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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 16, 2014 13:57:12 GMT -6
[Assuming that Maelstrom and Murdach have squared away whatever needed tending to before following Eric.]
Eric Lysander reviewed the people he ran into earlier in his mind. He definitely wanted to check up on Meldom and Cruendi’has. River Havens as well, seeing that she was the first mercenary to acknowledge him after the Valiant went underway. Shala’Bekk, who had agreed to allow him to tag along as she went over the ship’s systems. Then there was the mysterious turian who he had not got a chance to speak with yet who seemed to be inspecting the ship with a veritable white glove treatment, rubbing on spots he found problems with. Eric wondered where he might run across him next…
Arriving at the upper deck, Eric and company spied Meldom at a table cleaning a shotgun.
Shala’s shotgun.
“Hey there, uh, Meldom,” he began, wondering how he ended up with the quarian’s weapon. Didn’t her species usually maintain their own equipment?
“Have you guys met?” Eric gestured to his companions. “This is Maelstrom… and this bonny lad here is Murdach… hey, doesn’t that… belong to…?”
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 16, 2014 14:23:43 GMT -6
Maelstrom clenched his jaw when he saw the shotgun. After her story, he knew she would never willingly give the weapon up on her own. Taking a deep breath, hopefully not too obviously, he tried to calm himself. There could, after all, be a reasonable explanation, he supposed.
“Have you guys met?” Eric gestured to his companions. “This is Maelstrom… and this bonny lad here is Murdach… hey, doesn’t that… belong to…?”
He wanted to blurt out that it was Shala's, but he held his tongue. Lysander was obviously a more tactful people-person than himself. Unless the other merc's tactics failed, Maelstrom decided he would do his best to defer to Eric's less-confrontational style.
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Apr 17, 2014 10:09:26 GMT -6
The batarian stopped and said something, but she was too wrapped up in her anger to hear it.
" 'Try not to let it happen again'? TRY?!" she shrieked. "THOSE SLAVERS KILLED MY FRIEND! I USED THAT SHOTGUN TO BEAT IN THE HEAD OF A SLAVER UNTIL THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT! AND I SHOULD 'TRY NOT TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN'?!?!?! ARE ALL BATARIAN INSENSITIVE BRUTES?!?!?!"
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Post by dargene on Apr 17, 2014 10:30:08 GMT -6
Meldom heard the three approach and saw them out the corner of his eye.
This is Maelstrom… and this bonny lad here is Murdach... hey, doesn’t that… belong to…"
Meldom placed Shala's shotgun down very carefully almost as if it was a relic and turned towards them "Hello to the both of you" he said with a pleasant tone nodding at both of them, he noticed both Maelstrom and eric had their eyes on the shotgun and nodded at them "Shala's yes, she was up here just a few minutes ago... Did not seem all that there in the head for awhile.."
He motioned to the scorch marks on one side of the hull and tells them the story (Read the posts above)
"So thats basically it.."
Just as he finished his sentence shouting could be heard that sounded like shala's voice "Guess its started again ?"
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 17, 2014 11:02:17 GMT -6
The humans listened as Meldom recounted how exactly he ended up with Shala’s shotgun. Eric’s lip tightened.
I thought Isrka would be the one to lose it first…
A female voice was heard shouting in the background.
"Guess it’s started again?" Meldom shrugged.
Eric felt compelled to do something; he had made some inroads with the parties in dispute so maybe he could help calm things down.
“Guys, just chill out here for a minute - I’ll be back…”
Eric patted the human mercenaries’ backs and left them with Meldom as he went off to find Cruendi’has. He found the batarian in a defensive posture a few feet in front of Shala’Bekk, who was shaking with rage. Eric stepped up to Cruendi’has’ side.
“What’s goin’ on here, Crue…? Shala…? Shala, what’s wrong?”
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 13:34:29 GMT -6
After hearing Meldom's tale, Maelstrom was more than a little concerned for his quarian companion. He was surprised enough to hear her yelling that he was frozen in shock for a moment. This was not the kind of chaos and calamity he was used to dealing with.
Lysander's pat on his back brought him back into reality, and he followed the other merc into the hall. He found the two at arms' length. After Meldom's rendition of the events, it did not sound to him like either party was particularly at-fault. If Lysander's touch didn't defuse the situation, though, the man would need backup breaking two mercenaries up.
“What’s goin’ on here, Crue…? Shala…? Shala, what’s wrong?”
Maelstrom stayed far enough back to not interfere and hopefully be kept out of the conversation but close enough to be able to render aid if needed.
