Chapter 7 (Finale)
SSV Normandy SR2

Tali walked into Shepard's cabin. Even with his death now formalized, she couldn't bring herself to think of the room as anything but his. She was tired, her shoulders stiff and sore. Sleep had not come easily the past few nights, and her recent outings had been anything but relaxing.
She plopped down heavily in a chair facing the private terminal, burying her weary head in her hands. She needed to find the rest of her crew. If she didn't …… she'd have to face reality, try to come to terms with Shepard's loss. She wasn't ready. She was afraid she may never be.
Miranda had been tasked with contacting some of her sources, both to try to locate their friends as well as to keep her away from Jack, who was always eager for a fight. Strangely, the search had turned up absolutely nothing. Usually there would have been a number of false leads or confused sightings to sort through, but in this case, it was as though her remaining crewmates had disappeared. Tali had only one place left to turn. She would have to contact Liara, see if her information network could find anything that Miranda might have missed. She was hesitant to make the call, however. As Shepard's ex, Tali was certain she would want to talk about him, about his passing. Tali did not.
With a sigh, she activated the terminal. The monitor flickered to life, an alert appearing on the main screen. Tali's eyes narrowed. She had received a message, the return address tracing back to Illium. Tentatively, she opened her inbox and carefully read the short, cryptic message.

Tali,
My sources tell me you're gathering your crew together. Records have been erased, transport manifests altered. I don't know by who or how. I can't even be sure this terminal is secure. Go to Flux. One of my contacts will meet you there. They will provide you with the next step in your mission.
Keep safe Tali. Stay strong.
Shepard would have it no other way.

-Liara

Tali's brow furrowed. Who would want to cover up my crew's whereabouts? She thought. She activated her comm unit. "Joker, set course for the Citadel. Something strange is going on…" She said apprehensively.
Joker chuckled over the channel. "Something's weirded you out, so you want to go to the Citadel? Have you seen some of the games coming out of Shin Akiba? Now that's some freaky stuff. I played this one with an Asari and a Hanar, and they …"
"Just … fly the ship, Jeff." Tali interrupted with an amused groan.
"Oh … right." Joker replied sheepishly. "Have you there in no time, Cap."

Tali stepped from the Normandy's airlock onto the Citadel dock and was greeted by an unnervingly familiar sight. The walkway was lined by armed C-Sec officers, standing stiffly at attention. Her mind flashed back to the incident that had first initiated this series of misadventures. Shepard had told her of Udina's deception, of the charges that had been laid against him and of his arrest. She pictured the horde of gun-toting men storming onto the Normandy, carrying her off against her will. This was different, however. These men wore crisp dress uniforms, their weapons slung smartly over their shoulders. Tali cautiously made her way down the catwalk, her hand held behind her back, gripping the stock of her shotgun as she passed by the wall of soldiers. As she approached the end of the walkway, she found herself standing before an old friend, Councilman Anderson. Standing at his elbow was Advisor Udina, a contemptuous look on his face. Tali noticed a small dent in the bridge of his nose and smiled inwardly, admiring Shepard's handiwork.
"It's good to see you again, Miss Zorah." Anderson said in warm greeting. He noticed Tali's eyes anxiously scanning the armed crowd. "No one here will hurt you, you have my word." he assured, extending his hand.
Tali eyed him studiously. Although still in the prime of his life by human standards, it was apparent that the political machinations of the Council had taken its toll, making him look older, yet somehow more distinguished. His dark skin was creased around his eyes and brow, deep lines at the corners his mouth giving him a somewhat dour, stern visage despite his warm and supportive personality. His hard eyes, however, hinted at the near infinite well of strength that lie beneath his aging surface. Tali released her grip on the handle of her shotgun and traded it for Anderson's hand, shaking it sincerely. "It's nice to see a friendly face around here, Councilor." She said.
Anderson released from her grip and gestured towards the scores of men standing behind her. "We've come to pay our respects; to Shepard, his ship, and his crew." He said softly. "I don't think this, or anything I could possibly say could ever bring you any true consolation; but I knew Shepard for a long time, and I know that … if he could have chosen anything in the galaxy to give his life for … it would have been to save you and your friends, just as he opted to do."
Tali nodded silently, appreciating the sentiment, but unable to bring herself to respond. Anderson continued. "Once we've ... recovered Shepard from Therum … he'll be given a hero's funeral. The kind of service he deserves, despite all of this recent unpleasantness."
"For the last time, I have to object, Councilor." Udina interrupted. "The other members of the Council still view Shepard as the criminal that he was. Even ignoring the evidence of his involvement in dangerous, treasonous and, frankly, inhuman Cerberus experiments, he assaulted three C-Sec officers in his escape. Not to mention the attack on a ... public official … during his arrest." Udina rubbed his nose absent-mindedly. "Not only would a ceremony in his honor be a complete waste of the Council's funds, it would likely damage our already weakened standing with the other council races."
In an instant, Tali's heart turned from aching with sorrow to burning in rage, as though the Advisor had simply flipped a switch. "You shut you damned mouth, you bosh'tet!" She growled, jabbing a finger viciously into his chest. "If you ever speak of Shepard like that again, you'll need an army a hell of a lot bigger than this little welcoming party to keep me from quieting you."
"Tali's right, Advisor Udina. You answer to me, not the other way around." Anderson said, the lines on his brow deepening as he glowered at the man. "I think it's time you had the chance to truly get to know and respect Shepard for the man that he was. I want you to arrange the service personally. And if it doesn't live up to what Shepard deserved, you will answer to me."
Udina tried to hide a scowl, but nodded submissively. "Thank you, Councilman Anderson." Tali replied genuinely. "I appreciate everything your doing. I do have business on the Citadel, however. I really have to be going."
"Of course, Miss Zorah." Anderson replied, stepping aside. "I'll leave a few of my men behind to guard your ship and crew, ensure that you aren't further harassed."
Tali nodded, then made her way into the heart of the Citadel.

Flux had undergone several changes since Tali's last visit. After Shepard's triumph against Saren, and the subsequent fame that ensued, the various locations he had frequented received a healthy boost in business, and Flux was no exception. That, in addition to the invention of a portable cheating device, had lead to the removal of the casino on the upper level. With the Quasar machines absent, the space had been converted into a much larger seating area to accommodate the growing clientele, tables and booths packed with people, talking, laughing and drinking. The dance floor had been extended, now stretching across most of the lower level, and the bar had been enlarged, its tabletop glowing brightly as patrons of various species sat, nursing their beverage of choice.
Despite the renovations, the club had managed to retain its remarkable atmosphere, a delectable feast for the senses that Tali couldn't resist. The lighting was dim, the intermixing glow of crimson and azure glinting off the polished deck plates. Flashes of bright fabrics drew the eye, waving and twisting as people slowly undulated on the dance floor. The spicy smell of exotic liquors and foods at the bar mingled with the sweet scent of perfumes wafting off of the nearby dancers, filtering through her helmet. Underpinning it all was the subtle, ever-present music, softly burbling its electronic beat, instantly transforming the cold steel of the Citadel into a world of carefree excitement and pleasure.

