The ride back for Shepard was mercifully free of idiocy. He and Jacob just shot the shit about some past missions. Jacob had been an Alliance soldier, and joined Cerberus because he had felt that he was getting held back. Shepard could understand the sentiment, but did not necessarily approve. Still, at least he didn't seem the sort to shoot him in the back. Even if he's not Alliance anymore, the man's been taught right. Miranda, on the other hand, seemed to be on a little pouting spree, sealing herself in the pilot's area. She flew the craft back to base, and did not even speak during the short ride.
"And that's why you never meet the Council after a long day at the bar, my good lad" Shepard exclaimed after giving Jacob one of his invigorating non-combat Spectre tales.
Jacob chuckled thoroughly, and perused, "The turian really called you a filthy primate in front of-"
"Arriving at base in 10 seconds. Autopilot engaged" Miranda spoke, finally leaving the cockpit. Heh, that place suits her well...
Once the shuttle landed, the group quickly left the cramped shuttle. After no recognition from Miranda, and a proud salute from Jacob, he made his way towards the QEC. In a moment, the figure of the Illusive Man popped into view.
"Commander Shepard." He began.
"Did the quarians forward the evidence?" Shepard asked, curious if Tali would truly do such a thing...Just because I asked, she'd send intel to one of her people's worst enemy?
"Yes, I'm surprised. They have not been as, cooperative, since the Idenna. It does prove the Collectors are behind the attacks" The man replied stoically.
Shepard was surprised to say the least, but was now scowling at the man. "That bit I missed, what the hell did you do to them?" He could not hide the spite in his voice. "And you don't really seem surprised."
"Any search and retrieval mission, for one of our operatives might I add, into a fleet of that side is risky. We failed in our objective, as we were trying to do it with little incident." He answered in a monotone voice, surprising Shepard with his composure. "And as to the Collectors, I had my suspicions, but nothing to confirm it. Now we have a lead."
"Well, I've agreed to let a quarian unto my team when she completes her personal objectives; I expect her to be treated appropriately when the time comes" , Shepard announced, and shortly after he added, "And they've got to be very highly advanced, I don't know how we can defeat them, even with your resources."
"One of the individuals I'd like you to recruit may be able to even the odds in that section." He took a drag out off his ciggarette and continued, "We don't have anything against their kind, Shepard, and speaking of her, I wanted to hear your opinion on the human she had along with her."
"You talking about the guy who tackled the mech?"
"Yes, he seemed... upgraded. Rarely am I perplexed by any technological advancement. His traits seemed, strange. Are you allowing him to join your team?" The Illusive Man seemed actually excited about the prospect.
"Most likely, Tali seemed to approve, and he struck me as a decent guy, why?"
"I just like to know what you're doing Shepard. This is my operation, but you are the one doing the dirty work. I'm not going to start questioning you now, but I assume you've seen the evidence?"
"Yeah, I told you if we didn't find any your two operatives would be here alone." The commander stood defiantly previously, but now was reluctantly accepting this terrorist's aid.. deep inside he was extremely conflicted.
The man took a sip of scotch, then stared at the commander with his piercing strange eyes. "I see one of them is slightly injured, however, by your doing."
Shepard crossed his arms, defending his position. "She threatened my old crew member, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior."
"Very well, keep her on board, though. She may be difficult to get along with, but she knows what she's doing. That is... unless you'd like to keep track of all the supplies and miniscule details towards running a ship."
"Fine, I'll keep the girl, but I won't hesitate to have her removed if any more acts of insubordination occur." Shepard said lacking any enthusiasm.
"A reasonable approach. I'm glad, we may never be friends, but this threat is more important than anything humanity has ever faced."
As sad as he was to admit it, he was in concurment with this evil tycoon. "Yeah, on that we can agree on. I just hope everyone else sees it the same way, sooner rather than later. What is the next step? I plan on seeing the Council as soon as possible"
"If you honestly think they can help us by all means. That'd be a welcome and unexpected variable in our favor, but remember, things have changed in the past two years, especially since your incident where you decided to berate them on an alcohol induced rage."
Shepard was normally a stoic individual, and a sarcastic bastard, rarely did he let his true emotions show. This was not one of those times, and he ended up blushing and scratching the back of his neck like a kid half-handed in the cookie jar, "Yeah, not my best move. Nobody told me salarians could make such a mean stout. But back to business, you said you had something for me?"
