Buried Beneath ch5: Settling In

Normandy, 2185, 26th August 12:08 AM

The CIC is empty. I assume everyone has gone to bed already, we're docked after all. I know Riley told me to come before midday, but somehow I doubt she meant this early.

Well, if no one's around. I place my bags on the floor and walk up the stairs overlooking the galaxy map. Okay, I admit it, maybe this thing is kind of cool. I want to touch it, just one tiny touch. Almost there.

"Don't touch anything!" Miranda snaps from behind, startling me.

I pull my hand back, quickly turning to face her. Her expression is locked into a disapproving scowl. Like she's annoyed by the mere sight of me.

"Relax." I lean against the railing. "I was just looking. Where's Riley?"

She folds her arms. "In her quarters."

"Cool." I nod, gesturing to the elevator. "Can I go see her?"

She looks at me for a moment, probably deciding if it's a good idea or something. "No, she needs rest. She has an important mission in the Gozu district in a few hours."

"Oh yeah, Gozu. Plague and all that." I clear my throat. "What's she doing there?"

Miranda seems unimpressed and just sighs. "Come with me, we need to discuss your involvement." She turns to the elevator and opens the door, completely ignoring my question.

A smug smile finds my lips. "If you wanted me alone in the elevator, you could just ask."

Instant disgust paints her face. "Hurry up!"

Fuck.

I rush down the stairs and grab my bags. There's irritation in her eyes as she watches me enter the elevator. She picks a floor and steps away from me. Well, that's just mean.

The door finally opens and she walks off, not even making sure I'm still following her. I am, though, just further back. I'm glad for the distance. I think I may have overstepped with her. Plus, the view is better back here.

We head to what I assume is her office. There's a long desk with monitors, set up with chairs on either side. A sitting area by the window. There's a bed in the back too, so I guess this is her quarters as well.

Taking a seat behind the desk, Miranda begins typing away at her terminal. It's awkwardly quiet, only the sound of her tapping. Why am I getting nervous all of a sudden?

The typing stops and she speaks up. "Vexenna Ward, born October 15th 2158 on Earth, in Vancouver, Canada," she recites, her eyes fixed on the screen.

What? What is she doing? Cerberus has a file on me? How much do they know? How did they even find that much? No, I can't freak out. I just have to play it cool.

I slip my hands in my pockets. "And what does that have to do with anything?"

Miranda raises a finger to silence me before continuing. What a bitch. "You're a suspect in a murder case on Earth and several more across the Terminus Systems. You've worked with Aria T'Loak and the Eclipse mercenary group. You were briefly part of a gang on Earth known as The Tenth Street Reds." She glances up at me. "Quite the record, isn't it?"

"So what?" I'm starting to get pissed off.

Returning to her screen, Miranda reads on. "It also mentions your involvement in an incident that resulted in the death of your brother." Fuck this and fuck her. "So, you were sent to live with your grandfather in-"

I slam my open hand on the desk, cutting her off. "My brother and grandfather are off-limits."

Glaring at her, I expect to see some sign of remorse or anything really. Instead, she calmly meets my gaze. "Normally, we'd negotiate terms for joining us, but you seem more on the- simple side of things." Now she's just being fucking rude. "Cerberus is willing to pay you fifty million credits upon successful completion of the mission."

I don't want their fucking credits, and she has balls if she's going to sit here and act all business as usual after saying all those things. The look on her face, it's like she's challenging me. Like she's hoping I'll fight back, cause a scene, whatever. I won't give her the satisfaction.

Sighing, I step away from the desk, brushing a hand through my hair. "Okay, so what now?"

The door opens behind me. "You'll find the living quarters near the elevator. Welcome aboard the Normandy, Vex." Her smile is so fake, I hate it.

"Sure," I mutter, turning to leave.

"Oh, and the Commander wants you to stay away from Garrus Vakarian. Follow orders and there won't be any issues." She doesn't wait for a reply as I hear her resume typing behind me.

I make an 'okay' gesture over my shoulder and leave the room. I'm glad to be out of there. That was a fucking nightmare. I knew she was going to be a bitch, but damn.

Heading towards the elevator, I eventually find the living quarters. Most of the bunks are occupied, the room filled with a chorus of snores. Great. At least there's an empty bottom bunk in the corner. It could be worse.

