A/N: We are getting better with the reviews, next chapter will be a codex update, so no whining. Please leave review for the chapter
10-20-2183 0139 hours (Citadel standard time)
"I think my head has been hit by a sledgehammer." Kaidan whined. He set his breakfast down on the table and took a seat next to Wrex. He took a bite of his bacon and eyed the Krogan wearily. Krogans, by nature were very aggressive when it came to meals with meat.
"Don't worry human. I'm not interested in taking your scrawny food." Taking a bite of his massive meal, which consisted of 12 steaks and 4 sandwiches, he said "I have all the food I need right here."
Taking his bottle of pills and opening it, Kaidan took a pill out and popped one in his mouth. He swallowed it with a cup of coffee.
"Do you get migraines often?" Ramirez asked seating across from him.
Kaidan nodded. "The L2's are pretty rough sometimes when their overused."
Ramirez was puzzled that Kaidan hadn't gotten any of the newer Alliance biotic implants. "Then why don't you get an L4 or L5 implant instead if the one you have if it is giving you so much problems?"
"Because he has a quad, that's why." Wrex said giving Kaidan a toothy grin and a pat on the back.
"Well, I wouldn't say it like that, but the L2 definitely packs a punch." Turning his head over to Ramirez he said "The reason I haven't been able to get a new implant is that in order to get one you need to buy one of the newer Alliance premium insurances and my application is still pending."
Before Ramirez could respond, Garrus asked as he approached "What are you guys talking about?" He then set his own meal next to Nyreen.
"Kaidan's biotic implant.", answered Nyreen.
"I thought we were talking about his application for a new Alliance premium." Ramirez said to the group.
"Well, from what I've seen, you're on par with some Asari, Lieutenant." Nyreen said, encouraging the Lieutenant.
"Thanks for the encouragement." Kaidan answered.
"But you don't stop using a gun just because you have a cheap version of magic." Ramirez said. His comment angered the biotics sitting at the table.
"Oh really? Well then, who do you think would win in a fight between you and Wrex?" Nyreen asked Ramirez.
Taking a sip from his orange juice, he said "Well, Wrex is near unstoppable so I admit his biotics give him an advantage, but if he didn't use them then it would be a different story."
"WHAT!?" Wrex yelled. "You think I would dare lose to a pyjack like you?", he asked Ramirez.
"Wrex, I'm not saying I'm more experienced than you, just better trained." Ramirez told Wrex
"Oh really?" came a voice from behind the group. They turned to see Shepard standing behind them holding his breakfeast. "So you think you'd be able to fight against Wrex?" Shepard asked his friend.
"Only if he wasn't able to use his biotics." Ramirez answered.
"Well then I guess we have our afternoon entertainment. Krogan VS Titan, I like the sound of that. Alright then both of you be at the cargo bay in three hours. It will be unarmed combat." Shepard said, taking his leave, his breakfast with him.
Wrex erupted into a fit of laughter. "Seems your big mouth has gotten you into to some deep trouble.", Wrex said to Ramirez, after hearing the news Shepard gave them.
"Wrex my big mouth hasn't gotten me into anything I couldn't handle."
"This is going to be interesting." Garrus stated to the group, who were both exited and a bit afraid of what would occur in the ensuing fight.
"We may need to make sure they don't rip each other apart or us." Nyreen said to Garrus.
Ramirez and Wrex just stared at each other, grinning and anxious for the upcoming fight.
Three hours later, the cargo bay was fill with almost every member of the Normandy' crew. Even Joker, who placed the Normandy on auto pilot, attended the match and was excited to see what will happen. A makeshift ring was made, a square formed by some of the ships exercising equipment, and the boxing ring would serve as the battle ground for the two warriors.
"Taking all bets, taking all bets!" shouted Joker, sitting behind a table at a terminal, taking credits from various crew members. Nyreen, Garrus, Kaidan, and Liara betted on Wrex, while Tali, Daro, Ashley, and Saren betted on Ramirez.
Ramirez stood at one end of the ring and stared over at Wrex. He was trying to figure out any of Wrex's weaknesses and strengths. 'I need to stay away from his powerful punches. Krogans are by nature excellent in close quarters. Maybe taking out the knee would work.' Ramirez thought in his head.
