Spirit Star Crew Morale & Background

The ship drifts through the darkness as the crew takes a moment to be made aware of the problems they face. The kett, under the command of Primosas, have created a new way to transform any lifeform into one of their own. There is a device that produces gas which allows any human, turian, and angaran being to change into kett chosen, anointed, or organus. Due to the gas exposure and how fast the process is completed, their mission to stop the kett have now become critical and challenging. Johnson takes a moment to speak with everyone and make sure they are in the right state of mind, given all that is occurring. Johnson shuts off the Heleus map for now and goes to the front of the ship; Jim is busy with the ship diagnostics and output. Everything is going well until he takes a moment to make another flight speech for everyone.

Jim announces to everyone, "Attention, everyone. This is Capt. Jim Godspell of the Spirit Star alerting you to be ready for the next kett brawl. We have left Araponaz of Biloun and now will be adrift through space for our next location. Until then, please enjoy our refreshments and grub down on the second floor. Be mindful of the mess and bugs in the food."

A. Paragon Choice: Do you love to broadcast a lot?

B. Neutral Choice: Why are there bugs in the food?

C. Renegade Choice: Can you stop that shit?

Johnson asks, "You must like to broadcast the whole time you fly the ship, huh?"

Jim answers, "Yes, I do. Most pilots just stick to the basic updates or let everyone know of the important tasks ahead of them. I prefer to make the trip either funny, casual, or ridiculous. But we know you are not here for that. So, what can the Mouthful Pilot do for you?"

Johnson says, "Can you tell me more about your family? What else did you do before TOS-51?"

Jim replies, "Well, like you heard me say last time. I am the Mouthful Pilot that ran circles around anyone who brought me next to a ship. All I can tell you is about my mom and dad. My mom's business had to do with both Nexus and Syndicate officials when it came to various items sent all over Heleus. If there is one thing my mom did best, she always got her hands on things that no one else can get. To this day, I still wonder how the hell she managed to get enhancements and attachments for guns that you can't on the black market. As for my dad's farming, he learned from the best and became the best when it came to growing food. And he didn't just have a few farms. On Kadara, he had more than enough farms to supply small settlements or outposts; it is a shame he wasn't born when humanity came here in 2819. They would have loved him greatly."

The conversation between the two flows easy about what the dad grew on his farms and the items mom manages to have without getting caught under the radar. Once the chat is over, Johnson leaves Jim to his station and goes to chat with Chris; he finds the Syndicate follower sitting at a station as he receives orders and updates from Warlord Syndicate Jacob. Before he disturbs him, Johnson listens to the orders.

Jacob says, "I see what you mean. If we can reverse the kett machine to be used against them, then it will prove beneficial for us if we need to threaten the Nexus. Obtain one if you can. I have other matters that require my attention."

Chris ends the holo conversation and turns to Johnson with sad eyes; this is the last thing he wants anyone to hear about.

He says, "I take it you know that Warlord Jacob wants the kett machine for us to find a chink in it. I was just now instructed by him to obtain one. But I rather we destroy each one than use them for anything."

A. Paragon Option: We will not keep one. (Friendship Increases)

B. Neutral Option: Let's talk to them about it.

C. Renegade Option: We will keep many of them. (Friendship decreases)

Johnson replies, "I see the advantage of keeping one of them, but we can't and don't need any of them. They will all be destroyed just like the kett."

Chris is happy to hear the words again and says, "You damn right. I like how you think and glad you are the boss here. I would like to keep the machines but not to beat anyone."

Johnson asks, "What else can you tell me about yourself?"

Chris sighs heavily and confesses, "Well, like you already heard, I was to get the machine for the Syndicate. I changed my mind and don't want to do it. It is funny that this happening and reminds me of what my parents did. When it came to the debt they had, they didn't pause for a second to throw me away and have it paid in full. Heh, can you believe that? I was raised by a pair of parents who had trouble paying people back. What do they do? They threw me away. Yet, I am ready to do right by humanity despite their treatment. Sorry, I am rambling. I guess I am missing what I could had if they didn't do what they did to me."

Johnson says, "It made you into a better person than a cruel being."

