Ambiguity

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

@Dewey Deftones

It's going! Been a bit busy due to school. Midterms are up yet again. I'm working on a post now. How are you?

Mass Effect: What Came After

Blake didn't have to wait long before the door to the Shepard's room opened. Unable to stop her habit of casing a room, Blake's initial thought was spartan. Not too surprised at the minimalism Shepard showed, perhaps it was a bit too minimalistic. There was the typical looking table with a small twin. Other amenities had been laid out economically, but the room lacked a personal touch. Perhaps the blandness was purposeful. Military life hardly seemed like the area for luxury and indulgence.

Surprised at the salute, the law enforcement branch didn't adhere to that practice, Blake offered one back before moving towards the first human spectre. The hero that was obviously getting shafted. She shook Shepard's hand. "It's an honor, Commander Shepard." Taking a seat at the couch Shepard gestured to, Blake situated herself to get comfy on the stone hard furniture. "I don't know how much you've been informed about me, but I work within the Direct Intervention Department. Not something I readily advertise. This is an exception.

"Unlike the military, we deal with more domestic issues that require a militaristic solution." Taking out a data pad from one of her pockets, Blake's warm violet eyes scanned the screen before she handed it over to the Commander. "I've been working on a case. Real ugly one involving deaths of prominent people. To save you a lengthy recap, I have reason to suspect that the gang involved is a front. Covering something up, if you will. Violent gangs and terror cells can certainly be organized, but the pattern of the activities I've been tracking is a step up."

Her eyes studied the Commander. While she came here looking for insight, what information she revealed had to be limited. There wasn't any opportunity in checking the room for bugs. She didn't know who was potentially listening into their conversation. But she had to at least give enough for Shepard to go on. "If you look at the second file on the data pad, I've posted up some images of what I've found during raids and deep covers. The smuggling is typical. Picture five to ten depicts technology and advanced weapons procurement. But picture thirteen." Blake switched to the image and pointed at a spot. A hint of orange-black symbol peeked behind a cargo crate "What does that look like to you? Gangs with that much ordinance? Hardware? In my experience, connections to high places is the only way."

Sitting back, Blake decided that was enough talking on her end. It was time to hear what the Commander thought about all of this. "I have a very strong suspicion, Commander. And if it's something you share, just from looking at that logo in image thirteen, then we have a lot to talk about."

Mass Effect: What Came After

@The Game Master

Hmmm, that's the one downside of the threads. No notifications :[

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha nodded. "That's fine with me. The space they gave me was too big for one." Letting Angela finished her meal, they got to their feet after they cleaned up. First was to the medical tent. Introductions she supposed.

It always amazed her how well Angela could mingle in. Sure, Fareeha thought of herself to be a good leader. Moral and all. But the civilian and support side were different. It was hard to talk to someone who wasn't a full fledged soldier. Doc Marsala and her company medics were the exception.

As an officer should do, though not many did, Fareeha did the rounds. The wounded were in good hands. Some telling her not to head back out without them. She said she wouldn't although the promise was something she may not be able to keep. Some wouldn't be able to move without prosthetics. Some would be able to given enough time. Two days, however, was hardly enough from what she'd seen for the vast majority.

Exiting the medical ward, Fareeha waited patiently, her officers dismissed to their own devices and keeping the 5th from getting too rowdy and soft. Angela appeared soon after; she had been visiting one of the more critical cases. Not knowing what to expect, Fareeha stood at ease while she listened to the doctor's report.

Fareeha nodded. "I feared for him back at the caves. Not many make it with something like that out here," she said. "In no small part to you though. If you'd listen to me to withdrawal, the bag of dog tags would've been heavier."

Gesturing back towards the door, Fareeha entered the sandy terrain of the designated military area of the safe zone. "You met the medics and Dr. Marsala already. Officers as well." Fareeha pursed her lips. She shrugged. "That's it. Do you have any personal belongings? I'm heading back to my quarters. You can drop them off, if you do."

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha laughed. "The nice thing about the ESF is that we're mixed. Man, woman, you fight. So don't worry about them going stir crazy." She looked at Angela's pale complexion and contrasted it against her own. Then she thought about the implications of having a foreigner fight amongst them. "But you're right. They don't see Europeans that much. You also represent something more than your appearance difference. You remind all of us there's still a world beyond our burning Egypt. An Egypt where we can't even afford our dead a proper burial. You show us that the world still cares. Or least people still care."

Whatever could be done to maintain moral, Fareeha didn't dismiss it. She used it, milked it for all that it was worth. There was more to war than numbers and weapons. There was the psychological aspect of it as well. Many times, she wanted to break. To seek a mentally unfit dismissal from what she'd seen. However, she survived the massacre at Tanta. After surviving that, she knew she could survive whatever else the Omnics threw her way. It fueled her hatred for the machines while strengthening her resolve of saving anyone she could. No life was expendable in her book.

"Anyway, we'll get you settled in. You can either stay with me or stay with the other medical personnel. You're a rare exception to normal military protocol. I think," Fareeha said. "We'll also have to get you up to speed on the current situation here in Egypt. We've got a long day ahead of us. Unfortunate, hmm?"