At the other end of the ring, Wrex, like Ramirez, stood in his armor. He didn't think or do anything, he just simply stared at Ramirez with a blank expression. His blood shot eyes installed a sense of fear in the crew members sitting on the side lines.
Joker shouted over them, "Last call for any bets, last call for any bets!" When nobody seemed to place anymore bets, Joker put his own personal bet on what would happen during the fight.
Chakwas turned to find Daro looking for a seat. By the look from her suit, which was covered in fresh oil smudges, she seemed to have just left the engineering bay. Chakwas motioned over to Daro to take a seat next to her. Daro made her way over to Cakwas and sat down next to her. Chakwas explained to Daro, "One thing you will learn about human males is that they are extremely proud, even when it makes them do stupid things. All of that testosterone, goes to their heads."
"But what does this have to do with…" Daro began.
"Hush dear, everything will make sense soon enough." Chakwas interrupted.
Daro did not take too kindly to being interrupted, but she let it passed and turned her attention to the fight before them.
The loud noise of a bell ringing brought the crowd to silence. Shepard stood in the middle in the ring, and was serving as the announcer and referee. "Thank you for your patience. Without further ado, The SR1 Normandy ship proudly presents this afternoons entertainment!" he spoke through a microphone."
The crowd cheered and Wrex smiled as Shepard cotinued.
"In this corner, weighing in at 559 pounds, six foot nine, born on Earth, the man who survived being eaten by a Thresher Maw, Lieutenant James Rrrramirez!", Shepard tried to slur the R in Ramirez's name, much like the Mexican announcers do in Mexican wrestling.
The crowd cheered, most notably Daro, her loud accented voice drowned out the majority of the cheers.
"And in this corner, weighing at a ton, standing at seven foot three inches, born on Tuchanka, the last known krogan to have killed a Thresher Maw on foot, the krogan who has more combat experience than we have lived, Urdnot Wrex!"
The crowd cheered again, though this time louder. Wrex disregarded the crowd and only stared at Ramirez across the ring.
"Still think you can take me on pyjack?" Wrex taunted at Ramirez.
Ramirez looked at down at his fists and looked back at Wrex. "I'm ready for this." he told him.
Wrex grinned widely, walking up to where Shepard stood. Ramirez soon followed, their stare was unbroken, even as Shepard explained the rules.
"Ok, let's make this a good fight. This is strictly hand to hand, so let's keep this clean and nonlethal. If things get too intense I'll let you guys know upfront, a couple of guards are instructed to shoot tear gas and maximum strength tranquilizers if I can't break up the fight. Shake hands and go over to your corners."
Wrex and Ramirez complied. When their hands were locked in an iron grip, Wrex said to Ramirez "I expect the best fight of my life James, so you better not disappoint."
Ramirez, noticing how Wrex use his first name as a sign of respect, replied "And you'll get one, just make sure you aren't disappointed when you wake up in the infirmary."
"HA! I'm looking forward to it." Wrex said.
They both broke their grip on each other and went back to their corners before the start of the match. The bell was rang and both combatants turned and faced each other. Once that bell was rung, Wrex and Ramirez were no longer friends, now they were enemies.
Wrex immediately charged, swift and fast, while Ramirez side-stepped and threw a punch at the side of Wrex's face. Wrex recovered from the charge and leapt at Ramirez, he tried to dodge the attack, but Wrex was too fast. Wrex threw the force of his muscles into a powerful punch and hit Ramirez in the dead center of his chest.
The crowd cheered, except Daro, as Ramirez flew back, rolling to his side, coughing and desperately trying to get air back into his lungs. He looked up, finding Wrex standing still, looking down at him with a smug expression. "Had enough pyjack?" Wrex taunted at Ramirez.
Ramirez's reply was simple "Not even close." Quickly rising to his feet, Ramirez displayed the fitness of a true titan as he picked up Wrex by the waist and leapt three feet in the air. When they came crashing down, the crowd was shocked and roared with excitement. The impact left a dent in the ring.
Shepard raised his eyebrows after witnessing such a move. Never had he seen a Krogan so easily picked up and thrown to the ground like that.
Wrex laid on his back, quickly aware of someone yelling. It was one man, and he was very high in the air from what it sounded like. Wrex's eyes went wide as he looked up to see Ramirez, almost flying, directly towards where Wrex laid.