"I promised you a ship, and I've forwarded a few dossiers to your private terminal onboard. Plus, I found a pilot you may like, someone you can trust" with that, he cut the communication.
He turned around and started walking away from the communication floorpiece. I wonder what kind of ship he got me, probaly some crappy Elcor transp- he never finished his thought as he looked up at the crippled snickering pilot he'd always verbally sparred with, friendly banter of course.
"Hey Commander, just like old times, eh?"
"Aj?" Tali whispered since Fia was asleep nearby. The shuttle was on autopilot, only an hour away from the fleet.
"Yeah Tali?" Aj answered while stretching his arms.
"Are you trying to sleep?" The admiral's daughter added hesitantly.
"No, I was just thinking..."about that dream...I miss grandma...Isa...Dad... Apparently he had been staring at the door for over twenty minutes.
The young quarian scooted by him, touching his shoulder with hers. "You know, I always thought humans were crazy, but I think you proved it today." She laughed quietly, and then scooted away, embarrassed by her 'accidental' contact. "Really, thanks though"
"For what?" he chuckled, albeit slightly confused at her behavior. Quarians are a lot more social than humans though, and used to cramped quarters I guess.
Tali looked at him as though he had just excreted a live bosh'tet. "You saved our lives Aj..."
Aj waved her off, darkening slightly. "Naw, I just helped. Like you and everyone else. There's nothing to thank for."
"Oh hush, it was incredible and you know it." Tali added happily.
"I just don't feel like I did well, it's just us three...and Veetor of course." He answered, shrugging off the compliment.
Tali looked at him oddly, noting how much he sounded...like...like Shepard? She quickly returned to the situation at hand, however."I still can't believe what happened to everyone...Jib and Vida were both excellent snipers. I didn't know them very well, but I hadn't found anything I didn't like about them. Prazza, I won't lose any sleep over. I would never wish for him to die, but he brought it upon him self." She growled at the thought of him accusing her of treason, "Laor, the poor girl. She died in extreme pain, you know that? Quarians have a deep, almost spiritual bond to their lifemates. For it to happen in the middle of a fight...Well, I hope she's found peace among the Ancestors."
"Hey hey, don't you growl at me!" He joked, trying to lighten the mood, "But it's more than just saddening. I can't believe how many people died thanks to that asshole..."
Tali scratched the side of her helmet, a trait she had acquired from her extended tenure aboard a human vessel. "Well, at least we got Veetor back, and Shepard... I can't believe that he's back. That bosh'tet better not get himself killed again before we join his squad" Shaking her head, she added, "Regardless of what you say, that was very brave. Thank you" She had unknowingly put her hand on his thigh, but quickly removed it when he responded stuttering in nervousness.
He blushed to himself. They must be... very social...? "I...Well, any sold-"
"And now you're blushing!" She exclaimed, giggling happily at the guilty human.
"No I'm not !" Her accusal, however, fueled the red outburst, furthering his embarrassment.
"Well, I know you'll have two very grateful Admirals waiting on you." Tali said happily, and slightly confused at her own actions. Am I flirting... with a human? Oh keelah...
"I know your dad will be happy, who else?" He asked quizzically, in vain trying to stop her talented methods of embarrasing him.
Tali matter-of-factly retorted, "Fia, she's Admiral Shala'Raan's daughter"
"Well, maybe they'll get me better rations; I don't know what they feed the Alliance troops, but I swear that meatloaf had been dead before I was even born." He pouted, feigning a disgusted look.
"You're a bosh'tet, Aj, I hope you know that." She paused a second before continuing in a sly, joking tone. " Do you want to try our quarian rations instead?"
You know what? Why the hell not actually? Faking an annoyed sigh, which she caught easily, he said, "Tell you what, if you beat me at the firing range, I'll drink a single turian beer. If I win, you have to drink a human beer, deal? The Alliance thankfully decided to send me a couple of cases at a 'special request' "
"But that's turian!" She said, thoroughly displeased at the dextro homogenization.
"Well, do you have quarian ale?" Aj asked raising an eyebrow in happy suspicion.
