Salvation: Episode I – The Taking of the Carmenta Illustria
Disclaimer: This fan-fiction is part of an episodic series taking place after Salvation: A Half-Life/Mass Effect Universe Fan Fiction, which will lead directly to its sequel, Salvation II: Project Prometheus. These episodes and sequel take place OUTSIDE of the Mass Effect 3 continuity. Characters property of their respective companies, Half-Life created by Valve and Mass Effect created by Bioware.

Chapter 2: The Captain's Table (Part I)

Your Guests Have Begun to Arrive...

"Good evening, Qespar eis Qespalen." An asari, in a formal, white uniform, cordially greeted, as she opened the elegant, wooden door, to the great dinning hall.

"Good evening." Commander John Shepard replied with a grin, and a nod, as he stepped in, with a lovely quarian on his arm.

The moment they walked in, neither of them were able to help themselves from stopping to behold the sight of the lavish dinning hall. Immediately upon entering, there was a short flight of rounded steps, leading down to a large atrium, where many of the other passengers stopped to mingle – likely telling stories of their great wealth and monetary power.

The stone walls of the atrium glistened with running water, and at the center sat a beautiful rock garden, in the middle of a man-made pond. The circle shaped atrium allowed passage on either side of the pond, which led directly into the main dinning area.

Even from where they stood, Tali and Shepard could see its lustrous opulence. Towering ivory columns. Diamond chandeliers hanging down from the lofty ceiling. Lush, ruby silk curtains over every passageway. Shimmering, white satin table cloths draped over every table. All against a backdrop of starlight, as a towering, panoramic window made up most of the back wall.

"Keelah..." An awestruck Tali uttered, as they stood at top of the short flight of stairs, looking in. "In all my wildest dreams... I never imagined there could be such a place... I doubt very many of my people have ever been anywhere like this."

"You deserve all this and more, Tali..." Shepard said tenderly, as they began to descend into the atrium.

Tali smiled under her mask, and squeezed his arm tightly, as they reached the sparkling, black marble floor.

"I think we're under dressed..." She added, with a nervous undertone, as she looked around at some of the other patrons. "The Captain didn't mention this was a formal affair. I would've actually worn something nice..."

As opposed to the people they walked by, sporting the latest designer fashions of cocktail dresses, formal suits, and luxury apparel, Tali simply wore her normal, everyday attire. A bright, violet faceplate, shrouded by a decorative, lavender veil. Under which were gold colored bands around her neck, topping off her black, and lavender enviro-suit.

The Commander wore a loose fitting, casual, black jacket, thrown over a dark red dress shirt, and a pair of black pants.

"Eh, so what?" He nonchalantly replied, as they continued on through the atrium. "We're not here to hobnob with the rich and famous." He scoffed a bit, under his breath, giving her license to relax, and do the same.

"Hey Shepard!" A familiar voice suddenly called out, from behind.

The two turned around to spot the Normandy's skillful helmsman, slowly descending the stairs – taking each step, one at a time, with special care.

As he reached the bottom, his pace quickened a bit, but he still maintained a cautious speed. He wore a white, long-sleeved dress shirt, decorated with very fine, vertical, black stripes, khaki colored pants, and black shoes. He still wore the metallic brace around his neck. And to top it all off, the most unusual feature of his wardrobe, was the out of place SR-2 cap still resting on his head.

"Hey, Joker. Glad you could make it." Shepard greeted cheerfully, as Joker caught up with them. "How are you enjoying the vacation so far?"

"Yeah, it's great Commander..." Joker assured with a tinge of nervous agitation in his voice. "But I'm uh... not sure why you invited me to this. I mean I'm... not really... part of your combat team, or anything..."

Shepard stopped, and turned to Joker, shaking his head with a consoling grin on his face.

"Joker..." He began adamantly, as he placed a hand over the helmsman's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, we never would've made it to the Conduit on Ilos in time, we never would've made it into or out of the Collector base, and we never would've reached the vort's control room... You're as much a member of my team as anyone."

Joker tittered softly, and bowed his head a bit, with somewhat of a bashful smile on his face. "Thanks Commander..."

"I'm only sorry I couldn't invite the whole crew to this thing." Shepard continued, shrugging his shoulders, as he pulled his hand off Joker's. "But it is just one table, after all..."

"Heh, yeah..."

