"Welcome, Commander." Shepard's right hand snaps up to her brow in a salute. "Hope you had a good flight."
"Ensign," the Commander acknowledges after a look at the singular 1 centimeter bar on her shoulder. "Thank you."
Discipline stays her proud smile of her recent accomplishment, holding onto professionalism for just a few minutes more. She holds out her hand in the direction of where all the scientists are, racing through her memory to remember which one is the leader today with their recent discovery—and why the Brass has shown interest. The name fumbles out the fog as it dribbles off her tongue.
"Doctor T'Soni is down at the dig site. Area clearance will be transferred to your omni-tool momentarily."
The Commander proceeds forth with a curt salute. Jane waits until she's alone to let out a breath of relief, soon wishing to breathe for a different reason when she settles back in her mind-numbing job of watching action, rather than being part of it. She's regretting the decision to sign onto this research patrol. There's no research being done on her end. What even is the point of this security detail? She had hopes that she can exercise a little bit of what she had learned of exo-archaeology in school, and she should've known that this would be her reality. She watches scientists group up and corral around the large artifact at the dig site, condemned to remain at her post as she tries to study from beyond the railings.
From where she's standing, she can just barely make out the asari, the de facto leader. There are passionate hand gestures, eyes lit up, eyes closing in laughs, all of it beamed at their proud achievement unearthed behind them. Jane suffocates the grumbling in her chest as she shifts her weight from leg to leg, where her only glory in this moment is the resilience of patience and meditation.
At least she isn't the only one that gets nervous, judging by the way the asari clams up when the Commander comes down to greet her. The other scientists abandon her.
Discipline is put to the test again and she has to look away, stifling chuckles at the heartbreaking look of betrayal.
Jane skirts the edges of the clearance she has to the dig site, having been relieved by another marine to herald the end of her shift. Before she turns in, she wants to get close to see what she's even sacrificing her sanity for. She tries different vantage points, trying to be inconspicuous in how far she pushes up on a railing for just a few extra inches of height.
Nothing.
She sighs and gives up, heading down the ramps as she heads down to the established barracks. She's surprised to see the leader of this artifact's extraction still working away, kneeling in the dirt to brush away a corner of such a massive thing with the utmost care. Jane smiles as she passes on by, though her feet take a different direction as soon as the brush falls out of the asari's hand, slipping down the chiseled layers of the dig site. She snatches it up off the edge and turns around, waving it, leaning back with surprise when the asari is already there, snatching it out of her fingers.
"Careful, this is an expensive tool," the asari admonishes quietly, her gaze flickering up before back down at the tool. "It is not mine. The university will be upset if their tools are damaged."
From waving it? They need better tools from the sounds of it, then.
"I think they'd be more mad if they were lost in the sink hole you've got going on here," Jane teases.
"I would not have lost it."
"Not what I saw."
"I have biotics."
Oh. Well, then. There goes all foothold of being a smartass. She mumbles an apology and leaves before she's next scolded for breaching an area she doesn't have clearance for. That, and she's quickly finding out that she doesn't really like this asari scientist. A simple thank you would have gone a different way. So much for mending cross-species relations and facilitating collaboration.
What a mistake it's been, signing up for this assignment.
The next time she's rescuing a tool from the same incorrigible asari, she tosses it with a smirk. She walks away with petty pride after seeing the mad scramble with biotics.
Sure, she's an ass, but the asari started it.
So mature. Mom and dad would be so proud.
Guilt is the sole motivator to swivel back. Jane squares her shoulders and marches with determination, even if the asari clams up upon seeing her. Doctor T'Soni tears away from her precious corner of the artifact and heads for the ramps to go deeper into the dig site, where the marine certainly has no clearance to go.
"Come on, really? We're really going to do this?" Jane grumbles, picking up her pace.
What a sorry sight this must be, two individuals speed-walking around the vast excavated hole. The marine breaks out into a jog.
"Will you wait just two seconds?"
"Why? What have I done to deserve this? I just want to study in peace!"
