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Post by Maelstrom on Jun 4, 2017 21:22:14 GMT -6
[GM Post]
The Okinawa has escaped from beyond the Omega Four relay and shaken any Cerberus pursuit. They have been directed to a facility where the Shadow Broker's resources will see to finishing the vessel's retrofits and upgrades. It will be several days of travel and several relay jumps before the crew arrives. In the mean time, the crew may relax, train, and see to their own efforts to see to the ship.
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Jun 28, 2017 16:08:21 GMT -6
Re-connect the capacitors to the eezo nodes, Thrak said in his mind, as he went about the task of re-assembling his war hammer on the table in the mess hall. After each mission, he would disassemble, clean, and service each weapon he carried. That was one of the things which had set him apart from the other warriors of clan Urdnot. Most krogan let others take care of their armor and weapons, some handing them off to less hostile krogan, some to captive quarians and salarians. One thing he had learned long ago, though, was that no one held your own life in higher regard than you did. It was foolish to let someone whose life was not immediately dependent on such important tools to see to their maintenance.
In a lifespan as long as a krogan's, accidents happened. Thrak was determined that his accidents would never be due to a failure to see to his gear.
Picking up one of the servos which helped the weapon to deliver maximum force on impact, Thrak started cleaning it with a small, wand-like device. It was similar to the more expensive toothbrushes some species bought, using small mass effect fields to break up grime and other debris. The difference was that it was more powerful, able to remove tougher organic matter, such as dried blood or brain-matter.
He was thorough, scouring every nook and cranny. With care, he applied a mechanical lubricant, before re-installing the component. The action was nearly muscle-memory at that point. The same went for any component of any of his weaponry or armor.
A small grunt escaped his throat as he examined the next servo. There was a small crack, barely visible, beginning along the edge. He knew from experience that the component would likely hold up for a year or more, but he also knew that such micro-fractures could spread without warning. Still, the weapon had multiple redundancies, to prevent a single failure from causing it to jam. Still, he refused to allow such a flaw to exist in his weaponry. Instead of affecting a minor repair with his omni-too, he reached into the case to his side and came up with a replacement servo. After applying the mechanical lubricant, he installed the new component in place of the old one.
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Post by spartan560 on Jun 29, 2017 22:43:05 GMT -6
Izahm had after the successful taking of the Okinawa chosen to room in the Cerberus shuttle in the bay across from the very familiar Vengeance as it was most familiar to him. He was currently meditating with his new monomolecular word across his lap dressed in full armor minus his helmet. After a few minutes he takes hold of the hilt and stands up still with his eyes closed. He then begins to intensively practice Asari sword forms mixed with Old Earth Kendo, he continues this for six minutes, before he sheathes the sword on his back and leaves the shuttle glancing over at the Vengeance. He contemplates talking to Maelstrom but felt it wasn't the time. He then starts walking around the ship getting a feel for it memorizing possible attack routes escape routes and chokepoints. The Geth resurgence on the Valiant taught him to be prepared for anything. Izahm then makes his way back to the shuttle bay then he continues on to the training room.
Once there he starts up the simulator. Raising his Omni-tool he inputs his opponent parameters. The simulation appears and he begins fighting it. He opens with a straight right jab but the simulation dodges and counters with a short jab of its own. He throws up his left arm gripping the wrist and following the momentum. The simulation also follows the momentum and brings its left knee up as it travels forward. Using his right arm he blocks the knee strike at the same time he releases the simulations wrist and spins to his left slamming his elbow into the simulations head he then drops into a low roundhouse tripping the simulation. However it uses the momentum to roll away before coming up into a standard fighters pose. Izahm obliges and takes his own stance though his is an open hand stance compared to the simulations more standard closed stance. He then steps up and begins trading rapid blows each either slightly missing or countering each punch. Finally Izahm steps even closer just as the simulation throws a right hook. He grabs the arm with his left hand pulls while also bracing himself slightly. The move catches the simulator off guard and it reels back stunned. Pressing his advantage Izahm performs a roundhouse his right shin hitting the simulations head. He then follows up with a high kick to the chest then another roundhouse sending it reeling. Izahm seeing a chance to end the session sprints forward and performs a flying spin kick. It blocks the kick then shoves him back but using the momentum he rolls and then comes up with a sudden left hook spinning as he does so. Izahm then plants his feet and throws a quick right jab to the body then he finishes it with a left jab and a final right uppercut. The simulation disintegrates into particles and the session ends.
