Out of the Twilight | Mass Effect

22

Garrus entered the crew deck and heard the quarian, Tali, yelling at someone. "I need those food scrubbers! That's why the Commander ordered them! They're not taking up that much space!"

The ship's doctor, Dr. Chakwas, stepped in as Garrus came around the corner. "Tali, I have enough to last until we reach the Citadel again, and I'm sure Commander Shepard will ensure Lieutenant Alenko will acquire more for you."

Garrus approached Wrex, who was glaring steadily at Alenko. "What happened?"

Wrex growled, "Alenko tossed Tali's food scrubbers in the compacter."

Garrus winced and made a note on his omni-tool to get more. He looked around, Alenko was looking suitably chagrined and Dr. Chakwas seemed to have everything under control. He caught Nihlus's eye and gestured to the stairs. Nihlus shrugged and followed. They settled in the comm room as it was one of the only places to have an actual private conversation on the ship.

Nihlus leaned against the console while Garrus swiveled one of the chairs to study the Spectre. Nihlus looked a little more settled than he had before. "I take it your talk went well?" Garrus asked him.

Nihlus didn't react. Garrus sighed and leaned back. "Andra said I should talk to you. I knew Saren when we were growing up. He helped show me how to shoot. From what I know of him, you won't disappoint him unless you willingly do something stupid."

Nihlus sighed and moved to the chair across from Garrus. "He is more my father than the turian who sired me."

Garrus nodded. "I understand. Does he know that?"

Nihlus looked almost offended. "Of course not! He is my superior, it wouldn't be proper."

Garrus chuffed, "I don't think he'd care overmuch about propriety. Did you hear how he handled his brother's former lover trying to take his niece?"

Nihlus leaned forward, intrigued. "No, I had not. What did he do?"

Garrus laughed and made himself comfortable.

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Andra drove the mako up to the ridge blocking the final portion of the path. "You know, I'm pretty sure I could get the mako over this."

Ashley whimpered. "For the love of all that is holy, Ma'am, please don't try. It's not that far, we can walk. Please?"

Andra shot an amused glance over her shoulder. "All right. Need a minute, Chief?"

"No, Ma'am. Let's go the rest of the way on foot now. Immediately." She stumbled getting out of the mako and stood by the opening in the rocks.

"She made good time getting out of here." Saren observed. "Although, I think at least half of that was unnecessary."

Andra shrugged. "She holds certain opinions I disagree with. As they are opinions, I can't discipline her." Saren cocked a browplate and she continue. "She thinks that Father only adopted me for political gain, that you and Mother don't, can't really care about me because we're different races."

Saren kept his expression bland. "She said this?"

"In general. She said that that was true for all of us who were adopted." She shook her head. "But that's neither here nor there. We need to extract Dr. T'Soni. Let's go."

They headed up the small rise, Ashley in the lead, and found a wide valley populated with a large number of geth. Andra found a good position and readied her sniper rifle. She kept up covering fire as Saren and Ashley worked their way to the main road. Andra made a final sweep of the rock face above them and picked off two snipers higher up the ledge, then went to follow them, programing the mako for a pickup.