She made her way across the dance floor, heading towards the stairs. She fought back a smile as she spotted Doran, the club's owner, awkwardly wiggling his round body to the rhythms of the room. She mounted the steps, and surveyed the second level, looking for anyone familiar. Finding no one, she took a seat at a table in the center of the room where she could be seen should her contact enter. After several minutes of restless waiting, a server approached her table. He smiled politely and placed a drink in front of her, then turned to leave.
"Umm… I … I didn't order this." She called after him.
The waiter swiveled his head and pointed towards the far side of the room without breaking his stride. "It's from the elderly gentleman seated in the corner."
Tali looked in the indicated direction and spotted an older-looking man sitting at a small table, his face slightly downturned, staring at the floor. He was hunched over a gnarled wooden cane despite being seated, leaning heavily on it, as though the weight of a life hard-lived physically pressed down on his shoulders. Tali stood and picked up the glass, winding her way past various tables as she approached the stranger. As she got closer, she studied him carefully. He wore a long, woolen coat that would likely have stretched past his knees, were he standing. Though it had likely been a dark earthen brown at one point, many long years of use had left it faded to a pale tan, frayed at the edges. His hands were covered in dark leather gloves, cracked and broken with age. A hood extended from the collar of his overcoat, draping lazily over his head, ensconcing his eyes in dark shadow. The lower half of his face was covered by some manner of bulky, medical breathing apparatus, every lung-full of air rattling with a mechanical hum.

Tali approached cautiously, setting the glass on the table. "Umm… Thank you … you know, for the drink." She stammered, "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm actually here looking for someone."
The man looked up slightly. Although his eyes remained cloaked in darkness, she could make out the subtle sparkle of the lights reflecting off their surface. "I'm someone." He said with a slight chuckle, his voice heavily distorted by the breath unit. "You found me. Will I do?"
Tali bowed her head, embarrassed by the man's flirtatious tone. "Well, uhh … thanks anyways, but I should probably be getting back to my table." She murmured as she turned to leave.
"You know, the first time I came to this club …" The man said in passing, "someone very special to me told me something. It seems she was quite fond of the music here…" There was a loud snap and a muffled hiss as the man removed the breathing device from his face. "Ever since that day, I've loved this music. Just listening to it, it's as though I can see her standing in front of me, as captivating as the first day that I laid eyes on her."
Tali's heart jumped into her throat, his voice sparking something inside of her. She spun quickly on her heel. Although the worn-out cloak still obscured his eyes, a familiar smile was spread across his lips.
Reaching up and pulling back his hood, Shepard's eyes glittered against the darkened backdrop of the room as he looked over Tali's face as though he hadn't seen it in years. "The first time I buy you a drink, and you turn me down?" he teased with a smirk.
Overcome by emotion, Tali bolted forward, leaping over the table and pouncing into Shepard's lap. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly against her. "Shepard …… Shepard …" She sobbed as she held him close, taking simple reassurance in the sensation of his body against hers. He slowly stroked her back, whispering softly, trying to comfort her. After some time, she pulled herself together and leaned back. Her eyes narrowed angrily. She brought her hand back and slapped him viciously across the face. Shepard recoiled, meeting her glare, his eyes hurt and confused. "You left me to believe you were dead ... again!" She said, her voice indignant. "I thought I had watched you die on Therum!"
Shepard's eyes fell. His joy at seeing her again quickly turned to abject fear at the possibility that he might lose her forever as a result of his actions. "I … I'm sorry, Tali. It was the most painful thing I've ever had to do. I couldn't … Everyday, I …"
Tali put a finger to his lips. She lifted his face and hurriedly removed her visor, placing it on the table behind her. She leaned in and kissed him, pressing her lips into his with a desperate passion as tears streamed down her face. She placed her hands on the back of his head as their lips slid over one another. Tali pulled back slightly, her bright eyes staring deeply into his. "Thank you … for finding me, like you promised you would."
Shepard slipped off one of his gloves and brought his hand to her cheek, gently wiping away her tears with his thumb. After a long moment, enthralled by her delicate face, he reached to the table and picked up her visor, placing it in her hand. "I just got you back, Tali." He said softly. "I don't want to lose you to some infection."
Tali smiled. "I carry antibiotics with me. I should be fine." She leaned in, her face next to his cheek, so close that her lips brushed against his ear. "A fever I can survive." She whispered softly. "But another minute without feeling your skin on mine, without the taste of your lips … that's just something I couldn't live with."
As she pulled back, Shepard couldn't help but quickly steal another kiss before she sealed her faceplate once more. Shepard slid his glove back on, then playfully reached down and slipped his hands under her bottom. He stood, lifting her with him, her legs wrapped about his waist. Tali giggled softly as his hands moved to her back, allowing her to slide back down to her feet. He picked up his breathing unit with one hand, and his cane with the other. Tali watched as he shifted his weight from his left leg to the cane with a sigh of relief, then looked to his face. "What happened?" She said with concern.
Shepard smiled warmly. "Well, I wasn't killed in the Collector attack, but that didn't stop them from trying." Tali stepped to his side and tucked her arm into his. "We should get back to the Normandy." Shepard said. "I need EDI's help with something."