Breathing slightly labored Izahm leaves the simulator and goes to the kitchen whipping up a Matriarch Special. He then stands in a corner of said kitchen drinking while relishing the smooth coolness of the drink as he watches his surroundings. 'I wonder when the new people are going to ask why I'm here,' Izahm thinks as he sips his drink, 'I only know some of the crew and a few of the team, but none of these new people know a thing about me.' Izahm sighs as he continues sipping his drink contemplating multiple thoughts.
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Jun 30, 2017 3:36:06 GMT -6
Thrak's nostrils flared, as the human who had met them at the facility sat down, drink in-hand. He shook his head in disgust, as he placed the final portion of the outer housing of his hammer into position. Grabbing a tool, he went about securing it firmly onto the weapon, protecting its sturdy- though relatively weaker- inner workings.
"Can't stand asari cuisine," Thrak said, letting the hammer scrape the surface of the table before setting it down next to him. He picked up his helmet next, setting it on the table and having his omni-tool begin scanning for micro-fractures. "Never seems hearty enough. Or spicy."
There were no micro-fractures in evidence, so he synced his omni-tool to the helmet's systems and began a full diagnostic of the electronic systems.
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Post by spartan560 on Jun 30, 2017 7:08:09 GMT -6
Izahm smirked at the Krogans input, "Duly noted," he then takes a sip of his drink before continuing, "But I find their drinks to be the perfect recovery drink after a good workout. Though for actual food I prefer something a bit more substantial. My favorite is steak and eggs, with bacon and sriracha sauce. There's no better breakfast." Izahm then notes the hammer resting beside the Krogan and intrigued asks, "So are you a Battlemaster or a Warlord? Because those are the only kind I've seen with hammers like that."
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Jun 30, 2017 22:46:24 GMT -6
"But I find their drinks to be the perfect recovery drink after a good workout. Though for actual food I prefer something a bit more substantial. My favorite is steak and eggs, with bacon and sriracha sauce. There's no better breakfast."
The krogan harrumphed. "You've obviously never had fresh varren leg, roasted over an open fire, with a side of klixen eggs. And I'll take ryncol as a 'recovery drink' any day."
"So are you a biotic battlemaster or a sentinel battlemaster? Because those are the only kind I've seen with hammers like that."
Thrak laughed. "I'm a tank on legs. My tech armor and barrier let me shrug off almost anything short of anti-armor ordinance, and my hammer or Raider finish the job."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Jul 1, 2017 8:44:08 GMT -6
Once more a ragtag group of mercenaries, veterans and newcomers, managed to accomplish what armies could not or would not dare to try. And yet Eric Lysander skulked his way into the kitchen. The reply he received to his private inquiry after the formal debriefing with Feron was the reason: for all the Shadow Broker's considerable resources and Cerberus' penchant for bucking regulations, those who would be handling the Okinawa's refit and upgrades would not install water showers on board. It would require more dry dock time than the Shadow Broker would allow and it was not considered a vital modification.
An addendum to the note reminded him that the water dispensed from the sinks was not suitable for drinking or bathing and he was not to use the water coolers in case he was entertaining alternatives...
Eric found a corner of the kitchen table to slump over, bringing up his omni-tool.
Shep gets a Cerberus ship with a water shower... damn, bet that dreadnought had one...
The N7 glanced up at Izahm and Urdnot Thrak who were engaged in conversation, getting to know each other more since the reporter rejoined the group mid-mission.
"Hey, guys," Eric said plainly "'Case I didn't mention it earlier: you were great today. Thanks..."
