Helmsman Joseph Butcher's Story

It was all too clean for Jensen Ross, the halls of Cerberus bases have always been so damn clean. It made him feel uncomfortable, like he’d reached the end but did not know it. He stopped in a seemingly empty room and strangely felt even less comfortable as the light went completely off. But Ross did not have to wait long for his employers image to appear before him. He snapped into a salute. "Sir"

The Illusive Man remained seated in his chair with his back facing the new Omni Cell commander. As he read through the various reports scattered before him in a wide array of orange haptic projections, tapping off the burnt ash at the end of a cigarette, he tilted his head slightly over his shoulder and said, "Commander Ross. I'd like to personally welcome you aboard the most important undertaking of your career."

Ross tried to suppress the wince that came from the words "Commander." A reaction the good doctor has mentioned may never leave his psyche, but he was much more comfortable with the title than he'd ever thought he would be again. "Thank you for putting this old soldier back together sir. Anything you need done, I'll make it clean and quick."

There was a momentary pause while the Man took a drag of his cigarette. "The same kind of attitude another Commander in Omni had... The very one I actually need you to eliminate as your first assignment." The Illusive Man turned his chair around slowly to face Ross' projection straight on, and then stood up to walk across the black titled floor with his trillion-credit swagger and cool confidence. "We've located the Black Hornet in the middle of Sigurd's Cradle. Its commander, Joseph Poitvin, has... gone rogue. After he failed to obtain a simple Prothean cache, containing information that could have proven invaluable to our efforts against the Reapers, he fled."

Ross tensed a bit, an assassination as his first mission since being put back together. Talk about learning to swim on the deep end, though in his case it is more like learning to swim again. "From I recall the Black Hornet was a good ship, never got to meet Poitvin himself though. He'll be a tough catch but nothing I can't handle. Sigurd’s Cradle, two systems. Alliance presence. Been through there a few times during my years with them. Are we to assume he's under their wing?"

"Poitvin was former Alliance, but they'll never take him under their protection - not after what he's done with Cerberus, and especially not after being labeled as a war criminal for the execution of several biotically-gifted children in Ascension. He's alone out there, but the fight won't be easy. The Black Hornet is, or was, one of our most advanced frigates: fast, stealthy, and capable of quick, precision strikes. He's a Machiavellian at heart, ensuring that he leaves nothing left of his enemies. Once you find him, Commander, don't even give him pause."

"If working for you has taught me anything about the Alliance now that I'm on the outside looking in. It's that they are not above making good with bad people. They just keep that a little more quiet." He paused a moment in thought and then said. "If he does not have the package with him sir, am I still to execute with extreme prejudice? I am to assume part of this mission is the package. Correct?"

"I believe that Poitvin failed entirely to obtain the data, and that's why he fled Cerberus. He doesn't take kindly to failure. But if there's a chance that he did recover it - making his abandonment peculiar - then I'd like it to be recovered, if at all possible. That would require boarding the Hornet; a very risky operation and one that its commander will try everything to prevent you from doing."

The Illusive Man took another drag of his cigarette before making his way casually back over to his chair and taking a seat. He dabbed off the newly accumilated ash into the tray on the arm of the chair, before laying the cigarette down completely. "I expect great things from you, Ross. I trust you won't disappoint me... as your predecessor has done.” The image of The Illusive Man faded out and light came back into the room.

“I have no intention of ever failing again.” Said a determined Ross as he walked out the door.

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The Commander was the first person inside the new ship, he’d just thrown on whatever he had at the top of the pile. He didn’t feel right wearing a Cerberus uniform in the first place, and he sure as hell was not going to wear anything that denoted the rank he now held. Until he earned it anyways. Two softer footsteps followed him and she was more than comfortable in a uniform. Any uniform really. She looked in awe of the ship.

“For terrorist group Cerberus sure seem to have some top of the line stuff.” Said 2IC Susan Vasquez as she stood besides the Commander at the bridge of the ship. At 5’ 4” she didn’t come close to the commander in intimidation or size, but she carried herself with an air of confidence that commanded every bit of attention as her CO. The visible scars on her face showed she had more than enough stories to tell. They continued to look over their new home as they walked to the helm. “Hell I’d even say some of this stuff puts the Alliance to shame.”