As the two made their way down the steps, a familiar voice carried to them from the bar. Shepard looked over and spotted Advisor Udina sitting on a stool. The bartender had just slid him a drink, and Udina continued ranting angrily. "…and now, as if I don't have enough to deal with, I have to plan Shepard's bloody funeral. And it's all thanks to that Quarian bi***. I swear, purging their embassy here on the Citadel was no where near punishment enough. Those thieves shouldn't even be allowed to come within sight of the station, let alone visit it."
Shepard ground his teeth, his eyes blazing. Tali's gaze fell to the floor, yet still she tugged softly on his arm. "Let's … let's just go. The crew is waiting …" She murmured.
"No, no." Shepard said, patting her hand calmly. He looked to her with a roguish grin. "If I don't correct him when he's wrong, he'll never learn."
Shepard sidled up to the bar and took a seat to the left of the Advisor. He placed his right hand on the counter, the breath mask clasped tightly in his fist. "So … you don't care for Quarians, huh?" he asked casually.
Udina eyed his glass tediously. "…a pack of vagabonds and panhandlers, if you ask me." He muttered sorely.
Shepard turned, an eyebrow raised. "Just how the hell did you get into politics with an attitude like that?"
Udina looked to him, confused. His eyes sprang wide as he recognized Shepard's face, his skin blanched, his chin quivering in shock. Shepard snarled and swung his right hand outwards, slamming the mask into Udina's face with brutal force. The Advisor was knocked from his seat, lying dazed on the floor as blood poured from his re-broken nose. Shepard stooped down, lifting Udina up by the collar of his jacket. "You had best take some time off, reconsider your world view, because if I ever hear you spouting off that kind of bigoted bullsh** again, I will gladly volunteer to arrange your funeral."
Shepard dropped the humbled man to the floor. He reached to the bar and picked up the glass, quickly downing its contents. He turned back around. "Thanks for the drink…" he muttered as he stepped over the Advisor, crumpled on the ground. He made his way back to Tali's side and the pair walked towards the door, the crowd parting nervously before them. Doran stood beside the exit, his arms folded across his chest. Shepard reached into his pocket and retrieved a credit chit, holding it out to the Volus club owner. "Sorry for the trouble." He said apologetically. "I hope this covers it."
Doran looked him over for a moment, then snickered. He waved his hand dismissively. "You can keep it. I recognize you, Shepard. The last time you came in here, my client base tripled. This can only be good for business." He said with a chuckle.
Shepard grinned, then lead Tali through the door.

After collecting Thane, hiding in a shadowy corner of the Wards, Shepard donned his disguise once more. With Tali's help as Acting Captain of the Normandy, the three were able to easily slip past the guard's Anderson had posted and board the ship. The crew's reactions were varied, but all displayed their cheer in there own way. Garrus and Zaeed simply smirked, infinitely impressed with their Commander's resilience and resourcefulness. Grunt bellowed enthusiastically, thumping Shepard's shoulder powerfully. Jacob and Miranda smiled in relief, but Shepard could see in their eyes that neither had ever truly expected to see him again. A stream of vulgarities poured from Jack's grinning lips the likes of which none within earshot had ever heard before. Kal'Reegar welcomed him aboard with a friendly handshake, a sentiment Shepard returned with a smile. Doctor Chakwas embraced her Commander warmly, chastising him light-heartedly for worrying his friends. For the first time since their meeting, Joker was completely silent, words escaping him. His pride and glowing respect, however, was evident in his joyous smile, spreading from ear to ear.
After the gracious welcome, Shepard ordered Joker to depart and retired to his cabin for a quick shower. Refreshed, he slipped back into his armor, once more welcoming the support of the incorporated leg-brace. Although he still walked with a pronounced limp, he was far more comfortable, and was once again able to run short distances if required. Giving a final stretch and twist, aligning the plating properly, he made a ship-wide announcement, asking the crew to convene in the briefing room.

Standing at the head of the table, Shepard paced slowly back and forth, describing his recent ordeals in great detail. After relating the specifics of his infiltration and escape from the Inter-Species Prothean Collections Museum, Jacob leaned forward. "So … if Liara was unable to locate the planet in question … why come out of hiding now?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
"Well, among other reason," Shepard said, his eyes unintentionally shifting to Tali, "The database I accessed on the Citadel provided me with what looks like the last piece of the puzzle." He quickly activated his omnitool and typed furiously. Suddenly, the holo-emitters embedded in the table activated, and a three dimensional representation of a solar system appeared, floating above its surface. Twelve planets of varying size slowly circled a central red giant. "I've put together this model based off of the information I've received so far." He muttered, pointing towards the sixth planet, a small terrestrial world with a thick atmosphere. "This is the planet we're looking for."
Garrus cocked his head to the side, eyeing the rotating orb. "So if we know what the system looks like, and we know it's somewhere in the Shrike Abyssal, why can't anybody find it?" he queried.
Shepard grinned. "Because it's not there. At least not anymore." He typed a few more commands into his omnitool, and a small counter appeared above the display. It read 50, 313 Years Before Present. With the press of one more key, the orbital model rapidly picked up speed, the various planets whipping about the star with mind-numbing speed, the ticker quickly decreasing. After several minutes of this dizzying fast forwarding, the display slowed once more, the date emblazoned overhead, 50, 006 Years Before Present. Across the three hundred year span of time, the red giant appeared to have grown slightly. Reinforcing this point, Shepard pointed to the central star. "After hundreds of years of studying whatever artifact they had brought to this planet, it became apparent to the Prothean researchers that their sun was nearing its end, likely to go supernova sometime within the next hundred years."
Miranda sat back in frustration. "So all of this was for nothing?" She asked, annoyed. "A stellar explosion of that size would have destroyed every planet in the system."
"Normally, you would be right." Shepard replied with a nod. "But in this case, things aren't quite so cleanly cut. Whatever the Protheans found, or whatever technology was born of that discovery, was able to create enormous mass effect fields, fields the size of which no species in Citadel space has ever been able to come close to. They used this power to alter their planet's mass, throwing it out of its orbital path." Just as he had finished explaining the concept, the model of the small planet slipped out of the normally circular corridor of its orbit and was slung at remarkable speed out of the system.
Joker rolled his eyes. "Great, so now not only do we have to find a system that doesn't exist anymore, we also have to find a rogue planet screaming through empty space somewhere. We'd have a better chance of finding Elcor gymnast."
Shepard chuckled. "Just watch…" he muttered as he typed the last few commands into his omnitool. Again, the system began to accelerate, racing forward through time as the star slowly expanded until eventually it slowed, the clock reading 49,921 Years Before Present. The system rotated peacefully for several seconds, the planets passing serenely before the swollen red giant. Without warning, the crimson star suddenly collapsed in on itself, crushing down to a singular point with incredible speed. For a second longer, all appeared calm, the bright white point at the system's core dimly illuminating the small space. A moment later, however, the briefing room was flooded with a blinding light as a wall of stellar plasma exploded outward from the small singularity, shrieking through space in all directions. The wave-front tore through the system with unstoppable force, shattering the rocky inner planets, their cores spilling outwards like arterial spray. The explosion continued outwards, reaching the gas giants. Their thick atmospheres were instantly ignited, giving them the momentary appearance of tiny suns before they were entirely consumed. The destructive wall eventually slowed, cooling, forming a globular shape composed of gases, ice and dust. At the center of the colorful mass, where the red giant had once rested, a bright light slowly blinked like a lighthouse at sea. Shepard reached into the holographic display and pointed to the flashing light. "There's our key." He said confidently. "EDI, check the records of the Shrike Abyssal. Can you find any listing of a gaseous nebula containing an X-ray pulsar? It has a pulsing period of around six and a half seconds."
There were several moments of silence before EDI's monotone voice filled the room. "Yes, Commander, such a nebula does exist. The inhabitants of the Abyssal have termed it the Bettel Nebula."
Shepard grinned excitedly. "Right, now, treating that pulsar as the star in question, and given the date the planet broke orbit, its position in the solar system, and its orbital speed, could you estimate where the planet may be today, and cross-reference that point with local scans to see if any rogue planets have been detected?"
"Standby…" EDI intoned.
After several long minutes of waiting, Joker began to fidget in his seat. "Uhh … EDI? Are you still working on that?" He asked, impatiently tapping his fingers on the table.
EDI's holographic form appeared at the end of the table. "If you would prefer to formulate the answer yourself, Jeff, I could provide you with a calculator." She replied calmly.
Joker's eyes bulged as he closed his mouth and hurriedly folded his hands politely in his lap.
After another lengthy moment, EDI responded. "I have completed the calculation, and verified the results against local databases. One of the distant survey stations in the Valhallan Threshold has detected a rogue planet passing by the star cluster. The location reported is within one half million kilometers of the position predicted by my calculations, a miniscule margin of error by interstellar standards."
Shepard nodded, his eyes bright. "Joker, set a course. Everyone else, suit up. It's time we finished this."