Wrex rolled, and not a moment too soon either, as Ramirez crashed onto the floor where Wrex previously laid. Wrex put his hands up and eyed Ramirez as both combatants circled each other. Not even 10 minutes into the match and both men were already sweating, a testament to the brutality they were giving each other.
Over in the crowds, Garrus yelled "C'MON GET BACK TO KILLING EACH OTHER!"
Nyreen sitting next to him said "Garrus! I never imagined you to be so violent."
Garrus turned his head to her and said "There are many things you don't know about me. If you'd like to get to know me better how about a date?", he asked her. Finally it seemed that Ramirez's advice was paying off, too bad he was fighting a Krogan to enjoy any of the credit.
Nyreen intrigued said "Alright, but I expect to be taken to an exclusive restaurant."
Garrus responded "You got it." Both turians turned their attention back to the fight and saw that Wrex and Ramirez had gone back to attacking each other.
Ramirez swatted a punch at Wrex's torso, followed by a powerful kick to his right knee, before retreating back.
The attack rattled Wrex, but it didn't caused him too much damage. He took a long punch, extending his arm with the strike and swung at Ramirez. Ramirez blocked the hit, but even then it caused him momentary pain on his forearms.
'Fuck that Krogan can hit hard.', he thought as he engaged Wrex. Bending his arm, Ramirez nailed Wrex in the face with his elbow and slammed him to the ground. Wrex, using his immense strength, pushed Ramirez off of him.
When Wrex grabbed his nose he felt a line of orange liquid leaking from his face. "Ha! This is what I'm talking about!", exclaimed Wrex.
Ramirez charged at Wrex, throwing his right leg back and his right fist forward simultaneously in a superman punch. The punch connected with Wrex and caused him to stumble back a few steps.
Wrex recovered and crouched down and launched a low punch to Ramirez's gut. The punch caused Ramirez to be sent into the air a bit. When he came down he felt the need to get an immense breather as the punch did some serious damage, however this did not stop him.
'Damn that punch really got me. Jesus Christ is stings as if I had gotten stung by an entire hornets' nest.', Ramirez thought
Wrex stepped forward and leapt, his left leg swinging up at Ramirez's ribs with a strong kick. Ramirez dodged the attack and used the opening to do his favorite move, the machine gun fist. He hit Wrex in his torso, with six rapid, powerful punches to the gut, followed by a kick to the chin. Wrex's vision became blurry, and before he knew it he was falling back, the pain of hitting the floor overloading his senses. This is where a Krogan's redundant system was most useful, as it numbed the pain Wrex felt and allowed him to get back up quicker, though even he had to admit it took some effort after that last attack.
'So the pyjack can fight afterfall.', Wrex thought as he got back up. He let out a groan, long and painful. Ramirez stood at a safe distance in a combat form.
"You done?", he quickly asked Wrex.
Letting out a laugh, Wrex said "Not even close." He panted out, his breath heavy. He stepped towards Ramirez once more, his fist clenched and ready to unleash hell.
Taking three quick steps to close the distance, Ramirez threw two punches at Wrex. They landed lightly, but the attack kept Wrex from charging at him.
Wrex leapt of his feet, something no one saw a Krogan do, and brought up a front kick, quickly followed by series of punches. Ramirez dodged, stepping side to side and quickly rolling to his left to avoid getting hit. Ramirez threw quick punches in areas where Wrex was exposed and quickly retreated to a safe distance.
Wrex then charged Ramirez, yelling "BLOOD RAGE!" Ramirez was stun at the sudden change in Wrex's attitude and fighting style, that he was unable to counter when Wrex grabbed him and flung him seven feet into the air. The crowd let out a deafening roar. Ramirez came crashing down hard and you could hear the sound of the impact a quarter mile away. Ramirez appeared to be done, the hit causing him massive trauma to his torso. As Wrex turned to leave the ring, he heard the crowd cheer. Turning back around, he saw Ramirez getting back up.
'I'd admit this pyjack has courage and spirit. Almost reminds me of myself. Almost.' Wrex thought as he witness Ramirez getting back up.
Wrex, getting close enough, threw a wide hook, aimed at the side of Ramirez's face. Ramirez ducked, but just barely, and took the opening at Wrex's ribs to strike, followed by a nasty upper cut to the bottom of Wrex's face. However after taking the nasty hit, Wrex swung his leg and kicked Ramirez's right knee with as much force and strength he could muster. You could hear the sound of a loud snap and the crowd cringed, when Ramirez let out a cry of pain. Wrex, then hit Ramirez with a straight jab to face, hard.
