Tomorrow's Heroes

Chapter Two

Garrus set down the data pad he was using to look at the cannon schematics and shifted his eyes toward Shepard. Her face was slightly gaunt and the bags under her eyes added to her face’s thin features.

His sub-vocals keened softly with worry.

Garrus knew that the mission was hanging heavily on Shepard’s shoulders but there was more to it. She hadn’t been the same ever since Cerberus brought her back. Her personality and work ethic was all intact, sure. But, her vitality was missing. The certain quirk of her lips and spark in her eyes didn’t show on her face. And that bothered Garrus more than he’d like to admit.

Shepard was never particularly easy to read. Granted, he was shit at reading human expressions in the first place. But, he at least knew to expect a sly remark when her lips curled in at one corner and the points of her blunt teeth showed. Same as he knew to be prepared when the sparks in her eyes shone with mischief. Without those cues, he didn’t know what to expect, and it made him nervous.

Garrus had to refrain from flinching when Shepard opened her mouth to speak, oblivious to the turian’s inspecting gaze.

“Sorry to interrupt your endless calibrating,” she teased, “but I’ve just received a new dossier from the Illusive Man.”

Vivian handed over her data pad to Garrus. He was shocked to see the name that reflected from the screen.

“The Warden?”

“So, you do know her?” Shepard asked, taking the data pad from him.

“I wouldn’t really say that know her per say... But I have met her on multiple occasions. She’s Aria’s right hand. Though from what I’ve seen they’re practically polar opposites.”

Crossing her arms, Shepard leaned against a stack of weapon cargo crates, “Well, can’t say that isn’t relieving.”

“Tell me about. That asari is a piece of work.” He scoffed as he leaned against his work bench.

“Why is she called the Warden?”

“Ah. That’s the name the people gave her. Kind of how the people gave me the name of Archangel.” He rubbed his neck bashfully, “She was named the Warden because she policed the streets by keeping the merc groups away from the civilians.”

“I see. But I thought you said she was Aria’s right hand. I don’t imagine Aria being okay that.”

“I don’t think Aria really gave a damn. As long as it didn’t interfere with what the gangs were doing for her. But I do know that even though they seemed separate in that regard, several hot rods that were stupid enough to piss Aria off found out quick enough that they are indeed a partnership.”

“So they’re business partners?”

Garrus nodded, “More or less. You know how Aria likes to say that she rules Omega with an iron fist? Well, the Warden is her Iron Fist. And the people know her as such.”

“I see.” Vivian straightened up, stretched her back and rubbed her eyes.

Garrus keened again. He could practically feel the exhaustion ebbing from her.

“I’m going to have Joker set a course to Omega. Make sure you get some rest. I want you on the ground team with me,” she stated, making her way to the door.

Garrus couldn’t help to be a little startled. He hadn’t thought he’d be going back to that place so soon.

Shepard didn’t miss his reaction though. She turned back towards and sighed.