[u][b][h3]Serena and Tanya go shopping![/h3][/b][/u]
 
Serena, still angry from Vellios hiding things from her, walked up to the group and straight towards Tanya. Last she knew they were going to go shopping for parts, and frankly, she just wanted to be away from Vellios. "Are you okay?" The other woman seemed shaken and a bit injured. Though, anyone who had just been punched around by a Batarian and shot at with explosive rounds would looke like that. Still, Serena needed to know if she was going to be shopping for parts and tools by herself or not. 
 
"Do you still want to go shopping for tools or would you rather I do it while you take care of yourself on the Ship?"
 
Tanya sighed, running her hand through her mohawk, realizing she'd need to get a shave soon, it had been a couple weeks. [color=cyan]"I've had worse. The bleeding was just from my nose getting pulped from concussive force, nothing serious."[/color] she said, in all honesty feeling like a pile of shit who was running off of fumes, but she was alive. More than could be said for a bunch of slaver cocksuckers, and in truth she was still riding somewhat of a high after being able to do what she wasn't able to do on Mindoir; directly save people. Nobody died, and the team made it back intact. Damn fine victory, that. 
 
She gestured for Serena to lead the way. [color=cyan]"Getting to pick out new tools and parts is like therapy for me, I feel like a little girl on Christmas morning when I start looking for parts that fit problems I have."[/color] she said with a smile. [color=cyan]"Plus, I need some time away from the team, clear my head and the angry shitheads running amok. Word is you're pissed at your boy toy, what's up with that?"[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"If you say so..."[/color] Serena replied uncertainly, looking at the other techie. She looked like hammered shit, but if she insisted upon going, Serena couldn't stop her. She smiled as Tanya smiled. [color=hotpink]"Ah, a kindred spirit! Someone who finally realizes the full theraputic value of buying tools and working on machinery."[/color] She was practically bubbly as she spoke, turning to lead the way through Omega. Serena's smile soured at the mention of Vellios.[color=hotpink] "He's not my boy toy."[/color] The idea itself was disgusting. Not because she couldn't see why he was attracitve to others, but because she just [i]couldn't[/i] view him in that way. For various reasons, not all of them good.
 
[color=hotpink]
"He got in between two of our crew as they went at each other's throats. I wanted to know who, so I'm ready if it happens again, and why so I don't accidentally end up in a fight with one of them, and he refused to tell me. Said 'if it caused me concern, I'd tell you'. As if [i]I[/i] was a suicidal bastard who doesn't have a very large sense of self-preservation too!" [/color]
 
Serena huffed, before looking back at Tanya.[color=hotpink] "Sorry. Give me an hour, I'll be over it."[/color] She looked around at the bright lights, buzz of noise, the almost nauseating mix of smells. She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.[color=hotpink] "Feels like home. Anyway, do you know where we're going?"[/color]
  
[color=cyan]"Ah."[/color] Tanya said in reply with a blink. She dug her thumbs into her belt loop, her hand not far from the pistol mounted to her hip in a holster in case she needed it. [color=cyan]"Probably won't need an hour. Besides, we're all a dysfunctional lot, aren't we? I'm surprised it took this long for two of the crew to be at each other's throats, but whatever, nobody died. Maybe Vellios didn't want you to know so you wouldn't eyefuck the guilty parties to death and give everyone a fair shot going forward."[/color] she suggested, looking up at the tacky lights in the skyline, advertising just about anything one could want, illicit or otherwise. [color=cyan]"And no fucking idea. I've never been on Omega before today, I just hear it's a total shit show where people think 'the law' means 'total fucking killjoy'. I couldn't even find any reliable maps for this district, truth be told."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"Maybe."[/color] Serena muttered, looking around. She didn't want to think about how Vellios might be justified. [color=hotpink]"Alright. Lets wander around the dangerous city at night and shoot whoever decides we'll be easy targets!" She smiled. [color=hotpink]"Somethings never change, hmm?"[/color] Without further adue she lead the way, thinking better of linking their arms at the look on Tanya's face, trying to find a tool shop.
 
