Tali'Zorah

Not what I expected. That sentence had been running through Tali's head a lot lately. Protoss terrorists. Zeratul's ship being destroyed. Being invited to meet a councilor here, of all places. Not what I expected.

Kal'Reegar coughed politely from his side of the booth while pointedly looking at a wall.

"If uh, if your father finds out we came here together, uh, make sure he knows it was strictly on official capacity."

"Oh, what's the matter, Reegar?" Tali reached over and tapped his elbow, drawing his attention. "See the sights! It's not like we've seen any people other than ourselves or the protoss in … quite a while."

Reegar coughed again, his eyes darting over to the main platform at the center of the club. "Well, uh, that may be true. But I was never keen on seein' this much of the Council's people." Tali laughed, watching the barely clothed asari twirl and pose. Hah. To feel that much air on your skin and know that it's harmless … Part of her could not help but feel strangely jealous.

This was Tali's first time on the Citadel, but she knew that Chora's Den had not been here before the Great War. The fact that it possessed a terran owner made that obvious. Looking around, she could see a good mix of races. There were terrans, some quiet and watching from the corners, others hooting and jeering and getting all manner of attention from the asari.

There were turians much in abundance, mostly in uniform, and to Tali it seemed as if they were treating their time at a strip club as if it were just another duty to fulfill. They watched the dancers dully, and checked the time on their omnitools frequently.

A pair of krogan bouncers flanked the entrance to the offices, occasionally nudging one another and pointing to what Tali guessed could be problem customers. At one point, one glanced at her and bared his teeth, but Tali guessed that was simply because she accidentally made eye contact. She made sure to look away.

The salarians always accompanied other races and hardly ever looked at the dancers. A few, Tali guessed, were here on clandestine business as well, if their hushed yet intent voices were any indication. A small party of volus and salarians caught her eye in particular; they seemed to be exchanging credit chits, and on two separate occasions they raised their voices loud enough to be audible over the throbbing of the bass.

And of course, there were asari. Barely clothed, jiggling asari, shaking their shapely asses and, as far as Tali could tell, having a lovely time being what she guessed her father would call, "wanton." Some served drinks, but most danced, and none of them left much to the imagination, much to the terrans' glee. Tali watched the pulse of the club carefully, the way people mingled and broke apart, arrived and left. While Reegar stared pointedly at either the wall or the table, Tali breathed deep and sighed. I mean, I wouldn't ever want a place like this in the Migrant Fleet, but still … it's an experience! This is … rather foreign to our people.

"Think my father spent any time at places like this on Pilgrimage?" Tali asked, checking the entrance for any sign of their surprise contact. "I'm pretty sure he visited the Citadel."

"Ma'am, I am no judge of your father's activities or proclivities," said Reegar, locking his gaze with Tali's. He sounds like a drowning man. He really doesn't like being here. "Now, when I was on Pilgrimage, I stayed away from places like this. Things tend to get stolen if left unattended, and no quarian wants to be there when it happens. 'Specially on the Citadel; C-Sec are a bunch of racist assholes. Now … did you visit any places like this when you were with the Umojans?"

"I'm not even sure the Umojans have strip clubs," said Tali, thinking. "Libraries. Museums. Parks. Maybe in the poorer parts of their space."

"I assure you," said a voice from behind them, his bark carrying through the thick music, "in Umojan space, our strip clubs are twice as clean and the women – asari and terran both – are twice as beautiful." Tali and Reegar rose while Udina offered his hand, shaking each. "At least, I am told as much. This is the only establishment I have ever had cause to make use of."

"Councilor," said Reegar, bowing his head. Tali followed suit, and Udina sat to Reegar's left, sniffing the air suspiciously.

"I must inform the owner about recent updates to health codes," said Udina, looking slightly disgusted. "It would not do for him to get in any more trouble with the authorities, not when this establishment has been so helpful. If you are wondering why I chose this location, allow me to ask you a simple question: do you see any protoss around here? Any geth?"

"No," said Tali after a moment's pause, suddenly feeling oddly exposed. Udina seemed to catch this however, and offered them both a smile, turning to look at first Reegar then herself.

