Going through the list of equipment available to Spectres, I realized with mild disappointment that overall, what my corporation produces for internal use wasn’t far behind what the Corps had on its shelves — if it was inferior at all.
Still, it was decent enough, so I didn’t hesitate to place a fairly large order.
I included not only armor, weapons, omni-tools, ammunition, and various mods for weapons and gear, but also rations and some equipment for the crew — basically, everything that came to mind.
And this was on top of the list Jane had already prepared and sent me, plus Tali’s short list.
“Tali…”
I called the girl again, and there was no small amount of irritation in my voice.
“…I thought I told you to compile a list.”
“I did compile one.
I have everything I need, so…”
“Tali…”
I cut her off.
“…if it turns out during the mission that we run out of consumables, or you personally lack something that could have been ordered now but you didn’t because of your shyness, I promise you, you and I will go to the medbay, where I’ll make you take off your suit…”
“E-e-e-e-e!”
A quiet squeak from Tali told me she was probably thinking something else.
Well, I was thinking about it too.
But I definitely wouldn’t have sex in the medbay with Doctor Chakwas present.
“And what were you thinking about there?
You little pervert…”
There was undisguised mockery in my voice.
“…well, whatever you were imagining, get it out of your head, because I’ll take my army belt and give you a thrashing on your lower ninety.”
“I don’t have a lower ninety!”
A quiet, indignant hurt squeak was her answer.
What exactly caused the indignation and hurt, I couldn’t tell.
Whether it was that I’d shattered her wet fantasies, or that I’d misjudged the volume of her firm rear end, or maybe the promise of a spanking…
“Tali, when a human male mentions ‘lower ninety’ in regards to a girl, in one hundred percent of cases out of a hundred, he means her butt.
So I promised to spank you.
And believe me, after that spanking, you’ll only be able to sleep on your stomach.”
“Then why the medbay?”
She quietly asked about that, and the question left me mildly puzzled.
“Well, as far as I know, quarians have weak immune systems, so to avoid infection or nip it in the bud, we’ll do it in the medbay.
And now, if you don’t want to find out what it’s like when an army belt gets acquainted with an admiral’s daughter’s firm bottom, you’d better order EVERYTHING you need and even what you don’t need but might theoretically be useful for you and the ship.
Do you understand me?”
“Yes!”
She squeaked, and I smirked at the range of emotions in her voice.
“And for your information, the admiral’s daughter has felt an admiral’s belt on her bottom before!
So I doubt a soldier’s belt is going to surprise me much!”
I don’t know how much courage it took her to say that, but after that phrase, the connection cut off, and all I could do was shake my head.
Deciding to stay a little longer at the warehouses, I filed a request from Jane for the representative on the Citadel, so he could deliver what the Corps wasn’t providing for some reason.
Then I decided to contact C-Sec after all.
“Good day, this is Spectre Shepard.”
“Ah…
I’ve heard of you, heard of you…”
A somewhat lazy human voice answered.
“…and how can we help the esteemed Spectre?”
There was a mocking tone in his voice now.
“I heard C-Sec officers have detained a certain krogan by the name of Urdnot Wrex?
I need to talk to him.”
“Well, come on over then…”
“You don’t understand…
I need to talk to him NOW.
So stand up and go to him.”
“You…”
The C-Sec officer was clearly about to say something venomously contemptuous but quickly realized who he was about to say it to.
He fell silent for about ten seconds.
“As you command.”
Those were words he spoke with great reluctance.
You could hear the effort he was making.
However, after five minutes, during which I heard him walking toward the krogan, I heard a rough voice from the upright lizard.
“And what do you want from me?”
His voice was mocking.
It was clear he didn’t see the situation as anything that could harm him.
He was probably only in C-Sec because he simply couldn’t be bothered to fight the whole Citadel.
“Someone wants to talk to you.”
“And who wants to talk to me?”
“A Spectre wants to talk to you.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to run around the Citadel, so I had to make use of a C-Sec employee.”
“And what does Spectre Shepard want from me?”
His voice became slightly more interested.
“I see you’re up to date.
That’s for the best.
“Yes.”
“I want to hire you.”
“Hire?”
There was disappointment in the krogan’s voice.
“Yes.
I’d like to offer you a contract for an indefinite period.
Roughly until this Council assignment is completed.”
“Being the council’s lapdog…”
The irritation and desire to tell me off in Wrex’s voice could be scooped not with spoons but with bathtubs.
“Not the council’s lapdog, but John Shepard’s mercenary, who is ready to pay very generously for your services, krogan.
And when I say very generously, I mean it.”
“What, will you buy me a personal ship?”
“Why buy?
I’ll transfer ownership of one that my corporation is supposed to scrap.
Of course, only if your skills really are top-notch.
I don’t need dumb meat that charges ahead blindly and puts the strike team at risk.
I need an experienced, cunning, and strong mercenary who knows when to retreat, when to banter with the enemy, and when to just drop a bomb on their head instead of getting into a firefight.”
“Hm…
so not a dumb brute?
Interesting…
but there’s a problem.
I was detained by C-Sec.”
“Do you have an omni-tool?”
“Yes.”
“Where should I send the contract?”
The krogan dictated his number, and I immediately sent him the contract.
One of the standard mercenary contracts my corporation signs with particularly valuable hires.