"Just one thing, though..." Shepard continued. "We're not on the Normandy, so uh... lose the lid." He instructed, as he lightly flicked the brim of Joker's cap up, with his finger.

"Oh! Yeah! Right..." Joker mumbled, as he yanked the cap off his head, scrunched it up in one hand, and quickly began trying to brush his messed hair back with the other.

"Good evening!" An asari waitress cordially greeted, as the trio reached the entrance to the main dinning room. "May I see you to a table?"

"We were invited to dine at the Captain's table tonight." Shepard readily informed.

"Oh... OH! My, yes! Commander Shepard, of course!" She exclaimed, in a gleeful outburst, when she suddenly realized who he was. "Right this way, please!"

She turned, and led the three into the lush dinning hall, which was even more extravagant close up. On the left of the large room, was a long, elegant bar – lit up with a cycling hue of abstract, holographic designs. And along its back wall, was a virtually boundless index of drinks and concoctions from every corner of the galaxy.

On their right, a band comprised of a drell, and two salarians in tuxedos, along with an asari in a white, flowing dress, played a lovely compilation of music, on a small stage. Whether it was an original composition, or something derived, who could say. Although to a human it would probably sound like something somewhere in between Antonio Vivaldi, and George Frideric Handel.

"You know, speaking of the Normandy, Commander..." Joker began again, following Tali and Shepard along, as their asari waitress weaved them around various tables of mingling, high society, bon vivants.

"It's a shame we couldn't bring EDI along, somehow." He continued. "It sucks that we had to leave her docked back at port, on Lycuna."

"I agree, Joker. But it's not like we can lug an entire frigate around on a cruise." Shepard replied, as they proceeded forward. "Besides, she's in hibernate mode. She won't even miss us."

"Yeah..." Joker said with a bit of a sigh, as they were led to a long table – the largest one in the room, near the towering, panoramic window at the back. "But we should really try to come up with something more portable for her."

"Heh..." Shepard chuckled lightly. "Grown pretty fond of her, eh?"

"Uh... Nah, I just think it'd be kinda... cool to have her around, you know?"

"Here we are." The asari hostess eagerly declared, as they reached the head of the table, where the formally dressed Captain was already patiently waiting. "Captain Ryback, I'm happy to announce that your guests have begun to arrive."

Each high back chair at the table was virtually a throne unto itself. Ivory white colored seats, chiseled in beautifully curvacious patterns, padded in red satin cushions, backings, and armrests. And at each vacant place setting, rested a large, empty plate, surrounded by a neatly folded dark red napkin, and a number of eating utensils on either side. Rows of fine, crystal wine and beverage glasses ran along side an elegant floral candle centerpiece. And each plate was topped off with a digital menu.

"Ah, Commander!" The Captain quickly shot up from his seat, with an enthusiastic smile, and a welcoming disposition.

"First one in, last one out, even to dinner, I see!" Ryback said, with a laugh, as he and Shepard shared a sturdy handshake.

"Just fashionably early, Captain." Shepard retorted with a smooth grin.

As the two Commanding Officers of stature released grips, Captain Ryback turned to Tali, and smiled politely.

"Ma'am." He nodded cordially, as he bowed to kiss the back of her hand once more.

"Captain." Tali replied, with a slight bow, almost a curtsy.

"Captain, this is my helmsman, Jeff Moreau." Shepard announced, as he stepped aside, and put an arm around Joker's shoulders, reluctantly coaxing him forward.

"Not to brag on his behalf... But he's the best pilot in Citadel Space, and the finest I've ever known..." He assured with a laugh, as he patted Joker on the back.

"Well he'd have to be, wouldn't he?" Captain Ryback declared, with a guttural chuckle. "How do you do, son?"

"Nice to meet ya, Captain." Joker replied, in a somewhat reserved tone of voice, as Ryback extended a large, calloused, hand towards him.

"Just... go easy with the handshake, sir..." He requested, as he reluctantly reached out, to reciprocate the gesture. "I've got uh... Vrolik Syndrome. Brittle bones..."

"Oh..." Ryback replied, mildly surprised, as he lightly griped Joker's hand. "No worries, son. No worries." He said cheerfully, as they shook.

"But uhm, please... Please, sit!" He urged, pointing a hand out toward the chairs along either side of the long, empty table. "I'm sure the rest of your crew will be arriving any moment."

