Darion's final question made Firas, Sorv and Ashana all look at Cantenelli. The shift in the conversation forced a change in the atmosphere of the room. The eyes of the crew all darted between the man who they called Captain and the group that was responsible for the theft of their ship. Cantenelli stared at them, and Ashana and Firas stared back. Ashana had suspected this would come eventually, the struggle for power inevitably boiling over, having to be confronted.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Well, <i>Captain</i>?</span>Firas asked. He didn't have to hide the from the hostility any longer. This wasn't the alley on Illium, and he wasn't alone any longer.<br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Hey, can I suggest something not crazy?</span>Mickey interjected.<br/><br/>Cantenelli looked at him harshley.<span style="color: Blue">Soldier, you will remain quiet.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Fuck that.</span>Mickey said, laughing. Falkris looked at him like he was ready to kill the pilot.<span style="color: MediumTurquoise">No. I have something to say, and I'm part of this ship same as the rest of you.</span>He looked at Cantenelli.<span style="color: MediumTurquoise">You know why I followed you when you left the Alliance? I followed you because flying around the galaxy playing pirate sounded a lot more interesting to me than flying patrol patterns for the next 4 years, and it sounded like I'd make more credits doing it than the Alliance would ever let someone like me have. But you know why else?</span>Mickey leaned forward against the back of the console chair.<span style="color: MediumTurquoise">I followed you out of the Alliance because I was fucking tired of one asshole telling me how to live, how to sleep. When to blink when to talk when to eat... and if I had a complaint it was a stout 'shut the fuck up soldier' and that was the end of it.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Now ever since this ship got picked up from Omega, you've all been on edge. I used to <i>enjoy</i> being here because this ship wasn't a fucking military dictatorship. You remember that? Yeah, the ship got lifted. Yeah, we were all pissed. Two thirds of the crew bailed because we didn't think we could get it back. But we did, and ye know what?</span>He looked from Sorv, to Ashana, Firas, and Darion.<span style="color: MediumTurquoise">These are not the assholes we were expecting. I like these guys. Sure, they stole the ship - because they thought it was Eclipse and they got screwed on a deal with a lot of zeroes attached to it. And now that we know that, why the hell are we all still walking on glass, watching our step like a gunfight is going to break out at any second? We call you Captain because you know how to keep us on the winning side of ship to ship combat, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to bow to whatever you want. It didn't then, and it doesn't now.</span><br/><br/>Ashana blinked, dumbfounded. She looked at the Captain who was watching mickey carefully. There was no anger in his eyes, but a contemplation, a careful measuring of his words. He dropped his gaze from the pilot. Falkris, however, glared at human.<br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">I'm with Mickey.</span>Taseer spoke up.<span style="color: Navy">Its been too tense lately. I've got a good mechanic to work with at long last, and she's too damn scared to speak up. So I'm done with the power plays, the trying to look like we're in charge to keep them,</span>She gestured to Firas, Ashana, Darion, and Sorv<span style="color: Navy">from trying anything.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: YellowGreen">And we cannot question their ability, Captain. As Mickey pointed out, the assassin killed nearly 30 trained men, but they are not among those casualties.</span>Beruut added.<br/><br/><span style="color: Indigo">And not for a lack of trying.</span>Shira'Va said from the corner.<span style="color: Indigo">You're not planning on selling the rest of us out, are you?</span>The Quarian looked at them.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">I can't say I am.</span>Ashana said, with a shrug.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">No.</span>Was Firas' blunt response.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">I don't appreciate the treatment so far, but no. Selling you out wasn't part of the current plan.</span>Sorv said, coolly.<br/><br/><span style="color: Indigo">My votes to keep them.</span>Shira said, leaning against a nearby support strut.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Falkris, you're opinion?</span>Cantenelli asked, keeping eye contact with the floor.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">You already know my opinion.</span>The Turian said flatly, glowering at them.<br/><br/>Cantenelli grunted.<span style="color: Blue">Well alright. You're right. </span>He looked around at the ship's crew, raising his hands in submission.<span style="color: Blue">I don't lead a dictatorship. And maybe its time our... unusual business relationship come to an end. Firas, I offered you that partnership because it took skill to survive the carnage I saw in that warehouse, and... well, you've all proven yourselves agreeable enough. I will not apologize for doubting you, but, perhaps its time we stop circling one another waiting for the other to bite. So, if you four are willing... we could use a group with your skills.</span><br/><br/>All eyes fell on the group. Ashana looked at the others.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">Well?</span><br/><br/>Firas nodded after a moment.<span style="color: Blue">When we spoke on Illium, you spoke truthfully. We're too small to manage a ship, and you're too old to fight. The deal wasn't a bad one then, and it isn't a bad one now. Yeah, I'll work with you.</span>He looked at Darion to see what he had to say.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Sure, I'll come.</span>Ashana added.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">Why not.</span>Sorv said with a shrug.<span style="color: DarkOrange">And besides, it'll me more opportunities to observe Ashana's ass.</span>Firas smirked, despite himself.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Glad that bullet didn't screw up you're sense of humor.</span>Firas commented.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">That's not a sense of humor, that's a fact. She's got a spectacular ass.</span>Sorv shrugged.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Alright... I guess we're in.</span>Firas said, with a nod.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">So, are we going after this guy or what?</span>Ashana asked.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">Captain,</span>Falkris spoke up.<span style="color: Red">If this artifact has the attention of Cerberus, then I would urge we investigate. If Cerberus is working to gain something that could pose a threat to non-human life, then I want to know about it.</span><br/><br/>Cantenelli took a deep breath.<span style="color: Blue">Well... we've stumbled onto something very strange. Unprecedented, we could say. There's a man, possibly, N7, possibly a SPECTRE, gunning people down over some device we know nothing about. A device, which both the Shadow Broker, and Cerberus are very interested in. If we are to pursue this... then we can't do it alone. But, I'm curious as to what's stirred them up so bad. I'd like to find out. Does anyone have a reason we shouldn't take a look at where this thing came from?</span>He looked around the bridge.<br/><br/>Taseer looked at Mickey. He shrugged at her.<span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Hell, why not. Might as well.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">I'm ready for round two.</span>Firas said.<br/><br/>Cantenelli nodded.<span style="color: Blue">Well alright. Let's go take a look at what's worth so much its got everyone that knows about it scrambling after it.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">Hey, uhh... when are we getting paid?</span>Sorv raised his hand.<span style="color: DarkOrange">We've done two jobs so far and don't really have anything to show for it.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Kalga still owes us.</span>Ashana noted.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">Yeah, if you can get him to pay us.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">He wanted us to find the cargo because he knew Vega who hired him was connected. He may be more pliable now that we've dealt with Vega... and have seen the one that took the cargo in the first place. And I don't think threatening to tell Eclipse where we are will matter anymore.</span>She looked at Cantenelli.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Eclipse won't come looking to take back this ship while we're on it. I made it very clear what would happen to them if they ever got near it again.</span>The human said in agreement.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Then I can try talking to Kalga... try to get at least some of what he promised us.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">Enough for repairs?</span>Taseer asked. Ashana shrugged.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Depends on how much they cost.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Well, at this point anything will help. We don't have a lot of credits left as it... and we need to hire on more crew anyway.</span>Cantenelli said.<span style="color: Blue">We'll need more to keep us flying for any longer period of time, and after watching the feeds from the tower, I think we wouldn't go amiss with a few more guns, either.</span><br/><br/>Firas nodded.<span style="color: Blue">It couldn't hurt.</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>