonna is her name... isn't Blake usually a boy's name? Guess their parents wanted a son and were stubborn with the name.

"He-heeeeelllooo." Blake attempted to speak, answering her omnitool She has a very odd accent.

That, and being that part of her head is shaven off, she must have gotten a surgeon to remove the translator implant. Though, removing cybernetic implants on the brain does lead to some... unintended side effects, if parts of the brain were still on there. Change of personality, decline in intelligence, and insanity are of the most common symptoms of that. She removed it to learn english. Though, she does recover from surgery a lot quicker than the native humans of this dimension.

"Oh. You're trying to learn english." Miranda retorted.

"Me... no... speak... ingle-ish... good..." Blake responded.

"Whatever, I'm just making sure you're alright." Miranda-half-lied.

Blake looked confused. Of course, she'd have to dumb it down, even then. 'me no speak english good.' is likely the only sentence she can construct right now in english. Miranda just sighed and hang up the call. She then went to call their leader. Not sure why they let the youngest one lead.

"Hey." Ruby greeted.

"I've spoken with your friend; I've noticed she removed her translator implant." Miranda stated.

"Oh, that. We have this Krogan doctor who did the surgery, the operation was last night. She rested and she recovered quickly."

"Well, I wouldn't recommend that you remove them, anyway. Even if you're trying to learn another language."

"Why not?"

"The brain is a delicate organ, if that doctor had accidentally yanked part of her brain, the best-case scenario is that she may have lost her intellect or her sanity. Worst case scenario, she'd die."

"Oh..."

"This is why you do your cybernetic surgery with a professional, not just some random doctor you find."

"Well, the damage is done."

"Just... make sure she stays close to you."

"Kay! Gotta go, bye!" Ruby said, hanging up.

Well, she's quite cheerful, too bad that kind of attitude doesn't last very long. Well, it's better she learns young anyway. As for Blake, she could have asked to have the translator part disabled. Not sure why she didn't.

Character Change: Miranda Lawson - Haedvin Jaular vas Cordavire

The Cordavire, 12/11 (Human Date), 2174 (Gregorian), 20:00, Mess Hall

Well, after a long card game session, the group of them had gone some liquor... except Haedvin, who doesn't drink. He was then called a Buzzkill, and now he has to babysit a bunch of teenagers! Drunk teenagers. Drunk HUMAN Teenagers. Though, at least it's not drunk Asari teenagers. Asari teenagers are older than most species apon reaching their twilight years and still act like the buffoons Haedvin is overseeing. Yet again, Haedvin himself is quite old and doesn't like the company of teenagers.

Weiss and Blake, wearing stolen clothes they've gotten after they downed their fifth bottle of human brandy. And then there's Verkash, who's still completely sober after his fiftieth. In which Haedvin looks at in a confused manner.

"Krogans have a high tolerance to alcohol." Verkash stated.

"I would have figured, unlike them." Haedvin pointed out.

"I... I should geeeet myyyy eeeearrr piiierrrced." Weiss slurred. She is drunk.

"Do do do... do you think it'd look good?" Blake asked, also drunk.

"Yaaaaaa... totalllly!"

"D-d-d-d-d-do you want meeee to do it?"

"Naaaaaaaaaaaaah... we got heeeeeeeeeeeeem to do it foooooor uuuuusss." Weiss slured, pointing at Verkash.

Verkash sighed. "Do you have to put up with this all of the time, Haedvin?" he asked.

"I've only met them three days ago." Haedvin responded.

"Well, I got a feeling they're going to stick around for awhile..."

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! Caaaaaaaan yooouuuuuuuuuu aaaaaaaaaalso taake aaaaan iiiimplaaaant out of myyyyyyyy braaaaaiiiiiiiin?" Blake asked Verkash.

"I'm sorry, your what?" Verkash retorted.

"My... my... my my my my Buh-raaaaain impa-lant!"

"Your... what?"

"Myyyyyyyyy br-br-br" Blake then burst into laughter for five seconds. "braaaaiiin implant."

"You're drunk and you want me to perform brain surgery?"

"Verkash, just say no. This is going to end up badly." Haedvin responed.

"Puh-leeeeeeeeeeaaaaaase!" Blake begged, still being drunk.

"Do you know that removing an implant in your brain is a delicate operation? Not to mention, I am not a brain surgeon." Verkash stated. "Well, not for humans."

"You know how to do brain surgery?" Haedvin asked.

"Only for Krogan and Asari."

"You are far by the smartest Krogan I've ever met."