“Well I don’t know much about the relics the Alliance plays with now but since I been here seeing the big ol C on a ship means I have to get my hands on it.” The voice had come behind the pair and while the 2IC looked back the commander stood still as he looked out into the stars. “This girl will probably fly like nothing else, but then again I guess when you have more money than god you could throw all the money you want at something and it will be the best.”

“Don’t underestimate the Alliance Helmsman Butcher.” Said the commander as the bright eyed and bright smiled young man came between the two veterans. At first he’d had been about to put his hand on their shoulders and part them like the Red Sea. But the commanders size and Susan’s ice stare made him reconsider that idea. He opted to slip between the two and flop himself on to his seat.

“Oh never sir, but this baby has got some big guns with the new Thanix Cannon. GARDIAN Lasers to slap all the flies away, Heavy Silaris armor to take everything the Alliance or anyone else can dish out and CBT Barriers. It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.” The Helmsman Joesph Butcher looked up at the two with a smile of a proud parent and with a bit of hope in his eyes at his little joke. That was quickly gone however as the 2IC looked at him like he was mad and the Ross acted as though he didn‘t hear a thing. “Hm….Never seen that one huh? ”

A soft female voice seemed to fill the room. “Highly unlikely Mr. Butcher, as the movie is over two centuries old and is usually only found on illegal bootleg vids.”

“Well yeah only illegal since no one wants to buy the rights to a ‘dead series.’ A classic man that’s what it is.”

“By age alone it may be called a classic yes.”

The commander finally looked away from the star ahead with a sigh and looked up, “I take it you’re the AI. Rumors about the newest Cerberus ships having them seem to be true.”

“While you are correct that I am an AI, you are incorrect that we is on every new Cerberus ships. We have only been placed inside ships The Illusive Man has deemed of extreme value. My name is Phillis.”

“I suppose that is a vote of confidence by him then.” Said Susan with a smirk then her dark blinked hard as the name click in her mind. “The hell?…Phillis? Who names an AI Phillis?”

The ship spoke again. “My original title was EDI. However Helmsman Butcher found it important that I be called Phillis.”

“After my mother.” Said Butcher who’s face turned into a big grin as the Commander let out a chuckle. “I figured it was better than my original idea of HAL.”

“Now see I’ve seen THAT movie Mr. Butcher.” Said a commander with a grin on his own face. “You made the right call.” He looked up to the ship. “Can you tell us more about the ship Phillis.”

There was a brief pause before the gentle voice and human voice from before became more robotic and somewhat sinister. “I can’t do that Dave.”

“You showed an AI 2000 A Space Odyssey?” Ross eyes burned into the helmsman. Suddenly Butcher didn’t know if he could sink into his seat any lower. “Pillis…Tell us more about the ship….now.”

“Sorry sir.” Said Phillis her voice back to normal.

A smirk appeared on the face of Susan as she leaned back on the side of the ship and pointed at the helms man. “Ok him. Totally saw that coming but her,” she said point to the ship. “I’m pretty sure I heard fear in an AI’s voice. Bravo sir.” Ross grinned at Susan and remembered why it was important to have her with him again.

“The 1st floor houses the Armory with shooting range, Cargo and shuttle launch. On the 2nd floor there is both engineering and the Main Battery as well as myself. The 3rd floor is all the crew quarters including Med bay, Lounge and Gym. The 4th is what you are currently on, houses the CIC as well as Yeoman Chel’s office. And the 5th-”

The Commanders head had snapped up. “Andrea is here?”

“Andrea Chel? Your shri-“ She began before thinking better of it. “friend is on the ship? Isn‘t she a civy?”

“I am Op Chief Vasquez,” came the reply, it’s tone was confident and carried with it a English accent. The three turned back to look at the new arrival, and though uniforms have never been designed to flatter a woman’s figure. This one could do very little to hold back hers. “However you will not find a better person to watch the mental health of the crew.” He smile was stunning, “Or my friend, hello Jensen.”