[color=hotpink]"So, Earth born or Spacer?"[/color] Serena asked, dismissing yet another alien shop she thought could have been a tool place. It was the fifth such one and she was very close to just asking a native for directions. But that could get her mugged, or sent into a mugging, or worse. 
 
[color=cyan]"Colony kid, although I was born on Earth, just too young to remember it. My mom and dad and I were among the first to settle Terra Nova, so that's home to me."[/color] Tanya replied, watching a krogan with a meat cleaver the length of her arm cut the head off of the biggest fish she'd ever seen with a single stroke. [color=cyan]"And yourself? Where's home?"[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The worst crime place on the planet, everyone says. Even me. It's like Earth's own Omega. It's not so bad if you pay off the right gang or two. Some of them were even like family to me. Mom and Dad and I were the local robotics shop, giving people drones and helpers and VI's to work with. I decided to leave the planet a few years ago. Several jobs and mercenary crews getting tired of me trying to be a modern day paladin later, during which I met up with Vellios, here I am."[/color] She smiled tentatively. [color=hotpink]"Hope you all don't have a problem with that!"[/color]
 
She awkwardly sidestepped a drunken Asari as she stumbled out from a bar. Instinctively, Serena checked her credits to make sure nothing was missing. What little she had was still there.
 
Tanya raised an eyebrow Serena's way. [color=cyan]"Why would I have a problem with that? You made the most of a bad situation, hardly the horror story you make it out to be. Wouldn't surprise me if some of our new friends had some pretty sketchy pasts, but can't dwell on that much. We're all just trying to get by, do something new."[/color]
 
"Thanks, but I didn't mean my past. I meant with my tendency to do the good thing even if it might not be the right thing or the smart thing. It'll get us in trouble sooner or later." Serena's eyes lit up as she saw a tool shop finallly. [color=hotpink]"Look! Look! I finally found one!"[/color] She quickly headed over to it, like a kid in a candy shop.
 
[color=hotpink]"How much credits do we have to blow again?"[/color]
 
[color=cyan]"Way I see it, if you compromise your principles for money, you're no different than the slavers we just fucked up."[/color] Tanya said, looking over the shop Serena had caught onto. It was a promising start, at least. She followed suit and entered the portal, her eyes already adjusted. The thing about asteroids was there wasn't much need for doors to keep weather and critters out, save for when you were closing up for the day. [color=cyan]"I think we were alotted about 5000, so just what we need and not the fanciest shit."[/color] she said, looking around.
 
Serene let out a disappointed sigh, putting down a brand new coupling. [color=hotpink]"Fine...I'll buy the shiny shit later."[/color]
 
Parts from dozens of commercial vehicles were laid out by type, some clearly ripped out of scrap or wreckages, others looking showroom new. Large leaves with tool mounts hung off of a track mounted rack and could be moved aside to see the next set, keeping the space compact. [color=cyan]"Off the top of my head, we need new fuel line couplings, a hydralic lift for the cargo hatch, and a hoist would be damn useful."[/color] she said.
 
[color=hotpink]"Alright. I'll find the hoist, you find the vehicle stuff and we'll meet back here with anything else we feel like we need. Then you'll yell at me for getting a bunch of unneccessary stuff and we'll cut down. Deal?"[/color]
 
[color=cyan]"What vehicle? Did you get me a Mako for an early birthday present?"[/color] Tanya grinned, waving Serena off. [color=cyan]"I'll see what I can rustle up for the Borealis, see if we can't make it semi-safe for habitation."[/color] she said, heading off to talk with the shop attendant, a bored looking turian reading a magazine off of his data pad. [color=cyan]"Excuse me, I'm looking for parts for a CT-427 commercial freighter. Do you have anything in stock?"[/color] 
 
The turian looked up, giving Tanya a slow blink. "They still make those things?" he asked, shaking his head. "I swear they put out a final recall on them twenty standard years ago, something about substandard parts and overly loose tolerances causing catastrophic system failures. You sure that's what you're flying?"
 
