Pack Effect 1.7 (With 100% Less Coding)

[Xavier Cross]

Rowan stands on the bridge, stapping her foot looking restless. Standing behind her, unintentionally mirroring her moves is Caleb. Xavier and Dean stand side by side, looking a bit nervous.

Dean Harper: “We...we really didn’t have any other chance, we are outnumbered…”

Xavier Cross: “I...know my opinion doesn’t mean much…”

Warren Kane: “It doesn’t…”

Xavier Cross: “Thank you Kane...but, I think Harper made the right move…”

Commander Rowan: “Of course he did...I know he did, doesn’t piss me off any less…”

Maxine Valentine vas Cannae: “However, we were able to take out a few Geth scout ships with the minefields, and I have successful data going forward to make more effective ones.”

Commander Rowan: “That’s excellent…”

Cutting through the air of conversation, is Caleb with a roar, as he tosses a chair across the bridge, hitting a red shirt in the back of the head. Immediately a few other of the bridge crew rushes around the man, grabbing him, dragging him to the infirmary bay.

Xavier Cross: “Holy shit…”

Rowan turns around, and when she makes eye contact with Caleb, he immediately freezes in place. The Commander’s stare was able to stop the Krogan rage within a moment.

Commander Rowan: “...Caleb...that was an excellent throw, but I will ask that next time you do not throw...my chair…”

Caleb nods, before quickly rushing across the bridge, picking up the chair, which falls apart.

Xavier Cross: “I...think I can fix that?”

Caleb’s eyes brighten up.

Commander Rowan: “...You might have finally proven yourself useful Cross.”

Xavier gives a weak thumbs up, as Warren cuts him a nasty look.

Commander Rowan: “Now, Dean, since you’ve decided to flee from the Geth, you will make contact with the Krogan, and let them know that we are arriving for Caleb’s rite of passage.”

Dean Harper: “Wonderful, it’s been a while since I’ve tried hostile negotiations to land a ship.”

Commander Rowan: “Sarcasm noted, and ignored.”

Harper shrugs it off, before heading to the pilot deck. Xavier glances around, before moving over to the chair, taking a look at the damage.

Caleb Lockwood: “Can...Can you fix it?”

There was almost a hint of fear in his voice, as Xavier looks up at Caleb.

Xavier Cross: “Yeah...Probably just get some new screws, it’s not that big of a deal Caleb, just focus on getting prepared for you Rite…”

Caleb Lockwood: “...I don’t want to let the Commander down…”

Xavier smiled a bit, seeing a bit of vulnerability from Caleb.

Caleb Lockwood: “Don’t smile…”

Grunting a bit, Lockwood exits heading to his quarters to prepare.

Commander Rowan: “I suggest you all get your load outs prepared. Maxine, take care of Dean’s would you love. Cross, I expect that chair to be fixed by the time we get back.”

Xavier Cross: “Wait...Wait, I’m not coming?”

His face was shocked, and with a shade of disappointment as she shakes her head laughing.

Commander Rowan: “...The look on your face is priceless, I do expect that chair finished as soon as possible.”

Xavier weakly laughs, catching another dirty look from Warren, as he picks up the broken chair, hauling it down to his quarters.

After a few moments, the squad is loaded up in their various armors and weapons. Commander Rowan is leaning against the door. As Harper walks out of the pilot’s bridge

Dean Harper: “That...was more difficult than it has to be...Vasco is bringing us in for the landing now. They’ll want to speak to Caleb when we land. I don’t have clearance for the Rite, just the landing.”

Harper shrugs a bit, as Maxine hands him an SMG pistol, as Dean checks the gun for a moment before holstering it. Rowan smirks a bit.

Commander Rowan: “You know why I love Krogans? Because they’re stubborn and hard to kill.”

Maxine Valentine vas Cannae: “I’ve uploaded the data we have on the Krogan rite of passage to your omni-tools. Might prove useful as we wait for things to get sorted out.”

The landing is fairly smooth, as the door hisses.

Commander Rowan: “The environment is a bit rough, stay out of the sun if you don’t want to have to requisition sunburn cream...other than that...Stay on guard.”

Xavier’s hand taps on his side, where his pistol sits, a sniper rifle, and a shotgun laid on his back. Glancing around, the door opens as Rowan takes the lead, followed by Dean and Brooklyn, Maxine takes the center, Caleb and Warren step behind her, as Xavier takes the rear. Immediately they are met by a Krogan shaman, a vicious scar running across his forehead.

Krogan Shaman: “What...honour do we have, hosting The Crimson Pirate Queen?”

Rolling her eyes, obviously annoyed at the honorific the Shaman gave her. Rowan motions with her thumb at Caleb.

Commander Rowan: “My boy here is becoming a man, I think it’s time for his rite of passage.”

The shaman glances at Caleb, studying him for a moment, before turning to Rowan.

Krogan Shaman: “You..are correct, he smells of an of aged Krogan. And who will aid him during this trial?”

Rowan’s lips twist into a smile, as she gestures to the entire team.

Commander Rowan: “A family that slays together, stays together.”

The Krogan Shaman pauses for a moment, before he studies each member, chuckling softly.

Krogan Shaman: “You are as interesting as they say...Unfortunately, Urdnot Wrex is off-world currently, we could postpone…”

Commander Rowan: “I’m sure even Krogan have a chain of command. Let’s go see that person then.”

