Miranda

Shepard's gaze lingered on Miranda for a moment longer before she finally spoke. "I choose Miranda."

Miranda's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mix of shock and pleasure. "Me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shepard nodded. "Yes, Miranda. I trust you, and I think you'll be a good influence on me."

Liara and Samara exchanged glances, their faces a mix of disappointment and understanding. They both knew that Miranda was the most qualified for the role, and they both respected Shepard's decision.

Miranda hesitated, her eyes wide with surprise. "Me?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don't know what to say, Commander." She looked around the room, her gaze lingering on Liara and Samara before returning to Shepard. "I-I am honored, but I'm not sure if I'm the right choice."

"Why not Cheerleader?" Jack said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This whole pet thing was your idea, after all. It's only fitting that you should be the one to join Shepard."

Jack's sudden interruption broke the silence, and all eyes turned to her. Her smirk was unmistakable, and her tone was laced with a mix of amusement and challenge. Miranda's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression a mask of calmness, but a hint of defensiveness flickered in her gaze.

"I'm not sure that's necessary to say, Jack," Miranda said, her voice even and measured. "The decision has already been made, and I'm willing to accept the role."

Tali's voice cut through the tension, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. "So you will join Shepard as the second pet, Miranda?" she asked, her eyes fixed intently on Miranda's face.

Miranda's gaze flickered to Tali, her expression a mask of calmness, but a hint of uncertainty danced in her eyes. She hesitated for a moment, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, before nodding slowly. "Yes, I will," she said, her voice firm and resolute.

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Miranda's decision hanging in the air. It was Ashley who broke the silence, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Then shouldn't you two undress?" she asked Shepard and Miranda, her eyes sparkling with interest. "After all, pets don't need clothes."

Shepard's gaze met Miranda's, a flicker of unease dancing in her eyes. Miranda's expression, however, remained calm and collected, her eyes never leaving Shepard's face. She nodded slowly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I suppose we should," she said, her voice even and measured.

Shepard and Miranda exchanged a glance, both feeling a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation. They stood up from their seats, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before they turned away from each other. Shepard started to undo the buttons of her uniform, her fingers trembling slightly as she revealed her bare skin underneath. Miranda, too, began to undress, her movements fluid and graceful as she slipped out of her clothes, revealing her toned body.

The other women in the room watched in silence, some with a mix of curiosity and amusement, others with a hint of discomfort.

As Shepard's uniform fell to the floor, she felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with a hint of embarrassment. Her eyes darted towards Miranda, who was now standing beside her, equally naked. The two women locked gazes, a silent understanding passing between them. They stood there for a moment, their chests rising and falling in unison, as the other women in the room looked on.

Miranda's eyes seemed to bore into Shepard's, as if searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. But Shepard's expression remained resolute, her jaw set in determination. Slowly, Miranda's gaze began to roam over Shepard's body, taking in the curves and contours of her naked form.

As Miranda's gaze continued to roam over Shepard's body, a subtle flush rose to Shepard's cheeks, but she stood her ground, her eyes never leaving Miranda's face. The air was thick with tension, the only sound the soft hum of the ship's engines and the quiet breathing of the women in the room.

Samara, who had been watching the exchange with interest, stepped forward, a small, intricately designed box in her hand. She opened the box, revealing two delicate, silver collars, each adorned with a small, crystal pendant. The collars seemed to gleam in the soft light of the room, and Shepard felt a shiver run down her spine as Samara approached her.

"Symbols to show your new positions," Samara explained, her voice low and measured. Shepard's gaze drifted to the collars, her heart beating slightly faster as she realized the significance of the moment. Miranda, standing beside her, seemed to sense her tension, and her hand brushed against Shepard's, a subtle gesture of reassurance.

Samara's eyes locked onto Shepard's as she reached for the first collar, her fingers closing around it with a soft clink. The silver seemed to gleam in the light as she lifted it, the crystal pendant catching the faint hum of the ship's engines and sending a tiny shiver through the air. Shepard's gaze never wavered, her eyes fixed on Samara's as the asari's hands moved with deliberate slowness to fasten the collar around her neck.

The metal was cool against Shepard's skin, the crystal pendant settling into the hollow of her throat with a subtle weight.

Samara's fingers brushed against Shepard's neck as she fastened the collar of submission, her eyes never leaving Shepard's face. The collar was a symbol of Shepard's new role as the Normandy's pet, and she felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and excitement as it settled around her neck. She could feel the weight of the crystal pendant against her skin, and she knew that all eyes in the room were on her.

Miranda, too, received her collar, her fingers lingering on the clasp as Samara fastened it around her neck.