Fuck Off

The name's Jack. I work WITH, not for, the Commander. I've got my fair share of grudges, just don't ask me why.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

[zaeedgoddamnmassani]

Zaeed felt a smile curl the edge of his mouth as Jack intimidated the cook into submission.  ”Was that REALLY necessary?” he asked.  ”Or, alternatively, if you felt like bullying our dear mess sergeant, why not just dump the ramen on his head and be done with it?”  He leaned back in his chair, one hand resting openly on the knife at his belt.  Jack was… unpredictable.  And unpredictable combined with a shitload of biotic power mixed with just a tinge of possible craziness was a somewhat unstable bunch.

“Haven’t seen you in a while,” he continued.  ”Figure out any of the mysteries of the goddamn universe while you were down there?”

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Jack was surprised by Zaeed, in fact, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She had completely forgotten he was sitting there, and an unexpected voice from so close brought Jack back to the days of her life where that could have meant death. Her fight or flight response kicked in and sent a jolt up her spine and a jump through her heart. For a split second, she was not so different from humanity's ancestors. When she finally came back to reality, however, only a second had passed and everything was normal. It was just Zaeed saying something that would probably upset her. She quickly shook her head to dispel the last of the scare and set back into intimidate mode. "No, I didn't figure out any mysteries to the fucking universe, and no, I wouldn't tell you if I had anyway. I don't think you'd be the kind of person who would appreciate any answers, you would probably just be a dick if I ever let you in on them. And why is your hand on your knife? We're on Shepard's ship, I wouldn't try to pull anything, don't you worry your pretty head." If she were anywhere else, she probably would have at least punched him in the face, but this was the Normandy. Not a place to try anything. The cook came up with a steaming bowl of ramen and put it in front of Jack with a fork and a napkin. He quickly spouted, "Sorry again about earlier ma'am, please enjoy!" and hurried back to his area. Jack gave a small shrug. As he walked away, she called, "Hey, uh... don't mention it," then looked back at Zaeed. "I swear I didn't mean to do that."

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

[zaeedgoddamnmassani]

Zaeed watched Kasumi and Grunt depart, then turned his attention back to the ramen.  It really was good, but he tried not to enjoy it too obviously, knowing Kasumi was probably watching him on cameras.  As he scraped the bottom of the bowl, his mind already drifting back to his cargo bay, he heard footsteps behind him.  Turning to look over his shoulder, he saw Jack, and forced himself to stay still.  He didn’t quite have the girl figured yet, other than the fact that she was dangerous as hell.  As far as he was concerned, she’d earned the krogan treatment: He actually zipped his lips and avoided deliberately pissing her off.  With most people, goading them into premature action could only work in his favor.  With krogan, if he tried it, they’d end up picking his teeth out of the floor.  Jack had earned that same respect.  So rather than acknowledge her presence, he simply finished his ramen in silence.  If she wanted to talk to him, she’d talk.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Jack didn't want Zaeed making pervy remarks upon her choice of clothing again, so she carefully walked past him to the food counter and addressed the man who made the food.

"What's there to eat tonight? Or today... Whatever the hell time it is." She had been honestly unaware of the time for about three days, which she had no way of knowing, of course.

The mess sergeant was reading a magazine on his omni tool, but he still replied. "Ramen." He said with obvious annoyance. He hated being interrupted.

"Fine. Just give me some ramen then." She replied in an equally offensive tone of voice. At that point in her life, it was basically automatic for Jack to match a person's disdain toward her.

"Go and get it your damn self!" Said the chef, finally raising his head. He pointed to the other end of the bar, where some cold bowls of ramen noodles were sitting. Once he met Jack's eyes, however, he quickly realized his mistake. Holy shit he thought her!? I've been arguing with her!? The mess sergeant quickly changed his demeanor to frantic. "Uhhhhm actually let me warm up a bowl for you, miss. Just sit on down and I'll bring it over to you when I'm done, ok?"

Jack was surprised. Ever since she had arrived on Shepard's ship, she had forgotten what being feared felt like. She walked over to one of the nearby tables and sat down, far too distracted by what just occurred to notice Zaeed sitting across from her.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

(ooc: a continuation from my last post) Am I even human? What does that mean? Jack sighed deeply to herself and rose her head from her hands. I need to get out of here.

Jack decided that it was a good time to brave the world outside of her dimly lit cave once again.

She rose from her bunk and walked up the stairs, fighting the urge to just lie back down in bed. She decided she could use some food, so she got in the elevator and rose up to the crew deck. The elevator doors slid open, and she walked over to the food bar, carefully avoiding the line of sight from Miranda's office. She didn't want to have to deal with anybody at that moment, let alone her.

