AUTHOR: Elizabeth E. Carter
TITLE: Here Be Dragons
SERIES: Mass Effect
SERIES of Books: Rising From The Ashes
PAIRING: Pragrade F Shepard / Liara & also Garrus / Tali
CATEGORY: action / romance
RATING: M for mature
SPOILER ALERT: ME2, the books, graphic novels and now ME3 and Andromeda
SUMMARY: Sovereign is dead, the citadel in ruins the council is saved, but Shepard's task is yet unfinished. The Reapers remain a threat via their Collector agents and life is always in the balance. This is a rewrite of ME2-ME3 with quite a few changes thus it has slightly become an AU from cannon as is most fanfiction.
DISCLAIMER: Bioware owns the concept of Mass Effect and all of its characters. Sam Shepard's personality is mine. This fanfic is for entertainment and no profit what-so-ever. Also no copyright or intellectual infringement intended upon Professor Tolkien. As I have used a quite bit of his Elfish for the Asari language
And a special thank you to my wonderful beta reader.
AN: When this was first written it was written way way before the release of ME2 and then now much later of course for the development of ME3 and now ME –AI. Bear that in mind when you read the story. I have now merged canon elements back into the main body of my own story. Also there are a few odd choices our hero makes but it's for plot device only I assure you my dear readers. I will also use all ME multi-player things for our heroes and villains to use.
MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME
Chapter 1: Treason
"This is Tali'Zorah vas Neema nar Rayya requesting permission to dock with the Rayya." Tali stood behind Joker on the bridge of the ship gazing out at the hundreds of ships that made up the vast quarian flotilla.
*Our system has your ship flagged as a stolen Cerberus ship. Verify* came the traffic controller responded.
"After time adrift among open stars, along the tides of light and through the shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."
"Wow that's beautiful." Shepard whispered to Garrus who was standing at her right-hand side. He nodded in agreement. For verification codes the quarian people were definitely poetic.
*Permission granted. Welcome home, Tali'Zorah.*
Tali didn't answer that with a thank you; instead she forged ahead with procedure. "We'd like a security and quarantine team to meet us. Despite being a vessel of a Council Spectre, our ship is not clean."
*Understood.* the traffic controller responded. *Approach exterior docking cradle seventeen.*
Shepard turned to the young engineer at her side. "I have to say Tali; quarian authorization codes are very poetic."
There was a smug smile behind the faceplate. (not that anyone could see it of course, but if you know how to read quarian body language you saw the expression clear as anything.)
"Of course they are. We are more than simple alphanumerics, Shepard. Um no offence Miss N7." Tali said her voice strained to remain light despite the burden that weighted down her very slight shoulders.
"Hey I worked very hard for my alphanumeric." Shepard smiled softly back showing that no offence had been taken. "Come on
ME~ME~ME~ME~ME
It was decided that only Tali, Shepard and Garrus would be the ones to board the Rayya. At the entrance of the docking cradle were a team of five fully armed quarian marines all garbed in matching blue and gold armored enviro-suits, a sixth man in a red enviro suit approached with a confident step. Shepard recognized this man as a fellow officer.
"Captain Kar'Danna vas Rayya." Tali tipped her head in respect. She knew this man well all her life, after all this ship was her childhood home. She grew up here, but this not the homecoming Tali had once envisioned in her day-dreams. And this certainly was not the way she wanted to introduce her father to his new son-in-law.
"Captain Shepard, Tali'Zorah told me a lot about you. I wish we could be meeting under more pleasant circumstances."
"Thank you. But as for the Captain rank I'm not actually a Captain anymore. It was a very brief stint. I was forced to resign my commission within the Alliance once I became a Spectre, despite the promotion. Technically it's still Commander."
"You're the commander of the Normandy, responsible for the lives aboard her. That entitles you to respect among our people. May you stand between your crew and all harm as you lead them though empty quarters of the stars."
Tali gave a glance towards Shepard, knowing the phrase though understandable would need context as it was not simply a poetic salutation.. "Keelah se'lai." The younger woman answered as tradition demanded. To Shepard she said. "It's an old ship captain's blessing, Shepard."
The Commander nodded and kept her focus on the Captain of the Rayya. "Tali helped the Normandy crew out of many difficult situations. I'm here to return the favour."
"I understand. As the commander of the vessel she serves on your voice carries weight." Kar'Danna Said. "I wish I could do more to help, Tali. The trial requires that I be officially neutral…but I am here, if you need to talk." The tenor of his voice changed—becoming more official in both wording and pacing. "They are charging you with bringing geth into the Fleet as part of a secret project."
Tali pushed forward, shaking her head. "That's insane! I never brought active geth aboard. I only sent parts and pieces."
Shepard knew Tali had been sending parts but she never thought the pieces recovered from Illium were more than scrap. "We'll deal with that later Tali. What's our next move Captain?"
"Technically I'm under orders to place Tali under arrest pending the hearing. So…Tali you're confined to this ship until the trial is over."
"Thank you, Captain." Tali knew neither her husband nor Shepard would have allowed her incarceration. Being confined to the ship was a more than peaceful solution to what could have been a very sticky political fallout.
Kar'Danna only nodded. "Preparations got underway as soon as you arrived. The hearing is being held in the garden plaza. Good luck." He took a step back and assumed parade rest effectively ending the conversation.