Chris laughs at how ironic it is as they continue to look over the new ideas about how to handle the kett. Every plan, strategy, tactic, and method that comes to them is added to the list of ways to beat the kett. They both conclude that there is much room to do, plenty for the team and can expand on all of it; all of it is great as Johnson and Chris finish up. Johnson makes his way down to the next level to search for Laura. She is yelling at the people from both sides of the government. Johnson stands back and waits until she is done.

Laura yells, "You are not the Nexus! You are not the Apex! You are not the Syndicate! You are not the Enforcers! You are none of those weak-willed organizations and teams that stand by, doing nothing for the people! We are the Spirit Star Crew, and the kett will learn to fear us!"

They all roar, "Ooos! Spirit Star forever!'

As they return to their duty, Laura takes a moment to throw her fists at a punching bag to burn off her stress. Johnson didn't say a word to her and came over to assist; he held the bag as Laura worked out her frustration. After ten minutes of going at it, she relaxes her guard and sits at the bar.

A. Paragon Choice: Rough Day?

B. Neutral Choice: You look ok.

C. Renegade Choice: You did poorly.

Johnson comes over, "I take it today must have been rough for you? And since when did everyone from both sides listen to your words?"

Laura replies, "I am ok. Today it was easy to drill instructions into them. And they started listening to me when I showed them what the kett was doing. They were angry, eager, and most of all, ready to fight. Because of what they saw, they all agreed to follow my every word."

Johnson asks, "What else can you tell me about yourself?"

She answers, "I can tell you one thing right now. This important mission we are doing beats the hell out of doing paperwork on Meridian. I remember the piles of paperwork that went from people asking about property and items claim to possible theft and payment. As for my family, they loved doing tons of filing and stamping. The day I told them of my enlistment is the same time my father nearly had a heart attack; he wonders to this day if I had a death wish. But after I enlisted, the training to be an Apex member was tough and easy. I did so many push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, and running to where my body was under strain for a long time. Only after the physical training was over did they say to any of us that we could hold the gun. I may have to test your endurance once the mission is over."

They both laugh at the last statement. Despite how the kett are changing their ways, the moments like this make it easy to forget that they are doing a dangerous mission. Laura and Johnson check in with the others to test their skills; the session is good. Laura feels herself rejuvenated from the sparring as she orders the others to take a break. Johnson goes to the rear of the ship to find everyone busy. To the left, Groax is relaxing while Covina looks over the armored vehicle. Everyone is motivating each other to train, check ammo, know their weapons, and be ready for the next destination.

Johnson approaches Groax as the krogan pops his neck. He says, "You seem tense a little. Is everything ok?"

Groax replies, "I am ok, but the kett are planning something big. That gas machine is the first of their plans. They are going to use something else to bring us down. You better believe it."

A. Paragon Option: We will be ready for them.

B. Neutral Option: I hope we can stop them.

C. Renegade Option: This isn't the time for mistakes.

Johnson says, "The kett may have plans, but we are ready for them."

The krogan chuckles and says, "I hope you can deliver on that. These problems that are coming to us will test us in every way possible. I'm anxious for them to come at me."

Johnson asks, "Can you tell me more about yourself? What made you leave Elaaden?"

Groax answers, "You want to hear more? I suppose I can share with you about how I managed to kill three fiends by myself and uplifted my clan. Not many other species want to know about us until it benefits them or all."

Johnson folds his arms as Groax continues, "When it came to my clan, we took care of each other like all krogan do. The difference is we wanted to have more credit for ourselves. Despite all the hate and envy the krogan received from some, my group of krogan didn't earn the backlash so much. My clan is and was always ready to do business with anyone for so long as the money is there. Before I even picked up a cannon, my father told me to learn how to deal with any type of negotiation when it comes to others. Sure, we had ups and downs from the asari, turian, and salarian types; however, dealing with humanity at the time your species met mine was a great moment. Even when other krogan considers you kind soft and squishy or easy to break, humans proved themselves quite good at money matters and combat."

The conversation between them flows with ease as Johnson learns more about the krogan from Groax and the clan he is from. The Thax krogan clan gave Johnson an astounding view on how much money they can have or will have if they really become the dominant group of all clans. The part part of the conversation is hearing about Groax wanting to be a leader, but not in charge of all krogan. As they part ways, the idea of Groax being a krogan warlord keeps him interested. Johnson looks like Covina busy, but he promised to speak with her later after he checks on Zor'Kin.

