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Milky Way Galaxy
Serpent Nebula
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Aboard SSV Iroquois

"It's now my job to worry about my squad, Asora, and I'd like to do it well" said Whitfield. The time for talk was over and with every second the doctor slipped slowly out of their grasp. They needed to catch that man. The Captain shifted to his left, tearing his eyes off of the asari and down the small corridor that led to the Iroquois's decontamination and pressurization chamber. The walk was short but he could feel everything moving around at once. The pace in traffic in the Wards hadn't decreased and the level of curiosity spectators had didn't decrease either.

When the two of them stepped into the chamber Roland placed his hand against the pad and waited for the Iroquois's Virtual Intelligence to speak up. After a breath and a half with his eyes glued to the door the V.I. spoke up.

"Decontamination in Progress."

Her voice was soft and pleasant, the voice of a young human women at the age of maybe 21. It was soothing to him which is why he had requested it in the first place. But this soothing and the power light which erased the contaminants from their bodies did not distract his attention. To his right flank stood Asora, where his senses were focused. The decontamination process didn't last long, the light phasing over the two of them four times at a quick pace before the door to the elongated cabin opened up.

"Captain Whitfield is aboard. XO Jargins stands relieved."

When he stepped into the ship he turned his head to Joker and smiled, "Joker, get us out of here and head for the Styx Theta Cluster." "Yes, sir" he said, quickly tapping in the controls for the release of the Iroquois before entering in the coordinates. Joker, upon Udina's request had been transferred to the Iroquois almost immediately following the late and untimely death of Commander Shepard.

The Captain wasn't complaining, but he knew that Joker had made himself a place on the Normandy and wasn't too fond of the transfer. Whitfield wanted to make the experience easier than it already was for the man, not out of pity but out of respect. With a turn of his head and a nod he spoke to Asora, "lockers are in the lower decks."

Widow Cluster
Serpent Nebula
Citadel Station
SSV Iroquois

Alia had loaded her supplies into her locker located on the engineering and cargo deck. There were several lockers as well as ample storage space and the ship's armory. Behind the lift was the engine room, which she had yet to visit. However it would be impolite to go poking around a ship without the express permission of the commanding officer or a guided tour. Once she had stowed her gear and changed into fatigues, she checked and rechecked her weapons. Cleaning each to an inspection-day shine. Once they were in proper working order she stowed those as well.

When the lift brought her back to the Mess, she walked to one of the nearby ship-wide computer access stations and brought up all of the information on Doctor Hayes. He was ex-Navy and a talented physicist. He was also known to modify weapons in interesting ways, so should he have a weapon it would most likely be modded. Once she had learned all she cared to, she closed the computer and checked in with the senior NCO. Technically she wasn't a member of the Alliance military, but if she was working with Whitfield for this mission she's assume the rank of Private. She'd check in for her duties, if there were any, and get to work.

The Operations Chief on duty at the moment was a tough looking man in his mid-thirties. His name was Calhoun and he had a grizzled looking face. His appearance belied his friendly and surprisingly optimistic manner. The man seemed to bubble with happiness. Alia couldn't quite make out the source of the man's joy, but she was impressed. Calhoun didn't have anything for her to do at the moment, but he suggested that she check in with XO Jargins when she had time. She thanked him for his time and made her way back to the bridge. When she entered the CIC she stopped in her tracks and felt a momentary twang of annoyance crawl up her spine. Asora was standing with Whitfield in the airlock. She wasn't surprised, just annoyed. Asora would be along for the ride, be it good or bad. She just hoped that she wouldn't have to put up with her for long.

The asari ignored the sight and proceeded to the ship's Executive Officer. Jargins was a tall man who looked to be at least forty. His hair was thinning but kept short. He held the rank of Staff Commander. He wore his uniform proudly and returned her salute.

"Technically miss you don't have to salute me."

She smiled and gave a retort.

"Sir you are an officer, and as a member of the Serrice Commando forces I am inclined to show you the proper respect."

He smiled and nodded in appreciation as well as some slight amusement.

"What can I help you with miss..."

"Dhaleena. Alia Dhaleena."

"Miss Dhaleena."

"Is there any way I can make myself useful sir?"

"Well, I take it you're the member of the Captain's ground team that was assigned by the Council"

"Yes sir."

"Let's see... I haven't got much available. There's some crap duties you can pull in engineering, but I don't think Magnusson needs the help. What experience do you have with Starship operation?"

