#eva novakov

[eurovision-facts]

Eurovision Fact #313:

Most of the contestants representing Yugoslavia were from Croatia. 12 out of the 27 representatives were from the nation either entirely or partly (meaning a single member of a group was from the nation, or the person was a combination of nationalities).

The demographic breakdown is as follows:

8 were from Serbia:

Ljiljana Petrović (1961), Lola Novakovic (1962), Zdravko Čolić (1973)**, Korni (1974), Aska (1982), Vlado and Isolda (1984)****, Bebi Dol (1991), and Ekstra Nena (1992).

12 were from Croatia:

Vice Vukov (1963, 1965), Luci Kapurso and Hamo Hajdarhodzic (1968), Ivan (1969), Krunoslav Slabinac (1971), Tereza (1972)*, Danijel (1983)***, Vlado and Isolda (1984)****, Doris Dragović (1986), Novi Fosili (1987), Srebrna Krila (1988), Riva (1989), and Tajči (1990).

4 were from Bosnia & Herzegovina:

Sabahudin Kurt (1964), Zdravko Čolić (1973)**, Ambasadori (1976), and Seid-Memic Vajta (1981).

4 were from Solvenia:

Berta Ambrož (1966), Lado Leskovar (1967), Eva Sršen (1970), and Pepel in kri (1975).

1 was from Montenegro:

Danijel (1983)***.

[Sources]

*I couldn't find information on where Tereza was from, so I assume she's Croatian because she sang in Croatian. Please let me know if you have a source for what her nationality is!

**Zdravko Čolić is Bosnian-Serbian.

***Danjiel is Montenegrin-Croatian.

****One member of Vlado and Isolda is from Serbia, and the other is from Croatia.

Yugoslavia, Eurovision.tv.

Ljiljana Petrović, Wikipedia.org.

Lola Novakovic, Wikipedia.org.

Vice Vukov, Wikipedia.org.

Sabahudin Kurt, Wikipedia.org.

Berta Ambrož, Wikipedia.org.

Biografija, LadoLeskovar.si.

Dubrovački Trubaduri, Wikipedia.org.

Ivan + 3M, Eurovisionuniverse.com.

Eva Sršen, Wikipedia.org.

Krunoslav Slabinac, Wikipedia.org.

Eurovision 1972 Yugoslavia: Tereza - "Muzika I Ti," Eurovisionworld.com.

Zdravko Čolić, Wikipedia.orh.

Korni, Eurovisionuniverse.com.

Pepel In Kri, Wikipedia.org.

Ambasadori, Wikipedia.org.

Seid-Memic Vajta, Wikipedia.org.

Viktorija (singer), Wikipedia.org.

Izolda Barudžija, Wikipedia.org.

Daniel (Montenegrin Singer), Wikipedia.org.

Vlado and Isolda, Wikipedia.org.

Doris Dragović, Wikipedia.org.

Novi fosili, Wikipedia.org.

Srebrna Krila, Wikipedia.org.

Riva (band), Wikipedia.org.

Tajči, Wikipedia.org.

Bebi Dol, Wikipedia.org.

Ekstra Nena, Wikipedia.org.

[beardedmrbean]

Today, only six out of a total of 17 Bulgarian MEPs supported the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women.

Radan Kanev from "Democratic Bulgaria" and the European People's Party (EPP), three representatives from DPS and the liberal group "Renew Europe", as well as Sergey Stanishev and Elena Yoncheva from the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (SiD) voted "for".

Only Angel Dzhambazki from IMRO and the group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) was against.

Asim Ademov, Alexander Yordanov and Andrey Novakov (GERB/EPP) abstained.

Andrey Kovachev, Eva Maydell and Emil Radev (GERB/EPP), Petar Vitanov, Tsvetelina Penkova and Ivaylo Hristov (BSP/SiD) and Andrey Slabakov (IMRO/ECR) did not participate in the vote.

The probable reason why all 10 of our MEPs do not support the accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention is the fact that it has been declared unconstitutional in our country.

The vote

With today's vote, the European Parliament has ended its participation in the process.

Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention, it still has not ratified it due to the refusal of 6 member states, including Bulgaria.

At the same time, the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) dated October 6, 2021 confirmed that the EU can ratify the Istanbul Convention without the consent of all member states.

The Court found that the appropriate scope for EU accession was asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters and the obligations of EU institutions and public administration. Accordingly, MEPs held two separate votes today.

Regarding EU institutions and public administration - with 472 votes "for", 62 "against" and 73 "abstentions";

Regarding judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement - with 464 votes "for", 81 "against" and 45 "abstentions".

In both cases, the Bulgarian MEPs voted in the same way, it is clear from the check of the roll-call vote.

The accession of the EU to the Istanbul Convention does not release the member states from the obligation to ratify it themselves, the members of the EP have repeatedly stated.

Last week, sources from the European Commission told Bulgarian media "Club Z" that Bulgaria would have to comply with the Istanbul Convention, even if it had not signed it, if the EU ratified it.

The Istanbul Convention is yet to be approved by the member states (Council) of the EU. According to the Court's decision, this can be done not by unanimity, but by a qualified majority.

[captain-cerrillo]

Listen. I apologize for the sheer amount of fluff that is about to come out of me for the extended future. 😅

Mara Cerrillo didn’t need to see the face behind the opaque visor to recognize her son. She had been there the day he’d graduated ICT. The Alliance had paid for a week’s long vacation to Brazil for two members of every graduate’s family. The Cerrillo family had been small for a long time, so Mara made sure that she cheered louder than anyone when it was Isaac’s turn to walk across the stage.

The paladin armor was far more weathered than it had been even since the last time she'd seen him without the aid of a dozen comm bouys. She watched him take off his helmet and marveled at the grey taking over his dark hair. She noted the deep lines on his face and the obvious weight on his shoulders and wondered if he had been letting anyone in.

Mara stood next to Major Rose, woven between a gaggle of dazed, terrified, horrified and straight up angry civilians. She watched Isaac file out of the shuttle and tried not to think of a clown car with the sheer number of noticably more-than-humans that piled out in rainbow colored hues. Her breathless chuckle was humorless as a million emotions swirled inside her.

“Go on, Cute Thing.” She swatted at the Slayer playfully, pushing him forward to greet his team. "Hey Major? Thank you."

Archer ground out a small, knowing chuckle. “Recon, then.” He flashed a fanged grin and Mara made a delighted little thrill. "It's been my pleasure, ma'am." He disappeared on a flash of blue only a heartbeat later.