The shuttle's thrusters fired, slowing its descent as it settled into a clearing in the surrounding forest. Shepard was the first to step out after the hatch had slid open. This was the same clearing as in his vision, but the world had changed a great deal over the passing fifty thousand years. With the absence of a star to provide light, the dense, tropical foliage had long since wilted and died, leaving only trunks and rotted leaves. The bitter cold of interstellar space had flash frozen the world, the once dewy air now dry and harsh. Given the brutal climate of the rogue planet, the entire crew had been outfitted with vacuum sealed armored suits to defend against the elements. Despite the dramatic transformation, the world retained a kind of quiet beauty. The planet was pitch back beyond the small pool of light provided by the shuttle and the crew's portable lamps. Shepard quickly surveyed the area. Thin icicles hung from the frozen fronds of nearby trees, the ground scattered with iced leaves. With every step, the petrified turf crunched beneath his boots. The sky overhead was alive with stars, twinkling brightly in the inky black of space.
Shepard waved for his team to follow as the group cautiously approached the nearby walkway. The stones of the path were just as Shepard had seen them, pure and white, though now a thin layer of frost coated their surface. As he stepped from the frozen jungle onto the path, he looked down the shallow trough in the direction of the Prothean ruins. His eyes bugged at the sight that lay before him. EDI's voice echoed through his comm unit. "Commander, temperature readings on the planet's surface currently read minus one hundred thirteen degrees Celsius. Even with your armor, your team will only survive a short time in that environment. I suggest you find shelter quickly."
"I …… I don't think that's going to be a problem …" Shepard muttered, staring at the end of the path. Towering before him was a massive geodesic dome, a dull crimson light glowing through its triangular glass panels. It climbed in a shallow arc, its exterior frosted in ice.
Tali came to Shepard's side. "What's the matter, Commander?" She asked, eyeing the curious structure.
Shepard retrieved his pistol and gripped it tightly. "This … this is new. It wasn't here before." He replied, turning to the rest of his crew. "Weapons at the ready."
The group bristled with armaments as they slowly approached the dome. Where the path met the construct, a wide metallic door stood, a small control panel glowing nearby. Shepard eyed the entrance appraisingly before stepping forward and raising his pistol. "Tali, I want you to hack that door. Everyone else, provide cover."
Tali slunk towards the control panel as the crew leveled their weapons at the hatch. She touched a single key and the entrance slid open. Shepard carefully examined the chamber beyond, what seemed to be some type of airlock. "Well done, Tali, that was the fastest hack I've ever seen."
Tali's voice dripped with suspicion. "It … it wasn't locked …" she replied.
Shepard's head quirked to the side, apprehensive. After several moments of consideration, he waved his squad on. "Everyone on your guard, there's no knowing of what's waiting for us on the other side."

As the crew entered the small room, the outer door sealed shut and the thrumming of pumps sounded. The frigid, dry air was quickly replaced with a steaming tropical breeze, moisture condensing on the armor of all present, dripping off of helmets and fingers. With a gentle hiss, the interior door slid open. Shepard cautiously stepped out and found himself standing in a world of the distant past. Lush greenery surrounded him on all sides, not only alive but thriving. Shepard looked over his head. The metallic joints between the glass panels of the curving roof above glowed with a dull ruby light, reflecting softly off of the dew covered stones of the path. A small flock of what appeared to be tiny flying rodents nattered as they soared through the artificial sky. He turned to see his crew just as awed as he was. Grunt slowly reached up, attempting to remove his bulky helmet. "Armor remains sealed." Shepard barked. "We have to be ready to make a hasty retreat if need be."
Grunt muttered angrily, but ceded the point. His pistol held forward, Shepard lead the group inwards. Before long, they reached the end of the path. The crew was enthralled with the view before them, stopping to stare in slack-jawed wonder. The deep rift in the ground remained exactly as it had been in Shepard's vision, the circular waterfall spilling forth torrents of foaming, white water into the pit below. The central mesa rose out of the cleft, the wide platform of its summit supporting the crowning jewel of the ruin. The massive building of smooth, jade-tinted stone and black steel stretched towards the sky, its highest peak nearly touching the dome above. While the rest of the squad ogled the vista, Shepard scanned the area, a sense of deep foreboding surging through his body like an electrical current. He remembered the four bridges that connected the central island to the surrounding walkway like the spokes on a wheel. He turned to his crew. "Alright, pay attention. Here's the plan. We'll divide into four strike teams, each taking a bridge. We'll proceed inwards and surround the main structure, securing it."
The crew stood before him, ready to be given their roles. "Tali and I will take this first bridge. Garrus, you and Jacob will take the one to the right. Zaeed, you'll lead with Jack and Reegar. I want you on the left bridge. Miranda, you'll take Grunt and Thane and head for the bridge opposite us. Everyone check in once you've reached your positions."