"I've had training in basic flight and navigations. Forty two flights."

"Alright. Talk to Joker. He'll get you familiarized with the Navigator's station."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir."

Jargins saluted and she returned it. While technically the ship's navigation was controlled by a VI and the commanding officer, there were still minor course corrections that needed to be made in flight otherwise the ship would drift off of its trajectory. She walked towards the bow and passed Asora, ignoring her. The frigate rumbled as Joker fired up its engines and pulled it out of the dock. The A-grav field kicked in and kept everything where it should be. She approached the pilot's station and watched as the bearded man deftly worked the controls. He turned his head at the sound of her approach and gave a low chuckle.

"I'm kinda busy right now. Maybe someone else can give you a tour."

He seemed on edge, perhaps he didn't like non-humans or perhaps he was just having a bad day. She slid into the Navigator's station and familiarized herself with the control input. She watched the information on her screen and made the corrections when needed. The man referred to as Joker took the occasional glance at her and shook his head before laughing.

"You look like you know what you're doing. But what are you doing here?"

"The Council wanted me to accompany Whitfield. So here I am."

"You too? There's a lot of that going around lately."

"Is that so? I know you were on the Normandy when she was Shepard's ship."

"Really? How?"

"When you work for C-Sec you find things out. Your ship had been impounded before you took it to Ilos. I knew some of the officers who secured the vessel."

"Ah. So you're C-Sec?"

"Not exactly. I was for a while, but I retired. I guess you could say I'm in the reserves."

"Military?"

"Commando."

"No kidding? Well, I think our chances just improved."

"Thank you."

"Well, the only other asari I worked with was a scientist, but I've heard some crazy stories about commandos."

Alia smiled and stole a glance out the viewport. It was nice to be doing something for a change.

"So your name can't really be joker."

"It's Jeff. I mean, Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lieutenant Moreau."

"OK, I gave you my name, it's only fair you give me yours."

"Huntress Alia Dhaleena."

"It's nice to meet you too Alia."

She smiled and returned her attention to her work. Two hundred forty years of living had given her some wonderful opportunities to learn new skills. She had a basic knowledge of starship navigation, most likely nowhere near as comprehensive as Joker's but he had received military training. Her training had come from a civilian pilot with time on his hands. She could assist a talented pilot just fine, but she wasn't good enough to call herself a pilot. Nor would she want to. Her place was on the ground, or at the very least in the field. Fighting, working, doing whatever needed doing. Her goal was to know as much as she could by her 700 birthday. So far she was off to a good start.

SSV Iroquois
In transit
Nearing Styx Theta Cluster

The status lights blinked and twinkled as the ship hummed beneath his fingers. He looked down at the glowing orange holo panel and smiled, he was in control. This ship was almost exactly like the Normandy. Almost. It felt... hollow somehow. His mind told him that it was because he was a stranger here. The Normandy had been his home for so long... In truth it had been less than a year. About four months really, but he had done so much there. He never liked being reassigned, for someone like him it was always a pain, even while moving. Just getting up to use the head was an ordeal in and of itself. He sighed inwardly as his readout started feeding him data. They were right on course. The asari wasn't the best navigator, but she was pretty good. Then again, he WAS the best pilot in the Alliance Fleet.

"Now entering final approach for the Styx Theta Mass Relay, ETA T-minus two minutes."

Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau stared at the data screen and entered the course adjustments as he saw fit. The Iroquois was travelling at a velocity that would be terminal in an atmosphere. In space, there was nothing to stop it. Of course, if they missed their mark they'd be stuck until they could readjust their course, which could take a long time and lots of effort. If they weren't able to adjust in time they'd simply shoot out of the galaxy, potentially travelling at that speed forever. The ship was running primarily on VI command at the moment, and the automated handshake protocols had already been sent out. As soon as they came within range of the Mass Relay they'd be brought back to normal speed. Sure they'd have to travel at FTL speeds to reach their destination, but it was far easier to control standard FTL travel than to jump across the galaxy.

"Hitting the Mass Relay in Five-four-three-two---one."

He opened the ship's PA system and paged the Captain.

"Captain, we've reached the Styx Theta cluster."