-

Mara had never had the connection to the land that Isaac and his father shared. For the first time in a very long time, she noticed as she watched Isaac peel off a black glove and kneel down, Mara felt that genuine, flowers after a rain storm type of hope.

Isaac knelt to scoop a handful of fertile, dark earth before carefully rubbing it between his fingers. The act coated his wide palms in a thin layer of dirt and he shamelessly brought the hand to his face to smell it.

His bisabuelo always said it was the best way to "be where your feet are" and while he was normally far more inconspicuous about it, the sheer relief of being back, of know that they had a workable game plan and, for now, everyone was safe, had him helpless to sentimental ritual.

A small, bare hand with painted red nails trailed his armored shoulder, running down the N7 stripe to lace her manicured fingers in front of his face with his dirty, calloused hand.

Isaac's eyes squeezed shut and he pressed a kiss to the underside of the blonde woman's exposed wrist - a fury if Mara's memory hadn't failed her. For the first time in a decade, at least, a new hope began to bud again.

And then, he saw her smiling face.

[eva-novakov]

X

-

"I don't know why you're wanting to watch a movie anyway, you're just going to fall asleep ten minutes in."

"No I'm not."

"You always say that yet you always do."

"Not this time."

"You always say that too, yet-." Luca laughed when a pillow smacked into his head.

Eva opened her mouth and he obeyed the silent signal, picking out a Krogan Kracker and flinging it from between two fingers. She caught it easily between her lips with out taking her eyes off the screen.

"To answer your question, yes, I can feel them all." Eva shrugged, still scrolling through the list of movies and making a mental note to get some more. "I just hope the Commander deals with him, Isaac doesn't need anything else on his plate." As soon as the words left her mouth her finger froze in place and Luca could see her gaze slowly drift out of focus.

"He's still sad huh?" Lucas voice dropped an octave and his hand moved to lock his fingers with hers.

Eva blew out a breath and dropped the data pad to her stomach. "I just. I'm trying to not take offense that I can't pull him out of whatever he's bogged down in. I can't get through." A small sound of frustration escaped her lips and she concentrated on how her fingers smoothed against the edge of her oversized sweater. "So does that mean I'm not enough? Am I not doing a good job as a girlfriend? Do I not make him happy?"

"Evie, you're doing the thing."

Eva looked at her best friend with a storm building in her blue eyes. "What thing?"

"For being an expert at sorting your thoughts, you sure do get stuck in your head a lot."

"I know." The words were muffled by the pillow she had shoved onto her face. "Why do you think I had to become an expert at an imaginary mind box?"

Luca tossed another cracker in the air and he smiled when she pulled the pillow away just in time to catch it on her tongue. "Evie, you know you are everything that man needs. As much as you try to hide it, anyone with half a brain can see it."

Eva crunched and sighed again. "I just want to help him."

[flyingblakeryan]

Sooooooo. Hey. We should grab a drink one day so you can tell me all about Isaac and this asari stripper......🤔

Eva

He made me swear a blood oath never to say a word. So, naturally, I'd love to talk. Your place or mine? I will probably have a Luca-shaped monkey on my lap. 😏

[callsigntitan]

Hey Oliver! If you had to pick one, what's your favorite food?

Okay I know that is a near impossible task for me so I'll make it easier, top three?

:) Eva

Potato chips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Salt and Vinegar first, then Powdered Cheese, then just plain old salted!

What's YOUR top 3??

[luca-moreno]

operation: kio [notes]

some tidbits and general outline (but feel free to alter/massage/throw out as you wish) in one place for easy reference (because we’re all short on time/inspo/sanity)

New Characters:

Hema - Drell smuggler (looks like X hello yes I’m obsessed with this drell dude) not biotic

Kira - Drell smuggler (Hema’s XO/2IC) - she’s older, skin more blue and purple tones than green. mean. biotic.

Hema’s crew - mix of all races inc three batarians, at least two asari commandoes and an ex-STG salarian with a bad attitude. The handful of humans are very young, probably too young to be where they are.

Ships:

UT-47 Kodiak Drop Shuttle (Luca calls it Kodi). Limited FTL travel.

Merkava Ravel - Modified Turian Freighter (Hema’s ship, well armed for a freighter)

Possible Locations:

Nemean Abyss - The Nemean Abyss is a region of space that is further away from the jurisdiction of the Citadel Council than even the anarchistic Terminus Systems. The Abyss is a lawless region, populated by pirates, mercenaries and bounty hunters. In recent years, war between rival krogan warlords has escalated, resulting in several powerful individuals declaring themselves as the one true ‘Pirate King of the Nemean Abyss’. Mercenaries and pirates have used these self-appointed monarchs to their advantage, fueling their conflict while carrying out their own operations throughout the region in secret.

Tortuga (planet) located: Milky Way / Nemean Abyss / Testudo System. Much like the infamous Tortuga of the 17th century, it acts as a place for pirates, thieves, smugglers, and slavers to drink, boast and barter.

Thred'nakka (planet) located: Milky Way / Titan Nebula / Brikhaun System. Thred'nakka is a barren world in the far edge of the galaxy, a haven for desperate individuals seeking to disappear forever. It is a hot, arid world with little in the way of desirable climate, what little water there is being mined from the shrinking poles or deep caverns beneath the dusty surface. 

Illium (planet)/Nos Astra (city) located: Milky Way / Crescent Nebula / Tasale System. Illium is infamous for its abusive labor practices and legalization of nearly everything except murder. It’s the preferred production site for weapons and pharmaceuticals that would be illegal nearly everywhere else, made even more lucrative by legal indentured servitude. Illium is renowned for glamor, luxury, and safety (provided by near-total surveillance), making it a favored tourist destination.

General outline/plot ideas:

Luca, Eva and Ben leave Berlin & rendezvous with the Merkava Ravel 

Luca is told Kio is alive but in hiding due to bounty on his head

Luca offered opportunity to square his brother’s debt by taking on a job for Hema (probably steal credits/tech/object from rival smuggler/mercs/sketchy corporation) – new location/city, stealing, drinking, violence and general shenanigans ensue

Tidbits of note/plot bunnies or whatever to play with or ignore:

Kio bounty may or may not be legitimate 

Hema claims to transport medical supplies for refugees and colonists the council ‘ignores’ - spoiler: he transports people (kids - possible link to Archer’s kids? SSV Berlin catches up? possibilities are endless)

Luca unaware of Hema’s real activities, he’s known Kio and Luca since they were kids on the wards/docks - used them - Luca sees him as ‘good’, trusts him (too much). Will get bullheaded/pissy if told Hema is not A Good Man.