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Post by spartan560 on Jul 1, 2017 10:11:02 GMT -6
Izahm chuckled at that, "Well good to know" he sips his drink and continues, "Unfortunately my job keeps me on the move so I can't fire roast anything but I'll try Klixen eggs if I can find some. Also unless I build up my tolerance like Fischer Ryncol is a bad idea for me." Izahm then notices Lysander sulking into the kitchen something clearly displeased him but he says aloud, "Hey guys," pausing slightly to let them focus on him, "Case I didn't mention it earlier: you were great today. Thanks..." he then trails off.
Izahm finishes his drink then says, "So Lysander where's the rest of the old team? I know Maelstroms probably in his mobile home and I didn't see Fischer quite yet, he's here somewhere though. But where's Meldom, Lehkun, and Karn? I haven't seen any sign of them"
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Post by Eric Lysander on Jul 2, 2017 14:56:18 GMT -6
Eric turned off his omni-tool.
"I haven't seen or heard from them either since the Valiant went down," he said. "I can understand Meldom and Lekhun goin' dark - it was kinda their way. But Karn? For all I know he headed back home or he's signed on for other jobs. Maybe if we get on enough of the Shadow Broker's good side we can get a complimentary trace on them."
He noted Izahm's blade and Thrak's hammer.
"See you've got yourself a new toy. Interviewin' for sparrin' partners? You two may wanna chat up Joe - I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you a good workout."
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Jul 2, 2017 16:15:06 GMT -6
"You two may wanna chat up Joe - I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you a good workout," the human who seemed to be the team's leader asked.
Thrak could not help himself. He burst out laughing.
"I don't think the tin can would be much of a sparring challenge for me, unless we're bringing guns to the party. Our pick-up, here... maybe, with a sword," Thrak appraised, knowing the monomolecular blade would have a speed advantage on his hammer and knowing that his armor would only partially reduce its effectiveness. "Speaking of our pick-up, either of you care to tell me why the Broker didn't tell us shit about him being on that ship? Compartmentalization is one thing, but having an extra body in Cerberus gear... kid's lucky I wasn't on the bridge, or he'd have been red jelly. The Broker knows better."
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Post by spartan560 on Jul 2, 2017 18:46:01 GMT -6
"Because I infiltrated it on my own accord, and I may not look it but I can handle myself in a fight," Izahm says then continues, "As to why I was there specifically I was assigned to gather intel on Cerberus-no my employer will remain anonymous-so I jumped at the chance to infiltrate their newest stealth frigate." He then sighs, "Wasn't easy either. Had to spend a month as a trooper under a stolen identity but my previous experience showed through and I got promoted to Centurion a week before you guys showed up."
Izahm smiled at Lysander's mention of his new blade. "Well I felt it would compliment my other blade nicely," he says before bringing his right arm up and splaying his hand. There's a slight pause as he flexes his fingers slightly then splays them again . A 5 inch physical blade soundlessly appears from the underarm portion of the armor after he flexes then he does the same flexing motion and it disappears back into the armor still completely soundless. "Took me a week to get it right," he says lowering his arm back to where it was, "Though well worth it as it's become my preferred weapon other than my Widow."
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Post by Maelstrom on Jul 4, 2017 0:58:08 GMT -6
A punch came rushing towards him, and Maelstrom stepped behind himself and to the side. He kept his eyes on his Cerberus-outfitted opponent from between his legs as he ducked. Part of him considered taking the kick, dispatching his holographic foe, but that would have let the hologram which had been behind him have an advantageous position. Maelstrom continued stepping around, before placing his hands on the ground and going into an au- a cartwheel which placed him completely behind the first hologram. Conserving all of his momentum from the au, Maelstrom continued spinning. Bending at the waist, he jumped into the air at the same moment he lashed out with a kick. The hologram shattered into nothingness.
The next hologram rushed forward as Maelstrom touched down, this time with his opponent wielding an omni-blade primed for a killing stab. Maelstrom quickly stepped forward, simultaneously lowering, until he was in a compact crouch with his right hand on the ground. The simple dodge quickly transitioned into a queda de rins, as Maelstrom leaned over, his weight shifting into a supporting triangle made up of his two hands and the right side of his head. His legs tucked in for only a second, as the Cerberus hologram adjusted its attack for Maelstrom's new position. Its head snapped back sharply before the hologram disintegrated, Maelstrom pushing up powerfully at an angle while at the same time extending his legs, unleashing an upwards strike which would have likely broken the neck of even a krogan.