"And I just want to apologize in peace, god damn," Jane sighs. She tries to maintain the nonchalant ruse as if she's just following to help, rather than chasing this damn scientist down. She catches a wrist. There's a slight push of biotics, but it's more of a hint to get her to let go. She respects it, understands, but there's still a frown broiling. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? You didn't deserve that. We're supposed to be working together, here, not against each other, so... Yeah. I'm sorry. Can I make it up to you? There has to be something I can do, within my clearance level."
"Are you not security detail? There is nothing you can do."
"Okay, can you just, you know? Be a tiny bit less of an ass?" Jane groans in exasperation.
"Wh-what?" A blush explodes. "I am not a... That. I am an asari. There is more to me than a body part."
Oh, right. Language barrier is still going to be a thing, somewhat, even with translators. Who knows what their implants are actually translating, once transcribed to a totally different language.
Jane can't help but chuckle at the misunderstanding though.
"No, that's not what I mean. I meant you were being rude."
"What?"
There can't be a misunderstanding with this one, this time, come on. Is there seriously not a word for 'rude' in the asari language? Maybe that's why they are so goddamn rude to begin with. It's just a norm in their culture. This whole cross-species endeavor is starting to look like a bigger challenge than initially thought, for Jane was pretty damn confident she could just get along with others. It's proving to not be that simple.
"I was not rude," T'Soni protests, her thoughtful expression contorted by confusion. "How was I rude?"
Okay, so she does have a word in her language.
She just doesn't have any fucking class.
"With what you said," Jane starts to explain, but she's already irritated over it.
"But... I do not understand. Are you or are you not security detail? You do not have clearance to come into the dig site. It is fact." Her eyes rove over the singular bar on the shoulder. "I admit, I do not have a full grasp of the Alliance's ranks and insignias. The thickness of the bars in particular have caused many, many misunderstandings. I have resorted to studying in solitude so that I do not become the source of tension in interstellar affairs."
This? Jane doesn't know what to do with this. The verbal barrage has caught her off guard, and she's starting to realize that it's her who has been the ass, firing off impulsively as soon as she's jumped to her conclusion. Guilt needles at her when the scientist looks sincerely apologetic—it isn't her that should be looking like that.
"I am sorry, it was not my intention to be rude. I will collaborate with the group and we will try to compile tasks we could use aid with, when you or others are off-duty. If you are off-duty. Is this you on-duty?"
"N..No..." Jane shakes her head.
"Very well. I will pack my things and see if my team is still awake. I am certain they will have ideas."
With that, Doctor T'Soni walks off to where the scientists have their makeshift quarters set up. Jane is left reeling, trying to wrap her mind over it all. Then there's a sense of giddiness rising up in her that she must squash, for professionalism's sake. She glances around the dig site, a ball of hope forming in her throat. She'll finally get something of substance to sink her teeth into, to actually learn about the artifact, rather than stare at it. She jogs off to her barracks, feeling a little more hopeful and a little less mind-numbed.
Maybe it's not a mistake, signing up for this assignment.
Okay, but, like, can she make up her mind about that already?
There's been no news, no tasks. She's been staring in the same spot, staring at the same cavern ceiling, counting the same stalactites. She sighs. She's been a fool. That scientist didn't even ask for her name or rank. Of course, why would she? Doctor T'Soni has this big, marvelous prothean artifact right at her fingertips. Studying it takes precedence. Not babysit bored marines.
Shift after shift, Jane counts down the days until her first report is to be filed. She's hopeful in that if she requests reassignment, to choose a different field of patrol, then it'll be granted. It's not like she's actually needed here. What is she supposed to help keep the scientists safe from?
The stalactites?
What a naive ideal to have, thinking that this would actually help her career or have her doing good work. It's just a banal political move made on the Alliance's part. The only work involved is to stand, look pretty, and be nice to the aliens. Where is all the action? Jane needs to ask mom and dad to be honest with her, so that she can sign up for meaningful assignments.
Otherwise they're going to be talking to her while she's wearing a straitjacket instead of a uniform.
