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greenstickered2015-05-16 08:29 pm
camalyng) wrote in greenstickered2015-05-16 08:29 pm
Mass Effect (Relay Monument Incident): Signal Corps (1/3)
Title: Signal Corps ‣ 1: message chain
Rating: PG13 (language)
Words: ~5370
Summary: Garrus changes his mind about not risking Ashley's career (much). As it turns out, she doesn't need to be talked into staying in contact. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. E-mail logs for Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, stationed at Systems Alliance Rapid Response Base 3. "I'm so glad you changed your mind about not staying in touch."
Notes: Ashley's third to last e-mail was run through the Zantherus Drunk Post Translator, which is why some of the typos look extremely unlikely. But who knows what future keyboard layouts are like? Her quote is from "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath. "Dad loved all those sappy poets. Mom was more into Plath." Soundtrack: "Living in Your Letters" (unplugged) by Dashboard Confessional.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: How are you?
Ashley,
In case the e-mail address didn't give it away, it's your cultural exchange/xenobiology research partner. Anderson was at the station the other day so I asked him about the old crew, and he gave me your e-mail address. Figured I shouldn't call, though.
So we're clear, I'm not looking for anything here. Please don't feel obliged to reply. Just wanted to see how an old friend was doing, from the source instead of third hand or however many channels are between you and Anderson. He said you're in the Kepler Verge. You're certainly capable of handling anything out of the Terminus Systems. I hope your new unit's treating you well.
Things have been busy here. There's still a lot of repairs to be done, so there's a lot of displaced and frustrated people. A lot of the arrests these days are just desperate people, not assholes or criminal masterminds. There's no fun in that.
I don't know if you've heard from the others. W and T both made it back home. L mentioned something about going to Omega last time I talked to her, turned me down when I asked if she wanted backup. No idea what she's up to, but I'm worried. Keep an eye out for her if you can.
Miss you.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Hey G,
Thanks for writing. I vidmail Joker sometimes but I hadn't heard from any of you guys. I've really missed everyone. You can tell the others how to contact me if you want, as long as they can get freebie e-mail addresses like yours and they use initials. I'm so glad you changed your mind about not staying in touch.
The new unit's good. My CO hasn't said anything about my family, so I'm definitely not going to bring it up. Some of the squad were actually a little in awe of me because of the whole Battle of the Citadel thing, until a guy I used to serve with broke the ice by making fun of me like the old days. I'd missed him, but I hadn't realized how much.
I like it here. Every time there's an attack on the colonies, we fly out to shoot people in the face. James, the guy from my old unit, was assigned out here long before I joined the Normandy and I was dead jealous of him, but now I get to play cavalry too. Straight up combat's so much easier than chasing a rogue Spectre.
It feels weird sometimes, though. You and I know what's really out there, and here I am focusing on pirates and slavers, while you're going after, what, looters? I'm not SURPRISED that no one listened, but I am disappointed.
Fun must be the wrong word for your line of work, but that sounds really rough. I hope you're relatively safe at home, you're not living in a bad neighborhood or anything. I know you can handle it, but I worry. Any way I can help? You or the displaced. Hard to know which charities aren't scams.
Thanks for the update on the others. I haven't seen L - we never actually go into the Systems, we just have a base out here in the Verge. God, she never would have gone to Omega on her own when we first met her. I'm praying for her. Both her mom and Shepard in such a short amount of time... I hope she finds peace, but I doubt she'll find it on Omega.
Anyways, I should get my duties squared away before dinner. Already got a squadmate staring at me because I've been writing since we got back to base instead of cleaning my rifles like usual, but I'm not a word person. If someone else can't say what I mean for me, it takes me a while to figure out how to say it.
I miss you too.
- Ash
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
I just noticed there's an M in your e-mail address. What's that for?
"Weird" doesn't even begin to describe it. There was something on the news yesterday about how they haven't found any geth outposts for a month, so we've won. Nothing about Sovereign or the Reapers, of course. Everyone just accepts that statement from the Council a while back saying the attack on the Citadel was just one rogue Spectre and the geth, so unless you're affected by the damage, it's business as usual, or maybe there's a little "War is Over" sale. Even the Avina terminals don't have any information on Reapers. They think the Eden Prime War's over when the real war's only just begun.
I'm not just going after looters. Half the precinct's arrests lately have been people who joined gangs or started dealing drugs to make ends meet, because they've got expensive repairs or higher rent in a new place. The keepers only work so fast. Private repairmen and builders are in high demand and some of them are taking advantage. It makes me sick that it's legal.
My neighborhood's okay. Bachjret Ward wasn't hit too hard in the attack, and I managed to call in a favor to get repairs on my apartment pretty quickly. The worst crime we get here is the odd pickpocket. Writing to you is help enough for me, but I'm sending you extranet links to a couple of charities I've seen on the ground.
I'm glad your new unit's treating you well. Riding to the rescue sounds right up your alley, and it sounds like you already have a friend out there. Every time some new recruit who saw me on the vids gets starry-eyed around me, Executor Pallin starts using me as a "what not to do on a case" story, so you're probably better off with the slight awe and awkwardness. Hopefully your CO doesn't actually care about your family. Surely you and your medals deserve some kind of promotion by now.