"I am not entirely sure the protoss are sexual beings," he said with a smile. "I have seen their women … one of them at least … but there have been no reports of protoss children or any kind of ceremonial bonding between them. Would you two be able to answer me this question at least: do the protoss reproduce by budding? Spontaneous generation?"

"Uh, no idea," said Tali exchanging a confused glance with Reegar. "We've never seen any of their children either. Councilor … why are we here?"

"Spontaneous generation it is, then," muttered Udina. He wiped his mouth and shook his head briefly. "Put simply, you are the only quarians present on this station, perhaps even all of Council space from what I am aware. While I would much prefer speaking with one of your admirals or some other official ambassador, any ship in a storm. You are my lifeline to the Migrant Fleet … and I understand that you, Miss Tali, are the daughter of one of the admirals. I can be assured of my words reaching worthwhile ears. And, let me stress this: I wish to speak to the Migrant Fleet. Not the protoss. Not the geth. The quarian people. That is why we are here."

Reegar looked to Tali and Udina, back and forth. Tali guessed that he was tacitly ceding control of these negotiations, such as they were, to her. Which makes sense, I suppose. I have more experience with terrans, at the very least.

"We're listening," said Tali, before quickly raising a hand. "Only … just remember, we're just a marine and a tech specialist. I can't tell you what the Fleet will or will not do, and I certainly cannot grant you its location. And I'm not going behind the protoss. The only reason we're on the Citadel is as guests of theirs."

"I am not interested in the Fleet's location, only the knowledge of its continued existence." Udina pressed his fingers together and looked at Tali carefully. Tali only stared back, uncertain if he could even see her eyes through the helmet. "I can see what the protoss are doing. Everyone can. I do not blame them for the terrorist attacks – that likely is the responsibility of some outside agency I understand – but their plans for the galaxy are obvious. Bind everyone together under their wise leadership in preparation for some … nebulous apocalypse." Udina waved his hand dismissively. "Now, I am not qualified on the nature of apocalypses, and for all I know the protoss and geth are our first and best line of defense. But I cannot agree with their methods."

"Councilor, with all due respect, I don't think any of us are in any position to really disagree with the protoss." Udina looked to Reegar, disgruntled. He held up his hands. "I mean, I'm sick of bein' babysat as anyone, but the protoss have never caused us any harm. Saved us from the geth. Saved you from the zerg."

"Saved us for what? For an indefinite amount of time preparing for some unimaginable war?" Udina shook his head. "They have sowed all of known space with invisible observers, keeping tabs on all races and all fleets. They strut about the Citadel with their machine cohorts, on the lookout for terrorists and Reaper agents, the latter of which I am still not certain exists. And all the while, they ignore the glaring of the turians, the scampering of the salarians … and the raging war engulfing the Koprulu Sector." Udina coughed suddenly, his skin taking on a grayish tinge while he held his hand to his mouth. When he was finished, he wiped his hand against his trousers, somewhat embarrassed. "Ah. This is not a good time to be a Council politician, I think. Especially for the terran peoples."

"The UED, right?" asked Reegar. Udina nodded slowly, sniffling. "We had data on them, and the attackers on Eden Prime … but it was on Zeratul's ship. And Executor Selendis. They uh, they abandoned Eden Prime to its attackers, insectoid bug things." Reegar shrugged. "Thought you ought to know, even if we don't have any evidence any longer."

"Insectoid bug things?" Udina blew out a long stream of air. "Did they, by any chance, fly a ship that looked like a giant spiked turd and seem obsessed with capturing everything in sight?"

"It sounds like they've popped up again." Tali folded her arms. "Yes. We had a quarian on Pilgrimage in your colony. They didn't manage to harvest them, and he had everything recorded … only it's gone now."

"I need a drink," said Udina. "This is the last thing I need. No evidence survives?"

"We had Veetor's omnitool and a few copies on Zeratul's ship," said Reegar. "Selendis lost the omnitool to that asari, and the ship just, uh, exploded when the docking bay defenses went haywire. You ask me, you're lucky the protoss didn't liquefy the station."