When a likewise bored marine comes to replace her, she gives a pat on the shoulder as a show of solidarity, each communicating through mindless grunting as if they've regressed in evolution instead. Jane swings her rifle behind her and glances about for any superiors before she stretches her arms in the air, undoing her bun to re-tie it looser.
"You!"
Frantic footsteps alarm her. She turns, tense, then laughs at the poor attempt of someone nonchalantly speed-walking over. Doctor T'Soni. For fun, Jane pretends she doesn't know and hasn't heard, shrugging as she continues to walk back to the barracks. She grins when she hears the meek scientist behind her.
"Wait... You! Hey, you!"
If this doesn't teach her to start taking names, nothing will.
"I am talking to you! Goddess, stop ignoring me..."
Aw, why go straight for the jugular and nick with guilt?
Jane caves in, unable to restrain her own eagerness over all the conclusions she's jumping to now. She twists and feigns innocence as she points to herself.
Doctor T'Soni nods adamantly, jogging to catch up. "Yes, you. Why were you so rude?"
"How was I rude?"
"You... You were! You know what you were doing. I know it. You turned away even when you knew I was calling for you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Doctor T'Soni."
There is a battle not to grin. Discipline is being tested thoroughly on this assignment. The asari scientist falters, scrutinizing her, and thereby elects a diplomatic approach instead.
"Oh... I am sorry for accusing you, then. In any case, my team and I have compiled some tasks that would aid us greatly and eliminate a lot of our time spent on analyzing samples in our lab."
"So I won't get to see the artifact?" Jane asks, her heart already breaking. "I'm just to stand in another spot and stare at a machine instead of a ceiling?"
Doctor T'Soni's forehead creases, and she seems uncertain over what to say. "I am sorry, but does this mean you have changed your mind?"
"No... No..." Jane sighs, shaking her head. "Sorry. I don't know what I expected. I'm not allowed access into the dig site, regardless. If I can help then I will. Show me where I go and what I need to do."
"Very well. Follow me this way, please."
There's a stark timidity in the way the asari leads, her awkwardness exuding from every part of her posture. She's been elected leader because of her prothean expertise, as the other scientists have their own respective fields, depending what would be discovered on their patrol in the system. She doesn't seem to enjoy leadership obligations. That she's deferred to her team for aid just to brainstorm menial tasks is telling.
It's strange, truth be told. Jane has had some run-ins with asari before, and they've always left a sour taste in her mouth from botched first impressions. At least this time, it's her that's botched the first impression, and this asari is still willing to work with her.
Perhaps the Alliance's goal isn't so far-fetched. If the rest of the scientists and species are like this, there's hope yet—for them and for humans.
Welcome aromas waft in when the doors to the lab hiss open, and Jane's mouth waters at the smell of juice. She tries not to salivate and lords composure over herself. She's a newly commissioned officer, dammit, and she needs to start commanding respect to show it.
Oh, how hopeless she is, unable to command respect for herself as she breaks.
"That smells good. Can I have a cup of that juice?"
She points over at the container, it's vibrant orange a mouthwatering sign as to what flavor it is. The asari looks over, confused for some reason, gaze following to where Jane's pointing. Then she chuckles. "I do not think you would like to drink that. It is not juice."
"What is it?"
"Acid."
"...Oh." Jane feels a bit of heat collect at the base of her throat, making her shirt feel stuffy. Her mouth isn't compliant in working with her as her partner, but rather as her adversary. "It smells good."
"I do not think it would continue to do so as it melts your tract," the asari says in an almost morbidly sing-songy way. "This way, through the lab. Our analysis machines are in the back."
As soon as they are parked in front of a vast row of machines, there's almost a race to regurgitate information, deft hands working as if intimate with the machine's parts all her life. It reminds Jane that the asari have long lifespans, and she glances over to study the face every now and then. Doctor T'Soni looks youthful, but there's no way guessing her age if asari can live for a millennia.
