[center][h2][u]Prologue[/u][/h2][/center]
[center]Firuzeh, Clyff, Sofia[/center]

Sofia had broken away. She didn’t like it when her dad got sentimental, and she didn’t want to think about what was about to happen. She would never see grandmother, grandfather, or any of her aunts and uncles again. Her friends from school would be long gone. It was all very—sad. Yet, at the same time, it’d been the first thing her father had been excited about since before Mom died. And she had to admit, she was excited too. And she was a little scared—but she’d… [i]is that a cybernetic arm?[/i] Just as quickly as her ponderances got deep and dark, they flitted straight out.

The little girl, small for her age and swallowed by her green dress with more than enough tulle and sequins to supply a ballet company, ran up to the woman. Her dark black hair a halo of kinks and curls around her face, her skin a deep brown, and her eyes a pale green. She had a wide smile, but her gaze was solely on the metal limb. 

Sofia didn’t touch it, but she hovered near it. [color=#E47833]“You have a robot arm. [i] That’s. So. Cool[/i]. How’d you get it? Why’d you get it? Did it hurt? Can you arm wrestle a krogan? I met a krogan once, his name was Steven. Maybe. He let me have a piggy back ride. Do you know any aliens? I know lots of aliens. Dad says that not all aliens are great—like the vorcha. He says they have too many teeth. But teeth are helpful. Otherwise we’d all just be worms. I don’t want to be a worm.”[/color] She fixed back on the arm. [color=#E47833]“Can you lift heavy things with it? Does it make a [i]whir-whir[/i] sound? Does it shoot fire? Ice? Bullets? Can you paint it a different color? Blue would look good. Do you have any other robot parts? Can I look at it?”[/color]

Firuzeh whirled around, caught off guard by the sudden and abrupt interruption. She hadn't been paying close attention to the speech given by Garson, nor to the applause, or anything. She knew full well what they were here for, and didn't need to be told a thousand more times how this was their last night consciously in the milky way - that was the whole reason she'd signed on to the Initiative.

That said, this definitely was her last chance to sample some of the milky way's finer foods and drinks for some time, and she had no intentions of letting the opportunity pass by. In each hand she held a glass, one small and dark, filled with spiced rum, and the other brimming full of Iranian wine. It'd be years in Andromeda before she'd even be able to dream of drinks like these again. 

As such, it was with some exasperation that she hurriedly set down the two glasses, lest they spill, with Sofia's arrival. 

"What, sorry?" She spluttered, confused, before looking down, registering the child. She didn't answer for a moment, and instead looked up, "Where's your... ah... mother? Father?" She had never been good with children, and Sofia's arrival threw her off - she couldn't well get drunk without at least finding the girl's parents. Continuing from where she had left off, she added, "And... ah, you probably shouldn't be talking to strangers." 

Sofia glanced over the woman. [color=#E47833]“Are we really strangers, though?”[/color] It was in that moment that she became rather intense. Her brows lowered and eyes narrowed. [color=#E47833]“We’re about to be taking a 600 year long nap together. We’re basically nap buddies. Schoolmates. Other people who nap together.”[/color] She shrugged afterwards. [color=#E47833]“I don’t know where my dad is. I’m sure when he finds me he’ll tell me about how easily distractible I am, and how I’ll be the death of him. And really. I’ll be the death of him. Even if he’s been shot at a million times. And that he has shrapnel embedded in his chest that’s less problematic than me.”[/color] She paused. [color=#E47833]“What is shrapnel?”[/color]
 
She shook her head. [color=#E47833]“No. That’s not why I’m here. Can I see your arm?”[/color] Suddenly remembering her manners. [color=#E47833]“[i]Pllleeeaaasseeee?[/i]”[/color]

Firuzeh raised an eyebrow at Sofia, a smile breaking out in spite of herself. "Yes, I suppose you're right. A very astute observation. Still, I don't know if your father would want you talking to someone you don't know, would he?" She grinned nonetheless, "And, well, I'm sure even if you were you'd find some way to talk him back." She looked around, looking out for anyone who might be the girl's father. "Why don't I tell you a little bit about it while we look for your father, how's that sound?"

