Jenkins
The hallway that held our individual sleeping pods opened into the ship's common area, a space that took up the majority of the second floor. As I walked out I could see Kaidan sat at the table for breakfast, along with two other familiar faces. Luther Noble and Samantha Lee, two members of the crew's communications team, worked under Pressly and we had managed to develop a positive rapport in the week we’ve been stuck on board together.
“Well there he is, we were taking bets to see if the Spectre was going to end up arresting or executing you for your VI work.” Luther was a big guy, dark skinned and built like a fridge; he was actually raised in the slums back on earth. He was easily the most intimidating out of any of us, which made him being a total softy and com nerd even funnier.
“Or you know, for trying too hard to get his autograph.” Sam was the smallest out of any of us, the short redhead came from an Irish colony family, and was the only one of us with a distinguishable accent.
“Oh please Sam at least he got to talk to his crush, have you even spoken to Commander Shepard yet?” Kaiden was definitely my closest friend out of the bunch and chirping back to my defense was his duty. It was also exceptionally funny to watch Sam’s face turn as red as her hair as we call her out on her little crush.
“Yes tell us Sam, have you shown the commander your collection of her interviews after Akuze? I’m certain she’d appreciate your effort to organize them by timeline and prominence?” I enjoyed watching her blushing get worse as I adjusted my seat at the table, starting to eat my tray of breakfast. Dehydrated eggs and oatmeal, so good it almost tastes like the real thing.
“Don’t start with me Jenkins, did you get Nihlus to sign your vid collection? I’m sure he’d love your complete extended collection of the Spectre Anthology.” Her attempts to embarrass me were cute, but unfortunately futile. Jenkins had no shame before I got here, and I certainly didn't bring any with me.
“No actually I was too busy getting him outfitted with my omni-tool upgrade, also we will apparently be meeting to talk shop after today’s mission, so in other words. Suck it Sam, point for Jenkins.” I chuckle to myself as the whole table turns to gape at me for a moment. It was pretty impressive, shutting up a table filled with these morons as I chose to bask in the silence.
“How are you not freaking out, hasn’t outfitting Spectre’s been like your lifelong dream?” Luther was the first to recover of course, asking the question I knew was coming.
“Oh simple Luther, I’ve clearly died and this is all my perfect afterlife. Why freak out when I’m adjusting to my personal paradise. Next, a collection of Asari Is going to walk through those elevator doors and tell me my bloodline must be preserved for the good of the galaxy.” I glance over to the door to the cargo bay, playing up the bit as everyone glances over.
Of course it’s that moment that Engineer Adams chooses to walk out of the elevator making his way to the flight deck for his briefing. The whole table barely holds it together long enough for him to get out of sight before we burst out laughing.
“Really Jenkins, I mean you weren't wrong, I’m sure Adams would love nothing more than to ‘preserve your bloodline’. Is he still trying to poach you to the ship's engineering team?” Kaidan turns towards me, still laughing to himself.
“You’re joking Kaidan, but honestly it's more accurate than you might believe. He was trying to convince me to tutor his niece once we are off ship. Like somehow his 24 year old law student of a relative wants my engineering experience.” I lean back into my seat as more chuckles erupt around the table at my expense.
“Well it’s not just Adams, Pressly is still telling me to try and convince you to transfer to coms and navigation. Must be nice to be a prodigy.” Sam’s smile fell as she slumped in her seat a little looking frustrated.
“Come on Sam, Pressly knows your frequency scanner upgrade is top of the line, he’s just a hardass when it comes to testing and verification before implementing. He’s still refused Jenkins omni-tool upgrade too.” Luther puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to cheer her up.
“Yeah Sam, Pressly is just pissed he's in a ship co-designed with Turians.” Kaidan chips in, helping to round out a few more chuckles from the group and raise the mood again.
“Oh man he must be just blowing a gasket with Nihlus on board. Probably rambling about security and secret agenda’s.” I look over to see both Luther and Sam share a look before laughing to themselves at my comment. Looks like I hit it the nail on the head, to no one's surprise.
Our conversation carried on that way for 10 minutes or so. Chatting about work, the new ship, and our legendary guests. Eventually Luther and Sam needed to head to their station, and left the table, heading upstairs to their work stations. With just Kaidan and I left we sat in silence for a minute or two, just eating. Eventually though, Kaidan broke the silence.
“Have-- have you made any progress on modifying L2 implants*?” He asked nonchalantly, avoiding eye contact by focusing on his food.
“I thought you said you didn't want me to bother with the L2 implants.” I reply, setting down my utensils to watch Kaidan closely. He flinches at this before looking up at me.
“Please, we both know that the moment I complained about it causing me migraines you were going to try and fix it, hell it’s probably just an excuse for you to mess with implants anyway.” Oh Kaidan, always refusing to ask for help but desperate for a hope of relief.
“I find it upsetting that you think I would ignore your wishes just to help my friend by tinkering with advanced and restricted technology.” He looks at me with a single eyebrow raised before chuckling to himself as I continue speaking.
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“To answer your question, no. I was able to convince Chakwas to get me an actual sample of one of the Implants, but it’s unlike any tech I’ve touched before. The way it interfaces with the brain, regulating and triggering biotic potential is, honestly, way more complicated than some coding. Plus I never paid attention to bio back in the day, so I’m having to relearn a bunch of stuff.”
He frowns for a second, but that’s all the response he shows me. “That figures though, after all the implants have been around for ages and so far the only real solution is life threatening surgery or dealing with it. And given all I get is nasty headaches on occasion it’s really not that big of a deal.”