When Jane is asked basic procedure, she fumbles and stumbles her way through the steps of operating some of the machines. More heat collects at her throat over her incompetence as Doctor T'Soni chuckles, hovering beside her. The scientist patiently teaches the steps over and over again until Jane has a confident grasp of it. The next step is to learn what machine analyzes what, then, and how to interpret the results. Some of it is familiar, from the class she took in exo-archaeology, though this is the first she's able to see what goes on to get these reports, rather than read about them.
There's a new thrilling excitement burning in her at that thought. When Doctor T'Soni runs a mineral through to be analyzed, and asks her to interpret the results, she can't help but detract for a moment.
"Thank you so much for this, Doctor T'Soni. To tell you the truth, I've been reconsidering my assignment and have been planning to ask for reassignment."
"What? If this bores you, I can see what other tasks-"
"No, no, it's not this that has been making me reconsider. Well, I suppose it has been, making me reconsider my reconsideration," she grins at the whirlwind of confusion she's smacked the scientist with.
"Hm... If that is the case, then surely your colleagues harbor similar feelings. Perhaps my team and I can come up with more tasks to engage security in."
Jane's brow arches in surprise as she glances over, her first impression of this asari dismantling methodically with each sincere thoughtfulness. "Doctor T'Soni, that is a huge undertaking. You should just focus on your research. If you've received the same debriefing as us, then I'm sure you're aware that we don't have unlimited time on each planet we're to make a stop to."
"Then there is little point to why we are here in the first place. This project is to improve relations between species."
At that, Jane can't help but chuckle a little. "It's just politics. It's to give humanity a chance to get a seat on the Council so that we have a say in galactic affairs. The Brass won't care if humans can genuinely get along with other aliens—otherwise there would be some officers discharged for how they are now after partaking in the First Contact War with the turians. The Alliance only cares that others don't see us in a bad light."
T'Soni's brow pinches in conflict. "But... What about facilitating collaboration? How do they intend to achieve that without caring for it?"
"All they have to do is order us to facilitate it," Jane shrugs. "I am sorry to say, there are others of my kind here that have zero interest in collaborating out of genuine desire to try. I know I'm not supposed to be saying things like this, and please keep this between us, but... Yeah. You should just focus on your research and get out what you can from this project that will aid you."
The scientist's gaze lands back on the machine in front of her, her hands with a mind of their own as she works to take out the sample. She still seems to be brainstorming. She looks over at Jane. "Which is it for you?" She hands over a petri dish of a powdered substance contained inside. "Is it just an order for you too?"
Jane accepts the petri dish, heading over to what she thinks is the right machine to analyze it. She changes her choice when Doctor T'Soni meanders over to the correct one with a subtle clear of her throat. Her help and patience—and silence—is forevermore appreciated. The dish is inserted. The machine whirs as it spins, clicks, and taps. The marine feels like her brain is like that.
"Yes," she confesses quietly. "It was."
Doctor T'Soni hums. She helps herself to the report when the paper sprawls out, tearing it out once the results finish printing. She hands it over to Jane with careful enunciation.
"It was?"
"Kind of..." Jane glances down at the results, trying to interpret all the lines and numbers. It's hopeless. There's too much information here to just pick up on the fly. She sighs as she hands the report back. "I can't make sense of any of this."
"That has not stopped you from trying."
There is something else pointed out here, something that she isn't quite ready to just divulge to a complete stranger. She frowns when the scientist doesn't make any moves to take the report. Instead, Doctor T'Soni brings a couple of stools over and takes a seat, gesturing to the small open space of the table.
"Let us go over the classifications again."
Again.
"See? Looking at this mineral, at first glance you may assume it is gold. But apart from machines like this to tell us what it really is, there is a little trick you can do out on the field. You can scratch it against a surface, like so on this porcelain sample here." A harsh scrape across the small tile. "This is a technique to identify a mineral based on the streak it leaves. This is pyrite, where it will leave this black powder you see here, rather than the yellow or gold streak that gold would leave if we performed the same test. So that's what the classification means on the machine when it is talking about streak."
And again.