The group pushed forward with Tali in the lead. They soon came upon a woman in a quarian's variant of a classic black and white pin-striping over her gray enviro-suit. By the sound of her thickly accented voice, the woman seemed far older than any of the three standing before her.
"Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, I am glad you came. I could only delay them so long."
Tali stepped forward hugging the elder woman around her waist as she might have done when she was but a girl. "Auntie Raan." The hug was returned. As a mother would her own child.
"Shepard vas Normandy, this is Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay. She's a friend of my fathers." Tali said dropping the hug. "And this is my husband Garrus Vikarian". She paused. "Wait Raan, you called me 'vas Normandy.' That was only temporary, I am of the Neema!"
"I'm afraid I did Tali. The Admiralty Board moved to have you tried under that name, given your departure from the Neema."
As Raan spoke Tali turned, walked backwards until she was at Shepard's side with Garrus standing directly behind her. His hand automatically went to her shoulder.
"I take it being associated with a human ship is a bad sign." Shepard said more forcefully than perhaps the Spectre had intended.
Tali's voice was already broken and rose in anger "They stripped me of my ship name. That's as good as declaring me exiled already."
Raan took a step forward. "It's not over yet, Tali. You have friends who still know you as Tali'Zorah vas Neema…whatever we must call you legally."
Speaking of legality, Shepard dealings with JAG were extremely limited and being a Spectre in her limited experiences were more with the enforcement part of law and order. "You're an Admiral. Does that mean you're one of the judges?"
The older woman shook her hooded head. "I'm afraid not. My history with Tali and her father forced me to recuse myself."
"I imagine Father had to do the same."
"We'll see inside Tali. For my part, I moderate and ensure that the rules of protocol are followed, but I have no vote in the judgment."
"I guess we should get started. Does Tali have a defence counselor, someone who speaks for her side?" Shepard asked.
A nod this time. "Indeed, she does…Captain Shepard. She is part of your crew now, recognized by quarian law." Raan raised up her index finger. "And remember, an accused is always represented by his or her ship's captain."
Both Shepard and Tali looked at one another. "So…er…you would actually speak for my defense."
"I'll so everything in my power to help you Tali." Shepard vowed.
There was a smile behind the purple faceplate. "Thank you, Shepard. I could not ask for a better counselor." Tali had full confidence and faith in her Commander. Shepard never once let her down in the entire time she had known the human. Tali's once gave evidence in Shepard's favour to seek justice over the rogue Spectre Saren, now it seemed the tables are turned.
"Our legal rules are simple." Raan brought the companions' attention back to her "There are no legal tricks or political loopholes for you to worry about. Present the truth as best you can. It will have to be enough. Now come. I promised that I would not delay you."
The Neema's hydroponics garden was held a three-fold purpose, one of course was for food production the other like was as an oxygen factory, It was the same on most ships that were cruiser class or larger. And the last was perhaps a byproduct as a park and place of meditation and relaxation. A place to hold significant meetings of the Flotilla.
The center of the atrium was the forum; the seating was horseshoe shaped surrounding a two-tier platform. On the larger of the two stood three admirals a woman and two men. They glanced to Tali and her entourage, watching her as she took the stand opposite of the podiums.
Shepard's mind reflected back to the Citadel and that first hearing with the Council. They didn't have to look as high up to meet the eyes of the Admirals as she had to with the Council but the message was the same, we are the authority you must look up to. Above the three Raan took her position on the smaller podium behind the primary platform. And so the authority had a voice above them.
There was no preamble; no bailiff calling the court into attention, Raan did that herself.
"This conclave is brought to order. Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season, Keelah se'lai."
The gathered answered as one as if in pray at a temple. "Keelah se'lai."
"The accused Tali'Zorah vas Normandy has come with her captain to defend herself against the charge of treason.
A tall male in the middle of the trio of Admirals garbed in a salmon colored suit raised his hand "Objection! A human has no business being involved in such a sensitive military matter!"
From behind came a very smug response. "Then you should have not declared Tali crew of the Normandy, Admiral Koris. By right as Tali's captain, Shepard must stay." Koris whipped his head around glaring behind his own lavender face plate. He had just been smacked down, hard.
Koris shook his head. "Objection withdrawn." He mustered enough dignity to save what little face he had left.
"Raan continued as if she had not been interrupted. "Shepard vas Normandy, your crew member Tali'Zorah stands accused of reason. Will you speak for her?"
Shepard only needed a moment to think her next play. She had to remind not only the Admiralty but the gathered body of quarians of Tali's true connection to the Fleet—of her true name.
"If it helps Tali, I will. But in her heart, she remains Tali'Zorah vas Neema, a proud member of the Migrant Fleet. I regret that her captain is forbidden to stand at her side today…"
Koris's former scolding was all but forgotten or rather perhaps because of it he a held defiant step forward his grudge-filled voice issuing the glare that was most assuredly expressed upon a face none could see. "Nobody has been forbidden from anything! It is a simple…"
Only now did the male on the left hand of Koris intervene. "Lie to them if you must, Zaal'Koris, but don't lie to me and expect me to stay silent! The human is right!"