Kio and Hema did not part on good terms (unbeknownst to Luca, Hema will hide this fact)

Hema has particular... tastes. Likes them young and usually human. Grooms them. Was particularly fond of Luca. He's very big, quite charming for a drell. His offsider Kira is ‘the bad cop’. Hema likes to pretend to be the ‘good cop.’

Hema, Kira & crew are all fair game. Kill, maim, fuck, whatever as you will

Kodiak sync’d to Luca’s biometric ‘handprint’ (he’s not letting it get trashed again). if pressed, will claim it’s stolen

no uniforms in sight (altho Luca still has his drones and his kit bc he never leaves the ship without them)

war. paint.

finding Kiosho is not definite but if they do, he won’t be happy to see Luca

again, these are just ideas whatever i had floating around, nothing set in stone but it helps me personally to have something to bounce off/ref back to so idk if it helps you - just ignore if not! have fun!

[mason-knight]

silly fluff... thing. idk doesn’t have to be canon just something that was floating around in my head for a while. took a few liberties so feel free to ignore.

--

Post War Terra Nova

The kitchen was the heart of the farmhouse and the heart was beating strong.

Mason grinned at the sight of his husband, immaculately dressed and hair perfectly styled, his head bent close to Mara in deep conversation. Mara held a cup in her hands, empty, but too engrossed in whatever she was discussing with Ethan to notice. Mason suspected it wasn’t so much the subject Ethan was waxing lyrical about, but more the cadence of his voice and the clear, precise tones of his accent. Mason could sympathize – Ethan could spent hours reading out the dreariest Alliance regulations and Mason wouldn’t mind one bit as long as he could lose himself in that voice.

A clatter on the stairs behind him had him turning towards the porch. Luca pushed his way into the kitchen, the screen door banging behind him as he came in. His skin was flushed and sweat beaded along his brow as he ran a hand through his curls. In his white tank top it was easy to see the new muscle forming from the hours of hard labor on the farm.

“Why is it that you’re the super soldiers with crazy strength and incredible stamina, but I’m the one out there with Mason and Isaac digging holes for the fences?” he complained, draping himself dramatically over Ben’s back where Ben sat at the long kitchen table helping Eva shell peas. It was weirdly domestic and a sight Mason wasn’t sure he would ever get used to.

Ethan looked up and smirked. “Because we’re pretty,” he said.

Luca looped his arms around Ben’s neck and perched his chin on his head. Ben exchanged a long suffering glance with Eva but didn’t push the engineer away.

“So pretty,” Luca yawned in agreement, rubbing a cheek against Ben’s hair. “Kalahira, but I’m exhausted. I don’t think I can make it another step.”

“You’d better,” Eva shot him an amused smirk. Then she wrinkled her nose. “You kind of stink.”

“That’s sweat from working so hard, Evie. Very manly, thank you very much.”

“Stinky,” Eva laughed. She nudged Ben. “Go take him to get cleaned up, Ben.”

“Yeah,” Luca brightened. He was all but sliding into Ben’s lap now, a sly smile and a waggle of eyebrows. “Take me to get cleaned up. You have to carry me though. Suddenly my legs don’t work.”

“Bloody hell,” Ethan muttered, glancing away.

Mason laughed and squeezed Ethan’s shoulder. “Hey, Luca worked hard today. I was impressed.”

Ethan didn’t look convinced and pointedly ignored Luca being carted off by Hurricane into the hall. They passed Isaac coming into the kitchen as they went, his hair damp and a towel around his shoulders. Isaac paused by the table, leaning down to give Eva what was supposed to be a quick kiss, except that her fast hands latched onto his neck and held him in place for a kiss that was significantly more than just a peck on the lips.

“Ah, newlyweds,” Mason joked, catching Mara’s eye and winking. “I remember what that was like.”

“Well, here’s hoping for some grandbabies sometime soon,” Mara sniffed. “I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

Isaac and Eva broke their kiss to exclaim together. “Mom!”

“We talked about this,” Isaac added as he straightened up.

“You talked,” Mara dismissed him, but her eyes were bright with mirth. “I still want grandbabies.”

“You have grandbabies,” Eva said pointedly. She nodded at the two dogs curled up in the corner. Gus, sensing attention on him, raised his head and thumped his tail happily against the floorboards, tongue lolling out.

“Not quite the same,” Mara laughed but she was soon distracted from that subject by Mason pressing a fresh mug of tea into her palm. “Oh, Mason, you do know just how to make a lady feel pampered.”

“I get that a lot,” Mason teased, laughing again when Mara’s cheeks stained the faintest pink. He was falling in love with Mara in a whole new way, wishing this woman could have been his mother. Wishing this whole family in the farmhouse could have been his.

Something of his thoughts might have shown in his face because Ethan was suddenly there, curling an arm around his waist.

“Babe,” he protested. “I haven’t showered either. We just came in.”

“I know,” Ethan murmured, running a palm over the dark stubble along Mason’s jaw that was only a few days shy of a beard. “Very manly.”

Mason chuckled but let Ethan kiss him, just as Mara chimed up, “if you’re handing out kisses, Sabre then I’d like one too.”

Ethan drew back, a quirk of his mouth that made Mason struggle not to laugh more. “Well, it seems my work is never done.”

“Mom,” Isaac and Eva groaned again.

--

Later, after a loud, hearty meal and a few too many sips of wine from Nico’s ancient wine cellar, Mason and Isaac poured over the map spread across the table.

“And this trail?” Mason asked, pointing a finger to one section that appeared to be nothing but forest and mountainous terrain. “How many clicks is this one?”

“This one,” Isaac nodded. “This one just might give a phoenix a run for their money. Its rough terrain, and a good eighty clicks to the summit. You’d probably smash it out in a few hours.”

“Less, actually,” Mason mused, running his eyes over the map. It wasn’t a brag, just a fact.

“Will your husband be joining you?”

“Ethan?” Mason snorted. “No, running trails is definitely not his forte. Or running at all. But why don’t you?”

“I’m an old man these days, Huntsman. I doubt I could keep up.”

“I’ll pair it back for you. It’s no fun running the trails alone all the time. And I doubt Luca is going to let Ben out of his sight long enough to join me.”

Isaac chuckled. “You’d be right about that.”

Mason grinned then turned back to the map. Terra Nova was beautiful, wild, and rugged in a way he imagined the Wild West back on Earth might have been once. But it wasn’t without its dangers. And Isaac’s farm, nestled in one of the most fertile and beautiful valleys, was prosperous and thriving in a way that had too many covetous eyes turned towards it.