"The Mohs Scale of Hardness is just a classification that ranges from 1 for least hard to 10 for hardest mineral. For example, a quartz with a hardness of 7 will scratch feldspar which has a hardness of 6. This is important because if we chance upon a mineral with a hardness for, say, 2.5—which would result in even a fingernail being able to scratch it—then it will help us preserve the nature of the artifact by choosing the appropriate tools to free it from the sediment containing it."
And again.
"These classifications are specific to crystals, which we are not concerned of here with the composition of the soil. So you can ignore the cleavage, twinnage and specific gravity categories—unless of course you ever run the soil analyzer and discover that there are samples containing crystal lattices."
It's still so much to take on, so many factors at play. Low levels for one mineral isn't the same meaning as low levels for another mineral, and there were hundreds of compositions sometimes. She's a fool to think she can just dive into studying an artifact with some half-assed class in exo-archaeology, taken initially because all the marines said it was the easiest electoral credit in officer candidate school. Of course it was the easiest.
They are marines, not scientists.
There's a nagging feeling in Jane, that god damn guilt eating away at her again. Here she is, selfishly hogging the scientist's attention just to escape boredom for a little bit. The breadth of knowledge so easily shared is welcome. She can't help but feel as though Doctor T'Soni has some kind of point to prove, now, after learning of what cynicism is harbored over the Alliance's initiative to cement these cross-species relations.
Other scientists enter the lab, a drell and a turian, and it heralds the end of the impromptu lesson when they come to the machines with trays of samples needing to be run. Jane already feels overwhelmed just looking at how many need to be run. As if sensing her distress, Doctor T'Soni leads them out of the lab and walks over to the edge of the dig site, squinting at the initial onslaught of lights from the bright tripods situated below.
"Just look at how large this site is," she says, a brief shy gesture of throwing her arms wide as if trying to embrace the whole site. "There is so much here to uncover. So much here to work with. I wish I had more time. I know I will not get to fully excavate this artifact before we will have to go, and another sponsored team will come after us. Do not be disheartened and think that your work will be meaningless. Every report helps us piece together the bigger picture that is housed right here. Our work will aid the next team. How much effort we put in it... How much of our heart we put in this project... That alone will facilitate collaboration. If that is the end goal, then should we not pursue it in such a way that is meaningful to us?"
Skepticism tears Jane into two when she remembers what her parents had to say about this assignment. They're a military family stemming generations, stout traditionalists that avert risk whenever possible. They don't think it will be possible, what the Alliance is aiming for—too much bad blood remains from the First Contact War, and bad press doesn't help paint humans in a good light as part of a political scheme to ensure they don't think they have any power or say in galactic affairs. It will only set up career suicide for Jane, the second there's an incident among any of the patrols. But the Brass promises career advancements to those who participate, and the guarantee that they can choose the location of where they next serve after completing the assignment. It's worth the risk.
It's worth the risk to believe.
Here stands a scientist that still embraces hope, even in the face of such cynicism. No doubt her species harbors many—perhaps even herself, with the way she reacted to the Commander approaching her—and yet here she stands, working directly with a human. If anybody should be cynical of whether or not this project will work, it should be her, for agreeing to work with the very species that has sparked so many bad rumors.
Doctor T'Soni seems to falter and look over her shoulder hesitantly, as if to affirm whether she's still in company of the human. Jane meekly stuffs a hand in her pocket, the other fidgeting with the shoulder-strap of her rifle. She nods a little. "And this is why I've reconsidered my reassignment." She grins, then. "Now I know I'm not the only fool around here."
The asari huffs, crossing her arms indignantly. "And you said I am the rude one? Coming from you, where evidently it is proving to be the norm in your culture, is ironic."
Jane's eyes widen from the comeback, and then she laughs. So, evidently, there is a word proving to be shared in both their languages.
And it's the marine who just doesn't have any fucking class.