"They better." Shepard said jokingly, causing the four to break out into light, mutual laughter, as Tali and John sat down on the Captain's right hand side, with Joker taking the first empty seat across from them.


"How do people even wear this stuff?" Gordon griped, fidgeting with his collar, as he and Miranda stepped out of their state room.

He wore a casual, tan-colored suit, with a light blue colored shirt underneath. Two dark blue stripes ran down the front of his jacket, with four silver buttons fastening it on either side. The modern day sports coat was accented with a white collar, twin, white circle patches on his shoulders, and white seams around his cuffs.

A bulky protrusion was visible on his left forearm, through his sleeve, and a silvery object gleamed from under the edge of his cuff, where he still wore his silvery, metallic cast.

And aside from the dramatic change to his wardrobe, from his usual armored apparel, there was also another thing missing. The black framed glasses that had come to be as recognizable to his personage, as his iconic crowbar, were no where to be found. In their place, he still wore a blue, holographic, targeting visor – likely indicative that he had yet been unable to have his now antiquated, damaged spectacles repaired.

"And I thought I had it bad when they made us wear those ridiculous ties at Black Mesa..." Gordon continued, as he finished adjusting his collar.

As their door slid shut behind them, Miranda ran her omni-tool over a green, holographic panel, quickly causing it to change to a deterring red.

"Oh, you'll get used to it." She replied playfully, with a hint of cynicism, as the two began down the long, lavish corridor with a brisk pace. "Come on, we're running late."

Miranda wore a sleek, velvety, dark blue dress, which despite being rather conservative, still managed to show off her curvacious figure, perfectly. It was layered with a dark red patch, running down the front, the entire length of the dress, and was finished with long sleeves of the same color.

As they walked down the mildly lit hallway, littered with state room doors on either side, one of them unexpectedly slid open a few feet in front of them, and out stepped a stately salarian.

"Miranda. Dr. Freeman. Greetings." Mordin met, with a cheerful nod of his head, as he noticed the couple walking up to him.

"Ah, good evening Dr. Solus." Gordon expressed, as he joined them when they passed by, walking toward the elevators.

"Hello, Mordin." Miranda also greeted, with a subtle smile. "I see you're running late as well."

"Yes, but happy to have caught you." Mordin replied, as the three continued along. "Wanted to talk. Medical matters."

"Medical matters?" Gordon inquired, worriedly.

"Yes." The salarian casually continued. "Cruise is... intended to be pleasurable. Different species react differently to recreation."

Gordon turned to look at Mordin, with a confused, inquiring look in his eyes - completely at a loss for what he was talking about.

"Oh no...": Miranda grumbled to herself, shaking her head, and draping her hand over her eyes, as they continued forward.

"Aware that the two of you are sexually active. Or planning to be... Suggest caution."

Gordon raised a stunned eyebrow behind his visor, as they reached the elevator door. Miranda quickly reached out, and pressed the button to call the elevator, as she rolled her eyes irritatedly, before bringing her hand right back over them, and shaking her head.

"Biotic ability can prove dangerous during intercourse." Mordin seamlessly continued his presumptuous lecture. "Over stimulation. Loss of emotional, and mental control. Elation, exhilaration, euphoria. All can prove hazardous."

"Uh..." Gordon stood with a dumbfounded gaze, at a complete and utter loss for words.

"Ugh, thank you, Mordin..." Miranda expressed sarcastically, with an irate groan, and a hard glare. "But I'm MORE than capable of controlling my biotics..."

"Of course. Hormones..." Mordin replied, with a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Will be here to set broken bones later."

"Still. Wanted to offer advice." He continued. "Can give biotic inhibitor to dampen neural receptors. Weaken unintentional biotic effects. No guarantees... Suggest padding walls."

"Oh god... get out of here!" Miranda screamed in her head, fighting back the urge to splatter the salarian against the wall, as she tapped her forehead with her index finger repeatedly, with her eyes clenched shut.

"What in the hell..." Was the main thought that echoed through Gordon's mind, as he stood there, forcing a crooked grin, as the light on the elevator neared their floor. "He can't be serious... Can he...?"

"Biotic ability also gives benefit." The tactless salarian continued. "Can forward booklet to your omni-tool. Includes diagrams, exercises, inventive uses of mass effect fields. Can supply oils or ointments to reduce discomfort." He assured, as he materialized his omni-tool, and began punching in a varying set of keys. "Can also provide electronic relationship aid demonstration vids to use as necessary, upon request."