Jensen smiled back, “Hello Andrea, it’s a surprise to see you. More so that you would wear a uniform.”

Dr. Chel looked herself over and made a face as though she had smelled something foul. “Ach this thing? It’s not the most flattering or most comfortable of clothing.”

“I think they feel just fine.” Vasquez piped up from besides Ross.

“Either case, I’m glad I have my own room.“ Chel continued as though she did not hear the Op Chief. “We will need it to continue our sessions Jensen and for me to get out of…these. Even for a short while.” He eyes seemed to fall between both Ross and Susan as she let out of chuckle. “I shall go make sure my room is up to the standards I had asked. Come see me for a session after we take off Jensen. We need to make up for the one missed before.”

As the doctor walked off Susan looked to where she had been looking. Helmsman Butchers mouth was hanging open. She helped him shut it by gripping the gap between the shoulder blade.

“AHHHH ok ok!” Shouted Butcher as she nearly kept the grip all the way till he was off his seat. He waited till Susan was not looking and gave his Commander 2 thumbs way up. Ross rolled his eyes and started off away from the helm.

“I want everyone on board now, we leave in 15.”

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.”

Susan looked down at her feet for a few moments as she leaned back on the desk of the briefing room. The Commander had just told her his plan to kill Commander Poitvin but not only that but to take the ship with as little damage to it as possible. It was a bold and audacious plan. It was also crazy, it left one important detail to chance. She didn’t like fighting with a heavy dependent on espionage. Faulty intel always seemed to lead to many good people dying. She was pretty shocked that Ross of all people would develop a plan like this. Then again he was never one to walk before he could run.

“Just….how sure are you of this Jen?” Susan looked up at her friend. She didn’t need to say what in particular she was unsure about.

“It’s not going to be like last time Sue. I think we are solid. Drea marked the target herself. It’ll be there when we need it. She’s the best in the galaxy.”

Susan raised a curious eyebrow. But not about the fact that the doctor was the best psychologist in the galaxy. That much was pretty well understood after reading her dossier. But what did rub her the wrong way…. “Drea sir?”

Ross made a mental note to slap himself on the back of his head. “Yes Drea…her idea. Very informal. Helps build up trust she said.” He looked up at his Ops Chief and crossed his arms. “I would think he results speak for themselves. I mean here you are ready to do something stupid and risky with me again.”

Susan grinned, “I would never say anything we have ever done together was risky.”

“Thanks for that. But if your all done busting my chops I’d like to get the rest of the team in here.” He waited a moment and couldn’t pass up digging something in for revenge. “Oh Joe will be joining us as well.” He grinned as her usual smile turned into a glare. “We need to verify if your pilot can even get us close enough for this place to succeed.”

Susan let out a disgruntled sigh as she crossed her arms, “He better fly better than he talks with women or else I say we throw him out the airlock.”

“Phillis let everyone else in please.” Ross said without being able to hide the chuckle in his voice. Before the doors opened though he stood besides his Ops Chief. “Don’t tell me the helmsman is stealing your heart.”

Susan would usually have thrown a punch, Ross knew this. So Susan thought he was dirty son of a bitch for saying that when he knew she wouldn’t break rank in front of the others. But she thought a quickly stop on his toes might get her point across though she knew it would do little to inconvenience the Commander.

Ross waited for his troops to get inside, ignoring the bee sting Susan left for him. The krogan was particularly restless, not wishing to sit as the 2 others and Joe. “Ok Phillis bring it up.” With that the room darkened and a pair of planets and sun began to appear. “We know our target is keeping low in the Decoris system, most likely around the planet of Leana. Cerberus agents have reported supplies being purchased at Sanctum and being taken off planet by people matching some of the crews descriptions. Helmsman Butcher here has already put us on coarse with the estimated direction they last traveled.”

Menar spoke up, “So why call me and my marines in here Ross. Sounds to me like you know where he is. Why don’t you take this thing and blow him out of the sky?”

“Because we are not simply blowing the ship away Menar. We are going to board a highly armed frigate and take it over. Grab all the data we can and leave before Joe here split’s the ship in half.”

