Studying the list of equipment available to Spectres, I realized with slight disappointment that, overall, what my corporation produces for internal use is not much inferior, if at all, to what was presented in the corps warehouses.
However, it was better, and that was enough, so without being shy of anyone or anything, I began placing a rather large order, which included not only armor, weapons, omni-tools, ammo, and various attachments for weapons and gear, but also rations, some equipment for the ship's crew—basically everything that came to mind. And this was in addition to the list Jane had already prepared and sent me, as well as the short list of necessities from Tali.
"Tali..."
I dialed the girl again, and genuine irritation could be heard in my voice.
"...I believe I told you that you must make a list."
"I did make it. I have everything I need and therefore..."
"Tali..."
I interrupted the girl.
"...if it turns out that during the mission we run out of consumables or you personally lack something that could have been ordered now but you didn't because of your shyness, I promise you, we will go to the medical bay, where I will force you to take off your suit..."
"E-e-e-e-e!"
A quiet squeak from Tali told me she was likely thinking of something else. Though, I was thinking about it too. It's just that I definitely wouldn't be having sex in the medical bay in front of Dr. Chakwas.
"And what were you thinking about there? You little pervert..."
Unconcealed mockery was heard in my voice.
"...anyway, whatever you've imagined, get it out of your head, because I'll take my army belt and give you a thrashing on your lower ninety."
"I don't have a lower ninety!"
A quiet, indignant-offended squeak was her reply. And I couldn't tell exactly what caused the indignation and offense. Whether it was that I destroyed her wet fantasies, or maybe that I was wrong about the volume of her firm backside, or the promise of a whipping...
"Tali, when a representative of the human race speaks of a 'lower ninety' regarding a girl, one hundred percent of the time out of a hundred possible, they mean the butt. So I promised to whip you. And believe me, after the whipping, you'll only be able to sleep on your stomach."
"And why in the medical bay?"
She asked this quietly, and such a question caused me slight bewilderment.
"Well, as far as I know, Quarians have weak immunity, so in order to avoid illnesses or nip them in the bud, we'll be doing it in the medical bay. Now, if you don't want to feel what it's like when an army belt meets the firm butt of an admiral's daughter, you'd better order EVERYTHING you need and what you don't need but would theoretically be useful for you and the ship. Do you understand me?"
"Yes!"
She squeaked it, and I smirked, as there was such a gamut of emotions there.
"And just so you know, the admiral's daughter has felt the admiral's belt on her butt! So I doubt a soldier's belt will surprise me much!"
I don't know how much courage it took for her to say that, but after that phrase, the connection broke, and all I could do was shake my head.
Deciding to linger a bit longer at the warehouses, I processed Jane's request for the representative on the Citadel so he could deliver what the corps, for some reason, didn't provide. And then I decided to contact C-Sec after all.
"Good day, this is Spectre Shepard."
"Ah... heard of you, heard of you..."
A slightly lazy human voice was my answer.
"...and how can we help the highly respected Spectre?"
Now there was mockery in the voice.
"I heard that C-Sec officers detained a certain Krogan named Urdnot Wrex? I need to talk to him."
"Well, then come on over..."
"You didn't understand... I need to talk to him NOW. So stand up and go to him."
"You..."
The C-Sec guy was clearly about to say something venomously contemptuous but quickly realized who he was talking to. So he went silent for ten seconds.
"As you wish."
Those were the words he spoke with great reluctance. It was audible that he was practically forcing himself. However, five minutes later, during which I heard him walking toward the Krogan, I heard the gruff voice of the upright lizard.
"And what do you want from me?"
His voice was mocking; it was clear he didn't perceive the situation as one that could harm him in any way. He was likely in C-Sec only because he was simply too lazy to fight the entire Citadel.
"Someone wants to talk to you."
"And who wants to talk to me?"
"A Spectre wants to talk to you. Unfortunately, I don't have time to run around the Citadel, so I had to use the services of a C-Sec worker."
"And what does Spectre Shepard want from me?"
The voice began to sound a bit more interested.
"I see you're up to date on events. That's for the best. You're a mercenary, right?"
"Yes."
"I want to hire you."
"Hire me?"
Disappointment was heard in the Krogan's voice.
"Yes. I'd like to offer you a contract for an indefinite period. Approximately until this Council task is completed."
"To be the Council's lapdog..."
The irritation and desire to tell me where to go in Wrex's voice could be scooped up not just with spoons, but with bathtubs.
"Not a lapdog, but a mercenary for John Shepard, who is ready to pay very generously for your services, Krogan. And when I say very generously, that's exactly what it means."
"What, will you buy me a personal ship too?"
"Why buy? I'll transfer ownership of one of those due to be decommissioned by my corporation. Though, only if your skills are truly top-notch. I don't need dumb meat that will charge forward without looking and expose the landing party. I need an experienced, cunning, and strong mercenary who knows when to retreat, when you can shoot the breeze with an opponent, and when you should just drop a bomb on their head instead of a firefight."
"Hmm... so not a dumb brute? Interesting... but there's a problem, I'm detained by C-Sec representatives."
"Got your omni-tool on you?"
"Yes."
"How should I send you the contract?"