"Hahahaha!" Gordon suddenly broke out into an unrestrained laugh. "Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!" He exclaimed, tittering and trying to catch his breath, as he held a hand up to Mordin, and shook his head in disbelief. "You're kidding about all this, right?"

"He's kidding!" Gordon proclaimed assuredly, still chuckling nervously, as he turned to face Miranda.

"No, I'm afraid he's not..." Miranda submitted, with a long, drawn-out sigh.

"Shocking suggestion..." Mordin immediately stopped working on his omni-tool, however still holding it out in front of him, as he turned to Gordon with a dignified stance. "Doctor, patient confidentially a sacred trust! Would never dream... of mockery..."

The stunned and confused countenance returned to Freeman's face, as Mordin went back to work on his omni-tool.

"...But this isn't exactly the time or the the place to be..."

Before he could finish, Gordon's omni-tool lit up with a screen exhibiting a series of... suggestive, albeit informative diagrams, just as the elevator's door slid open, with a chime.

"Oh! Uhm!" Gordon exclaimed, flustered, as he quickly punched away at his omni-tool, feverishly trying to subside the explicit reading material, as two passenger couples stepped off the elevator, and looked on with suspicion.

"Hehe... G-Good evening..." He chuckled nervously, forcing an idiotic grin, after simply giving up, and placing his hologram covered arm behind his back, as the two couples passed them by.

Miranda rushed into the elevator, swiftly followed by Gordon, who quickly brought his omni-tool forward, and began fidgeting with it once more. Mordin casually strolled in, with a content grin on his face, as the elevator door slowly slid shut behind them.

"Solus! You have got to be the most crude! Boorish! Tactless salarian that has ever...!"

"Hey, you know..." Gordon unexpectedly interjected, interrupting Miranda's admonishment, as he studied the material on his omni-tool. "Some of this actually looks pretty uh... interesting." He looked up at Miranda, and shrugged his shoulders. "...Speaking purely from a scientific point of view, of course..."

"Oh, don't YOU start!"


A pair of asari waitresses laid a colorfully delectable assortment of appetizers and Hors d'oeuvres out, over the table. There were recognizable human classics, such as cocktail shrimp, pâtés, terrines, and caviar... At least, one might assume it was caviar from the look of it. But there were also various other... exotic looking dishes - clearly not of human conception. Among them was a platter of tiny morsels that resembled blue, and green deviled eggs, and something that looked like oysters, only on a much more beautifully complex shell than any Earthly mollusk ever had... Exotic, but delectable nonetheless. An exquisite array of gourmet delicacies from across the galaxy, to appease the few already sitting at the table, as the Commander prepared to announce a familiar turian.

"Captain, this is one of my oldest friends, Garrus Vakarian." He introduced from his seat, as Garrus walked up toward the head of the table.

The formerly empty chair on Joker's left had now been occupied by Jacob, who conversed lightly with the helmsman, as they skimmed through their digital menus, likely talking about what sounded good.

"Garrus, like Tali, was part of my original crew who helped me track down Saren." Shepard continued. "And he's one hell of a deadly shot."

Garrus, who was clad in a casual, blue and gray turian ensemble, approached the Captain, with a hand extended, as Ryback stood to greet him in turn.

"Good to meet you, Captain." Garrus declared earnestly, as the two shared a firm gripped handshake. "This is quite a ship you've got here."

"Thank you. Thank you." Ryback graciously expressed. "She's a bit over the hill, but she's still the finest luxury liner ever built." He affirmed, as the two released their grip, and he slowly sat back down.

Before Garrus could walk away to find a seat, the Captain took a long hard look at him, waving a pointed finger at him, with something gnawing at his mind.

"Vakarian..." Ryback uttered. "Tell me, you wouldn't by any chance be related to the great Vyrnus Vakarian, of C-Sec, would you?"

Garrus grinned, and laughed to himself, as he bowed his head and nodded, before looking back up.

"Yeah. He's my father."

"No kidding!" The Captain exclaimed, in happy disbelief. "Son of the great detective himself!" Just then, the Captain's delight suddenly faded – replaced by a look of concern. "H-How is your father...? Heaven forbid he was a casualty..."

