A/N: Hello, yet another part for this story. If anyone wants to think of it as a late Valentine I'm not stopping ya, but I'm not doing it for anyone in particular.

Kix had lied to the C-Sec agents and, even with contentment to the situation, did nothing about it. It took them some time to find and gather the remains of the wing but with everything gathered, they left to the Tervho. Aay'han had explained what all of the events that led up to that point including the sacrifice made by Wreck and his squad. Inside the main hangar the gunship flew pulling the remains of the ARC-170 fighter. Aran had all of them go through decontamination. "Sorry about this. Some of our crew needs us to do this for their health."

Pyth then asked curiously, "So I should keep the rebreather on then when I interact with your crew?"

Rang joined in, "Actually it might be better if you guys did take off your masks and helmets. Kill the old, and potentially harmful, diseases and breathe in the new germs." Pyth soon removed her goggles and rebreather while the other clones removed their helmets. Garek depressurized his helmet and lifted it for a few seconds before bringing it back down. Rang then joked, "What's the matter, Jedi? No one's going to judge you and only the ten of us would know what the hell you really are."

Garek simply turned away, "I'll wait until the time is necessary."

As soon as Kix removed his helmet, Pyth moved over to have a closer examination of his mandibles. "…So the mandibles also possess fang-like structures at the bottom near the mouth. This would suggest a possible usage as a secondary jaw system or simply to help close the mouth. It is probably used to also keep things within the mouth. Judging by the ball joint it's connected to, it could also be used to express various emotions like how mammalian species use their facial muscles, more specifically humans and their eyebrows or checks." As Pyth continued to examine Kix she then noticed his scales, "Interesting…these scales seem metallic in nature."

Kix tried to get away from her as she was examining him, "Uh…excuse me."

Aay'han and the others could not understand the new alien languages as Sigma Squad had yet to give them any type of translator. "Sorry if you're feeling uncomfortable fella. From what I can tell, the professor's going to be like that for a while."

Beviin denoted, "She's probably going to work most of that off on our ship."

After decontamination, the ship's medical team was waiting if needed. Unfortunately they simply got Professor Pyth more excited, "Oh my. Judging from the much smaller mandible, less prominent collar feature and shorter…head fringe, I believe are the best words to describe them, rather supportive hip structure to carry a child or small clutch of eggs, probably the latter. Ah, one of the amphibians. Skin is smooth to the touch but not moist. Tougher then I was expecting. Are these horns or antennae?" She grabbed one of them, "Just horns."

Aran asked, "Palva, we need a few translators here." Palva nodded and ordered a few of the other around as they brought out seven handheld PDAs.

Rang then joked, "For now these are your 'translate everything machines'. I'm sure Bev can find a way to integrate the program into your suits or something soon enough."

Dagger then asked, "Does this thing translate like a protocol droid?"

Palva then said, "I don't know what this 'protocol droid' is but they're anything like the two balls Prudii has then keep them away."

Just like when Sigma Squad first acquired theirs, the others were impressed by the real-time translation the device did. Pyth was a bit disappointed, "So then there is no need for linguist or actual translators then. Ashame."

Aran still remembered what Garek said earlier, "We can do the proper introductions later. Bev, Kix let leave this system."

Rang, Prudii and the medics moved on as Aran, Kix and Bev lead the other to the CIC and the cockpit. When the elevator door opened to the bridge Dagger whistled, "And I thought the outside was impressive."

Kix then smiled, "You boys haven't seen anything yet."

Pyth tried to resist studying the various new species she was seeing. Aran began working controls around the CIC as Bev and Kix continued to the cockpit. Beviin looked towards them, "I'm sure you guys are interested in seeing a Mass Relay in proper use."

Pyth could not contain herself anymore, "To witness a functioning mass accelerator in action! This is truly a wondrous place."

After preparations were complete, the Tervho left the planet and headed towards the Mu Relay. Kix made the connecting, "Mu Relay is active and we have made contact."

Rasen reported from engineering, "All systems green and ready."

"Navigation set to the Hawking Eta system."

Bev input the mass, "Relay is hot. Hitting it in three…two…one…mark." Pyth and the other watched as the Tervho lined up with the Mass Relay, which was several times larger than the Sigma Device, as they did and was also enveloped by the strange element before finally being propelled rapidly to the next star system. The trip felt like it took no more than a few seconds, even going so far as to checking clocks to confirm it.