"Admirals, please. Shepard's willingness to represent Tali'Zorah in this hearing is appreciated." Raan commanded. "Tali, you are accused of brining active geth to the Migrant Fleet. What say you?"
It was not Tali who answered but Shepard. "How could Tali have brought active geth to the Fleet while serving on the Normandy?"
"To clarify, Shepard, Tali isn't accused of bringing back entire units, only parts that could spontaneously reactivate." Said the only other female Admiral on the Board, there was no recognition of who she was in Tali's stance. .
"But I would never send active geth to the fleet." Tali responded ringing her hands in nervousness. "Everything I sent was disabled and harmless!"
"Then explain how geth sealed the lab ship where your father was working!" Koris tossed out accusingly. His words stirred the courtroom into jabbering like riled pyjacks.
"What are you talking about? What happened?" Tali was astounded.
It was Gerrel who answered. "As far as we can tell, Tali, the geth have killed everyone on the Alarei…. your father included."
"WHAT!? Oh Keelah…." Tali's heart rate spiked. The news slammed down hard, her father…no! Keelah no…
Shepard took charge. "I appreciate the need for this trial, Admirals, but right now our first concern must be the safety of the Migrant Fleet. The Normandy stands ready to assist in whatever capacity necessary."
"Thank you." responded Raan. "Quarian strike teams have attempted to retake the ship, so far without success."
Tali turned swiftly to look her commander dead in the eye. "Shepard, we have to take back the Alarei!" she pleaded, barely holding back the dread in her voice from spilling out.
"Safest course would be to simply destroy the ship. But if you are looking for an honorable death instead of exile…." Koris started tauntingly…
"I'm looking for my father you bosh'tet!" Tali snarled back.
"You intend to retake the Alarei from the geth?" Once more Raan intervened. "This procedure is extremely dangerous."
Shepard didn't hesitate with her answer. "With your permission, Admirals, yes. The good of the Fleet must come first…and Tali needs to find her father."
"Agreed. And if you die on this mission Tali, we will see that your name is cleared of these charges." Gerrel said. His tone was more apologetic.
But Koris was having none of it. He wanted his pound of flesh. The need to see Tali 'hang' was all but apparent. "We can discuss that later."
"Then it is decided. You will attempt to retake the Alarei you are hereby given leave to depart the Rayya. A shuttle will be waiting at the secondary docking hanger. Be safe Tali. This hearing will resume upon you return or upon the determination that you have been killed in action."
Tali looked towards Raan, dropped her eyes to the Admirals then turned back to Shepard and her husband. At this moment, all she wanted to do was to crawl into Garrus's arms and stay there.
She managed to stay on her feet and not waver despite everything falling down around her. But she had two of the three people she trusted most in this galaxy. They gathered around her, offering their strength and comfort. Garrus held her, not caring who saw them.
"We've got this Tali." he whispered
Tali didn't react to Garrus directly, rather she turned to best friend. "Thank you for agreeing to take back the Alarei, Shepard. The Admirals sounded sure that my father is already dead, but…" She sighed heavily. "I don't know. We won't know anything until we get there."
"How are you holding up?" Shepard voice became warm filled with concern. "They just threw a lot of fire at you, even before telling you about your father."
"I knew this would be bad, but I guess you're never really prepared to be charged with treason." Another sigh. "And my father…. I don't know. He could still be alive. They don't know for certain that he's dead. I just don't know Shepard. And I need to find out."
Shepard reached out at the same time Garrus die, each placing a hand upon an opposite shoulder. For a moment, the three of them stood still just taking the much-needed moment to gather thoughts.
"Is there anyone we should talk to before we go?" asked Shepard.
"We can talk with the Admirals. It might help us to see what their viewpoints are."
Garrus nodded n agreement. "Getting a better insight on them is a good idea. Though it's pretty clear where that bosh'tet Koris stands. Love to crack that smug bastard's faceplate in and let the germs do the rest."
Tali chucked a dry sort of laugh with no turn humor in it. "Tempting but no."
"Aw I never get to have any fun."
"I doubt we'll change anyone's mind by talking to them privately. Faceplate smashing or not."
"Let's go." Shepard said.
"Right the sooner we get the Alarei, the sooner we'll know what happened."
"Shepard, getting to the Alarei is paramount but we many not get another opportunity to talk to the admirals before we return. We treat them like suspects, or informants but we tap the source before it dries up."
"Good to see your days in C-Sec are paying off. Alright, we hit them. "
"Too bad there's no window to toss their sorry asses out of if they don't cooperate." Garrus's mandibles flickered in a turian smile. "What was it you said to that guy you pushed out of that skyscraper back on Illium? 'There are two ways down: coach or express.'"
"Tempting to do that to Koris guy but overall that's not going to be very helpful to exonerate Tali." Shepard shook her head. "Who do you want to talk to first, Tali?"
"I know exactly who I want to talk to." there was frozen venom in the younger woman's voice. She pushed out of Garrus's hold and stormed across the compound directly to where Raan was standing speaking with one of her aides.
As soon as the aide saw Tali, she backed off swiftly deciding discretion was the better part of valor.
"You set me up!" Tali accused hotly. "You told Captain Danna not say anything. I don't get to hear that my father may be dead until I'm in the trial! Why!?"