For someone who's not a word person, you wrote a longer e-mail than I did. Not that I'm complaining. It's good to hear from you. I sent your address to the others, but don't expect anything from W any time soon. Not sure he'd know how to get an address that isn't from his home planet, and he's trying to stop the infighting at home. Don't tell him I said this, but if anyone can do it, it's him. Still haven't heard from L.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
G,
NOW who's military? You told me once that civilians don't believe the enemy's coming until they're there, and now they're gone. Of course people won't believe it. Hell, even here, my squadmates don't believe me that Sovereign wasn't just a ship.
The M's for my middle name, Madeline. They whack your middle initials into your e-mail address in case of any name double ups, so we don't end up ashley.williams25 like you, Mr. rifle-calibrations-422. Cute choice of numbers, by the way.
Always happy to help. I tossed some credits to those charities. Wish I could do more for you. I miss hearing your voice.
About the photo attachment: James caught me writing to you, and when I said it was to an old Normandy crewmate, he got all excited and asked if I could send you a photo of him. I told him that was weird, and he just asked if it'd be less weird if it was a photo with me. Turns out Shepard's his hero, so anyone who worked with her is great in his book too. He just keeps it real with me because we knew each other before. Thank God I'm not some larger than life figure to him.
Although a little girl on this colony we were on the other day asked me for an autograph because she'd seen me on the news from the Citadel attack and the medal ceremony. Felt weird. But I think the occasional starstruck kid, weirded out new squadmates, and a couple of medals is all the promotion I'm ever going to get. If I was ever gonna get a promotion for my service on the Normandy, it would have been on reassignment. I'll never break the Williams curse. That's life.
Thanks for sending my e-mail address along. Nothing yet from W or L like you said, but T's told me very vaguely about her new ship. I'm as proud of her as I would be of any of my little sisters. It's crazy how we all got so close on the Normandy and then completely fell apart after Shepard died. At least some of us are getting back in touch now.
Frigate just landed. Gotta go. Time to kick ass.
- Ash
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
It's good to see you even in a photo. You look happy. James looks like a human krogan, which are two words I never expected to see side by side. Is that a Normandy badge on his uniform?
Don't feel weird about being a role model for little girls. Better you than someone like Sani Shelani. I hope you gave her that autograph. At least if you're feeling weird about it, that's a good sign you're not going to let it go to your head.
But I'm going to say it again: Apply for Spectre candidacy. The Council won't judge you on your name, just your experience, and the Eden Prime War and the Battle of the Citadel should be excellent experience. Anderson and Udina would probably vouch for you too. Anderson likes you and I'm sure Udina misses having a human Spectre. Here, I got you started, but you'll have to put in your pre-Normandy service record and medical details yourself.
I've found one person who either believes me about the Reapers or is humoring me, and of all people, it's my new partner at work. A human woman named Jordan. The precinct threw her at me 'in the interests of officer safety' because there have been attacks on officers out alone lately, but I'm pretty sure they're just trying to keep me in line. She's very fussy about the regs and paperwork. I think you'd like her.
My sister just called. Mom's deteriorating again so she's back in the hospital. I wish I could do more for her than help pay for the treatments that aren't on her insurance, but I'm not a doctor, let alone a neuroscientist.
Damn, I started this e-mail in a good mood.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
G,
I'm really sorry about your mom. I hope the treatments work this time. You know, your sister could probably use you there. I'd go home in a heartbeat if anything happened to my mom, if just to look after my sisters. Wish I could be there for you in person, but you know I'm here for you by e-mail. I'll keep your family in my prayers. Do you guys do flowers? Can you send your mom whatever your culture sends to sick people and I'll pay you back?
Is working with a partner like being in a buddy cop movie? You know, "He's a loose cannon! She's completely by the book! THEY FIGHT CRIME!" Sorry, it's probably not as funny as I'm imagining, and it must be annoying after being used to working on your own. But I'm glad you've got someone to watch your six, and having someone to rein you in is probably good for you considering the first time I saw you you were arguing with the Executor in the Council Chambers. I hope your partner's as fussy about fraternization as I am.
Actually, speaking of cop movies, I saw a trailer on the extranet for a movie about a hanar Spectre. Requiem for a Reaper or something? We should go see it. Well, go see it separately and then write each other angry e-mails about how that's not what being the first Spectre of a species is like and how that's not the Reapers' endgame. I can't believe the first thing to take the Reapers semi-seriously is a hanar Spectre movie.
I also can't believe you started filling in a Spectre candidacy application for me! It's not going to happen. We might have a bit more clout now but the human ceiling's going to be much harder to break than the Williams curse, especially following a commissioned officer with N7 training like Shepard. And by the way, I'm two centimetres taller than what you put in. You're a cop, I thought you're supposed to be good at estimating height!
James kind of acts like a human krogan sometimes. But yeah, he wears a Normandy badge. I feel sick every time I look at it. I always think of the way she looked from the escape pod, all holes and fire and then just pieces.
Great, I just made myself sad. Doesn't help that I've been missing Shepard this week. Give me some good news, Officer. That's an order.
- Ash
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
That's Agent to you. And I don't have any good news, but what I do have for you is a surprise. Open the file attachment on your own omni-tool, not a work terminal, and use your ear piece. It's just a little something Mom used to read my sister as a bedtime story. Now she sometimes reads it to Mom when she's going in for treatments. That's how I got the idea, actually. Anyway, I hope you like it.