"Not sure how to take that."

"Just don't give into their pleadings, they'll regret it."

And then things turn south once Blake went to grab another drink, only to be stopped by Verkash.

"You've had enough." Verkash stated.

"You aren't myy dad!" Blake retorted, slurring.

"You're drunk enough to demand brain surgery from someone you've met a day ago. You've had enough."

Meanwhile, Weiss just keeps on drinking.

"Howcoome sheee gets to keeep drink-drink-drinking?" Blake complained.

"You know what? Fine. I'll do it. Just to shut you up!" Verkash snapped.

Haedvin facepalmed. He just knows that something will go terribly wrong. But it's not much of his problem. If Blake gets any brain damage, it's on Verkash, not him. He'll just watch Weiss. Who then started to look at him in a funny way.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey..." Weiss slurred.

"I'm not going to bother with this." Haedvin said, leaving the room. He's just going to sleep this one off. The door to the captain quatrers is still damaged, so he's sleeping in the crew quarters with the other two. Usually, one would expect the blonde one to be going on a bender.

The Cordavire, 12/12 (Human Date), 2174 (Gregorian), 7:00, Mess Hall

Haedvin had woken up early, mostly to get food, which is done from filter. And extra-sanitized. Being that quarians have a weak immune system, well... a non-existent immune system. After eating he sighed.

"Keelah, the things I have to put up with these girls." Haedvin said, under his breath.

And after he said that, he heard some very loud screaming. Specifically, from Blake. And then some loud gibberish. Wait... that's not right. Even other human languages, dead ones even were downloaded onto the translator algorithm. Guess that means the other dimension stuff Yang said was right, after all. Which just makes all of this more of a headache. Would explain how green they are, though. Even someone who just started would know what the Terminus systems are.

Either way, he knew something was going to go wrong. He'll just wait for everyone else to be woken up by the noise. Only to find Weiss running towards Blake. Guess Yang is still trying to comfort Ruby. That, or she's a heavy sleeper. Being that the two are sharing a bed right now. Not sure why Ruby is their leader, though.

He didn't bother listening in to the conversation, since he'd end up only understanding one side of it. Guess the other three also have an implant in them.

Weiss then walked back and proceeded to head to the crew quarters. Looks like she's going to fight a Krogan. Even if Verkash had no combat training, he'd win. It takes a lot of effort to defeat a Krogan in combat. Though, chances are they're not fighting radther they'd be shouting regarding the cat-eared friend.

Speaking of Blake walked by, with her cat ears showing, which looks weird. She has four ears. There's also a factor of a shaved part of her head, though shaved around her ear. And a lot of scars around it. It looks a bit weird to look at.

"I suggest you comb over your head." Haedvin suggested to Blake.

Blake responded with a confused look and some gibberish, and then a shocked look in realization. And then placed her hands over her face in embarrassment. Well, at least she's alive. That's something. Haedvin then decided he's not going to deal with this drama, and headed out to another room, quickly finishing his filtered meal.

Character Change: Haedvin Jaular vas Cordavire - Unknown

Widow, The Citadel, Citadel Slums, December 15, 2174, 15:09 Thursday, Old Security Rooms

Now back at the security room. She was hiding in there, giving an intentionally vague description of this individual that is her. Whilst she's hiding from the woman in the black bow, she slowed and quieted her breathing. Not wanting to get caught. She's speaking in some incomprehensible gibberish. Likely in her native tongue. The weirdest part is, it's not registered in the translator. Guess that means she's from a remote community. No less, hiding is still necessary.

Hiding inside the closet, she tries to not make much noise. Though she did accidentally make noise with the shoes she's wearing. She's giving off a concerned and scared look as she's panicking right now. Though she tries her best to keep calm. Though, those attempts fail. Especially when she catches the attention of the woman pursuing her. In which the closet door opens, and the woman looking at her looks... confused. She then speaks some more incomprehensible gibberish.

Unfortunately for the one in the locker, she's unarmed. But she's not going to get in and done right now, she's got so much to live for!

Character Change: Unknown - Blake Belladonna

Widow, The Citadel, Citadel Slums, December 15, 2174, 15:00 Thursday, Old Security Rooms

The Citadel Slums. A place full of the poor and impoverished. And a lot of Quarians. When Blake asked about it, she couldn't understand it because her drunk self wanted her translation implant removed. Which means she actually has to learn a second language, which gives her a headache. But it's the only way to learn. She speeds it up by listening to some english audio provided by Yang whilst Blake is sleeping apparently, it's supposed to be easier to learn it subconsciously. Unfortunately, she has no idea what any of it means. She only got up some basic stuff.