Sofia twisted her lips. [color=#E47833]“I guess you’re right. He doesn’t like me talking to strangers, but I think—how are you supposed to make new friends? He used to be more open about it before Mom died.”[/color] She exhaled. [color=#E47833]“Yeah, he’s really tall and has red hair. Grandma says that I don’t favor him at all, which is good. I don’t think that at all. I think red hair would be pretty.”[/color]
 
The young girl also looked forward. Maybe if she presented this entire thing as a happy accident, he’d be less angry. [color=#E47833]“Oh. Yes. Tell me about it. What does it [i]doooooooo[/i]?”[/color]

Firuzeh shook her head in amusement, letting out a small laugh. "Nothing super special, I'm afraid. It doesn't have a grappling hook hidden somewhere, if that's what you're hoping." She grinned, looking around some more, "I helped design it, so I could tell you in detail about every bit, but for the most part it does what a normal arm does - just much, much stronger. You can ask me more once we find your dad, deal?" She raised an eyebrow, then looked up, brushing a lock of hair out of her eye, exposing the off white retinal prosthetic, and the molded composite replacing part of her eye socket. "Red haired, and tall? Shouldn't be too hard to find. What's his name?"

At the mentioned of no grappling hook, Sofia looked a little distraught. Still the idea that it was much stronger than a human arm brought her interest back. [color=#E47833]“[i]Cooooool…[/i]”[/color]she said. She watched the woman part a piece of hair from her eye, it also looked like that was cybernetic too. Could she see through walls? Yet, the woman mentioned not answering any more questions until she found his father. 
 
[color=#E47833]“My mother would always call him [i]estúpido[/i] on more than one occasion. I know some Spanish, and I know that is not his name. But he might respond to it.”[/color] She squirmed. [color=#E47833]“I just always call him Dad, but some of the guys he works with have called him Gunny. Or Officer Ward.[/color]

That was... not the most helpful information, unfortunately. Firuzeh sighed internally - guess she'd be going in this without the man's first name. At least he sounded fairly distinct. "No, no, I would imagine his name isn't estúpido, that wouldn't be a very nice thing to name your kid, would it?" She raised an eyebrow at Sofia, "Imagine introducing the baby estúpido, I imagine that might be pretty embarassing. What's your name? Maybe it'll help us find him, yeah?"

[color=#E47833]“There was another one she called him, but apparently I’m not allowed to say it out loud.”[/color] She smirked. Those names would always crop up when her father snuck up on her mother, or he’d move something around, or tickled her. It was never angry. [color=#E47833]“I’m Sofia.[/color]” It was then she remember her manners. [color=#E47833]“Oh. Right. I didn’t even introduce myself. Sofia Ward-Espinoza. It’s nice to meet you, arm lady.”[/color]

Firuzeh said nothing, but smiled wider in amusement. This little interruption was going far more pleasantly than she had expected. "Nice to meet you, Sofia. My name's Firuzeh. Now..." She craned her neck, looking around for anyone who fit the decidedly lacking description she had been given. The throng of the crowd was thick, and she couldn't make out many defining features beyond the immediate vicinity. Still, she thought she saw a patch of red hair among the crowd, and moved in that direction.  "To find your father, he's probably worried by now, yeah?"

[color=#E47833]“[i]Peruse-eh?[/i] No. [i]Fur-cruz-eh?[/i] No. Man, your name is tough. Are sure that’s your real name. I made up a name for myself one time. Dad refused to call me by it.”[/color] She gave a noncommitted shrug to the notion that her father was worried. He probably was, but at the same time, she didn’t want anyone making a bigger deal out of what was already happening.

"No, no, not quite like that. Fi-rue-zeh, it's not too hard if you don't try and rush it. Everyone seems to have some trouble with it, come to think of it. Old friend of mine thought it was Firushah for a while. I didn't make it up though, if I did it'd be a much more impressive name." She grinned, "No point in making up a fake name if it's not gonna be cool, right?"
 
About that time Clyff Ward turned to see Sofia. She flashed him a smile, but he only had the most unamused scowl on his face. [color=#B77600]”Where the fuc[i]ddddgee[/i] have you been? Seriously. I have told you about this. I swear you will kill me before bullets do, and definitely before the shrapnel in my chest.”[/color] Sofia looked up to Firuzeh at that time and gave her a ‘I told you so’ look. It was that moment that Clyff registered the other woman. He straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. His suit was utilitarian and a smidge bit boring. Then again suits weren’t really his thing. Looking her over, more of in an observing manner than lecherous one, he easily figured out why Sofia had bugged the poor woman—no doubt about her cybernetic parts. She was also pretty. But like most pretty, obviously complicated women, things would end poorly. And more in a nuclear shit-show manner than a butter-side down one. 
 