Packed up and ready to head to their next destination, Jane patrols the corridors of the ship. There's no logic to this security detail and every marine knows it, but the Alliance needs to disguise them as doing something to contribute to this facade. She counts the scuff marks and dents left on the walls and floors as she paces back and forth, back and forth, trying not to reference her omni-tool for the time too many times.
She doesn't want to know she still has 8 hours left.
Daydreaming helps. She hopes that their next destination will have an equally sympathetic leader that will see the merits of having even a marine like her run the machine analyzers.
She hopes she'll get to work with Doctor T'Soni again.
Their next planet has already had a team uncover an artifact that promises a glimpse of drell and hanar history. It's now up to their team to see what more information can be yielded from it. Jane wonders if there will ever be a time or artifact that will challenge currently established relations, and prays there will never be an incident like that among all the species collected aboard this flight. She's ignored the remarks some of her human compatriots have muttered. She's ignored the remarks her supposed turian compatriots have muttered.
She's ignored her own thoughts on the matter.
Life imbues her bones upon seeing the broken marine coming to relieve her, where they both share their pats of solidarity. She tries not to be as excited as she is to get the fuck out of here. Her first stop is at the mess to grab some food, and she smiles at the sight of a table where some of the scientists sit and eat.
Not Doctor T'Soni. She's off in the corner by one of the port windows, eating and reading alone—and not for long.
Jane breezes past the selections until she comes to the section dedicated to humans, grabbing a plate and helping herself to the usual mash potatoes and squishy things apparently meant to be meat. She pours a cup of coffee and rushes over to the asari scientist's table before she finishes her meal and leaves. Jane grins as she stands by the table, knowing fully well that her presence is known, judging by the way Doctor T'Soni tenses and stubbornly hovers her face closer to her book on the table.
"You," Jane whispers, fighting to suffocate the laugh bubbling in her chest. The asari looks like she's ready to hide under the table. "Hey, you. I am talking to you."
"Goddess preserve me," comes the mumble. Doctor T'Soni's head is practically touching her book. She doesn't look up as she huffs. "What part of this tells you I want company?"
"Ouch," Jane laughs. "C'mon. Don't ignore me, that's rude."
"Coming from you?"
This is positively delightful.
"Yes, coming from me. That says a lot more then, doesn't it? That you're more rude than me." Her grin grows upon hearing another sigh. "So can I sit here or what?"
"I enjoy solitude," the asari starts to whine, lifting her head to give an exasperated and tired look when Jane cheekily helps herself to the seat across. "If I desired otherwise, I would be sitting with the others."
"Yeah, but I'm not like the others." Jane pops a fork of potatoes in her mouth, struggling not to grin when the scientist gives her a dead ass look. "C'mon, I'm bored out my mind. Isn't there something I can help you with until planetfall? There's only so much pacing in a corridor that even the most disciplined of marines can take."
"And you count yourself among them?" Doctor T'Soni teases, earning a swift retribution as she yelps and laughs with her book handily stolen from her. "I was reading that!"
"Well now it's mine. Got to have something to do."
"It is in my language, so I think not," she chuckles, reaching across to take her book back. "Why am I now personally responsible for your entertainment?"
"Careful, there, sounds like you're starting to reconsider reassignment too," the marine smirks. She angles her head to try to take a look at the book's cover and figures it's some reference material, with no image to reference from. She renews her focus in her food when the scientist renews her efforts to keep reading—and eats as quietly as possible, so as not to threaten her chances of not getting any tasks at their next site. She's definitely planning to buy and pack books for herself, the next time they port at a city.
The silence is disconcerting, but every time she finds it bothering her, she forces her eyes outside the port window to watch the stars. She is the intruder here, she knows. She knows she's selfish sitting here, infringing upon someone's desire to be alone, but... But Doctor T'Soni will tell her to leave if it starts to bother her that much, right? Even with her rude streak, she's had her penchant of being shy and soft-spoken.
"Hey, uh..." Jane clears her throat to rid the hoarseness. "I get you probably want silence and stuff, so... Do you want me to just leave you alone?"
Silence, still. Doctor T'Soni sighs a little, her smile sheepish, her gaze reluctantly coming up from her book. That's her honest answer. But she gives a different one.