"The Admirals needed to hear the shock in your voice, Tali. Otherwise, they might not have let you try to take the Alarei." Raan answered softly yet not defensively. "That is your best chance at recovering evidence that can exonerate you. I'm sorry. We cannot afford sensitively, Tali."
"I know you're trying to help her admiral, but that was over the line." Shepard snapped.
"You went too far." Garrus snarled at the same time.
Raan turned to both of them, her own frustration leaked in., "She has nobody else to speak for her, Shepard. I am doing everything in my power. That's what her father would have wanted."
"Don't say it like that!" Tali was still pissed. No way she was letting her Auntie off the hook. "He could still be alive on that ship!"
Raan didn't refute it. "You should get to the Alarei soon. Is there anything else I can tell you?"
"What can you tell us about the Alarei." Garrus said not bothering to cover up the coldness he felt towards this woman who was supposedly Tali's family. But knowing is half the battle. The more they knew about the battle field the better their chances of success in retaking the ship.
"Not much I'm, afraid. Rael'Zorah only said that he was researching new defense technology."
"He told me that he only needed any geth parts or pieces I found. I assumed he was testing weapons on geth components."
"We knew nothing until the Alarei sent a distress signal, then went dark. We didn't even know about the geth until a boarding team was attacked."
"You're saying there's no data about the inside of the ship." This came from Shepard.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. The marines who survived and escaped saw bodies in the halls. We must assume the worst."
"No, we don't." Tali retorted.
Shepard decided on another approach, Tali needed a moment to collect her thoughts and she still needed insight on the trial. Anything she could use to defend her friend and crewmate…her wife's Trusted.
"How long have you known Tali's father?"
"Since before Rael became an admiral. Twenty-five or thirty years, I'd guess." Raan's voice became softer—reminiscent. "I was there when Tali was born. Her mother and I synched our suits so we could be in the same open air room. I was sick for a week but it was worth it. I was the one that took Tali from her mother and put her in the bubble. She cried so hard."
This floored the Spectre. "I don't understand. You put children in bubbles?"
"Environmental suits. It's a step between relying on the mother's immune system through nursing and getting a suit of your own." Raan explained.
Garrus was still trying to wrap his head around it. Tali had once tried to explain it to him, wondering if a bubble for their hybrid child would be necessary or not due to his DNA in mix they would be free of it. Tali had once told him in their many private moments she had hoped a bubble wasn't going to be necessary for their child.
Shepard on the other hand had no prier knowledge of such a thing. To her it was more than a little alien. She tried to image what life would be like for little Zia and Han in side bubbles. And she could not fathom not being able to cuddle her daughters once they were born. A greater respect for Tali's hardship in a suit went up ten-fold in that moment. Was it any wonder quarians were a very social people due to their physical isolation?
Tali tired to explain just as she had with Garrus. It wasn't as though parents could not hold their children. It wasn't as horrible as it sounded. "Bubbles let parents take their children out of the clean rooms safely. We don't wear our suits until adolescence."
"There is a celebration when a child gets her first suit. It's a coming of age." Raan added.
"Not hearing much about Rael's involvement in Tali's life." Garrus said or rather accused. Not that he had much to go on. To say his relationship with his father was strained was being generous. Hell, Shepard had it worse. One father could never acknowledge her as his own and the other resented her creation.
"It's difficult to explain. I shouldn't…"
"It's okay Aunt Shala., Garrus is my husband. And I told Shepard about my father." Tali said "There are no secrets among shipmates or …family. I will be an Auntie to Shepard and Liara daughters. And she will be to mine…. once" she looked over to Garrus, grabbed his hand and squeezed, "we have one."
"Rael was…committed to the quarian cause. That didn't leave him a lot of time for family." Raan started. "He wanted to give Tali and her mother the homeworld…or a strong Fleet, at least. That was how he showed his love. He was proud of you Tali. He might never have said it to you, but I know him. And he was proud."
Tali didn't say anything. What was there to say?
Once more Shepard took another turn in her questioning this time directly to the center of the trial. "What kind of evidence will carry weight with the other Admirals?"
Raan answered not to Shepard but rather the much younger quarian woman. "Tali, you admitted sending geth parts to your father for his project."
"Yes. But never anything that could have come back online on its own. I took every possible precaution." Tali became defensive once more.
"Then find records of your shipments and the equipment. Something that proves you were careful. Something that proves that this is all just a terrible accident that nobody could have foreseen."
"Will the others accept that? Admiral Koris seems to want Tali's blood not proof of her innocence. More than that, isn't there? There seems to be some other arguments going on amongst the Admirals." Shepard forged ahead.
"You caught that. Yes, the geth presence makes this a touchy issue. The Admiralty Board is trying to determine whether to focus on colonial development… or attempt to retake the homeworld."
"You're thinking of war? With the geth?" Tali didn't even trying to hide her outrage or surprise.
"I'm not, Tali. But the others are."
"That's a bad idea." Garrus shook his head, his mandibles flared at the idiocy of it all.
"I know the Migrant Fleet is formidable, but even you can't take on the geth." Shepard chided.
Raan turned away from the trio for moment so that she might pace the small area. "We grow tired of wandering the stars, Shepard. We want our world back. We have paid enough for our mistakes." With her back still towards the other Raan continued her narrative. "I'm not giving you my opinion. I am telling you the way the wind is blowing.