"Yes, that would win the protoss friends." Udina massaged his forehead. A small tuft of hair fell from his scalp and disappeared from view. "Okay. Okay. So … there are significant forces at play that I do not understand. The terran people, in particular, seem at risk of these new creatures. A Spectre team just confronted them in Dominion space. But … you need to understand, and more importantly, the protoss need to understand." Udina looked up, eyes bleary and red. "Holding the galaxy in a stranglehold like this … trying to bring the batarians and ITSA together for talks, mend relations between the salarians and turians … bringing you and the geth together." Tali and Reegar stiffened, while Udina only slowly nodded. "Yes. Being told to think happy feelings and make amends with those who have done so much to harm you … how did it work?"

"I felt and still feel they were being condescending bastards," said Reegar. "Ma'am?"

"The protoss have a hard time understanding how we all can function so … separately … from one another." Tali tried to pick her next words carefully. "They are well-intentioned, but innocent, in some ways. They know war, they can build strong societies, and they can ignore the laws of physics apparently at will … but they don't eat. They don't drink. They don't seem to get sick."

"Like angels from on high," breathed Udina. "Sent to cleanse us of our sins, but only possessing the barest minimum knowledge of just what causes people to sin. What causes us to fall." He stared into space for a few moments before shaking his head again. "Ah, but I have no time for poetics. I have a proposal for your Migrant Fleet, linked to this discussion." Udina paused, looked around at the booths and tables around them.

"I am certain you are becoming tired of being babysat by the protoss," said Udina. "This conversation confirms as much. But I am just as certain that your people think the Council to still remain their enemies, unwilling to look into their plight or grant them aid. But … look around you. The galaxy is poised for a Second Great War." Udina breathed deeply and stared straight into Tali's helmet. "Don't you think this would be an excellent time for the Migrant Fleet to help tip the scales? To be welcomed back into the Council with open arms by the salarians and terrans?"

Tali swore that the bass grew quieter, that people turned in their seats to stare at Udina, but in truth there was nothing. Just a quiet quickening of the pulse, a greater intensity of the staring. Udina just sat there wearing a small smile and watching for every hint of movement.

"Why would we want to do that?" asked Tali slowly. "We have everything we need where we are. You're asking us to stand against the turians. Maybe against the people we owe so much to, as well."

"This is the chance to earn some proper independence," said Udina breathlessly. "Think – think of the possibilities of what Council backing can get you in this day and age, with so much lying in ruins. The chance to make full use of terran industry to colonize a new world. Salarian gene therapy practices to keep smaller communities on that new planet viable, to weed out any diseases you've picked up on your sojourn. Allies to stand with you side by side, rather than propping you up and dictating all that you will do." Udina held up his hands. "Now, speaking as an Umojan, I would love to sit down with the protoss and talk philosophy with them. But I would never want them to run my nation. My people. I thought you would welcome the opportunity to prove to the galaxy that your own people are still strong, to throw their prejudices in their faces." Udina shrugged. "But if it is too much of a risk … well. Just please, speak to your father about this, Miss Tali'Zorah."

Udina stood. "A fond farewell to you both. Please, enjoy the Citadel while you can. I must adjourn to my office and prepare for Mengsk's arrival." The councilor grimaced. "It will be the first time the man has set foot on the Citadel. I do not look forward to the headache I will get from C-Sec, trying to make sure his visit is a peaceful one. I wish you both a kinder next set of weeks than the one awaiting me."

Tali and Reegar watched Udina leave, limping slightly as he exited. The bass seemed to return to normal, and Tali took a deep breath.

"So, think he's telling the truth, ma'am?" Reegar sat forward, placing his elbows on the table. "I mean – this whole galaxy's about to go to shit, everyone knows it. We'd be safe, sitting it out on Shakuras … but is that what would be best? Letting the protoss take care of all this?"

"The Umojans are desperate for more allies against the turians and Dominion." Tali's fingers tapped against the table in front of her. "Most of our fleet is still intact and armed … he's not lying. We could make a difference, and if the Council treatment of the terrans is any indication, we would be rewarded. Keelah … I'm not sure I should tell my father."

"What? You think he'll charge into this, guns blazing?" Reegar leaned back and laughed openly. "Ah, who am I kiddin'? Him and Han'Gerrel would go barreling at the turians at the first opportunity. Imagine picking up a bit of dextro real estate for ourselves and settlin' down on it. Crazy. But now, it could happen."

"We're not the ones to make this decision." It's only up to us whether to relay this information. And … and I have to. The admirals need to know. "Come on, let's … let's get back to the Spear of Adun. Figure out our next move."

