Rebirth The Mass Effect is old

Now the Quarian lowered her muzzle, but a slight echo of emotion showed that the girl was pleased to hear when she was praised. And deservedly so.

"Tali, Garrus. Get to know each other. The spectr of Nylus Kraik. It was he who nominated me as a candidate for the Spectr, for which I am infinitely grateful to him." Nylus smiled faintly.

"And now we're all going to get out of here together, so as not to interfere with the doctor's work and embarrass Nilus with our presence." I grinned at him.

It has only now dawned on the Spectr in what form it is. Nielus opened his mouth, but when he saw the expression on my insolent face, he closed it and nodded slowly. What else could he do? We have already seen everything that is necessary and unnecessary, and a small screen is not an obstacle, because it was practically removed so as not to interfere with the doctor's supervision of all his patients.

"Get well, colleague!"

I was about to rush out of the infirmary after Garrus and Tali when Karin's metallic voice pinned me to the floor.:

"Are you going somewhere, Specter Shepard?"

"But Karin!"

"Irene! You've managed to drink Turian booze until you lose your sanity! Do you even understand what the consequences can be after taking SO much dextro-alcohol?"

"Well, since I managed to sober up and oversleep, but there are still no consequences... So there are none?" quite reasonably, I remarked, looking ingratiatingly into the doctor's gray eyes. "Moreover, dextro-food is not as dangerous as everyone warns."

The reproach in the doctor's eyes and the crazy look in his green eyes were my reward.

"Dextro-alcohol?" The low rumbling voice showed the depth of amazement. "And you survived?"

"And she didn't even get a rash." I grinned, silently thanking the gods and demons for my powerful regeneration and adaptable body.

"Irene, people can consume dextro-foods without harm to the body. But — not everything! Alcohol is just one of the dangerous ones! He is quite capable of causing a strong reaction. Neutral products suitable for all types are marked with appropriate labels. They come in both types, but they're harmless and easy to digest.

"But there was no allergy." I shrugged my shoulders. In my previous incarnations, I've eaten everything... Even the lower demons got their teeth into it. And nothing. I got hurt a couple of times, of course, but I survived...

"Dismissed, Captain." The doctor graciously dismissed me. "This time. Pilot Moreau is waiting for you in the control room."

"Oh, come on, Karin! We're not going anywhere yet! We have some left... unfinished business at this beautiful station." My predatory, anticipatory grin made Naylus choke, but his next words brought a knowing smile:

"We were allowed into the arsenal of the Spectr.

Bowing formally to the relaxed Turian, I asked:

"Dear colleague. Do you need anything from the bins of these very arsenals?"

Despite the way the question was posed and the humorous tone, Naylus realized that I had asked the question without a trace of irony and calmly answered:

"New heavy armor. And if it's not too much trouble, Irene Spectrum, bring a full set of weapons."

"Oh, come on... It won't bother me." I noticed, looking into the laughing green eyes. "Garrus will come with me for that."

"It may not be missed."

"Nothing. I'll take it out." seeing the growing skepticism in the eyes of a fellow professional and remembering the weight of a full set of armor and weapons, she recovered: "Or drag her out, which is more likely."

Nielus laughed softly, and I stormed out of the infirmary before I got my neck slapped for making a seriously injured patient laugh. Nielus, on the other hand, grimaced at the sharp pain in his disturbed wound and continued to smile.

The doors of the infirmary closed softly behind me. Sighing with relief, I ruffled my short hair, frowning at the funny faces of the soldiers of the landing group and into the guilty eyes of Garrus. Why does he blame himself? They seemed to drink together and on my initiative.

"And why are we so happy?"

The fighters laughed merrily.

"Come on, mother do! It was necessary!" Corporal Atkins, giggling merrily, came up and slapped me on the back. Irene treated the guys from her own group well. After moving in, I quite easily transformed this relationship into a friendly one with a slight touch of subordination. Now, outside of missions, the guys are relaxed. To them, I was not Commander Shepard or Spectr, but the only woman in their company who was able to gain trust and gain some credibility.

"Come on... Have you forgotten how terrified you were the other day, and we hid you from the watchful eyes of the captain?"

Darg laughed even more merrily.