Swoop was in awe, "That was faster than hyperspace."

Bev disagreed about that, "But not as far. If we want to travel across the galaxy we'd have to use at least a dozen Mass Relays. It does however make key strategic points easier to defend or capture."

Aran was behind them, "So Garek, is this better sir?"

Garek turned to the commando, "Yes. I can still feel the echoes but not as deafening as it was on the planet. I believe you wanted to introduce us to your crew."

Aran nodded, "We should be fine to do some introductions. We may still be in the Terminus Systems but the Hawking Eta doesn't get that much traffic." Aran motioned for them to follow. The first stop was the CIC, "These guys are vital to navigating through this mess of a galaxy. In particular I'd like to introduce Tare'Nara vas Kira."

Silis, again, started to look closely at the new alien, "My my, what a beautifully designed suit. Hand-stitched cloth and the suit is composed of what appears to be scraps and recycled ship components. Visor conceals the individual's face with the only recognizable features being the silver-glowing eyes and nose." Silis started to circle around Tare, "No gas valve or tanks of any kind. That would mean that your immune system is fairly weak or quite possibly a pressure differential."

Tare was not sure if he should take all of that as a complement or an insult, "Uh…excuse me?"

Silis finally snapped out of one of her thoughts, "Again, I must apologize. Professor Silis Pyth, xenobiologist and linguists. Oh, another of the analogous Twi'leks…"

As Pyth ran off, Aay'han asked, "Shouldn't someone stop her?"

Araniik answered, "You said she was going to be like this. She'll make her own introductions. I'll give you guys more info about this galaxy and the space-faring species that inhabit it. Let's move on to the living quarters."

After a few hours of introductions, Sigma Squad was explaining the general situation they were in and the state of the galaxy to Aay'han and the others. "…and that's it in a nutshell advisor, I mean commander."

Aay'han shook his head, "I can't keep that rank. I'm a traitor now, I don't deserve it. You four are the only one who can keep your ranks. This life as mercs though sounds fun."

Rang then added, "But first we need to fix your problem. The Kaminoans are good but they did forget about stopping the accelerated aging process in us clones."

Dagger was skeptical about it, "How can you do that? They were rather secretive about it."

Bev explained, "Two years ago we hired one of this galaxy's leading genetics corporations. We lied about what it was but they did find a way to fix it. After Rang fiddles with the original data, he can help you guys."

Garek interrupted the clones, "As I'm sure this will be rather beneficial for you all but what about returning back to our galaxy?"

Beviin activated his omni-tool and displayed a hologram of a Mass Relay, "From what you have told us, it doesn't sound like there is a way back home."

Swoop asked, "Then how did these Protheans find a way to our galaxy then?"

Aran said, "We'll probably never know. The Protheans were lost 50,000 years ago, only relics and ruins are left and most of that is barely functioning. The language has been last so…"

Pyth happened to be walking by when she heard that particular part of the conversation, "Just means a bigger challenge for me. Working to decipher a dead language, how exciting." Just as suddenly as she appeared, Silis left.

Dagger then turned to a sour conversation, "What about Six and Wreck?"

Prudii finally spoke, "We'll give a proper funeral. For them and the others."

Rang tried to change subjects to something that might cheer the mood, "Say Aay'han, you heard anything from buir?"

"Yeah, she's still ringing head back on Kamino. Vhonte turned to a bit of a Vau after the news about what happen to you guys. You remember what we use to say back on Kamino…"

All of the clones then said, "If it's sunny today, an even bigger storm tomorrow."

Aran then started to order Sigma Squad, "Bev, I want you to fit our brothers, Garek and Professor Pyth with shields, they're going to need 'em. Also try to see if you can find a new source of ammo, I'd like to be able to use our DCs like they were meant to be used. Use the astromech if you have to. Rang, try to help fix the aging problem. Prudii you're in charge of the funeral."

As the others left, Garek spoke with Aran alone, "You've done quite well for yourself Mandalore."

Aran disagreed yet again, "I'm not Mandalore."