"No, no..." Garrus quickly refuted, putting a hand up, and shaking his head – laying the Captain's concerns to rest. "No, he's alright. I spoke to him before the cruise." He explained, as he made his way toward the empty seat on Tali's right.

"After the Alliance evacuated the Citadel, he volunteered himself as a hand, on-board the Anchorage, during the battle... After it was over, he helped with the relief effort on Earth, up until two days ago. Now he's back on the Citadel, helping citizens get re-settled.."

"He sounds like a great man..." The Captain reverently admitted, as Garrus sat down. "I suppose it runs in the family. He must be very proud."

"He's had some... reservations... about me working with a Spectre..." Garrus snickered, as he leaned forward briefly, to look at Shepard, sitting on Tali's other side. "He's never really cared for 'em. Though I think he'd make an exception in Shepard's case. And he's too prideful to come right out and say it, but..." Garrus paused for a bit. A grin grew on his face, as he nodded to himself, before he turned his attention back to Ryback. "Yeah... I think I did him proud..."

The Captain sat enthralled – resting his chin on his clasped hands, as a young, human woman quickly approached the table.

She wore a tightly fitting, dark green dress, adorned with light green, and white floral patterns. She had eyes of sapphire blue, a fair complexion, and golden blonde hair, at a length just shy of her shoulders.

"Excuse me, Captain!" The young lady eagerly began, with a starry eyed grin, and an overly enthusiastic tone, as she stepped around to the corner of the table between Ryback, and Shepard. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I don't meant to impose, but I simply HAD to come by, and meet the great Commander Shepard!"

She leaned forward onto the table, gripping the edge with her hands, as she eyed the Commander from top to bottom. Shepard looked back, examining the woman, with an averse stare. There was something odd about her gaze... about her smile. It didn't seem quite sincere, or genuine. She had the guise of someone putting on an act.

"Ooh..." She began flirtatiously, as she placed one hand on Shepard's shoulder, and ran it down his arm, while keeping the other one gripped under the edge of the table. "The vids don't do you justice. You're even stronger looking in person..."

"Excuse me, but can I help you...?" The affronted Commander demanded, pulling his arm away, as Tali clenched her fists – starring a hole right through the impetuous woman.

"Eheh..." She grinned, and laughed nervously, as she put her hand away. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Cameron McClane. I just... I'm just such a huge fan! I wanted to meet you personally... You know, we're all just so grateful of everything you did for the galaxy... Saving us all from the Reapers... It's... Well it's impressive, beyond words..." She spoke with an alluring tone, and a beguiling gaze.

"Well Miss, you've had you're meeting..." Captain Ryback chimed in, with a stern tone, as he took note of the awkward situation. "So I must now ask you to leave. This is the Captain's Table after all, and I'm afraid it's invite only..."

"Of course, Captain..." The brash young lady conceded, bowing her head, as she stood up from her leaned position. As she pulled her hand away from under the table, she left a small, round device, about the size of a bottle cap, strategically adhered to its underside.

"I do apologize. I'll take my leave now."

"Good..." Tali added calmly, yet noticeably irate. "I'm sure there are plenty of men on-board dying for you to seduce them out of their fortunes... Don't wanna keep them waiting."

Cameron simply looked back at Tali with a cynical smile, before returning her attention to Shepard.

"Well... If you decide you wanna talk. I'll be close by..." She said in a hushed, bewitching tone - still eying the Commander with an inviting gaze. "I'd love to hear your story, and... maybe get the chance to show you just how grateful I really am..."

"I doubt it..." Shepard retorted, with a smug grin.

Seemingly unaffected, McClane gave a very brief shrug of her shoulders, as she closed her eyes, held her head up in a dignified fashion, and turned to walk away - swaying her hips from side to side.

After a short distance, she turned and had a seat at one of the surrounding tables. She quickly opened a small handbag she had with her, and pulled out a tiny earpiece device. She switched it on, hooked it around her ear, and slid the bud into the canal.

"Talk about the gall on that one!" She heard the turian exclaim, through the receiver, as she turned to look back at the Captain's table, just in time to see the lot break out into laughter.

"Well that was awkward..." Shepard's voice declared. "I thought she'd never leave..."

"I thought Tali was gonna make her..." Jacob's voice replied, with a snicker.

"Oh believe me, I was really hoping I'd get to..." Tali added.

"Damn!" The young lady griped through her teeth, with a scowl on her face, as she listened. "The flirty routine never works..."