More importantly I hope you're feeling better. I hate thinking of the Normandy that way too. I always try to remember her in her prime. Rescuing us from volcanoes, hanging up on the Council, drunken cultural exchanges by the Mako, that kind of thing.
Working with a partner is nowhere near as hilarious as the vids when you're one of the cops. Jordan's very good with an omni-tool and you'll be pleased to know she saved my ass the other day, but I feel like she's holding me back when it comes to actually making arrests. So no worries about fraternization, if we even had that reg. Anyway, she's married, and more to the point, I'm only interested in one human.
I would love to critique a hanar Spectre movie for historical accuracy with you. When does it come out in your neck of the woods? And have you done anything else on your Spectre candidacy application? Speaking of which, sorry for underestimating your height. My last significant memory of you in person involves you lying down, which doesn't make for the best estimates.
Sis said the same thing about being able to use me back home, but I just feel useless every time I go. I think she saw through me when I told her I was too close to the end of a case. Mom's supposed to be out of hospital next week anyway. I guess that's good news. It means she's not any worse.
We don't do flowers, but I sent our equivalent gift, which is far too specific to our culture for me to tell you about. Told my sister it was from an old squadmate. I don't think she believes me, but Mom liked it, which is the important part. Thanks.
Agent GV
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Sorry
Ashley,
It's been a while since you've written, so in the absence of reports of disasters in the Kepler Verge, I'm guessing that I came on too strong or made you feel uncomfortable. Sorry for my choice in poems, bringing up that time by the Mako and that time in the hotel, saying that I'm only interested in one human, and/or anything else. I wasn't lying when I said I wasn't looking for anything, and I understand why anything more than this would be impossible even if you were still interested. You don't have to write back if you don't want to, just let your e-mail client send back the read receipt.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Read: Sorry
Your message
> To: ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa
> Subject: Sorry
was read.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: Read: Sorry
Understood. I'll stop writing.
GV
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: DON'T STOP WRITING
Sorry about the delay. Two more days and I'll write back, I promise.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: DON'T STOP WRITING
These are going to be the longest two days of my life, Williams.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Two days are over!
Gunnery, not C-Sec Officer,
I'm really sorry about keeping you waiting. No disasters, but it's definitely been rough out here. I was planning to finally write back a few days ago but then I sprained my wrist in a fight with some mercs so our CMO didn't want me typing, and I couldn't get the time to dictate anything longer than that last message. (I have the all clear now, don't worry about me making it worse or anything.) Nothing to do with the poem or anything you mentioned in your last full e-mail, I swear. No need for you to apologize.
Because I never stopped being interested. You probably saved my life that night by the Mako, and that hotel room was the only bright spot in that first month after the Normandy went down. Impossible's a good word for us, with what we are and where I am. I'm sorry.
That said, thank you so much for that sound file. I must have listened to it a hundred times while I was stuck on base the last few days. I hadn't realized just how much I missed your voice. The poem's beautiful. That warrior woman sounds like a badass, and I really wasn't expecting it to turn into a love poem in the last few verses. I tried turning my translator off to listen to it in the original language - wow, I don't think I'd ever get the hang of some of those tones or those crunchy consonants, but it was really interesting.
Requiem for a Reaper won't be released here until another month after it comes out in Citadel space, but I've got a squadmate who downloads movies all the time and says he can get a copy off the extranet once it's out there. Well, he told me how to get it too, but I think I've downloaded enough contraband on the Alliance connection lately.
I am not applying for Spectre candidacy! Can you imagine me reporting to the Council? I'd crack up laughing and want to punch someone every time I met the asari Councilor's eye. Now that I've left you with that mental image of why it would be a bad idea, please just drop it. Anyway, what happened with YOUR reapplication for Spectre candidacy? Didn't you put it in around the time of Shepard's memorial?
Good news: Sarah and Thomas set a date! Two years from today. Abby says that's plenty of time for me to find a plus one I wouldn't be fraternizing with, but I'm not interested. I've already got my leave approved. I'm gonna be the only bridesmaid not wearing whatever ugly dress Sar picks out. I'll probably look like I should be on the groom's side - Thomas is military too, and so are most of his buddies (I think I've served with his best man), so at least I won't be the only one in dress blues.
How's your mom? She was supposed to be out of hospital by now, right? Does that mean these last treatments worked? And how much do I owe you?
- Ash
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: Two days are over!
Gunnery Chief (still Gunnery Chief? I assume you'd tell me if you got a promotion) Williams,
Good to know you're alright, both with your wrist and with me. I hope you shot the bastard who got your wrist. Hell, I hope you shot him in the face. I know you like your boomstick.
Knowing that you're still interested makes me feel a lot better about the delay, but perhaps we'd be better off not discussing this further, before we start to want too much.
You're welcome for the poem. I'm glad you liked it. Deciding on something to record you was a good distraction. We've got this drug smuggling case and a name from an old case of mine came up. Drives me insane that after Dad let him go last time, he's still out there. Jordan probably won't let me go after him either. I'm this close to quitting.
My reapplication for Spectre candidacy is in, "thank you for applying" letters and all. Radio silence since. It probably didn't help that I can't really get references for my work on the Normandy, and with my methods C-Sec's never going to give me a reference.
Let me know when you get the movie and we'll set a date. I won't see it until you've got it so I don't accidentally spoil you.