“You’re not really thinking about the trails, are you?” Isaac said quietly. He was mindful of the activity nearby, his mother perched on Ethan’s knee, giggling over a glass of wine while Luca played one of his melodious love songs he’d written for Ben he had no hope of Ben understanding. Eva was tucked up on the couch, one of the dogs gazing up adoringly at her as she scratched their heads while Ben sprawled on his stomach on the floor at her feet.

Mason gave Isaac a glance. He wasn’t surprised that Isaac had picked up the thread of his thoughts. He was an Alliance admiral after all, trained to protect, trained to be always thinking five steps ahead. Of course he was aware of the dangers.

“Your neighbors. Are they as prosperous as you?”

“No,” Isaac shook his head. “But they don’t have my mother, or a Luca. Even though we share what we have.”

“And the defensive satellites? Are they in orbit yet?”

Isaac’s silence was telling. Mason didn’t need him to say more.

“You need to keep your guard up. The war is over but not everyone got the memo.”

“I know,” Isaac answered, his eyes suddenly hard as he studied the map. “But right now… Well, I don’t need to tell you that I’m glad to have a few phoenix around.”

[cdrmiller]

She had come in search of Harris to help her with a special project, but instead found herself inspecting an engineer data list for the upcoming mission. “Harris, I have no idea what you guys need on the field, get with Luca and you guys decide and run it by the requisitions officer and whatever you need is fine.”

She stared over the top of the data pad, eyes squinting in the direction of the cooker and the man snd the woman beside it, in the mess where they all gathered. She watched the woman slowly flick her red hair over her shoulder and laugh. A laugh that was way too exaggerated and didn’t match the seductive way she moved towards the man beside her. 

“Ensign Recio.” Marie didn’t bother to keep the anger out of her voice.

The red headed woman turned toward Marie, instantly forming a stiff, respecting stance. 

“Ma’am.”

“Isn’t there an engine somewhere that needs inspecting?”

“Yes ma’am.” The woman saluted and hurried off, casting one last glance in the direction of the man of her attentions.

“Okay, I can only guess that it’s a big ship and not everyone knows, because you have to be either stupid or real brave to flirt with the XO’s boyfriend..” Harris took her datapad back from Marie. 

“She was flirting wasn’t she? I’m not crazy.”

“Oh no, she was totally wanting a piece of that big slab of meat.” She talked out of the side of her mouth, side eyeing Marie. “And I’m not talking about what Zeus's cooking, if you know what I mean.” 

“Yeah, I got it Harris. I got it.” She sighed, meeting Nico’s questioning gaze. “I bet you a kajillion credits he’s going to think she was just “curious” about this dish he’s making.”

“That’s a lot of credits Commander.”

“What was that all about?” Marie raised her voice to be heard across the distance between her and the vanguard.

“What? She was curious about the rigatoni.” Nico threw his hands out in a shrug and Harris let out a bark of laughter before clapping a hand over her own mouth.

“MORENO.” Luca almost dropped the parts he was holding when he jumped at the sudden, harsh call of his name. 

“Ma’am.” 

“Training room. Thirty minutes.” She pointed a finger at the hulking vanguard. “You too.” She turned on her heel to leave, pulling Harris with her. “You come with me, I need your help.” 

“Great.” Luca glared at the other man. “You got me in trouble somehow. Thanks Zeus.”

---------------

Five of them stood in the training room, in front of two tables, and the Commander stepped up to address them. 

“Zeus.” She held out a hand towards him, to mark her point. “As his name implies, he’d like to think he’s a God. And compared to us, he kind of is. He could probably lift this fucking ship. Too many parts of him to name are enhanced way beyond what any of us are capable of. Can demolish a squad of enemies all by himself with one, single charge. Also, is not aware when women are flirting with him.” 

Harris snorted and Nico sighed, his eyes rolling towards the ceiling. 

“Eva Novakov. The most powerful biotic not only on the ship but well, among most biotics. She can rip enemies apart just with a flick of her hand. She can make shields, she can create literally a death jail, she can fucking teleport.” 

Eva’s lips quirked to the side, not really knowing what to do with herself and wondering why she was there. 

“Francisca Harris.” 

Harris sputtered and Marie continued. 

“Trained by ST&R engineers. Alliance military veteran. Makes explosives that can rip through any shields and are key to winning any battle.” 

Harris flicked her hair dramatically, beaming. “Don’t forget adorable.” 

Marie skipped over Luca, instead turning toward the first object on the table. “Our ship has been damaged, and we are stranded without comms on a hostile planet. Everyone is exhausted, the forces are overwhelming. The only way we are getting out of this, is if this part is repaired, so we can high tail it out of here.” 

She turned towards her Phoenix. “Zeus, would you like to try?” 

“Will smashing it work?” 

“Is there anyone here who can get us back home.” Marie looked at all of them, each one giving her various signals of not a chance. She pointedly didn’t glance in Luca’s direction until he raised his hand. She gestured towards the broken pieces on the table and watched him as he stepped up and started working. Exactly five minutes later he had it, the pieces working together as they were intended. She nodded at him when he lifted his grinning face to hers. 

“Oh, by the way. Say it’s a long battle, and we are biotic depleted and our weapons have been sabotaged by the hostiles. Does anyone here know how to turn the enemy’s weapons back on them?” 

Luca looked around and grinned sheepishly at being the only hand raised. Marie pursed her lips in thought and nodded before turning back to the table without a word. 

“This,” Marie stepped over to the next object on the table. “Is a ten point, overload resistant, virtual AI lock. Practically unbreakable. Geth in particular, like to use this lock. Geth, in particular are versed in making walls and doors that are biotic resistant. Which means you can’t teleport, or charge through it. She looked pointedly at Eva and Nico, who nodded in agreement. We are stuck in a locked room, and this room is slowly filling with toxic gas. We need to get out.” 

Marie turned to Eva. “Do you happen to know how to-.” 

“I could make it float.” The fury shrugged. “That’s about it.” 

“Surely the highly trained engineer here could open it.” She looked directly at Harris, who looked anywhere but at her Commander. “Harris.” 

“Uh…yea decryption and hacking, not really my thing…I could try to blow it up!” She made explosion sounds, emphasizing the visual with her hands. “Though that might be a bad idea if we are all in the room with the explosion…” 

Marie sighed. “If only there was someone here who could get us all out of this room in which we are definitely going to die.” She slowly rotated, her boots sliding in one small circle on the floor until she faced Luca. 

