SSV Normandy SR2
War Room
"Don't tell me you have another Kasumi Goto on your hands, Shepard." Dr. Liara T'Soni says suspiciously, crossing her arms and shooting a slight glare in Abby's direction.
Garrus shakes his head at the young Asari. "While she does bear a resemblance." He says, glancing at the Human in question. "As well as a similar combat style, I'd say no. I doubt even Miranda could make another Kasumi, even if she wanted to."
"Miss Goto is irreplaceable." Shepard says in agreement. "Trust me, Liara. Abby is quite different."
The Assassin simply looks around at all the unfamiliar faces, her new crewmates. James and Garrus she's met already, while Shepard briefly introduced her to everybody else. Liara, a young Asari who seems mature beyond her years, and clearly very close with the Commander. A sleek robot called EDI, who is apparently controlled by the ship's A.I. with the same name. Steve Cortez, Shepard's shuttle pilot and close friend of James. An alien even she didn't recognize called Javik, who insisted that he is in fact Prothean. And finally, Samantha Traynor, the ship's communications officer who also seemed to be making eyes with the Assassin. There was no denying her looks, or her accent, but Abby still found it a little odd since they had just met.
"I don't know who you're talking about," She speaks finally. "but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's a good thing I'm not like this Kasumi character."
The Assassin receives a nod from the veteran Turian at her side.
"Imagine thinking you're alone in your quarters," He explains. "only to hear the hiss of your door opening and closing, followed by a sinnister giggle."
She shudders at the thought while Shepard stifles a laugh.
"Well, Abigail." Says Samantha. "Welcome to the Normandy. I can give you a tour of the ship, as I believe Admiral Hackett wishes to speak to the Commander on the Vid-Com."
The small group splinters to go their separate ways. Abby follows Traynor back out to the CIC.
"You saw all of this already." Samantha explains briefly. "The Galaxy Map, my station. The Bridge is up that way." EDI passes by as she says this, waving and giving polite "Hello"s to some of the crew.
"What's up with that robot?" Abby asks quietly as they enter the elevator.
"Well, EDI is the ship's AI. That robot used to work for Cerberus." She looks the young Assassin up and down. "You know Cerberus people. Ever heard of a Doctor Eva Core?"
"Sounds familiar."
"Well...she was once the robot. Shepard tangled with her on Mars, where your sister was injured. Vega brought the bot on board, and EDI was able to gain control over it."
"Yeah. Ash did say something about that… She definitely left the synthetic bit out, though. I guess she didn't want to admit that she of all people got her ass kicked by a robot."
"Commander Williams does seem like the type." Traynor says with a laugh.
The elevator door opens and reveals a large plaque with several names on it. A few jump out at her: Kaidan Alenko, Richard Jenkins, Mordin Solus, though Abby feels like she doesn't need to ask what the names mean.
"This is the Crew Deck." Traynor begins. "Any down time anybody gets is usually spent here. Over here are the Crew Quarters themselves." The doors open with a hiss, revealing a slightly cramped feeling room with dozens of bunk beds.
"I believe your belongings are already here." The pair enters and Abby walks the short length of the room, eventually finding her rather small duffel bag.
"Huh." She says. "So this is going to be my home from now on."
"At least you'll be on top." Samantha says hopefully. "Female Head is right across the P. way, too. Observation Decks are on either end." Samantha leads Abby out of the Crew Quarters. "Mess Hall is out here, Sick Bay is to Starboard, and Liara's...lady cave is to Port, the old X.O.'s Quarters. Doctor Chakwas may want you to check in for a physical. She keeps a record of everyone on the crew."
The Assassin can't help but be amazed at the size of the deck, given how small the ship looks from the outside.
"Main Battery is all the way at the end." Traynor says, concluding the tour of the deck. "If you're ever looking for Garrus, you'll find him there." Abby follows her back to the elevator. "So what do you think so far?"
"It's...very impressive." Abby replies with a nod.
"This deck is Engineering." Samantha explains as the elevator passes Deck 4. "There's not much to see here, unless you'd like to meet the Engineers or that nosey reporter Shepard brought on board."
"Reporter?"
"Yeah. A one Diana Allers from ANN. She might try to talk to you, but just play along. She's not like that awful al-Jilani from Westerlund. From what Garrus has told me, the Commander almost punched her. Twice!"
"I probably would have." Abby replies.
"And last but not least, this is the Shuttle Bay." They exit into a cavernous room with two parked Kodiak Shuttles. Cortez is busying himself working on one of them, it's boosters flaring up every now and then. James, on the other hand, is in his own area doing pull-ups on an overhead bar. Abby finds her eyes lingering on him for a long moment.
"James does that." Samantha has to nearly shout over how loud the room is, also seemingly loud enough for the Marine in question to hear. "He'll probably try to 'woo' you, but just ignore him. He's just taking the piss."
"All the ladies love the show, Traynor!" James calls back. "You should see the turnout I get every day!"
"Yes." Cortez fires back at his friend. "Two. Very impressive, Mr. Vega! It's certainly an improvement over one, that one being the Commander just to kick your ass in a spar!"
James drops down and turns to face us. "Come on, man. That was one time!"
"Not to mention giving her the nickname 'Lola'!" Steve quips further.
"Este chico…" James grumbles. "She likes it! In fact, Abby here already has a new name: Katana. Sleek, stylish ...sexy, and great with a blade."
The Assassin arches a brow at him and smiles. "Who knows, James? Maybe one day, you'll get well acquainted with these." She holds up both hands and flexes her wrists, exposing her Hidden Blades in a show of force. This earns a laugh from Cortez and James simply grins and holds up his hands in surrender.
"When that day comes, Abby, I'll die happy."
Sheathing the blades, Abby doesn't notice the Specialist at her side tugging on her blouse collar, desperately trying to hide her growing blush.
"Well, Abby. That's the ship." Traynor says somewhat shakily. "Welcome once again. If you have any questions, you know where to find me."
As Traynor retreats towards the elevator, James approaches the Assassin.
"I have an idea, Abby." He proposes. "How about we get the whole crew down here so they can see what you're capable of."
"I like the sound of that." Cortez says as Abby nods in agreement. "Hey, Traynor! Think you can make that happen?"
"I'll see what I can do. Don't rough up our new friend too much." She replies with a smile as the elevator closes.