Tanya offered an apologetic smile. [color=cyan]"What can I say? I'm a girl who likes a challenge. Well, and it was inherietance so... it's kind of fell into my crew and my lap, for better or worse."[/color] she glanced around the room, crossing her arms. [color=cyan]"So, uh, did these catastrophic failures kill anyone?"[/color]
 
The turian nodded his head, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "Oh yeah, at least six of them killed crew members, in two cases, the entirety of the ship. Electrical fires caused the atmosphere recyclers to go into overdrive, they didn't properly measure the oxygen mixtures, turned the entire ship into a pressure bomb." he stopped, seeing Tanya's horrified expression. "But, uh, if that thing's been going on for 20 years since the recall, I'm sure it's fine. Uh, probably. But yeah! Let's get you some parts!"
 
The turian led Tanya to the back of the shop, which turned out to be a considerable warehouse, where about seven workers were going about their business. "Since it's an old out of service model, we'll have to go check what we affectionately call 'The Graveyard'. It's just parts sorted by type instead of model because there's simply not enough to go around to justify their own sections." the turian explained, leading Tanya to a large section of spare bins. Encouragingly, the vast majority of the parts looked to be in good condition. The shopkeeper checked through his datapad and clicked a few buttons. Sections of the 'Graveyard' became illuminated. "These are the bins where we have parts for a CT-427. No promises on anything being pristine or exactly what you're looking for, but I will guarantee the parts will work and not fail with regular maintenance."
 
Tanya pulled up her omni-tool and pulled up her own parts list, showing it to the turian. [color=cyan]"These are the immediate things I identified. Let's see what we can do, shall we?"[/color]
 
40 minutes later, Tanya was back at the front of the shop and finishing the transaction. She blinked at the cost. [color=cyan]"You seem to be missing a few decimals."[/color] she said, looking at the shopkeeper, who simply waved a hand. 
 
"Look, you're doing me a favour and clearing up some shelf space. Those things have been sitting around for years, and excuse my saying so, but I don't like the idea of a nice girl like you flying around in a dangerous piece of shit, so it puts my mind at ease a bit." he smiled, gesturing to the till. "I also know it wasn't what you're looking for, but if it's in your budget, I'll give you 30% off a new air recycler from a comparable turian-made model that is an easy retrofit. That way you buy something that I find useful and valuable and help my business, and you get to carry on knowing your ship won't kill you."
 
[color=cyan]"You know, normally I'd be more hesitant about somebody scamming me at times like this, but let's be honest, I'm already way under budget. Let's have a look."[/color] she said.
 
Not long after, the transaction was complete, and the workers were beginning to package up the parts. The shopkeeper and Tanya shook hands. "I'll have the parts delivered to your ship first thing tomorrow. We have a short backlog of deliveries we need to catch up on, otherwise I'd have it done by the end of the day. So, thanks for shopping here. I hope you'll come back with a glowing opinion of our parts and services. Tell a friend?" he grinned.
 
[color=cyan]"Everything works as advertised, I'll personally make sure to stop in again and do more business. You know, you're far more upstanding than Omega's reputation would suggest anybody has the right to be."[/color] Tanya said.
 
The turian smiled. "Guess my dad raised my right.  Do right by people, and they'll do right by you. Trust is hard to come by on this station, I admit, but word gets out that you're fair and dependable, and you'll never want for business."
 
Tanya nodded agreeably.  [color=cyan]"Damn right. Look, I have to meet up with my friend and hope she didn't accidentally sign up with Eclipse or some shit. I'll be seeing you around, and thanks again."[/color] she said with a smile, heading towards the door. Once outside, Tanya leaned against the wall, waiting for Serena to stop by with news.
 
Serena winked before running off on her own errands, flitting from place to place like and excited puppy. 
 