Miranda's unit, having to travel the furthest, was the last to check in. "We're in position and awaiting your orders, Shepard." She said over the comm. Shepard turned to Tali. She slapped her shotgun into her hand, her eyes bright with excitement. "Ready when you are, Commander." She assured him.
Shepard nodded, keying in his comm. "Understood. All teams …" His order was cut off by a rustling in the nearby jungle. Shepard stepped forward, eyeing the foliage suspiciously.
Suddenly Zaeed's voice roared over the comm. "Bloody hell! I have incoming!" Weapons fire echoed through the open space.
Miranda yelled over the comm channel, reporting in between shouted orders. "They … they must have been waiting for us … Grunt, take the shot! Take the shot!"
Shepard heard a small explosion from the right-most bridge as Garrus' voice broke through the static. "Jacob is holding them off with his biotics, but we can't last long like this …"
The rustling trees brought Shepard's mind back to the task at hand. He peered into the dark undergrowth just in time to see cause of the recent chaos. Brushing aside the leaves of a tall shrub, a Collector drone stepped out of the lush foliage, its exoskeleton glistening with moisture. It quickly raised its rifle, leveling it at Shepard. Shepard hastily lifted his pistol and fired blindly as he turned and dashed towards Tali, who was already crouched low beside the short walls of the bridge, firing into the surrounding jungle. Ducking into the negligible cover provided by the stone railing opposite Tali, he looked back to see a horde of Collectors materializing out of the tree line, stepping over the drone Shepard had downed. Tali and Shepard alternated firing, trying to keep the incoming force off balance for as long as they could. On his turn, Shepard stretched upward and fired. As he crouched back down, he spotted movement from the corner of his eye. He turned and spotted a small battalion of drones marching down the narrow bridge, weapons raised. Acting quickly, he leapt to Tali's side of the bridge, pressing his back against hers. He began firing rapidly into the new-found wall of insect warriors. "They're coming from both sides!" He shouted to Tali, loading another thermal clip. "Keep firing! It's our only chance." Shepard tried to force confidence into his voice, but he already knew the score. They had little to no cover, limited thermal cartridges, and were surrounded on all sides by an enemy of infinitely superior numbers. We'll need a miracle to survive this Shepard thought as he watched the bolt scorching from his hand canon punch through a Collector's hardened face.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than an ominously familiar voice echoed through the dome. "Assuming direct control…" A Collector drone crossing the bridge suddenly lifted from the damp stone, and amber light bursting forth from the cracks in its thick carapace. As the drone dropped back to its feet, its fellow Collectors swarmed around, moving and circling, allowing Shepard to the see the possessed creature, but denying him a clear shot.
Shepard scoffed. "As if it wasn't bad enough already, now we have to contend with Harbinger too."
Tali peered over her shoulder at the Collector in question. "Oh Keelah …" She muttered, turning her attention back to the incoming jungle forces.
The dark voice once more rattled through Shepard's mind. "Harbinger does not command these forces, or this individual." It seethed. "I am Forsaken. I have been given authority in this matter. My drones have not executed acts of aggression. I ask that you cease hostilities."
Shepard quickly assessed in the situation. Both his and Tali's shields were undamaged, and in the heat of battle, he had failed to notice that not a single member of the Collector forces had opened fire. The drones stood around him, their weapons aimed, but they refused to actually shoot. After a moment's reflection, Shepard tucked his pistol away and activated his comm unit. "All teams stand down. The Collectors aren't attacking, at least not yet." After several more shots cracked through the air, the dome fell silent once more.
The unique drone, its body scintillating in golden light, stepped forward. "If you will follow this vessel peacefully," Forsaken intoned, the possessed drone gesturing to itself, "my forces will disperse, and we may discuss terms."
Shepard stood, Tali at his side. "Terms?" He asked in confusion. "What terms?"
The drone turned and began walking towards the central structure as the army of Collectors slunk back in the jungle. "The terms of a truce, Shepard. We seek a truce." Forsaken's voice echoed.
Shepard keyed in his comm as he and Tali followed the drone. "Everyone converge on the Prothean structure. Something's … developed."

Gathered together once more, the crew followed the single drone through a massive archway leading into the heart of the facility. At first, the interior appeared to be built of the same teal stone as the pillar on which it stood, joined seamlessly as though grown. The walls were carved with remarkable Prothean sculptures, beings lounging in tall seats, their tendriled faces bowed towards the ground. Before long, however, the stone became marked by thick plates of black metal, joining splits and cracks. As they continued walking, the dark steel became more and more prevalent, until eventually the entirety of the interior was nothing but matte black plates, large pipes and wires decorating the walls and passageways. Eventually the group found themselves standing before a large metallic door. "Releasing control…" Forsaken's voice bellowed. The possessed drone arched its back painfully as the glowing light receded. After it had recovered from the ordeal, it simply turned and left as though nothing had occurred. Beside the door, a small terminal lit up. With a quiet hum, the holographic representation of a Collector general appeared floating above its surface.
Shepard stepped forward cautiously. "Before we get into anything, I have to know … What is this place? What happened here? What did the Protheans find?"
The Collector general sat silently for several moments before responding. "Very well." Forsaken replied. "Understanding will be reached."
Suddenly, every muscle in Shepard's body contracted. His chest felt as though it were on fire, his injured ribs being slowly crushed by his own body. His arms shot painfully to his side, his head slamming backward. He felt the uncontrollable urge to shriek in agony, but his lungs seized, denying him breath. His head began to swim as he was lifted from his feet, his legs scrabbling to regain the ground. He felt the veins in his hands and feet burst excruciatingly. His back arched, his body quaking with pain. A blast of light exploded from the terminal, bathing the room in a crimson glow, robbing Shepard of his consciousness.
Tali screamed, running forward. She felt the powerful hands of Kal and Garrus holding her back, fearing she may do more harm than good if she interrupted whatever process had begun. Tali fought and struggled, fear fueling her strength to levels she hadn't thought possible. She surged forward, breaking the grasp of her crewmates just as Shepard dropped, gasping to the floor. She raced to his side, sliding to the ground. Shepard fought back up to his hands and knees. He struggled to remove his helmet, coughing and gagging. Tali helped him break the seals and pulled his mask away. Blood spattered across the floor as he torturously gasped for breath. His nose was bleeding profusely, forming small pools on the stone below him. "My god …" he stammered between dry heaves, "They … they did it to themselves … they …" With a racking cough, his dropped to his side and rolled to his back, his head in Tali's lap, allowing her to see the sorry state of his appearance. Blood was smeared across the entire lower half of his face, his lips cracked and bleeding. His eyes darted from side to side, the whites now colored a dark scarlet from ruptured vessels.
Seeing him in such a way tore Tali apart inside. She hauled him up into her arms, hugging him closely, his head cradled against her shoulder as she slowly rocked him back and forth, cooing softly. She could feel tears burning down her cheeks as she gently ran her fingers through his hair and down his cheek. "It's alright Shepard." She hushed quietly. "I'm here. I've got you."
Shepard looked up into her visor, her bright eyes tinted with concern. "… They did it to themselves, Tali …" he muttered, slowly coming to his senses. He struggled to sit up. Tali helped him back to his unsteady feet. "I understand now …… I know what happened." He whispered, his voice dripping with remorse. "I was wrong about … about everything."
Tali looked at him nervously, her hand stroking his cheek once more. "What do you mean?" She asked, handing him back his helmet.
"I was wrong, Tali." He muttered, replacing his helmet and attaching the seals. "I had it all wrong." He glared over at the terminal. Balling his fists, his marched over and slammed his hand down on the console. The massive door slowly began to slide open. "And that," Shepard said, jabbing a finger at the hologram floating above the terminal, "is not a Collector general…"