She sighed sasly, but perked up at the end, "No we don't have room for a brewery on the fleet... Fine! We have tablets what should keep you alive when you lose primate"
He raised an eyebrow in a fake offence "Which reminds me, you never got me a banana?"
"I swear, you're an idiot" She laughed loudly at his expense.
"Oh really?" He started to focus on his omnitool, causing it to activate and a specific set of information to directly interface to his mind
"Aj what are you doing?" she yelped, startled by the sudden sparks. They only lasted a couple of seconds though.
"Please keep it down..." Fia murmured before nodding back off to sleep. Veetor was in a medically-induced sleep for his own protection, and wouldn't wake up to anything short of an explosion.
"Done!" His omnitool blinked off, and he was sporting an extremely large grin.
"Done with what?" Tali asked nervously.
He smugly smiled at the young quarian, "Well since you always call me a primate, I decided to do a little research on your kind!"
Miss Zorah was not as thrillled as he was. "Oh? What'd you find?" Please don't tell me he fou-
"Hehe, this thing" He opened up a picture what looked like a cross between a sabre-toothed tiger and a kangaroo; a bipedal, fanged, slender animal with three toes and long claws. "Now I know where quarians came from!"
"Where ...did you find that!?" She whimpered nervously. The historical archives of the flotilla were well-hidden from outsiders.
"I pulled a few favors from Kal, I let him shoot my snowball launcher remember?" He snickered devilishly, "So, now I can call you either a cat or a marsupial!"
She pulled out her omnitool and searched for a few pictures on the illusive animals mentioned. After a few moments, she crossed her arms under her breasts in disapproval. "Absolutely not! I do not look like those !"
"Mhm. Sure. Nobody would know, hiding behind your mask! Did you look up what a koala looks like?" He added with a smirk.
"Um, no?" She quickly looked up the specific image on her tool, but she was getting groggy, and it took a little longer than normal. Once she found it, she gasped before glaring up at him, "Some asari matriarchs say we look a lot like humans, so hush your mouth! You're lucky I'm tired"
"So you're a primate too?" He ask. Aj heard what sounded distinctly like a yawn, and was rather tired himself.
Yawning, she chimed, "Nope, we never lived in trees... we ran.. grass..." She stretched her arms, making a slight purring sound.
"Yeah, you're definitely from a cat." Before she could hiss back something undoubtedly impolite, he added, "I'm getting really tired too, though. Let's catch some shut-eye before we get there?" He passed out a few minutes later while Tali said she had to forward the report first.
His statement would end up placing him in an unusual situation. Aj was thoroughly embarassed. He awoke with his head leaning on Tali's helmet, which was incidently leaning on his shoulder. Even more discombobulating was that he awoke to the snickering of Fia; before he could articulate a response, Tali immediately scurried away and all he could hear from her was 'Keelah...' before she disappeared into the cockpit.
"Hehe, that was very cute. You're lucky you woke up, we're a few minutes away from the fleet. No doubt Rael's waiting after he heard the mission report." Fia stated casually, but soon her tone became more teasing. "You might have ended up on the wrong side of an airlock."
"Wait, what? I heard asari prefer aliens, but I didn't think you quarians had a thing for them too" He teased right back, but it was not nearly as nonchalant; in the back of his mind he had two pictures in his mind. One of them was Harumi, the day she revealed she was carrying his child, and the other was of his grandma, vaguely remembering the flashback he had on Freedom's Progress. What am I thinkng...were not even the same species...and Harumi...I miss her... Barely over a month ago to me... over a century to everyone else... He thought to himself.
"Not many of us have ever seen your kind!" She nervously sputtered noticing his hesitation "Besides, I've actually never heard of a quarian bonding outside their race. There's sometimes a few flings with a turian or asari on their Pilgrimages, but nothing serious, and never past the suit."
Shaking his head, he replied whimsically, "Hah, well, curiosity killed the cat."
"Cat?" she questioned turning her head sideways slightly, almost like a confused puppy.
"Nothing, old human saying" He quickly answered,earning a small laugh from the quarian.
"Hey, now you're changing the subject !" She quipped with a grin.
"Yeah, it's...I'm sorry... I just don't know... what to think about that." He replied in a mournful tone unable to articulate his emotions.
