[VIDEO | 002: Salvage and Styracosaurs]

[standsentinel]

[The video opens with the sort of grainy footage that happens when you're training a camera on a holographic image recording. Kaidan's omni-tool, and therefore Kaidan's arm, is in the frame and is showing a high-angled shot of what happens when two styracosaurs, survivors of a panicked herd aimed at the barrier, get past the Outer Authorities and collide with the dome:

They actually get halfway through it, before it stops them. Messily.]

So, there's that piece of news for you folks -- I'd say hold off on any personal experimentation, because failure looks damn' unpleasant, but it looks like the dome isn't as impenetrable as all that. I'm not speculating which variable in F = ma is the critical one, but it's something to look into.

I know we lost people to this, and nothing makes up for that, never does, but at least we've gotten something out of it in turn.

I've been doing some scouting, and with all the losses and changes, I was hoping I could get a specific sort of head count. If you've got any experience with electronics, specifically the 20th century tech level we're working with here, although earlier'd be fine too, ping me or come find me -- Shepard will know where I'm at if you can't.

Comments

[Voice]

[relicrebellion]

It's good you aren't speculating. I do not think we could achieve that sort of charge unless one of those pods is hiding a krogan.

[Joking? Maybe. She sounds weary enough that it's hard to tell.]

I do not know much about your species' technology during that era, but if you need any assistance in scouting, I am at your disposal.

[standsentinel]

Hell, maybe one is.

[After all, while the bulk of the place is human, Liara's breathing proof that this isn't necessarily so.]

I've got a couple people who are better-versed in the era than I am that I'm talking with now. I'll definitely take you up on the offer of scouting assistance... although maybe that should wait until Shepard's new pet is settled.

[relicrebellion]

I am torn between hoping we find Wrex somewhere in this chaos, and very much hoping we don't.

[standsentinel]

Yeah, if he's busy trying to get the krogan clans to sit down, shut up and follow his lead... I think I want him right there doing that, not interrupted to spend who knows how long in a stasis tube.

And most other krogans I've met would just headbutt the thing and ask questions later.

[He winces, recalling the video's conclusion.]

Or not.

[relicrebellion]

Yes...it is the "later" that we need to work on, I think.

[standsentinel]

I have a few ideas, but they'll need to wait until we can get some sort of toehold... and I probably shouldn't discuss them on this link anyways.

[relicrebellion]

Certainly not. It is nowhere near secure enough.

[Do not ask the Shadow Broker what she would consider 'secure enough'. Just...don't.]

[standsentinel]

[Hey, if she can suggest a way the can build the tech for it here, Kaidan will happily try and follow through. For the moment, he changes the subject]

Are you seeing a lot of wounded in your zone? I haven't hit anything I can't handle, or stabilize for transport, but the civilians here got hammered, if they were unlucky.

[relicrebellion]

You are more fortunate than I, then.

[It's even, calm. She's learned to mask her emotions over the past three years...mostly. Her voice still carries a hint of strain, well-buried anger at her own inability to help.]

[standsentinel]

Do you need backup? People can probably get by on their own here if somewhere else is higher on the triage list.

[relicrebellion]

No - there's nothing you can do here that I cannot manage.

[Translation: one of the Normandy crew is feeling guilty over not fixing a hopeless situation. And nobody in the galaxy is surprised.]

I'll maintain contact. [Beat.] And if you run into anything that requires my aid, the offer is mutual.

[femshep]

For the official record, your Commander prefers the term 'mode of transportation'.

[thecricketer]

[The Doctor is beaming at you, Shepard.]

Oh, that's brilliant.

[That probably means it's a bad idea.]

[femshep]

[Yeah, she's kinda getting that feeling.]

And what are the odds I can talk you out of trying it for yourself?

[Because that's just the sort of ridiculous thing he'd stroll right into.]

[standsentinel]

Shh... don't ruin my inner child's dreams just yet.

[femshep]

You're not getting paid for your inner child's dreams, Alenko.

[But there's a note of good humor in her tone, buried under the military bravado. Yeah, you can ride the dinosaur too.]

[standsentinel]

Wait, I'm getting paid here?

[Kaidan blinks, in well-feigned surprise.]

Is this like the rumour I've heard that we can disobey suicidal orders?

[femshep]

They're both complete bullshit, if that's what you're asking.

[standsentinel]

[He laughs, and for all the fatigue of the work and the worry, it's a laugh that lightens his eyes as he flicks her a salute.]

I'll bear that in mind, ma'am.

[femshep]

You'd better. [But despite herself, she's smiling a little too, a subtle quirk to the corners of her mouth.]

[standsentinel]

Always. You'll have to give me the details on how you got it when I get over there. I expect full amounts of embellishing bullshit, too.

[femshep]

Might want to bring some sort of bedding, while you're at it. Something tells me we're camping out this way tonight.

[relicrebellion]

...I wonder if they might also be trained as pack animals, if we were to find one young enough.

[femshep]

Let's see if I can train this one, first.