In the back by the core, Zor'Kin continues to look over the kett gas machine. He is astonished by the outside only to feel faint about how the gas is made. Johnson joins him and the other tech experts as they all look over it.

Zor'Kin explains, "The kett have taken their own genes and DNA to mix with a simple flower. It was refined in the body of a fiend to increase its potency and later, converted into a gas. Once they had substance crafted, each kett machine has a sample placed inside the glass canister that creates the gas from this. This lump of flesh is from turian, human, kett, and fiend DNA with their own genes spliced into it. Normally, this will take about several weeks or months since this is nothing but flesh if anyone ingests it. The kett has created something to make the changing method speed up and haste in a matter of seconds. Right now, I will be busy with the device itself. Take the samples from the canister and study it carefully with Dr. Laskey."

A. Paragon Choice: You seem deep into this.

B. Neutral Choice: You study kett tech a lot.

C. Renegade Choice: You better slow down.

Johnson says, "You are really into this kett technology. I take it you have a book on the stuff you know?"

Zor'Kin replies, "Ha ha, no there is no book yet. And there are enough data pads on the kett for anyone to research them. The machine they made took a lot of work and time to perfect it. Only after I have sent the rest of the data to my people will we share it with everyone. And I am sure now you will want an explanation for that part."

Johnson nods at the second to last sentence of what he meant. He waits patiently as Zor'Kin answers, "You know my people and other species were the last to come here. Since things remind us of how the Milky Way was, we easily can infer that things out here were similar minus the few abstract differences. When we got here, the leadership was of two superpowers with its own army, agents, spies, and weapons. The three planets that the Syndicate and Nexus hold control over have a tactical or strategic advantage if war was to break out. It is because of the long-lasting situation of two hundred years out here that has caused us to be isolated from everyone. But that is already known to everyone; the last portion of my words is what caught your eye."

A. Paragon Choice: Why would you hide information?

B. Neutral Choice: What do you gain from this stunt?

C. Renegade Choice: When were you going to tell me?

Johnson asks, "If you learn something about this machine, why will you tell your own people and not everyone?"

Zor'Kin replies, "Due to how my people were viewed in the Milky Way, we learned fast that it is best to keep everything hidden from others than lend a hand. The Milky Way inhabitants were still cursing the quarians about the geth creation and never bothered to assist us when it came to them. Even now, many still show us disrespect for what we did. So, why should we just give another species knowledge when they never bother to see us as who we are or help us if we need it."

Johnson softly sighs, "I understand your people didn't receive the best of respect when it came to others, but you were not alone. Humanity had to prove its worth before being recognized as worthy among others. I do recall reading in history class that it was the geth that used an old mass relay as a giant telescope to see Andromeda. Then, your people discovered the data they had on the galaxy and presented it to humanity. In the end, if it wasn't for your people creating the geth, then we all would not be here. Don't let your people's past mistakes make you too distant from others. You may miss out on things that can be useful for us all."

Zor'Kin is left without any comeback to what Johnson said. He thinks for a long time about what he is told and starts showing him what the kett device has equipped to it. The speech of Johnson wasn't his best, but it did enough to cause Zor'Kin to realize how foolish he sounds. As every continues to study the flesh and device, Johnson takes his leave of them to check on Covina.

She touches the rifle and checks out the scope; there is a bit of dust on it, but she did buy the scope from a messy shop while on Araponaz. Covina takes notice of Johnson watching her, but she stays focused on the rifle. He joins her by the table as they check out the equipment. Every assault rifle, shotgun, handgun, sniper rifle, and machine pistol are carefully looked over. Covina continues to ignore Johnson as she tries her best to make sure her hands stay busy.

A. Paragon Option: You seem distracted.

B. Neutral Option: Anything you want to talk about.

C. Renegade Option: These weapons need more maintenance.

Johnson says, "You look busy, but I want to ask you about your thoughts on the last mission."

Covina replies, "I am trying to not think about it. We got the job done, but the problem is worse than I thought. I just wish we had more help from the Nexus leaders. Hell, at this point, I want the Syndicate and Nexus to help us deal with the problem than stay out of it. I mean look at what we learned on Biloun. The kett are using anything from us to make more of them. If the leaders continue to stay out of this, things will be worse. Let's talk about something else; the more I think about it, the angrier I'll be just talking about it."

Johnson asks, "What else can you tell me about yourself?"