The exquisitely crafted wooden door swung shut behind Mordin, as the asari attendant granted him entry.

"There are a LOT of people in there..." Gordon uttered, stopping dead in his tracks, just shy of the door, as he peered in through the crystalline glass windows.

An unpleasant apprehension settled into the pit of his stomach, as he took a small step back.

"Why are you so nervous?" Miranda beckoned, with a slight titter under her breath, surprised, as she watched her physicist's agitated condition. "After everything we've been through, you're afraid of a little dinner engagement...?"

"I-I told you..." Gordon stuttered a bit, as he rubbed his forehead, above his visor's brim. "I don't like big gatherings, or social situations. Mostly, I've always just kept to myself..."

He turned to Miranda, and shrugged his shoulders with an edgy grin, as he spoke. "Why else do you think that in a facility full of other scientists, my best friend was a security guard...?"

"Don't worry..." Miranda assured in a hushed tone, as she draped her hands over Gordon's shoulders, and whispered in his ear. "Just stay close. I'll protect you..."

"Why don't you go ahead..." Gordon whispered back, jokingly.

"Oh, come on!" Miranda exclaimed, feigning annoyance, as she tugged at his arm, and hooked hers around it.

"Good evening, Qespar eis Qespalen." The asari at the door cordially greeted, as she opened it, and granted the two access into the lush dinning hall atrium.

"Good evening." "Good evening..." Miranda and Gordon both reciprocated, as they proceeded forward.

"What did she call us...?" Gordon asked in a whisper, as they descended the short, rounded flight of stairs.

"Qespar eis Qespalen." Miranda answered with a smile, as they reached the marble atrium floor. "It's asari for Sir and Madam."

"Oh, I see..." Gordon replied, raising his eyebrows understandingly. "Interesting."

"How was it again...?" He asked, as the two continued forward. "Qes... Qespan ein Qespacho...?"

"Hmhmhmhm..." Miranda giggled under her breath, as she leaned onto Gordon, and squeezed his arm a little tighter. "Something like that."


"This is Dr. Modrin Solus, my team's Chief Science Officer." The Commander introduced, as Mordin came up to greet Ryback. "A brilliant scientist, and a very skilled former member of the Salarian Special Tasks Group, who also tends to take the role of our field medic when the situation calls for it."

As Shepard introduced the salarian geneticist, a large krogan, now present at the table, after having had his own introduction, sat in his own little world, happily indulging in Earth's finest freshwater shrimp. Though he may not have caught them himself, it didn't seem to make them any less appetizing.

"The STGs... Impressive..." The Captain affirmed, as he and Mordin shared a very quick handshake.

"Sounds like you've built one hell of a roster, Commander..." He assured with a brief nod towards Shepard, before turning back to Mordin. "The best of the best."

"Yes." Mordin enthusiastically concurred. "Quite proud of accomplishments while working with Shepard. Not always so, with previous endeavors..." He paused momentarily, as he inhaled deeply. "Lines between right and wrong... Obscure. Always did what had to be done. Not always proud of it..."

"We've all been there, Mordin..." Garrus offered sympathetically, from his seat beside Tali. "Comes with the territory."

Mordin nodded in response, as he retracted himself from the head of the table to find a seat. As he stepped aside, an asari hostess, with a nervous smile on her face, came up to the Captain, accompanied by a familiar geth.

"Uh... Captain Ryback, sir..." She began timidly, pointing back at Legion, over her shoulder. "This... Another of your guests has arrived..."

"Oh, Captain. This is Legion." Shepard proudly introduced, as Legion stepped forward, with a quick series of clicks and chirps, common to geth. "The first, and so far only, geth member of my team. But a very welcome edition."

"And our first geth passenger to boot!" Ryback exclaimed, cheerfully greeting the mechanical combatant. "I've never met a geth before, so it's good to meet you..." He declared, as he extended an ambivalent hand – uncertain if the handshake was a custom understood by geth kind.

Legion's illuminated optic lens moved down, and focused on the Captain's extended hand. A few of the small, mechanized panels on his head motored back and forth, as the mobile platform attempted to compute the situation.

"Ryback, Captain. We greet you." Legion said in his metallic, monotonous voice, as he reciprocated the gesture, placing his tri-fingered hand against the Captain's palm.

Ryback grinned, as he closed a grip around the cybernetic hand, and the two shared an awkward, rigid handshake.