He grinned again, and stepped up to the table. Marie waited in Commander mode, her hands resting on the small of her back as Luca worked. Exactly one minute later a beep sounded as the mechanism unlocked. 

“We live to see another day.” Marie worked hard to keep the smile off of her face when Luca straightened and looked at her, realization dawning on his innocent face. She reached through the short distance between them to hold his chin between her thumb and forefinger. Her eyes were soft but her tone was one hundred percent stern Commander. “Don’t ever question why you are here.” 

She turned to leave them, waving a hand to signal they were dismissed. “And get a haircut.”

[ffschweden]

Elitettan 09/26: Hammarby åter igen i serieledning

Elitettan 09/26: Hammarby åter igen i serieledning

Den nionde omgången i Elitettan spelades i dag och nu har alla lag förlorat minst en match. AIK bortabesegrade serieledande Umeå IK med 2:1 inför den stora seriefinalen på Hammarby IP på Nationaldagen.

Hammarby å sin sida vann med klara 4:0 över IFK Kalmar. Emma Jansson gjorde hattrick. Vinner Hammarby över Umeå på torsdag kan AIK komma mycket nära västerbottningarna. Det känns att två…

[captain-cerrillo]

[ARGUS/MAU1qeclink/ time since landfall connection 49:35:15. FWD by Switchboard]

Yo, hoss, final recon assessment attached to this. Jarvis should have enough to update the maps of Scott City. I got in as far as I could. Inner 5k of the city’s completely destroyed. Reaper control extends about 25k out from borders, but it’s sparse.

I would have sent this sooner but found some civilians. Hotwired an abandoned truck and brought them west to coordinates

There’s someone at location who claims to be your mom but she’s way too young and good looking for that. But here she is. (Aside) Ma’am, right here.

“Your friend is pretty cute. I’m thinking of keeping him, miho. ...... we have a lot to catch up on, so I hope....

Be careful, Isaac. Please.”

Isaac made some sort of sharp inhale and closed his eyes, squeezing them shut against the sudden sting and leaning his chair back from the main console as if he’d been pushed.

Eva was on him a flash of blue later. He pulled her into his lap with his eyes still closed and buried his face into her chest as she twisted to comb her fingers through his hair.

“Isaac.” She did well to hide the fear in her voice, but he knew her better than that. “What happened?”

The captain could only shake his head, still trying to reign in the wave of desperate emotion that threatened to swallow him whole. He focused his breathing, savoring the scent of her to keep his feet metaphorically planted as he gestured to the small screen.

Eva squinted, trying to make sense of it. “From Argus? I just see the attachment. What was the message?

Isaac took a shaky breath and composed himself enough to manipulate the volume controls, replaying the message loud enough for the small group gathered in their anxious pre-battle vigil in the CIC, everyone eagerly awaiting further reporting from the Major.

His reddened eyes watched Eva’s face as Archer’s gravel voice played.

“Marie, I might literally kiss your boyfriend.” His heavy hand squeezed Eva’s thigh with the first genuinely hopeful smile he’d had in weeks. “Looks like we have a safe place to land. Pack up.” He barked louder, tapping a few keystrokes to send a ship-wide ready-alert. “Shuttle’s hot in 15. Be there or we’ll see you after. Luca. You’re up.”

[eva-novakov]

"Eva."

"Shh."

Isaac's lips sealed shut when a slim finger pressed against them. He kissed the tip of it before pulling her whole hand against his chest. "If you need to talk, I know you were upset and I've never known you to be so..."

"Grumpy?" The last thing Eva felt like doing was smiling, but she couldn't keep the small one off her lips. He did that to her. She could never resist the pull of his light when she would have otherwise sank into darkness. "I don't want to talk, Isaac. I want to touch."

Her thighs settled on either side of his waist, knees sinking into the soft mattress. Isaac relaxed under her hands as they slid up the planes of his chest and out to his shoulders.

"With these..." Her soft palms continued up the muscles of his neck to rest on either cheek. "And with these..." She leaned down to press her lips against his, the soft mounds of her breasts sliding against his bare skin and she whimpered softly at the relief of being so close to him again. "And with this." Isaac groaned into her open mouth when she ground her crotch against his, only a thin slip of cloth between his hardness and her wetness.

Isaac's fingers dug into her hips as she rocked them and he noticed her wince. "What do you need?"

She knew he didn't just mean sex. Isaac was many things to her. Lover, friend, boss, and sometimes, whether he knew it or not, her therapist. She knew the words were all encompassing. Whatever her answer would be to those four words, she knew he wouldn't stop even at the ends of the universe to put it into her hands. These were the times she didn't feel deserving of him.

So she kissed him harder, using tongue and teeth to drive away the self doubt. She found herself smiling again when he moaned so loudly at the feel of her as she moved her panties to slide his hardened flesh inside of her. "I need you." She panted against his neck, biting into it as she adjusted to his sizable girth stretching her. "Only you."

[flyingblakeryan]

What is Christmas like? I've heard some of the crew talking about it, and there are holos of it on the extranet but ... Well, it wasn't something the humans I knew on the citadel celebrated.

But, um, it looks fun. Maybe.. something we could do together sometime... maybe...?

I’m sorry guys but it’s Christmas and I’m just going to let them go. This is absurd and so far from canon but my tired, sad little heart needs it and my ocs are loud.

“Where are we going?” Luca whined as his boyfriend led him, blindfolded, through the Berlin’s empty halls.

“Hush now, love.” The pilot’s thumb stroked the engineer’s soft knuckles as they turned another corner. “We’re almost there.”

-

It wasn’t perfect, by any means. It was patched together with hull epoxy and the back half was burnt, but once they’d shoved it into a corner and decorated it with every sparkling bit and bauble they could wrangle up, it wasn’t a half bad replacement for a real evergreen.

“And you just want it to what? Twinkle?” Mismatched eyes inspected the almost-tree warily.

“Can you do that?” Marie was probably the most visibly excited. She’d directed the placement of every ornament with a careful eye and a handful of old Earth carols that most of the crew had never heard.

“I mean.” Kiosho ran a hand through his blue-tipped hair. “Obviously, I can do that. But why would I want to?”

“You don’t know about Christmas, either?” Isaac let the satisfied drain from his stance as he cast a glare to the engineer.

“Easy, Toast.” Archer chuckled. “Not all of us were boy scouts.”

-

Ryan offered an uncertain smile when Eva met them at the doorway to take one of Luca’s hands.