With a sigh, I kick my bags under the bed. The mattress feels hard as I climb onto it. It's not the most uncomfortable thing I've been on, it's nothing like back home. That bed is amazing. I'm going to miss it.


Normandy, 2185, August 26th 6:00 AM

What the fuck is this fresh hell? My eyes open slightly and I see that everyone is up and about. How? It feels early as fuck. What does my omni-tool say? Six? I'm going to die here, I can feel it. I need to find Riley so she can fix this.

I get up and stretch before heading for the elevator. A woman is waiting by it as I approach, red hair cropped short. Reminds me a bit of Riley's, but a lighter shade.

"Kelly Chambers," she introduces herself, holding her hand out.

"Uh, Vex." I reach out and shake her hand.

We step into the elevator together. "So, you're Vex? I've been wanting to chat with you," Kelly says, pressing the button for the CIC.

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow. "What about?"

"I wanted to see how you're feeling about being on the Normandy and our mission in general." Oh boy. "And how you'll cope with it all."

The door opens at the CIC. I wait for her to step out before saying, "I don't like shrinks."

I set the elevator to the Captain's Cabin, watching her surprised expression between the closing doors. Sorry, umm, Kelly was it? But the last thing I'm doing is talking to a Cerberus psych about my feelings.

I find myself in a small lobby, facing a single door. Might as well knock on it.

It takes a few seconds before it opens to reveal Riley with a toothbrush in hand. "Vex? You do know you're supposed to ask the Yeoman for clearance to come up here, right?"

I scratch the back of my neck. "Can I come in anyway?"

She steps aside. "Come on in."

"Thanks," I mumble, stepping inside. The room is huge, with a massive desk to the right and a bathroom next to it. A fish tank runs across the left wall, ending at a closet. Stairs lead down to a large bed and sitting area, there's even a coffee table. "Wow, nice place."

"You could say that," Riley replies, heading into the bathroom. "What is it you wanted?"

"What happens now?" What am I doing? I should just ask her for better sleeping arrangements or something. "You know, for comfort of mind or whatever."

She comes out of the bathroom and smiles, sitting at the desk. "We're heading to the Citadel right now. I have some people to meet there."

"That's great." I gaze over her shoulder at a picture of a pretty attractive asari. My eyebrow raises. "Girlfriend?"

Riley follows my gaze. "Once." She lingers on the picture before turning back to me. "I doubt you came here to ask about my love life though."

Damn, she's good. "Okay, okay. It's about the living arrangement."

"What about it?" She smirks, seeming amused by this.

"The bunks suck, Riles," I explain, noticing the small smile she gives at the nickname. "There are so many people and they're noisy." I didn't want to complain after a single night, but it's a huge adjustment from my massive apartment that I shared with no one.

"I don't know where to put you." She shrugs. "You're a last-minute addition."

"Can't I just like I don't know, sleep on your couch or something?" I muster my best puppy dog eyes. Please agree.

She stares at me for a few seconds. "All right, all right." She smiles, giving in. "Just stop with that face."

"Yes!" I exclaim with a fist pump. "Thank you, you won't regret this."

"There's just one condition though." Oh no.

"And what's that?" This can't be good, she has that serious Riley expression on.

"You should apologise to Miranda." Gross, no. "I understand why you can't get along with Garrus and from what Zaeed tells me, you and he are on good terms. Mordin hasn't met you, according to him. I want you to get to know the crew, starting with Miranda." Wait, Zaeed joined? I should go find him later. As for the apology.

"Why do I have to apologise to her?" I fold my arms. I have no problem talking to the crew if that's what she wants, but Miranda has a stick up her ass.

"You were rude to her and I want you to work together as a team." I hate that she has a point. I know I have to work with Miranda, but she's such a bitch.

"I'll do it." It's not like I have a choice. "But answer something for me." I need to know before I fully commit to this. "Were you actually dead?"

It's quiet for a moment. "I was," she finally admits.

"How?" It doesn't seem possible.

She shakes her head. "I don't know, Cerberus brought me back. I'm not sure how, but they did."

"That's some serious tech. Do you think they could do it again?" If it's possible, maybe I could ask them to bring back Nul-

"No." My heart sinks. "I think it was a one-time thing. I know it was really expensive. Miranda would know more, though I doubt she'd tell you." No doubt about that.

