HPDBC [Book Three] Chapter 28: Stumbling into War
[Book Three] Chapter 28: Stumbling into War
[Book Three] Chapter 28: Stumbling into WarChapter 28: Stumbling into War
“YOU BOSH'TET!!!”
Rick didn’t understand what just happened. He was working on his terminal in his room when he heard Tali yell behind him. Then he took a hit to the head and got tasered multiple times by Chatika. Quickly, he put up a barrier and hid behind it to stop the little drone onslaught on his body.
“What the hell?!”
“What the hell?! What the hell?! The hell is that you tried to kill yourself you stupid, retarded, braindead, asshole!”
“Oh, that. No need to make a fuss about it, I got my punishment already.”
“NOT. BY. ME.”
“I think that getting hit in the head and tasered is enough.”
“NO.”
“Tali.” he said seriously.
“NO! Do you...”
“YES! I get it! I was told multiple times, already: I. GET. IT. So cut the crap.”
She glared at him in silence for a long moment then deactivated her drone. In consequence Rick dropped his barrier and Tali immediately rushed him and began to pummel his chest with her fists without any strength in them. She was just venting what she was feeling and Rick let her, understanding it was important for her to do so. Finally, having her fill, she embraced him.
“Promise me, you won’t do that again.”
“I promise.” he said with a sigh.
“Mean it!”
“I do mean it!”
“Good.”
Pushing her away, he sat back on his chair and pulled her back so she could sit on his lap.
“Is that all they told you? Or did you rush out the moment you heard.”
“That was the last thing they told me.”
“What else did they tell you?”
“That Jack is your sister-in-law and goes by Jennifer now. That you punched a reaper in its face, that you created plenty of new tech without me. Ashley said that you met her family, EDI has not one but two bodies, one synthetic, one organic.... I still can’t believe the latter.”
“You didn’t see it yet?”
“No, I only saw synthetic EDI.”
“You’re in for a treat.”
“Whatever, EDI is EDI no matter her appearance. Liara told me that you tried to kill her father and that’s it.”
“Okay.”
“S-Should I know something else?”
“I killed another councilor but it was an accident this time.”
“Seriously?! Which one?”
“Udina.”
“Ah... No big loss, then.”
“That was exactly my reaction at the time. Besides, he was corrupt and attempted a coup with Cerberus’ help. No one is mourning him. I also rode the biggest Thresher Maw on Tuchanka before punching that reaper.”
“Really? How big was it?”
“Bigger than the Reaper. I’ll send you the video. Wrex is jealous but won’t admit it.”
“Pff. I’m not surprised.”
“Anything else?”
“...My birth giver found me.”
“Keelah...”
“Tried to kill her on the spot of course, but Gingey had put the safety on my gun so nothing happened.”
“What happened then?”
“She... tried to make a connection with me because she wants me back. After five minutes of talking I just left.”
“...”
“...”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Killing her would solve plenty of problems for me but she's important for the alliance so I can’t.”
“Well, if she knows what’s good for her, she’ll stay away or I’ll release Chatika on her.” she said with determination, making Rick laugh. “I’m serious!”
“I know! It’s just... You’re the first person to say something like that. No one ever said they would hurt her for me before.”
“Really?!”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s proof that I’m the best!” she said hautilly.
“That you are.”
Rick hasn’t been lying. Ashley and Liara never brought up the subject with him, neither did he though. Jane didn’t either but it was understandable why. Hannah Shepard was her mother. She may have said that she would choose his side but she clearly stated by her actions that she won’t hurt her mother or let him hurt her. To hear Tali defend him like that made him feel good.
“Have you seen Garrus?”
“Not yet. I just came down and went straight for you.”
“Then go. I’ve work to do and he’s just...”
“Calibrating. Honestly he needs to get laid or find a hobby.”
“I agree on both counts. He’s even denser than I am. Dr. Michel is completely in love with him and he’s seeing none of her hints.”
“Dr. Michel?”
“The doc that helped you when you arrived on the Citadel the first time before we met.”
“Oh, her! I remember her, she was so nice! And pretty! And he really has no idea?”
“Nope. At that point, I’m just ready to tell him. It’s so frustrating.”
“I can imagine.”
“By the way. Adams is here too. Down in the engineering deck, along Gabby and Kenneth.”
“No way! I’ve got to see him! And Gabby too!”
“Not Kenneth?”
“The only thing Kenneth will see is Chatika.” she replied darkly.
“Eh, I’m sure he’ll like it.”
“Yeah, probably. I guess I’ll allow him to live a bit more.”
“What magnanimity.”
“Of course.”
“He’s not that bad. Gabby wouldn’t have stuck with him all his time otherwise. He’s just...”
“Horny?”
“Yes. Once Gabby puts her claw in him, he’ll straighten out a bit.”
“By the way, where do you sleep?”
“In that room there, why?”
“So I can pay you a visit or two.”