“This way, Lu. I can’t wait for you to see.”

“Evie what’s all the fuss about? Should I be worried because I feel a little worried.”

“Don’t be silly.” She leaned in to whisper conspiratorially and both of them giggled. “It’s about Christmas.”

“You ready, son?” Luca’s smile widened at Isaac’s voice and his hands went out, stretching for his family with his eyes still covered.

Ryan settled easily behind him and pressed small, chaste kisses to the back of his neck for the few seconds it took his deft hands to work the ties free from Luca’s blindfold. “Merry Christmas, my boy.”

[luca-moreno]

X (sappy sidebar thing I just.. needed)

Luca made a frustrated little sound at the back of his bruised throat as he bumped his head against Ben’s shoulder. It was like bumping a wall but Ben’s words assured him that at least it wasn’t an emotional one as well.

… It was more than he deserved, he thought.

“I’m sorry, Benny,” Luca whispered. “About what I said and what I-”

The lump stole the rest of his words. Luca wanted so much to press against Ben but was wary of an audience. Eva had no such qualms, appearing out of nowhere to loop her arms around his shoulders and rest her chin on his shoulder.

“We’re with you, Luca,” she said softly into his ear. “All the way. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to remind you of that since you seem to have forgotten.”

He took a little moment to soak up her warmth, tilting his head against hers. “I know that now. I’m... I'm a little scared of what's coming, Evie.”

“You don't need to be. But Ben’s right. You do need to talk to us.”

Luca swallowed around the ache in his throat. His face burned and he felt sick at the thought of having to tell them anything about what went down with Hema.

Eva seemed to sense it, sliding around until she was standing in front of him. Her blue eyes were brilliant as she first took his hand, then Ben’s until the three of them were linked together. Luca liked that, liked knowing it was the three of them as an island among the rolling sea that was Hema and Tortuga and whatever else may come. He needed to hold onto this. Onto them.

“I love you both.” He gripped their hands tightly, closing his eyes as he sucked in a shaky breath and fought back the sting in his nose that was warning him he was about to really lose it. “I really do. I still can’t believe you want to help me with this. After... after everything.”

“Believe it, Lulu,” Eva said and Luca opened his eyes to find her looking between himself and Ben solemnly. “But serious question... Did anyone actually eat anything on that ship? Because I'm starving.”

[mason-knight]

this is so self-indulgent I want to crawl out of my own skin with second hand embarassment rn (happy father’s day, mase)

+++

It’s only by virtue of his phoenix reflexes that Mason manages to snatch the potato flying at his head out of the air a split second before it connects with this face.

He stares down at it in his hand in the middle of the Morrisini villa’s sprawling kitchen. “What the hell do you want me to do with this, Zeus?”

Nico shoves a small contraption at him, as well as a large bowl and a bulging hessian bag. “Peel it.”

“Peel…? What?”

“Peel it,” Nico repeats. He gestures to the bag. “And all those too.”

“Uh, no. These hands were not made for manual labour.”

“Mase,” Marie huffs, her hands on hips on the other side of the sprawling island bench. “I expect that from Sinclair, but not from you.”

“He’s become too accustomed to the good life. Too pampered,” Maddox says from his perch on a stool nearby. He pops something into his mouth and crunches loudly as he smirks in Mason’s direction.

Mason snorts. “Like you can talk, Ajax.”

Outside, the sun shines across the villa’s grounds and the wind carries in the excited squeals of the children as they race over the lawn and splash in the villa’s pool. It was another one of Nico’s family gatherings, one of the many he insisted on each year and that everyone knew better than to argue about. One year, before they had the twins, Mason and Ethan had been off world and the earful they’d copped had them immediately hightailing it back to Earth from Citadel space to make it in the nick of time.

They all know better than to argue when Nico puts the call out now.

Mason peers through the large windows overlooking the vineyards. It was beautiful here, he couldn’t deny it, and the twins loved catching up with the Morrisini brood but being put to work by Nico in the kitchen was more than what Mason was prepared to take.

“Actually, you know what, I’m just going to go see if Ethan needs any help with the ki-“

“Sit your ass down and start peeling, Huntsman.”

“Better do as he says,” Archer says. He rests on a stool, one leg out in front of him and a lethal looking blade in one hand. There are slabs of red meat on the chopping board in front of him. “Or you might end up having to do something worse.” “Is that what you’re doing?”

“Just putting some long dormant skills to good use.”

“Well, we didn’t all marry celebrity chefs in our youth, Rose,” Mason chuckles just as Luca comes tumbling through the doorway.

“Nic! Marie! I need potassium hydroxide and ethanoic acid and um, like a really big stick.”

Marie frowns. “Well, I can give you two out of those things but what do you need them for?”

“No time to explain, have you got it- never mind, this will do!” he’s gone again in a flurry of wild curls.

Silence drags around the room and there’s a distant squeal and a pop that has them all tensing suddenly. Mason waits with bated breath for inevitable wail of tears that will send them all rushing outside but it doesn’t eventuate.

“What is he doing out there?”

Marie takes a calming breath and pinches her nose. “I… I don’t want to know.”

Nico slides his arm around her and kisses her temple, whispering something into her ear Mason can’t (and probably doesn’t want) to hear. She seems more tired than usual and it’s not lost on Mason that her glass is only sparkling water and not wine. He wonders if baby number five might be on their way for them.

Five. Mason shudders inwardly at the thought. The twins were a handful on their own and that was with help. There had been a long, long period there that Mason wondered if his and Ethan’s sex life would ever recover.

“You’re still not peeling, Huntsman,” Nico warns, turning his attention back to him.

“Make Rose do it,” Mason grumbles, only for Archer to swirl that lethal looking knife over the chopping board in front of him.

“He’s already put me to work, as you can see.”

“Seriously, Mase,” Marie huffs as she busies herself with slicing up the fresh bread. The spread of food was insane, much of it grown on the villa grounds, more of it transported from Cerillo’s farm on Nova Terra. “Who does the cooking in your household if you won’t even peel a potato then?”

“The... Ah… Help…”

Marie’s knife pauses as she looks up at him suspiciously. Maddox goes to swipe an olive from the tray but she swats him away without taking her eyes off him. “How many do you have now?”

Mason doesn’t like where this is going. “Three?”

“Three?!” Marie splutters but he’s pretty sure that might be jealousy in her eyes. He shrugs, nonchalant. “Oh my god, well, aren’t you living the good life.”

“What do you expect? Pampered wardog over here,” Maddox comments, pilfering another olive. Nico snatches his wrist.

