Author's note: I'm sorry to say that there may not be a new chapter next week. I've had two big assignments dropped on my head. Hopefully I'll be back on track with a new chapter by september 4th.
Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya
"Wrap up any business you have on the Citadel, Commander, I'll send you a message when I have things sorted." The Ambassador turned to the dark skinned human, who Tali had learned was a Captain, "Come along Anderson, I'll need your help to get everything organised. He'll need a ship and a crew…" The two older humans left, Anderson clapping the Commander on the shoulder on the way past.
After a moment, the human who had been introduced as Cassandra threw her arms around the Commander. "Congratulations!" she shouted exuberantly, before pulling away and reaching up to punch him in the shoulder. "But I still haven't forgiven you for not telling me." The Commander made a show of rubbing his arm, grinning while Cassandra calmed down.
The Commander turned to face Tali. "I haven't forgotten the reward I promised you." he said, "What would you like?" Tali already knew the answer. She had made up her mind when the Commander had been tasked with hunting down Saren. "About your mission, you're going to encounter geth, right?" she asked.
The Commander nodded. "They're working for Saren so that's a safe bet."
Tali took a deep breath, mustering her courage. "Then take me with you. Let me help you fight them." The Commander frowned. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
Tai nodded. "The pilgrimage is meant to prove that we can work for the greater good. What would it say about me if I walked away from this?"
Please, ancestors, let him say yes.
The Commander smiled and extended his hand. "Welcome aboard, Tali'Zorah."
Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams
The Commander turned to face Ashley and Kaiden. "Williams, Alenko, I don't know how things are going to play out from here on" he said, "but I'd like to have you both transferred from the Normandy onto whatever ship I'm assigned." He paused. "However, this mission is likely to be much more dangerous than your average assignment. I'll understand perfectly if either of you want to stay on the Normandy. I'm not going to take anyone with me who isn't a volunteer."
Well, this one's a no brainer.
"Count me in, sir." Said Ashley, without hesitation.
"Same here." Said Kaiden, a moment later.
"Thank you both." He said simply before turning to face the Turian.
"Vakarian, it's been a pleasure working with you." He said, shaking the officer's hand.
"Ah, Commander," he said, "If you're taking volunteers, I'd like to put my name forward. Saren's a disgrace to turians everywhere and needs to be taken down. I'm sure that with your new spectre status it should be a simple matter to have me transferred to your command."
"Having an investigator around might come in handy." said the Commander.
"I was also a Blackwatch sniper in my military days." Replied Vakarian.
"I'll make the call then." Said Shepard, "Welcome aboard, Vakarian."
Great, another alien, next thing you know, that krogan will be showing up wanting to join up too.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the antechamber. "Commander Shepard!" came a familiar rumbling voice. "Word is, you're going after Saren. Count me in."
You really need to stop jinxing things, Williams.
"Okay people grab any personal effects you might need and meet back here." said Shepard.
Ashley headed for the wards market. She had arrived on the Normandy with nothing but her armour and weapons. She needed some essentials. Behind her, Ashley heard the Commander talking with Tali'Zorah and Cass, who had stayed behind, about visiting the executor's office.
Ashley returned to find that she was the last one back. "The Ambassador is ready for us." said Shepard, "He's waiting at the Normandy's dock."
With so many in the group, the elevator to the dock wasn't quite big enough to fit everyone. The Commander waved everyone else in first but caught Cass by the shoulder. "You and I are taking the next one." Ashley hit the button and the elevator began its slow decent to the docks.
"What do you think that was about?" Ashley asked. To her surprise, it wasn't Kaiden, who had known the Commander the longest, who answered. "Obviously the Commander wanted to talk with her in private." answered Garrus, "If I had to guess he's telling her that she isn't coming with us and he's doing it in private to avoid embarrassing her." The turian's level of insight was surprising and made a lot of sense to Ashley in her experience as an older sibling.
The elevator reached the dock and everyone stepped out. Ashley nearly laughed at the wild look in Udina's eyes as he saw Tali, Wrex and Garrus.
"The Commander and Shepard will be here in a minute." Said Kaiden. "There wasn't quite enough space for everyone."
There was a long period of awkward silence as the elevator made its way back up and down. Eventually Cass and the Commander stepped out. Udina looked relieved. "Shepard, The Normandy and her crew are being put under your command. We've also set up an account with mission funds. It should be sufficient to keep you supplied for as long as necessary"
The Commander looked as if he was going to object but Anderson stepped forward. "The Normandy's the perfect ship for a spectre. She fast, quiet and you already know the crew." he said.
"I'll do you proud, sir." Said the Commander, shaking the captain's hand. He turned to his team. "Okay, if all goes well we'll be leaving in about four hours. Vakarian, Zorah, I want you two to talk to Sergeant Postle. He's the Normandy's requisition officer. You'll find him in the cargo bay. Let him know what the two of you will need in the way of food." The Commander's omni tool beeped. After a moment's reading, he turned to Kaiden. "Alenko, can you give everyone a quick tour. We may have just gotten our first lead. From the asari councillor of all people."
The Commander walked back off the dock with Cass beside him while Kaiden led the way into the Normandy's airlock.
Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya
The Commander's ship was absolutely breath-taking. After being shown around and talking to the requisition officer, Tali found herself drawn to the engine room. The Drive core seemed much larger than normal for a ship the size of the Normandy. She stood at the safety railing, tracing the path of the various power conduits to their sources.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Tali jumped at the unfamiliar voice behind her and turned around to find a human male standing behind her. "Sorry to startle you." said the human, "I'm Chief Engineer Adams."
"Pleased to meet you, sir. I'm Tali." She replied.
"So what brings you down here?"
"Habit, I guess. I've been helping in engineering since I was old enough to tighten a bolt."
Adams smiled. "Ah, a fellow grease monkey. So how does this compare to other ships you've worked on?" He asked gesturing towards the drive core
"It's absolutely amazing" said Tali emphatically, "I just can't figure out why a ship as small as this one needs such a large drive core."
Adams chuckled. "Well," he said, "It has to do with the stealth systems…"
Tali listened, fascinated as Adams began explaining the Normandy's stealth capabilities. She had a feeling that she was going to enjoy her time here.
Commander John Shepard
John walked into the Asari Councillor's office with Cass beside him.
"Commander Shepard," said the Councillor, "I believe I have a lead for you. I recognised the voice in your recording as Matriarch Benezia."
"Do you know where she is at the moment?" asked John.
The Councillor shook her head. "I'm afraid not, however, Benezia has a daughter. Liara T'Soni. She's an archaeologist specialising in Prothean culture. She's working on a dig somewhere in the Artemis Tau cluster. She may know where Benezia is or even be involved herself, given Saren's involvement with the beacon." John nodded. It was a tenuous lead but it was all he had to go on. "Thank you, Councillor. You were right to bring this to my attention." He turned and left the office.
"How long until your shuttle leaves, Cass?" he asked his sister.
"Just over an hour."
"Come on then, I'll buy you dinner before you go, you're not going to get a cooked meal at N school."
Cass looked at him suspiciously. "What are we going to be doing?"
John smiled. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Cass laughed and punched him in the arm again.
