Prologue XI
"Things got pretty rough down there, how're you holding up?" Sampson asks.
"Yeah, you never get used to seeing dead civilians. Doesn't seem right, somehow. But at least you stopped Saren from wiping out the whole colony." Kaiden commends.
"We couldn't have done it without you." Sampson commends back.
"No problem, Commander. We're marines. We stick together. I'm just sorry about what happened to Jenkins." Kaiden laments.
"Yeah… I wish I could've done more. But, luckily he's expected to make a full recovery after a few months of therapy." Sampson agrees.
"I was there. You did everything right. It was just bad luck. It's been one hell of a shakedown cruise. Our first mission ends with one Spectre killing another, how many people can claim that? I'm sure the Citadel Council's not gonna be happy about that. Probably use it to lever more concessions out of the Alliance." Kaiden says disheartenedly.
"That seems to hit the nail on the head. You a career man, Lieutenant?" Sampson asks.
"Yeah. A lot of biotics are. We're not restricted, but we sure don't go undocumented. May as well get a paycheck for it." Kaiden says with a shrug before taking a bite of his shredded beef in barbecue sauce.
"Besides, my father served. Made him proud when I enlisted. Eventually. But is that why you're here? Because of your family?" Kaiden asks after finishing his bite.
"In as many words. My parents were lifers in the navy, we hopped around from ship to station, to colony bases, each one different with each deployment. You get used to the moving around so much that it becomes all you know. So, when we came of age we all enlisted. Granted into different branches, but we're all Alliance at the end of the day." Sampson says.
"I see, I know you're navy, and your sister is in Alliance Ground, do you have other siblings in service?" Kaiden inquires.
"Yeah, my little sister, Sylvia. She's… Let's just say, she's got her reports swimming in some much redaction ink, that the Captian would probably be the only one on this ship to see more than a paragraph." Sampson jokes.
"Impressive. Ah, that's right. You fought in the Skillian Blitz. I imagine that bought you any post in the fleet." Kaiden praises before taking another bite of his MRE.
"Word is we're heading for the Citadel, sir. Can you tell me why?" Kaiden asks as he finishes up his meal.
"The Captain hopes the Ambassador can get an audience with the Council. Tell them what Saren's been up to." Sampson explains.
Kaiden nods as he throws away his trash, "Makes sense. They'd probably like to know he's not working for them anymore. Whatever happens, we'll be ready. Commander."
"Hmph, that's true. Guess I better get going. Nice talking to you Lieutenant." Sampson says turning to go up the stairs to the CIC.
"Same to you, Commander." Kaiden says before returning to inspect his gear.
After walking through the CIC, Sampson enters the cockpit for Joker to call out.
"Good timing, Commander. I was just about to bring us in to the Citadel. See the taxpayer money at work." Joker quips as he lines up the Normandy with the nearest mass relay before engaging the jump drive.
"Feel free to settle in Commander, it's going to be a couple hours before we reenter normal space." Joker says returning his attention to monitor the ship's diagnostics.
"Sure thing. I might head back down to catch a quick nap." Sampson says.
"Good for you, go dream of puppies or kittens or something." Joker says sarcastically, eliciting a light chuckle from Sampson as he heads back down the stairs and towards the sleeping pods when Sapphire waves him over.
"Hey, Sammy. Come'er let's talk." Sapphire says catching his attention.
"What's up, Phire?" Sampson asks as she leads him into the deserted back section of the med-bay.
"Spill it. What's going on with you and how're you feeling?" Sapphire asks with concern once she's certain no one can overhear her.
Sampson sighs before taking a seat, and explaining, "The Captain is sending us to the Citadel to testify before the Council… Try and revoke Saren's Spectre status."
"Yeah, yeah, gathered as much from the ship scuttlebutt, I'm asking what's wrong with YOU. You've seemed… Lost? Disoriented from the beacon incident, but it's not shellshock. What's going on with you? You know you can talk to me, right? Especially after you let me talk to you about Akuze." Sapphire says giving Sampson a knowing look.
"I… I don't know what to say…" Sampson says in defeat.
"Just say what you want, I'm here to listen." Sapphire says patting his shoulder.
"I had a terrible… Dream? Or maybe it was a vision of what's to come? I saw synthetics, on a scale of battle, unlike any other. Making Elysium seem like a children's fight… So much death and destruction… It's all a blur, but what sticks with me the most is a deep feeling of despair and loss…" Sampson says as he buries his head in his hands.
Sapphire reaches down and gives Sampson a hug before saying, "Well, dreams are just that, they have about as much power as we give them…" She pauses before continuing, "If it's a vision of the future… Well, the future's not set in stone and all we got to do to stop it is kick Saren's ass, right? Sounds easy for the unstoppable Shepards, huh?" Sapphire assures him with a cheeky grin.
"Ha! You bet…" Sampson laughs while deep in thought, causing them to sit in silence for several minutes before he speaks up. "Phire, thanks…" Sampson says sincerely.
"What was that, I don't think I heard you?" Sapphire says twisting her finger in her ear as if trying to clean it out.
Sampson rolls his eyes before saying under his breath, "Dork."
"What did you call me, Doofus?!" Sapphire shouts.
"Oh, now your ears work, huh?" Sampson shouts back as their eyes meet and they bust out laughing.
After laughing together for a few minutes, Sapphire speaks up, "No matter how crazy it gets, you can always count on family. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."
"Thanks… I think I am going to get some sleep." Sampson says as he goes to the sleeping pods and Sapphire nods silently before going to the cargo bay to inspect the M35 Mako.