Shepard wasted no time once he got back aboard the Normandy. He had the entire team assemble in the briefing room to introduce their two new shipmates.

"Everyone," said Shepard, "Nobody knows we've earned a rest more than I do, but it looks like that it will have to wait. We beat the odds and made it back from the Omega 4 relay in one piece. I know I'm repeating myself here, but we have to focus on the real threat, the reapers. That ship we just helped could be crucial in our success. As such, until they complete their repairs we have two of their crew on board."

The team looked onto the two new comers, Shana with her unassuming red hair and green eyes, and Connie who resembled a human, but still looked quite alien. Neither woman said anything but merely stood almost statuesque.

"This is Professor Shana," said Shepard, "leader of the Conestoga's expedition. Her companion is a terminal of their ship's AI, she is referred to as Connie."

Shepard then introduced the two the other team members who didn't board the Conestoga while they were docked, "This is our XO, Miranda Lawson. Next to her is Jacob Taylor our second officer. Doctor Mordin Solus, Salarian Scientist. The rest are here more for their combat expertise, Urdnot Grunt, Garrus, Thane, Jack, and Zaeed. You are already familiar with Tali and Legion."

Each nodded as Shepard pointed them out, except for Jack whom was less than enthusiastic about having to put up with another science type aboard the Normandy.

"Thank you for the introductions Commander," said Shana, "Where may we put our things?"

EDI's round façade popped up in the briefing room's terminal, "The Port observation room is presently unoccupied."

"I will also require regular access to FTL communications in order to operate at maximum capacity." Connie added.

"EDI, see to it that Connie gets the necessary access." Shepard ordered. "Crew dismissed."

The crew filed out with Jacob motioning for Shana to follow him, Connie clinged to Legion and Shepard presumed would see her in the AI core. Everyone left the room except for Miranda and Garrus both of whom came up to Shepard bearing looks of quiet disapproval.

"Seems a bit convenient Shepard," said Miranda, "Running into these mysterious intergalactic travelers not even a week after we thwart the Reapers' plans."

"For once I agree with Miranda, Shepard," said Garrus, "the timing of this just seems a bit too perfect. For all we know they could just be indoctrinated slaves that the Reapers have kept as pets for who knows how long."

Shepard attempted to disuade any doubts in his judgement, "I have the same suspicions as well, but so far Shana and her team have not shown us any reason to not trust them. Tali had her Omni-tool scan everything she touched. She could only conclude that apart from their mass effect core, almost nothing on the ship was based on any known technology. Legion spent hours exchanging data between the ship and the rest of the Geth, I'm sure it would have turned up something."

"You certainly didn't mention they'd be bringing another synthetic with them." Miranda said, "its bad enough having a Geth on board."

Garrus looked Shepard square in the eye, almost as if he were trying to read thoughts. "We're not saying we don't trust you Shepard, but we wouldn't be very good teammates if we didn't offer our opinions now and then."

Shepard nodded, "I would expect nothing less from either of you. I'll make sure EDI keeps an eye on Connie, and I'll make sure Shana pays a visit to doctor Chakwas."

Miranda and Garrus exited the briefing room while Shepard went to visit Mordin in the lab.

"Ah Commander," said Mordin, "Good to see new additions to crew. Extra-galactic at that. Could be quite helpful against reapers."

Shepard stepped to the doctor's bench with a less than optimistic look about him, "Did you find anything from our scans of the Conestoga?"

"No, Conestoga's hull difficult for sensors to penetrate, made of very dense alloy. Though can verify damage caused by reapers. Elaborate deception if it is one."

"Did you manage to get any data on our new shipmates when they went through decontamination?"

"Ah, going over data now." Mordin furiously tapped the keys on his terminal sifting through the scans of both Shana and Connie. "Interesting."

"What is?"

"Professor Shana shows physiology similar to that of humans, though with sufficient difference to account for evolving in other galaxy. However one discrepancy in data."

"What kind of discrepancy?"

"Shana's specific gravity different than that of typical organic life. Most organics comprised primarily of water. Readings indicate almost none. Will require tissue sample for further study. Synthetic companion however, fascinating architecture."

"What did you learn about Connie?"

"Construction similar to Legion, though much of tech replaced with organic parts. Fully organic nervous system. Tissue sample not necessary, but would like further study."