[color=#E47833]“Dad,”[/color] Sofia said. [color=#E47833]“This is [i]Fur-Tushy[/i]. [i]Fur-Tushy[/i], this is dad.”[/color] There was so much confidence in her voice that that was the right name.

[color=#B77600]”I’m assuming that’s [i]not[/i] your name.”[/color] He glared daggers down at his daughter. [color=#B77600]”I’m Clyfford Ward, Clyff for short. Thank you for returning my daughter to me. Or as I like to call her: the amazing escape ferret.”[/color] Sofia giggled. [color=#B77600]”I hope she wasn’t too much of a pain in the ass[i]hh[/i]?”[/color]

Firuzeh shook her head, in turn evaluating the man. He was a soldier, obviously - everything about him, from head to toe, screamed at her that this was a man who had grown up with many difficulties, and who knew his way around a weapon. She noticed him looking her up and down, and gave a small nod - whether or not he would see it or understand her intent she didn't know. 

"Hardly, she did catch me by surprise, but then, I was preoccupied. She's certainly inquisitive - though seems rather intent on mispronouncing my name." She raised an eyebrow at Sofia, "Firuzeh, Fi-rue-zeh." She raised the other eyebrow, before turning back to Clyff. "Then again, I have been informed that, among other things, she made up a name you wouldn't call her by?" She grinned, "Maybe she's just trying to get some revenge, you never know. But really, it wasn't a problem, Mr. Ward. Though I was wrangled into answering questions about my arm."

Sofia hesitated at Firuzeh phonetically sounding out her name. The child said a few times under her breath, assuring herself she’d get it right. [color=#B77600]”I thought you were tired, [i]mija[/i]?”[/color] Sofia rattled off something in Spanish before approaching her father and burying her face into his side. She did this whenever she was overwhelmed. He hadn’t figured out if this was a diversion tactic or not. 
 
[color=#B77600]”Yes she was adamant about being called [i]Sofiarlessa, Queen of… dragons[/i] maybe. And only by that. The entire title. But as someone who has been to the Citadel and met other people, she shouldn’t have been so rude.”[/color] He glanced at his daughter. [color=#B77600]”More so, she shouldn’t have invaded your personal space. But she is curious about cybernetics. Practically draws out diagrams of [i]things.[/i]”[/color] Sofia looked up. [color=#E47833]“Important constructions.”[/color] Clyff stared at her. [color=#B77600]”No. You’re in trouble. No talking. She’s always trying to one up me. She is pretty much ninety-percent her mother. Ten-percent my sheer hard-headedness. I love her. Sometimes. So, you here for someone or you about to board a ship?”[/color] Honestly, any question would make things less awkward. 

Despite her best attempts to restrain it, Firuzeh broke down laughing at the mention of the name Sofia had tried to take on. "Oh, okay, I like that one." She laughed, wiping a tear from her non prosthetic eye. "She certainly chose the right person if she's interested in them though - I designed a large part of this arm, so if there was anyone to tell her about it, that'd be me." 

She raised an eyebrow at his abrupt change of topic, but said nothing on the subject, merely following his lead. "I'll be boarding the Ark, yes. I assume something similar for yourself?" She gestured to Sofia, "Someone already gave part of that game away."

Sofia grinned wildly at Firuzeh’s appreciation of her name. Clyff shot her a look, and her lips fell into a blank, almost zombie-like, stare. Yet, that stare was quickly interrupted upon learning that the woman was an expert in cybernetics. She wanted to say something. Her lips parted, but Clyff’s glare intensified. 
 