As the door opened, a wave of dry, hot air shot out like a blast furnace. The chamber beyond was massive, its roof arcing high overhead. The entire floor was a single grate of dark steel, supported my thick chains reaching to the ceiling and massive crisscrossing beams beneath the metallic surface. The crew looked down apprehensively. Below the dense mesh, a pit of unimaginable size descended downward, reaching deep into the molten core of the planet. The entire room was filled with a hellish glow, under-lit by the magma below. Although this was a remarkable thing to be seen, Shepard and his crew barely noticed it, staring deep into the chamber with a mixture of awe and terror. In the center of the room there was a wide hole in the grated floor. Through this gap, a number of thick conduits extended deep into the bowels of the world, absorbing the perpetual heat. These conduits attached onto the underbelly of a creature of nightmares; an enormous monstrosity of black steel, molded into the shape of a Collector general. It stood tall, its numerous tiny legs perched around the edge of the central hole. Although it's exterior was reminiscent of a Collector general, its exoskeleton was incomplete, deformed. Large, gaping cracks dotted its dark hide, glowing brightly with the geothermal heat of the planet. A vast fissure spread vertically down its face, waves of scorching air rising out of it. Its massive head inclined slightly, its luminous yellow eyes taking in the tiny creatures standing before it.
Garrus' mouth hung wide open. He tapped Shepard on the shoulder without breaking his gaze. "Is … is that what I think it is?"
Shepard simply nodded morosely. "Like I said, I was wrong." He explained. "Remember how I said that the Protheans had found some kind of ancient remains? The remains of a species that possessed vastly superior technology, a technology that I had hoped we could use as a defense against the Reapers? Well, that ancient species was the Reapers. The Protheans discovered a heavily damaged and dormant Reaper. They brought it here for study."
The crew flinched as the metallic titan in the center of the room spread its many arms towards the walls around it. "Behold the remnants of my forbearers." Forsaken said, its voice echoing through the vaulted chamber.
Shepard turned back to his crewmates, "The Protheans built this facility out if its remains. And just like that derelict Reaper we boarded, its body may have been dead, but its mind continued to echo through these halls. It slowly indoctrinated the researchers, driving them insane. It convinced them to build a new Reaper from its unused parts. The researchers cloned massive amounts of Prothean genetic material and used it to build … that." Shepard said, pointing at the creature before them. Created out of reused components, it was a great deal smaller than most Reapers, but it still towered stories above Shepard's head.
Miranda stepped forward, eyeing the beast curiously. "So, this is the Prothean Reaper that EDI theorized about? The one that failed?"
Shepard nodded. "It was some problem with the combination of used parts and cloned genetic material. It never formed properly, never developed its own energy systems. It's entirely dependant on this planet's geothermal heat to power itself."
Tali placed a hand on Shepard shoulder, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wait … we've learned that Reapers tend to look like whatever species they're built from. And we know that, although the Collectors share the same genes as Protheans, they likely look nothing like them. So … why does this Prothean Reaper look like the Collectors?"
Shepard looked at her, his face cool and unwavering. "The Prothean Reaper doesn't look like the Collectors. The Collectors look like the Prothean Reaper." He turned to face his entire squad. "We're standing in the birth place of the Collectors." The team quickly traded shocked glances before looking to Shepard for elaboration. "When Forsaken's development stalled, the Reapers needed a second plan, another force to help them sweep through the galaxy. So Forsaken took it upon himself. He had the indoctrinated researchers … operate on each other. They installed implants, removed non-essential organs, spliced DNA, mutilating themselves into its image …… they turned themselves into the Collectors."

Forsaken looked down, its eyes focused solely on Shepard. "Enough. This is insignificant. Conditions must be agreed upon." It uttered, its voice reverberating through the grated floor.
Shepard cautiously approached the deformed Reaper. "What are you proposing?" He asked warily.
Forsaken leaned forward, its jagged claws sliding to the floor on either side of Shepard, its colossal head hovering before his face. "You, Shepard, have achieved something that very few in our infinite existence ever have. You, as an individual, have caused us great pain and difficulty. You destroyed Nazara, our vanguard, whom you knew as Sovereign. You destroyed our injured brethren, whom awaited our return in the system you have termed Thorne. Throughout our existence, we have always faced opposition and casualties at the hands of galactic civilizations. The instances of an individual doing such, however, are so few as to be nearly unfathomable. On these rare occasions, we seek alternatives to combat. We do not wish further conflict with you, Shepard. We seek a truce."
Shepard arched his brow, shocked at the turn of events. "Are … are you saying you want peace?" He asked, trying to keep the surprise from entering his voice.
Forsaken tilted its head, almost as though finding the concept amusing. "No." It stated, its voice denying any rising hopes. "There can be no peace. We exist to consume. Your collective species exist to die. This is the cycle of the universe, as it always has been and as it always will be. We will invade. Life will be extinguished. It cannot be stopped. It cannot be avoided. Peace is an organic ideal which does not truly exist. We do not seek war. We do not seek conflict. We seek only the destruction of those civilizations that have developed by our intervention."
Shepard's eyes narrowed furiously. "If not peace, than what kind of truce is this? What could you possibly offer me?"
Forsaken's head loomed even closer, the heat bellowing from the massive rift in its face causing steam to rise from Shepard damp armor. "We offer you the same as we offered those troublesome few individuals that came before you. Life." It droned ominously. "We offer you your life. Do as they did, and accept."
"Never." Shepard replied without hesitation. "My life is of no consequence if my friends, my family, are all dead."
Forsaken turned its head, taking in Shepard's crew. "You learned of me when I shared with you my mind. But I have learned of you as well. I know of your wants, your needs, your desires. Your may have your ship, your crew, and any others you can gather to you. Any aboard your vessel will be spared. I have also learned of your attachment to …… this one." The monotone voice echoed as Forsaken pointed a twisted claw towards Tali. "Her people may also retain their lives. You may take your ship and any you can carry to join their fleet, and you will all be granted life while the galaxy burns around you."