Ramirez was thrown across the ring, rolling on the matted floor, his arms flailing, giving the indication he wasn't going to back up. As Ramirez fell to the floor, Wrex once again turn to leave thinking the fight was over. That was until he heard Ramirez yell out his name. "Wrex this isn't over!"
With a smirk, Wrex turned around to face Ramirez. "Why is that you can't stay down?"
Ramirez retorted by saying, while on his knees "Why can't you put me down."
As much as Wrex admired Ramirez's courage and spirit, even he could see that any fight from here on out would be heavily one sided. Ironically, Wrex guessed, the only part of Ramirez's body that hadn't failed him yet was his mouth, go figure, he thought.
When Ramirez tried getting back up, he was successful, but his body moved roughly. Rising to feet was tiring, but he was successful. Already Ramirez was seeing stars, and his vision was failing him. He had a nasty black eye, and for some reason he found it difficult to stand up straight when he put his weight on his right foot. The short term amnesia or the memory loss, can be attributed to Wrex's hard punch to Ramirez's face.
Wrex came running at full speed, intent on finishing the fight. As he neared Ramirez, he struck, letting looses a series of powerful punches and kicks. Ramirez was able to dodge a few of them, but not all. The attack took its toll on Ramirez as he wheezed out for air. Wrex launched a punch, committing to a long strike to the face. No human had been able to take two straight punches from a Krogan and been able to stand. Ramirez responded by pulling a strike past him and hitting Wrex in the armpit with a left hook.
To an amateur fighter this would be a strange choice of target, but upon a closer look, many would find this was the opening Ramirez needed. By hitting Wrex in that area, Ramirez managed to nullify Wrex's punch and went on the attack. He punched Wrex in the dead center of his torso with a combination of powerful kicks and punches. He then grabbed Wrex's face from behind and brought up his right knee in a powerful arc. The impact, while successful, tore Ramirez's tendon, however running on adrenaline he didn't notice the injury to his right leg. However, many in the crowd saw he was bleeding from his right foot and Wrex was bleeding a lot more from the face, which was slightly swollen.
The matted floor was no longer white; now it was a mixed of dark crimson and orange liquid, as blood from both fighters poured out of their bodies like water from a fountain.
Wrex attempted to punch once again, however Ramirez wrapped his arm around Wrex's armed and by pulling on it, broke Wrex's arm. The sound of bone snapping alerted Wrex that he would have serious injuries after this fight was over. Ramirez, then kicked Wrex's left leg from behind. This caused him to go on one knee and Ramirez let loose a round house kick. It connected with Wrex's face and sent him falling towards the floor, his vision becoming a haze.
"You know, I didn't think you would last this long against me, no has." Wrex admitted as he got back up slowly, sweat and blood pouring from his face, which he wiped using his arm.
"I didn't either. I figured I would've been unconscious by now. I've fought Thresher Maws, entire armies, and survived some of the worst pirate assaults in history, but you are one tough son of a bitch." Ramirez said, in between heavy breaths.
"I'm glad you aren't. This is a story worth telling every Krogan about!" Wrex shouted. He was impressed by the young titan's endurance, courage, and will. It was too bad, he figured, that he would have to stomp on it in order to win, Wrex thought in his head.
Ramirez let out a smirk and was about to say something, however he was caught off-guard when he saw Wrex coming at him like a speedingtrain. Wrex tackled Ramirez, grabbing him from the waist and slamming him to the ground. He then proceeded to punch Ramirez in the face, whom countered by bring both of his hands up to protect his face. Unfortunately this is what Wrex wanted as he punched Ramirez in the gut hard. Ramirez, let out another yell of pain, and his body flailed and arched after being hit hard in the stomach.
Normally a punch from a Krogan that hard would've been enough to kill a normal human and even powerful enough to cause a Titan to need surgery and treatment. Satisfied with his work Wrex got up, however Ramirez, through unknown energy, swept Wrex's legs making in fall forward. Quickly, Ramirez put his left leg behind Wrex's neck, looping the shin of it under his right knee. He pulled Wrex's left arm, now caught in Ramirez's legs alongside his head, pushing Wrex's right shoulder into his throat, thus choking him. The triangle hold was starting to work; Wrex's eyes began to budge outward as his face turned red, the blood in his head now trapped as his neck was clamped shut. Wrex struggled, throwing his body forward and up to his feet. Ramirez leaned back, trying to be as heavy as possible.
