The World She Created
Ch 1
"In conclusion, Tali'Zorah, the changes to your genetic structure closely resemble those made to the Geth master code. Similar reports are coming from quantum communicators from Human, Turian, and Asari vessels throughout the Galaxy."
Tali took a moment to process everything Geth had described over the past hour. After they had sat at the home's dining room table, he had begun describing to her every detail the Geth fleet knew about the final battle. Commander Shepard had led the assault, destroying a reaper before going up against Harbinger. Though the fleet had confirmed his presence on the Citadel, everything after that was still unknown. The green light, why the reapers had left, the painless combination of organic and synthetic: everything was still a mystery.
At the very least the war was over. "Geth, are there any reports about the condition of Thessia or Palavan? How many survived there?"
"Our intelligence indicates that just over one third of the prewar population remains on both planets. The Asari might have been wiped out completely if the war had gone on any longer."
Tali sighed and clasped her hands together. The galaxy still had life. Life had changed, that much was for sure. But it had not ended.
"But what about me?" Tali whispered. "Why am I still here?"
Geth ran his omni tool over Tali's chest. She waited patiently as he analyzed the results.
"The changes in your DNA provided a working immune system that counteracted our chemical agent. It is remarkable how quickly your body produced antibodies. Your lungs sustained some damage from the infection. Though additional healing may occur, your lung capacity has been reduced by 22%. For the time being, you will be physically unable to perform strenuous activity for extended periods."
Tali nodded in reply, almost relieved that mortality was still a part of this new existence. "Any other changes?"
"Your body chemistry has been altered as well. It should be possible for you to utilize both left and right amino acids."
Tali shook her head. It didn't make any sense. She brought the conversation back to more important matters.
"Geth, what about the Normandy?"
"The Normandy made a jump through the Charon relay just before it was hit by the Crucible's blast. "It's last transmission took place 250 light years from this location."
"How long would it take to reach that point using a Geth dreadnought's FTL drive?"
"At maximum efficiency, a dreadnought would require seven months, two weeks and five days."
Tali stood. "We need to leave as soon as possible."
Life aboard a dreadnought was, at best, minimal. The lack of proper pressurization or atmosphere forced Tali back into her exosuit. Paste once again became her only food source. Fortunately, though, the Geth had provided her a comfortable place to sleep and a catalog of preserved Quarian literature on her datapad.
The literature lasted a week. Tali then took the hobby of roaming the ship by herself. The Geth, for the most part, left her alone. In many ways they were no different than a Quarian crew. Individuals had their own responsibilities: maintenance, armory, electrical. It was amazing to see the Geth do something other than shooting.
One morning in the third week Tali sat cross legged in one of the maintenance tunnels, watching two Geth Prime repair a conduit. They worked silently in the dim light, passing tools and cable between them. In the space of an hour they had only taken a single glance at Tali.
Tali could only admire their work: smooth and efficient. Without knowing it, she began to fidget with her hands. The desire to work, to repair technology, was still inside of her. The time to observe was over.
Tali approached the two Geth Prime. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
The Geth looked at one another before facing Tali. Tali had to brace herself; the memory of fighting so many Geth Prime still weighed heavily on her mind.
"We are nearly finished with this conduit, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. A similar problem is present fifty meters ahead in this tunnel. If you wish, you can assist in that repair."
Though neither Geth prime saw it, Tali smiled behind her mask. "Thank you."
With work to keep her busy, time passed extremely quickly on the dreadnought. Even so, Tali's thoughts often drifted to the Normandy. Would they find a beacon? Was anyone left alive?
Though the work kept her mind occupied most hours, her thoughts always returned these familiar questions after the end of every work shift. On many evenings she and Geth talked in her cabin. Even after spending sixteen hours a day navigating the ship, he quietly listened to Tali's hopes and fears.
One evening four months into the journey Tali had just finished describing her day: repairing metal fatigue near the engines. Near constant FTL travel was taking its toll on the dreadnought.
Sitting on her bed, Tali leaned against the wall. Geth sat on a nearby crate that Tali often used as a chair.
"Geth," Tali began, looking straight at him. "I want to ask you a question, but I don't want you to run any calculations. I don't want you to consult with the other Geth. I just want your opinion."
"Of course, Tali'Zorah."
"What do you think we'll find when we arrive?"
Geth remained still as he thought. Tali bit her lip. With Quarians, body language spoke volumes though it was impossible to see the other person's face. Geth had no such tell when he was thinking. A minute passed before he spoke.
"I think we will find some debris from the ship. Even that might take days once we arrive."
Tali swallowed hard and pulled her knees up to her chin. For many minutes the two said nothing to one another.
"If we find anything, I will be satisfied," Tali said, choosing her words carefully.
"Tali'Zorah," Geth continued after the moment had passed. "I was wondering if we would talk about something I I have been thinking about lately."
"What is it, Geth?"
"These last four months I have experienced individually. It has been...interesting to say the least. Processing everything I have been through, I believe I am ready to name myself."
Even in the face of their somber conversation, the announcement piqued Tali's attention.
"Well, don't keep it a secret. Tell me, what is it?"
"Helor'Vannis," he replied. "It was the name of the Creator who invented the first virtual interface over seven centuries ago. Without him, the Geth would never have existed."
Tali nodded in reply. She had learned about the original Helor'Vannis as a child.
"Since you know me more than any other individual, Tali'Zorah, please call me Helor."
"Helor," Tali repeated before adding, "please call me Tali, Helor."
"Tali."
The following three months passed with the same daily routine. After many sleepless nights for Tali, she finally found herself standing on the dreadnought's bridge. Helor stood a few feet away, analyzing a virtual star map. Other Geth units were stationed along the wall of the semicircular room. The ship was only minutes away from entering the sixteen square lightyear zone where the Normandy would be, if it still existed at all.
"How many planetary systems exist in this nebula?" Tali asked.
Fifty thousand Geth programs acting as the main ship computer replied in unison: "Sixteen, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Previous surveys indicate that nine systems have planets capable of sustaining life."
"Focus the first sensor sweeps on these planets. Check all Alliance frequencies."
"Yes, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Entering the nebula now. Sensor sweep will require fourteen hours. Beginning now."
Tali sighed, the exhaustion of the past few days catching up with her. Within seconds she felt as if she might collapse.
"Helor," Tali said, her voice wavering slightly. "I'm going to rest in my cabin. Let me know immediately if there are any developments." Tali whispered a prayer as she walked off the bridge.
Sunrise on Rannoch. Tali stood at the edge of the same cliff where she had tried to take her life. The memory caused her to take two steps back.
"Tali." The voice caused her to spin around.
"Shepard," she whispered. There he was, looking at her with those calm, collected eyes she never thought she would see again. The expression on his face was not that of the run down man trying to rally support to save the Galaxy from the Reapers. He looked the same as when they had first met, when she was more girl than woman, and he confident, strong, and sure.
She slowly approached. His expression did not change and she reached out and stroked his face with her bare hands. Only then did she notice she was wearing the dress Helor had given her.
"You look beautiful, Tali."
"Thank you." She embraced him, resting her head on his shoulder armor.
"I didn't want you to be alone," he whispered in her ear.
"I don't feel alone anymore," she replied.
"I'm glad. That's why I did it."
"What?" She looked into his eyes. He simply smiled.
"Why I made sure that you, or anyone else, would never again be alone in the galaxy."
"I don't..."
"Tali." The voice and touch acted like a shock bringing her out of sleep. Helor stood over her, a hand placed gently on her shoulder. "You need to return to the bridge. We have picked up a distress beacon. It is the Normandy."