oo1. [ VIDEO ]

[standsfast]

[ When the feed clicks on, it reveals a man who seems to be recovering from assorted injuries, if the faint bruises and scattered bandages are any sign. His expression is serious, grim as he stares into the feed. He clears his throat before he speaks, tone professional and curt. ]This is Major Kaidan Alenko, Systems Alliance. If there are any other

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[renegadeparagon]

video

[Shepard isn't sure what the System is playing at, but having Kaidan back is alright by him, even if he almost wonders if Kaidan even remembers anything at all. Probably not.]

Kaidan, if you need an explanation, I can try, but we're scarce on information right now.

[standsfast]

private video

[ That - is definitely not a face Kaidan was expecting to see. His startled look, something like seeing a ghost, probably answers Shepard's question well enough as to his memories of Mandalus. He doesn't speak, not immediately, working with the phone to make the connection private; no need to make a fool of himself over a public network, after all. ]

... Shepard? How - [ Wait, no, that's not what matters. Clearing his throat and trying again: ] Are you all right? Where are you?

[renegadeparagon]

[Shepard smiles a little, because he's half expecting to be snapped at for getting himself into another stupid situation, but the questions that come are a lot more welcomed.]

I'm fine. Now, at least. I'm aboard the Normandy, I'll come and meet you. We're stranded here, and the Normandy isn't capable of flight, but we have her at least. [He frowns briefly.] Have others explained the current situation?

[standsfast]

The Normandy? You're serious. [ He can't help shaking his head in disbelief at... well, the entire situation, really. ] You sure? I could head over instead, save some time.

[ He can't help his own frown at the question, glancing away for a moment before returning his eyes to the camera. ] I'm - well. I'm getting bits and pieces. Some more unpleasant than others.

[softwaring]

If you shoot off a few questions, I bet I could get you some answers, considering I don't know where to go from the 'you're our only hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi' spiel.

Systems Alliance? [Easy shrug.] Corporal Jake Jensen, least I sorta was until the whole 'declared dead' thing.

[standsfast]

Ha, well - I think finding out what we're supposed to be fighting might be a good start. Got anything on that?

[ He gives a nod in greeting. ] Good to meet you, Corporal. Considering how much of a mess the war's been, there's likely been more than a few assumed KIA until proven otherwise. I'm sure you could get it cleared up.

[softwaring]

From what I've heard and seen around here? It's a giant snake. Or serpent. If I sound a little vague about it, it's because I am and that's pretty much how this place works, unfortunately. [A grimace and click of his tongue.]

Yeah, I don't think that'll be happening anytime soon- Hold up. Crap, you think I'm with your 'Systems Alliance' deal, don't you?

[FILTER YOUR MOUTH JENSEN, YOU CAN DO THIS.] Bad news - I'm not.

[standsfast]

[ He gives his own frown at that, rubbing the back of his neck. ] One of those situations, huh. Is there anything they have explained definitively?

Ah - my mistake, sorry. It's... kind of been a long day.

[toaccomplish]

(audio)

Oh, goddammit.

[standsfast]

[ ... not exactly a reaction he was expecting. ]

Excuse me?

[toaccomplish]

[a sigh]

More Alliance types. Alliance brass, too. I really hate this place.

[standsfast]

[ Hey, isn't this sort of familiar. Rubbing at his eyes - ]

I'm not in the mood for this. If you're just going to gripe at me about the Alliance, I'm cutting this short.

[mamamolisher]

(text)

major alenko. welcome to mandalus.

[standsfast]

text

Thank you. Who am I addressing, if you don't mind my asking?

[mamamolisher]

major jacinda fejes. at least if we're here to fight they brought us more actual soldiers.

[standsfast]

Good to speak with you, Major Fejes. Don't tell me they've been bringing civilians?

[standsfast]

[ So he'll ask about the question. Really, he will.

Once he stops seeing red. Yeah, you've now got a really angry biotic on the other end of the line, Kai Leng. ]

You son of a bitch. What the hell are you doing here?

[standsfast]

[ THE MOST SERIOUS. But all right, the questions are serving to throw him off a fair bit, so he'll actually address them now. ]

What're you talking about?