"This is not as disturbing as I thought it would be."
"O-oh..." Jane looks back down at her food, stuffing her mouth with more potatoes to suffocate the words in her throat. It must not be disturbing because she's silent.
But holy hell is it ever awkward.
She steals many glances, well aware that the scientist is absorbed and riveted by whatever she's reading. She doesn't seem to be feeling the least bit awkward. Jane can't help but feel as though she's still being intrusive, finishing her meal and packing up. She rises from her seat and it seems to snap the asari out of her little world.
"Where are you going?"
Jane gestures with her empty plate. "Gonna put this in the chute, then turn in at my barracks." She smiles, but it's to hide what's dying inside. "Got to get all the sleep I can get for my 8 hour hall monitor job."
"Goddess, 8 hours?" Doctor T'Soni asks incredulously, and then her expression oozes empathy. "I am so sorry. I would not wish that fate upon anyone."
"Yeah, tell me about it, right? Highlight of my career. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your evening, Doctor T'Soni. I'll see you around."
"Yes. S-see you..."
Every part of Jane is screaming for a rescue. She steals one last hopeful glance at the table before she leaves the mess, but the asari seems fixated by her book. She steals a shy glance herself.
Yes! Rescue, rescue, rescue—aaaaand she's back in her book.
"Fuck," Jane mutters, dejected on her walk back to the barracks.
What is she expecting? It's not like there is anything to do on this ship. It's a civilian frigate that isn't designed with a rec room, replaced by a research facility instead. They can't really analyze anything with no fresh samples to work with. The marine fires down idea after idea after idea, none actually able to become reality.
It's the only way she's able to fall asleep, by decimating hope instead of embracing it.
It's Jane's turn to be the broken marine to imbue life in someone else's bones. The patrol she comes to relieve is giving her a confused look instead of one of relief, and she laughs at seeing why.
There's an asari slumped, sleeping against the wall, book open upside down for her knee to be the bookmark.
With a ritualistic pat of solidarity, Jane waits until the marine leaves before she comes over to kneel in front of Doctor T'Soni. Jane wonders for a moment, what to do, what to say, how to thank her for this rescue, this show of solidarity. She doesn't really know anything about asari. Are there taboos to touch? Are there things that must be observed so that one is not offended, upon wakening?
Will Doctor T'Soni care for those things?
Jane decides to reach out and squeeze a shoulder, giving a gentle shake to rouse the asari awake—because taboo be damned, a kink in the neck from how she's sleeping can't be fun even for traditionalists.
"Doctor T'Soni," Jane murmurs. "We've discovered a prothean-"
Upon 'prothean' the asari gasps awake, her wide eyes heavily clouded by sleep. The way her head snaps to and fro with such vigor betrays what she was doing just seconds ago. Then her eyes flood with betrayal as she looks at the heartless marine, who indulges in her every wicked urge and laughs.
"How could you?" T'Soni croaks blearily.
"You weren't waking up," Jane lies, if only to stop being stabbed by guilt. "Was beginning to worry that you snapped your neck and died, with the way you're sleeping. How is your ass not sore?"
There's a fierce blush taking over the asari's face. "Th-that body part is just fine, thank you." She clears her throat, and neither comment the contradiction when she changes how she sits—right on her knees. She glances to look over the marine's shoulder, confused, then a dawn of understanding. "Oh, so you rotate your shifts? He is gone because you are here?"
"Yeah. You... Didn't ask the other guy this?"
"No, why?"
"So you just came here and sat here, reading your book?"
"Y-yes?"
Jane stares. Then she laughs. She's burning to hear the story in the barracks now. She deflects the asari's calls for an explanation and gets up, using her ever important duty as an excuse that procedure dictates she pace these halls in silence. She counts the scuff marks and dents of Doctor T'Soni's book with each pass of the corridor, back and forth, back and forth, trying not to reference her omni-tool for the time too many times.
She doesn't want to know she has less than 8 hours left.