Garek looked as the others did what they were told, "You are Mandalore of this galaxy. The way all of your crew follow you, you are their leader. You are Mandalore."

"Mandalore leads entire armies of soldiers; I only lead about thirty people sir. I don't deserve that honor. I'm just trying to keep them all alive."

Garek bowed then turned to walk away. As he left, Garek told Araniik, "That is what I always did during the war…for you and all of your brothers."

After several hours, most of what Aran asked was completed, Aay'han and the others were outfitted with shields and Rang found the genetic markers involved with the age acceleration and returned them to normal. Some of the crew joined Sigma Squad and the others to the funeral of Wreck and Six. After the proceeding Rang found some interesting news, "Hey boss man, someone finally sank the Purgatory. Reports say it was a prison riot."

Aran could only laugh at the notion because of its high security, "Sound's like Shepard's handy work. I wonder who he recruited."

Rang could only guess, "With our luck it was probably somebody we put behind bars that was transferred to that hell hole."

On the SR-2 Normandy, after having Jack briefed, Shepard went to speak with Mordin to see his view on Sigma Squad, or at least those he worked with, "Shepard. How can I help?"

"Have you got a minute to talk?"

Mordin finally looked up from the monitor, "Yes, just waiting for next test sample to cultivate and response from prior group."

"Do you know anything about Sigma Squad or the Mandalorians?"

Mordin started to walk around, "Yes, odd yet interesting group. Take jobs and always complete. Never fail. But have been known to turn on contractor. Usually slavers or others of the like. Work for Aria often but some information doesn't add up."

Shepard asked, "What do you mean, something doesn't add up?"

Mordin tried to explain, "A few STG and Spectres that required aid were helped by Sigma Squad and Mandalorians. No true explanation as to how they found out. All communication on encoded channels. Only Citadel Council or Salarian Union should have known about them. Have saved a few friends of mine."

Shepard confirmed, "Aran semi-confirmed with me that he was a Spectre."

Mordin placed his hand against his chin, "Interesting. Mandalorians lied then. Couldn't tell with helmets on. No facial cues to read off of."

Shepard asked, "What do you think about them?"

Mordin was quick as usual, "Noble. The medic vowed to help find my assistant. Asari more truthful about her feelings. Quarians seem rather adopted to new life with Mandalorians."

Shepard was curious, "How could you tell with quarians?"

Mordin told him, "Due to weakened immune systems, quarians had to learn of new ways to convey emotions through verbal communication, body languages or other more visible signs because of envirosuits. Both quarians were probably unconsciously expressed their feelings about current life situation."

Shepard nodded, "Thanks for telling me, Mordin."

Mordin returned to his console, "No problem at all. Now I can began another test on the biodrone collected from Freedom's Progress. This should be interesting."

Shepard moved on to the Main Battery Room to speak with his turian friend. Garrus heard the door open behind him when he turned to see Shepard. "Shepard. Need me for something?"

"Have you got a minute?"

Garrus just shrugged, "Sure, I'm just killing time anyway. What'd you want to talk about?"

Shepard got to the point, "You've been working with Sigma Squad right?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Garrus wasn't sure where this was going.

Shepard lend against the railing, "Tell me about them. How have they been after I…died?"

Garrus looked to his right, "You remember when they declared themselves their own nation. Well after you were lost, they build up a new crew, and left Citadel space. They then started working for Aria and almost anyone who would pay them."

Shepard asked, "They sound like mercs."

Garrus explained, "Technically they are."

"Technically?"

"It's true they work for credits but they have turned against a few contractors. In particular slavers and mercs or anyone with a bad rep, which was most of them. They helped me out a lot during my merc time on Omega. They helped me and my team stay far away from anything Aria related and hit a few harder to reach targets for us. Each one of them is odd in their own way but they have good intentions and their all good at what they do. I've heard about their bad past with Cerberus but I don't know any details."

Shepard then asked his friend, "What kind of targets are we talking about?"

Garrus placed his hand on the side of his head, "This one time we were trying to stop an Eclipse deal on Omega but security around the area was tight. It was tighter because members of the Mandalorians were there for security. Hell two of them were acting as personal bodyguards for the Eclipse dealer."

Shepard was curious, "What happened then?"