For a moment, she stared mournfully at her personal project list. Then, with a sigh, she shifted it away to bring up the parts that ships vehicles needed. She would have plenty of time later to work on him, right now she just needed to find a few parts to fix Del, and get more parts so that their ship didn't explode. Even if they got repeats of the same part, one could never be too careful.
 
Sarah zoomed over the various parts in the shop, scanning and beeping whenever she found a part that was in acceptable condition. Serena herself used one of her Omni-tools (having stole the Blue Suns Asari's Omni-tool) and the vehicle types to scan all the parts. She largely came up empty, and when she did find something that was actually acceptable it felt like she had hit the lottery. Though, granted, that could have simply been because she was just enjoying herself. Perhaps too much given the asteroid she was on and the fact they had incapacitated a Blue Suns member in the process of collecting a bounty. 
 
It was with much self-control and despair that she finally arrived at the counter with her requested parts, leaving the ship location to be delivered. "Wait. That old junker that that other girl was getting parts for?" The shop attendant asked. Serena nodded.[color=hotpink] "Yeah, we're both on that sinking death trap. It's even got a couple land based death traps for us! Which we need working as soon as possible."[/color] The turian looked up as Sarah floated up behind Serena. "Say, you wouldn't happen to need the shell of another one of those would you?" 
 
[color=hotpink]"Yeah. Why?"[/color]
 
The turian gestured over. "I have a shell of a drone that no one wants, broken as it is. I'll give it to you cheap if you can afford it." 
 
Thus, Serena got a replacement for Del and all the parts they needed for the vehicles to become somewhat useable. 
 
She walked out to find Tanya, smiling. [color=hotpink]"I got a hoist, parts for the mobile bombs we call vehicles, and a new shell for the third piece of Del! All in all, not a bad days work. What's your haul?"[/color]
 
[color=cyan]"Some piece of mind for the Jalopy's retrofits. Less spontanious fires and potential explosions waiting to happen. It'll probably be a couple day's worth of work to get the important parts installed, but I don't think any of us are in a rush."[/color] Tanya gestured to Serena's wrist. [color=cyan]"Been thinking about your new omni-tool. Did you sweep it to make sure it doesn't have any tracking software in it? I know some companies have issued omni-tools that are considered company property so they can keep track of workers and make sure they don't go wandering home after shifts. I was thinking the Blue Suns might do something like that for combat and communication purposes. You can coordinate manpower easily if every one of your men are showing up on a map, and you can tell right away where one might be killed."[/color] Tanya said, concerned.
 
Serena nodded. [color=hotpink]"We'll take our time, make sure it's in actual flying condition this time before we begin using it again."[/color] She glanced at her new omni-tool, only slightly worried. [color=hotpink]"It's been swept. I had Sarah download all the files that might be interesting, and all the programs I'd like to keep, then I deleted everything and reset it. There's basically no software in it all right now. There shouldn't be an actual tracking device on it, Sarah's and my own scans didn't show any at least, but I'll do an in depth search later."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"Not on the Jalopy itself, of course, but somewhere I can stay for a while. That way if it [i]is[/i] being tracked, the Blue Suns won't be kicking down the Jalopy's door itself and they'll hopefully think that the ship is just a temp job I'm doing. I doubt there is one, but one can never be [i]too[/i] safe. Who knows, we might find interesting Blue Suns information that the authorities would enjoy and reward us for. More money is always nice, right?"[/color]
 
[color=cyan]"Right. I'd much rather be the one kicking in the doors. Home invasions never struck me as a particularly alluring thing to experience."[/color] Tanya said with a smile. [color=cyan]"As far as I'm  concerned, unless we have a job, I'd rather not step on anyone's toes we don't have to. We start drawing lines of who's good and bad, and we're going to head down a pretty dangerous road. I'd rather our little venture not end horribly because we got overly ambitious, or fucked with someone who we can't possibly defend ourselves against."[/color] she shook her head, stepping away from the wall. [color=cyan]"So, we have some time to kill. Want to get something to eat? I never realize how hungry I am until well after I'm off of combat highs, and I don't think I'm quite ready to head back."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"I'll still keep some interesting tid bits. If we ever get a job from the authorities, or agains the Blue Suns, it should come in useful."[/color] Serena closed away her new omni-tool, looking up at Tanya.
 