[color=#B77600]”Ah. That shouldn’t be surprising. I’m sure you know more about me than most people.”[/color] He rubbed his nose. [color=#E47833]But yes. I’ll be on Ark Nexus, and she’ll be on Ark Hyperion. And if she’s lucky, she’ll run into you again, and she can show her designs for an arm that is also a grappling hook.[/color]
 
Sofia leaned in, attempting to whisper. [color=#E47833]“I want to be the twenty-fifth Batman.[/color] Clyff nudged her, and she stared at the ground. He extended his hand. [color=#B77600]”Nice to meet you, Firuzeh. Sorry for my shiiii[i]eeep[/i] storm of a daughter.”[/color]

Firuzeh raised an eyebrow, grinning. "She definitely seemed inordinately put out when I mentioned that my own arm lacked any grappling hooks. Space is at a premium, after all." She looked down at Sofia, winking, before looking back up, "And, well, we'll both be on the Hyperion. I'll keep any space pirates out for her. She can have second in command of the cybernetic empire once we get to Andromeda, we'll let her decide the name of the position." She looked back down at Sofia, a mischevious tone creeping into her words, "Though it can't have dragons or batman in it. Find a new theme, alright?" 

She looked back up, nodding to Clyff. "Well, make sure to keep the Nexus in good order for us, yeah? Don't let anyone get out the nice wine before I arrive, at least."

Sofia beamed wildly as Firuzeh spoke. The sheer jittery jubilation in her seemed to grow exponentially.  [color=#E47833]”No Drago-Batman, I can promise. It'll be infinitly cooler. Like Space Unicorn.”[/color] She immediately became quiet when Clyff ceared his throat
 
He smiled at the woman. [color=#E47833]”We’ll take very good care. Sorry about my daughter again. And here's to hoping that I see you on the other side.”[/color] He slipped his hands around his daughter’s back and faced her the opposite way in an attempt to herd this mischevious cat. He excused both of them with a curt nod.

Firuzeh nodded in turn, giving a slight bow, and turned away, making her way back to the table. 
__________________________
[center][h2][b][u]Prodromos, Eos - 634 years later[/u][/b][/h2][/center]
__________________________

The landscape of Eos was beautiful. It reminded Firuzeh of the Dasht-e Lut, on one of the trips she had taken in her childhood, admiring the natural beauty both of Iran, and earth at large. They had seen the grand canyon, the Himalayas, the perfect greenery of Aquitaine, but perhaps it was merely a byproduct of her upbringing, Firuzeh most loved the rugged beauty of desert vistas. The imposing mesas and scorching lower lying areas, sparse plant life, even more sparse water, it tugged at her heart, filling her with a sensation of homesickness wholly unknown to her before now. To think, empires had risen and fallen in less time than she had been in cryo, millions of light years back home. Was earth still habitable? Did the nations still exist in any recognizable form? Had some galactic civil war torn civilization in the milky way asunder? Had they achieved a golden age and researched technologies the likes of which she could only dream of?

She sighed, letting her thoughts fade away as she lay down, smiling as she basked in the relative quiet. Nearby lay two dead adhi, the beasts having crept up on her while she sat gazing, just as now, attempting to ambush her. The fight had been short, one cacophonous shot of the Carnifex silencing the first of the reptiles before it could narrow the gap, and a knife to the throat of the second spilling its blood over the baking sands of the desert. She only regretted they hadn’t allowed her access to the mess area - she was aching to see what some of the fauna of Andromeda could do for a dish, with the appropriate seasonings. Military food was bad enough when chasing familiar enemies in the Attican Traverse, but facing a whole new unknown foe, with unknown ends, but decidedly known hostility… the Initiative needed any morale boost it could get. Establishing a successful, habitable outpost on Eos was a step, a big one. But in her opinion, getting some proper home cooked meals in the team would be another one. Perhaps she could steal a hot plate or two and some cookware from the mess area when nobody was looking, set up a hidden kitchen somewhere and begin experimenting? She didn’t have to tell anyone [i]where[/i] the food came from if they enjoyed it eno- 

[color=orangered][B]FORM UP OUTSIDE: 10 MINUTES[/B][/color]

Well, there went that train of thought.

She stood, stretching widely as she worked out the kinks from sitting still for so long. She wasn’t far out of Prodromos, a couple minutes’ jog at most, but the problem was the adhi blood on her armor. It wasn’t… [i]too[/i] severe, but there was a clear and significant difference between not too much blood, and no blood at all. For a couple minutes she agonized over whether she could make it to the showers and rinse the blood off, or if that would leave her too little time to acquire her remaining weapon. Feeling the seconds slip by, she cursed under her breath and took off running back to the barracks, sprinting into the station and into the barracks and, triumphantly seizing her Revenant from its place on the rack, jogged back out, nodding to the assembled… officers and alien, before taking her place wordlessly.