He sank back into the back and forth of the ginga to keep his muscles from tightening or growing lethargic in the brief span before the computer spawned his new opponents. This time, one was large and bulky, reminding him of Fischer, while two were women outfitted like phantoms, and another was a man of similar build to most soldiers. One of the phantoms lunged with her sword, and Maelstrom ducked under the blade, taking a wide stance. As he came up, he swatted the sword away with one hand, stepping in towards his foe and driving his open palm upward between his opponents arms with as much force as he could muster- even biotically. The first phantom disappeared in shower of photons, as the other three holograms closed on him with remarkable speed and coordination.
Quickly switching direction, he stepped towards his opponents, priming for an armada, a lethal spinning kick which would have ended the average size foe. When the phantom thrust her blade out, Maelstrom had to fall into a backflip, kicking as his feet shot up only to create distance. On his landing, the average-size opponent thrust forward with an omni-blade, which Maelstrom barely evaded. Before he could retaliate, the average man retreated, as the phantom stepped forward with an arcing, horizontal slash. The wide attack forced Maelstrom into a controlled drop to the floor, in which he landed on two hands and one foot. With his free leg, he kicked up, the momentum helping propel him back up to his feet.
He quickly realized that the larger opponent was not with the other two, and he took a swinging step to the side. He looked over his shoulder, even as he began the wind-up for an armada. The hulking opponent was right where he expected, having prepared to take Maelstrom by behind. It put him in perfect positioning for the spinning armada to devastate its brain stem. The hologram shattered into photonic dust before dispersing.
The remaining two were already on him with their blades, and Maelstrom just barely evaded with a series of quick gambits. It was difficult for him to create room, but once he had just enough, he used his biotics, coupled with a front-flip, to vault over the heads of the holograms. Upon landing, he quickly oriented himself towards his opponents. As they rushed forward, he delivered a ponteira, powered by biotics that let it close the gap of several meters. An impact of hardened air surrounded by biotic force hit the phantom squarely in the chest, and the decompression which followed sent it falling backwards, though it did not destroy the hologram. The remaining hologram was easily defeated, Maelstrom waiting until just the right moment in the hologram's lunge to deliver a rabo de arria, bending at his waist, turning away from the hologram, and letting his back foot fly. The way the kick launched put his leg in the way of the other man's arm, should the Cerberus foe attempt to correct the aim of its omni-blade, while the heel of his foot was aimed perfectly for the hologram's temple. The result was that the hologram shattered just like the others.
The phantom charged back in sooner than expected, just as Maelstrom was occupied by the sight of the other hologram shattering. He was reduced to knocking the backside of the blade away with his forearm, as he dropped. With a hand on the ground, he lifted his legs, catching the phantom in a vise-like grip between his legs, before twisting his body violently. The hologram slammed to the floor hard, a moment before Maelstrom activated a ghost of his own bright-blue omni-blade to sever his opponent's head.
He panted hard when he rose, motioning for the simulator to pause before initiating another barrage of opponents. He would be fine in a moment, but he needed to catch his breath. The simulated combat had been just what he needed to loosen back up, after crawling around the ship with Geneenh to find all of the little surprises Cerberus had left on the ship, from bugs to self-destruct devices. He suspected the asari found his understanding of the way Cerberus thought to be more helpful than any technical expertise he had offered, but it had still been a productive morning. And the more time he spent sparring holograms, the less time he would be forced to spend on contemplating what to do about the young woman currently calling his shuttle home.
[References to Geneenh are per player discussion regarding what both characters were doing directly prior to this chapter.]
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Post by Eric Lysander on Jul 4, 2017 7:39:54 GMT -6
"Took me a week to get it right. Though well worth it as it's become my preferred weapon other than my Widow."