The krogan let out a unsatisfied grunt at the answer, “What’s the point of this data? From what I read on the mission he couldn’t complete and chickened out telling the boss.”

“We don’t know that for sure Menar. And I don’t leave things to chance. If the information is there, we are going to get it.”

Menar growled, “My men and I are not some flashy infiltration unit Ross. Then again they aren’t like Krogan. They are a lot more squishy. Maybe they prefer to be sneaky.”

The reply was not Ross to give, instead it came from one the Marines. And it was as quick as Ross had expected. “Permission to tell this Krogan fuck you sir?”

“Granted. And now if everyone is done with the chit chat I will continue. With Phillis handling the cyberwarefare department, we should be able to get a Kodiak right into the shuttle bay. We believe the Hornets own AI was destroyed which will give her the chance to run around in their systems causing all sorts of chaos. But she will put depressurizing the bottom floor and shuttle bay as a priority as it will be our entrance. It should be clear till the evaluator because of it. From there we split to two groups. Menar you’ll lead Ricks and Ozio through the 2nd floor and Susan and I will take the second. We expect to run into the bastard to who’s in charge there. Once clear leap frog us to the Captains Quarters, find every piece of data you can and get back to the shuttle. Once Susan and I are back aboard and we are away Joe will turn the ship to space debris”

“Why not keep the ship if all goes according plan?” Joe said with his arm raised.

“Cerberus has no time or money to spend on dragging that ship around. Not with the Alliance so close to the fun. They will be sure to notice something and investigate soon. We get in, get out, get the fireworks, get smashed. Oorah?”

Mostly what followed was various forms of acknowledgement with the only other oorah coming from the Ops Chief on his side.

Phillis voice began to echo throughout the room, “Excuse me Commander but we are coming up to the planet Leana.”

Joe just seemed to be unable to control himself. “Oh god. We’re out of control! Who’s flying this thing!”

Everyone else just stared at him.

“Oh right that’s me. Back to work.”

Ross rolled his eyes as he looked back at the others as they left. “Let’s get ready to work people.”

Noah’s body stiffened when she heard a voice call out over the comm that someone was down. She didn’t know who, because no name was given. But as soon as that thought flashed through her head she saw Ross raise his arm at the Lieutenant and fire before she could do anything to stop him. The lieutenant was dead before his body hit the floor. “Commander!” She stepped in front of Ross and gripped his wrist harshly. Noah forcibly jerked his hand with his gun down and away from her to make him meet her eyes. “His death was not our mission.” She stared into his face. “You have compromised what we were to accomplish here.”

She waited for some sort of response from the large man. “Do you understand me?”

The action of Noah grabbing his arm was the only thing keeping Ross from staring in shock at what he'd just done. He looked down at the man, and heard the comms on the other end. "We couldn't get to him. We've lost Mensch." His eyes steeled as he looked back at the Drell. "I made him part of our mission. My ship, my call. Now let go." When the Drell’s hand did not release right away, Ross stepped closer and spoke through gritted teeth. "That is an order."

Noah searched Ross’ face to see if his eyes were clear, unwilling to relinquish her grip on him until she was certain. Hearing the announcement that it had been Mensch that had been killed was not acknowledged, though she could call him a friend. The mission came first.

The order made Noah dip her chin in acknowledgement and she let go of Ross’ forearm. “And now?” She asked quietly.

Ross' eyes fell on the two bloody figures on the floor, then steeled as he looked at the door in front of him and heard the mass of voices on the channel. "Now we get off this rock before I lose any more of my guys."

Noah took Ross at his word and began to lead the way back toward the main tunnels they had come through. She was quieter than Ross and for now, she had to trust him to cover their backs. Nearing the hole she’d blasted into the wall, the soldiers Ross had knocked unconscious on his way in were just getting to their feet while trying to get their bearings. As one lifted his hand to his comm, Noah shot them both at close range and simply kept moving, stepping over their collapsed bodies. She did not glance back to Ross, she could hear that he was keeping up with her as she moved.