It must be hard. "Do you feel any different?"

"I feel like me." She gives me a faint smile. "But, I don't know."

The smile fades and the atmosphere suddenly feels sort of sad. It's making me kind of nervous. I don't know what I'm supposed to say to her. I don't even know if she wants me to.

"A-are you okay?" I stammer.

"Yeah, Vex." She straightens up. "I have a lot to prepare for today, so you can apologise to Miranda and bring your things by later."

I shove my hands in my pockets. "Sure thing."

I take my cue to leave. I'll apologise to Miranda, but not until I find out exactly what Cerberus has on me so I can delete it. I've been practising for the last few months, it can't be that hard to break into her terminal.


Normandy, 2185, August 26th 6:54 AM

Well, that didn't take long. I thought she would be in there for hours. I'm not sure where she's going, and I don't really care. She's obviously important to Cerberus, she has her own office and all that information on me. But hopefully, that's all they have.

Strolling up to the door, I check if it's locked. Nope, she makes this too easy. Okay, enter the room, lock the door, and now let's scan for bugs. There's a few, but that was to be expected. They look easy enough to scramble.

I probably don't have much time, so I'm going to make this quick. I just want to know what they have on me. Maybe their intentions with me, and Riley too, if there's time.

Opening her terminal, I see it's also unlocked. So much for Cerberus security. Let's see. Reports on Freedom's Progress, reports on Archangel, some on Zaeed and whoever Mordin is. There's a file about something called the Lazarus Project, but it's not much.

Wait, is that her dossier? I'm tempted, really tempted. I could probably learn everything about her just by clicking on this file. It wouldn't hurt to take a look, right?

Click.

Miranda Lawson, 35. Nothing about where she was born, but she's a biotic, so that's cool, I guess. I was right about her being a very important Cerberus goon. One of the top operatives. She's even headed some projects, including whatever the Lazarus Project is. Maybe I should go back to that file.

"Miss Ward," a synthetic voice announces, probably the ship's VI. "You aren't supposed to be in here."

"I should have expected a VI," I mutter, opening my omni-tool. I can just disable it and continue. Wait, I can't find anything about it, so who the fuck is that? "Who are you?"

"I am the Normandy's Enhanced Defence Intelligence. You may refer to me as EDI," it replies.

No way. It can't be an AI. Surely Cerberus isn't crazy enough to house one. Who am I kidding? Of course, they are.

"All right." I close the files and stand up. "You caught me."

The voice speaks again, "A report has been sent to Miss Lawson and Commander Shepard about this incident."

"Oh, I don't doubt it." I know how this works. Just my luck that the super expensive Cerberus ship has a super expensive, and illegal, AI.

I walk over to the door and unlock it. I don't want to get into more trouble than I already am. Fuck my life.


Normandy, 2185, August 26th 7:08 AM

"I can't believe you broke into my quarters!" Miranda yells, pacing back and forth in the 'debriefing' room. Riley and Miranda are both in front of me while EDI watches from her station with all her AI superiority.

Biting back the urge to say the door was unlocked, so I technically didn't break in, I say, "I wasn't going through any important files." Not from lack of trying.

"No." Miranda stops in front of me, glaring. "You were going through my personal files. How can you be part of this crew if you can't be trusted? We should have left you on Omega."

Riley pinches the bridge of her nose. "Vex, why did you do it?"

"Does it really matter?" I cross my arms defensively. "I won't do it again."

"You're right," Miranda agrees. "You won't do it again. When we reach the Citadel, you're leaving."

What? She can't be serious. She can't do that. "You can't just leave me on the Citadel."

Miranda looks like she's about to retort when Riley speaks up. "She's right, Miranda. I don't know what she was doing in your files, but I know she won't do it again, I'll make sure of it. The next time she steps out of line, we'll take her back to Omega."

Miranda opens her mouth then closes it again, like she's unsure how to respond. "Understood." With one final glare, she leaves the room.

I sigh in relief. "Thanks, Ril-"

"You will report to Mess Sergeant Gardner. You are to help him with anything he needs today as punishment," Riley orders, looking absolutely pissed with a hint of disappointment.

