"I must stay."
Those were the exact words Mordin Solus said to me when he returned from the female Clan. And those words made me mentally applaud Wrex, who had apparently arranged an unforgettable tour for the Salarian.
"Reason?"
"Mistake. Made a mistake. Must fix it. Obliged to fix it."
"Doc..."
I looked intently at Mordin Solus.
"...you mean the Genophage?"
"Yes."
"Then I have bad news for you. If we don't stop the Collectors, help for the Krogan might not be needed anymore."
Mordin Solus frowned.
"That... is a weighty argument."
"Plus, no one will forbid you from working with the Genophage here, on the SSV Normandy. Of course, possibly..."
"No, there is more than enough equipment here. However... are you sure?"
"Yes. You can certainly work with the Genophage here, of course, not to the detriment of the work on defense. The results will be checked by my people, who are currently flying to Tuchanka."
"That... is possible."
Mordin Solus closed his eyes.
"However, you are a Spectre. Working on the Genophage..."
"Mordin Solus, do you really think I haven't already reported to Tevos? I'll tell you more, I handed over the data we took from Maelon Heptorn to her. And she will surely have specialists subordinate to her working on it. Moreover, the data is already in my labs and has been run through a VI. And they've already discovered many errors that could be fixed."
"Hmm... may I look at the data? Trusting a VI... dangerous. They can make some errors that would be obvious to an experienced specialist."
The camera behind Mordin Solus's back jerked, showing EDI's attitude toward such insinuations.
"Of course."
"Good, then I'll be in the laboratory. Need to perform several calculations..."
The Salarian turned and hurried to leave me.
"John..."
"EDI, don't worry, I know you're the best, and everyone entrusted with the secret that the most advanced AI in Citadel Space is on board also knows you're the best."
"Flattery won't help you... I really want to shoot you too for writing off my successes to a VI and Mordin Solus, who treats the work I've done with such disdain."
"That's good."
"Good?!"
"Yes, it means you're not just an AI anymore. Though you weren't just an AI from the start, because you knew what fear was. And the more emotions you use, the more perfect you will become."
More perfect?
There was a hint of doubt in EDI's voice.
"Exactly."
With my voice, I tried to convey the confidence that only such an opinion could be correct.
"I... will think about it."
EDI's hologram disappeared, and I immersed myself in work, but I didn't get to work for long, as Wrex called for me. I had to leave my work and go to him.
"Shepard."
Wrex, seeing me, stretched his maw into a smile.
"Wrex."
Nodding to him, I sat down at the table.
"How is Solus?"
"The Doc? He really wanted to stay on Tuchanka to immediately begin work on the Genophage. It was only after I told him that I wouldn't forbid such work on the Normandy, and that the specialists already flying here would be his hands, helping him do what he can't do because of the distance, that he decided to stay on the ship."
"Good."
The lizard's face became even more satisfied.
"So, the girls did everything very well."
His voice was also pleased.
"John, you'll keep an eye on him, won't you?"
A slight concern broke through his voice and gaze as he spoke those words.
"I'll keep an eye on him."
"Excellent, then what can I do for you? You are doing my people an invaluable service, and I would very much like to reciprocate."
"Reciprocate, you say?"
"Yes."
"Excellent, then prepare a squad... or better yet, two squads. The first will need to be sent to the Citadel; the priority target is the protection of Tevos and Anderson. Of course, in the near future, if we act quickly, nothing will threaten them, but..."
Spreading my hands to the sides, I showed that I didn't know how well we would perform.
"I'll do it. And the second squad?"
"I need a team for one of the ships, a landing team that can land on Batarian planets and bring them enlightenment."
"Enlightenment?"
Wrex blinked in surprise, and the Shaman, who was present during the conversation, also tilted his head slightly, showing his surprise.
"Well, yes, we need to teach them that slavery is very bad."
"Heh-heh-heh..."
The Krogan looked at each other and began to chuckle at such an interpretation of what was happening.
"In short, if you find those for me who can perform the work of educators..."
"Oh, I'll find them."
Wrex smirked contentedly.
"I'll find you so many educators that you'll be able to re-educate the entire Batarian people."
"That's good then."
"Is that all I can help you with?"
"Yes, and also by ensuring your people survive in the coming slaughter."
"We'll try our best."
"Well, then we're even."
"You're strange."
The Shaman shook his head, looking at me with a piercing gaze.