"Shepard, Commander." The geth continued, turning to Shepard as the two released their grip. "We fail to qualify your request as logical..."

"Huh...?" A befuddled expression came over Shepard's face, as Ryback sat back down.

"You requested our presence at this congregation..." Legion explained. "This does not qualify as logical..."

"What are you talking about, Legion? What's not logical?"

"Dinner... The principal meal of the day." The rigid geth elaborated. "A formal feast, or banquet where the aforementioned is consumed... We are geth. We do not require the same nourishment as organics... Your request of our presence is illogical..."

"Ugh..." Shepard groaned, clutching his eyes shut, as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger.

"I told you he was going to say something like that..." Tali chimed in.

"Legion... You don't have to eat..." The Commander assured, in a somewhat annoyed tone. "I invited you because you're a member of my team... Just...! Sit there, or something..."

Legion stood silently for a moment, as the aperture in his optics shifted back and forth. Just then, coming to a decision, he gave an abrupt turn, and walked down towards the other end of the table to find a seat.

"You'll have to excuse Legion..." Shepard humbly turned back towards Ryback, and said with a modest smile, as he shook his head. "He hasn't had much... out of combat interaction. We're still breaking him in."

The Captain didn't respond. There was no need to. Instead his belly shook, as he chuckled silently, and nodded his head, with his eyes closed – obviously taking delight in meeting the colorful array of combatants on this heroic team.

"Heh... Hey, Commander..." Joker interjected, with a chuckle of his own. "Now that the Reapers are dead, maybe we should recycle him into something more useful... Like a big screen HV."

Shepard rolled his eyes a bit at the remark, however unable to stop himself from smiling a bit at the notion. "Laugh it up, Joker..."

"Here we are..." The hostess announced, as she arrived at the table, with a physicist and an operative in tow. "Captain Ryback. More of your guests, sir."

"Ah, I was beginning to think the two of you weren't gonna show..." Shepard stated, standing up from his seat, as his eyes lit up with pride, and a wide grin grew on his face.

"We were... held up..." Miranda explained, with a bit of a smirk.

Gordon stood silently beside her. He took a dignified stance, and a calm demeanor, despite showing obvious signs of discomfort. His eyes seemed to drift a bit, and bat around the room, or towards the floor. And he kept his head tucked down into his shoulders a bit. But for the most part, he did his best not to let his minor social awkwardness get the better of him.

"Captain Ryback, may I introduce my second in Command, Miranda Lawson." Shepard announced, as Ryback stood up to properly greet the beautiful young woman. "Miranda's highly skilled, highly intelligent, and a powerful biotic."

"How do you do, Captain."

"Absolutely charmed, M'lady." Ryback humbly assured, as he reached for Miranda's hand, lowed his head, and gently kissed its back in a gentlemanly fashion.

Miranda gave a shy smile, as she retracted her hand back from his grip. She slowly stepped aside, revealing a nervous Freeman behind her.

"And Captain, it is with great pride, that I would like to introduce you to..."

"Good gracious, son!" The Captain exclaimed, cutting Shepard off, as he suddenly noticed Gordon. "Are you that anxious to get back into battle?" He scoffed, with a snicker, causing Freeman to raise a confused eyebrow. "Why the targeting visor?"

"Oh..." Gordon uttered nervously, suddenly realizing how out of place he probably looked, as he touched the sides of his visor with his fingers.

Despite the various readouts, and displays – he had completely forgotten he was wearing a device meant for the battlefield. After wearing them for a week or so now, he had grown as accustomed to them as he had to his normal glasses, or his HEV Suit.

"These are just temporary. I've been using them as a substitute, until I'm able to get my normal glasses repaired."

"Glasses...?" Ryback queried, perplexed. "You mean those things people wore over there eyes, back a hundred years ago...? Didn't you ever get the ocular enhancement, as a child...?"

"Uh, no... I..."

"Captain..." Shepard quickly interjected for Gordon. "Allow me to explain on his behalf. As I was saying, I'd like to introduce you to a man who I grew up idolizing."

Ryback turned towards the Commander as he explained, the puzzled expression still prominent on his face.

"Captain Ryback... this is Dr. Gordon Freeman. THEE... Doctor Gordon Freeman..."

"Gordon Freeman?" Ryback exclaimed in shock, as he pivoted his head back and forth between the Commander, and Gordon. "You mean the war hero...?"