“Next time you go for another one, I’m gonna stab you.”

Maddox growls. “Fine. Hurry up already then. I’m going to go check on Mini in the nursery then check on the kids. Who knows what Sinclair has got them up to.”

He exchanges a filthy kiss with Archer before he leaves that has Mason rolling his eyes.

“It’s not Ethan you should be worried about,” he mutters as Archer snorts.

“Huntsman!” Nico barks. “Potatoes!”

--

The evening is balmy with summer and it’s well into the twilight by the time they all come to eat at the long trestle table piled high with food under the trees of the Morrisni villa. Fairy lights drape overhead, shedding a sparkle over glasses and kids squeal and thread among the adults as they enjoy the meal.

Mason does his best to balance Max on his knee they eat and the entire affair is noisy and chaotic, full of laughter and warmth and old friendships forged in blood and fire. Nico reigns supreme at the head of the table like some kind of benevolent god and he might as well be. It’s Nico that has been the one to draw them all together, year after year, no matter how far they spread across the galaxy. Familiar faces they’ve fought alongside of, faces they love now gone their separate ways now that the war was over. Their time on the Berlin felt like another life, a long ago memory that might have happened to someone else.

Mason never thought he’d miss it, but it’s long been regulated to a portion of his past alongside his early childhood in Sydney and Phoenix One.

He juggles his wine glass over Max’s head and listens in to the conversation around him. He presses his leg against Ethan’s under the table, needing the contact suddenly. Ethan catches his eye and wordless smile graces his lips as he leans in to brush a kiss to Mason’s cheek and lightly ruffles Max’s hair.

“Want me to take him for a bit?”

“No, he’s fine, as long as he stops squirm-“ Mason rescues his wine glass just before it goes flying. Max was almost getting too big for this, but Mason didn’t like to think about that. “Whoa, easy there.”

“Sorry, Dad.”

“You’re okay, mate. Where’s your sister anyway?”

Max shrugs, leaning back against Mason and chewing on a piece of bread but Ethan motions with his head to look down the table. He spies Ben at the other end with Lexi’s arms tight around his neck and she’s giggling as Luca attempts to juggle spoons beside them. Mason smiles then stabs the gnocchi on his plate and lifts it up to show his husband proudly.

“Hey so while you were outside with the kids, I made these.”

Marie pauses her conversation with Isaac and Archer on the other side of the table to laugh. “Mase, you peeled one potato.”

He waves his fork dismissively. “Still counts.”

They all chuckle, Archer’s more muted on account of the small bundle on his chest. It doesn’t feel that long ago that Lexi and Max were that tiny and Mason is about to mention as much to Archer before their conversation is interrupted by Ciara crashing into her mother’s side. Her gold eyes wide as she gushes excitedly about fireflies.

Mason glances back at his own daughter. She’s on Ben’s lap now, trying to feel him with all the grace of a five year old’s giggling and over exuberant enthusiasm. “Does Lex need anything?” he says to his husband.

Ethan smirks as they watch on. Ben has a smear of sauce down one side of his mouth and across his chin. “It looks like Uncle Scoots has it covered.”

Max scrambles off Mason’s lap and latches himself straight to Ciara’s side. Mason protests softly. “Hey, where are you going?”

“Ci says she knows where the fireflies are!”

“Oh, no you don’t. Finish eating first. Then fireflies.”

“Aw, dad!” Max’s whine is joined by Marcello and Enzo’s as they materialize out of the dark and they all groan dramatically. “But fireflies!”

“You’re not allowed to go running around in the dark by yourselves. Someone might get hurt.”

There are more protests before Eva climbs to her feet. “I can take them, if you like?”

Mason looks up at the Fury. If they’re safe with anyone, they’ll be safe with her but he slides a questioning glance at Ethan anyway. “Are you sure?”

Eva shrugs, a small smile on her lips. “Sure. Luca and Ben will want to come too.”

“We’ll all go,” Marie announces. She stands up and motions for everyone else to as well. “It’s about time for the bonfire anyway.”

“Bonfire?!” The kids squeal and take off running into the darkness.

“Wait, kids-“

There’s a wink of blue in the distance when Eva appears in front of them, sending the kids all shrieking in excitement. Mason downs the rest of his wine for fortitude then pulls his husband in for a kiss in case he can’t steal any later.

“Come on, Sabre, let’s go.”

--

If they find fireflies, Mason doesn’t see them.

The excitement of time spent with their adoptive family and the bonfire have both kids melting down from too much over stimulation and it’s touch and go for a while until they both crash in his arms. Mason watches the flames dance and listens to Luca’s voice as he strums his guitar, Lexi’s head tucked under his chin while Ethan sits beside him with Max asleep against his chest.

They should probably get the kids back to the villa, tuck them into their beds, but he’s reluctant to move and spoil the moment.

Luca sings, his voice carrying clearly over the crackle of the fire, first upbeat songs with words half substituted thanks to the buzz of Nico’s homemade grappa he insisted they all sample. Ciara twirls barefoot, hair streaming out behind her as Maddox takes her on a makeshift waltz around the bonfire and Nico hands out mugs of mulled wine as Isaac and Eva sit with heads bent together roasting marshmallows in the flames. On their other side, Marie is flanked by each one of her sons, both slumped against her, not quite asleep but dangerously close. And Archer, cane discarded by his chair and a baby on his chest, sits quietly beside Ben, staring thoughtfully into the fire.

“You know, if anyone had told me on P1 this is how our life would end up, I’m pretty sure I would have laughed myself out an airlock,” Mason says to Ethan. “Sometimes I can’t believe it.”

“We’re the lucky ones,” Ethan agrees quietly. The firelight catches the line of his jaw and sends his hair shining gold. He’s still the most beautiful man Mason has ever met and he’s all Mason’s.

After ten years, it still hasn’t got old.

“Any regrets?”

Ethan turns to him and leans in. Mason meets him halfway, pressing a kiss to his mouth, mindful of the dual weights on their chests and careful not to wake them. Then Ethan draws back. “Not a single one.”

“Me neither,” Mason murmurs but then the moment is interrupted when Nico shows up. 

“Here,” he grunts, handing them each a metallic mug. Something spicy Mason doesn’t recognize wafts up.

Mason takes the mug hesitantly and looks up at Nico with a silent lift of his eyebrow. “Am I going to have to peel anymore potatoes if I take this?”

“No,” Nico rumbles. “Tomorrow we’re going to slaughter a pig and make sausages.”

“We’re gonna what?”