"Just try not to disturb our new guests. If they mean well I don't want to give them any reason not to help us."

Mordin looked back up with a look of shock, "Shepard, I am a doctor, invasive procedures without patient consent highly unethical. Would never dream of such."

"Glad to know we're on the same page Mordin, I'll let you get back to your research."

"Thank you Shepard, will be here if you need me."

Shepard exited the lab towards CIC, he was about to embark on the elevator when Kelly rushed up to catch him.

"Commander, I just had a chance to speak with our two newest crew members." Said Kelly with her usual perky attitude.

Shepard smiled politely at Kelly, he had to admit that she was a much better personal aide than any VI. Though he wouldn't dare tell Tali that. "Learn anything?"

Kelly continued, "The Professor is quite reserved, she didn't share much of anything with me. Though I think she truly appreciates the chance to be a part of our crew. Reminds me of myself in a way."

Shepard chuckled silently a bit before he spoke, "While I wish I had a whole ship full of people with your kind of attitude Kelly, I don't think there's anyone that could replace you. Still that's good to know about Shana. Learn anything about Connie?"

"Connie is as mysterious as she is gorgeous. She didn't say anything while I talked to Shana, just sort of stood there. I know she's synthetic but it still felt a bit odd. She seemed more concerned with making her way to the AI core to be with Legion."

"Those two have been thick as thieves almost since the moment we boarded their ship. Though it could just be that she feels more comfortable around Legion." Shepard looked back over Kelly's shoulder before he turned to the elevator, "I'll let you get back to work."

"Talk to you later."

Shepard got in the elevator and took it one deck below to see Doctor Chakwas, and hopefully to see if she could find an excuse to give Shana a thourough examination. When he stepped into the sickbay though he was shocked to see Shana already there.

"Commander," said the doctor, "I did not expect you to come down here."

"How are our newest crew members doing?" asked Shepard.

"The Professor here is free of any potentially harmful contaminants, which was my primary concern. However, her visit to sickbay was completely of her own volition."

Shana stood up to head back to the port Observation room, "I wanted to make sure your medical officer had a baseline for a healthy me. I'd hate her to have to learn about my unique physiology when my life hangs in the balance. I also gave her information regarding the Nutritional and health requirements of Connie's Organic systems."

"Rupert will be thankful you both can eat the same food as the human members of the crew, he hasn't stopped complaining about having to make special meals for Miss Vas Normandy and Mister Vakkarian since those two came on board." Said Chakwas with a hint of annoyance.

"Well, I am glad that your galley officer's job has not been made more difficult by our presence." Said Shana as she stepped outside.

Chakwas turned to Shepard who was still looking her direction, "Is there something I can help you with Commander?"

"Learn anything interesting about our new crew members? I'd just spoken with Mordin and he hadn't learned much from the scans taken during decon."

Chakwas sat down at her computer terminal and pulled up the data she'd acquired, "The Professor's biology is completely unlike any species I've ever encountered Shepard. Her biological makeup consists entirely of proteins."

"Forgive me Doc, but medicine was not something I studied much at the Academy."

"All organic lifeforms that I've encountered are made up mostly of different strings of proteins. They combine to form different types of cells and the different structures within those cells. Shana, and I assume the rest of her species, has no cellular structure. Her entire body consists of some of the most complex proteins I have ever seen in any living thing. The proteins fold and unfold themselves into different structures only as necessary."

Shepard looked a little in shock at the data, "So you're saying that even though she looks human on the outside…"

The doctor completed that thought for Shepard, "Professor Shana is completely unlike anything I've ever seen underneath. She has no bones, no organs, no recognizable nervous system. It amazes me how she even fits the definition of life. I don't even know if this is a product of natural evolution, or genetic manipulation."

"Any potential health problems that we need to be concerned about?" said Shepard.

"Surprisingly, no Commander. In fact I can't even see most normal weapons fire even causing serious injury. Projectiles would simply impact and do little, if any damage. In fact, Shana provided me with data outlining most first aid procedures, most of which pertain to radiation exposure and burn treatment."

Shepard felt a bit relieved that Shana was being so open with everyone. For a split second he almost thought he had made a critical mistake, that Garrus was right and Shana's people were just pets of the Reapers. Saved to be some kind of Trojan Horse to bring themselves into the midst of organics. It wasn't that far fetched a conclusion either, after all, the Collectors were Protheans that had been heavily altered both genetically and cybernetically.