Having a date for the wedding's exciting. Will Sarah be dragging you into helping out with prep work long distance, or do you get to just show up for the rehearsal and the big day? I just realized I've never seen you in a dress, but I'm sure you could make even an ugly one look good, considering how nice you look in Alliance dress blues. Abby's right, though, you should definitely bring a plus one. Some nice human guy you can vidmail on base. You deserve someone like that.
Mom's okay. She's back to how she was before this latest round, which wasn't great, but it's better than a new, worse normal. I called her the other day and actually got her on a good day. That is, she knew who I am, even with the low res vidchat and S's bad speakers. Your prayers and gift must have helped.
Wishing I was still Gunnery Officer,
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: Two days are over!
Always Gunnery Officer to me,
I'm so glad your mom's alright! You must be thrilled about talking to her on a good day. Seriously, let me pay for the present. You're paying for the treatments, it's the least I can do.
Embarrassingly, the merc didn't intentionally get my wrist. I just landed badly when a Singularity I was stuck in detonated. But James threw a frag grenade at her anyway. I think I actually said "you should see the other girl" to our CMO. Asari mercs are the worst.
Officially I only need to come to the rehearsal and the big day, but I'm definitely expecting some "lilies or daisies" e-mails, and Sar wants me to give a speech at the reception. I don't actually know Thomas that well. Hopefully we get assigned to the same place at some point, otherwise I'll have to see if he's as good a penpal as you.
I don't want to bring a nice human guy to the wedding, or one to vidmail on base. Of course, abuela would probably disown me if I brought a bad boy like you. I think she'd be more okay with seeing T or L (have you heard from L?) at her granddaughter's wedding. She took what happened to abuelo and then to me and Dad really hard. Every time she talks about my time on the Normandy she pities me for having to work with aliens.
Do you want me to write you a reference for your Spectre application? I outranked you, and it'll look good coming from someone with medals.
Why wouldn't Jordan let you go after the smuggler if he's part of your case? Anything to do with your methods that C-Sec wouldn't write you a reference for? And if you leave your job, what are you going to do? "I'll go home and visit my family" is the only acceptable answer here.
This photo's really old but senior prom's the last time I can remember wearing a fancy dress. It's been dress blues ever since I enlisted. I'm proud to wear the uniform but I wish I had more opportunities to wear dresses, I think I look pretty damn good in them. Hope you wanted to know what I looked like as a teenager...
Probably won't ever make Operations Chief but you'll be the first to know if I do,
- Ash
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Good text chat last night
Best way to end a day. We should do that again some time when I'm more awake. You know which part I'm talking about.
CO says I handled myself fine in the interview, so thanks for the pep talk. I'll let you know when it airs.
Looking forward to those books.
x
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: (no subject)
I quit C-Sec. Found the smuggler.
I might not write back for a while.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re:
You idiot. What do you mean, you might not write? How long is a while? Don't do anything stupid.
I'm praying for you.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Hello?
Are you in jail for killing the drug smuggler or something??
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: What are you doing?
Two weeks is plenty of time for me to find something on the extranet about a former cop now in jail himself. I'm sure C-Sec would try to cover it up but Emily Wong wouldn't miss a scoop like that.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Vids
Bilal said Requiem for a Reaper leaked onto the extranet. The whole squad's watching it this weekend after our Battlespace feature airs. You still in?
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: Vids
Requiem for a Reaper was the most inaccurate "inspired by real events" war movie I've seen in years.
I'm glad the Battlespace didn't use much of my interview, but there was some great footage of me shooting things.
Write back. Watch the vids. I need someone to complain to about the movie. The squad wasn't on the Normandy and Requiem's not T's kind of movie. You don't have to tell me how great my hair looked in auto-matte, though, my sisters already took care of that.
You know what? I don't even care if you see the vids. Just tell me what's going on. If you're in trouble, I want to help.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: One month
You're freaking me out here.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Where are you?
A month and a half, seriously? You're the one who panicked and said you'd stop writing when I didn't write back for about a week and then called a two day wait the longest of your life. Is this your idea of 'a while'?
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: AYNSWER ME
Two moknths. BASTAARD. I'M out heore protectieng the innocent anxd crap but lal I can thinvk aboupt is rowrying werhe the hell you are and what happenetd to you. I didn't fuck you and take alkl those mepds just because your'e a good kissoer, ui did it bjecausE i care about you. We may have broken uap before we ever even started doating bzut fuckm, I miss pyou enough to wdrite you even width your stupid freebsie e-mail anxd initials for names and sefl osnecring. yit's still a risk for me, hte names of hte whole damn squad are omn pulbic record. Syo you don'nT GETto reestablish contact just to orpd fout of contact rihsgt after quittikng your job, what thfe FGUCK.
FUZCK YOU, YJOU SOZN OF A BITCH. I Shulod rahve ljoved sa thunderbird instead; at letsa when spring comes they roavr back again.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Sorry
I'm really sorry about that last e-mail. James got reassigned and I guess I had too many too quickly at his goodbye drinks last night. If your translator can even handle that level of drunk typing, don't bother reading it.
Seriously, though. Answer me.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Please?
Garrus, it's been three months. Tell me you're still alive.
If it's anything I said, I'm sorry. Just... please write back. Hell, you can even vidmail me. I just need to know you're okay.
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From: Mail Delivery System <Mailer-Daemon@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Mail delivery failed:returning message to sender
This message was created automatically by mail delivery software.
A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients. This is a permanent error.
Subject: Please?