"And here you stood out. You should have been so pumped up with dextro-swill! And even crawl to the ship on your own feet! Ah ha ha...! And even in the company of an officer of the C-Sec! Ashley almost lost her temper when she saw you!"

"Not with booze, but with very expensive alcohol!"

The fighters were having a lot of fun, teasing me without malice, and Garrus didn't know where to hide from shame and embarrassment. I didn't understand, does he think he framed me in front of his subordinates and undermined his authority? When I met the blue eyes full of remorse and guilt, I clearly understood: yes, he does. But that's not good. I'd forgotten how sensitive Turians are to subordination and insubordination. Garrus was an atypical representative of his people, but for him, what was happening was a bit wild.

"Oh, come on. Unlike some, Officer Vakarian is the lucky owner of the same autopilot version as me. AND he didn't cause me ANY PROBLEMS. Unlike you in the same condition!"

"Oh, how!" the fighters whistled, looking at the confused guy with a fraction of respect.

"So that's a good laugh. Garrus, don't mind them. It's just a joke!"

Darg and Dylan grinned.

"Rir, there are rumors that you've become a Spectr."

"Are they walking already?" I blinked in surprise.

The laughter is like a snap. The fighters exchanged glances.

"So is it true?"

"Truth. Garrus has been very helpful in my investigation, and Tali," I smiled at the Quarian woman huddled against the wall, "She provided the evidence we needed." I raised my hand, interrupting his attempt to protest. Garrus, we agreed yesterday that we would no longer find out who helped whom how much, and who had whose back. The three of us worked well together and our joint actions brought results that I had not hoped for.

The fighters listened to me very attentively, knowing full well that I was telling all this just for them. Garrus stood uncertainly against the wall. It's amazing where a tough and cold-blooded warrior goes when it comes to banal praise: in front of me was an insecure guy who didn't know where to put his hands or where to look.

The fighters calmed down and got answers to their questions. Their attitude towards Garrus and Tali subtly changed: wariness and disdain evaporated, the tall Turian was looked at with interest and respect, the girl was somewhat patronizing and friendly. They respected me. Not just Irene, but ME too. The guys felt the changes in our relationship very quickly and they were there... We are grateful. Still, Irene behaved aloof and with a bit of coldness, although she stood up for her subordinates like a mountain, preferring to conduct the showdown without unnecessary witnesses. For which they were both appreciated and respected... However, they were not allowed into the inner circle, and Irene did not seek to get there. After encouraging the fighters that they had until the evening, Garrus, Tali, and I left the ship.

Garrus was silent while we got to the Presidium, thinking about something, and I suppose he would have remained silent. Tali started an interesting conversation for everyone:

"Irene. Our investigation is over. I..." the girl stopped, looking at me strangely with pale eyes, barely visible behind the lilac visor of her helmet.

"Tali... It's just beginning." I smiled. "Or have you changed your mind and don't want to come with me?"

The girl jerked at this question, waving her arms frantically.

"No, not at all!"

"So are you staying?"

"Of course! I just wanted to clarify. Maybe YOU've changed your mind..." The Quarian's soft murmuring voice faltered.

"Tali, I don't go back on my words. And I'll be glad to see you and Garrus aboard the Normandy."

Garrus blinked in surprise, looking into my eyes with a strange expression. This Turian just amazes me sometimes! When it comes to work, he is collected, confident, cold-blooded, tough to the point of cruelty, ruthless and reasonable, but when it comes to personal matters... so all this disappears somewhere in an unknown way, leaving a shy and extremely polite tactful young guy. How is this possible? And so it is now. He stands there, hesitating, and doesn't know how to approach me and ask to join the team. Although I can see it in his eyes: he wants to!

"Garrus, what are your plans?" The Turian shrugged, shifting uncertainly from one foot to the other, looking at me with surprisingly blue eyes.

"I'm assembling my own squad to complete the Council's tasks. What do you say?" Come on, come on, propose your candidacy, or at least just agree, but don't look at me with the eyes of a kitten forgotten at the door!

"I have a job in the Security Service... I was somewhat disappointed." Garrus went out a little, absently tapping his clawed fingers on his forearm. "If you... If you don't mind, I'd like to join your squad." The guy blinked, apparently just realizing what he had said. "You said I was... good at shooting."