She smiled brightly. [color=hotpink]"I'd love to get something to eat!"[/color] For a brief moment she looked around. [color=hotpink]"Er...can you see somewhere to eat in the distance? It took us fifty years to just find this place. I could have Sarah find one for us rather quickly? What would you prefer? We've got Salarian, Krogan, mixed, Hanar, and even human if you're missing home that much. "[/color]
 
Tanya grinned. [color=cyan]"Let's go with mixed and pick what the other one eats. I'm feeling adventurous. Let's just, you know, avoid somewhere that looks like it's on the verge of getting shut down."[/color] she said, starting to walk down the street with a dismissive wave of the hand. [color=cyan]"We'll just follow our nose and see where it takes us. I'm in no rush to return to the asylum."[/color] she said.
 
Half an hour later, both women stumbled across what was clearly a commercial district with shops and restaurants on either side of the street, and foot traffic was much more dense here. Looking at some of the wares harried vendors were hawking in kiosks and window fronts, Tanya spotted one restaurant. [color=cyan]"There. 'Taste of the Citadel'. Sounds like a mixed bag if I've ever seen one. Want to check it out? That or we can go to "Enkindle Your Digestive System", which I'm going to say is hanar for catchy, or "Tuchanka's Fallout Diner" if we feel like radiation sickness."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"Hmm, lets [i]not[/i] play fast and loose with our digestive tracks and eat Krogan or Hanar. I don't want to be vomiting blood if the Blue Suns suddenly kick down my temporary door. Taste of the Citadel sounds adventurous while still not risking our health and lives."[/color] Serena decided, leading the way towards the resturant. [color=hotpink]"Speaking of adventure, are you going to buy alcohol for our chess match at the end of this week, or are you just going to give in to the inevitable and accept your loss?"[/color] Serena looked over her shoulder, smiling mischeviously at the other mechanic. 
 
Tanya ran her hand through her hair again. [color=cyan]"Y'know, I almost forgot about that with everything else that's going on. But we're on Omega, I'm pretty sure it's at least 50% liquor stores. Pick something you like, you're going to fucking need it after I'm through with you."[/color] Tanya winked, returning the shit eating grin. 
 
Soon, the two women were in the restaurant, which was a lot nicer than Tanya was expecting, Both were led to a table by the window with a pair of stools, and a fetching asari waitress took their drink orders. [color=cyan]"Sampson Whiskey on the rocks. Apple juice for my friend."[/color] she said, wiggling her eyebrows at Serena. 
 
Serena rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. [color=hotpink]"Don't listen to her. I'll just have a water, please and thank you."[/color] As the asari nodded and went off, leaving the menus. Serena looked out at the city. [color=hotpink]"It has it's own little beauty. Rough, and violent. But it's there nonetheless."[/color] She turned to Tanya, picking up her own menu. For a moment she was quiet, clearly debating about something. [color=hotpink]"There's something I should mention about Vellios and I, before we go on this crew much later. A couple things, to be specific."[/color]
 
Serena took a deep breath, putting down her menu. [color=hotpink][i]It'll be fine,[/i] she told herself, [i]worse case scenario you just get kicked off of a death trap of a ship communally owned by a bunch of strangers.[/i][/color] Then why was her heart beating so fast now? [color=hotpink]"First off; I'm wanted by the Alliance. I'm sure that they've forgotten me by now, so we can go through their space system without my face being plastered everywhere. But photo identifiction may be a [i]bit[/i] of a problem. That's what you need to know about me."[/color] She paused, eyes worriedly searching Tanya's face for any sign of an adverse reaction.
 