As Ross followed Noah he turned his communication back on with his team. "This is Ross. Attack team retreat, the patrol will be arriving at any moment now. We bunker in at the shuttle and make our stand. No one else dies today." He kept moving past the makeshift entrance the Drell had made earlier. "We're going to need some cover fire as we come out Menar."

"Actually out of action here Ross." Came the reply with a surprising amount of sincerity and pain. "A couple got through the armor. Need time to regenerate."

"I got it Commander." Came the voice of the Ops Chief.

Noah kept moving, leading the way out. For all the reaction she gave, she didn’t even hear Menar’s comment to Ross. At the turn toward the main hallway out, she paused with her back to the concrete wall and peeked around the corner. Her eyes found Ross’ briefly before she acknowledged, “Clear.” She then headed out at a jog toward the door to the outside. The sounds of gunfire became an almost constant drone as the pair approached the door.

Ross hesitated before talking to the Vasquez. "Ops Chief, we're here. Sounds like we've got maybe 2-3 guns on the second floor close to us. Not to mention the rest of the bees in the nest." Put down the ones closest to us first."

The sound of the Commander’s voice had shaken the Ops Chief out of her numb, shocked state from the loss of Mensch. Now she was ready to really send some hurt, and she did so at his command. Firing more for suppression than to kill, the rifle rounds pierced the second story windows at a steady pace. The new found bravery of the troops in the windows shot back down as another of their number had dropped.

"Left and right flanks, support fire on the first floor. Front team move and shoot in pairs."


*****

As Ross led her and his Marines toward the exfil location, he and Menar laid covering fire and moved in precise leap frog formations. Noah ran alongside the Krogan, ensuring that his injured flank was covered. Passing the building that the Chief Ops had set herself up in, Noah saw Vasquez begin to run towards them and she paused. The 2IC kept to cover and worked her way toward the rest of the tram quickly. As she got close, Noah stood up fluidly from behind her cover and lifted her Predator, aiming for the Chief Ops. The woman skidded to a halt, peering into the Drell’s dark, fathomless eyes and Noah fired.

The round passed so close to the Chief Ops that her shields flared briefly and she threw herself to the ground instinctively. Just behind her, Susan heard and felt a body crumple. Looking over her shoulder she saw an Alliance Marine laying just 5 yards from her.

Noah attached her gun to the magnetic clip at the back of her waist and reached out a hand toward Susan, “Come along, Chief Ops, we fall behind.”

****
Ross started as he fired rounds behind the Ops Chief and Drell as they made the final run to the cover around the shuttle. He hit two more targets but there seemed to be 2 more just as quickly to replace them. With all the rounds it was just a matter of time before some found their target and finally one did as Vasquez let out a scream of pain and grabbed her leg on the ground. Noah however was quick to get her the rest of the way to cover.

“Shit. Novum this is Ross, we’re getting out now.” Ross called out into the coms. “Everyone on board!” He rose once again to fire for cover as one by one they got on. Only once Vasquez was helped on did Ross follow. “Get us out of here.” He shouted up front to the pilot.

“Commander! Phillis reads ground turrets coming online!”

“What? Those were not in the briefing.”

“They were shut down and not part of the same system as the base.” Said Phillis through the comms.

“Drop lower! Pick up speed now!” Ross shouted up front, not a moment afterward the great force caused the shuttle to jerk downward knocking most off their feet. “Joe we can’t reach atmo with those guns on us, we’ll have to meet you at new coordinates.” Ross felt his feet lift off the floor of the shuttle as a new force jerked the shuttle violently.
“Must go faster. Must go faster Commander.” Said Joe in an almost bemused tone.

“Helmsman if we get out of this, you’re dead.” Ross growled as the ship once again gave a more violent jerk than the others. This time however screens inside the main compartment went black. Some screens busted. “And if you decide to run, you’re dead slow and painful.”

“Er….aye aye sir. Meet you once you break atmo.” Came a very quick reply, as the shuttle continued to jolt. Finally it began to taper off and everyone got to their feet, exchanging relieved looks.

****
Ross watched as the crew left the docking bay. A bit more chatter coming from some than what was the dead silence while everyone gathered themselves. He knew there would be a time to talk to everyone about what happened, but right now they would be able to take care of each other. Ross looked back in the shuttle as Menar slowly got up, while regenerating he was still hurting and slow off his seat.