In the section describing possible work bonuses, a spaceship was listed.
“Sign it.”
“Hoh…
that was prompt.”
No more than ten minutes passed, during which Wrex read the contract, and then I got a response.
He had, naturally, signed the agreement, so I could start acting.
“Release Urdnot Wrex.”
I gave a short order, and the C-Sec officer, grumbling, began to carry it out.
True, he first demanded an official request from me, for which he was officially told where to stick it.
Fortunately, I knew perfectly well that all conversations, including this one, were recorded, and my word was more than enough to ensure no complaints would be made against this C-Sec employee.
“Wrex, while you’re making your way to the ship, put together a list of equipment for me.
I’m at the Spectre warehouses right now, and I plan to drain them dry before we launch.”
“Oh, so you’re providing the gear?”
“Yes.”
“Got it, boss…”
There was a slight mockery mixed with respect in the krogan’s voice.
“…then expect a big list from me…
The gear stays with me after the contract is closed, right?”
“Partially.
Anything taken from the Corps’ stocks will have to be returned if you decide to end our partnership.
Anything purchased specifically for you will count as part of your reward.
That was spelled out in the contract.”
“Yeah, yeah…
something like that was in there.
It’s just that a lot of clients use a standard contract, and it’s better to clarify whether they know about that clause than to hear later about what a horrible sentient I am for trying to profit off a poor, miserable client who’s patched his last pair of pants ten times over.”
“I hear you…”
I shook my head, as I’d never had such issues myself.
Aria taught me pretty quickly to respect contracts and follow at least the letter, if not the spirit, of the agreement.
Though the latter could be overlooked if it meant serious losses, but the letter…
“About three hours later.”
I reached the Normandy, and the place was bustling with life.
The turian armored vehicle had been unloaded, and two Mako tanks were in its place, with two shuttles hanging on hastily-made slings above them.
The cargo bay was already packed, and that wasn’t counting the supply containers inside.
“Captain!”
Jane hurried over when she saw me.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes…
the only thing is, I wanted to clarify — what do we do with Williams?”
“Drop her off.
I don’t need her on board.”
“Hm…” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Jane shifted her weight uncertainly from foot to foot.
“Spit it out.
You know I don’t bite, especially since you’re now nominally the head of the ground team.”
“Nominally, huh?”
She smirked with slight displeasure.
“Well, you’re responsible for making sure they work together, are prepared, don’t rip each other’s throats out during deployment, and follow my orders during operations.
But on the ground, I’ll be in command.
However, if we have to split up, you’ll handle the second group.”
“I see…
then may I request that Jenkins be removed from the team and Williams stay?”
I closed my eyes and mentally counted to three.
“Give me your reasoning.”
I think my tone became somewhat colder, but when I looked at her again, she didn’t look scared or…
uncertain.
“You said yourself that this is now my ground team.
I assume that even though you said to follow orders on deployment, it means you’ll give the main direction, but I’ll still be in command after that…”
She tilted her head slightly, questioning.
“Let’s say you’re close to the truth.”
“In that case, I believe he’s not sufficiently prepared for the upcoming operation.
On the other hand, Williams — despite her flaws — is an experienced fighter.
At least I won’t have to check whether she connected new shield power cells or not.”
“Are you sure?”
My gaze bored into Jane.
“A recent review showed she lacks the necessary skills for a soldier, as she tends to dwell on orders and evaluate their moral side, and as a lieutenant, she can’t assess her own strength or predict possible consequences…”
Off to the side, I could clearly see Williams listening to our conversation.
Her fists were clenched very tightly, which spoke to her anger.
“I’m sure.”
Jane nodded.
“Her failures will be on your account, then…”
“Sir, are you trying to talk me out of it?
You only need to give the order, and she’ll be removed from the Normandy.
Either way, along with Jenkins.”
“I’m not talking you out of it — it’s your decision, and I won’t dispute it.
But I want you to understand all the consequences of such a decision.
After all, I’m already disappointed in her, and it’s you who’s keeping her here.”
“I understand.”
Jane nodded decisively.
“Excellent.
Since you understand perfectly well, you can keep her here.
But as much as possible, my interactions with her outside of deployments should be kept to a minimum.”
“Understood.”
Jane nodded.
“Well, since you understand everything, we’re heading off to find the archaeologist Liara T’Soni, who’s been excavating Prothean ruins.
And Saren needs her for something.”
I said this with slight bewilderment.
“Everyone not assigned to the crew should be sent to the Citadel.
The rest should report readiness within fifteen minutes.
I still need to contact a couple of acquaintances and plan our next moves.”
“Understood.”
As I passed through the CIC, I gestured for Pressly to come over.
“Commander?”
“Charles…
I have a request.
Obviously, it’s hard to do this right now since we’re about to launch, but by our next visit to the Citadel, I need a list of those who wouldn’t want to continue serving under my command.”
“Sir?”
He looked at me uncertainly, as if asking: who would ever admit to that?
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to kick them out.
I’ll arrange a transfer with a recommendation they deserve, not a dishonorable discharge.
It’s just that we’ll have difficult and very dangerous missions, and taking people who don’t want to be on them…”
I shook my head.
“Understood, sir.”
“Excellent.
Then get the ship ready for launch.
I’ll give the order soon.”
“Understood.”
Pressly nodded to me, and I continued on my way to the comm room.
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