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Post by grandest on Apr 19, 2014 10:33:17 GMT -6
"THOSE SLAVERS KILLED MY FRIEND! I USED THAT SHOTGUN TO BEAT IN THE HEAD OF A SLAVER UNTIL THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT! AND I SHOULD 'TRY NOT TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN'?!?!?! ARE ALL BATARIAN INSENSITIVE BRUTES?!?!?!" The Quarian shook with rage. Cruendi'has' jaw clenched. "What do you want from me, Quarian? Am I meant to apologize for the actions of others now? Or should I take pity on your weakness? Terrible things have happened to countless others and yet--" “What’s goin’ on here, Crue…? Shala…? Shala, what’s wrong?” Eric Lyasander came to stand near Cruendi'has. Near the doorway, Cruendi'has also spotted Maelstrom watching the confrontation. They've all come to watch the cruel Batarian put down the poor, defenseless Quarian. "She's mentally unstable, that's what's wrong." Cruendi'has answered for Shala. "She attacked me and then took to destroying the sleeping quarters. Somebody should inform Mr. Bridges that she is NOT fit to be out on the field."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 19, 2014 14:54:50 GMT -6
"She's mentally unstable, that's what's wrong!" Cruendi'has interjected. "She attacked me and then took to destroying the sleeping quarters. Somebody should inform Mr. Bridges that she is NOT fit to be out on the field."
Shala's actions on the night the mercenaries first gathered back at Chora's Den made sense now, taken into context with Meldom's accounting of her latest scrape with the batarian.
This woman had been to hell and it would not let her go.
Eric had dealt with soldiers losing control before while fighting the geth. The cold and ruthless enemy wreaking all manner of harm leaving them feeling powerless and unable to fight. He had to muster against his own dread to get them back in line to continue fighting or rally for retreat. Depending on the situation and the soldier, strong and sure words were sufficient at times to bring them around. In other instances the victim had to be restrained or rendered unconscious with a good whack across the jaw.
But this was different. It was not the first time dealing with a female in hysterics but the first time dealing with someone he had no official command over. Someone who could not afford to have her suit damaged in any way lest she succumb to airborne germs the d-con scans did not screen out.
Eric rested one hand on Cruendi'has' shoulder, the other held palm outwards to Shala.
"... Meldom told me about what happened earlier," he said to her evenly. "Nobody here is your enemy... we're all on the same team, the same mission... now if you need some space to cool down, we'll give you space. If you wanna talk, we're here to listen. Now I don't know who started what and I don't really care." Eric's eyes moved briefly to Cruendi'has then back to Shala. "We cannot go off on each other and we sure as hell cannot smash up our ride. It's still a few days to Antaeus and I know folks can get a little stir crazy... but you'll manage. You'll pull through. Take it out on the Collectors when it's time... not on your teammates... or this ship. Are we clear?
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Apr 20, 2014 4:39:51 GMT -6
The batarian’s words did not blunt her anger; in fact, they stoked it even further.
My weakness? Let’s see you shrug off seeing a dead friend lying in front of you, and then talk to me about weakness!
Her hands clenched, imagining them holding her shotgun as she blew his smirking face right off. If only you hadn’t taken it…
But he didn’t, her father whispered. You dropped it.
Shut up! she snarled back.
*****
“So you’re yelling at me now?” he asked, appearing just behind the batarian.
“Father, you don’t understand, he—“
“He accidentally surprised you, and you overreacted,” he said. “He didn’t kill your friend and he didn’t attempt to enslave you, but you are treating him like he did. Apologize.”
“But he—“
“Did nothing to you,” he said. “Apologize.”
She dropped her head and stubbornly stared at the floor.
He stepped around the batarian, coming over to her. He placed a hand under her chin and gently lifted it up until their gazes met.
“Would we even be discussing this if he was one of us?” he asked.
*****
“No, Father,” she whispered.
She looked back at the batarian. “I’m…sorry…” she said, realizing she didn’t know who he was. “What is your name?”
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Post by Murchadh on Apr 20, 2014 4:56:28 GMT -6
The scot had followed eric towards the source of the voices that could be heard throughout the corridors of the ship. He'd never liked batarian's even less after one of them put a sniper round through the cockpit of his mech causing him to breath in an atmosphere that was on the level with industrial strength acid. Almost instinctively his replacement lungs started tightening causing him to cough slightly several time.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 20, 2014 10:56:35 GMT -6
The thought of Shala acting out and carrying on a conversation with someone who was not even present was stupefying. Also ironic since quarians were supposed to respect ships and equipment under their care. Eric hoped there would not be another outburst, especially if she thought she was being surrounded.
Eric's hand was still on Cruendi'has' shoulder and Maelstrom at his opposite side. Coughing from behind startled him; Murdach had joined the gathering as well. Shala lowered her gaze to the floor. After a minute her head lifted to Eric and company's eye lines. She then looked at Cruendi'has.
“I’m…sorry… what is your name?”