He put his hand up to stop him and noticed Sue and Noah do the same. While he would never have let the others hear the next conversation he didn't think he had much of a choice with those two. "Ok Menar, what happened?"

Menar growled a little. However, it was not directed at the Commander. He looked over at the Drell before answering. "You told me to raise hell. That is what I did. Brought Mensch with me because you had to take her." He said motioning over to Noah.

Noah supported the Chief Ops as Ross confronted Menar after the remaining Marines had left the shuttle. At the mention of the death of Mensch, Noah murmured, “I will pray for his soul.” She held Sue more carefully, easily holding the Marine’s weight. “It was most efficient for the mission, Menar.” She warned gently. Her eyes then lifted to take in Ross’ face to see if he would explain his own failure in killing the insider in the base on Luna.

Sue growled as she pushed away from the drell holding herself using the wall. She looked toward her and nodded her head in silent thanks. "We were holding fine. More than enough chaos from the view in my scope." She looked over at the krogan. What little respect in her eyes she held from the drell replaced with loathing as she regarded Menar. "More to the point you never cleared it with me. You got that kid killed for nohting more than your own bloodlust."

Menar returned the glare and growl. "Well maybe I saw things different at the front with my men than through some scope."

Ross stepped between the two who had murder in their eyes, "Enough!" First he turned to the Susan. "Menar is right Ops Chief. As per my orders on the shuttle he was in charge of those men in the front." Ross' head snapped to Menar as the Krogan let out a 'Ha!'. "And you...these are my men. Not some merc you bought for 20 credits on Omega. Treat them as such."

Noah knew better than to try to restrain the Chief Ops when she pushed herself away from her. She merely returned Sue’s gaze when the Marine turned and nodded her thanks. She knew this was going to end up in another confrontation. It appeared to be the only response the Chief Ops knew how to give to a situation that didn’t go as planned.

She remained where she was as Menar and Sue squared off and shouted at one another. Finally, Ross cut off Menar’s almost childish crow of triumph. She knew Ross would take the loss of any of his crew very personally. She interjected softly, “Commander Ross Jensen, Menar does not wasted lives. He cares for those that follow him as strongly as you. It was Mensch’s time. None could have changed that.”

“I don’t believe in peoples ‘times’ Noah.” Ross said his body still tense from breaking up the spat between Susan and Menar. He looked at her for a moment then relaxed. “But I do believe you are correct and Menar did not mean to make waste of a good man. However,” He said turning back to Menar. “I still believe the entire incident was unnecessary and as the Commander of this ship that word is final. However it was nothing more than an regrettable outcome from a poor choice and not one of incompetence or malice.”

Menar raised a brow, his body was tense as he had been expect some kind of punishment but now looked equally curious as to what Jensen would do next.

“The men will be on edge after this. They’ll be looking for someone to blame and lash out against. That’ll be you both. More so you Menar. Because of that any training will be high strung and though I don’t want you to lay off them and let them get sloppy. We must be aware of potential outbursts. So with that in mind Chief you will shadow Noah for all training till I deem it safe otherwise. I will do the same for Menar.”

Sue only got a word of displeasure before Ross lifted his hand like a giant brick wall to her objections. “I don’t want to hear it Sue. You have orders.”

Sue snapped her jaw shut and the muscles in her jaw worked. “Yes. Sir.” She uttered sharply. Turning suddenly to leave the hangar bay, the Chief Ops winced and stumbled slightly.

Noah turned with her hand out as if to catch the Marine if she fell. “May I assist you to the sick bay, Chief Ops Susan Vasquez?

Sue glared at the Drell. “No.” She gritted out through her clenched teeth.

Before the Commander could say anything, Noah stepped up to the Chief Ops, took her arm over her shoulder and encircled the Marine’s waist. Using her hidden strength, she physically lifted and began walking the Chief Ops out, whether she objected or not. “You are as stubborn as a Krogan, Chief Ops Susan Vazquez.” Noah reprimanded the woman.