"The geth situation is not as simple as you think." Shepard said.
"I don't think the other Admirals would care about that. They want the homeworld back and they want the geth destroyed."
"Shala, don't you want us to retake the homeworld?" Tali pressed. She sure as hell did. She wanted her child to run on the plains of Rannoch, to know its skies, to breathe its air, to smell its flowers. She wanted it.
"I don't think we can, Tali" Raan answered pessimistically. "But it might not be about what I think."
Having confronted Raan Tali felt marginally better. Now was time to face the rest of the Admiralty but where to start. Tali knew where Koris stood; talking to him would be last. Gerrel her father's closest friend could wait as well for she could gamble on very short odds of where he stood. That left the one Admiral Tali was completely unfamiliar with.
Tali scarcely got within six paces when the woman in a black enviro-suit turned "Tali'Zorah. Given the circumstances are you certain that speaking to me is appropriate?" Xen sounded as she had walked into pile of varren shit, given that the only hound in the area was back on the Normandy that was unlikely.
"I'm looking for information about the Alarei. I don't intend to bribe you in the middle of the plaza, Admiral." Tali
"Pft this whole trial is a farce born of fear." Xen folded her arms over her chest and leaned her weight upon her back foot.
"Sounds like your ideas about the geth differ from the others."
"Yes. At least on the Admiralty Board. Han'Gerrel sees an enemy that must be crushed. Zaal'Koris would run away and hind on some new colony world. Shala'Raan is still undecided. I had thought Rael to be firmly in Han's camp, but if his experiments were on active geth perhaps we have ideas in common."
That could change this…" If we don't find Rael alive on the Alarei what do you think will happen?" Subtlety was never one of Shepard stronger skill-sets but she had to give it a try.
Xen answered evenly. "The power balance will be disrupted. Has nosed a vote for his foolish and self-destructive war. That would favour peace then as Shala'Raan is careful to risk her own neck. but if the admiral replacing Rael agrees with me, then could become very exciting."
"You think support experimenting on living creatures?" Shepard pushed.
Rael should have felt no more guilt experimenting on geth than I did while performing surgery on a childhood toy." Only now did the older quarian unfold her hands as they became more animated as she spoke.
"Okay that's a little creepy." Garrus muttered under his breath.
"The fact you performed surgery on your childhood toys explains a great deal, Admiral." Tali said more boldly, and mildly disturbed.
Xen shook her head and turned away from the trio. "A Ship travels faster than I can. With the right programming, it can choose locations even defend itself when attacked. But it is just a machine." She turned, "It was built for the sole purpose of serving its masters. And it can be dismantled when ever its master desires."
So that's her game…Shepard chewed on the admiral's words. "If you're not interested in this trial, why not recuse yourself?"
Once more defiant and challenging Xen folded her arms much like Shepard did when she spoke to others. Power and defiance—a test of strength. "And let that aging warship Han'Gerrel and the cowardly Zaal'Koris be ones to chart this course. I think not." Xen shook her head.
"The broader purpose underlying the trial is too important. Tali'Zorah is only peripherally related. No offense intended." she glanced across at the younger woman.
"Then what is the purpose of this trial, Admiral?"
"To determine whether quarians should fear their past mistakes or reclaim their glory using our natural affinity for artificial intelligence."
Once more Shepard foraged ahead. "So, the only reason you care about this is because Rael might have learned something valuable form the geth?"
Xen became more animated. "Indeed. If he has, then even in this accident we may find something worthwhile."
"You want to create new AIs?" Tali was astonished.
"No Tali'Zorah. I want to return the geth to the control of their rightful masters," Xen uplifted her arms so that her body resembled a 'T' "the quarian race."
"And if Rael didn't find the answers you want." Garrus pressed, his old C-Sec interrogation training came forward.
"Then it is a tragic mistake born of poor planning. Again, no trial necessary."
"Can you tell me anything about the Alarei?" Shepard plowed ahead locking down the knowledge that this trial was indeed farcical and had nothing to do with Tali..
"Little. We detected several communication signatures before the geth jammed the comm systems. Given the likely networked intelligence requirement for taking over a ship, expect between ten and fifty units."
Tali turned to Shepard. "Then this can't have anything to do with me. I only sent parts and pieces, and certainly not enough to make that many geth."
So if not from Tali where then did Rael'Zorah get them all? But something about Xen's ideas about the geth and giving back the glory to the quarian people was something that could be used in Tali's defense.
"Good talking with you, Admiral." Shepard said feeling that they had exhausted all the information they were likely to get out of Xen.
That left Gerrel and Koris. The latter Shepard was most definitely not looking forward to talking to. She was with Garrus on that one. Restraining herself from cracking open his faceplate would take every fibre of her self-control that she could muster.
As they passed the greens of the plaza Tali stopped short and sprinted to a Marine in a maroon hardsuit. "Kal'Reegar!" She smiled. "I'm happy to see you. But I thought you were on Haestrom protecting the team, what are you doing here?"
"When I heard about the trial I came back. I wanted to speak to the Board on your behalf."
Garrus's jealously rose like a firebrand over hot coals but simmered from white-hot to a dull orange. Still he placed a possessive hand on his wife's shoulder showing the other male this woman was spoken for.
