Planet Rannoch
"This is amazing! I've always heard stories about how beautiful its nature was but I always thought it was nothing more than a myth."
The shuttle slowly descended through the thick misty clouds, hovering just above ground level. It glided across the fields of flowers and grass. For a planet that been nearly destroyed by an all out war, the geth did a good job returning it to its original biosphere.
"Where do you want to visit first?"
"I don't know, maybe the city?" Tali never took her eyes away from the window. She noticed a small dwelling place at the edge of the horizon "Before that, can we go see what that is?" She pointed out the house for Shepard to see.
"Alright"
After a quick stop to drop Samara off at a meadow, the shuttle continued its journey. She had insisted that she follow on the basis that there would be a nice peaceful place, full of nature, which was the perfect condition for meditating. Garrus had also followed saying that he always wondered what their homeworld would look like. Naturally, Legion tagged along in case they ran into any geth.
Getting out of the shuttle, Tali ran over to the construct, admiring its architecture and beauty. There was a living room, large and furnished with furniture. They were new, not torn or full of bullet holes, almost as if someone came and placed them here. The room next to it was a bed room with a bed, furniture, etc. Again, they were all brand new.
Upstairs was three rooms, equally furnished and well designed. She took the stairs back down and went back out to meet the landing party. The shuttled had dropped them off in need of refueling.
"Wow, didn't know post war buildings look this nice. You guys sure have a thing for art." Garrus was slightly taken aback by the intricacy of the design.
"That's the same thing that I was thinking. Legion, do you have any information on this?"
Legion waved the two panels on the side of his head once, indicating that they were processing data, before answering.
"Operation H.O.T.H. Abbreviation for 'House On The Hill' Start date: Unknown" Legion paused a short while "Operation involved building of quarian dwelling, specific, house, at location 264,823. Architecture to follow blueprints provided, refer to house_, to follow quarian design and structure."
"Still doesn't answer who built it and why." Tali crossed her hand, annoyed at the geth who, as built not to, was unable to sense her emotions.
"Instigator of operation: Creator Rael'Zorah. Approval of operation given by: Admiral Rael'Zorah. Manager of operation: Shepard Commander. Platforms tasked to operation: Building platforms B-26, B-85, B-46 and B-78. Reasons for instigation of project unknown. Possibly for reconstruction purposes. End of data file."
Tali stared at Legion, then stared at the house, back at Legion then at Shepard and finally at Garrus.
"Hey, I didn't know!" Garrus raised both arms in the air defensively.
"My father planned this…" she took one step towards the house, now looking at it with a different light. "But why are you involved?" She abruptly turned and faced Shepard.
Shepard tapped on his omnitool before playing the audio log for everyone to hear.
"Commander Shepard, this is Rael'Zorah. I'm sure you know me as Tali's father. Geth have overrun the research facility and I need you to help me with something. Attached is the blueprints for a house I promised Tali. Complete it for me for I fear I may not live to complete it myself. I know that I planned for my family to use it, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. I'm sure you have better use for it, you know what I mean. And one more thing, keep her safe for me, please. Rael'Zorah out."
The audio log ended as Tali hugged Shepard tightly. He could hear her short sobs as she pressed her helmet tightly against his chest. Shepard only hugged her back, comforting her in the only way that he could. He knew she may or may not listen, but he said it anyway.
"He transferred the project over to my name. He did say that we should use it someday, and I intend to keep to that. What do you think?"
Tali slowed her sobs and tilted her head up slightly, allowing her glowing eyes to meet Shepard's gaze and smile. "But our child." She started crying again "He's gone, forever"
"Tali," he tiled her helmet to face him "Tali, I know it's difficult. I didn't say we have to forget about him, but we have to let go. How do you think I feel? I have been blaming myself. I shouldn't have let you go alone. If I had followed you wouldn't have got into trouble."
