text; un: archangel

[thearchangel]

WHO: Garrus & All
WHERE: Network: Libra
WHEN: Early Morning, beginning of January
WHAT: Alien has priorities
WARNINGS: N/A

Anyone want to explain why in the hell my rifle shoots foam darts?

[That’s sure one way to introduce yourself. He’s too paranoid to make this video or voice - scouring the networks here has shown it’s Earth, but not the one he was just standing on.]

[It’s not actively on fire for starters.]

[There also are no accounts of any of the nonhuman species he knows, either. On this app or the old version of the extranet he’s found. This is not optimal, to say the least. He should be somewhere else, with the crew, and that’s a whole lot of baggage to unpack once immediate problems are sorted.]

[But priorities-]

This is some secret alternate network server right? That’s what I’m gathering. I need information - ideally transport back to where I need to be, but that doesn’t sound like it’s going to happen. So I’ll settle with the nearest location to pick up supplies that won’t potentially give me hives…

And what the hell happened to my gun!

Comments

Text ★ CDR J. Shepard

[earthborn]

That's a new one for me. But this is crazy for everybody, not just you, buddy.

What DID they do to your gun? You can't tell?

voice | PRIVATE

[thearchangel]

[Hold on. Hold on.]

[He has to stare at the name for a long, long minute. Sure, he'd changed the name as soon as he possibly could - he's paranoid, he knows it. But it seemed smart at the time. In the moment, though, he's torn between laughing and disbelief.]

[Because there is no universe, no version of the galaxy where he does not know that name.]

[He switches over to voice, locking the feed almost immediately.]

Shepard? Is that - it's me. [Surely, there is no universe, no version of the galaxy where she does not know his. Right?] Garrus.

What are you doing here? How did you get here?

voice

[earthborn]

[A lot of weird things have been happening to Shepard recently, and she feels she's been pretty gracious about it, all things considered, but this is definitely pushing the boat out a little bit. Still, after a long, considering pause in which she contemplates what the hell you even say to any of that, Shepard consents to flip the damn thing over to the voice channel and accepts the encrypted line.

Because sure, why not. Why not this? What the hell else?]

I don't know anybody by that name. [She knows a guy named Gary, but it's not the same.] And I was born here, so what's your excuse? How did you— Oh, of course...

[This damn Libra system knows her by her government name, without asking. Not shady at all.]

Sorry, I can't help you. No point in owning a car in this city even if you're living here full time.

[thearchangel]

[Of all the things he could have expected to hear...]

[It hits him like a truck. Like the rocket that took out half his face. The line goes absolutely silent for a good while after, because - What? That's her voice. He'd know it anywhere. Any time. There is no mistaking it's her. He doesn't even need to see her face.]

[I don't know anybody by that name]

[It hollows out a part of him he didn't realize he even had. It's - he can't even consider it being a joke, because he knows that tone. He knows her too damn well to try and lie, even to himself. His brain starts racing around in circles, a problem he can't solve but has to at the same time. Why would she say that? Why would Shepard say that?]

I ... what do you mean?

[That is a pathetic little question and internally he kicks himself. Under the normal words, the layered echo is flat and pained, because damn it, what is this? Why would she say that?]

We've worked together - since Saren. Since you first heard about the Reapers, Shepard, you...

[He trails off, cuts himself off from a near-desperate ramble. He has to figure this out, get his head on straight, something, anything. Instead of pleading like part of him really wants to for her to not play this game whatever it was.]

[earthborn]

Saren? What does this have to do with him?

[It comes out automatically, and deeply incredulous. That was like two weeks ago, and she damn well remembers the name and face of everybody on that investigation, that she met at least.]

Look, I really don't know what you're talking about, or how you found out about any of that. Arthur Saren is dead, and that's all anybody needs to know—

[She catches herself. No, come on Shepard, this isn't the open internet, this is Libra, where people are greek gods and wolf men, and it's all bullshit and all real. And besides he sounds... upset, kind of. Like, really upset. Whoever he was expecting her to be, she can't really say, but it seems serious.]

...Look, this has all got to be really weird for you. I know, I just 'woke up' too. I think you have me mixed up with somebody else.

voice -> video

[thearchangel]

It's how we met, Shepard. I was investigating him, the Council took it off my hands, gave it to you. You signed me on to help take him down -

[Wait wait what "Arthur"??? That's not anything close to the dead Spectre's name. Okay, maybe close, his family name had been Arterius, hadn't it? But that's beside the point. Because she sounds angry, and his desperation is mounting slowly. So... he clicks it to video.]

[Peels off his helmet right there on camera, like that's going to jog something loose and make this make sense. There he is. Fully on screen, in some abandoned apartment, pleading internally with the little phone to make this fix it.]

No. I don't - I couldn't. I followed you into hell more times than I can count - there is no one else in the galaxy I respect like you, I ...

Please.