The following address(es) failed:
rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub
No Such User Here
Rating: PG13 (language)
Words: ~5370
Summary: Garrus changes his mind about not risking Ashley's career (much). As it turns out, she doesn't need to be talked into staying in contact. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. E-mail logs for Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, stationed at Systems Alliance Rapid Response Base 3. "I'm so glad you changed your mind about not staying in touch."
Notes: Ashley's third to last e-mail was run through the Zantherus Drunk Post Translator, which is why some of the typos look extremely unlikely. But who knows what future keyboard layouts are like? Her quote is from "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath. "Dad loved all those sappy poets. Mom was more into Plath." Soundtrack: "Living in Your Letters" (unplugged) by Dashboard Confessional.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: How are you?
Ashley,
In case the e-mail address didn't give it away, it's your cultural exchange/xenobiology research partner. Anderson was at the station the other day so I asked him about the old crew, and he gave me your e-mail address. Figured I shouldn't call, though.
So we're clear, I'm not looking for anything here. Please don't feel obliged to reply. Just wanted to see how an old friend was doing, from the source instead of third hand or however many channels are between you and Anderson. He said you're in the Kepler Verge. You're certainly capable of handling anything out of the Terminus Systems. I hope your new unit's treating you well.
Things have been busy here. There's still a lot of repairs to be done, so there's a lot of displaced and frustrated people. A lot of the arrests these days are just desperate people, not assholes or criminal masterminds. There's no fun in that.
I don't know if you've heard from the others. W and T both made it back home. L mentioned something about going to Omega last time I talked to her, turned me down when I asked if she wanted backup. No idea what she's up to, but I'm worried. Keep an eye out for her if you can.
Miss you.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Hey G,
Thanks for writing. I vidmail Joker sometimes but I hadn't heard from any of you guys. I've really missed everyone. You can tell the others how to contact me if you want, as long as they can get freebie e-mail addresses like yours and they use initials. I'm so glad you changed your mind about not staying in touch.
The new unit's good. My CO hasn't said anything about my family, so I'm definitely not going to bring it up. Some of the squad were actually a little in awe of me because of the whole Battle of the Citadel thing, until a guy I used to serve with broke the ice by making fun of me like the old days. I'd missed him, but I hadn't realized how much.
I like it here. Every time there's an attack on the colonies, we fly out to shoot people in the face. James, the guy from my old unit, was assigned out here long before I joined the Normandy and I was dead jealous of him, but now I get to play cavalry too. Straight up combat's so much easier than chasing a rogue Spectre.
It feels weird sometimes, though. You and I know what's really out there, and here I am focusing on pirates and slavers, while you're going after, what, looters? I'm not SURPRISED that no one listened, but I am disappointed.
Fun must be the wrong word for your line of work, but that sounds really rough. I hope you're relatively safe at home, you're not living in a bad neighborhood or anything. I know you can handle it, but I worry. Any way I can help? You or the displaced. Hard to know which charities aren't scams.
Thanks for the update on the others. I haven't seen L - we never actually go into the Systems, we just have a base out here in the Verge. God, she never would have gone to Omega on her own when we first met her. I'm praying for her. Both her mom and Shepard in such a short amount of time... I hope she finds peace, but I doubt she'll find it on Omega.
Anyways, I should get my duties squared away before dinner. Already got a squadmate staring at me because I've been writing since we got back to base instead of cleaning my rifles like usual, but I'm not a word person. If someone else can't say what I mean for me, it takes me a while to figure out how to say it.
I miss you too.
- Ash
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
I just noticed there's an M in your e-mail address. What's that for?
"Weird" doesn't even begin to describe it. There was something on the news yesterday about how they haven't found any geth outposts for a month, so we've won. Nothing about Sovereign or the Reapers, of course. Everyone just accepts that statement from the Council a while back saying the attack on the Citadel was just one rogue Spectre and the geth, so unless you're affected by the damage, it's business as usual, or maybe there's a little "War is Over" sale. Even the Avina terminals don't have any information on Reapers. They think the Eden Prime War's over when the real war's only just begun.
I'm not just going after looters. Half the precinct's arrests lately have been people who joined gangs or started dealing drugs to make ends meet, because they've got expensive repairs or higher rent in a new place. The keepers only work so fast. Private repairmen and builders are in high demand and some of them are taking advantage. It makes me sick that it's legal.
My neighborhood's okay. Bachjret Ward wasn't hit too hard in the attack, and I managed to call in a favor to get repairs on my apartment pretty quickly. The worst crime we get here is the odd pickpocket. Writing to you is help enough for me, but I'm sending you extranet links to a couple of charities I've seen on the ground.
I'm glad your new unit's treating you well. Riding to the rescue sounds right up your alley, and it sounds like you already have a friend out there. Every time some new recruit who saw me on the vids gets starry-eyed around me, Executor Pallin starts using me as a "what not to do on a case" story, so you're probably better off with the slight awe and awkwardness. Hopefully your CO doesn't actually care about your family. Surely you and your medals deserve some kind of promotion by now.
For someone who's not a word person, you wrote a longer e-mail than I did. Not that I'm complaining. It's good to hear from you. I sent your address to the others, but don't expect anything from W any time soon. Not sure he'd know how to get an address that isn't from his home planet, and he's trying to stop the infighting at home. Don't tell him I said this, but if anyone can do it, it's him. Still haven't heard from L.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
G,
NOW who's military? You told me once that civilians don't believe the enemy's coming until they're there, and now they're gone. Of course people won't believe it. Hell, even here, my squadmates don't believe me that Sovereign wasn't just a ship.
