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"It won't be a problem, Commander," Ashley said in affirmation, "You say jump, I'll ask how high. You tell me to kiss a Turian, I'll ask which cheek."
"I don't think kissing Turians will be necessary, Ashley."
"You never know."
Ashley turned back to her console with the list of arms the Commander had just acquired for the team. After getting her concerns for ship security directly into the Commanders ears, it was nice to get back to something she knew she was good at to take the tension away. Weapon maintenance would keep the squad alive and there was no way she'd let the Normandy crew down after they helped her get her first rotation in space. Being stuck groundside did have it's advantages however. Ashley honed herself to always be aware, which is how she heard the slow but firm footsteps of Garrus behind her.
"Chief Williams, you got a minute?"
This couldn't be a coincidence that he wanted to talk about 10 minutes after Ashley's discussion with Shepard.
"What's up, Garrus?"
"I heard you and the Commander talking and I just wanted to say that I admire your dedication to the Normandy and that you have nothing to worry about from me. I'm committed to the hunt for Saren. What he did to you colony was wrong and I'll see him brought to Justice. I won't let him ruin the good name of Turians with his actions."
"Heh."
Ashley and Garrus looked over the Wrex who was leaning against the wall near Ashley's bench.
"Wouldn't want the good name of The Turians to be besmirched."
If there was one thing Ashley remembered from the Council history courses she learned in school, it was that Turians and Krogan were icy at best and violent to each other at worst.
"I'm just saying there's no need to worry about our presence on the Normandy. We all have the same goal," Garrus said.
"the latter of that may be true, but don't pretend like your people would offer the same courtesy."
"What do you mean by that?" Garrus asked.
"You wouldn't see Shepard or Williams here with free reign on a top secret Turian ship. They wouldn't allow us unsupervised on the Destiny Ascension."
"Chasing Saren isn't the time for suspicion amongst those who have to stop him."
"I've been around long enough to know that the next conflicts spawn from the allies who fought the last one. Who's to say the Turian's don't want another Relay incident with the humans after we take down their Golden Spectre?"
Ashley was not liking the tension it seemed she had caused. Thankfully, Tali'Zorah was coming out of engineering with a Shotgun.
"Here's what I had, Gunnery Chief," She said, extending the gun out in both hands for Ashley to take, "It's not much, but it was all C-Sec let me keep when I arrived along with my Omnitool."
"don't worry, Tali. I'll have this as good as new when I give it back," Ashley said before making a quick glance between Wrex and Garrus.
"What's everyone talking about?" Tali asked.
"I was trying to soothe any concerns Chief Williams had about myself and Wrex being on the Normandy. She's worried about Ship security for us since we're non-Alliance personnel."
"Oh...she's right you know," Tali said, "You three wouldn't be allowed within the same system as the Migrant Fleet unless I vouched for you personally. Even then, the crew would watch you for any signs of espionage. I'm surprised I'm allowed to work on the magnificent engine the Normandy has, but I won't waste the chance to help out on such an important mission."
"Heh, Garrus here is just surprised that not everyone views the Turians with the utmost respect and reverence. Tali, Williams, you got good heads on your shoulders. Looking forward to working with all of you." Wrex stood from leaning on the wall and walked to the elevator to go to the upper decks of the Normandy.
"Apologies for the tension, Chief Williams. I'm also looking forward to working with you and the rest of the Normandy Crew," Garrus said politely before walking back over to the Mako.
Now that she had some peace, Ashley got to work cleaning and maintaining Tali's Shotgun. Part of her was glad that Wrex and Tali had her back. She could at least trust Garrus to realize the situation at hand now. With everyone on the same page, Saren wasn't going to be running free for long.