Mass Effect: What Came After

Blake Bellastrum

Age: 33

Occupation: Direct Intervention Department of Alliance Law Enforcenment [DID]

Role during the Reaper War: Anderson Resistance Battle Group, Reconnaissance Group

Mass Effect: What Came After

Mass Effect: What Came After

---

Blake finally had a break in her case. Spending upwards to three months following a particular set of presumed gang activity, she was convinced this was bigger than the Reds or the Back Alley Gentlemen.

The news of the Reapers, and the legendary feats of Commander Shepard’s deeds, had spread throughout Earth. Alliance activity had been picking up while space docks worked day and night to output more ships to the fleets patrolling the Sol system. An increase of protests of Alliance military brutality was on the rise as well. It was silly really. Blake was a part of the task force that vetted the Citizens United group. Their mission was to challenge the recently instated Alliance policies that infringed on some human rights. Humanity, the universe, was at war. Why the protestors couldn’t see the necessity of the limitations on rights astounded her. Luckily, the protest didn't escalate to violence. Things like that were ill tolerated.

Showing her badge to a guard at the Alliance London Military Headquarters, Blake strolled right on in. Her uniform matched that of the Alliance military personnel. The only distinction was instead of the Alliance military sign, a silver shield with three stars underneath it took its place. The mark of the law enforcement branch.

Walking up to the reception desk, Blake stood patiently until the receptionist looked up. “Appointment?”

“Agent Bellastrum here to see Commander Shepard.”

The receptionist typed away at her screen. “The Commander isn’t seeing anyone. Honestly, if you--” The woman grew silent as she looked at her screen again. She grunted. “DID. I’m surprised a blue’s allowed in here. I suppose we’re all fighting on the same side. Take the elevator to the sixth floor. Here’s the Commander’s room number.”

Blake wanted to smack the woman but thought better of it. It took significant pull to arrange the meeting with the Commander. Cerberus was the prime suspect in her investigation so far. She needed an expert to piece together and validate their MO. Ensure she had enough to go on to start coming up with a direct intervention protocol. The organization was as tangible as mist. There was barely anything on them. Her only concrete source was the woman she was about to meet.

Giving the receptionist a forced reply, Blake went and entered the elevator and pressed the button for the sixth floor. Once she was on the sixth floor, she prowled about until she came upon the Commander’s door. Pushing down the unfamiliar sensation of nervousness that filled her, she pressed the call button to the side of the door controls.

“Commander Shepard,” she said into the intercom above the call button, “Agent Bellastrum. I’m your 1500 appointment. Whenever you’re ready.”

Mass Effect: What Came After

@The Game Master

Here's the intro! I hope it's okay. If you want something added or changed, just let me know!

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Perhaps it was too much of a question to ask Angela. The disappearance of her mother was something Fareeha obsessed about for many years when she was younger. At times she thought the older Amari to be dead, yet no body was ever found. She asked anyone she could, but each potential lead led to another dead end. Angela was the final lead in her immediate circle. If she didn't know anything about the disappearance, others would perhaps yield the same answer.

Though Fareeha expected the answer, it didn't make it any easier. She swallowed her disappoint. "It's okay. I don't remember that much about her, but she's still family," she said. "Until I see a body, I'll keep looking. Or simply move on."

Surprised by the touch, Fareeha looked at the hand then to Angela. Her next word brought a mixture of yearning and betrayal. "Angela. If she didn't want to hurt me, she wouldn't have left," she said. Remembering where she was, Fareeha cleared her throat and pulled away. "Sorry, that got too personal. Why don't you finish up?" She pointed at Angela's plate. "Take your time. When you're done, I'll introduce you, properly, to the medical elements of the 5th. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to have you."

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha, her officers, and even officers from the other tables were listening in. It was rare getting news these days. Egypt's news networks covered the whole Cairo campaign and the valiant, indefatigable ESF that resisted humanity's arch enemies. Most of the coverage was glorified, propaganda to keep hope flaming in each Egyptian heart. Though there were kernels of truth packed in here and there.

The names Angela spoke of, Fareeha recalled, were members of Overwatch. She was too young to really remember too much of them, but she knew of the people. Particularly Reinhardt. She always thought his laugh was too loud. Too rambunctious. But it had its own charm. The others were blurs.

"I bet they're all fighting the fight," she said when she had a chance to jump in. "Germany's not going anywhere with Reinhardt there. Scandinavia's got an army of turrets. The other countries? Well, we now know their current state. It's a shame about South America. Never been there, but they were lives lost regardless."

Coming back onto the topic of Egypt, Fareeha was slightly surprised that her country was the hardest hit, in Angela's recount. She had expected the Omnics to concentrate on the more modern, populated areas. Europe. America. Russia. Asia. To have the heaviest fighting take place over barren sand was beyond her. There was nothing for the Omnics to gain here. Nothing that could've threatened them like the other countries. But who knew the logic of machines?

Fareeha rose an eyebrow at Angela's portion about her. Her officers gave her playful smiles. So did the others. "Why don't we keep private life private, yes?" She looked at her officers. "Wipe those smirks off your faces."

"I never took you for the type," Nero said. He rose his hands. "Cap, ma'am."

"Stow it," Alawa said. Though his smug expression didn't change. "Dolls though. What an image."

Fareeha sighed. "Thank you, doctor." As annoyed as she sounded, her lips tugged into a small smile. "But thanks for the kind words. It's funny how something so little can bring such comfort." She leaned on the table towards Angela. "If you're comfortable, have you heard from my mom at all? Any news on her?"