Next step.

Tali stepped forward, a small, intricately designed dog collar held delicately in her hands. The collar was made of a supple, black leather that seemed to absorb the light around it, giving it an almost sinister appearance. A small, shiny name tag dangled from the collar, engraved with the word "Pet" in bold, silver letters.

Ashley's eyes widened as Tali approached her, the collar held out like an offering. She felt a surge of fear mixed with humiliation as she realized what was about to happen. Tali's hands moved with a quiet efficiency, the collar being opened and slipped around Ashley's neck with a soft click.

The soft click of the collar's clasp echoed through the room, a stark reminder of Ashley's new status. Tali's hands brushed against Ashley's skin as she adjusted the collar, the gentle touch sending a shiver down Ashley's spine. The name tag dangled against Ashley's chest, the silver letters glinting in the light as she gazed down at it in a mixture of horror and fascination.

Miranda stepped forward, a small, sleek device held in her hand. "This is a training module," she explained, her voice detached and clinical. "It will help you learn your new role and respond to commands."

Ashley nodded, trying to appear brave, but her eyes betrayed her, darting nervously around the room as Miranda approached her with the training module. The device itself was small, sleek, and unassuming, but Ashley's mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead as Miranda reached out to attach the module to the dog collar around her neck.

The metal was cool against her skin, and Ashley shivered as Miranda's fingers brushed against her. The training module emitted a soft beep, and Ashley felt a tiny vibration against her skin as it activated. Miranda stepped back, a detached expression on her face, and said, "This will help you learn to respond to commands. At first, it will provide gentle reminders, but as time goes on, it will become more... persuasive."

Ashley's eyes widened as she felt a slight tingling sensation on her skin, like a gentle buzzing. It was almost pleasant, but she knew it was just the beginning. She looked around the room, searching for some sign of reassurance, but all she saw were the expectant faces of her crewmates. Liara was watching her with an intensity that made Ashley's skin prickle, while Shepard's expression was still unreadable.

Tali stepped forward, a small, sleek remote control held in her hand. "Let's start with something simple," she said, her voice soft and melodious.