As she walked up to the Mess Sergeant, however, she spotted some one out of the corner of her eye.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Jack paced to and fro, her legs tired and her feet sore. The ambient red light of her 'cabin' was getting to her, hell, she was getting to herself. She had been pondering a question: Who am I? She had been thinking of an answer for a solid two hours, and beyond that, her entire life. She was Subject Zero, she knew that much. She knew herself as Jack.

Her feet stopped, and she finally sat down on her bunk as memories of her time as an experiment faded into view. Images of her killing the guards, the scientists, and the other children flashed behind her eyes. Is that who I am? She considered. A killer? A psychopath? An experiment?

She closed her eyes and lay down on her bunk. Is that all I am? Am I even a person?

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

janeshepard- replied to your post: So, when is this party anyway?

It’s the day after we arrive on the Citadel. Just… wear something that covers the critical bits.

I can’t just dress like I normally do? I’d love to see those Alliance officers’ reactions.

[janeshepard-]

It would be a sight. I’ll cut you a deal; cover up a bit for this one event and you can wear whatever you feel like on all the parties we’re bound to be invited to once the war is over.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Ah, you really know how to get your way, don't you Shep? It's a deal.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

janeshepard- replied to your post: So, when is this party anyway?

It’s the day after we arrive on the Citadel. Just… wear something that covers the critical bits.

I can't just dress like I normally do? I'd love to see those Alliance officers' reactions.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

zaeedgoddamnmassani replied to your post: So, when is this party anyway?

I vote formal nothing. Just throwin’ that out there.

Yeah, I already know your opinion...

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

So, when is this party anyway?

I need to decide between my formal leather jacket and my formal nothing.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

ooc: Does MERP have an IRC or anything that everyone hangs out in?

An old DA rp I was a part of had one and it ruled, I was just wondering because I'd like to get to know you guize ^_^

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

The bathroom was consumed with steam. Kelly stood in the emptiness, water droplets hitting her face. She didn’t know how long she’d been standing there, without moving at all, but the warm water was comforting. She tried not to think, only listen to the sound of the water gently falling all around her, hitting the floor...

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Jack heard Kelly’s footsteps before she saw her coming. Shit, ok, it’s now or never to be social… she thought, frantically thinking of things to say. She turned around to see Kelly Chambers standing in front of her...

[theasarijusticar-blog]

The Justicar had heard of the Alliance marine joining the crew, Miranda had her doubts, it was her feelings talking however. Miranda was a bright woman, strong and independent and everything she believed was taken from her when Shepard took down the base. It had to be tough. However, she wasn’t the only one who had doubts, the commander herself had them as well. Samara thought she may still be bitter from how the Alliance cast her aside with things got tough, being betrayed was never an easy thing to recover from.

Samra however, learned it was best to make your own judgements, too many rumors and not enough facts. Rising from her indian style position on the floor, she rose to her full stature, fingers running along her suit adjusting it’s fit before the door to the Observation Deck slid open. Beautiful blue hues adjusting to the sudden change in light. That is when she noticed Jack, a rare sight on this floor speaking to Kelly. An attempt from Kelly to try and get to know the human biotic she was certain. Noticing the two watching the elevator as if hoping for no one else to make this conversation awkward. The Elegant Asari shot a welcoming nod to Kelly and spoke softly towards the convict, the girl had a very shady past, but it seemed like she was trying to change. “It is rare to see you on the Crew Deck, Jack. Perhaps we should have a meal together?” The asari spoke in a friendly tone, yet her face showed little to no emotion. She wanted to see whether their meetings will remain friendly or take a violent turn in the future.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

While turning to look at the elevator, Jack saw Samara approach out of the corner of her eye. Huh, looks like she's come out of her room too thought Jack.

Samara spoke as she approached, “It is rare to see you on the Crew Deck, Jack. Perhaps we should have a meal together?”

"Hah, yeah, I guess it is pretty unheard of for me to be seen about the ship." She replied. "But sure, why the hell not? Let's get something to eat." She turned to Kelly. "You in?"

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

The bathroom was consumed with steam. Kelly stood in the emptiness, water droplets hitting her face. She didn’t know how long she’d been standing there, without moving at all, but the warm water was comforting. She tried not to think, only listen to the sound of the water gently falling all around her, hitting the floor. She tried her best to use the water to drown out the screams that still plagued her, echoing within her mind. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she turned the water off. She had to get back to her duties. She had to try to keep it together. Kelly dried and dressed herself, doing her best to look presentable again. She looked at herself in a adjacent mirror. ‘I look terrible…’ she thought. The lack of sleep was starting to show. He face was paler than usual and there were big, dark circles underneath her eyes. No one had really noticed the tired look on her face, apart from maybe Gabby. But that’s only because they were friends. Taking one last look at herself, and adjusting a stray strand of hair, she finally headed out the bathroom. As she was heading to the elevator to head back to the CIC, she noticed someone in the mess hall. ‘Is that…Jack?’ Kelly had only ever seen her a few times during her time on the ship. Only when she was going or had gone on a mission with Shepard. Never really outside her ‘hidey hole’ down in engineering. Jack wasn’t the nice, social type of person like Kelly was, but she’d always had a great fearful respect for her. Mostly fearful. ‘I wonder if she’s in a talking mood…’ she thought, as she approached her. She made her footsteps louder than when she normally walked to make her presence known. “Hello, Jack. How are you doing?” she said as she admired Jack’s body art. She’d never gotten this close to really see them before. They were tragically beautiful.