"That's good of you."
Tali turned her head so she might look at her husband. "I told you about Kal. We were in training together. He was two years ahead of me in his Pilgrimage."
"I served her and she deserves better than what she's getting." Kal said ignoring Garrus challenge, but not his closeness to the young woman he at one time desired to court.
"Thanks, Kal." Tali was truly touched.
He bowed his head." Just stating the facts, Ma'am."
"Have you had any luck talking to the Admiralty Board?" Shepard said, also ignoring Garrus' rising testosterone. She knew a good man when she saw one. And Kal seemed like one of the best. Tali once spoke at length about him, how she truly enjoyed his company. If not for Garrus, the Spectre might have thought Tali had had a relationship with the marine. Perhaps they had before she left on her Pilgrimage.
"Admiral Raan asked my opinion about the geth, since I'd fought them on Haestrom." Kal paced with his hands behind his back in a very typical militaristic style. "She and Gerrel are hoping you'll kill a bunch of geth to get the crowd on your side, then find evidence to clear your name.
"They were hesitant, but well, you don't have many other options ma'am. I recommended getting you onto the Alarei. I hope you can handle it. With a Spectre at your side I am confident you will."
"You did the right thing. Thank you." Tali tipped her head. She seemed to take a pause before speaking her next words. Haestrom…had she returned to the Fleet after the events of Saren, Tali would have been slated to lead that mission. As it happened fate or destiny had another path for her.
"Kal, the team on Haestrom were studying dark energy, weren't they? What did they find?"
One might have thought it strange for Tali to venture into this line of thought considering the unknown status of her father and her pending trial. But that was the brilliance of a savant. Her mind was quite capable of targeting or even fixating on any number of subject matter. "I know that the sun was anomaly."
"It was. Damnedest thing. It's just like they said. No way the sun on Haestrom should have been acting that way."
"So that dark energy theory was right? That's troubling."
"I really can't comment on that ma'am. I just shoot things."
Garrus was getting more and more frustrated, because he really liked this guy. If he hadn't had a past with his wife, he knew he and Kal could hit off. Bet the guy was a damned fine sniper too. Spirits. He wanted to hate this guy.
"I know that the sun shorted out everything, way too much radiation. The sun's getting old…only it's not. Dark energy. It's reducing the mass of the star's interior. Techs are worried."
"You said the geth swarmed the place." Garrus said. "You think they are responsible for what's happening to Haestrom's sun?"
"Keelah, I hope not. If they can screw up a star, our chances in a war are even worse than I thought."
"I don't think this is geth. It would take massive time and resources to affect a star like this, deliberately. It's too ineffective to be a weapon, and even the geth wouldn't destroy a useful star system. Besides they didn't show up until the team did," Tali said.
"Humph. I hope you're right ma'am. Synthetic bastards are bad enough as it is." Kal responded.
"What does that dark energy build up mean? Is it something we have to worry about." This was not the first-time dark energy has been a hot topic. On Illium Gina Parasini spoke of it as she knew that was an influx of people looking into it as well as hackers digging for anything dealing with dark energy. As an information broker, Liara spoke of how many of her clients have pursued the issue. It seemed dark energy was on everyone's lips.
Dark energy and the geth wasn't what came to the Spectre's mind. Dark energy and the Reapers—now that was something she could believe. Thing is did they reap because of the rise and flux of its influence upon star systems or were they the cause of it?
"Sorry Shepard, I don't what it means. Just that it has the scientists worried."
Shepard looked to Tali and knew by body language alone that worry was awash on the young quarian's face as well.
"Hopefully it's an isolated phenomenon…if dark energy can destabilize solar material…" she walked past the others paused and turned back. "Probably not something to worry about now, but resources in the galaxy are rare enough as it is without stars suddenly going dead."
"Sometimes I think flying around in the Fleet without a planet of our own is a good idea." Kal responded gaining a head nod from Garrus.
"With your immune systems, it can't be easy for quarians to fight in a war. You'd lose more people to infection than injury"
"We can't afford a frontline attack that's for sure. Have to fight smart-ideally from orbit."
Almost affronted Tali spoke up. "We do have stockpiles of antibiotics. It's not as though everyone will die from a single shot."
"No Shepard's right. You've only seen our strike ops, Tali. Don't have all the face equipment in a frontline fight. Supplies get strained, things get ugly fast."
Garrus was truly likening this guy. Damn it. "We should get going." he blurted out drawing the women's attention to him and away from Kal.
Kal inclined his head a little. Acknowledging the wanting to leave for what it was. "Good luck on the Alarei. Stay safe out there."
Shepard nodded and Tali placed a hand on the other quarians shoulder. "Thank you Kal, for everything."
"Anytime ma'am."
Crossing the grounds of the plaza the voices of the quarians within the audience could be heard. Some good. Some not so good.
"Tali and her father are out of control. This is on their heads."
"Even during her own trial, Tali's first thought is to the Fleet."
"If Tali is stuck with a human arbiter, at least its one that can speak well."
"It will take more than pretty words to sway the courts."
"If anyone can retake the Alarei, it's Tali'Zorah."
The trio ignored them all. Gerrel and Koris were still left to speak with. If they could gain the same sort of insight on their views of the trial or the geth, then the greater foothold Shepard had in defending Tali against what Xen had so eloquently put- a farce.