“You heard me. And you can do the honors. Time to earn your keep, Huntsman.”

Nico moves away and Mason stares into his mug. “This is payback, isn’t it?” he says miserably to Ethan. “For giving him all those shitty ops back in the day?”

Ethan’s lips twitch. Mason thinks he might be laughing. “It might be, babe.”

“Well, Fu… Fudge.. me,” he slumps against Ethan’s shoulder as Luca plays his songs and the stars continue to wheel overhead.

[cdrmiller]

“You think you’re going anywhere in that?”

Isaac stilled at the sound of her voice in the middle of reaching for his shoes, watching her lift herself up onto her elbows in his bed. 

“I won’t be gone long. Hopefully. Should be an open and shut case.”

“Can you just...stay there for a minute. Please. And stand at ease, Captain.”

Realization dawned on his features and he grinned at the same time Eva moved, the sheet falling off of her naked body when she sat up to crook a finger towards him. 

“I’ve only gotten to see you once in your dress blues, it was the first time you ever kissed me.” She crawled towards the foot of the bed where he stood now with his hands resting at his back and she straightened onto her knees to slide her hands over the shoulders of the crisp fabric. “But I wasn’t able to touch you then. So now, sir…” Her lips brushed over his and her hands slid down the front of his uniform. “Just let me touch you.” 

- 

“How do I look?” 

Marie stood in front of the two men in her quarters, arms outstretched and turning one way and then the other. 

Nico stood with his arms crossed and the ever present scowl on his face. “Hideous.” 

“So ugly.” Maddox offered. 

“You’re both assholes.” Marie dropped her arms to her sides. 

Nico continued hastily. “Well, you look beautiful…” 

“Radiant, as always.” 

“It’s just the uniform…” 

“Terrible, as always.” 

Marie glared at both of them. “And just what exactly is wrong with the Alliance uniform?” 

Nico pursed his lips in thought. “It’s just not…” 

“Flashy enough.” 

The two Phoenix shared a quick grin and Marie sighed as she turned for the door. “I liked it better when you two hated each other.” 

- 

“So why do we need to be here again?” There was absolutely no reason for the words to be whispered seductively into her ear, but Maddox did it anyway. 

Marie caught his arm when his hand moved to mockingly return a salute from two crew members who had directed it at their Commander as they were passing in the hallway. The combination of dress uniform and two flanking Phoenix drew stares their entire way through the ship.  

“It’s just in case they want to talk to you. Probably won’t. But you both were there so that makes you a ‘maybe’.” 

She ignored his indignant huff when they entered the command center and focused on the Ensign waiting for her. “Davis. Where is the Captain?” 

“He said he was on his way Commander. Twenty minutes ago…” 

“It’s not like him to be this last minute.” Her hands slid around each of the men’s biceps, pulling them to the wall as she talked. “You two stay here off screen unless I say otherwise.” 

“Bella.” Nico’s hand slid into hers for a moment, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He knew she had been nervous for days. “You got this.” 

“Ready?” Isaac breezed by her, still tugging on his uniform jacket. “Let’s get this over with.” 

- 

They stood beside each other in the eerie silence of the now empty CIC that had been cleared for the call, while the seconds ticked by as they waited for the signal that the Admiral was ready. 

“So.” Marie turned to him in the safety of their exclusive conversation.  “How long have you and Novakov been a Thing?” 

Isaac found something on the blank wall very interesting. “A while.”

He wasn’t surprised at the question. After all that had transpired when they returned from Asteria, he had fully expected it. 

“You are aware of page 34, section A of-.” 

“Commander.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, one brow raising to let her know she was encroaching on territory she wasn’t allowed to stand on. 

“I just don’t think it’s smart. And don’t say it’s none of my business. It’s my business if it is something that might get you discharged.” 

“Well it’s a good thing there is no one on this ship that ranks higher than me isn’t it?” 

She sighed, dropping her eyes from his face to her hands gripped around the railing in front of her. “I just don’t want to lose you.” 

“I don’t want you to lose me either. And I don’t intend on going anywhere. But the fact of the matter is, Marie.” His tone brokered no argument and set a finality to the topic. “She’s worth losing everything for.” 

“Well. I do understand that. Doesn’t mean I like it though.” Marie fiddled with the golden chain on her uniform and cleared her throat for the fifth time. 

“You look fine. And this will be over quick, they have much more important things to be doing than this. Just protocol.” 

“I’ll take the blame you know. For what happened.” 

“You’re not taking the blame for anything.” His hand slid onto her shoulder. “I have your back, always, remember?” 

She blew out a breath as her hands moved to smooth over her hair, looking up at the man who appeared to be every bit a Captain in his dress uniform in the middle of the CIC. “Does my hair look okay?” 

Isaac’s lips pressed together, trying to hold back the grin. “Appropriately, tightly wound.” 

- 

The meeting with the brass was, just like he said it would be, short and to the point. After Marie had given her briefing to the three faces on the screen, Isaac had done most of the talking, and by the end of it, she was assured there would be no firing squad. 

The Admiral leveled a heavy gaze at Isaac. “Captain. There will be a separate meeting about what happened on Asteria soon.” 

“Yes sir.” 

They waited until the large screen on the wall went dark before they dropped their salutes and Isaac turned to Marie. “All good?” 

Her arms crossed in front of her chest and her features shaped in a way he knew well enough to recognize as restrained temper. “Months ago I put my entire career on the line, spent a week putting together a presentation, spent two hours in a meeting with a roomful of higher ups including two admirals about just why exactly we should have ex Cerberus operatives in our ranks instead of in the trash, and they just now had the nerve to say to me “’I guess they come in handy after all’.” 

They were out of hearing distance if it had been anyone else, but from the looks on their faces when she spared them a glance, she knew two of men in question had both heard every word. 

“Well, get a copy of that video feed and keep it in your liaison file. Next time it won’t take you a week and two hours to convince anyone, when they see that two ex Cerberus operatives can save an entire starship with only their bare hands and a knife.” 

Marie nodded on a sigh and he accepted the sincerity in her caramel eyes. “Thank you Captain. For everything.”

“We’re a good team, Marie. Now I’m going to get out of this thing.” One long finger pulled at the collar of his jacket as he headed for the hall. 

“I’m going to keep mine on. Makes me feel important.”

“You are important Miller. For one, you make my life a whole hell of a lot easier.” 

“Oh, speaking of sir, one more thing.” His brows rose in question as he stopped and swung back towards her. “I want to recommend Ensign Davis for a promotion.”