Whatever is happening - [The intensity drops, he seems to sag where he's standing. He doesn't even know what he's pleading for.] - I would never mistake you.

voice -> video

[earthborn]

Oh shit.

[She doesn't turn on her own camera at first, too busy leaning in to try and see... what is this? What is she looking at? It's so different than with Lycaon, who was at least in the shape of something familiar. This Garrus person is... completely unearthly, not a lizard, or a bird, and when he talks the way his mouth opens up is bizarre and fascinating. She loses a second or two just to staring. What the hell are you?

Oh, right. Conversation. Politeness. But when her camera activates at last, it's to show nothing more or less than Shepard herself, sitting on a balcony somewhere with her back against a railing and a view of the city beyond her somewhat obscured by the ugly tops of nearby buildings. She hasn't got those deep scars, and her eyes are green and clear, her eyes unbruised— Shepard is well-rested, uninjured, and largely unstressed. She would not have categorized herself that way, of course, but perhaps Garrus knows better.]

Uh... hi. I guess that's you, then. [She resists, narrowly, the urge to ask if he knows Lycaon. Not every non-human knows one another, right? Does that make her sound provincial to ask?] I really think I'd remember meeting somebody like you. Or maybe not? I'm told that things look a lot different on this side— do you know a guy named Lycaon?

[Real casual, slipped it in. Nice work.]

[thearchangel]

[Well that's not the reaction he'd been hoping for.]

[Oh Shit from someone you care about, on seeing what you look like, is never a good reaction. It sends his heart plummeting down to the soles of his feet.]

Ah, well. The scars are fading, I know, I know. I keep meaning to get new ones...

[And of course, the depreciating joke. Of course the brush off. It doesn't even have the usual feigned swagger it usually does. Doesn't have the pretended confidence. It just sounds as hollow as he feels. He knows those words aren't about the scars on his face. She doesn't... know him. Somehow, she doesn't recognize a single plate on his face or scale on his hide.]

[Some distant part of him is grateful, if only because it means she can't read the devastation on his face. If Shepard doesn't know him, she can't read his emotions like a book. It won't weigh on her, then.]

[Not... that it seems like anything is, by comparison. Because looking back at him looks more like the woman he'd met in front of the Council Chambers than the one he'd been pried away from on Earth. Maybe even before that. Maybe even before Eden Prime and the Beacon that started it all. It's like another punch to the chest. Is that... why she doesn't know him? There's some kind of crazy time warp? Black hole physics or - ]

Yeah. This... is me. I - can turn the feed off. If that - if that helps. [How in the hell are you supposed to react to this? To losing someone to a version of themselves?] No, no that name... doesn't ring a chime.

Text | un: lycaon

[paraselenic]

If that is the question you prioritize first, I must say the city made a fine choice in putting the 'safety locks' on, as it were.

[Sorry Garrus, you kinda sound like a crazed, armed maniac right now.]

Are you planning to use it on the general populace? I should hope not, for your sake.

That said, you seem quite new to this place, I would be happy to give you information as well as transportation to wherever you would like.

[thearchangel]

... oh. Damn, that. That did come out badly, didn't it?

[He has this problem a lot.]

It's an important piece of equipment to me. It's seen me through a hell of a lot - my commanding officer gave it to me. Sentimental, sure, but, hate it when it's messed with without my permission.

So... No. I don't plan on taking any potshots at the locals. And as far as transport goes, from what I'm reading on this thing, it doesn't sound possible.

Unless you know how to get back to where I came from.

[paraselenic]

[Oh good, so it WAS just a slip of the tongue in frustration. He can understand that. He talks to a vampire.]

Ah, I understand now. So it's more the integrity of your sentimental treasure that's frustrating you. In that case, I'm certain someone here can take a look at it. There are quite a few engineers who and remedy the situation.

[Garrus's next comment does confirm his suspicions.]

It sounds like saying you're from 'out of town' is an understatement, am I correct?

[thearchangel]

[Hey buddy question what's a vampire.]

It's like someone messing with a part of yourself. I can't remember what it's like not to have it in my hand. I'm a sharpshooter, a sniper, always have been.

If someone from around here can figure out how the hell they got it to fire foam darts, and only that, they're welcome to give it a try. I've disassembled it at least five times now.

[At least they didn't mess with his visor, then there would be literal hell to pay.]

Yeah.

Understatement of the century.

[paraselenic]

[Gay, that's what.]

Hm. You will likely have much to adjust to then. While there are certainly uses for the occupation, I can't say there's too much work right now for a sniper outside of the military.

[Though, Lycaon's priorities are less on the gun right now. Garrus might see the gun as part of himself, but basic amenities are truly first.]

Have you acquired lodgings yet? Or anything of the sort?

If you are as...'out of town' as you claim, then you will likely need some place to stay.

[thearchangel]

[Duly noted go on.]