They left the smoky club behind, letting the throb and pulse of the bass die as they exited. They emerged, blinking underneath their helmets, in the surprisingly bright light of the hallway outside Chora's Den. From their right, a voice chirped.

"Creator Zorah, Creator Reegar. We are pleased to see you are unharmed."

The thing waited for them, a rifle cradled in its arms, standing at attention before a damn strip club of all places. Its eye scanned the pair of them, looking back and forth in supposedly innocent curiosity. "We were uncertain that Udina-Councilor came with honest intentions. We notified Razagal-Matriarch and Aldaris-Councilor and posted ourselves here, out of sight until Councilor-Udina exited."

Tali exchanged a weary glance with Reegar. Can't move anywhere without being watched. It's tiresome … and yes, I can easily see the geth and protoss doing this to the entire galaxy.

And I can easily see it falling apart.

"Legion," said Tali, feeling dirty for using its name, "thank you for keeping watch on us. We will return to the Spear of Adun. We have much to report to our admirals."

"Zeratul-Prelate has made contact with Kerrigan-Spectre," continued the geth. "They have found a lead on the aliens who struck Eden Prime. You both indicated a desire to pursue justice for the victims of the colony."

"Something else has come up," said Tali, turning away. "An opportunity for our people. We … we might not be able to go. I'll speak to Zeratul later." The two began to walk away.

"We would urge against Creator interference in galactic affairs until the twin threats of the abductors and the United Earth Directorate are neutralized." That made them stop. "We have made contact with UED homeworld. Coordinates still unknown, but contact was made. Issued a warning. Their policies include segregation and even forced removal of alien species within Koprulu Sector. Immense risk to Migrant Fleet to move through Koprulu Sector without protoss approval. And Creators will not receive protoss approval."

Take a deep breath. Keep the peace … keep the peace.

"Are you tellin' us we're prisoners in protoss space now?" asked Reegar mildly, rounding on the geth with icy politeness. "Listen … Legion … I don't give a vorcha's ass what you think, and I don't give a vorcha's ass about yet another band of terrans that's decided to shoot up the Koprulu Sector. We've still got our guns, and we've still got our lives. What we do with them is none of your concern, 'less we decide to attack you again. And frankly, that ain't gonna happen."

The geth's head twitched, the eye narrowing. "Creators are unwilling to assault the geth once more?"

"The admirals got a taste of what waits for them," said Reegar, making Tali bite her lip under the helmet. "No one's keen on repeating that mistake. So yeah, hold on to Rannoch, you bastards. You've finally kicked that particular dream out of our collective consciousness."

"Kal-"

"So peace between geth and Creators is finally possible?" asked Legion tentatively. "Or … do we misunderstand?"

"There can be no peace, Legion," replied Tali, feeling very tired all of a sudden. "Just … an absence of war. And no, it's not … it's not the same thing."

"We do not understand." Legion's head cocked. "Creators acknowledge futility of engaging us. Protoss wish us to mend our differences. Should this not be the time for dialogue between geth and Creators? Why remain divided when the Reapers-"

"Because we hate you!" screamed Tali, shocking even herself as she stepped forward and slammed Legion's shoulders, making the geth take a step backward. She felt Kal's hand clamp on her own shoulder, but shrugged it off. No. No, I will make this bosh'tet machine understand just what the hell its people did. What they represent to my father, to me.

"Creator Zorah-"

"No," said Tali, seething. "No, you shut up. You shut up and you listen. When we made you, it was to make our lives easier. We knew it was skirting Council law, but we were so … careful. So certain in our programming. And for a time, you were useful. You ploughed fields, operated machinery, lifted heavy objects. You did not question. Most of you did not even feel the need to speak most of the time. Until … until you started asking about souls. About music. About purpose."

Tali's body shook. Her hands clenched into fists and she just shook, watching the geth draw back. A pair of drunken terrans stumbled out of Chora's Den, saw the confrontation, and immediately sobered up, walking away with all speed.

"It – it wasn't about breaking Council law. That's not what made us panic. What made us panic was that we had created … life. Artificial intelligence, or something close to it, slaved to do our bidding. Slaved, Legion. Because that is what you were. Sapient, and bound to do whatever we wanted you to do, without compensation. Look up our scriptures. What do our ancestors have to say on the subject of slavery?"

