MATTEO: Life and Death

Chapter 28

It had been two days since the recruitment of Lona Aphra's Doctor Chella. The 'Normandy' traveled the newly-covered hyperspace routes avoiding detection by the Galactic Empire - which, by the way, gave the Alliance an advantage in surprise attacks. The crew was working at full steam - everyone was doing their jobs. Navigators were discovering new hyperspace routes , while creating new routes. They worked on travel to unknown regions. Hackers were engaged in finding various data from the Empire and other orgaznizations and governments - thanks to such people , the Alliance is in possession of data that can be used as a tool to intimidate the enemy. The others were doing their own thing. The work passed smoothly and well without any obstacles.

Matteo was in his room working on his armor. A year ago, he had created a newer version of the N7 armor made of beskar - indestructible Mandalorian steel. Shepard planned to change the flight system in his armor - so he would be able to fly greater distances. In addition, he planned to make the armor system bigger - more data memory , a viewfinder with an X-ray and infrared system , a bullet system in the wrist like the Mandalorians have. Many ideas were in his head , but he could not make them happen. He pounded the table and rubbed his hands in frustration. Why does everything have to be THAT difficult.

"Help?" A voice came out of nowhere. Shepard turned around and saw a woman or more precisely a yellow hologram. She had black hair , blue eyes, a fur coat on and pink heart-shaped glasses. Her body was decorated with a mass of integrated circuits. Matteo had seen such a person somewhere. This woman was familiar to him. The hologram disappeared , to appear in front of Matteo "Boo!"

"God!" Matt shouted falling over onto the couch. The hologram laughed and appeared over the Canadian's face. "Who are you?

"Don't you remember me?" The woman asked and Matteo shrugged his shoulders. She laughed "It's me Rosalia!"

"Rosalia?" Matty got up from the couch "You look different , more I don't know like a Hollywood or other red carpet star. But , how? You were destroyed by the Asari. I saw what was left of you. They said , no chance to fix you.

Rosalia let out a giggle "My creator fixed me. Mac put me back together and gave me new skills and software. I can now not only read coded data , but also move. I can walk! I no longer have to stand still and be transferred from hologram to hologram. When , mac found out that I was destroyed he immediately got to work - he replaced all the old stuff and thanks to the resources of the Alliance gave me new , better , super software and personality - I have more emotions , and you know what I can do? Touch things! I can feel something with my fingertips! Thanks , maker!" The woman explained sitting down on the couch and letting the air out. Matteo smiled - good to see her. Ros looked at him and hugged him back. "Aaa there's nothing like a good old hug!"

"I'm glad , I'm glad to see you. Really," Matteo said hugging back. After a couple of long minutes they let go. Ros looked at him and then at his armor.

"Are you working on that big piece of beskar? I see , you've made a mistake" Rosalia remarked walking over to the armor" You have to take the armor apart first , so that the skeleton remains. Then you connect the armor to the computer , to access the system. The rest is much more difficult and requires more knowledge , so let me take care of it ." She put her hands on the armor. Matteo didn't know what to do.

"What about me?" Matt was surprised. Rosalia turned to him.

"According to my professional analysis you should know the people who are on the ship . I mean people you haven't met before. You need to put everything together , if you want to have the loyalty of your people. " She explained.

"Well , and where should I start?"

"Preferably not here. There's nothing here. Take the elevator , walk around the rooms. You'll definitely talk to someone," Rosalia said. Matteo headed for the exit.