Giving their farewell. Three decided now was the time to take to Gerrel and after him the more seemingly odious of the pair, Zoris. Of the later Tali was most definitely not looking forward to. Though he was never 'Uncle' he might as well have been given his close friendship to her father, Tali knew how to talk to Gerrel. She even liked the old man. It was why she had gifted him with the geth nodes as part of her pilgrimage. she was to be a member of the Neema, before all of this occurred: not just the events surrounding the Collectors but her marriage to Garrus as well.
As soon as the trio approached the Admiral too a step forward. His gray and white suit was an odd contrast given the greenery of the gardens and at the same time it made him stand out even amongst the other admirals. "Tali, I'm glad Admiral Raan got you leave to take the Alarei. Hopefully you will find something to clear your name."
Having the foreknowledge of his want to retake Rannoch and his interest in ways to destroy the geth it was more than apparent that evidence to exonerate Tali was not all he hoped the trio would find.
"I'm more concerned with finding my father, Admiral." Tali said a little more forcefully.
"I wish you luck. Blow up some geth on your way. And you're Captain Shepard?" He turned to the only human in the party. "Han'Gerrel vas Neema." there was a smile in the old man's voice. "You got Admiral Koris backing up worse than a krogan toilet. Glad to see Tali's captain knows how to handle a courtroom."
"I'm just here to help Tali, Admiral." Shepard remarked.
"I'm glad someone is."
"You believe I'm innocent, don't you Admiral?" Tali almost sounded optimistic—dare she be hopeful?
"I know you and your father. You've put too much of yourselves into this fleet to do anything to jeopardize our safety. And you're both smart enough not to make mistakes like the ones they're saying you made."
Shepard frowned. 'They'? Who is this mysterious they? Raan and Gerrel both think Tali is innocent, hell so does Xen. Was Koris a 'They' all by himself?
"Can you tell me anything about the Alarei?" Shepard asked the now familiar question.
"Nothing good. We sent some of our best marines into that hellhole. Damn few of them made it back. Whatever Rael was doing it blew up in his face. The ship is crawling with geth. Don't go in expecting survivors." he was being honest.
Tali wasn't going to accept that prognosis. "Admiral! My father—your friend is on that ship!"
"I know that, Tali. But if Shala hadn't suggested you might volunteer, we'd already have destroyed the Alarei. That's were we stand."
Before Tali could mount a defense, Shepard dodged in with a feint of her own. She needed Gerrel off balance if she was to glean any inside info on the others. "What can you tell me about the other admirals? Anything that might help me change their minds about Tali?"
"The one you didn't recognize Tali is Admiral Xen. She's on the fence. She takes Fleet safety very seriously." Gerrel answered, shifting gears as easily as Shepard. "On the other hand, she's always been in favour of studying the geth. Hopefully she sees the benefits of Rael's research
"Admiral Koris is the same whining suit-wetter he has always been."
"You disagree with Admiral's Koris policies, I'm guessing. Or is it personal?"
"The man is a damned geth apologist. Thinks we were wrong to try and destroy them centuries ago." Gerrel flipped his hand was if to wave away a foul smelling flatulent odour that clung to the air. "He wants to search for a new colony possibilities instead of taking back the homeworld. Any research on the geth makes him angry. You don't have much of a chance with him, I'm afraid."
Good to know. Shepard thought to herself. "You and Tali's father go back a long way?" Once more to shifting gears. Having the knowledge of what a man thinks of his friends close or otherwise once he thinks they are dead tells you a lot about his character. To win this trial Shepard needed all the insight she could harvest.
Gerrel's voce became one of reminiscence. "We served together on the gunship Yaska during a bad batarian raid. We were just kids, serving pre-Pilgrimage as trainees. A crew of ten, and six were dead. Kinetic barriers were down. Rael and I were alone on the bridge, and the batarians had drawn off a tramp freighter."
"Did you save the freighter?" Shepard pressed for details. Anyone putting down batarian pirate slavers was going up in estimation in her books.
"Our ship was under orders to hold position. But Rael looked at me and said. 'We're under age. They can't charge us for breaking formation.' he took the helm, I took weapons, and we brought that freighter back. The crew called us heroes. The brass called us idiots. They slapped medals to our suits, then kicked us off to Pilgrimage a bit earlier than usual. That's Rael for you."
"Sounds like we're dealing with more politics than just Tali bringing back equipment." Shepard said after soaking in the details of both Rael and Gerrel's demeanour.
The man shrugged. "Pft. You noticed that, did you? Tali's father wasn't just running weapons tests on the geth for fun. He was looking for something to give us an edge to attack the geth in a full-scale war."
"I know Father wanted to retake the homeworld someday, but are we that close?"
Another shrug. "I don't know, kid. We almost have the votes. We just need to give people hope for victory."
"I hope the quarian people find someplace sage to live, Admiral, but it sounds like you're playing with fire." Shepard shook her head. War with the geth was insanity, especially with the Reaper threat lurking in dark space. Didn't they realize this?
"We're too comfortable now, Shepard. We've got the largest fleet in the galaxy, and we just ride around doing nothing."
"We might need that fleet to help fight the Reapers; Admiral." Tali said what was on the tip of Shepard's tongue.