Wrex scrambled, his arms trying to desperately search for a weak spot in Ramirez's hold. However, he used his Krogan strength to pickup Ramirez and slowly rose him into the air. Now six feet in the air, Wrex brought him crashing down on the mat. Desperately Ramirez held on, even as Wrex picked him up and slammed him down again . Wrex, knowing he needed to get air, picked up Ramirez once again, whom was prepared for another power bomb. However, this time Wrex got a running start and jumped, which sent him high into the air. This time Ramirez was up ten feet in the air and once both gladiators crashed onto the mat hard, the ring collapsed on itself.
To say the crowd was entertained would be an understatement, even Shepard was amazed at the spirit both of his friends showed, however he was pretty close to bringing up the tranquilizers if the fight didn't end soon.
Wrex rose, now filing his body with much needed air. He watched as Ramirez slowly rose to his feet. Wrex came with a straight palm and it connected with Ramirez's face, which was already swollen. Wrex continued on the attack, ensuring getting as many hits as he possibly could. In attempt to finally end it Wrex brought up a punch, which was aimed at Ramirez's neck. Ramirez, however countered, by spinning to his right and brought up is leg, while spinning in mid-air, and kicked Wrex in the back of the head. Wrex stumbled forwarded, but didn't fall.
Quickly turning around Wrex charged at Ramirez, whom he expected would dodge, leaving Wrex an opening to finish the fight. However, Wrex charging was what Ramirez was counting on as he was about to let loose a powerful move. Bringing his hand up to punch him, Wrex was confused when Ramirez didn't move from the oncoming attack. That was when, merely a few inches from his face, Ramirez swatted Wrex's punch with his hand; simultaneously using his left elbow and leg, Ramirez lunged forward. He used Wrex's own momentum against him, as he unleashed a deadly powerful counter elbow assault at Wrex's rib cage. The sound of ribs snapping could be heard all the way up the audience.
Shepard, at that point signaled the guards to tranquilize them, however they were not fast enough.
Stumbling back and lacking breathe and knowing he couldn't take much more damage, Wrex charged at Ramirez, who was also charging at him. Both men were intent on being the victor. Ramirez leapt up in the air for another superman punch, and Wrex intent on using Ramirez's own momentum against him, like he did his, brought his arm up for a punch as well.
The crowd was recording the fight and this instant would resonate throughout the galaxy and would further the debate, on which was the deadliest warrior Krogans or Titans.
Ramirez's punch connected in the dead center of Wrex's face and Wrex's punch hit the side of Ramirez's face. Ramirez spun in mid-air towards his right, once Wrex's punch connected and he fell to the floor unconscious. Wrex, likewise fell once Ramirez punched him, however he fell back. Both warriors laid on the floor unconscious and the crowd in that instant was too shocked to say or do anything. Even Shepard had his mouth wide open after seeing such display of carnage.
After a few minutes the crowd cheered as the long, brutal, but severely entertaining fight concluded with a shocking ending.
Shepard made his way over to where Ramirez and Wrex laid side-by-side of each other. "What is their condition?" he asked Chakwas, now concerned with both of his team mates well being.
Chakwas, along with other trained medical personal, checked their heart beats with a sethoscope. "They should be fine. Their heart beat is unusually high , well I wouldn't say unusual considering what they went through, but they should be fine. At least they are breathing and are in a somewhat, barely stable condition.", she informed Shepard.
Shepard smiled. "Good, I couldn't possible afford to lose either of my heaviest hitters." He watched as they moved both Wrex and Ramirez were placed onto a stretcher, after having both of their armor taken off. The medical team, then proceeded to take them to the med-bay.
Shepard then walked over to the betting table, where there were some angry betters.
Garrus angrily asked "What do you mean we can't take our bets?", the crowd behind him, shared his sentiment.
Joker bringing his hands up said "Hey don't blame me. Both Ramirez and Wrex were knocked out, so none of you can really take the pool."