Covina answers, "Well, I am still hoping that telling the leaders will prompt them to act. We need help from not just Apex but the Enforcers too. Anyway, I know you asked about me. I can only tell you about what I saw during my time with Apex. I was working on a case with Rulmis about a conviction that was overturn due to lack of evidence. I knew this was a coverup, but Rulmis told me to leave it alone. I stayed on the case for a long time before I realized I had to let it go. Right now, I just wish I had a chance to catch the bastard and expose his operation. I'll tell you more later about it."

She sees that Johnson is slightly annoyed and continues, "Ok, ok. I am a sweet turian woman with a big heart, but I rarely show it because I don't want anyone to use it against me. Before I was an apex member, I always helped people out despite how bad they were. Thanks to my many mistakes, I kept myself on guard when it came to people. And now, I feel stupid for being rude to you in the beginning. But let's find something to do. I need some time to myself."

Johnson accepts her choice and promises to support her; he returns to the Heleus map on the main floor and searches for their next location. Before they can continue the mission, a message from Warlord Jacob comes to him. Jim connects him to the call.

Jacob says, "Johnson, it is good to know you are representing the Syndicate interest, but I have a job for you. I need you to search in the area around the Pfeiffer and Zheng He system for a ship. It belongs to us, and we need to have the cargo retrieved. Right now, the other warlords don't know this; I prefer to keep it this way. Update me once the job is done."

The Spirit Star flies to the section next to the star systems. It takes them some time, but they do find a massive cargo ship floating in the darkness with lights flashing; Johnson orders Laura and Meika to join him for the mission despite the protesting from the asari. It seems safe for them to board the cargo ship as Jim connects the airlock to the cargo ship. Everything is quiet as they pass through the airlock until a horrid scream is heard. They all pull their weapons out and move through the ship; Meika comes to a corner and gets tackled to the floor. The salarian person tries to stab her, but Meika uses her biotic powers to shield herself from the knife. Laura rushes from the corner and shoots the salarian. The gunfire forces the other attackers to take cover. Johnson pulls Meika to cover and prepares to advance through the ship.

A human comes from the corner and gets shot in the head; the death of their comrade enrages the others as they continue to open fire. Johnson keeps his head down as he shouts to Meika to create a singularity next to the enemy. The biotic technique works as Laura and Johnson shoot at the enemy. They keep their heads down and slowly advance some more only to hear orders from the speakers on the wall. The task becomes harder now that the enemy is using challyrions to rush the team; Laura gets pin down by one of the challyrion, struggling to keep it at bay. A turian gunner aims in her direction, but Meika saves Laura with her biotic powers. The turian gunner is thrown into the walls and dies upon impact. Johnson provides covering fire for Laura as she finally knocks over the creature and blasts it. They all stand back-to-back as more of the creatures come at them from all directions. With no thought of what will come next, Meika uses her singularity biotic once again. She causes Johnson, Laura, and herself to float in the air as they look up to grab the metal bars.

They look down at the challyrions as the foul monsters' spit acid in their direction. Though the team is safe, they had to finish up the task. Laura takes out three grenades and tosses them around the room. The explosions finish off the beasts as they climb down and rush to the main bridge. The door is sealed tight, but Meika makes things easy for them once again. She steps to the door and uses her biotic powers to crush the door. Upon entering, they find a few Enforcer members standing around. Two of them are official of the Syndicate with five guards at their back. One is named James and the other is Cassy.

A. Paragon Choice: What is going on?"

B. Neutral Choice: What did you attack us?

C. Renegade Choice: How would you like to die?

Johnson asks, "I am here on the behalf of the Syndicate Warlord Jacob. What are you doing?"

James answers, "We borrowed this cargo ship to deliver supplies to a Nexus world, but someone here decided to think that going off grid is a bright idea."

Cassy replies, "I told you that we don't need any help from the Nexus or Syndicate. If you had just trust me, then we could've be elsewhere away from them than here."

Laura steps forward, "I hope you have a good reason for wanting to leave the Syndicate. They really don't like it when you try to steal from them."

Cassy turns to Laura, "I already told this fool that the Syndicate can go to hell along with the other assholes of the Nexus. We have seen more than enough fighting between the two and just want out."

James shouts, "Are you stupid? Look at what happens. The Syndicate sent a three-person hit squad at us. How are we supposed to just drop out of this problem?"