The Krogan Shaman smiles something with sinister intent, as he shrugs his shoulders, leading the way. Rowan keeps his pace, as the group follows behind them. Dean glances around, taking in the scenes, Xavier looks in the direction, seeing some shady looking characters pointing and whispering.

Caleb Lockwood: “I...can feel it...my blood is boiling…”

Xavier Cross: “Easy big fella. Let’s save it for the things that need killing…”

Warren Kane: “Just don’t get caught in the crossfire…”

Dean Harper: “Boys…”

Warren and Xavier tighten up, shutting up as well, as Caleb pats his hands together. The crew is led through the staircases of the battered fortress the main clans of the Krogan call home. Dean slowly slips back into the formation next to Xavier.

Dean Harper: “Keep an eye out, you’re protecting the back, something feels off, this Krogan...he’s been a lot warmer than I’m used to, and it’s setting me off…”

Xavier Cross: “Those guys out front, they had mercenary colors…”

Dean Harper: “I knew you had a good eye…Warren..”

The Turian turns his head, looking at Cross, then Dean.

Dean Harper: “I know you two aren’t getting along right now. But if he warns you on something, I need you to get a biotic shield up immediately? Got it…”

Warren looks a bit annoyed, looking at Xavier, before facing forward.

Warren Kane: “Whatever is good for the group. Don’t fuck this up, Xavier.”

Shrugging a bit, Dean gives Xavier a pat on the shoulder, before moving back up into formation next to Brooklyn. Xavier’s eyes stay peeled, glancing around as they reach the center of the main chamber. Rowan approaches with Caleb behind her, as the Krogan Shaman presents them.

Krogan Shaman: “Urdnot Blar….we have a request from the Alliance…”

Urdont Blar is an older looking Krogan, an eye darkened in the right socket. Heavy damage, a missing hand on his left.

Urdnot Blar: “What more could they want, Wrex is attending to his former friend’s funeral now…”

Commander Rowan: “A separate request...I have a Krogan reaching maturity on my crew, who needs to go through his Rite…”

Urdnot Blar slowly stands up, making his way towards Caleb, studying the young Krogan, sniffing at the air.

Urdnot Blar: “...Interesting...we’ve had larger clans try and fail, what makes you think that your group can succeed?”

Rowan goes to speak, but Caleb speaks first.

Caleb Lockwood: “We...are a family...I would die for the Commander or anyone else...well almost everyone else.”

Xavier groans a bit.

Caleb Lockwood: “I...I don’t seek Krogan birthrights or clan names...I’ve chosen my clan long ago, and that is with the Commander. She is my battle master!”

Caleb roars, as Rowan for a moment looks like a proud mother.

Urdnot Blar: “...I see, if that is the case...we will accept your request...however, I don’t see others agreeing with this. You are all prepared I assume? Then our shaman will take you to the shuttles, and the rite shall commence.”

As the crew makes their way to the out deck, there are two older shuttles waiting for them, as Xavier glances around. Krogan’s were almost as resourceful as Quarians when it came to making use of old, broken machines. Dean catches up with Rowan, who turns around.

Commander Rowan: “Maxine, Brooklyn, and Caleb, you’re with me. Harper, try to control Warren and the boy scout.”

The crew splits up, as Xavier watches Rowan carefully.

Xavier Cross: “She really does care about Caleb.”

Warren Kane: “Of course she does.”

Dean Harper: “Rowan has saved us all...Caleb is no different, he was being used as a gladiator entertainment. Guess a traveling group of Raiders caught him when he was just young. Decided they’d raise him up, and bet money on ‘em. When Caleb lost, they sold him into slavery. Krogan grunts can go for a high number. I think at the time, it was just the Commander, myself, and Maxine at the time…”

Dean shakes his head, boarding the shuttle, followed by Warren, and Xavier, who pauses for a moment, seeing more eyes on them. Raising a brow, Xavier boards sitting across from Dean and Warren with the Krogan Shaman.

Dean Harper: “Eventually, we got wind of a gladiator, slave ring going on an offsite satellite. Cannae went stealth, we go aboard, and wrecked the place. Ol Caleb tried to square up with the Commander, and well, let’s just say the Commander earned her respect that time around.”

Xavier Cross: “She went toe to toe with a Krogan in hand to hand combat?”

Dean Harper: “...Kind of...a biotic can do some incredible things, the Commander has been on the forefront of exploring her abilities.”

Warren Kane: “What do you care anyway Cross? You’re just here for a promotion…”

Xavier looks a bit taken aback, the Turian wasn’t wrong, but it was a bit too on the nose.

Dean Harper: “That’s not fair, we’re all here for our reasons Warren, you and I both.”

Warren Kane: “But we are family Dean! This is just an outsider! We let Jayson do his own thing, and now we’re stuck with him!”

Dean Harper: “Jayson chose his path, Warren, we aren’t replacing him...Xavier has his own…”

Xavier Cross: “You don’t need to defend me, Harper, you’re right Warren, I’m only here for a one-way ticket to getting my own ship again. So the better I do, the faster I do, I can finally get rid of you losers. So you can either shut up and help me get this over with, or you can keep whining and challenging me at every turn. Either way, I’ll get what I want, and you’ll just be miserable.”

Warren lunges a bit, but Dean immediately holds his omni-tool up, as both men freeze in place.

Dean Harper: “Whatever am I going to do with you two boys…”

Rolling his eyes, Dean looks out the window.

Dean Harper: “We’re almost there it seems, hopefully, you two can save some of it for the things that need killing…”