Finding a Way: Mass Effect 1

Chapter 17

"Noveria control, this is the SSV Normandy. Requesting permission to dock," Joker said as they entered orbit.

"Normandy, you're not on our list of expected arrivals. Our defense grid is armed and tracking you. State your business," came the reply.

"Citadel business," the pilot said, not missing a beat. "We've got a Council Spectre on board." He shot Shepard a look of pride at being able to say that and she grinned at him from where she stood behind their stations on the bridge.

"Permission granted, Normandy. Proceed to bay thirty-three. Be advised your ship will be impounded if we cannot confirm identification on arrival."

The comm cut out. "Prickly bunch," Kaidan commented.

"Apparently," she said. "Grab Liara and Garrus. Let's go confirm our identification before they scratch the Normandy and Joker goes berserk."

"Seriously! Don't let them dent my baby, Commander."

They suited up and exited the airlock. The blizzard that raged outside beyond the entrance to the docking bay was even more impressive without the safe confines of the ship's hull around them.

"Damn, that storm is making the BC interior look positively tropical by comparison," he said.

"Do you miss Earth?" Liara asked him.

"Sometimes. My family's home is on the coast, so I miss the sound of the ocean and shorebirds more than the snow."

"What about you, Shepard?" she asked.

"I actually don't have much of a connection with Earth, Liara." At the Asari's inquisitive look she continued, "Growing up on one of our colonies, I didn't actually see or set foot on Earth until I was almost twenty years old. The last time I was there was about six years ago for the Star of Terra ceremony."

"I cannot imagine not feeling a sense of home when I think of Thessia," she said, indicating the Asari home world.

Shepard smiled at her, "Home is wherever I am."

He was about to open his big mouth and suggest she take shore leave with him to visit Vancouver to see more of Earth, but was saved from the inappropriateness of that comment by the armed security detail that approached them.

"That's far enough, please," the woman in the middle said. "I'm Captain Matsuo, head of security."

"Commander Aubrey Shepard, Council Spectre," she said by way of greeting.

"I'm afraid weapons are prohibited beyond this point, Commander. Sergeant," she said, turning to the woman on her left, "secure their firearms."

Garrus started to get defensive and reached for his pistol, causing the other guards to raise theirs.

"Stand down, Garrus!" Shepard ordered him. "Their house, their rules," she said when he complied. She handed over her assault rifle, as he, Liara and Garrus all handed over their pistols. Garrus parted with his sniper rifle a little more hesitantly. Shepard removed her pistol last, but rather than handing it butt first to the guard, she used a mass effect field to biotically push it to him, making it clear that she didn't need the gun to defend herself.

While the detail turned to their Captain for additional orders, he took the opportunity to lean in closer to her, whispering, "Subtle, ma'am."

"It is my middle name," she whispered back, with a sly smile and a wink that made his heart speed up.

Captain Matsuo brought her hand to ear to better hear a private communication through her comm. She responded and then turned back to them. "Your identity has been confirmed, Commander, and Spectres are allowed weapons in the port."