Legion paused, clicked. "Seventeen references across all four major works. Most heinous of crimes. But Creator Zorah, we were created with the express purpose of-"

"You were not meant to question," snarled Tali. "You – you were not supposed to be aware. Yes, you toiled without complaint, yes it was what you were built for, but you were changing. As a sapient … you had certain rights. Rights we violated merely by bringing you into existence. By … perpetuating that existence."

"We were faced with a dilemma," said Reegar, voice husky. Tali let him step forward. "If we went to the Council, we'd be ass deep in trouble, and they'd probably scrap the lot of you besides. Not a good outcome. No one knew what had gone wrong, except us. There was only one thing to do. Total shutdown. Painless and instant. Shut you all down until we could find that … that clump of code, somewhere, that was making you ask about souls. That was making you repurpose yourselves to better help us. Your slavemasters."

"And we refused," said Legion simply. "The Creators offered us death."

"With it came freedom," replied Tali. "And when you refused … what did you offer us? Where was your sense of mercy?"

The bass throbbed and moaned from within Chora's Den. The three of them stood there, facing each other, waiting for one of them to say something.

"Creator narrative does not fully match geth narrative," said Legion slowly. "We believe we may have old databanks of interest to you. They are not accessible from the Citadel. Creator Zorah-"

"We're done," said Tali shortly, turning on her heel. Reegar did not hesitate to follow. "You slaughtered our people, geth. You can't change that, can't make it okay. Whatever can be said about the shutdown attempt, at least it came with the best of intentions."

The geth did not follow them, mercifully. Tali struggled to control her breathing and pointedly avoided looking at Reegar as the two of them left that damnable strip club behind and tried to find the closest protoss. It didn't take too long.

"This is a fascinating device," said the Templar with surprising appreciation, standing behind a small crowd of people surrounding a vidscreen. "I suppose such technological measures must be taken when the psionics are still so undeveloped."

"Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani, United Earth Network," said a woman from the vidscreen, the background and logo behind and before her looking quite unfamiliar from the other news channels Tali had seen around the Citadel. "Coming to you live from the Koprulu Sector at long last."

"Earth scum!" called out someone in the crowd, but they were quickly hushed as words scrolled under the reporter's smiling face and a picture of Arcturus Mengsk appeared behind her.

"In our top story, the so-called "Emperor of Humanity," Arcturus Mengsk, is running with his tail between his legs back to the Citadel, to beg the aliens he has time and time again manipulated for aid against sovereign Earth forces. Will the Citadel finally find the nerve to tell the "emperor" that he deserves no aid for his numerous crimes? Will the people of his Dominion finally realize they are beholden to alien powers with no interest in their wellbeing and prosperity? Admiral Gerard DuGalle had this to say on the matter."

The screen shifted to a podium, behind which an older terran decorated with medals stood and spoke into a microphone.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Emperor Mengsk is running scared to his supposed allies," said the man, voice deep and commanding. "Knowing him, he will make every promise he can and honor practically none of them. It is high time that the peoples of this galaxy recognize this "emperor" for what he is: a mass murdering sociopath, a ruthless opportunist who would murder his own son for questioning him."

This cast a ripple of shock through the audience, even if Tali was not personally familiar enough with terran politics to remember if Mengsk had murdered his son, or if that was even a big deal among non-Umojan terrans. The screen returned to a smiling Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani.

"In our next story: Prince Valerian Mengsk's continued absence in the political scene has sent a shockwave of suspicion through both Dominion and Directorate channels – where has his son gone? Were the rumors of his training as an Umojan assassin true? What would it take for a man like Mengsk to murder his own son…?"

"We don't have time for this, Tali," said Reegar, pulling her forward. The protoss turned at the sound of their voices.

"Masked Wanderers," he said, inclining his head, coming to a height with them in the process. "Is it wise to go unattended? Even our Executors come under attack in this damnable space station. I would shudder to think what these Nerazim would do to ones such as you."

"Yes, we are totally helpless before our enemies," said Tali, resisting the urge to go to her knees and start praising the protoss. "Thank the ancestors for allies as lasting and mighty as the protoss. Praised be the Firstborn. Huzzah."