Tanya's face held firm, expressionless. Cupping her hands, she placed them on the table before her. Staring at Serena for several uncomfortable seconds, she finally spoke, her voice deadpan. [color=cyan]"Miss Mathews, I am Agent Piers of Alliance Intelligence. I finally got you to confess."[/color] The air hung dead between the two before Tanya's face cracked into a barely concealed grin and she let out a light laugh. 
 
[color=cyan]"Okay, that was mean. Sorry. That was an awful joke."[/color]  she smiled, placing her elbow on the table and her temple rested against two fingers as she locked eyes with Serena. [color=cyan]"Look, Serena, I assume the worst about everyone doing this kind of work. I accept that I'm going to be working with some very bad people. You aren't one of those people, even if you do have a criminal background. If you were, you wouldn't be sitting here right now, looking guilty and shamed as hell, confessing you aren't a perfect person. As for photo ID, look around. Somebody around here probably shits out fake IDs for pocket lint. We'll keep you safe. [I]I'll[/I] keep you safe."[/color]
 
Serena's eyes went wide with panic as Tanya spoke, body tensing like a spring. For a tense moment she was uncertain whether or not the other woman was going to attack, and if she should fight or run and warn Vellios. [color=hotpink][i]Shitshitshitshitshitshitshit. Stupid, stupid, stupid![/i][/color]
 
When Tanya started smiling and laughing, bewilderment and confusion was painted blatantly across Serena's face. She slowly untensed at the apology. By the time Tanya was done talking, Serena was smiling with shaky relief. [color=hotpink]"Thank you..."[/color]
 
Pretending that she had something in her eyes, Serena rubbed them quickly before continuing. [color=hotpink]"The thing you need to know about Vellios is less of a problem, in the long run anyway. He has his own form of...hmm, for lack of a better word, Krogan Bloodrage. Sometimes during fights he goes silent. Menacing. Ignores pain, and basically goes into a berserk rage. Given your acceptance of Tonka, I assume this won't be a problem?"[/color]
 
[color=cyan]"Did you ever stop to consider that maybe Vellios is actually just a butch lesbian and he's going through his time of the month?"[/color] Tanya asked, raising a quizzitive eyebrow, but betrayed by her smirk. [color=cyan]"No? Alright then."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"No. I would say 'sometimes I wonder' but he's slept with so many women that it's not even a consideration. Dex and him are making goo-goo eyes at each other. So all I can say is, I'm glad I'm sleeping in the hangar."[/color] Serena replied, smiling. 
 
The drinks arrived, and Tanya nodded in thanks to the waitress and picked up the glass of whiskey, the amber-hued spirit shining light across the table thanks to the harsh overhead lighting from a hanging lamp. Without so much as sniffing it, she took a deep sip, her face not even flinching from the harsh burn of the alcohol. It was clear this was not an uncommon occurance for her. She let it sink in, the burn working her way down her tired throat. [color=cyan]"Long story short, no, I don't really give a shit. As long as he can do his job and not get my ass shot off, he can go have a bloody good time screaming bloody murder at the bad guys. But what you're saying is we're going to need more medical supplies, yeah?"[/color]
 
Serena thanked the waitress, watching in apprehension as Tanya downed her drink immediately. [i]This is the woman I have to keep up with if I lose. Dear God.[/i] She shook her head. [i]I won't lose.[/i] "He won't be screaming, but yes. Lots of them, preferably. He tends to...not care if he has an omni-blade through anything vital when he's in that state."
 
Serena paused briefly, looking down at her menu, as the waitress was. "Uhh, Varren Steak please. With a side of Yasig. My friend would like leather and a salt block." 
 
[color=cyan]"It's pronounced test-ick-als, not steak. Uncultured swine. I'll have the... holy shit, you guys have Terra Novan cactus fries?"[/color] Tanya asked excitedly, looking up at the waitress who seemed taken aback by Tanya's sudden enthusiasm. [color=cyan]"That to start, please. I'll take an order of the Kahje sea serpent, as well. Tomatoes on the side."[/color] she said. The waitres took the orders and headed off to the kitchens, presumably, leaving the two women back to their own devices. [color=cyan]"So, now that we're not surrounded by testosterone and poor life choices, what's your read on everyone?"[/color] she asked. 
 
