Chapter 10: The Doc's Orders

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Halo or Mass Effect. Those belong to Bungie and Bioware respectively. I own only my OCs and place of origin, ideas and thoughts.

Sixteen hours later abroad Shadow's Truth in the medical bay–

"Tali your still here he must really mean something to you." John Shepherd said walking into the room.

"Commander, I don't know what I would do without him he saved us from dying yet again. I want to be with him and he seems to want to be with me but I am not too sure anymore. I don't know what to do." She replied looking at the vital signs which had remained passive for the past six hours.

Commander John Shepherd please report to the war room a problem has come on up on the attacks of the NA Force against the Reaper synthetic AIs. Repeat Commander Shepherd report to War room.

"Well it seems duty calls. See you later Tali," Shepherd said walking out of the room.

Tali 'Zorah vas Normandy Report Doctor Naro Satear's office on Medical deck level 2, Repeat Tali 'Zorah report to Dr. Satear's office medical deck level 2.

Tali stood up and took one more look at Alexander before leaving the room. She arrived at the office a few minutes later. The doctor then showed her the way to the surgery bay; for the operation to begin.

Meanwhile in war room –

"What do you mean you can't attack Earth? I thought you said you attack force would and could destroy the Reapers where they stood." Shepherd exclaimed in annoyance at the Major General, Lieutenant Tesum Valam, and Lieutenant Versa Hins.

"There are too many civilians and allied troops on the ground. Besides the master Reaper is there, Harbinger. That and all the remaining forces of the Reapers, there are far too many for my attack force to deal with in the space front. I have been calling in to the fleets of the Citadel fleets and there is some strife among the races there. The Geth have agreed to help if the Quarians promise not to harm them during and after the battle. The Quarians have agreed because we are seeing how the strengthened immune system will hold among one of them." The Major General stated flatly.

"Would do you mean we are seeing how it affects one of the Quarians." Shepherd asked now confused.

"Tali 'Zorah Vas Normandy has signed the papers willing to have the procedure done on her. The surgery is taking place as we speak. Now back to matter at hand. Shepherd we need you to go to the Citadel and get the other races to see that if our force is defeated then everyone is dead already it's just that they are unwilling to see it. Tell them the force that saved each of the home planets, minus Earth, was the Fleet that needs their help now." Lieutenant Hins stated not looking at a data pad she was holding.

"Yell at them a little it always works with the Nyenal Military and Civilian councils." The major General stated. Shepherd started for the door, but she was stopped by the Major General when he continues, "Good luck Commander Shepherd. We'll meet you at the battlefield in one month" She turned and gave a quick salute to Major General and the two Lieutenants who were salute out of respect.

All Normandy Personal report back to ship, The Normandy is moving out are moving out. Repeat All Normandy Personal to the Normandy. Chean had that message play three more times before shutting it off.

Thirteen hours later Medical Bay room three-five-six Level two–

Alexander woke up in haze. He looked to his left and saw vital signs and then to his right and he saw Tali lying on the bed on the side of the room … without her suit. He tried to get up and get over to her, but he was being held down by a firm hand. He looked up and saw Dr. Satear standing there. The doctor stated, "Don't worry her vitals have been stabilized for the past four hours. Before that I have been in here no stop saving her with stabilization medicines. Right now I am surprised that you're awake according to John you went Demon form. Which means you should still be sleeping but your vitals stabilized thirteen hours after your arrival. After that and before the operation she did not leave your side. Not once, according to the nurses."

"I wish I could do the same for her but you are holding me down." Alexander weakly replied.

"That is because I was just about to give you the last shot you need before you can start to move about the room. Now just lie still so I can finish the treatment. But you won't be combat ready for another month." Dr. Satear states injecting the clear fluid into Alexander; he then pulled the cables off of him and turned off the machines. Alexander stood up and slowly with the help Dr. Satear got to the chair that was next to Tali's bed.

Alexander asked, "How long do you think she is going to be out?

Naro replied, "I don't know. She might be out for a day or a few hours. She's been out for thirteen hours. And that is even during the surgery, which took nine hours to complete, and that is because I had a loose understanding of the Quarian physiology, and how the effects of the sedatives and tranquilizers would affect her. Now I will have food sent your way I expect you to eat. And no training you are on a Stand-down by doctor's martial rules. I made sure your card does not open the training rooms or the fitness centers. Just your room the elevator to the bridge, mess hall, and observation deck, and crew quarters. And when she wakes up call the front desk; now I have other soldiers I must attend to."

Back on the Bridge –

"Get us to Earth in this dimension, and keep the cloaking up. I don't want to be spotted by Harbinger. Once in system set a navigation point and have the attack force meet us there." Major General Chean ordered as the Normandy cleared the magnetic pull of the Flagship and Destroyer. The ships jumped their separate ways.