The Krogan dictated his number to me, and I immediately sent him the contract. One of the standard mercenary contracts my corporation signs with particularly valuable mercenaries. Right there in the section describing possible bonuses for the work, a spaceship was listed.
"Sign it."
"Ho... how efficient."
No more than ten minutes passed, during which Wrex managed to read the contract, after which an answer came. He naturally signed the contract, so I could start acting.
"Release Urdnot Wrex."
I gave the short order, and the C-Sec guy, grumbling, set about executing it. Though, for starters, he demanded an official request from me, to which he was officially told to go to hell. Fortunately, I knew perfectly well that all conversations, including this one, were being recorded and my word was more than enough so that there would be no complaints against this C-Sec employee.
"Wrex, while you're making your way to the ship, make me a list of equipment. I'm at the Spectre warehouses now, and I'm going to milk them dry before we take off."
"Oh, so you're providing the gear?"
"Yes."
"I got you, boss..."
A slight mockery mixed with respect was heard in the Krogan's voice.
"...then expect a big list from me... The gear stays with me after the contract is closed, right?"
"Partially. What's taken from the corps warehouses, if you decide to end our cooperation, will have to be returned. What's bought specifically for you will count toward your reward. That was written in the contract."
"Yeah, yeah... something like that was indeed there. It's just that many clients use a standard contract and it's better to clarify if they know about that clause than to listen later about what a disgusting sentient I am for deciding to profit off a poor, unfortunate client who's patched his last pair of pants ten times already."
"Understood..."
I shook my head, as I never suffered from such things myself. Aria had taught me quite quickly to respect contracts and fulfill at least the letter, and preferably the spirit, of a signed agreement. Though, the latter can still be neglected if it promises serious losses, but the letter...
** About three hours later. **
I reached the SSV Normandy, and life was simply buzzing there. The Turian armored vehicle had been unloaded, and in its place, two Makos were positioned, and on hangers clearly made in a hurry, two shuttles hung above them. Because of this, the cargo bay was already cramped, and there were also containers with equipment inside.
"Captain!"
Jane, seeing me, hurried over.
"Is everything all right?"
"Yes... only, I wanted to clarify what we're doing with Williams?"
"Drop her off; I don't need her on board."
"Ahem..."
Jane shifted slightly hesitantly from foot to foot.
"Just say it, you know I don't bite, especially since you are now nominally the head of the landing party."
"Nominally, then?"
She smirked slightly displeasedly.
"Well, you're responsible for making sure they're coordinated, prepared, don't tear each other's throats out during the landing, and follow my orders during the missions. But on the missions, I will lead the operation. However, if we have to split up, you'll be the one leading the second group."
"I see... then may I ask to discharge Jenkins from the team and keep Williams?"
Closing my eyes, I mentally counted to three.
"Give me your arguments."
I think my tone became somewhat colder, but when I looked at her again, she didn't look frightened or... hesitant.
"You said yourself that this is now my landing party. I assume that even though you said to follow orders on missions, it means you'll give the main direction, and then I'll be the one in command..."
She tilted her head slightly questioningly.
"Let's say you're close to the truth."
"In that case, I believe he is insufficiently prepared for the upcoming operation. On the other hand, Williams, while she has her flaws, is an experienced fighter. At least I won't have to check if she connected new power cells to the shields."
"Are you sure?"
My gaze pierced Jane.
"A recent check showed she lacks the necessary skills for a soldier, as she prefers to ponder orders and evaluate their moral side, and as a lieutenant, she doesn't know how to assess her own strength and predict possible consequences..."
A bit to the side, I could clearly see Williams, who was listening in on our conversation. And her fists were clenched with great force, which spoke of her anger.
"I'm sure."
Jane nodded.
"I'll hold you accountable for her failures..."
"Sir, are you talking me out of it? You only need to give the order, and she'll be discharged from the SSV Normandy, but in any case, along with Jenkins."
"I'm not talking you out of it; it's your decision, and I won't contest it. However, I want you to understand all the consequences of such a decision. After all, I've already been disappointed in her, and it's you who's keeping her here."
"I understand."
Jane nodded resolutely.
"Excellent, since you understand everything perfectly, you can keep her here. But if possible, our contacts with her outside of missions should be kept to a minimum."
"Understood."
Jane nodded.
"Well, since you've understood everything, we're heading off to find the archaeologist Liara T'Soni, who is excavating Prothean ruins. And Saren needs her for some reason."
I said this with slight bewilderment.
"Everyone not assigned to the crew must be sent to the Citadel, the rest must report readiness within fifteen minutes, and meanwhile, I need to contact a couple of acquaintances and plan our actions."
"Understood."
Passing through the CIC, I gestured for Pressly to come over.
"Commander?"
"Charles... I have a request for you. Obviously, it's difficult to do right now as we're about to take off, but by our next visit to the Citadel, I should have a list of those who would not like to continue service under my command."
"Sir?"
He looked at me hesitantly, as if asking: who would even agree to admit to such a thing.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to kick them out; I'll arrange a transfer, and with the character reference they deserve, not a blackball. It's just that we'll have difficult and very dangerous tasks, and taking those who don't want to participate in them..."
I shook my head.
"Understood, sir."
"Excellent, then prepare the ship for departure. I'll give the command soon."
"Understood."
Pressly nodded to me, and I continued my way to the comm room.
***
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