Shepard only responded by nodding adamantly, with his arms crossed and a look of absolute certainty reflected in his eyes.

"Gordon Freeman?" An eavesdropping young woman exclaimed to herself, as she held her earpiece firmly in place with two fingers – listening intently from her place at a nearby table. "He can't be serious..."

She turned around in her seat, looking back towards the Captain's table - watching the three men converse, as she listened.

"The One Free Man, Gordon Freeman?" Ryback beseeched in disbelief. "The one you thanked in your speech? I thought you were just being figurative... Or... I don't know..."

The Captain stopped, and took a long, hard look at Gordon - examining him from top to bottom, with a perspicacious eye, as Gordon simply stood there, with a nervous, humble look on his face.

"Hmm..." The burly Captain uttered pensively, as he stroked his beard. "Well... Lord knows you do look exactly like every single picture of Gordon Freeman I've ever seen... "

"But how can this be him?" Ryback demanded dubiously, as he turned back to Shepard. "History says that Gordon Freeman died in a battle with the Combine, outside of White Forest... And even if he didn't, how could he still be alive?"

"Yeah, it can't be him!" The skeptic McClane declared to herself, as she listened. "No way!"

"Well, I can explain that too..." Shepard assured, as he looked at Gordon. "Although Dr. Freeman here was thought to be dead, he was never really killed. You see, he was taken, and put into biotic stasis, which is why his body was never found. It's a convenient explanation, I know. But it's the truth..."

Gordon watched powerlessly as the Captain and the Commander debated back and forth over his existence, and identity. He rolled his eyes a bit, as he let his shoulders slouch. But, this actually wasn't all that uncommon for him. He thought back a bit to his earlier days at Black Mesa, when his colleagues would argue back and forth, before eventually dumping their mindless, repetitive tasks onto him. He also remembered how Dr. Kleiner and Dr. Magnusson would go at it, while he and Eli simply stood and watched from the sidelines, often betting on the winner.

"I'm sorry, Commander..." Ryback rejected, adamantly shaking his head. "Not to question your word, but this is an awful lot to swallow... I mean, you're saying that this man is the greatest historic figure mankind has ever known... Do you have any proof for such an outrageous claim...?"

Shepard sighed, bowed his head, and shook it. "No, I can't offer you any sort of solid evidence..." He reluctantly admitted. "But I will say this... How else do you think we found an alien race that had been lost among the galaxy for over a hundred years...?"

"He was responsible...?"

"Yep..." The Commander affirmed with a confident nod. "Back in the twenty-first, sometime during the Earth Rebellion, the vortigaunts left some sort of beacon, or mark on Dr. Freeman. It gave them the ability to communicate with him, telepathically."

"What...?" Cameron whispered to herself, in wide eyed shock, as she listened.

"When he was brought out of stasis, they sensed him. And it was through him that they managed to communicate their exact location to us." Shepard explained, as he grinned at Gordon with a firm nod. "That's how we found Xen..."

Ryback turned to look at Gordon, his mouth agape, and eyes opened wide.

"Captain Ryack..." Shepard continued. "The man before you is the one responsible for saving humanity nearly two centuries ago... And if it weren't for him, we never would've found Xen. We never would've stopped the vorcha incursion on their homeworld... And their weapon would've been lost."

"Hell, we probably would've ended up scouring the galaxy for any forces we could muster – trying to unite them in a desperate campaign that might've been destined to fail... None of us might be here today, if not for him..." He declared, in a solemn tone, as Ryback kept his attention on a reserved Gordon. "So yes sir... This IS the One Free Man..."

"God in heaven..." Ryback uttered in a hushed, trembling, voice, as he very slowly, very humbly extended a hand towards Gordon. "For-Forgive me for doubting you, son... Let me tell you that it is... An honor beyond words... to meet the savior of humanity himself..."

Gordon raised his eyebrows, and bit down on his lips a bit at the illustrious greeting he was given, as he extended his own hand.

"An honor to meet you as well, sir..." He affirmed, modestly.

"Hehehehe..." Ryback erupted into a jovial chuckle, as the two shared a firm, hearty handshake. "And it's true what the codices say about you, isn't it? Man of few words, and many talents!" He exclaimed, with a merry laugh, as he patted Gordon on the back. "I will say, I imagined you taller, though..."