Garrus explained, "We tried to find a hole in their defenses, there were none. The Mandalorians gave us a warning to stay away unless we wanted to fight. They take their jobs seriously. After the deal was over, all of the Mandalorians gathered together and left. All of the players were still inside and soon after the Mandalorians were away, boom, the meeting place exploded. The Eclipse tried to find what caused it but they never found anything other than a few extra crispy limbs. Soon after I get a message from Aran telling me they were hired by a third party to take out some of the dealers and used the bodyguard job just to get on the site. When they take a job, they do it, one way or another."

Shepard had to clarify, "They do things like that all of the time?"

Garrus just shook his head, "No, sometimes their more direct about it. But they also do more charitable jobs."

Shepard looked towards the gun as he asked his friend, "So, do you think they'd be willing to work with us?"

Garrus looked around, "With the two of us, yes. With Cerberus, not so much. I owe them for a few things but Aran doesn't seem like the kind of guy to pull favors out without a reason or inconveniently anyway."

Shepard nodded after hearing it from his friend. He pushed off the railing and thanked the turian, "I'll keep all of that in mind the next time we meet. See you around Garrus."

As Shepard walked way, Garrus couldn't help but think, I hope I don't have to resort to using this. Garrus was looking at the small cylinder he received from Aran, telling him to use it as a way to contact them if he or Mordin wanted to leave.

As the Tervho continued to loiter in the Hawking Eta cluster, Prudii received a message from a young quarian. It was on Prudii's personal and encrypted comm. channel, "Prudii, this is Tali…I mean of course you know it's me."

Prudii move to a quite area to continue the conversation. "Tali, what's the matter? Require assistance?"

"I hope not but I've been getting a strange feeling like something terrible might happen. I don't know, I just think I'd feel better if you were here with me…I mean with us to help…"

Even with just this communication Prudii could tell Tali was nervous. "Is this the mission in geth space?"

"Yes." Tali paused for a few moments before she continued, "The quarian marines have been ordered to protect me and the data I'm supposed to gather, but I don't want people to die for me."

"I'll see what Araniik says, if we can join I'll contact you."

"Thanks Prudii, I'd really appreciate it if you could come."

Prudii soon found Araniik in Navigation as he was finishing telling Garek and Aay'han going into greater detail about galactic politics, "…but the Traverse-Terminus border aren't as heavily patrolled as they should be." Aran noticed his vod, "Prudii why are you here vod? Do you need something?"

To Aay'han and even Garek's amazement, Prudii seemed nervous. They assumed it had to be something rather important or dire for Prudii to be nervous. "It's Tali, vod…she wants assistance with her mission."

Aay'han was the first to ask, "Who?"

Aran explained, "She's the first quarian we met after traveling through the small Mass Relay. Rasen and Tare, they're both quarians, but Tare's male." Aran then turned back to Prudii, "So she wants us to help her after all. Did she say what the mission was?"

"No, nothing specific. Something about data." Prudii was direct as always and he regained his calm self again.

Aran turned to one of the crew, "Tare, have you heard anything about what Tali's mission is?"

The young quarian quickly responded, "No. It's probably a mission given to her by the Admiralty Board. Not many others can assign missions outside the Fleet, especial in geth space."

Aran nodded, "Thank you Tare." The masked quarian returned to his station and continued his work. "I don't know if we can spare the time for the entire crew to help," Prudii did not flinch after receiving the bad news but he saw Aran wasn't finished and waited, "But I don't see the harm in sending a few if we can rendezvous with them somewhere before they enter geth space."

As Prudii contacted Tali, Garek questioned this decision, "Is it wise to let some of you crew just go off like that?"

Aran answered confidently, "Prudii is probably the only one going. Maybe Rasen or Vren but other than them we still have enough man-power to continue if we take a job offer."

Prudii soon after reported, "Tali said to meet in the Nariph system, in the Pylos Nebula."

Aran nodded, "Bev, were setting a course to the Pylos Nebula. Get the ship prepped."

Beviin radioed, "Aye, aye, sir. ETA to Mass Relay: ten minutes."

A/N: I added the Shepard scenes to keep him in the story and to say I haven't forgotten Shepard is still important. More setting up for the next few chapters to come.

Mando'a Translation: Sorry, no Mando that hasn't been translated before.