Eric sniggered. "I think you mighta took up the wrong profession!" He gesticulated his fingers on either side of his head. "All those weapons, action, intrigue, spy stuff... where do ya find time for reporting? Sounds more like you wanna be the one written about."
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Post by spartan560 on Jul 4, 2017 11:18:32 GMT -6
"About that," Izahm says sighing, "Reporting wasn't getting me enough money and I needed to fix my shuttle. So I tried my hand at being an information broker. I was becoming quite successful actually, I had amassed contacts already from my reporting days now I just asked for information instead of stories," he pauses to collect himself then continues, "About two weeks into doing that one of my contacts instead of passing along information passed along a mission. I took it then spent two weeks in some Krogan Warlords base. The mission turns out was an assassination if said Warlord. The last day of the last week I completed the job," he pauses letting those listening absorb the information, "Apparently someone very powerful took notice and I got approached by a proxy agent who asked me to become part of their staff. I accepted and was given the mission of infiltrating Cerberus to learn just what the Illusive Man is up to. And so that brings us to here and now." Izahm sits back before getting up and making himself a sandwich returning to his seat.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Jul 5, 2017 9:04:08 GMT -6
“Tch tch tch… shoulda known that takin’ on SB’s gig was gonna attract attention sooner or later,” admonished Eric. “Fortunately, it led you back ta us again… hangabout – did you say you carried out a hit job?”
He cast a quick look to Thrak, then back to Izahm. “On a krogan warlord…? By yourself?”
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Jul 5, 2017 10:56:05 GMT -6
“On a krogan warlord…? By yourself?” the leader-human asked.
Thrak chuckled to himself. "Probably some old, toothless relic from the Rebellions. Half those old ruins claim to be warlords. The true challenge is taking a battlemaster- a real battlemaster- in a straight-up fight." Looking into the empty air as though back into his own past, he added, "A true battlemaster in his prime... now that's a real fight."
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Post by spartan560 on Jul 5, 2017 13:30:21 GMT -6
"It was a real fight," Izahm says, "It's how I got this," he points to his cybernetic eye also putting attention to the Varren claw scar, "And I had three fractured ribs where he dented my old armor with his hammer. And before you say anything I used to be a sentinel myself, so I used my tech armor and Omni-shield to block the hammer, still hurt though. I even had to cannibalize my old Archon Visor into my current helmet after he smashed it," Izahm pauses memories coming back, "I barely beat him, we fought for two days straight , it was a very hard game of cat and mouse only I was a very fast mouse and he was a very angry very destructive cat. Although he wasn't toothless or a relic, I got the bite scar to prove it on my shoulder and the Hammer in my shuttle." He then finishes his sandwich and leans back while holding out his hands pulsing a very faint biotic field as he lets them absorb his information.
"Oh on a side note I'll be taking over that spare Cerberus shuttle," Izahm says still pulsing his biotics, "I am an excellent pilot and I'm more comfortable with my own private space."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Jul 7, 2017 8:29:05 GMT -6
Eric’s brow cocked as he listened to the reporter turned mercenary/assassin relate his adventures in battling a capable krogan warlord in between bites of the sandwich he prepared for himself, the N7 looking aside to Thrak every so often wondering what his thoughts were. Eric himself wondered which parts of the tale were true and which may have been embellished just a bit; he did not doubt the young man’s abilities as a warrior but sometimes the absolute, straight truth did not make for good storytelling. Izahm finished his tale and his sandwich with a flourish, leaning back in his chair with his hands held out in front, a faint biotic glow pulsing about them.
"Oh on a side note I'll be taking over that spare Cerberus shuttle," he added, "I am an excellent pilot and I'm more comfortable with my own private space."
Eric shrugged to the krogan. “Well, Thrak…? Should we break out the ruler or break for lunch?”
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Post by Geneenh T'Loris on Jul 9, 2017 6:17:39 GMT -6
Geneenh strode through the ship, looking for a place to unwind. She had found the best way to help relieve any lasting tension was to spar with someone, although at her level of experience the only people who could match her was one of her own.
Her eyes fell on one of the ubiquitous Cerberus logos. She could scarcely believe what she had so recently done; how many people could say they got one over on the pro-human group?