Shepard prepared to leave sickbay, "Let me know if you find anything else Doc, also, send your data up to Mordin. I don't want to pry into our new allies' too much, but we can't be too careful."

Doctor Chakwas turned to the Commander as he approached the door, "I forgot to mention Commander, Tali was in here earlier."

Shepard turned back with a look of concern on his face, "Is everything ok with her?"

"Yes Commander, better than I expected given the circumstances. She was really just looking for some remedies to alleviate her symptoms. Doctor Solus was kind enough to forward a few homeopathic remedies down to me. I say, that young woman has more determination in one of her fingers than I've seen in most military men."

"Thanks for the update doc, I'll let you get back to your work."

"Take care Commander."

Shepard enjoyed hearing that bit of good news. Tali's health was always at the back of his mind, in fact it was even on his mind back on the old Normandy, though back then he didn't have such a vested interest in her health on a personal level. Though just thinking about her at this time made him yearn for some time with her in his cabin, however there were still a few other matters to attend to, particularly where their information leak was coming from.

Shepard stepped into Miranda's office seeing his XO quietly working at her computer terminal, like she always did.

"Commander." Said Miranda as she looked up from her work.

Shepard took a step in grabbed a chair in front of her desk, "Any luck finding out where our information leak came from?"

"Fortunately, I don't think the information hit Cerberus due to a leak on board the Normandy Commander. It appears Cerberus also intercepted that same distress signal we did and fully expected us to investigate given your unique experiences with the Prothean beacons."

"A bit unusual considering my last conversation with the Illusive Man."

"He may have not agreed with your decision about the Collector base Shepard, but he still knows what you mean for humanity's survival. I doubt he's going to do anything to jeopardize that, no matter the expense. If he really wanted you at his beck and call he would have taken my suggestion and implanted you with a control chip. A suggestion he declined."

"Remind me to thank him next time I see him." Shepard leaned forward in his seat, "Which brings me to another reason I came in here. You made your loyalty to Cerberus no secret to me, I appreciate that, but I want to know your feelings now that I've basically turned in my resignation to the Illusive Man and walked off with his ship."

Miranda too leaned forward in her chair making sure to look Shepard in the eyes so that he knew her sincerity in her response. "Commander, you went out of your way to help me relocate Orianna and her family. You've earned my unconditional loyalty. The Illusive Man was out of line in ordering you to save the collector base for study. Just one tiny piece of that technology nearly cost us another Normandy. The Illusive Man's zeal for improving humanity's status among the galactic community clouded his better judgement this time. We can't afford that."

"I'm glad to still have you on board Miranda. Thank you."

"No need to thank me Commander, this is my way of showing my appreciation for what you did for me."

With that Shepard got up from his seat and exited the office to make his way towards the elevator. He figured it would be a good oppurtunity to check on all the repairs to the Normandy since their little field trip. He was a little shocked however to see Garrus waiting by the elevator door.

"Shepard." Said the Turian with a nod and what appeared to be a smirk on his face.

"What are you up to Garrus?"

"Oh, just about to go down to engineering, Donnely and Daniels are having another game of Skyllian Five. And yourself?"

"I was just about to head up to my cabin, catch up on my messages and look over the requisitions."

"Would you like me to tell Tali to come up and assist you?" Garrus seemed way too obvious at this point about his teasing.

Shepard was caught a bit off guard at first, but he decided to fight fire with fire, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I see the way you two look at each other, you've been hiding it very poorly ever since we got back from the Omega 4 relay."

Shepard couldn't help but blush a little bit, now he was actually concerned. "Is it that obvious?"

Garrus chuckled, wincing as he did so, "No Shepard, not that obvious. I just felt you needed a good ribbing. We can't take life too seriously can we?"

"We sure can't Garrus. Try not to take too much of Donnely's money. The next time I play him he'll be out for blood."

"I make no promises Shepard, that being said I probably will tell Tali you need to see her. For someone whose face is perpetually concealed she has some of the most obvious tells I've ever seen. At the very least it'd free up a seat for Zaeed."

"Have fun Garrus." Said Shepard as he stepped aboard the elevator.