Subject: The Guardsman slammed the drawer shut.
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Posted on: 2015-05-20 01:06:00 UTC

"WHERE IS IT?" he bellowed to nobody in particular. "MY SCREWDRIVER! IT'S GONE! AND THEN THERE'S THIS NOTE ABOUT HOW TO GET A FRIGGIN' REPLACEMENT! I DON'T WANT A REPLACEMENT! I SURVIVED THE WAR WITH THAT THING! I MADE MODIFICATIONS TO IT! IT'S MINE! IT'S MINE AND IT'S GONE!"

"So we noticed," grumbled Naya, walking around the cluttered RC with her Omni-tool in the air. "Calm down. We can trace the recall tag--"

"NO WE CAN'T!" yelled back the Guardsman, rifling though another desk drawer. "SHE DID THIS! SHE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE THINGS DISAPPEAR! I'M NEVER GOING TO SEE IT AGAIN!" He paused to wipe his tears with his sleeve and violently kicked his workbench. "GOD DAMN IT! SHE JUST TAKES THINGS AWAY FROM YOU AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I COMMENTED ON A PICTURE! A PICTURE, NAYA! I WAS MAKING CONVERSATION! I WASN'T INSULTING HER OR DOING ANYTHING TO HER! I TRIED BEING HELPFUL! I TRIED GIVING HER A CHANCE! BUT IT JUST BITES ME IN THE ASS, RIGHT?"

Terabyte's mobile platform cautiously approached its partner. It extended a hand towards the Time Lord. "Emiran," said Terabyte.

The former soldier whirled around and looked at Terabyte. He paused to take a deep, shaky breath and wiped his nose. "Yes?" The geth took an end of the glowing red scarf it got from the gift exchanged and gently dabbed at the Guardsman's eyes. "The isomorphic controls are still there, yes? You have nothing to fear. As soon as the thief will attempt to operate the screwdriver you'll receive a notice. Remember?"

The Guardsman stood still for a moment, then let his shoulders slump. "Right. I forgot about those." He sighed. "Yeah. Any second now we'll get the email. Thanks."

Terabyte pulled the Guardsman into a hug. "She will provoke you. You will not take the bait. You will be prepared and you will respond appropriately." The Guardsman returned the hug. "You're right, of course. Thanks."

Naya smiled and patted Terabyte on its shoulder as she walked past the pair. "I'm stepping out. I'll go and file a formal complaint against the Notary through Central: we've got enough interactions with her to warrant action from the higher-ups. Catch you two later!"

"Bye," said the Guardsman as the quarian left the RC. He wiped his eyes again ("No, TB, you don't need to get your scarf dirty-- I'm fine!") and made his way to his seat in front of the Console. He opened his email and refreshed the page. The Guardsman squinted at the screen.

One new message. Isometric controls report unauthorized use at coordinates... aha. DoSAT. Terabyte tapped his partner's shoulder. The Guardsman turned around and saw Terabyte handing him his tricorn hat. "Shall we?" asked the geth. The Guardsman took his hat.

"Let's roll."

- - -

((Very sneaky. I'd hate to be the Guardsman: his laser screwdriver is is little pride and joy. It's pretty much achieved the role of practical good-luck charm in his eyes. Well played, Notary. Well played.))

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