“Difficult, EDI is sleeping there too.”
“You’re sleeping with EDI?!”
“Eeeh... Yes and no?”
“What?”
“If you mean just sleeping, then it’s organic EDI that uses the bed during the night, cause there is no bunk bed that fits her downstairs. If you mean sex then it’s synthetic EDI.”
“You’re having sex with EDI’s synth body?! Why?”
“She asked me. Data gathering.”
“I... You know what? I don’t want to know.” she said as she got out of his lap and stood up. “I’m going to see Garrus, see you later!”
“Bye, Centerfold!”
____________________________________________________________
After Tali left, he finished his calculations he had been working on before her impromptu and violent visit then went to see Jane in her cabin. He found her sitting on her couch reading a data pad. Not even hesitating, he sat beside her and rested his head in her lap.
“I’m surprised you’re still alive.”
“I defended myself. I’m tired of people always scolding me for what I did and I didn’t rebuke at the need to yell at her.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I love her but sometimes she’s too much.”
“Pot meets kettle.”
“I know. That’s why I’m not upset with her because I’m the same.”
“Is that why you came? To talk about standing up against Tali?”
“No, it’s about what you didn’t tell her.”
“I thought it would be more prudent not to.”
“You’re right but... I’m hiding things from her, I’m lying to her. I don’t like it, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
“We don’t know how she will react.”
“I know and let’s not forget my whole parentage. I really hate them both and I didn’t even meet the guy! Hero of the alliance my ass! He was told no and he doesn’t even bother to insist. Like he just asked the first time out of duty not out of want.”
“That’s... the first time you speak of him.”
“Well, there isn’t much to speak about.”
“True. Any news from Kahlee?”
“Nothing important. The work on the crucible is progressing well. Sometimes she gives me news of Jen and the kids or just tells me about her time on the project or just talks about herself. I answer in kind, about my work and what’s happening on the Normandy or what we’re doing. “
“Not about yourself?”
“I don’t like to talk about myself.”
“Come on, you’re the only family she has left. Share a bit.”
“I suppose I could try.”
“Good. Speaking of sharing, what are you working on?”
“Two things. One is a camo armor...”
“If it was anyone else I would joke that it already exists but it’s not just camo paint, isn’t it?”
“No. Imagine you need to hide but there’s no place for that. With the camo armor you just lean against a surface and the material takes the color of said surface and I mean by that the exact same color. If there is a drawing on the wall your armor would display the drawing. It’s not perfect since, you know, depending on the angle your shape is seen, but it allows you to hide in every environment.”
“Isn’t a tactical cloak better?”
“Yes and no. The cloak makes you invisible by bending the light around you but if you pay attention sometimes it flickers. Another drawback is that someone with thermal vision can see you nonetheless. Lastly the cloak deactivates when you use a weapon as the mass effect field of the gun disrupts it. The camo armor has none of these cons and as a bonus you can change the color of your armor whenever you want. No paint needs to be involved.”
“Hearing that it does sound pretty nice.”
“I think it’s perfect for a messy environment, like a forest or ruins or anything that’s not sophisticated. Places with uneven topography.”
“I can see the appeal. Is it progressing well?”
“I’m done actually. I just need the material to build some as I already have the machinery to create them. I put Kasumi on alert some time ago and she got enough in one of her heists. She sent everything to the Citadel.”
"Geths are everywhere but we’ll hold the line. What about the rest of my crew?"
"A second team evacuated a good number of them already, and is going back for more."
“Only one other team?”
“Han’Gerrel considered you and your crew already lost.”
“That bosh’tet.”
“Oh it gets worse but we’ll tell you about it when everyone’s safe.”
“Yes, it’s preferable.”
They quickly arrived at Koris’ coordinates and things were bad. The small group of Quarians was surrounded on all sides by geths.
“Ash, man the turret. EDI covering fire.”
Both nodded and took position while Rick activated his biotic and did a charge towards the ground near the Quarians. Quickly he put up an area barrier big enough to protect the dozen of people there.
“Status!” He said, grounding his teeth as the amount of hits the barrier was stopping was enormous and required some serious effort.
“Two heavily wounded that we can carry, anyone else is unharmed or had just some light wound that has been taken care of.” Koris answered.
“Good, then we’re moving.”
Koris led the way under the biotic bubble, the walk was slow because of the two Quarians being carried and because Rick was focused on maintaining the barrier, he couldn’t just run forward, that would have broken his concentration. Ashley did a wonderful job with the turret taking down geth after geth. Quickly they reached the shuttle and everyone got in, Rick being the last. Only when Steve got them out of the area did the helmeted man finally let out a long breath as he went to sad on the co-pilot seat, the space for troops being cramped with the quarians.
“What did Han’Gerrel do?” Koris inquired.
“Signed his death warrant.” Rick replied vaguely.
“Rick, the Commander issued a new order for you.” said EDI.