Second chapter! I got the update out as soon as I could.

Also, thank you to the people who have put my story on alert.

Now, back to the story.


Tali stood in the engine room pondering their newest assignment. Like Shpard, she too had a feeling of unease about this Geth occupation. She tried to concentrate on the broken electrical unit that she was trying to fix, but nothing could remove the splinter from the back of her mind.

"Why would the geth try the same strategy twice? Why didn't Admiral Hackett just contact Shepard on the Galaxy Map instead of gathering half the crew, and why was Captian Anderson with him?"

Obviously, there was something that the pair wasn't telling them about the mission. Maby they would tell them when they approached the nebula. After all, they still had a few hours left.

Tali was so preoccupied in her thoughts that she didn't notice all the nearby members of the crew salute as the commanding officer walked in the door.

"Hey, Tali."

She nearly jumped out of her skin. Or, environmental suit in the case of the Quarians.

"Oh, Shepard. I'm sorry, I didn't notice you come in. I was-"

"It's alright. Happens to me too."

Tali was still a little shaken from the suprise. In the past few days, she had been nervous when she was speaking to Shepard, but she didn't know why.

"He must think I'm crazy after that. What's wrong with me lately?"

Shepard went on. "You've already been briefed on our mission, right?" She nodded. "Then you know what we are headed into."

Tali knew very well what they were headed into. "Shepard, this may sound farfetched, but I think this whole thing is a setup. I mean think about it; the geth going to the exact same place and using the exact same tactics? That never happens."

Shepard forced a laugh. "Tell me about it."

For a second, Shepard paused as if he was unsure about what to say, as if his voice would quaver, but he quckly regained his composure and spoke.

"Look, Tali, I feel like you understand the situation better than anyone. I'm choosing you as one of my squad members for the assault. Plus, I've seen what you can do in combat. You're a hell of a soldier."

Tali smiled under her visor. "Well thanks, but you're still a little better than me."

Shepard laughed for real this time. "In any case, I'm telling you now so you can gear up and get ready. Wrex and Garrus will also be in the assault squad."

The Quarian beamed, and stood as tall as she could. "You can count on me Shepard!"

"Good. Now I just have to figure out how to fit four people in the Mako without us all getting crushed...I'll think of something."

As Shepard entered the elevator, Tail headed towards her locker. For some reason, she felt at ease now. Then, a deep voice that Tali didn't usually hear rang out.

"So, Shepard chose the Quarian to take on any army of geth with him. Sometimes I just don't understand humans..." Wrex was apparently not happy that the youngest member of the Normandy was going to be on the same mission with him. In fact, Tali and Wrex haden't seen eye to eye from day one. Their species couldn't be much more different, their personalities clashed, they just didn't go together.

Tali didn't let that stop her from trying to be friendly though. "Glad you're on this assignment too, Wrex."

"Just try not to loose it and run when the shooting starts." Wrex walked away after saying this, not giving Tali a chance to respond. Even though Tali had been with Shepard on many missions before, including the time they had defeated Saren and his Reaper, Wrex still treated her as if she had no experience at all. Like an inferior being.

She was tired of people stereotyping Quarians.

Deciding not to trouble herself over it, Tali turned back to the task of getting ready. She opened her locker to find a package inside.

"I didn't put that there..."

She opened it. Inside was a new shotgun, pistol, and omni-tool. She took each one out and examined them.

"They look like good weapons. I wonder who - Keelah!"

A closer look at the new arsonal revealed an astonishing detail; it was Specter gear. Tali also noticed a note in the box that she had overlooked before. She opened it, and her eyes wandered over the paper.

Thought these might come in handy. Use them well.

Tali was not used to receiving a gift of this sort. Shepard was the only one who had ever been unconditionally kind to her.

"Don't worry Shepard. I will."


"Approaching the Hong system. ETA, five minutes." Joker was always proud to make an announcement to the crew of the Normandy. Tali, Shepard, Garrus and Wrex stood in the cockpit.

Shepard adressed his squad. "Everyone ready?"

The three others nodded. The plan was simple: go in, kick ass, come out.

"Alright, once we get down on Solcrum, you know what to do."

The four headed for the Mako, not one saying a word. Tali was the first to reach the vehicle. Wrex was the first to break the silence.

"Wait, how the hell are we going to fit in there? You can't expect to tell me that you're going to cram the four of us into that damn car!"

Shepard was very brief. "I am."

Wrex frowned. "You're not serious."

"I'm serious."

Tali could barely keep herself from falling on the floor with laughter.

"Time to do what we do best."


And that's chapter 2! Sorry if the start seems slow, but I want to have a good setup.

Next chapter I promise there will be some action.