Eric patted the batarian's shoulder. "Accept her apology and answer..."
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Post by grandest on Apr 21, 2014 11:26:51 GMT -6
“I’m…sorry…” She paused. “What is your name?” Cruendi'has gritted his teeth. This entire exchange had been so childish. Childishness seemed a common trait among many Quarians on their Pilgrimage. It infuriated Cruendi'has to no end. The Migrant Fleet floated about the galaxy, spewing forth their unprepared neophytes and only ever took back the ones worth a damn. It was a cold and wasteful eugenics program. The weak ones died alone. Even the Vorcha had more compassion. And could take more of a beating. "Cruendi'has Tarmikos," he replied after a moment. "Make it up to me on Antaeus, and I'll forgive you."
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Apr 21, 2014 12:30:21 GMT -6
"Cruendi'has Tarmikos," she said to herself.
It was then she noticed Eric Lysander standing next to him.
Where did he come from?
Looking around, she also saw Maelstrom and another human male looking at her.
Embarrassment washed over her as she realized they had probably seen her outburst, and she suddenly felt as though she was standing naked before them. She resisted the urge to cover herself.
"Excuse me," she said and walked out as quickly as she could without actually running, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 21, 2014 15:13:24 GMT -6
"...damned awkward," Eric exhaled, glad that the situation between Cruendi'has and Shala was defused after a fashion. "I think we should put a word in with our resident medic as well. Maybe she has some tranquilizers on hand..."
If she hasn't used them all up herself, the Marine recalled Iskra's reaction when he first introduced himself. He accounted for the additional personnel that joined him.
"Didn't ask for help but... thanks for gettin' my back..." he stumbled for a segway out of the tense encounter, gesturing between them. "Have you guys met...? Cruendi'has? Malestrom, Murdach... Cruendi'has..."
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 21, 2014 16:14:41 GMT -6
"I can't say we've been introduced," Maelstrom said, eyeing the batarian somewhat warily. As a rule, he tried not to have a grudge against anyone based on their species alone. The Alliance's history with the batarians made it difficult, though. While the turians may have humiliated the Alliance, their actions were never truly cruel or malicious. Some of the recorded incidents with the Hierarchy could not be classified as anything else.
Reminding himself of what was right, though, Maelstrom extended a hand. He had worked with batarians in the past to take down Cerberus. They never struck him as friendly, exactly, but they always seemed to know how to get a job done.
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Post by grandest on Apr 21, 2014 17:08:59 GMT -6
"Have you guys met...? Cruendi'has? Malestrom, Murdach... Cruendi'has..." Eric, the diplomat, introduced. "I can't say we've been introduced," Maelstrom acknowledged, stretching out his hand. Cruendi'has accepted the handshake. "I appreciate your amenability, both of you." he looked and nodded to both the human men that had been present.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 22, 2014 11:38:45 GMT -6
Cruendi'has shook Maelstrom’s hand. "I appreciate your amenability, both of you," he nodded to the others.
“I pictured this goin’ a lot smoother,” sighed Eric. “I’m supposed to be joining her later on to go over the ship’s systems… she could have another attack. You’d think a quarian’d never be the type to wreck things on a starship!”
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 22, 2014 11:59:20 GMT -6
"You’d think a quarian’d never be the type to wreck things on a starship!” Lysander said.
"Trauma can do strange things to a person," Maelstrom nodded, wishing for a moment that he still had his helmet on. At times like these, he appreciated the extra degree of privacy it offered. "I'm sure each of us has our own kinds of scars. Goes with the line of work. Most just hide them better."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 22, 2014 14:21:26 GMT -6
"Trauma can do strange things to a person," commented Maelstrom. "I'm sure each of us has our own kinds of scars. Goes with the line of work. Most just hide them better."
“Yeah,” agreed Eric, reflecting further on what transpired. “Looks like we have some added incentive to get to know everybody on this trip; see who else might pop a gasket…” The remark induced the demo expert to glance momentarily over the man in black armor, recalling how anxious he seemed in his behavior of late.
Sounds like you can smell your own, Mal…
“You’re all welcome ta come along…”
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Post by grandest on Apr 22, 2014 14:25:33 GMT -6
"I'm sure each of us has our own kinds of scars. Goes with the line of work. Most just hide them better." "But she hides these things from herself." Cruendi'has observed. "Rather than face her demons and conquer, she closes her eyes and wishes them away-- all the while letting the monsters in her mind leech away at her. It seems to be the Quarian condition and it's why they'll never take back Rannoch." Inwardly, Cruendi'has cringed at his words. They were true to him, and among a crowd of Batarians it'd be an astute observationg. Between these humans, though... Cruendi'has coughed nervously. "Excuse me. I've spoken out of turn."
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