The M's for my middle name, Madeline. They whack your middle initials into your e-mail address in case of any name double ups, so we don't end up ashley.williams25 like you, Mr. rifle-calibrations-422. Cute choice of numbers, by the way.
Always happy to help. I tossed some credits to those charities. Wish I could do more for you. I miss hearing your voice.
About the photo attachment: James caught me writing to you, and when I said it was to an old Normandy crewmate, he got all excited and asked if I could send you a photo of him. I told him that was weird, and he just asked if it'd be less weird if it was a photo with me. Turns out Shepard's his hero, so anyone who worked with her is great in his book too. He just keeps it real with me because we knew each other before. Thank God I'm not some larger than life figure to him.
Although a little girl on this colony we were on the other day asked me for an autograph because she'd seen me on the news from the Citadel attack and the medal ceremony. Felt weird. But I think the occasional starstruck kid, weirded out new squadmates, and a couple of medals is all the promotion I'm ever going to get. If I was ever gonna get a promotion for my service on the Normandy, it would have been on reassignment. I'll never break the Williams curse. That's life.
Thanks for sending my e-mail address along. Nothing yet from W or L like you said, but T's told me very vaguely about her new ship. I'm as proud of her as I would be of any of my little sisters. It's crazy how we all got so close on the Normandy and then completely fell apart after Shepard died. At least some of us are getting back in touch now.
Frigate just landed. Gotta go. Time to kick ass.
- Ash
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
It's good to see you even in a photo. You look happy. James looks like a human krogan, which are two words I never expected to see side by side. Is that a Normandy badge on his uniform?
Don't feel weird about being a role model for little girls. Better you than someone like Sani Shelani. I hope you gave her that autograph. At least if you're feeling weird about it, that's a good sign you're not going to let it go to your head.
But I'm going to say it again: Apply for Spectre candidacy. The Council won't judge you on your name, just your experience, and the Eden Prime War and the Battle of the Citadel should be excellent experience. Anderson and Udina would probably vouch for you too. Anderson likes you and I'm sure Udina misses having a human Spectre. Here, I got you started, but you'll have to put in your pre-Normandy service record and medical details yourself.
I've found one person who either believes me about the Reapers or is humoring me, and of all people, it's my new partner at work. A human woman named Jordan. The precinct threw her at me 'in the interests of officer safety' because there have been attacks on officers out alone lately, but I'm pretty sure they're just trying to keep me in line. She's very fussy about the regs and paperwork. I think you'd like her.
My sister just called. Mom's deteriorating again so she's back in the hospital. I wish I could do more for her than help pay for the treatments that aren't on her insurance, but I'm not a doctor, let alone a neuroscientist.
Damn, I started this e-mail in a good mood.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: How are you?
G,
I'm really sorry about your mom. I hope the treatments work this time. You know, your sister could probably use you there. I'd go home in a heartbeat if anything happened to my mom, if just to look after my sisters. Wish I could be there for you in person, but you know I'm here for you by e-mail. I'll keep your family in my prayers. Do you guys do flowers? Can you send your mom whatever your culture sends to sick people and I'll pay you back?
Is working with a partner like being in a buddy cop movie? You know, "He's a loose cannon! She's completely by the book! THEY FIGHT CRIME!" Sorry, it's probably not as funny as I'm imagining, and it must be annoying after being used to working on your own. But I'm glad you've got someone to watch your six, and having someone to rein you in is probably good for you considering the first time I saw you you were arguing with the Executor in the Council Chambers. I hope your partner's as fussy about fraternization as I am.
Actually, speaking of cop movies, I saw a trailer on the extranet for a movie about a hanar Spectre. Requiem for a Reaper or something? We should go see it. Well, go see it separately and then write each other angry e-mails about how that's not what being the first Spectre of a species is like and how that's not the Reapers' endgame. I can't believe the first thing to take the Reapers semi-seriously is a hanar Spectre movie.
I also can't believe you started filling in a Spectre candidacy application for me! It's not going to happen. We might have a bit more clout now but the human ceiling's going to be much harder to break than the Williams curse, especially following a commissioned officer with N7 training like Shepard. And by the way, I'm two centimetres taller than what you put in. You're a cop, I thought you're supposed to be good at estimating height!
James kind of acts like a human krogan sometimes. But yeah, he wears a Normandy badge. I feel sick every time I look at it. I always think of the way she looked from the escape pod, all holes and fire and then just pieces.
Great, I just made myself sad. Doesn't help that I've been missing Shepard this week. Give me some good news, Officer. That's an order.
- Ash
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: How are you?
Ash,
That's Agent to you. And I don't have any good news, but what I do have for you is a surprise. Open the file attachment on your own omni-tool, not a work terminal, and use your ear piece. It's just a little something Mom used to read my sister as a bedtime story. Now she sometimes reads it to Mom when she's going in for treatments. That's how I got the idea, actually. Anyway, I hope you like it.
More importantly I hope you're feeling better. I hate thinking of the Normandy that way too. I always try to remember her in her prime. Rescuing us from volcanoes, hanging up on the Council, drunken cultural exchanges by the Mako, that kind of thing.