"Then who can?" Saren asked, his eyes narrowing at the flight lieutenant.
Shepard then said from behind them "That is simple really." Motioning his hands to Joker and himself, he said "Me and Joker win, since we betted on Wrex and Ramirez being knocked out simultaneously."
Garrus asked Shepard, with a hint of suspicion "How did you know that would happen?"
Shepard replied "Simple, Wrex is too strong to be taken out and Ramirez is too stubborn to ever be put down."
Joker added "So today we now know what happens when an unstoppable force collides with an unmovable object."
"And that would be?" Tali asked, clearly not understanding the metaphor.
Joker continued, "They cancel each other out, or in this case, they end up destroying each other and everything near them."
Joker and Shepard then collected their bets, while leaving many unhappy betters about the fight's conclusion.
Ramirez awoke slowly, his eyes being blinded by the bright light of the medical bay. Looking around, he saw Wrex already awake and his arm in a cast. "So who won?" Ramirez asked him.
Grunting Wrex, answered "No one. From what I heard from the doctor when I woke, the fight was a tie."
"A tie? Aw c'mon. After all that we don't know which was the better man?" Ramirez whined.
"Wrong."
The voice of someone else caused both of them to turn to see Shepard entering alongside Dr. Chakwas. Shepard continued as he walked over to them "You both are the better men. Probably amongst the finest I have ever seen and that my friends is a short list." Slapping his hand down, he said "You both should be proud."
Unfortunately as Shepard was concerned with his speech, he failed to realize when his hand hit Ramirez's injured leg. "OW FUCK!", he grunted when he felt a massive surge of pain from his injured leg.
"Uh, sorry about that.", Shepard apologized sheepishly.
"No problem, just don't do it again.", was Ramirez's response.
"So who won the bet?" Wrex asked, genuinely curious as to who took the betting pool, considering him and Ramirez were both knocked out.
With a big smile, Shepard answered "Me and Joker."
"Well that explains his motivating speech." Ramirez said once he was told that only two people profited from the fight. However, he couldn't resist and asked "How much was the pool?"
Shepard, keeping his smile, said "over one million credits!"
Ramirez and Wrex went wide-eyed after hearing the amount. Seeing his friends faces, Shepard said "Considering the amount earned, I figured it was only fair if we split it between four ways, though Joker wasn't initially happy about it."
"It seems fair." Ramirez said. Wrex nodded in agreement.
"Oh, before I forget, the fight between the both of you is circulating on the extranet as we speak. The video has over 6 trillion views in just four hours and Citadel news is going to make a story about it, along with other news sources." Shepard informed them.
"Well at least I won't be remembered as the guy that got eaten by a Thresher Maw." Ramirez said.
Shepard then walked out of the med-bay as Dr. Chakwas, along with some of her assistants, went to work on patching them up.
Shepard went to the elevator and planned on seeing what was on the OSD card. He took a look at it when they first left Noveria, but it was only a glimpse and it showed the evolution of the geth's weapons and strategies. He made sure to copy that information on a separate OSD card and planned to give it to Tali as a pilgrimage gift.
Overall he was happy with the result of the fight; both Wrex and Ramirez bonded slightly and each had earns the other personal respect as a friend, not just as a fellow warrior.
Once the elevators door opened he saw Tali, his favorite crew member for obvious reasons, standing in the center of the elevator. "O-oh, hello S-Shepard.", she stuttered out, clearly nervous.
Stepping into the elevator, Shepard asked "Hey Tali, anything you need?"
Tali looked down, avoiding Shepard's gaze. "Well, I was planning on installing a few upgrades to the Normandy, not that she needs them, but was planning on asking you first for permission."
Pressing the elevator to go to his cabin, he said "Of course Tali. If you think there is way for you to improve life aboard the ship go right ahead, just inform Engineer Adams before you do anything and maybe Joker as well; he's obsessed with the ship."
"Right Shepard." She said. Neither of them talked about the elephant in the room, which was their sexual encounter in the engineering bay.
Shepard decided to break the awkward silence, by reaching into his back pocket and handing Tali an OSD card. "Here you go Tali, for your pilgrimage."
Taking the card in her hand, she asked "What is on it?" eyeing the card curiousy.
"Just the evolution of Geth weapons systems and attack strategies." He replied nonchalantly.