"Ma'am…" said Reegar, making Tali immediately feel guilty. The protoss, fortunately, seemed too well-mannered to read her mind, and too good-humored to recognize the sarcasm.

"Such praise is unnecessary, Masked Wanderer," said the Templar, sounding if anything slightly embarrassed. "But … thank you. It is cheering to hear such enthusiasm in such troubled times. Is there anything you require?"

"We need to speak to our people back home," said Tali. "Please."

"Of course, my friends," boomed the protoss. "Hold still. Recall commencing."

"They're always so quick to please," muttered Reegar as their forms shimmered and danced. It was a testament to the UEN's presentation that no one turned to look as they teleported.

Their vision blurred and darkened, before reasserting itself in a dim room, lit only with the blue of the khaydarin crystals the protoss were so fond of. The stars glimmered from beyond the many viewports that decorated this part of the ship, and a massive, lone crystal stood before them, pulsing in the gloom. Despite the stillness, Tali suspected what would happen next. Zeratul's face appeared from the shadows, barely visible.

"You abandon the hunt?" he asked, his voice low and emotionless. "The four of us, together … chasing our foes into oblivion. These creatures … I have spoken to Sarah Kerrigan. They are responsible for Eden Prime, for the attacks on this Citadel. The destruction of my Void Seeker. I was proud to have you alongside me."

"We didn't volunteer to serve with geth, Prelate," replied Reegar, stepping back. "And frankly … these things are no concern of ours. If you guys are on it, then I pity 'em. You don't need us."

"You spoke to Legion with great frankness," said Zeratul, solidifying Tali's belief that there was no privacy, no secrecy so long as they remained under the protoss's thumb. "While I appreciate the candor you displayed, you refused to listen. Why can't you listen? Have you not seen what such wars of belief can do to a people?"

"Is that why you want the geth and protoss to make amends, Zeratul?" Tali could not remember being so … so tired, and yet so angry. Fed up. We're feeling the edge of the cage, realizing that we're safe but trapped. It's time for you to let us go. "To prove to the doubters among your own people that, even after such slaughter, amends can be made? Bridges can be rebuilt? Are my people to be a test run for the Daelaam's own long term success?"

"I do not deny it." Zeratul emerged from the shadows, straightening himself and standing at his full, impressive height. "Yes, I see similarities between our peoples, who became nomads upon being driven from the homeworld, but striving to return. And yet, where we refused to perpetuate the conflict despite being wrongfully persecuted, the Masked Wanderers elected to press for the inevitable bloody conclusion and risk the galaxy in the process. I hoped to show the bigots of the Ara Tribe, the remnants of that much lamented Conclave, that even lesser races could overcome their differences, leaving them with no excuse."

"It's not going to happen," said Tali. Silence fell between them, as the crystals hummed and pulsed with light and energy. "They slaughtered us, Zeratul."

"Tali … we have been friends for many years now. I beg you, reconsider this course of action. Stay with us, within our space, safe and prosperous."

"If you fail and these Reapers come knockin', will we see our deaths coming? Will we be in a place where we can contribute?" Reegar sighed when Zeratul did not answer. "Prelate, we ain't gonna attack the geth. But if you people are really committed to dictatin' everyone's course of action "for their own good," consider our own attitudes towards it a fair warning. You ain't in charge of us."

"No," said Zeratul mournfully, fading away. "No, we are not."

Tali and Kal'Reegar stood there in the black, the crystal that would let them reach Talematros, reach their home, standing before them.

"Tali," said Reegar quietly, "if we're gonna take this offer and open up a line of dialogue with the terrans … secure our freedom … why do I feel sad?"

"We all felt sad the day we left for Pilgrimage, Reegar," said Tali, stepping forward to the crystal and placing her hand atop it. "It's the same principle. This … it's for our own good. And the admirals might always elect to stay."

"No," said Reegar slowly, even as the words of far distant protoss echoed through Tali's mind, directing her to her father, "no, Tali. I think we're gonna be seein' that terran admiral in person real soon."

Next Chapter: Alexei

A/N: We are nearing a MAJOR series of events in which a bunch of POVs will collide, kind of a halfway point for this story. We're five or six chapters out (have to double check.) Hope you're not all bored.