"Then we need a world to shelter our noncombatants while we do it!" He sighed. "And right now the only geth I am worried about are the ones infecting the Alarei." he took a step forward and placed a parental hand on Tali's shoulder. "Hang in there kid."
"Thanks Admiral."
That left one more Admiral to contend with. This one no one was looking forward to.
As soon as Tali and Shepard approached he all but sneered behind his mask. "Judging by your ability to play to a crowd, human, I've done Tali a favour stripping 'vas Neema' from her name."
"Commander Shepard this is Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib-Qwib." Tali turned and quickly added. "Do not ask about the name."
"I take no pleasure in this Tali, truly. But you have gravely endangered and dishonored our fleet.
In Shepard's eyes this swit needed a good cuffing. Mocking his ship name…well-why not? "You have a ship called the Qwib-Qwib? Seriously?"
Tali face-palmed and muttered. "Oh here we go…"
"Our people during difficult periods, purchased pre-owned vessels from other cultures! And have on occasion had difficulty altering the ships registry information. The citizens of these foreign named ships have borne the stigma of these names with grace and honour."
"Like you have? If it bothers you, maybe you should find another ship."
"I have occasionally entered the idea of requesting a transfer. Something like a nice respectable name like the Defrahnz or the Iktomi. But I am proud of the Qwib-Qwib, and I will not flee because of petty insults."
"No, you just stoop to strip others of their names just because you have a dumbass name right?" Garrus snapped outright challenging the other male. "You know the Iktomi is close to the human word vasectomy. You know the procedure where they cut your testicles off."
Koris was about to retaliate to the venom within the turian's words when Shepard swiftly intervened.
"What can you tell me about the Alarei?" Shepard turned the conversation around before they were all tossed into the brig for insubordination or whatever trumped up bullshit charges Admiral Qwib-Qwib could dream up.
"Only that you should have let us destroy it." Koris answered. "When we find the evidence of that Tali and her father did there, any hope of convincing the other admirals will die."
You son-of-bitch. Shepard's hind brain roared. Tell us again you find no pleasure in wanting to burn Tali at the stake. You have such a fucking hard on to see it happen…Of course Garrus egging him on didn't help.
Tali took a battle-ready stance, "I did not bring active Geth to the Alarei, Admiral! I know how dangerous that would be! I only brought pieces!" she shouted back at him.
"A captured ship with its crew slaughtered by living beings in pain, belies your argument." he tossed back at her.
"What exactly is your problem with my shipmate, Admiral?" Shepard demanded. She had had enough. Qwib-Qwib just stepped over the line. It took every ounce of her will not to gut punch the asshole. "Sounds to me you want Zorah blood. if you can't get Rael's you'll take Tali. Despite the fact she has no idea about whatever experiments her father was performing."
"I respect Tali immensely. Her actions against Saren are to be lauded." he turned his back to them and turned his gaze toward Gerrel. "But like her father, she wants nothing but the destruction of the geth…the people we created. The people we wronged."
"The geth drove us from our homeworld" Tali's voice was still fever pitched.
"Of course, they did." Koris remained as belittling as ever. "We tried to kill them."
"You and the other admirals appear to have some disagreement beyond Tali's trial."
"You are correct. Tali, I apologize for it being brought into your proceedings. The other admirals are pushing for war. Rael'Zorah was researching new weapons against the geth. They would see our fleet destroyed in the skies over our homeworld rather than find a new colony and adapt!" only in the last part did his condescending tone raise in heated resentment.
"Can the quarians coexist with the geth after all your history?" Shepard queried.
The man shrugged. "I don't know but we all deserve to find out. They are our children, Shepard. We have all done horrible things to each other, but it has to end for both our sakes."
Shepard was loath to agree with the odious man just on printable of holding a grudge. But the war with the geth was a horrible idea right now. Just when Shepard found herself agreeing with Koris the asshole part of him raised its head again.
"This is why I cannot sanction whatever experiments you helped enable Tali'Zorah. knowledge of what he was doing on the Alarei or not your actions allowed Rael to perform them. I believe this message must be sent."
"I understand Admiral, I do not agree with you but I understand."
I won't let you take her head, even if it's exiling to make your point Qwib-Qwib. Shepard vowed. I'll shove that crow-pie so far down your throat your grandkids will be crapping feathers.
"We should move on." Shepard said. Before Garrus and I send a message about messing with our girl. Came an unspoken after thought.
"Goodbye Tali'Zorah. Be well." he almost sounded sincere
"I'm surprised to hear you say that." Tali scoffed. She wasn't the only one not taking him seriously.
"I don't hate you Tali. I just think you and your father's plans for war are wrong."
"I never planned to go to war Admiral. I plan to survive. And if my fathers study can help us against the geth, it's more than possible they can help us against the Reaper constructs." Tali retorted hotly.
"Unless you want us to play nice with them too. After all they gotta be someone's children too, right?" Garrus growled. "Should we roll over for every AI that wants to slaughter us, put our corpses on dragon's teeth and turn us into undead monsters?"
"Garrus-not helping. Don't antagonize the Admirals. He already wants to crucify Tali, let's not hand him the nails." Shepard grabbed the Archangel's arm. For in that moment that was exactly who her Trusted became. "Come on, we're leaving."