Commander Shepard

Mass Effect RP blog. Alternate universe ending.

[withsulfur]

You caught me. I’ve had plenty of missions where someone like that would be perfect. Trouble tends to hit the hardest.

Damn fine to hear it.

[pragmaticparadigm]

I sense a little Massani wisdom behind that.

[ourobori]

"We do. You’ll be appeasing your alien masters while Cerberus wins the war."

[pragmaticparadigm]

"The only thing Cerberus will do is hand the galaxy over to the Reapers on a silver platter. You're a dividing force, not an answer."

[withsulfur]

You do get results. Wish I’d had someone like you working with me before the Reapers.

I guess you’d know a thing or to about that. Next time we’re both on the Citadel, I’ll buy you a drink. Maybe it’ll help us both unwind.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Ha. You'd take that back in a heartbeat. Wasn't much good for anything but trouble back before I pulled myself together. And that joke about trouble and me still going hand in hand? I know you're thinking it.

I wouldn't say no to knocking back a few.

[ourobori]

"I’m still waiting to see if you’ll live up to expectations. So far you haven’t."

[pragmaticparadigm]

"Wait all you like or don't. I don't think I'll be losing any sleep. You and I clearly have a different set of priorities."

[withsulfur]

Hell of a speech, Shepard. Guess that’s why the Alliance has you running the show. You know how to pull off impossible odds and stay morally sound. 

Doesn’t help me sleep any better at night, though.

[pragmaticparadigm]

It's more than a speech when it's how you get things done.

I think that goes for most of us.

[ourobori]

"Speaking of disappointments with the Alliance. Shepard."

[pragmaticparadigm]

"Can't be too much of one. You don't strike me as the type to waste time on 'disappointments.'"

[ourobori]

"And the Alliance continues to disappoint. I’m not surprised."

[pragmaticparadigm]

"I'll bite. You want my attention? You got it."

[withsulfur]

I’ve killed people before who were paid to shoot at me. Hell, even killed people who’d do it for fun. The way I see it, we’re doing them a favor by putting them down. Wouldn’t want it any other way if there was a shred of me left in there.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Maybe. Maybe not.

I had an instructor a few years ago; she was tough as nails. I used to think nothing got under her skin, but then we crossed paths during downtime and got to talking. She told me something I could never shake: "When you think you have all the answers, you've gotten complacent. You're blinded to variables and alterations."

I didn't know what she was telling me then. Hell, some days, I'm still not sure I do. I figure if I stop questioning it -- if I stop seeing the faces that were and only the ones that are -- I'm not doing my job right.

Guess it's that doubt that reminds me of what we're doing out there.

[withsulfur]

I’ve seen a lot of disturbing things in my time. A lot of violence, a lot of killing, but nothing compares to how bad the Reapers are. Looking at those husks, knowing that’s what you’re going to be if you screw up, it’d break a lot of men. Still, nasty pieces of work aren’t going to slow me down.

I hate this goddamn war, though.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Could be the worst part of it, knowing there was someone intelligent in there. Fearing maybe there still is.

That doesn't change what we have to do, but damn if it doesn't complicate it.

[pragmaticparadigm]

[INCOMING TRANSMISSION] This thing on? You still alive out there, Red?

Reading you loud and clear, Zaeed. What can I do for you?

[withsulfur]

Yeah, some of them, but the rest are just like their boss. Wouldn’t know good business if it bit them in the ass.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Looks like we'll deal with them as they come.

[withsulfur]

Talk? Kristoff isn’t going to negotiate with you. He’s paranoid. This war has probably sent him over the edge. My advice is to take him out while we can. I can get us inside. That’s it.

[pragmaticparadigm]

If he plays hardball, we retaliate. I had other people at the fortress in mind. Think they might be persuaded for the right cause?

[withsulfur]

Ran with some of them after the Suns. Good bunch, most of them probably have families getting hit by the Reapers as we speak. It’s going to make them do whatever it takes to get out. Kristoff’s a crazy bastard. Picked up a mission from him once, and he still owes me money and a new set of armor.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Another diversion we don't need if they decide to hit Alliance and refugee resources to pad out their own. If you've got a location on this group, we can head their way and see who's willing to talk and who isn't. I'd rather play it safe until we know what and who we're dealing with in no uncertain terms.

[pragmaticparadigm]

withsulfur replied to your post: [INCOMING TRANSMISSION] Shepard, got a little project I could use some help with. If you’re interested.

This jackass, Kristoff, thinks he can bunker down for the rest of the war. Built himself a fortress and has enough men to hold out for a while. Thing is, I know these guys. They’ll get restless.

And you want to cut them off before they do. I'm just not clear on how these guys figure in with you, Zaeed. Who are they, and what's the situation?

[pragmaticparadigm]

[INCOMING TRANSMISSION] Shepard, got a little project I could use some help with. If you're interested.

[ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION]

Making no promises until I know what you're suggesting, but you've got my attention. What's this about?

[withsulfur]

I’ve smelled worse, sure you have too. It was worth it to see those bastards burn.

[pragmaticparadigm]

A lot worse. Some smells you don't forget.

I agree with that, more than you know.

[withsulfur]

We all made it out alright, few cuts and bruises here and there. That ‘expert’ I mentioned burned his hair.

[pragmaticparadigm]

Nothing like the smell of burnt hair in close quarters. Better than the alternative, though.