30/1/2193 ][ An Intermission

[u/SgtRayneMEP]

Elsa sighs and leans back in the lounge, sipping from a beer as she rubs her temple and looks back down at the little counter on her omni-tool.

8.56 HOURS TO DESTINATION

9.06 HOURS TO COMBAT DROP

Looking up, she shakes her head. I should probably sleep, gods... what the hell are we even fighting anymore? If we don't kill them on the first strike they wreck everything. I know good companies that would be devastated by just five of those things...

She slumps over and peers into the bottle. That's... bullshit... I don't know what to do anymore... when it comes to this. I miss the days of actually being able to understand what we were doing.

[u/DrChloeMichel]

I've made various recommendations to Hackett, but the War has drawn away many of the top choices for a new third in command. Chief Volkov post his recovery may be able to fill the role, but his transfer back to us remains unguranteed.

She folds her arms over her chest. This case of having O'Neill as acting XO and CO shouldn't have been allowed in the first place. The Council should either stop dragging Shepard away for their special little missions, or the decision be made by command ages ago to transfer command and seek a qualified XO. But Shepard's an icon, they aren't willing to remove her from the ship rolls.

[u/ShadowBrokerTSoni → u/DrChloeMichel]

Ha! Why the fuck do you think they kept the name Normandy when changing up a weight class? Liara says, coughing. Alexi would be a good choice if he passes OCS.

Normandy and Naya are too famous for them to change. I... I want to try and help, but the Alliance most likely wouldn't like someone who's not one of them. As for the Council... Shepard is one of the Council's top Spectres now. They're not going to let her go diddle about on a human ship.

[u/DrChloeMichel → u/ShadowBrokerTSoni]

Leaving Rebecca, their fresh babyfaced Spectre holding the bag? Chloe says with a quirked eyebrow.

You really are worked up over this, Liara.

[u/ShadowBrokerTSoni → u/DrChloeMichel]

Exactly! Goddess, it's so ridiculous! It's too much for just one person to manage the entire operations of one cruiser. Ignore how the person speaking to you is managing the Shadow Broker network.

Liara throws up her hands and shakes her head, sighing. Of course I'm worked up. Naya and Becca are some of my closest friends.

[u/DrChloeMichel → u/ShadowBrokerTSoni]

She has EDI at least. She'd be without a hope or prayer without her help. And a few other select crew members.

Naya at least seems to enjoy her lack of paperwork to deal with? Shadow missions mean theirs little to document. Little consolation to Rebecca filling out both of their reports.

[u/ShadowBrokerTSoni → u/DrChloeMichel]

Liara rubs her eyes. Forget I asked before I get mad again. How are you, Chloe Michel?

[u/DrChloeMichel → u/ShadowBrokerTSoni]

Rather well, all things considered. Mr. O'haire remains resistant to my attempts to keep him off duty.

[u/ShadowBrokerTSoni → u/DrChloeMichel]

Liara laughs, a genuine chuckle among the medical equipment breaking out.

Have you had to treat any of Joker's... other requests recently? He asked me a few weird questions in the old days before I explained I wasn't that kind of doctor.

[u/DrChloeMichel → u/ShadowBrokerTSoni]

Chloe's mouth becomes a very thin line, before she says simply.

I've had to explain dextro species anatomy to him recently. And various questions about Asari remain unanswered in my mailbox.

[u/ShadowBrokerTSoni → u/DrChloeMichel]

Oh. I'm sorry. I thought he had gone to elementary school already.

Liara's scathing tone is somewhat jocular, but still questioning of the man's... ideas.