A. Paragon Option: Turn the cargo over to me. (Spare them)

B. Neutral Option: Take it to the Nexus for protection.

C. Renegade Option: Surrender to Syndicate authority. (Kill them)

Johnson answers, "Listen to me. I'm here on the Syndicate authority, but I answer to the leaders of the Nexus too. Give me the cargo and I'll make sure it goes to the destination and take the blame. Then, you can get out of here and go to Eos or Kadara."

James thinks about the proposition and agrees to it since the cargo will be delivered. Cassy laughs at the suggestion since they will be off grid. With no other option, the last survivors of the cargo ship take the shuttle in the hangar and fly out. Johnson contacts Jim by radio and orders him to send the coordinates to the Syndicate; they would fly to the area and haul the ship to safety. The task is over, and it is time for them to return to the Spirit Star. It is nice to know that not everyone wants to be part of the business of Syndicate and Nexus.

The Spirit Star pulls away from the cargo ship and continues with the mission at hand; they didn't get far when Jim received a new message from Mayon of the Nexus leadership. Johnson takes the call by radio to hear what is going on.

Mayon says, "I won't keep you long, and I'll keep it short. There is a problem with the Nexus control space by the Joba system. I need your team to go there and take care of it now. You have full authority to deal with the problem as you see fit."

Johnson receives the coordinates on where to go. To their surprise, it is a space station floating just out of range of the black hole's gravitational field. An emergency S.O.S. sounds as if the people aboard beg for help. Jim flies the ship to the airlock of the station as Johnson gears up; Chirs and Zor'Kin get ready as they come aboard the station.

Jim contacts Johnson by radio, "Not to be the worry rat here, but you better hurry with this one. I have a bad feeling about it."

The trio rush to the airlock and ready themselves for trouble. After they step onto the space station, the message is clear on what they need to do:

"Attention, all employees. This is not a drill. You have fifteen minutes to reach safe distance."

Zor'Kin goes to a wall panel and accesses the space station's logs quickly. To their shock, the station will run out of power and fall into the black hole's gravity pull. They rush to the center hall and discover some survivors anxious to get off. The men in charge are Richard and Kenny.

Richard says, "Oh thank God, you are here. Quickly, there is still time to save the research if we are quick. Your ship is large enough to carry everyone?"

Kenny interrupts, "Are you crazy? To hell with the research! We need to get off!"

A. Paragon Choice: Why are you here?

B. Neutral Choice: What is the research about?

C. Renegade Choice: Shut up and listen up.

Johnson asks, "The station doesn't have long, so give me the short version."

Richard replies, "We were sent here to do research on the black hole, but things didn't go according to plan. The gravity pull is stronger than we…"

Kenny shoves Richard back, "That is not true. We were sent here to try and create a new type of weapon that can be used against the Syndicate."

Chris aims his gun at them, "Like I told people before, the Nexus leaders want to do whatever it takes to be on top. Hey Johnson, let me go ahead and kill them."

Kenny pleads, "We didn't know this was going to happen. I told them that trying to understand a black hole will not benefit anyone. They just sent us here to die for nothing."

Richard steps to Kenny, "That is highly classified information. You don't need to tell anybody anything else."

A. Paragon Choice: We don't have time. (Save some data)

B. Neutral Choice: Let's save the data.

C. Renegade Choice: I'll just kill you all. (Kill the research team)

Johnson suggests, "We need to get you off the station, but we can't save all the data. Get to the ship now."

Richard leaves for the ship, "I demand that you save everything from here before we leave it."

Kenny and the others follow, "At this point, the Syndicate has the right idea. The Nexus leaders don't care about us."

As everyone leaves, Johnson and his team do what they can to find the information. Lucky for them, they manage to obtain everything with five minutes to spare. They rush back to the airlock and alert Jim to pull the ship away. As the space station falls to the black hole, everyone is glad to be away from the destruction. Johnson surrenders the data to the research team only after Zor'Kin makes a copy of what they did. They escort the team to Eos and drop them off to be picked up; Kenny and two others declare themselves no longer a citizen of the Nexus.

With the tasks over and reports submitted, the Spirit Star crew continue with the mission and pray nothing else will come to them. Johnson looks at the Heleus map; the next location is in the Valay system.