Shepard turned to his crew. His mind raced, considering all options. His squad gazed at him sullenly. He looked to each member, and each nodded to him in turn. He stepped to Tali and took her hands. She looked deeply into his eyes, reading his motivations. "Do it …" she muttered softly, her face turning to the floor.
Shepard released a long sigh. "Alright …" He replied. He turned around and walked back to face Forsaken.
"You have conferred." The infernal machine croaked. "What is the consensus?"
Shepard looked down through the grated floor for a long breath, shaking his head woefully. When he looked up to meet Forsaken's face, his eyes were smoldering with rage, his pistol extended before him. "We've all agreed. You can go to hell…" Shepard squeezed the trigger, and a fiery bolt exploded from the barrel of his hand cannon. It screeched through the short distance between them and slammed into one of Forsaken's glowing yellow eyes with a loud, sizzling pop. Forsaken recoiled with a screech of metal on metal as its eye sparked furiously. It swung one of its clawed forearms down and scooped Shepard up. Shepard struggled to reach the Cain miniature Nuke Launcher strapped to his back, but Forsaken clamp down on his body with crushing force. Shepard groaned as the air was forced from his lungs. The massive claw slowly increased pressure, squeezing tighter and tighter. Shepard felt one of his recently reset ribs bending painfully, the surgical screws dangerously close to snapping loose.
The crew began firing wildly, trying to locate any kind of weak point on the massive creature. Seeing Shepard in jeopardy, Tali bolted forwards. She leapt onto Forsaken's underbelly and scaled his numerous limbs hand over hand until she reached the claw holding her Commander. She scurried along its length until she found herself face to face with Shepard. He was wheezing for breath, his eyes glazing over with pain. Quickly, she gripped one half of the claw with her fingers and braced her legs against the other. She pushed and strained against the Reaper's brute force, if only to allow Shepard a breath of air. Shepard looked to her, catching her notice. "Tali …" he muttered between gasps. "Just …… just ……"
Tali shook her head fervently. "No, Shepard. I'm not leaving you behind again!"
"No … Tali …" Shepard replied, a momentary smile breaking through the pain. "The legs … just take …… take out the legs …"
Tali looked down at the series of spindly legs keeping Forsaken perched precariously above the gap in the floor. She grinned, squeezing Shepard's shoulder lovingly before she released her grip.
Landing in a roll, she quickly stood and gained her crew's attention. "Everyone, surround it, we need to disable the legs!" She barked. The team quickly ran into position, each leveling their weapon at one of the many limbs. "Fire!" Tali shouted. The room was suddenly flooded with deafening cracks and bangs as the accumulated armaments blasted into the Reapers dark steel. With a grinding screech, Forsaken's legs tore away from its body, its narrow thorax plummeting through the open hole in the grating. There was a crashing scream as the hulking mass of its insectoid body scraped to a halt, blocking the opening. The sudden drop caused the young Reaper to release its grip on its foe.
Shepard slid through the metallic claws, dropping towards the safety of the ground. At the last minute, however, he reached out and caught the receding edge of the claw that had just held him, gripping it tightly. He hung by one hand, dangling directly before Forsaken's splintered face. "I have a message for the rest of you Reapers. One I think you'll easily understand." He growled coldly as he unhooked his Cain with his free hand. "There can be no peace…" Shepard jammed the mouth of the heavy weapon into the jagged opening in Forsaken's face and squeezed the trigger. The projectile exploded inside the Reaper's head with incredible force, light and heat blasting in all directions. The shockwave slammed viciously into Shepard's chest, sending him rocketing across the room.
He landed on the grated floor with a thump, his armored body skittering across the metal surface. Tali and the rest of his crew were quickly at his side. With a groan, he sat up, dazed. He looked to the center of the room, where Forsaken's mangled body lay slumped, its limbs hanging limply. With a sigh, Shepard struggled back to his feet. It was dead, he could go home. Suddenly, he felt a strange scratching sensation in the back of his skull. Soon the feeling grew into a hiss, and eventually, a voice. "You were given your life, and you refused." Forsaken's voice echoed through his mind.
The price was too high he replied silently.
"You have sealed your fate and that of your friends. We shall darken the skies of your every colony. You will all be destroyed."
Shepard looked about him at the glowing faces of his crewmates. That's a possibility. He thought in response. But you're now the third Reaper I've destroyed. You threaten my friends. You threaten my family. You threaten all life everywhere. I won't stop until one of us is dead, and with everything I'm capable of, and everything I have to lose …… I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that one isn't going to be me.

Shepard turned to his squad. "Everyone, move out." He ordered. "We have to destroy this place once and for all." With that, the group exited the room and sprinted down the long hallway towards the exit. Bursting into the stifling air outside, an ancient blast door sealed behind them, rusted and pocked with tiny holes. The crew paused for a moment to catch their breath. Shepard rolled his Cain over in his hands. "Everyone get out of here. Get to the shuttle …" He murmured softly. "I'm going to blow the dome. The freezing air will seal off that magma pocket back there, putting Forsaken permanently out of commission. It should also kill off any Collectors still lurking in the jungle." His crew looked at him, concern mirrored in each of their faces. "Go… double time." he repeated, pointing towards the exit. Reluctantly, his friends turned and ran towards the large airlock. All except for Tali.
Shepard looked to Tali, then returned his focus to the heavy weapon in his hand. "I want you to get clear Tali." He said softly as he loaded his last power cell into the Cain. "That's an order."
Tali stepped forward, nodding. "As my Commanding Officer, you have the right to give me that order. But as the woman who loves you …" She replied, placing a hand gingerly on the side of his helmet. "… I have the right to tell you to go to hell."
Shepard eyed her sternly for a long moment before a smirk crossed his lips. He pulled her in closely, wrapping an arm around her back. With his free hand, he lifted the Cain straight above his head and fired. The glowing projectile burst forth from the maw of the weapon, scorching through the air towards the glass dome overhead. Shepard dropped the empty weapon and enveloped Tali in both his arms. She lowered her head to his shoulder, and he leaned his helmet against hers. He sighed, so contented that he barely heard the incredible explosion in the sky above. "I love you, Tali." He said softly.
Although he couldn't see her face, he could hear her grin in her voice. "I know." She whispered. "That's why it has to be this way."
The pair closed their eyes, drinking in every moment of the loving embrace as massive shards of glass and twisted steel crashed against the stone around them.