Working with a partner is nowhere near as hilarious as the vids when you're one of the cops. Jordan's very good with an omni-tool and you'll be pleased to know she saved my ass the other day, but I feel like she's holding me back when it comes to actually making arrests. So no worries about fraternization, if we even had that reg. Anyway, she's married, and more to the point, I'm only interested in one human.
I would love to critique a hanar Spectre movie for historical accuracy with you. When does it come out in your neck of the woods? And have you done anything else on your Spectre candidacy application? Speaking of which, sorry for underestimating your height. My last significant memory of you in person involves you lying down, which doesn't make for the best estimates.
Sis said the same thing about being able to use me back home, but I just feel useless every time I go. I think she saw through me when I told her I was too close to the end of a case. Mom's supposed to be out of hospital next week anyway. I guess that's good news. It means she's not any worse.
We don't do flowers, but I sent our equivalent gift, which is far too specific to our culture for me to tell you about. Told my sister it was from an old squadmate. I don't think she believes me, but Mom liked it, which is the important part. Thanks.
Agent GV
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Sorry
Ashley,
It's been a while since you've written, so in the absence of reports of disasters in the Kepler Verge, I'm guessing that I came on too strong or made you feel uncomfortable. Sorry for my choice in poems, bringing up that time by the Mako and that time in the hotel, saying that I'm only interested in one human, and/or anything else. I wasn't lying when I said I wasn't looking for anything, and I understand why anything more than this would be impossible even if you were still interested. You don't have to write back if you don't want to, just let your e-mail client send back the read receipt.
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Read: Sorry
Your message
> To: ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa
> Subject: Sorry
was read.
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: Read: Sorry
Understood. I'll stop writing.
GV
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: DON'T STOP WRITING
Sorry about the delay. Two more days and I'll write back, I promise.
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: DON'T STOP WRITING
These are going to be the longest two days of my life, Williams.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Two days are over!
Gunnery, not C-Sec Officer,
I'm really sorry about keeping you waiting. No disasters, but it's definitely been rough out here. I was planning to finally write back a few days ago but then I sprained my wrist in a fight with some mercs so our CMO didn't want me typing, and I couldn't get the time to dictate anything longer than that last message. (I have the all clear now, don't worry about me making it worse or anything.) Nothing to do with the poem or anything you mentioned in your last full e-mail, I swear. No need for you to apologize.
Because I never stopped being interested. You probably saved my life that night by the Mako, and that hotel room was the only bright spot in that first month after the Normandy went down. Impossible's a good word for us, with what we are and where I am. I'm sorry.
That said, thank you so much for that sound file. I must have listened to it a hundred times while I was stuck on base the last few days. I hadn't realized just how much I missed your voice. The poem's beautiful. That warrior woman sounds like a badass, and I really wasn't expecting it to turn into a love poem in the last few verses. I tried turning my translator off to listen to it in the original language - wow, I don't think I'd ever get the hang of some of those tones or those crunchy consonants, but it was really interesting.
Requiem for a Reaper won't be released here until another month after it comes out in Citadel space, but I've got a squadmate who downloads movies all the time and says he can get a copy off the extranet once it's out there. Well, he told me how to get it too, but I think I've downloaded enough contraband on the Alliance connection lately.
I am not applying for Spectre candidacy! Can you imagine me reporting to the Council? I'd crack up laughing and want to punch someone every time I met the asari Councilor's eye. Now that I've left you with that mental image of why it would be a bad idea, please just drop it. Anyway, what happened with YOUR reapplication for Spectre candidacy? Didn't you put it in around the time of Shepard's memorial?
Good news: Sarah and Thomas set a date! Two years from today. Abby says that's plenty of time for me to find a plus one I wouldn't be fraternizing with, but I'm not interested. I've already got my leave approved. I'm gonna be the only bridesmaid not wearing whatever ugly dress Sar picks out. I'll probably look like I should be on the groom's side - Thomas is military too, and so are most of his buddies (I think I've served with his best man), so at least I won't be the only one in dress blues.
How's your mom? She was supposed to be out of hospital by now, right? Does that mean these last treatments worked? And how much do I owe you?
- Ash
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From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Re: Two days are over!
Gunnery Chief (still Gunnery Chief? I assume you'd tell me if you got a promotion) Williams,
Good to know you're alright, both with your wrist and with me. I hope you shot the bastard who got your wrist. Hell, I hope you shot him in the face. I know you like your boomstick.
Knowing that you're still interested makes me feel a lot better about the delay, but perhaps we'd be better off not discussing this further, before we start to want too much.
You're welcome for the poem. I'm glad you liked it. Deciding on something to record you was a good distraction. We've got this drug smuggling case and a name from an old case of mine came up. Drives me insane that after Dad let him go last time, he's still out there. Jordan probably won't let me go after him either. I'm this close to quitting.
My reapplication for Spectre candidacy is in, "thank you for applying" letters and all. Radio silence since. It probably didn't help that I can't really get references for my work on the Normandy, and with my methods C-Sec's never going to give me a reference.
Let me know when you get the movie and we'll set a date. I won't see it until you've got it so I don't accidentally spoil you.
Having a date for the wedding's exciting. Will Sarah be dragging you into helping out with prep work long distance, or do you get to just show up for the rehearsal and the big day? I just realized I've never seen you in a dress, but I'm sure you could make even an ugly one look good, considering how nice you look in Alliance dress blues. Abby's right, though, you should definitely bring a plus one. Some nice human guy you can vidmail on base. You deserve someone like that.