"J-just the evolution of get…..do you realize Shepard that this is possibly the greatest pilgrimage gift that anyone of my kind has obtained!?", she stated clearly happy with the information.
Looking back at him, she said "I wish I could repay for this Shepard."
Just then the elevator stopped and the doors opened to reveal Shepard's quarters. Stepping outside the elevator and opening the door to his cabin, he said "Well if you really want to repay me for that gift," motioning over to his bed, he said "I can think of a few ways that can be possible."
Tali, smiling underneath her helmet, responded "Lucky for you, I've taken some immuno-boosters.", she the leapt to Shepard's arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. Shepard then closed the doors to his cabin and the two proceed to share Shepard's bed.
Shepard awoke the next day, slightly earlier than normal, and noticed Tali was still sleeping. Cautiously, he tried to get out of bed, without alerting her.
Unfortunately this was impossible as Jokers voice came over the loud speakers of the ship. "Commander, the Council is on the line and wishes to speak with you. Want me to patch them in?"
'Dammit Joker, why is it you choose the worst possible times to report anything.', Shepard thought.
"Affirmative, Joker." he replied. He then noticed Tali was awake.
"So I guess it's time to get back to work?", she asked rather glumly.
"Unfortunately yes." replied Shepard. Both of them then dressed back into their attire. Shepard dressed himself quickly and helped Tali with putting back on her suit.
Shepard walked into the conference room and walked over to the councils holograms. "What is the emergency councilors?", he asked.
Valern was the first one to speak. "Shepard it seems that one of our STG teams on Virmire has gone dark. We are requesting the Normandy to assist in uncovering the whereabouts of the STG team stationed there."
'Sounds more like an order than a request.' Shepard thought. He noticed how the other three councilors were not necessarily happy, either they didn't want Shepard's involvement or more likely the Salarians didn't inform them that they 'd be sending an STG team towards the planet.
"What can you tell me about their mission?", Shepard asked Valern.
"They were tasked with confirming reports of sightings of Balack planet side." he answered, with slight hesitation.
'Aw so that's why the other three councilors are mad. Because the Salarians didn't tell them the critical intel and instead of sending a Spectre, they sent an STG team instead.', he thought.
Shepard then said, in a neutral tone "Don't worry, you can count on me councilors.", he then disconnected the line.
Over the loud speaker, he ordered "Joker maker head-way towards Virmire."
Joker responded "Aye, aye captain. Must infuriate you that the Salarians sent some else to do your job, then they sent you help them.", he said hearing the conversation.
"Just go Joker." Shepard responded. He was a bit agitated that the Salarian government didn't inform anyone else of their crazy raid or the critical information that they had uncovered.
On the Salarian border, a Salarian fleet was communicating with a newly discovered race. "Another space-faring race discovered and shortly after discovering humanity, this is amazing!" one of the Salarians said excitedly.
While it had been over thirty years since Humanity had been discovered, on the Galactic timeline it would be considered as a day.
"Yes, however this race seems dependent on Element Zero, unlike the humans." The leader said examining their tech.
"What do we know of their race?" asked another Salarian.
The leader, replied "Their race's name is Raloi and their government's name is the Confederation. There are a reptilian, bipedal race, native to the planet Rolan, named after their species name. All other information is being downloaded to STG and Salarian servers."
"What does the Councilor say, we should do?" one of them asked.
"The councilor wishes to establish friendly contact with them." The leader replied.
"And what of the humans?" an ensign asked, worried that they hadn't inform any of the council members, but also worried this stunt would sour relations between both species since they were near human space.
The leader replied "Do not worry about them. They are mostly distracted by that terrorist batarian to worry about what we are doing. Pilot take us in and send the first contact package.", he ordered
Unbeknownst to them, a Cerberus cloaked corvette was operating in the system and was transmitting all data from the Salarians and Raloi to Alliance officials in order to give them an edge in negotiations. In truth, Cerberus had been the first to discover them, however like the Salarians, they choose to monitor them before establishing communications. They found that the Raloi's government was a mixture of Turian and Human. All in all, a new race was joining the Citadel in the near future.
A/N: And that concludes this chapter. I know in the codex it says their avian and wear suits, however in favor of this fanfiction we will be disregarding that and I will be including this race's tech in the codex update in the next chapter. Let me know how you like this fic. Until next time