"Oh ... did.. you see what happened to Laor?" Fia hesitantly reciprocated. After seeing him nod, she continued, "Well, when we bond, we unite and feel as one soul. Instead of two people with two souls, there is two people sharing one soul. She must have felt an incredible pain, like her soul was torn to shreds, but literally. It's a deep trust, and, well not many races are the same. Salarians are all about data and contracts, turians pair up due to honor or rank, and asari will literally sleep with anything..." She was rather knowledgeable, as her Pilgrimage had just ended a few months back.
Aj sighed, staring at the same wall as earlier, as Fia looked at him curiously. Aj began to speak after a few seconds of silence, "Humans have this thing called marriage, it's were we proclaim our love to someone, and officially bond as a couple"
Seeing some sort of resemblance, Fia curiously asked, "Is the... mah-rria-juh?...for life?"
Aj chuckled weakly at her odd pronounciation, but it didn't last. "Yeah, marriage, but it can be... broken if one of the partners choses it so; I heard quarian bondings are for life, they had been even before the suits made it 'necessary.' " He countered, air-quoting the last word.
Without thinking, she perused further, "Did your marriage partner decide to leave you?" Fia immediately regretted the question...Oh keelah, he probaly thinks I'm a nosey little -
Aj flinched noticeably, slumping in his seat. "She didn't...It was...not by choice." He just couldn't continue on the topic without feeling miserable... "Please.. I don't want to elaborate...apparently it's been over 140 years...but for me, it's been barely a month..."
Fia looked at his eyes, which reciprocated a deep hurt. She quietly began to apologize, "I'm sorry! I -"
Before she could continue, Tali left the cockpit and announced, "We've... been confirmed, ETA 30 seconds, we're finally here". Little did Aj or Fia know, the normally excited and optomistic young woman was on the verge of tears. She had heard every single word of their conversation, and thoroughly felt like a terrible person for intruding...She wasn't just depressed because of the obvious eavesdropping, but for her own behavior towards the human recently...her own strange desires, on which she was still not quite sure her feelings. But what she did know... He had not only saved her, but done everything he could to be nice to her since regaining conciousness, something nobody else on the fleet had done. Tali quietly sat down, asking the Ancestors for guidance on her own personal confusion.
When they finally arrived at the airlock, the two Admirals were indeed awaiting them. The actions, at least by one, were unexpected. Rael did something he hadn't done in many years; when the shuttle doors open, he quickly strided up to Tali and tightly embraced her. Beside her, Fia and Shala had ended up in the same situation, but the normally composed Shala'Raan was silently crying into her shoulder whispering. She obviously ecstatic to see her daughter alive and unharmed, and even Rael was showing his more compassionate side. As the scene played out, a medical team had carefully loaded Veetor unto a gurney, then whisked him away to likely a medical/psychiatric facility.
"Tali... I'm so glad you're safe. " Admiral Zorah stammered quietly, again a rare occurance.
Aj looked at the two Admirals -both happily embracing their offspring- and decided he should allow them their privacy. "Admirals" He saluted, making eye contact with both of them quickly, and started to walk away. Before he turned the corner, however, Shala ran up and grabbed his shoulder, surprising the human.
After a slightly embarrassing jump, he questioned, "Yes Admiral Raan?"
The Admiral rather quietly answered, "The Admiralty board wishes to speak with you about your current mission... and no... it has nothing to do with the other human commander you met. Tali will be debriefed on that particular encounter later." Her voice was almost a whisper, but conveying an emotion he could not particularly put his finger on. Apparently finished with her elaboration, she motioned for him to follow.
Shit... what are they going to say about the quarians what didn't make it out? Aj gulped in fear, but nodded, falling in step behind Shala. He had no intentions of refusing an Admiral's order.
Tali saw Shala say something, then noticed Aj tense up in fear. Oh keelah no... they're going to blame him for the deaths? Tali panicked, and focused back on Rael, her eyes shining with fear as well. "Father what are you doing!? You...you are not going to punish him... are you? He did nothing wr-"
"No child, he will not be punished, please don't worry." Rael interrupted, surprisingly in a non-condescending tone, "I would like for you to come, however."
Reassured by the tone, and hopefully her father's sincerity, Tali nodded. She nervously followed behind Shala, Fia, and Aj with her father at her side.
