Engineer Alexander Pegg's Story

There stood a single figure in engineering peering up at the core in complete awe. Alex had been on many ships before, hell, he had designed a few private models for those with the money to blow. This ship however, was something else. A piece of art as far as he was concerned. He leapt at the chance to work with Cerberus a few years ago. He’d heard of the advance technology that the controversial organization had and after a few years he’d thought he’d seen it all until he was offered this post. Sure the money was good, but hey, he had enough of that.

He was suddenly snapped out of his revelry when a strong voice came over the comm.

“This is Commander Jensen Ross to Engineering, I want to be underway in 5 minutes. Make it happen.”

Alexander was never much for the military side of things, he’d most often been just the brains behind the ship. This whole answering to a “Commander” would have to get some getting used to. Best give it a try, Alexander thought as he replied. “Engineer Alexander Pegg here. She is ready to go Commander.”

Suddenly a very different voice came over the radio, this one a bit higher in pitch and obviously belonging to a younger….horribly energetic man. “Wait wait. Was….was that….are you Scottish? Oh man, come on. Say, ‘I’m giving it all she’s got Captain!’”

The voice and request had stunned Alexander to silence but after a few moments he said. “Wha…who are you?”

“Oh this is Helmsman Joe Butcher. And I think we’ll be great friends Scotty.”

“But…my name isn’t Scotty. It Alexander.”

“Whatever, now come on say ‘I-‘ahhhhh!”

Alexander felt ping of joy from the annoying voice being in pain but at the same time was concerned that the ship’s Helmsman might had just been hurt before even leaving. A softer female voice then came over the comm. “My name is Ops Chief Susan Vasquez. Welcome aboard Engineer Pegg, I’ve…asked Helmsman Butcher to keep the comms between Helm and Engineer clear.

“Yes…Um. Thank you Ops Chief.”

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Joe rubbed his shoulder slowly and hissed in pain, “Jeez are you sure you’re not part Turian. Those damn fingers feel like talons.”

Phillis’s voice filled the helm once again. “It would be impossible to have a mixture of Turian and Human DNA. Also Turian females do not have breasts, which Ops Chief Vasquez clearly has.”

Ross, though having left the helm after talking to the engineer, was still at the Galaxy Map down the hall. He could hear every word from the helm and tried surpressing a laugh which instead turned into a loud snort. This received an icy stare by Susan before she looked up at the ship and growled out. “Thanks Phillis.”

Ross was trying to regain his composure as he saw the Op’s Chief leave the helm and walk toward him. “Yeah laugh it up ass hole.” She growled as she stopped by his side.

Ross looked down at his Chief Ops, fighting a grin, "Are you threatening a superior officer or making a pass?"

Susan just shook her head at him, "You wish."

"For which one?"

"Both."

They both laughed at the old joke between them. Looking at his watch Ross saw that all the fun and games was over. It was time to go kill a Frenchman. “Phillis, is everyone aboard?”

“Yes Commander the Marine Lieutenant has just arrived.”

A thunderous voice boomed into the CIC, “Arrived and not believing his eyes.”

Ross was rather surprised to know his doctor was on board. He was even more surprised however to hear this voice coming from the Helm and turned to face him with a fake but convincing deathly glare. “Menar? Now why the hell would Cerberus make a krogan like you my LT.”

The krogan Menar was built just as wide as any krogan you can think of, but as he walked closer to and stood a few feet from the Commander, it revealed his height to be about the same as Ross or perhaps shorter. The face was much like the armor, weathered with perhaps millions of gashes and dents. “Why would they put a broken Alliance wash out like you in charge of the whole damn thing. If you were willing to lead you should have taken my offer to go into business together.”

Ross shook his head. “That was a few years ago Menar. Cerberus has spent a lot of time and money putting this old soldier back together.”

Menar let out a gruff laugh, “Shame they couldn’t do anything about your looks. I would think that a face as clean as yours hasn’t ever seen a fight. But then again I‘ve seen the trouble you got into Omega, and still don‘t know how you didn‘t even get a scratch.” Menar’s smile was gone as he thought a bit more about the man before him. “Just how does Cerberus know you’re ready for this?”

Ross grinned and crossed his arms, “How do they know they could trust a krogan who’d sell off a fertile female for the right price?”

Menar’s face was dead serious before he broke into a smile. “I guess you don’t and I guess I won’t know if you’re all there till we see some action.” He let out a dark chuckle, “This will be an interesting start.” Menar took a step closer and looked into Ross’ eyes. “But if you go to pieces out there with my neck on the line, I’ll be damn sure to throw you over the horizon.”

Ross met the krogan’s stare, “And if I ever feel any target on my back I’ll make both of your nervous systems scream.”

Susan had once been danger close to an aerial bombardment by an Alliance Cruiser, it carried enough force to send a Mako flying over head. While Susan remained lying in her trench wishing she had been deeper. She was pretty sure she was less nervous then than she was now as the two warriors faced off. She’d even taken a step back before the krogan grinned and said. “A interesting start indeed., See you later….Commander.”

Ross watched Menar head down the elevator before turning back to the Galaxy Map. “Joe. It’s Ross. I have an enemy ship to board. Sigurd’s Cradle. Skepsis system. Put us between Watson and Darwin then give me a call. I have some files to look over.”

The voice over the comm was obviously excited to get the show on the road. “Will do Commander, Who was that last one to come in? He looked as wide as a krogan.”

“He is krogan Joe. His name is Menar, and old ‘friend’”

“Krogan? Him? Isn’t he a little small for a storm trooper?”

“No idea what you are talking about, but you should ask him. It’d be a good way to test the medic’s skill on this ship.”