"Punishment? What is this, school?" I awkwardly smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Her eyes narrow at me, obviously not in the mood for my antics. I'll take that as my cue to get the fuck out of here. I have no idea where this guy is, but I'm sure as hell not asking Riley with that look on her face.

I walk through the CIC to the elevator, ignoring Chambers to the best of my ability. It's nothing against her. I just don't feel like being evaluated right now.

Exiting the elevator at the crew deck, I find myself in front of Miranda's door. Not sure how I ended up here, I just feel a need to be a decent person for once. I should have done this from the start.

The door opens and I step inside. Miranda is at her desk, eyes on the screen. When she's not looking at me with a scowl or frown, she's actually really pretty. Suddenly, she notices me, her face falling. Ah, there it is.

"I don't have anything to say to you," she states coldly, returning her attention to the screen.

Shifting uncomfortably, I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I want to say I'm sorry." Her typing stops, and she looks up at me with surprise. "I shouldn't have broken into your office or terminal. I won't do it again."

"An apology doesn't change the situation." She pauses, her eyes studying me. "But, it is appreciated. Thank you."

I smile slightly. "No worries."

She leans back in her chair. "Is that all you needed?"

"Uh, no." I point my thumb towards the door. "Any idea where the Mess guy is?"

"Mess Sergeant Gardner?" At my nod, she continues. "He should be in the kitchen, to the left once you leave the room."

"Yeah, thanks." I swear I see her give a faint, genuine smile before I turn towards the door.

I shake my head to clear that thought away before heading for the kitchen.


Normandy, 2185, August 26th 10:46 PM

Today was filled with cleaning and scrubbing. I'm so fucking thankful to be standing in front of Riley's door, well sort of. I can't bring myself to knock. After what happened this morning, will she even allow me to stay here?

I press my forehead against the door. It's not right. I shouldn't be able to. I should just turn around and go back. It's not like the crew cabin is that bad.

Turning, I take a step towards the elevator when I hear the door open behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Riley standing there, leaning against the doorframe. She doesn't look mad at least.

"EDI told me you've been standing out here for a few minutes." Oh great, EDI.

I turn to face her. "I just feel like I don't deserve to stay."

She tilts her head towards the room. "Just get in here."

I do as I'm told. Noticing there's already pillows and blankets on the couch for me. What is this? I feel all warm and weird. I guess it's been a while since someone cared about me.

"Thanks," I mumble.

She pats me on the shoulder. "Any time. You can put your bags by the couch. Your guns should go in the armoury though."

I hold my gun case defensively. "There's no way my baby is going into the armoury with the peasant guns."

"Hey," she retorts with a scoff. "Those are high-quality weapons."

Heading down the stairs, I shake my head. "To each their own, Riles." Putting my bags down, I settle on the couch.

Riley takes a seat on the bed across from me. "I'm glad you still call me that."

"Me too." I smile and she mirrors it. Growing up we had a lot of good memories. Even now, I still feel like I know her.

"We should get some sleep," she suggests, breaking the silence. "There's a lot to do tomorrow. I'm headed for the crash site of my old ship, where me and some of my crew died." She pauses for a moment. "Seeing you again, you remind me of the past. I feel like I'm finally ready to see it."

We both get ready and get into bed. I glance up to see a skylight, spacelight? Whatever it is, it's nice to see the stars speeding across the open space above me. There's so much we still don't know about it, stuff no one has discovered yet. What if Riley's right? What if the Collectors actually exist? What would they want with humans?

I sigh into the quiet room. "Riley, are you still awake?"

I can hear her stir in bed. "Yeah, why?"

Here goes. "Do you really believe it's the Collectors?"

"I know it's them, I've seen them with my own eyes." She sounds so sure, how could I not believe her?

But fuck, that's a scary thought. "Are you afraid?"

She's silent for a moment. "Yes, but I can't let that stop me. We have people counting on us."

Rolling onto my side, I face the bed. I want to ask her about the accusations she made a few years ago. "And what about the Reapers? Are they real too?"

She's quiet for so long, I think she's fallen asleep. "Yes."

"I believe you." I wish I didn't, but this is Riley. She's not crazy. She wouldn't be doing all of this if there was no truth to it. Cerberus must believe her too.

"Thank you." It's barely audible, but I hear her say it.

She's probably used to people not believing her.


Thank you for reading.