Noticed that, going through this network. Human military really doesn’t suit me… Our peoples tend to butt heads. Where I’m from, at least.

I can do tech, investigations, that kind of thing. I’ll figure something out.

[A place to stay…]

[He glances around before replying. Once again, he’d found an empty apartment to hole up in, abandoned and probably condemned. At least no one’s shooting at him yet.]

I’m fine on that front.

Provisions are the bigger issue.

[paraselenic]

Hm. I would likely get in touch with Zodiac--they are the ones who styled this app we're speaking through. While I do not exactly say to trust them as a corporation, they can provide you identification that you'll need to integrate yourself into this world.

[Fake IDs, documentation, the works, in other words.]

Then all you'd need to do is find employment. I have connections in Zodiac, so if you'd like to meet up, I can take you there.

[Garrus. Garrus you cannot just squat in an abandoned apartment. Garrus.]

Provisions? I am skilled in cooking if you are in need of food. I would be happy to bring some over to you.

[thearchangel]

A potentially shady corporation in charge of a bunch of displaced people. Some of them nonhuman. Where have I heard that before?

[But it doesn't sound like he has a choice, here.]

I'd say yes. But from what I've seen on this thing, and the extranet, my people aren't exactly common here. Hell, doesn't even look like humanity knows we exist. And I'm not looking to kick off the Relay Incident early.

[He's not turning you down, Lycaon, just thinks him walking around in full view of humanity might go badly.]

Ah, yeah, that's... not the issue. Long story short, the basics of our DNA and Earth's don't match up. Worst case scenario, no matter how good a chef you are, a bite could be anaphylactic shock. Best case? It'd be the same as eating cardboard, nutrient wise.

See why I'm worried?

text: un: trienemybest

[droptheious]

[ Oh look, someone new.]

Um. Did you pick up a toy rifle maybe? That might explain the foam darts? Like are you absolutely sure it's a regular gun?

Did you pick it up from the Goodwill store? Things from there tend to be... weird.

[thearchangel]

[Varian then gets a photo - of a rifle that's probably bigger than he is. It's space age as hell, clearly. Definitely not a toy.]

I'm sure.

It's mine, down to the last bolt. I just can't figure out what's been done to it.

[droptheious]

[ ...That is a very large gun. He already wants it. So much. ]

...That is so cool.

Anyway, uh. Not sure how your ammo was replaced. That's- that's a new one. What does it take? I'm an engineer so I could probably help. I'm... away right now, but I can sure take a look once I'm home.

[thearchangel]

[Varian it would knock you back ten feet.]

It’s definitely a good one. Not standard, mind you - all the upgrades and refits I did myself. It’s practically one of a kind.

[Oh brag more, Vakarian.]

Take? Do you mean heat sinks? Firearms haven’t taken real individual ammunition in a long time. All the components internally are intact, too.

[droptheious]

[ No, let him touch it. Please. He's been so good. ]

You did? That's so cool!!!! So you're an engineer too? I build my own guns sometimes, y'know, when the situation needs one.

Heat... sinks. That's a new one. So it doesn't take bullets? But... whatever these heat sinks are? Can you tell me more about them? I'm gonna grab my notebook!!!

[thearchangel]

[... MAYBE.]

I wouldn't go that far. My expertise is weaponry, and armor - with a focus on firearms and ship cannons. I can hack fairly well, but trained engineers could probably run circles around my work.

Uh. Sure? When you fire the weapon, it generates heat. Too much, and it won't continue to fire, hell, it could melt certain components if it gets too hot. That's where a heat sink comes in. Excess heat is stored in the canister, and when it hits a certain temperature, you expel the whole thing.

Guns still fire a projectile. It's a tiny thing, carved off a metal block inside the weapon. Sure it needs replacing every now and again, but the way the mass effect fields work, it'll be years with the right maintenance.

[GOOD JOB VARIAN, that's probably the most words he's "said" since he got here.]

[droptheious]

Oh, well, computers are different anyway! I don't count computers.

[Of course he doesn't. ]

Wow, I have never heard of engineering like that before - I'd definitely love to take a look once I'm home if you don't mind! That sounds fascinating! I've worked with a lot of alchemical solutions before and overheating can be a problem. It sounds like a design well worth studying.

[Nerds gotta nerd! ]

un: badnews

[whitestonelives]

Well, you're right that transport to where you were isn't going to happen. For one thing, it's not currently possible.

However, I can help you with your rifle, if you let me take a good long look at it. [Please allow Percy to get his hands on this rifle. Please. Pleasepleaseplease—]

[thearchangel]

Consider me surprised... Nothing's ever that easy, is it?

I'd be willing to get a second set of eyes. It's - a little finicky. [Read: If someone else mods it I will lose my entire mind] So I'd rather oversee any looks. You know how it is, you get attached to a gun...

[Garrus not everyone knows how that is in a normal world.]