tushanshu | 001; video

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001; video

[Shepard is cleaned up, settled in - more or less - and rested by now. She's also been keeping an eye on this extranet-type thing - the network, anyway, even though there doesn't seem to be any means of contacting anyone off-planet. Whatever planet she's on. She still doesn't quite buy the "between living, dying and dreams" thing.

But that's not what she's here to talk about today. Nope, she's just got a couple of quick notes.]

Shepard here. SSV Normandy. I need to know if any of my crew are here, and this looks like the best way to do that.

I also want to thank the people who helped me during the attack. Bruce, North, the girl with the fire biotics, and a few others. More people were saved working together than I could've done on my own.

[She looks a little distant, for a moment, then her gaze focuses back in on the screen.]

I'm happy to help where I can, but whoever is responsible for bringing people here picked a really bad time to do it. I'll be court martialed now, for sure.

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I'm just glad I could help.

[a brief, contemplative pause, and then,]

If it happens again, however, forgive my saying so but I have every intention of hiding behind you.

You did good. You have good instincts. A little formal training, you'd make a good Alliance officer. [THIS IS THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT SHE CAN GIVE.]

But hiding isn't always a bad thing, either.

'A little' formal training?

[He laughs at that because it's completely absurd.]

I'm hardly cut out to be an officer of anything. Unless the term's suddenly become applicable to golf.

[He's not trying to be a dick, his tone is friendly and congenial despite the words. Really he just doesn't want the general population thinking there might be more to him than what he's willing to show, and this is a public feed.]

Well, maybe three or four years. [That's a little. Took her almost seven to get her N7 cred. But she's amused, slightly self-deprecating.]

But in all honesty, the fact that you kept your head and didn't panic, and were still able to think and listen - that's at least 40% of it.

[He smiles, ducks his head.]

Well, I'll take the compliment in the spirit in which it's given. I confess, though, I can think of at least fifteen other things I'd rather do with three or four years of my time.

It's not for everyone. Me, I had an opportunity for something better, and I took it.

Well, I thought it was something better at the time. I think at this point only history will be able to make that call.

Oh?

Things are a lot... bigger and scarier than anyone ever realized, back home. And I got caught up in the middle of it.

That sounds like a story to be had over drinks, Commander.

[That gets a faint laugh - smooth, man, real smooth.] I can't say it's a very pleasant story, but if you want to hear it, I guess it's the least I can do after you helped me out.

[A slight smile.]

Far be it from me to dredge up unpleasant memories. The offer stands only if you would like.

It doesn't bother me to talk about it; but I know it's something a lot of people don't like hearing. At least back home. I'm happy to share if you want to hear it.

Then we'll make a date of it. I'd also like to discuss Miranda Lawson at some point. I understand she's a subordinate of yours? She was here for several months serving as my -- hm, business manager.

[She's about to say something about this so-called "date", but the name Miranda Lawson derails her immediately.]

Miranda was here? She was my XO a while back. For a complicated mission. She's good at just about everything she puts her mind to.

Mmm, I definitely do not dispute that. She's been invaluable to me. Or-- was. She isn't here any longer, I'm sorry.

[Genuine statement. Count the ways he got used to having her around.]

She would've spoken up if she was. [It took a while, with Miranda. But now? Shepard would trust her as much as anyone from the original Normandy crew. If she was here, she would've contacted her by now, like any of the others. Her friends.]

Hopefully, she's safe back home. She has some enemies. [Or rather, one great big three-headed enemy.]

She never spoke much about her home. Or any enemies. But I hope you're right, Commander. She deserves to be untroubled.

I'm not surprised. She can be a tough nut to crack. Not that that's a bad thing.

Not at all. I found the quality quite admirable. She's an incredible woman.

I'm glad to know she had friends here. She might not think it matters so much, but it's good.

[Honestly, Miranda does nothing so much as remind him of himself.]

I know she values your esteem quite highly.

I appreciate hearing that. It was a weird set of circumstances that brought us together, and I'm glad to have earned her respect.

Another chapter of this story I'm slated to hear?

Maybe, but some of it is probably more her story to tell.

[He eases his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender.]

Point taken.

[Then he drops his hands and smiles a little, albeit crookedly.]

So, when are you free?

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