Serena paused a moment, thinking. She opened her omni-tool, pulling up the picture of Tonka. Sarah had taken them of the entire crew. 
 
[color=hotpink]"Tonka is an odd mix of 'not your average krogan' and 'definitely a stereotypical krogan'. He seems to think like the average mercenary of their race, but executes differently, as evidenced by his sniper rifle. Reliable, but undiplomatically blunt. We should make sure he does as little talking as possible in delicate situations."[/color]
 
The image shifted to Iosif. [color=hotpink]"Equally reliable. Knows his way around vehicles, much like you, and keeps his cool under the most trying of situations. I wouldn't trust him with Batarian prisoners, if we have any, or any diplomacy with them. Too much unaddressed history. Avoid mentioning slave camps."[/color]
 
Another shift, this time to Kasyra. [color=hotpink]"Murderous. Efficient. Cold. She'll be all to willing to make the hard sacrifice choices. Perhaps not even considering other options. An asset in combat, certainly, but I'm not sure if she'll interact smoothly with the other crew."[/color]
 
Drono's face popped up. [color=hotpink]"Absolutely insane, but loyal and friendly to his allies. Unpredictable, but we can be assured that he never means to actually harm us."[/color]
 
Hazan wavered into view. [color=hotpink]"All turians are reliable, and well trained. He seems to mesh well, and is fairly solid. Nothing I've seen yet to be of concern."[/color]
 
Dex showed up. [color=hotpink]"Stealth specialist. A tad unusual to find, but she's good at it. She won't rub anyone the wrong way, as she let me manhandle her arm without getting angry."[/color]
  
Mirage, Alex, Tia, Duuka, and Valiss all popped up together. [color=hotpink]"The group we sent to the Twin Stars. I don't think they're coming back. No contact since they left. I wouldn't put it past three of the five to be okay with running of with our money. The only real losses we have are Mirage's hacking skills and Alex's medical abilities. We can make up for the biotics ourselves, and probably patch ourselves up for the most part, but she could have dealt with serious injuries out of our league."[/color]
 
Khosin was next. [color=hotpink]"Quiet. Understanding. Despite your and Iosif's distrust of him, he hasn't gotten angry, or made any apologies. He is not justifying the actions of his people, but neither is he apologizing for something he himself, and likely many others, didn't do. Equally reliable in a firefight."[/color]
 
Vellios wavered into view. [color=hotpink]"Protective once you gain his trust, loyal, and incredibly good at killing things. Doesn't take well to betrayal, whether you percieve at such or not, and doesn't let betrayers live. He has severe issues. Wake him up cautiously, or you'll end up stabbed. He'll feel bad about it, but it'll still hurt like hell. Charismatic when he wants to be, and loves to tease people, finding out their limits and who they are."[/color]
 
Serena herself showed up. [color=hotpink]"Used to a firefight, but our weakest combatant. Strengths lie in her drones and her ability to make VI's for almost any situation. Capable of jury rigging and scavenging most machines she comes across. Obsessive, whether it be about her current project or her hobbies. Loves creating prototypes, though they often explode. Naive and somewhat gullible."[/color]
 
Tanya was the last to show up. [color=hotpink]"Abrasive, but is aware of it and often intentionally is. Naturally a leader, earning trust and loyalty rather quickly, and people seem to have little problem obeying her commands. Extremely skilled at vehicular maintence, it is likely this skill extends into other areas of maintence. However, she has unaddressed issues with Batarians as well. Use caution around her and such prisoners or diplomacy with them. Avoid mention of Mindoir atrocities."[/color]
 
Serena quietly closed her omni-tool, waiting for Tanya's reaction.
 