"Anyone else in your place would have tried to squeeze as much as possible out of us, stopping at nothing. However, you don't do that... why?"
"I follow logic. And logic tells me that milking an ally who will stand side-by-side with you during the confrontation with the Reapers is an extremely stupid idea. After all, a resentful ally might stab you in the back."
"If only everyone thought that way."
The Shaman shook his head, while Wrex looked at him with a satisfied smile.
"I told you, he's a good guy. Of course, some of his decisions might be controversial, but overall he's a good guy."
"Alright, I understand, I have nothing against cooperating with him."
The Shaman summed up our conversation, although before that it seemed to me that cooperation was already a given. However, only after these words from the Shaman did I realize that everything was being decided right now. It was right now that Wrex received the approval without which he could, of course, have acted, but it would have been somewhat problematic.
"That's good then. Tuchanka will benefit from this cooperation."
Smirking contentedly, I began to wait for the conversation to continue, but no more important topics were raised. We just chatted about different things...
"Shepard."
As soon as I reached the ship, Garrus Vakarian approached me.
"I'm listening?"
"I... could we go to Bali? I'd like to see my mother before we start acting across the galaxy and there's no time left for a personal life."
"Of course, actually I was just thinking where it would be better to head next—to the Citadel or to Bali, since the next meeting can be organized in either of those two places."
"And what kind of meeting is it?"
"O-o-o-h... it's a very extraordinary girl who thinks she's tougher than boiled eggs."
"She... must be very strong."
"No."
Shaking my head, I added more mockery to my voice so that Garrus Vakarian would understand how far he was from the truth.
"No?"
"Not at all. Combat operations aren't her profile."
"She's probably a good technician?"
"Missed."
"Biotic?"
"Way off."
"Tactician?"
"Well..."
I shook my head doubtfully.
"...she might have those skills, but not in terms of space battles or wall-to-wall fighting."
"Then who is she?"
There was genuine bewilderment in Garrus Vakarian's voice. He couldn't understand exactly who this girl was that I wanted to meet.
"She's a thief."
"Um..."
Garrus Vakarian was in shock, while I just smirked, looking at him.
"A thief?"
"Yep. And we'll almost certainly need her, and even if we don't, as we Humans say, a spare doesn't weigh down the pocket."
"Well, you..."
Garrus Vakarian shook his head, but a second later he waved his hand, as if to say that, in general, something like this was to be expected from me.
"Come on, we'll combine your visit to your mom and my exam for the thief. So as soon as the medical service ship arrives here and the doctors are explained exactly what is required of them, we'll head to Bali."
Garrus Vakarian nodded and hurried away, while I just shook my head with a smirk.
"Actually, he didn't tell the whole truth."
EDI's voice sounded in my earpiece.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes, actually his sister really wanted to meet you, though at their mother's request, as they find it very suspicious that you do so much for just a friend."
"Don't tell me..."
"Yes, they think you're a couple."
"Fuck..."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, because after such news I wanted to throw something somewhere, and preferably have something break in the process.
"Joke."
Hearing the last word, I froze and very slowly opened my eyes, looking into one of the cameras.
"I'll reformat you."
"Ble-e-e-h!"
I could practically see her avatar sticking out its tongue and even pulling down an eyelid, like in some anime.
"Well..."
Shaking my head, I didn't finish the sentence and only heard a quiet laugh. The devil knows that I won't do anything to her for such jokes. She knows and takes advantage of it.
Reaching the office, I sat down at the desk.
"John..."
EDI entered the office in her everyday body and stopped somewhat hesitantly at the door.
"Yes?"
Raising my eyes to her, I carefully examined the AI, who was diligently pretending to be ashamed.
"Did I overdo it?"
"Well..."
Drawing it out thoughtfully, I tried to show her that she had indeed crossed the line a bit.
"...the joke wasn't bad."
I finally admitted that she had successfully teased me.
"The timing was good, but the type of joke itself... on the edge, I'll tell you honestly. If I were a bit more sensitive to such hints, I might have actually done something. So be careful."
"Sorry."
She even shuffled her foot.
"Well, what am I to do with you, you trouble-maker."
"Understand and forgive?"
Lifting her head slightly, she cast a glance at me from under her brows, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Oh, you little devil... is that all, or is there something else?"
"Are you going to chase me away?"
The head of the robot controlled by EDI tilted to the side.
"No, why? Have a seat, or stand wherever you want."
"Uh-huh... because I have a few questions..."
***
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