Tali stared hard into his sparkling eyes. He was right. She wasn't to blame. It was Shepard. No, it was no one. It just, happened. Nobody knew, nobody could have known the consequences. The people who did this had already paid. What more was there to do?
"No one said it was easy." Shepard heaved a large sigh as he looked up to the sky and closed his eyes.
"Erm, Tali. Is it like, winter here or something?"
Tali turned her head to look at Garrus, who was collecting snow with his hands. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't even know this planet well."
"Well, I think we should all get inside. Don't know about you but I'm glad that your dad built this house."
"Can anyone read me, this is the Normandy"
Immediately, Shepard snapped back to attention "This is Commander Shepard"
"Glad to hear, Joker here, the connection just got cut moments ago. It's the weather it's creating a lot of interference. Ain't safe to pick you up now. We're going to drop rations. You're going to need it. By the… zzz… snow… zzz… can you read…? Joker out"
"What was that all about?" Tali looked at Shepard. Legion had already followed Garrus into the construct. "Joker said that the weather is creating problems. Won't be leaving until tomorrow. Said something about rations…" Immediately, a huge box dropped down next to them, scaring them out of their wits.
"Well, we got our food. We should get inside." But Tali placed two hands on his chest, stopping him from going any further.
"Can we talk?"
"Certainly." He put the box onto the floor. "Not too long though. I don't want to freeze my ass of out here."
"Do you think that, maybe after the reapers, if we survive the reapers, we could start a family?"
"Why not? I mean your dad allowed me to use this awesome house and marry an awesome woman."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your dad already agreed to the marriage."
"But he died! Before we were even married!"
Shepard tapped on his omnitool, scrolling through the vast number of messages, video records, audio logs that he received. Eventually, he found the right one.
Commander Shepard,
I heard of how Tali talks about you. She seems to like you a lot. Thank you again for allowing her to serve aboard your ship. She has done a lot for us, not just the Migrant Fleet, but also quarians everywhere. I also thank you for looking out for us when you can. After saving Veetor from Freedom's progress, I heard from a young quarian named Kenn who claimed that you helped him pay off his fees so that he could complete his pilgrimage. We do not see such kindness often.
Nevertheless, I am working on a very dangerous project and may not be able to live very long. That would mean that I will not be able to see my daughter grow up and get married. So, in advance, yes, I allow.
Rael'Zorah out
"So you're saying that my father actually agreed to our marriage long before we did."
"Yes"
"Did I really behave that obviously?" Tali put her hands on her hips
"According to his messages, yes. Apparently you talked a lot about me to him."
"Yea, but that wasn't exactly what I wanted to ask about." Tali moved her hand in front her, wringing them nervously.
"Then what was it about?"
Shepard knew that Tali was nervous. Extremely. The signs were obvious, the constant wringing of hands, in ability to get the words out, stuttering when they did and blabbing when they came out wrong. The only time he saw her like this was before the Omega-4 Relay, so it had to be something, well, uh hum.
Tali finally found the courage to ask the question, screw what Shepard might think of her question. "Could we have another child?"
"You're asking the wrong guy the wrong question" Shepard gave a wide grin.
EXODUS facility
"Are you absolutely sure that the EXODUS project would work?"
"Are you doubting me?"
"No ma'am. It's just hard to believe. You do know that the subject is of a different race. And then after reconstruction and revival, what? Let it grow in a tank?"
"It will work. And after basic revival, we just replace whatever is necessary with organic material. Remember, it is still growing. Adaptation to the material will allow the subject to grow as per normal. Then we could replant it back."
"What! She would never agree to that!" The scientist was taken aback at her suggestion, let along the idea of it. He actually questioned the entire project.
"Yes she would. The subject will grow normally, I assure you that."
"Does the subject have a name? Better than calling it 'the subject'. If you know what I mean."
"Yes I did overhear a name" Seating herself behind her desk, Miranda placed her elbows on it, clasping her hands in front of her. She smiled slightly as she thought about what she was doing.
"Tasha"