Garrus sat in the pilot's seat of the Kodiak shuttle, activating the controls. The dome had just come crashing down, not moments before the crew had reached their waiting vessel. He looked over to Kal'Reegar, sitting at his side. "Lock in the Commander and Tali's last known coordinates." He said anxiously.
Reegar tapped in a sequence of keys. "Confirmed. I've input the rough location of the facility. They should have been somewhere in that area."
The shuttle hovered slowly over the unnerving scene of destruction below. The majority of the jungle had been crushed beneath heavy metallic beams and thick sheets of shattered glass. What few trees remained standing were covered in a visible layer of frost and ice. Collector corpses were scattered among the debris, varyingly crushed into paste or frozen to death. As they approached the Prothean ruin, the devastation seemed to grow worse. A field of bodies and shrapnel littered the surface of the stone mesa. Kal eyed the empty world grimly as the shuttle slowly circled the structure. "I don't see how anyone could have survived …… wait … there! What's that?!"
As the shuttle sidled around the side of the ruin, an odd sight came in to view: a couple holding each other closely, standing in a perfect circle completely devoid of debris.
"How in the hell …" Reegar gasped.
Garrus burst with an impressed chuckle. "That crafty son of a bi***." He muttered with a smirk. "He fired his Nuke Launcher at the dome above him. The explosion was big enough to blast away all of the glass and steel over his head. Instead of being crushed, a nice, neat ring of nothingness fell around them."
Reegar couldn't help but laugh. "Tricky bastard … no wonder Tali'Zorah was always talking about him back on the Flotilla."
Garrus nodded. "I'm taking us in. Tell the crew to prepare for a couple more passengers."

Shepard opened his eyes at the tell-tale whine of the shuttle's engines. His armor was iced over, creaking and crunching as he leaned back slightly. He looked into Tali's eyes with a warm smile. "Should I bring them up on the comm … tell them to give us a couple more minutes?"
Tali quirked her head to the side, her eyes glowing brightly. "Hmm … tempting, but uhh … your cabin is a lot warmer than my enviro-suit right now." She said with a shiver.
Shepard rubbed his gloved hands over her arms, ice crystals flaking away from her sleeves. "Besides …" She muttered, her head falling emphatically back to his shoulder. "I haven't had a decent rest in days."
Shepard chuckled and keyed in his comm. "We need an emergency evac here. You guys had better land that thing quickly."

Shepard's cabin was dark, the nearby aquarium casting cerulean waves of light across the two bodies coiled together on the bed. The couple lay upon the mattress, a single sheet their only covering. Shepard propped himself up on an elbow, looking down at Tali's blissful face, her eyes closed peacefully. His fingers traced the line of her jaw, his gingered touch causing goose bumps to rise across her skin. Her bright eyes opened, looking into his as a smile of absolute contentment crossed her face. "Couldn't sleep?" She asked groggily.
Shepard's lips curled into a lopsided grin. "I probably could have …" he whispered, his eyes taking in her familiar features, "but I … I just didn't want to miss anything."
Tali brought her hand to his face, sliding it over his ear, her thumb gently caressing his temple. She looked deeply into his eyes for several long moments. "Tell me it'll be like this forever…" She cooed softly.
Shepard chuckled quietly. "Is that supposed to be some kind of proposal?"
Tali shrugged silently with a self-satisfied grin. "You know, it's an ancient tradition on Earth for the man to be the one to propose." He teased.
Tali's eyes glinted mischievously. "Well, among Quarian women, it's traditionally known that men are afraid of the big questions …" She said matter-of-factly
Shepard's eyebrows rose in mock-surprise. "Oh, is that so?" he asked with a laugh.
Tali folded her arms across her chest playfully and gave a resolute nod. "mmhmm." She assented.
Shepard stroked his stubbled chin. "I guess I'd need to get a ring then, wouldn't I?" he murmured thoughtfully.
Tali smirked. "I don't know. They're your customs, not mine." She remarked with a soft laugh.
Shepard looked about the room casually. "Well … I suppose that's something to think about…" he said, his voice teasingly non-committal.
Tali's face scrunched into a loving scowl as she punched him gently in the shoulder. Shepard took the good-natured hit and flopped onto the flat of his back. Tali slid on top of him, her face inches from his. "Ring or not, all I need is you, Shepard. I love you." She said softly.
Shepard caressed her cheek, causing her to close her eyes and lean into his touch. He smiled. "I love you too, Tali. You're the only woman in the galaxy for me, and you always will be." He moved his hand to the back of her neck and gently pulled her face towards his. Their lips met, slipping into one another. Shepard felt the same thrill of excitement as he had the first time they had kissed … as he had every time they had kissed. His hands skated across her back sensually as the taste of her mouth slowly filled his.
Tali teasingly pulled away, her teeth gently tugging against his lower lip until they had fully separated. She looked him over, a seductive smile on her face. "Now you have to promise me that this time, we won't end up with you convulsing wildly on the floor."
Shepard grinned slyly as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Sorry, but I don't make promises that I can't keep." With that, he rolled off of the edge of the bed, dragging Tali down on top of him, the sound of her giggling filling the darkness.

As Tali's lips slowly traced his neck, Shepard looked up from the cold metal deck-plates. Above his had sat the room's bedside table, a small drawer accenting its face. He thought of the object nestled in that dark space. He had picked it up shortly after Tali's trial aboard the Migrant Fleet. He was walking the streets of Illium trying to recruit a certain illusive assassin when he had seen it sitting in a shop window. He had stared at it for close to an hour before deciding that he had to have it. Shepard closed his eyes, digging through the drawer's contents in his mind. He mentally slid away several datapads, a spare thermal cartridge, and a folded combat knife. Lying on the bottom was a small box, its surface lined in lavender velvet. The lid popped open to reveal a golden ring, stunning in its simplicity. It was a small band of gold with a single line of diamond studs encircling its exterior. The precious stones were implanted flush with the metallic surface, allowing it to be worn safely beneath the glove of an enviro-suit. Shepard grinned at the mental image. Someday…… he thought to himself, Someday soon……

Sable Dreams