In a quiet trek to the Neema's social enclave, Tali and Fia were extremely surprised to see the other three Admirals waiting, albeit Admiral Koris and Xen were holographically represented at their respective sites. Usually, Admirals only presided in full for an important event or trial. The speaking area was packed full of quarians, and all of them stood more silent than normal. Tali was absolutely terrified for the human, as it almost looked like a trial set-up.
When they approached, Raan and Rael departed from their children, and casually stood beside Admiral Gerrel. Not too far behind him, the two daughters stood at attention, both conceiving ways to defend the human if indeed this was a trial. Tali's fingers were nervously wringing, as she did not expect a positive outcome.
Rael looked around the auditorium, and many of the crowd seated themselves. The Admiral began with a prayer to the Ancestors, and after everyone said 'keelah se'lai', he finally began the meeting. "Major Antonio Sanchez, we have reviewed your actions on Freedom's Progress, along with your current affiliation predicaments, and actions towards the fleet in the month you've been on board the Neema."
Aj gulped, his fear only increasing. Shit, are they going to kick me out, or exile me? Send me to the nearest levo colony and I'm stuck fending for my- His thoughts were interrupted as Shala continued. "Often, a quarian must complete a Pilgrimage in order to be considered worthy of the fleet. They are tasked to bring something of value to the fleet, as we need everything we can get to protect our ships."
Tali and Fia interchanged confused looks, and both seemed to relax a little, noticing the calm demeanor of the Admirals. What is going on? And why are they talking about Pilgrimages..? Are they going to make him go on one? Tali sulked at the implications of that, and her fingers continued their neverending battle for arial supremacy.
"You, however, have brought us back something that can never be valued", Shala continued, standing a bit taller and prouder. "You risked your own life to save two of our daughters, our only and beloved children."
Rael then stepped back in, "We understand you would have difficulty returning to human space, due to issues we have discussed privately with the Admirals" All of the Admirals nodded in unison at his remark. "Your actions have proved that you do not only serve the human Alliance, but all those around you, regardless of their differences."
Shala then went on, "Admiral Hackett was informed of your actions on the colony, and decided to rescend your official Major rank status as an honorable discharge, should you accept. He would continue to fiscally support you as civilian benefactor to the Alliance military by sending levo-based rations as well as any necessary items might require at a later date. He described it as a position reserved to those who serve the human race, but do not directly follow orders from the 'brass' ".
Aj's shoulders slumped, and he momentarily looked at the ground. So I really did get kicked ou-
Again, before his detrimental thoughts continued, Admiral Gerrel put his hands behind his back, proclaiming, "Antonio Sanchez, we wish to officially recognize you as Antonio'Sanchez vas Neema, a member of our fleet. We have never accepted a non-quarian into our ranks, but we have also never known someone such as yourself. Although your biological talents are of merit, they are not the reason we offer you this choice. We believe you would not only serve the fleet to the best of your ability, as you've already shown, but also help us form an alliance with humanity itself, as they have treated us with a respect we have rarely seen among the galaxy."
For a long moment, Aj's mind was unable to form a coherent reply. A.. a part of the fleet? And the first non-human? For an indescribably short period of time, he wondered if anything about him would ever be normal. Fortunately, his military training had prepared him for situations addressing individuals of a high status, but it still was a terrifying experience.
"I would be honored to accept the name and status which comes with it." He paused for a moment, and before anyone could interject, he continued in a more somber tone, "I've lost everyone I know...my family, friends...the ones I loved... everything I owned...but what's past is the past..." That last statement struck a chord with him, and he glanced at a certain quarian with a smile. "Tali has taught me the fleet is more or less a large family; the fact that you would allow me to be a part of it, is a feeling I cannot describe." His voice cracked, but he forged ahead, "I sincerely thank you, with all the earnestness I can muster, for this opportunity to serve with the wonderful people I've come to know and proudly call my friends" He finished, still in shock over what he just accepted.
The entire auditorium cheered in applause, while Aj received enough hand shakes to break a normal shoulder blade. When his arm was finally done greeting new shipmates, one shipmate in particular -miss Zorah- didn't even bother extending a hand, instead wrapping him in a tight embrace.
Admiral Rael Zorah looked at the scene, his daughter tightly embracing the giant Puerto Rican. Humans are strange when it comes to friendly greetings... it is good she has become accustomed to their ways, especially now. He walked off casually, merely thinking she was greeting him in the customary human fashion.