It's just some kind of horror! Garrus causes an uncontrollable attack of emotion, coupled with the desire to punch him in the neck to knock out this wild insecurity and shyness.

As far as I know, he's about twenty-seven years old now, and he's about a year younger than my body. I'm not sure exactly-I wasn't interested. I'll look at his file later. At the moment, Garrus is an employee of the investigative department of the C-Sec, to whom all the "hanging" and other not too convenient cases are being unloaded, which older colleagues do not want to take on. Vakarian's reputation in the C-Sec is quite specific. He's too honest, proud, and pushy. Do I need such a shot on the ship? Of course... YES!

"Garrus, do you think Director Pallin would be very unhappy if we took you away from the C-Sec?" Tilting I head slightly to one side, I watched with interest as understanding flashed in her blue eyes, and her expressive face broke into an incredulous smile.

"Director Pallin doesn't like me too much. Rather, he tolerates it. With difficulty."

"Then I don't think he'll be too upset. Welcome to the team, Garrus Vakarian." While the confused Turian blinked in disbelief, I sat down on a bench and opened the uni-tool.

"Thank you, Irene." That's wonderful! Now, before something unexpected happens...

"Garrus... Do you know how to write transfer reports?" The Turian nodded, looking at me in surprise. I stared at him in silence, and he stared at me until it dawned on him.

"Now?"

"Don't you like this bench?" I asked with a chuckle. If you haven't changed your mind, sit down and write a report to Director Pallin about being transferred to the Normandy Special combat unit. And dictate the text to Tali. In the meantime, I'll write an order for its formation."

It must have looked funny from the outside. Three reasonable people were excitedly scribbling official documents in their instruments, periodically correcting each other and dictating the necessary words and phrases in the official language. The order to form a detachment saw the world a couple of seconds earlier than two reports: one about the transfer, the second about the inclusion of a civilian specialist.

And just a couple of minutes later, I received an incoming call.

"Captain Anderson!" I smiled at my former boss, who was completely pleased.

"Shepard. I got the documents."

"Is there something wrong with them?" I was worried, but when I saw the sly look in his gray eyes, I relaxed.

"There's nothing wrong with them, I've sent them to the military department and the Council's office."

"Thank you, Captain." The man only inclined his head in a slight nod, accepting the sincere gratitude.

"I am glad that you started forming an operational combat unit so quickly. The Alliance Battle Group is being removed from the Normandy and transferred to another ship. The Eye of the Storm is coming under my command."

"When will the guys be filmed?"

"It's already been removed."

I was a little upset. I'm used to guys, but I couldn't even say goodbye here.

"Are you taking them to the Eye?"

Anderson nodded.

"Is there anything else I should know in advance?"

"Not everyone is happy that the ship with experimental equipment was given to the Spectr." Many people disagree with your appointment, but there is nothing they can really do. While. Keep this in mind."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Good luck, Shepard."

The connection was lost, and I sat and pondered the veiled warning. What I remember from the canon didn't make me happy. Dear command will act frankly like a pig with Shepard. Well. In any case, I won't be able to do anything properly until I pass the key point with the Lazarus project. The chain of events is too rigidly fixed. But, nevertheless, it is possible to change something. And I'm not me if my dear superiors don't expect a surprise! And we'll have to do something about the Ghost. But — all this later. Garrus, would you be so kind as to escort us to the C-Sec.

* * *

The C-Sec greeted us with loud cursing and the rumbling voice of a krogan arguing with an officer. The stumbling block was a powerful shotgun, a weapon that is certainly prohibited from being carried on the territory of the Citadel. The shotgun was still taken away, and the evil Krogan remained standing at the massive elevator leading somewhere into the bowels of the C-Sec.

"Do you often have this here?" I asked quietly.

"Constantly." Garrus purred. "This is Rex. It's not the first time he's been here, and it won't be the last."

The Krogan noticed our intensely entertaining trio and watched intently. Did you find out? Is he really going to try to put money behind Fist's head?

"You. A human." A gruff voice made it clear that Rex had finally made up his mind and recognized me. "Do they call you Shepherd?"

I stopped, peering with interest at the scarred face.

"Do I have to answer?" The Krogan rolled away from the elevator wall, which he had been propping up with his shoulder.