Well, there is Shepard, she thought.
*****
As she approached one of the holo-training suites, she could hear the sounds of combat; clearly someone else had the same method of relieving post-mission tension.
One of the walls was transparent, allowing her to see in.
It was Maelstrom and he was fighting several Cerebrus soldiers.
She cocked her head in confusion. He was fighting--that much was obvious, given he was striking them--but his style was like nothing she had seen before, and that was saying something.
Not wanting to distract him, she stood and simply watched.
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Post by Maelstrom on Jul 9, 2017 8:45:45 GMT -6
Three phantoms had spawned in, after he had caught his breath, and they were surrounding him. Not the best position to start from, he thought.
He made the first move, essential if he was to control the combat when starting from such a disadvantageous position. His first motion was to step towards the nearest phantom, who responded by sending an arcing cut through the air rather than a stab. Maelstrom bent at the waist while simultaneously crouching, putting his hands to the floor and extending his nearer leg back behind the foot of the phantom. When he drew his leg back in, it sent the holographic opponent sprawling on the floor. He stepped forward again and put his hands down, as if to deliver a meia lua de compasso, but he changed the angle of his kick, bringing it down hard from overhead. As the head of the phantom burst into holographic dust, Maelstrom sat crouched in a negativa.
Knowing the other two phantoms would have closed the distance in that time, he leaped forward into an utilitarian combat roll, creating distance. As he came back to his feet in a horse stance, he found the remaining holograms circling to either side, attempting to regain their advantage of having him surrounded. A smile crossed his lips. Against a practitioner of Capoeira as advanced as he was, two people could not reasonably hope to maintain the advantage of having a person surrounded.
Once they were positioned and began closing the distance, he took an aggressive step towards the nearer, as if to kick. Predictably, the nearer raised its weapon defensively, the other phantom no doubt moving at greater speed to attack from the rear. Maelstrom took a swinging step behind himself and to the side, rounding out at nearly a ninety degree angle from his opponent from the original placement. He followed it up with a quick au, placing himself completely behind the nearer hologram. The biotically-powered ponteira threw the nearer hologram back into the other.
Now it was Maelstrom's turn to close the distance as the two holograms struggled to their feet, their swords momentarily ineffective. The first hologram was dealt with by a meia lua de compasso, shattering what would have been its skull. The second was now back on its feet and once more effective.
Maelstrom aggressively assaulted the remaining hologram, throwing a rapid series of spinning armada kicks, empowering each biotically, not hitting the phanotm directly. Nevertheless, each biotic impact staggered the hologram slightly, but it also made his movements extremely predictable. Finally, he saw the phantom dodge, while at the same time setting up its blade for an attack from the same direction as before. Taking his opportunity, Maelstrom stepped forward as if to continue his predictable assault, only to then take another step forward and attack from the other direction, this time hitting the hologram solidly in the head and ending the match.
Something blue, though not the glow of biotics or holographics, caught his eye, and Maelstrom signaled for the computer to pause before spawning another group of foes.
He was surprised both to find Geneenh standing there and by the fact that he had not seen her earlier. For a moment, he felt naked, not being dressed in his second skin of black Collector armor, but he had wanted to feel the full freedom of motion that even his custom armor could not allow. True, he could have pulled off any of the moves he had just done inside the nearly-perfectly-formed defensive outfit, but there was an almost imperceptible resistance that he sometimes just wanted to train without.
Instead, he wore a civilian outfit which hearkened back to the non-combat utility clothes worn by many Alliance personnel, though his were black and midnight blue. Had he been with a crew he did not trust, he never would have left himself so vulnerable, but with Lysander, Fischer, and Naetilia all on the crew, he was pushing his comfort zone.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, he addressed the asari. "This is one of the better simulators I've come across, and I haven't even run it on its highest setting yet." Walking over and grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his face, he added, "I don't credit Cerberus with much, but two things I will give them: they know how to train their people to be lethally effective and they know how to build a quality piece of equipment."
With that, he grabbed one of his water bottles, checking it briefly to be certain it had not been tampered with, before downing half of its contents.
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