Meeting Shepard

“Commander Shepard?” Samantha said as she exited the elevator. “I’m Specialist-oh.”

Her eyes landed on the famed Liara T’soni who was kissing Shepard.

She blushed at walking in on the two. “I beg your pardon. I thought you were alone.”

“I was just leaving,” Liara said as she walked away leaving Samantha alone with Shepard.

“Commander Shepard,” Samantha said as she saluted. “I’m Comms Specialist Samantha Traynor with Alliance R&D. I was part of the team retrofitting the Normandy after you turned it over to the Alliance. There weren’t many of us aboard when the Reapers hit.”

Samantha stepped forward getting closer to Shepard who put her arms out in reassurance. “Slow down, Specialist Traynor. You’re doing fine.”

Samantha blushed not believing how attractive Shepard was. Shepard invited her in her cabin as they talked. Samantha opted not to mention that she was just in there.

That’s when the VI began to talk. “Shepard, some of our systems require further testing, and Specialist Traynor has been extremely effective during installation. I would prefer she remain.”

Samantha raised an eyebrow as she turned to Shepard who acknowledged EDI.

“Wait…” Samantha said her face burning as she said. “Since when does a virtual intelligence make requests?”

“EDI’s an AI. She’s fully self-aware,” Shepard said.

“W-what?!” Samantha said and then cleared her throat. “O-oh… and I suppose that she’s integrated with the Normandy’s systems…”

“Yes, she’s in every part of the ship. There’s no Normandy without EDI,” Shepard said. “She hears everything and sees everything that happens. She’s a very important war asset.”

“I see… dammit I knew Joker was lying,” Samantha murmured turning away so Shepard wouldn’t see how red her face was.

“Jeff requested that I pretend to be a simple VI to protect myself. I apologize for the deception,” EDI said.

“Thanks, EDI… And I apologize for uh… everything you may have seen or… heard about you…” Samantha said eager to escape her embarrassment as she finished talking to Shepard.