He closed the link and waited for the Captain's reply. While he was waiting he stole a glance at the asari sitting in the Navigator's seat. She was really the only one on the Iroquois aside from the Captain who hadn't treated him like some kind of hero for serving with Shepard. He liked that. His thoughts wandered until they landed on Ashley. She had taken Shepard's death the hardest of all. They all had. Joker had known Shepard for a long time, but their friendship had really become solid during their mission to hunt down Saren. He hadn't kept in touch with anyone since Shepard's death. His own way of coping. At least he hadn't gotten drunk. Whitfield was a good man, but he wasn't the Commander. He shook those thoughts out of his mind and returned them to the task at hand.

Alia glanced over at Joker and frowned inwardly. He was a very interesting man. She knew something about him from the Press and stories about Shepard and his brave crew. She hadn't read his file, but she was intent on getting to know the man. Possibly even befriend him. He and Shepard had been close, not in love, but good friends all the same. His death must have taken a toll on him, and his reassignment to the Iroquois hadn't been met with enthusiasm. She wanted to help him. The only problem was that she didn't know how.

SSV Iroquois
Styx Theta
Erebus System
Nepmos

Joker confirmed the call with a simple acknowledgement and pushed the small ship into FTL speeds. The Iroquois became a glowing blue and red comet as it shot through the cluster propelled by its massive Tantalus drive core. Joker pulled back on the throttle and eased the ship out of FTL as they entered a high orbit above Nepmos. The man glanced to his right and noticed that Alia was already hard at work scanning the surface and outer atmosphere for any drive core emissions.

"I've got a lock on something promising." The asari commando said with a smile.

Alia accessed the Alliance ship database and matched the emissions to the drive core that was standard on Kowloon-class freighters. This could mean one of two things. Either the ship they were after was a Kowloon or someone had taken the drive core and put it into another ship. The Kowloon drive core was a standard model and not the best, so the modding option was highly unlikely. The match was not 100% accurate, the match only came to about 98.837% but that was enough for military. The remaining 1.163% were most likely owner modifications. She tracked the emission trajectory until the dispersal point in the lower atmosphere. The ship had definitely landed on Nepmos.

SSV Iroquois
Styx Theta
Erebus System
Nepmos

Alia closed her station and rerouted all command to Joker, then stood as well.

"Nice talking to you Lieutenant Moreau."

Joker smiled and nodded.

"It was nice to meet you too Alia. Good luck."

The asari smiled and nodded.

"Thank you Joker."

She turned and headed aft to the elevator which would take her to the armory and the launch bay. Once there she quickly climbed into her armor and checked her weapons. Her helmet was cradled under her arm as she waited for the Captain and Asora to arrive at the M35 MAKO.

Iroquois
Nepmos


The asari ran five long fingers against the armors black surface. Cool to the touch and pleasant to the eye. In such things she found beauty but for more sentimental reasons. What was armor? A protective suit of course but wasn't it more? You wore it throughout the hardest times of your life. It was a reminder of what you were meant to do and what you were doing. Or so it was for Asora the red asari.

Firmly she locked the suit against her skin. Her red body shivered with delight as the familiar tingle of anticipation entered her mind.

Tightening her helmet to the suit she smiled with girly delight. Was it only her who enjoyed the sight of armor as she?

It was not time to lose herself in thoughts. Strapping her assortment of weaponry to her back and side she marched to the monstrous vehicle. The Mako.

SSV Iroquois
Styx Theta Cluster
Erebus System
Nepmos

Alia placed her helmet on her head and synced it with her armor's on-board microprocessors. When she shifted her weight it was not because of the Captain's arrival, but in acclimation to the planet's own gravity rather than the A-grav field in the Iroquois. She nodded at the Captain as he passed and climbed through the hatch on the underside of the MAKO between the first and second wheels. Once inside she familiarized herself with the gun controls and warmed the mass accelerator coils in the barrel. She had a 155 mm slug loaded and ready to go when the Captain climbed aboard.

The ship computer's voice came in over the Ship-wide PA system.

"All personnel clear the launch bay, repeat, all personnel clear the launch bay."

The technicians and engineers cleared out and the airlock sealed behind the six-wheeled vehicle. This kept any toxic gasses in the atmosphere from doing damage to the rest of the ship during a drop. A kinetic barrier flashed into existence in front of the blast door and the catapult clamps locked down onto the MAKO's wheel's. Alia checked the status of the MAKO's Eezo core. It was powered up and ready. All systems were operational and running fine. The launch bay was bathed in a red light, which meant they were nearing the DZ.

"We're good to go sir."

Alia said over the din of the MAKO's engines.