Chapter 21: Intrigue

Three days had passed since the funeral for Kelly back on Earth. Three days as the Normandy flitted from here to there, under Liara's guidance searching for clues to the elusive Shadow Broker and the purpose behind the cloning facility. It was starting to frustrate you.

Sitting at your desk in the main captains' cabin you glare at the computer monitor in frustration. The words in front of you just confuse you all the more, the Illusive Man was sending you another message. "Shepard. Good work with that cloning facility, you should have taken more data before destroying the place or at least asked me for help. It's taken a lot of work for me to find out what the hell was going on there. Meet my agent at the Citadel."

Tali was sitting on the couch just around the corner waiting for you, after a few minutes of you staring at the monitor she finally sighs and gets up, moving around to stand beside you. "Shepard. If your just going to keep working I'm going to go down to engineering. I'm sure I could be of more use working on the drive core than just sitting up here like an ornament."

Tearing your gaze from the monitor you motion at the vid screen and push your chair back "Looks like we aren't quite done with Cerberus yet. Three days searching through Liara's contacts for leads and that bastard just pops up out of the blue with what we need."

She leans over the desk to get a better view of the monitor, quickly glancing over the letter. After staring at the screen in mute shock she moves over to stand in front of your computer, her fingers flying over the data pad. Sliding your chair up behind her you slide your hands onto her hips, gently guiding he to sit in your lap. She glances at you and shakes her head letting out an exasperated sigh "Shepard, I'm trying to trace the data stream through the network to see where this burst originated from. It would be much easier if you kept your hands away from certain places...." She leaves the comment hanging as she turns back to the screen.

Chuckling softly you lace your fingers together, arms wrapped around her waist and place your head against her left shoulder. "Whatever you want Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. You know, I never do get tired of calling you that. Did the fleet ever issue a retraction giving you back your other ship name?"

Ignoring you she keeps tapping away for a few minutes longer, then she leans back in your arms sighing heavily. "He must have used someone on the Citadel to send you that message or a complex system of relays to make the origin seem like the Citadel. One of these days that man is going to slip up, and then I'm going to shove a grenade down his throat for the Idenna." Turning her head to look at you she slides her legs on your lap, placing her hands in yours. "No Shepard. The Fleet has not contacted me about any changes and I have not contacted them. I am happy to be here and part of your crew. I would still give almost anything to keep my people safe, but my place is here with you."

Smiling you reach up to caress the side of her helmet, then nod towards the door "It's good to have you here Tali, and thanks for handing me that grenade back on the Collector ship. Now how about we give Joker the new heading."

She smiles and caresses your face for just a moment then stands up "Right, I'll get down to engineering and make sure everything is all right. Those Cerberus engineers aren't half bad but they have a long ways to go to meet Quarians standards."

Chuckling you follow her to the elevator and ride down to the CIC deck. Stepping out you turn and smile at Tali, waving as the doors slide shut. When you turn back around your surprised to see Legion standing where Kelly used to be. The geth looks up a moment later and flexing his head flanges speaks "You have unread messages Commander, also we would like to speak with you when possible concerning a meeting between the Admirals and the Geth."

Taken aback by Legion you shake your head as you reply "What are you doing Legion? I can handle my own messages, you don't have to fill in for the Yeoman."

"We are simply trying to promote unit cohesion by filling the void left by Chambers absence. If this offends you we will cease the activity."

"No it's fine if you feel you need to do that Legion. When do the Geth wish to have this meeting and have you discussed the details with Tali yet?"

"We have not, we will go speak with Creator-Zorah now to arrange the details. We wish to ask you to speak on behalf of the Geth to the Creators. We will supply you with a list of the concessions we are ready to make with the Creators to promote coexistence if that is acceptable."

The admission takes you back and for a moment you don't respond, then you nod slowly "I would be honored to represent your people in this matter Legion, but I can't guarantee anything. Why me? I've killed more than my share of Geth or Heretics as you call them."

Legion tilts his head to the right regarding your for a moment before responding "You have insight, you know the Geth and the Creators very well because of your relationship with Creator-Zorah. You are also an organic and can give us insight as to whether these concessions will be enough to ease the error in organic programming that causes fear of Geth."

"I'll do what I can Legion, I promise you that."

Legion nods once and turns back to his work. Slipping past the synthetic you move up to the bridge nodding as a few of the crew members salute you. A smile crosses over your lips at that, just days before the only people to salute you had been the engineering crew. Things were changing, these weren't just Cerberus people now, they were your crew.

Joker spins his seat around as you step into the cockpit "Hey commander! Nice speech at the funeral, sure wish someone would of asked if I wanted to attend."

You cross your arms looking at Joker like you don't think he is serious, he practically yells at you in response "What you don't think I cared for her too? Well you can go to freaking hell then and find another damn pilot!"

Shaking your head you hold up your hands and try to calm Joker "Easy there Joker. I'm just surprised to hear you say it, all you ever talked about on the old Normandy was how you had to prove yourself constantly and you haven't exactly been chummy with me since we got on this ship. I just didn't expect it from you. It's good to see there is still a person in there underneath all the bluster."

EDI suddenly pops up on the side "Shepard's assessment is accurate if hurtful Jeff. You do tend to ridicule and insult your fellow crew members when they are not listening."

Joker growls and swings an arm at EDI "So what if I do? I've been through hell my entire life because of my genes and I think I'm entitled to a little rage! Kelly thou... she was nice, actually understood and tried to connect with me without taking pity on me. I'm gonna miss her." he says in a sad tone.

You reach out and take Joker's right hand in yours, clasping both hands over his "I miss her too Jeff. If you want to go back and say a few things I'll carry you out there myself."

Joker shakes his head and smiles "Thanks Commander, but I'm good. Might make you carry me to the bathroom thou"

Laughing you shake your head "We have business at the Citadel, want me to carry you first or you good to plot the course?"

Joker grins spinning the chair around quickly "Should take us about a day, I'll call you when we are in the area Commander. Thanks again."

Turning to head back to your quarters you call over your shoulder "That's what a crew is good for, keeping each other going."