But then Weiss said that they're either exiled from the fleet or descended from exiles, themselves. And then she said that he didn't wish to discuss it further. Quarians aside, this place is basically made up of quite the poorer parts of the Citadel. And where the credit thief apparently is located.

She enters the apparent building and continues to follow the source from the device she had Ruby and Yang rig up to help find the source of the thief. The corridor is abandoned, though there's no rust. Keepers do still come here, despite the state the part of the Citadel is in. However, it appears that the thief is in the third room on the right. With the first two being empty. Blake proceeds to head toward the said room and when she gets there... she sees... a bunch of archaic technology. This stuff is basically backwards compared to Remnant's technology. Why so much metal?

No less, she calls up Yang, better freshen up on her english.

"Hello. Me am in the place of the thief of the credits." Blake said, testing her english.

"Excellent, Blake! Though, you kind of sound silly. You don't have to speak English when you're talking to me. Now go catch that thief!" Yang said, from the omnitool.

Blake quickly hung up. And then sighed.

"how could something this archaic be storing so much money?" Blake asked herself, speaking Vytalean. Seeing all this old-tech is quite intriguing. Though, Ruby may have a field day with it.

However, her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a noise coming from the locker. Blake opens it, and points Gambrol shroud at the opened locker in reflex.

"Stand down you- huh?" Blake said, in her native tongue. before comprehending what she sees.

An Asari child. Pre-pubescent Asari child. Looks around 11-12 years old, younger than Ruby for sure. Though 11-12 in human years. Not sure how old she may be. She's wearing a boot on her left foot and a sneaker on her right one. A visible black sock is seen, along with dirty jeans that are rolled up. She's wearing a T-shirt with a faded-out icon on it. Along with a cloth jacket. she has a single, fingerless glove on her right hand. Though, most asari have a blue-like skin, she appears to have an indigo-shaded tint. No less, she's curious. However, she's not in much of a position to speak right now. So, she calls up Yang.

"So... did you find our little credits thief? Kitty-Cat?" Yang asked, from the omnitool.

Blake then turned her arm facing the asari child.

"Huh? That's just a kid? What's she doing here? From the looks of it, she was likely hiding from the thief, let's bring her to the ship." Yang commented.

The asari child speaks, though, the language is too complex for Blake to understand. She only knows basic english. The asari child then sighs.

"Bring. COM-PU-TER." The asari child says, dumbing it down.

"Com-pu-ter?" Blake asked.

The asari child then points at the archaic machine. In which Blake then starts by picking up the screen, which causes some of the cords attached to it to stretch, in which she drops, thankfully nothing is damaged. In which, the Asari child then facepalmed.

"Stop." the asari child stated.

"Well, someone's not in a good mood." Yang commented from the omnitool. "Just get the child to the ship."

However, it seems the Asari child is reaching for something, it's a thin board... or something, but it's made of metal, she placed it in a cardboard box carefully, in which she then began to carry it with her hands. Aren't Asari supposed to have telekinesis or something? She doesn't have any knowledge on it.

No less, she had led the child to the ship. Because there's nothing wrong with taking a stray child from the slums. That was sarcasm. Not that she had much of an objection. Given her linguistic status right now. Though, Ruby and Haedvin would end up being the final say on what's to happen to her. No less, the child is coming with Blake. Because nothing's more heroic than counter-kidnapping a child from a cyberthief. Again, sarcasm.

Author's Footnote: First off, a couple of things.

- Even though Asari have longer lifespans, they really don't have much to pin that the unnamed Asari child is the thief they're looking for. That, and no one would usually pin a child for a mass cyberthief. So, it's justified to think that she's just a child taken by the said thief.

- Yes, Blake's implant has been removed, don't pester me on the process of the surgery itself, because I won't elaborate. It's just done, and she's alive. Though, you may expect Blake to undergo some changes in personality as an effect of it.

- I originally wanted to have them being stranded in the dimension, but I didn't feel like starting unnecessary drama this early in the story. I mean, this is only the thirteenth chapter!

- The Asari Child has a name; it will be revealed next chapter.

- How can Blake still use the Omni-tool? Well, even though the translator isn't on anymore, Blake would still remember how to call someone on it.

Anyways, hopefully that explains everything. Anything I didn't cover that you'd criticize, hopefully I'll answer in the headnotes in the next chapter. Speaking of, see you then.