Disclaimer: Mass Effect belongs to BioWare and EA. This is merely my take on the universe.

SSV Andromeda
On approach to the Migrant Fleet
Bridge

Newly-promoted Staff Commander Kaidan Alenko was on the bridge with Joker when they caught their first glimpse of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. Joker's screen indicated the presence of more than fifty thousand ships, though only a few hundred true warships. Others had been converted for the purpose, but they were stopgap measures to ensure the fleet's safety while the warships were en route to any situations.

Kaidan whistled softly and wondered, "Why don't they find a planet off the beaten path to settle?"

Joker, who himself had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander, replied, "Hell if I know, Commander. It's probably political anyway."

Tali and Shepard entered the bridge at that moment and Tali opened a comm channel to the Fleet. "This is Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, requesting permission to dock with the Rayya."

The communications officer on the Rayya replied, "Our sensors have your vessel flagged as Systems Alliance. Verify."

Tali recited the phrase she had been taught for when she returned and all was well. "After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

The comm officer saw that her pass phrase matched the one on record for all being well for her. "Docking clearance granted. Welcome home, Tali'Zorah."

Tali muted the line for a moment and told her crewmates, "No offense, but," unmuting the line, "I'd like a security and quarantine team to meet us. Our ship is not clean."

Joker was almost offended by that request, but he remembered how messed up Quarian immune systems were and manged to keep his mouth shut for once.

'Blasted immune systems.' The comm officer replied, "Understood. Approach exterior docking cradle seventeen."

Shepard told his newly-minted Executive Officer, "Kaidan, you have the bridge."

Kaidan snapped a smart salute and said, "Aye-aye, sir!"


After the Andromeda came in to dock, the Rayya's captain, Kar'Danna vas Rayya met Shepard and Tali at his end of the docking cradle. He greeted them, "Captain Shepard vas Andromeda, thank you for delivering her home safely. Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, welcome home. Have you decided on a ship?"

Subconsciously edging closer to Beinir, she fidgeted as she answered, "As much as the Fleet would love to have me back, especially with the gift I bring, I want - feel they would be better served if I remained aboard the Andromeda."

The Quarian captain stood there for a minute, dumbfounded. Very few Quarians had requested to serve aboard an alien ship after they completed their Pilgrimage, and only after Admiralty Board approval. "I'll arrange a meeting with the Admirals currently aboard. I believe your father is among them. Head down to the garden plaza, I'll let them know."

Shepard quirked an eyebrow inside his helmet. "That was easier than I was expecting."

Tali nervously explained, "Quarians choosing to serve on, uh, alien, ships is not unheard of, just extremely rare. As far as I know, I would be the eighth Quarian to serve elsewhere after my Pilgrimage, if the Admiralty approves."

He put his hand on her shoulder and she relaxed somewhat when he asked, "I can see why your father would object, but what about the other admirals?"

"I don't know, it depends on who else is there." She grabbed his hand and told him, "Come on, the plaza is this way."


As they made their way to the plaza, Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay smiled under her faceplate. 'He may be human, but if her emails are anything to go by, he's a genuinely good man.' Shaking her head, she added, 'Ah, young love. I hope they survive to make it last.' She moved to intercept the pair.


Admirals Rael'Zorah, Han'Gerrel, and Daro'Xen stood in a corner of the plaza, all wondering what Tali'Zorah was going to request of them. All they had been told was that Tali needed to speak with them concerning her Pilgrimage. All of them were thinking something along the lines of 'Keelah knows what she has planned.'


Shala'Raan slipped in next to Tali and Beinir and introduced herself, "Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, it's good to see you back from your Pilgrimage."

Tali hugged the other Quarian after exclaiming, "Auntie Raan!" After their embrace, Tali made introductions, "Captain Beinir Shepard vas Andromeda, this is Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay."

'So that's my name according to Quarian customs? Maybe I should just go by Captain Shepard.' Having never been good with formalities, he simply shook her hand and asked, "You're Tali's aunt?"

Raan wasn't expecting diplomatic formality, and was thankful that Shepard was relatively laid-back. "Yes, although we are not related by blood, I essentially raised Tali. I'm sure she's told you about her father's dedication to the Fleet."

Shepard replied, "Yeah, she also mentioned that her mother passed when she was young."

Tali changed the subject by asking, "Is Father here?"

Though the others couldn't see it, Shala'Raan smirked as she informed them, "He is aboard, and he will be present for this meeting. He said he wanted to 'meet the man of my daughter's enormous crush.' His words, not mine."

For once, Tali was grateful that Beinir couldn't see her face beneath her faceplate, what with her blushing to no end. The man in question said, "Well, I can imagine the admirals hate to be kept waiting." Taking Tali's hand, he asked, "Shall we?"

As the trio made their way over to the other admirals, Tali answered, "Yes, let's get this done."