“Kaidan, I’ve only been working on it for a few weeks, and I’ve only gotten an actual physical model just the other day. Give me some time okay, I’ll figure something out I’m sure, I’ll be talking more with Chakwas today anyway. Gotta pick her brain about some ideas, so trust me. We’ll find something that works, I promise.” I look Kaidan right in the eyes, and I mean every word I’m saying. If I can help him with the physical repercussions of a rushed and faulty implant, then that same fix can be used on the countless other L2’s that have been suffering from side effects.
He just looks at me for a while, straight faced and cold, before he cracks a light smile again and shakes his head. “I can’t believe I’m hoping a kid can fix a problem that’s been around for 2 decades. Some superior I am, aren’t I supposed to be looking out for you?”
He stands from the table walking around to punch me in the shoulder lightly. I stand up as well, grabbing my tray to clean up where we had sat.
“Whatever you say Kaidan, you only outrank me cause you got a 4 year headstart and biotics. Give me some proper field missions and It will only be a matter of time before I’m giving you orders.” He laughs at me as we walk towards the stairs. We are both beginning to head up to the flight deck when I hear a door slide open behind us. Glancing back I can see Dr. Karin Chakwas walking out of the medical bay.
“Shit, hey Kaidan head on up without me, I got to chat with Chakwas for a bit. Be sure to fill me in if you catch word on what our mission is, with a Spectre on board there’s no chance this is just a dry run.” I give him a wave before turning back and walking towards the doctor.
“For sure Jenkins, try not to get too distracted or the captain will chew you out for being late.” He snarks back before continuing up to the flight deck.
I cross the distance meeting the doctor as she fills a travel mug with some coffee from the kitchenette. I stand nearby silently as she slowly takes her first sip, before sighing and turning to look at me.
“Can I help you Jenkins?” She can come off as cold or uncaring, but she’s just an incredibly practical woman. An expert doctor who has patched up more soldiers then most lends her a bit more of an interesting personality.
“You told me never to bother you before you could have your morning coffee. I think I recall you making it an express order actually.” I try to keep as much snark out of my tone as possible, Chakwas is fine with some banter but she prefers to keep things at least partially professional.
“Ah yes, and remind me how standing directly over my shoulder like an eager med student isn't bothering me?” Her expression doesn't change but her eyes light up a little more as she enjoys getting to trade barbs a little.
“Well I was going to chock it up to my charming personality and educational drive making me a little more entertaining to put up with.” I smile back as she shakes her head at my response, not bothering to grace it with an answer. She begins making her way to the stairs to head up to the flight deck as I follow behind.
“I wanted to thank you Doctor, for getting me a model of the L2 implants. I know they are not the easiest to find so getting one on such short notice was appreciated.”
“Hm, oh of course Corporal, frankly not enough of the Alliance, either the brass or the troops themselves, take enough interest in the struggles of our own. Allowing someone to study and look over such a device with the hope to alleviate the pain of their comrades is my pleasure.” She looked back to give me a rare smile. Oh Doctor, your professionality kept you from ever being a romance option but you could be a damn heartbreaker if you wanted to.
“I’m glad you agree Doctor, I wanted to talk to you about some of the ideas I was having as well, you know more than I would on the existing attempts so you could tell --” I cut off as we reached the top of the steps and arrived on the bridge of the ship. It still blew my mind no matter how many times I’ve seen it. To be standing aboard the deck of the Normandy is something else. The large holographic projection of the galaxy map fills the center of the room, surrounded by a series of consoles that are used by the few navigation officers.
Following the walkway around there is a single hallway that leads to the cockpit, the hallway lined with chairs and full consoles that are used by our navigation and counterintelligence crews. I can see Luther and Sam both sitting in their workspaces, both appearing small due to sitting lower than the walkway that moves past them and into the cockpit itself. The cockpit will have Joker, the ship's pilot in his usual seat, and Kaidan sat at a console alongside him analyzing the stealth systems and ensuring everything is functioning properly.
Joker doesn't require the assistance of course, but as members of the ground team Kaidan and I had to find ways to occupy ourselves, helping around the ship or personal projects were the easiest way to do that.
“Seriously Jenkins, everytime I’m impressed by your intelligence and resolve, you stand awestruck by the simplest things. We’ve been aboard this ship for a week, and yet you still are left speechless everytime you come up to the flight deck.” Dr. Chakwas shakes her head smiling ever so lightly at my reaction.
“Come on Doctor, you have to admit this ship is impressive beyond belief. I will not apologize for being awestruck by awesome things.” I cross my arms as I lean against the wall against the back of the room, firm in my belief that this ship fucking rules.
“Mhm, and I wonder, when you stare unblinking at Commander Shepard, is that because they are ‘awesome’? Or is it something more personal?” The doctor took a long sip of her coffee, clearly taking pleasure in the sudden flush to my face and how flustered I was now feeling.
“Uh, Shepard is a hero okay, everyone heard about what they did on Akuze. Cut me some slack, we both know I’m not the one with a fascination with the Commander.” The doctor does give a nod in response to this, as we both take a moment to look over at where Samantha is sitting at her work station.
“Hm I suppose that’s true, still you should be careful with how much watching you do. The Commander is an N7 after all, she’s trained to pick up on those sorts of things. Oh speak of the Devil.” She trails off her thoughts as a woman strides into the bridge.
Despite the good Doctors comments we both can't help but watch as she moves through the space with purpose, heading directly towards the cockpit. Almost everyone at least turns to watch as she marches by, her mere presence demanding attention and focus. The protagonist, the hero who for an entire trilogy would face a threat that has wiped out the galaxy countless times in a cycle older than anyone could know, and would come out victorious.
And unlike in that game trilogy, this time Jenkins was going to survive, he would help in that fight. I would help in that fight. Using the knowledge I have to earn her trust, to provide aid and hopefully lessen the casualties the galaxy would face. I can only hope that it would be enough.