paragon mshep has no idea what's in store for him

[sheepherds]

So this is the beginning of a long journey. For you, for me, for everyone on this ship. I don't know what's coming, but I hope I'm up to the task. Not that I see the logic behind giving me a voice here, but orders are orders. I think I've got a few too many on my crew who like to forget rules exist for a reason. But maybe that's what I need to challenge my thinking, keep me on my toes. As long as they don't challenge me mid-battle.

They're good soliders. Garrus worries me a little, but his intentions are the same as mine. Just different methods. Wrex worries me a lot, but I think that's a cultural misunderstanding. Ashley's been through hell recently, I'd like to keep an eye on her. Preferably from the bottom of a bottle of whiskey, because I don't intend to talk about Akuze sober. 

And Tali's just... brilliant. She could talk circles around me, I don't have a clue how this ship runs, or how we picked up somebody as smart as her. Kaiden? Well, I don't know what to make of him yet.

But I've got a bad feeling about all of this. The Council, the Spectres, the whole mission stinks to high heaven. I just hope for once, my gut is wrong.

Comments

[fuckcerberus]

Well shit, this one's still in diapers.

[sheepherds]

...

Can I help you?

[only a touch of irritation there. he knows he got command of this starship about an hour ago, but really?]

[fuckcerberus]

Give it about three years a Reaper to the face.

[sheepherds]

This is a nexus. And you're from three years in my future.

[pause]

Are you a friend or a foe?

wow, pretend I didn't miss an 'and' in that last tag

[fuckcerberus]

Depends on the day. And my mood.

And whether or not you're being a jackass.

np I figured you meant it! in return have my own typo fix

[sheepherds]

So you're not a team player, I take it?

[do other places not drill the value of working as a unit into their soldiers, or does he just keep picking up nonconformists]

[fuckcerberus]

I am with the right leverage. And Boy Scout, you had some good fuckin' leverage.

[ you have no idea. ]

[sheepherds]

Seems like I'd have to.

[and if she's one of his own, might as well start now]

Where you from?

[fuckcerberus]

Purgatory. [ it sounds like a challenge, like 'is there a problem with that'. if he even knows what the fuck purgatory means - not a whole lot of people know about that shithole, and for a good reason. and while she's not from purgatory (nobody is, it's a fucking prison), she's sure as hell not going to say pragia. ]

[sheepherds]

[nnnope, prisons are not at the top of his knowledge list, especially if they don't belong to the Alliance military.]

Gonna need a little more than that.

[and that's definitely the 'give me the complete report, solider' tone that's a little bit too practiced by now]

[fuckcerberus]

[ he'll quickly learn how far that tone actually gets him. ] Fuck you. I don't owe you shit, even after you pull your balls out of Alliance's purse.

[sheepherds]

[he's just going to assume she talks to people though a string of constant insults, at this point, and tries not to take it personally.]

Technically, you don't owe me this conversation. But I thought we were talking just the same.

[gayloveinterest]

...Well, this is certainly a new experience.

[sheepherds]

That seems to be the motto of my life lately.

[gayloveinterest]

...You haven't met me yet? Have you?

So much for that second date.

[sheepherds]

Not that I recall--

[and in the small voice of the deeply concerned bicurious]

...date?

Did I... like it?

[gayloveinterest]

You seem enjoy it.

[ There might been a touch of "we totally had sex in his voice" but hey.]

[sheepherds]

[oh god no he signed up for some sloppy drunk kissing in some dark corner where none of his squadmates would find him, not the full ride, abort abort. that is not the implication at all, right? right?]

That's good to hear. I think.

I take it something other than the usual prevented a second one?

[avatarofvengeance]

In my cycle, there was no time to think about whether or not you would trust your gut. You would simply fight and win, Shepard.

[sheepherds]

If I have the luxury, I'll use it. Nothing good comes from 'just fighting and winning', most of the time.

[avatarofvengeance]

You are wrong. If my people had won, then you would not be fighting what you are now.

[sheepherds]

Maybe. But at what cost?

If you attack without thinking through the consequences, you lose that choice. Winning no matter what can be a double-edged sword.

[he might be slightly opinionated about the genophage]

[avatarofvengeance]

You do not wait for the Reapers, Shepard. You attack them before they elminate you.

[sheepherds]

Didn't say striking first wasn't an option. Just that it's important to consider all options before making the strike.

What's the saying about leaping and looking, again? [it's a rhetorical question.]

[avatarofvengeance]

In my cycle, you would leap because there were no other options. There are no other options. Do you know why there are no other Protheans, Shepard?

Because even with how long we held them off, we were not enough.

[sheepherds]

Protheans? So you're--

What I saw really happened, then.

I'm sorry.

[avatarofvengeance]

If you are sorry then you won't waste my time.

We lost a war. That is all.

[ yeah. he cares, but he's not going to let shepard know that ]

[sheepherds]

Talking over conflicting viewpoints isn't really a waste of time in my book. Sounds like you disagree.

[sue him, he has arguments like this with garrus daily.]

So what can I do that is worth your time?

[avatarofvengeance]

I am there to make sure you win. So don't lose, and my time won't be a waste.

[ Listen he's...not happy about it, but he's stuck. ]

[sheepherds]

Then we will. I can't disappoint you, can I?

[it sounds jovial but... actually, he's not sure. in fact, he thinks there's a pretty good chance they could all die if he makes one wrong move]

[but part of being a commander is giving everyone else hope to cling to, right?]