She also thought she heard the elevator hum. ‘I wonder if someone else is coming…’

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Jack heard Kelly's footsteps before she saw her coming. Shit, ok, it's now or never to be social... she thought, frantically thinking of things to say. She turned around to see Kelly Chambers standing in front of her.

“Hello, Jack. How are you doing?” Kelly said, looking at Jack's tattoos. Her face didn't seem like it was judging, it almost seemed intrigued, as if at an art gallery.

Jack looked back at Kelly for a moment, short enough to be socially acceptable, but just long enough to make things slightly awkward. "I'm doin'..." Jack carefully thought about her answer. Have I even been asked that before? She considered. Oh, she doesn't actually care, it's social courtesy! Just say good! She shouted internally. "...pretty good. How about you?"

Jack thought she heard the elevator stop at their floor. There better not be anyone else in that elevator...

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

[cerberuscheerleader-blog-blog]

Do you always get this grumpy over a simple observation? I’d be happy to opt out of this little party, but since Shepard hasn’t minded my presence there, than I’ll be happy to go. You know, tattoo removal has gone a long way. You could look into it.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

But I'm proud of my tattoos. They explain who I am, what I've done, what I've been through. To me, they're as permanent as the scars I have from the experiments Cerberus did on me as a child.

What do you have? A perfect face and body? A Cerberus jumpsuit to waltz around in?

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Baby Steps

To hell with it, Jack thought, laying on her bunk below Engineering, I'm leaving this room and braving the rest of the ship...

She got up from her bed and began walking toward the steps out of her 'room'. I'm going to have to be social eventually, might as well start now... She climbed the steps with some doubt in her mind as to how this was going to work out. Despite how fearlessly she acted in combat, she was unsure of herself when it came to anything else. Social interaction was not one of her strong points.

She walked up into the hallway looking over the cargo hold, and she peered through the glass. She had never really explored the ship before. Funny, she thought to herself, I've been in cages for most of my life and now I hole myself up like I'm back in Teltin... She put her hand on the glass of the cargo bay window, remembering the hours she would spend shouting at the other children in the Cerberus facility on Pragia...

She snapped out of it and shook her head. That place was gone. It was the past. She turned around and got into the elevator. Guess I should go to the crew's quarters she thought, and pressed the button to go up.

Feeling the anxiety rise as she herself rose through the ship, she began playing through scenarios of what might happen when she arrived at the crew deck. Everyone would whisper and laugh in hushed tones as she walked out of the elevator. Nobody would know why she was there. She knew they had already been talking about her.

She took a deep breath as she approached the floor. The elevator stopped and she stepped out onto the crew deck, not a person in sight. She exhaled in relief and turned the corner to go get some food from Mess Sergeant Gardner.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

cerberuscheerleader replied to your post:

I’m more concerned about the tattoos covering your body…Shepard might be more than a tad embarrassed about all those *questionable* tattoos.

I'd think she'd be a little more embarrassed over your allegiances, little miss perfect.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

amonkiraguideme replied to your post:

I am as… unhappy about the circumstances as you are, but we owe Shepard this courtesy at least I believe.

*grumble* Well I'm still not wearing a dress...

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

zaeedgoddamnmassani replied to your post:

Touchy subject, I can see. I’ll make sure to ogle discreetly, then. Wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable enough to start smashing things.

*Leans against the wall and crosses her arms* You're smart enough to see the outcome, yet still stupid enough to set them in motion. *shakes head* Tragic. *Leans off and strolls past Zaeed, talking as she does* Just don't blame me when you suddenly find yourself upside-down and across the room after trying to touch my ass.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

I am not going to wear a dress to this party. In fact, I’m not going to wear any kind of stupid dress clothing! Not gonna happen.

[theasarijusticar-blog]

I believe you would look very approachable in a dress, Jack. Do not let fear of embarrassment ruin your fun just time.

[uncagedandenraged-blog]

Says the woman who has her blue tits hanging halfway out of her jumpsuit. Oh, and you have me all wrong. Approachable is not the look I'm going for.