Mom's okay. She's back to how she was before this latest round, which wasn't great, but it's better than a new, worse normal. I called her the other day and actually got her on a good day. That is, she knew who I am, even with the low res vidchat and S's bad speakers. Your prayers and gift must have helped.
Wishing I was still Gunnery Officer,
G
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: Two days are over!
Always Gunnery Officer to me,
I'm so glad your mom's alright! You must be thrilled about talking to her on a good day. Seriously, let me pay for the present. You're paying for the treatments, it's the least I can do.
Embarrassingly, the merc didn't intentionally get my wrist. I just landed badly when a Singularity I was stuck in detonated. But James threw a frag grenade at her anyway. I think I actually said "you should see the other girl" to our CMO. Asari mercs are the worst.
Officially I only need to come to the rehearsal and the big day, but I'm definitely expecting some "lilies or daisies" e-mails, and Sar wants me to give a speech at the reception. I don't actually know Thomas that well. Hopefully we get assigned to the same place at some point, otherwise I'll have to see if he's as good a penpal as you.
I don't want to bring a nice human guy to the wedding, or one to vidmail on base. Of course, abuela would probably disown me if I brought a bad boy like you. I think she'd be more okay with seeing T or L (have you heard from L?) at her granddaughter's wedding. She took what happened to abuelo and then to me and Dad really hard. Every time she talks about my time on the Normandy she pities me for having to work with aliens.
Do you want me to write you a reference for your Spectre application? I outranked you, and it'll look good coming from someone with medals.
Why wouldn't Jordan let you go after the smuggler if he's part of your case? Anything to do with your methods that C-Sec wouldn't write you a reference for? And if you leave your job, what are you going to do? "I'll go home and visit my family" is the only acceptable answer here.
This photo's really old but senior prom's the last time I can remember wearing a fancy dress. It's been dress blues ever since I enlisted. I'm proud to wear the uniform but I wish I had more opportunities to wear dresses, I think I look pretty damn good in them. Hope you wanted to know what I looked like as a teenager...
Probably won't ever make Operations Chief but you'll be the first to know if I do,
- Ash
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Good text chat last night
Best way to end a day. We should do that again some time when I'm more awake. You know which part I'm talking about.
CO says I handled myself fine in the interview, so thanks for the pep talk. I'll let you know when it airs.
Looking forward to those books.
x
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: (no subject)
I quit C-Sec. Found the smuggler.
I might not write back for a while.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re:
You idiot. What do you mean, you might not write? How long is a while? Don't do anything stupid.
I'm praying for you.
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Hello?
Are you in jail for killing the drug smuggler or something??
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: What are you doing?
Two weeks is plenty of time for me to find something on the extranet about a former cop now in jail himself. I'm sure C-Sec would try to cover it up but Emily Wong wouldn't miss a scoop like that.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Vids
Bilal said Requiem for a Reaper leaked onto the extranet. The whole squad's watching it this weekend after our Battlespace feature airs. You still in?
This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.
From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Re: Vids
Requiem for a Reaper was the most inaccurate "inspired by real events" war movie I've seen in years.
I'm glad the Battlespace didn't use much of my interview, but there was some great footage of me shooting things.
Write back. Watch the vids. I need someone to complain to about the movie. The squad wasn't on the Normandy and Requiem's not T's kind of movie. You don't have to tell me how great my hair looked in auto-matte, though, my sisters already took care of that.
You know what? I don't even care if you see the vids. Just tell me what's going on. If you're in trouble, I want to help.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: One month
You're freaking me out here.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Where are you?
A month and a half, seriously? You're the one who panicked and said you'd stop writing when I didn't write back for about a week and then called a two day wait the longest of your life. Is this your idea of 'a while'?
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: AYNSWER ME
Two moknths. BASTAARD. I'M out heore protectieng the innocent anxd crap but lal I can thinvk aboupt is rowrying werhe the hell you are and what happenetd to you. I didn't fuck you and take alkl those mepds just because your'e a good kissoer, ui did it bjecausE i care about you. We may have broken uap before we ever even started doating bzut fuckm, I miss pyou enough to wdrite you even width your stupid freebsie e-mail anxd initials for names and sefl osnecring. yit's still a risk for me, hte names of hte whole damn squad are omn pulbic record. Syo you don'nT GETto reestablish contact just to orpd fout of contact rihsgt after quittikng your job, what thfe FGUCK.
FUZCK YOU, YJOU SOZN OF A BITCH. I Shulod rahve ljoved sa thunderbird instead; at letsa when spring comes they roavr back again.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Sorry
I'm really sorry about that last e-mail. James got reassigned and I guess I had too many too quickly at his goodbye drinks last night. If your translator can even handle that level of drunk typing, don't bother reading it.
Seriously, though. Answer me.
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From: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
To: G V <rifle-calibrations-422@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
Subject: Please?
Garrus, it's been three months. Tell me you're still alive.
If it's anything I said, I'm sorry. Just... please write back. Hell, you can even vidmail me. I just need to know you're okay.
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From: Mail Delivery System <Mailer-Daemon@bachjretward.citadel.civ.pub>
To: Ashley Williams <ashley.m.williams@rrb3.mil.sa>
Subject: Mail delivery failed:returning message to sender
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Subject: Please?
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