Tanya blinked as the slideshow concluded, and it was hard not to feel somewhat violated. [color=cyan]"Creepy. You took everyone's picture without them noticing. Kids and their social media these days."[/color] she said, returning to her whisky. Another tumble, and she was back on track. [color=cyan]"Never took you for the cold, clinical type, and it's weird being talked about in the third person while I'm sitting right friggin' here, but fuck it, thanks for your honestly. I can't say you're particularly wrong on any point, but I'm going to take the wait and see approach. I like to give people the chance to surprise me..."[/color] she said, biting her lip. [color=cyan]"For better or worse, I suppose. But me, leader? You sure your water isn't spiked?"[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"A habit I picked up early on in the mercenary business. It helps to have Sarah do a quick check for any betrayals or other things of concern done by my companions."[/color] She shifted uncomfortably, taking a small drink of her water. [color=hoptink]"I don't like doing it. It's just easy when you stop thinking of people as people and more like drones or VI's. What you notice about them is more easily addressed when you don't take into account history, past, emotions."[/color] Serena shook herself. [color=hotpink]"It makes [i]me[/i] uncomfortable, so please don't ask me to do it often."[/color]
 
As Tanya bit her lip, Serena nodded. [color=hotpink]"You are. In the ungodly mess in the mines you kept everything rather calm and moving forward. You have a...way about you. Friendly. Something that encourages camraderie and a willingness to obey commands. Besides, out of all of us, you're the best suited to be our Captain. Iosif is a maybe, but he's a soldier to the bone. Same thing with Vellios. The rest of them are either completely unsuited for leadership, such as Tonka or Drono, or just wouldn't be good at it. Like Dex or me. Especially me."[/color] She shrugged. [color=hotpink]"Even if you don't think you're a leader, you're the best we have. No pressure."[/color]
 
Tanya shifted uneasily in her seat. [color=cyan]"I guess I just project what I need on people? I don't know. If I'm the best of a short list of maybes, then that's not very inspiring. I don't like people getting in my space, or making me make judgement calls, or even checking up on everyone else. I like my own little world, I mean I'm glad I'm getting on with some of you, but I guess I'm still hiding behind a barricade, waiting for the walls to come crashing down. Fuck, I nearly lost my shit in that mission in the mines. I'm not a stablizing element, Serena. I joined this team because I'm trying to get away from my past, not find new problems that remind me of it."[/color] she sighted, roughing up her hair. [color=cyan]"I don't want to be responsible for choices that can get other people killed. I've had enough friends die on me that I was helpless to do anything about. I'm really not what you're looking for."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"No one likes it. No one likes being responsible for decisions that could cost people their lives. That [i]have[/i] cost people their lives. I'm not saying you're the best choice in the universe, or that you're perfect. But the fact is you did keep your 'shit' in the mines. Right now, it's you, Hazan, or Iosif. Khosin is also a consideration, but you and Iosif wouldn't be able to stand it. We've all come here to run from our pasts."[/color]
 
[color=hotpink]"Vellios and  I have, at least. If you don't want to do it, that's understandable. We'll make do. We seem to be doing just fine without a clear leader so far."[/color] Serena paused for a moment. [color=hotpink]"And Tanya. If you ever need help keeping it together, or anything, just talk to me. I can't promise I'll be excellent at it, but I'll give you the same amount of effort and help you'd give me. If not more."[/color] She suddenly grinned. [color=hotpink]"But don't think that extends into teaching you how to properly play chess until after our game. It'll be your little initation ritual, and constant reminder that I'm better."[/color]
 
Tanya smiled, albeit a forced one. [color=cyan]"Good, because if I get pressed into wearing the captain's hat, I'm not doing that shit alone. On the plus side, I'd get the bigger bunk. Sure you don't want it?"[/color] she asked.
 
She raised her glass in a toast. [color=cyan]"For now, let's just be glad we all managed to pull a victory out of our asses and made some money doing it. Also, I hope you like the taste of liquor, because I am a very quick study. Cheers."[/color]