Chapter 23 Quarian Captains

"What do you mean you're not ready?" Shepard asked.

"I mean simply that I'm not ready to leave yet." The Quarian restated.

"Then why did you signal?"

"I thought I'd be ready by the time you showed up." He shrugged.

Shepard growled low, "Alright, how long?"

"A couple weeks, sorry."

"Fine. You know where my ship is when you are ready. Just have my pilot contact me if I'm not there when you get there."

The Quarian nodded, "At least you treat me like everyone else does."

"True, I'd be just as annoyed no matter what species you are." Shepard laughed. The Quarian laughed as well.

"Well, I'd better find something to do." Shepard mumbled as she wandered off.

In the end she decided to go to C-Sec. She found Garrus's office, noted that he was in, and knocked, "Hey Garrus, how are you doing?"

"Shepard! Great to see you. What new job brought you here?"

"I'm supposed to take a Quarian back to the Migrant Fleet, but due to a miscommunication, I got here two weeks earlier than he expected."

Garrus leaned forward, "So you come to me, do you?" The smirk on his face was very smug.

Shepard conceded, "Well, yes. Is there anything?"

Garrus thought for a moment, and then motioned for Shepard to follow him. Garrus stopped in front of his colleague's office, "Hey Chellick, that undercover work? Have I got the human woman for you."

Shepard stepped in, glaring balefully at Garrus as she did so. Chellick blinked, "A mercenary? Yeah, she can pose as a buyer for the black market weapon mods. That's perfect." He addressed Shepard directly and condescendingly, "Listen, I don't want to bust this small fry buffoon of a Krogan. Just make the payment, take the mods and get out of there. We want to track him to the supplier. Understand?"

Shepard rolled her eyes, "You're an ass. But I get it."

Chellick nodded, "Good. If this goes well, I've got something a bit more lucrative lined up for you."

"I'll leave you to it. Shepard, I'll meet you for lunch later, alright?"

"I'll let Joker know, too. See you Garrus."

"Oh, and go easy on Chellick." Garrus joked as he was leaving.

"Alright, but only as a favor to you." Shepard joked back.

"Hey!" Chellick said, a little indignant.

Garrus chuckled, "Chellick, you just condescended to Shepard, recipient of the Asari Biotic Fist and the Omega Crossed Swords. A woman who is also known as Commandant and Chancellor."

The look on Chellick's face was priceless.

/\

"Alright, what else you got, Detective Chellick?" Shepard said as she put the briefcase on his desk.

"Wow, how'd you talk him into handing over this much?"

"I'm a good negotiator." Was all Shepard said as she nonchalantly checked her nails.

He shifted in his seat, suitably embarrassed for his earlier attitude, "It'll take me an hour or two to set up the next thing, so why don't you go meet Garrus for lunch."

Shepard nodded respectfully and left Chellick alone. Shepard met Garrus and Joker at a restaurant that catered to both species. Garrus laughed, "I can't believe you have two weeks of nothing because the moron signaled for pickup before he was ready. Bureaucracy, you can't escape it. Even as a mercenary."

"Come on Garrus, any good cases?" Joker teased.

"Oh a few. I admit the job has its perks. Some days though…" Garrus sighed.

Shepard cleared her throat, "We all have our ups and downs Garrus."

Garrus got the subtext, which was simply "quit complaining." He switched subjects, "So Joker, heard from your family?"

Shepard turned to regard Joker, "Have you?"

"Yeah. My little sis is being very supportive, even though my dad just doesn't understand why I'm piloting for you."

"He does understand what Mikhalo… the asshole of Mindoir did to you right?"

"Yeah, he knows that the prick blacklisted me because I wouldn't abandon you alone on a deserted planet. His problem is he doesn't really know what we do, that's all."

"Maybe I can meet him and your sister after we deal with the Quarian contract set and whatever Aethyta has in store for us."

"I think I could arrange that. If anything, my little sister will be excited to meet you." Joker said, while smiling.

"Good. Now Garrus, how's your family?" Shepard asked.

"No fair, that question doesn't apply to you." Garrus jokingly whined.

Shepard wasn't amused, but she didn't take offense either.

Garrus winced at his terrible joke. "What is that human saying? I put my… hand in my mouth?"

"Foot. Stuck your foot in your mouth." Joker corrected.

Garrus nodded, "Anyway, my mother's bored, my sister is bored, and my father is bored. But at least my dad is looking for a hobby. He even considered that human sport… golf I think it's called. But he said it was too pretentious."

"Of course it is." Shepard smirked.

"Well I'm sure he'll find something to do."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Garrus groaned.

Their food arrived and the talk turned to catching up.

/\

"Sorry Shepard, that other thing I was talking about, it fell through."

"It figures." Shepard shrugged.

"To make up for it, let me offer you some of the extra black market mods for pistols and shotguns you picked up for me."

Shepard nodded, "You got a deal."

Chellick nodded, "Use my workbench if you like. Pick whatever you want. Four total, though."

"Alright, let's see… Mark X Kinetic coil on my shotgun and Mark X Frictionless Materials."

"Nice choice." Chellick commented.

Shepard looked over the mods again with an eye towards her pistol, "Mark X Combat Optics and Frictionless Materials again."

"Great and thanks again, Shepard. If I've got something for you…?"

"Contact me through Garrus." Shepard shrugged. She added, "But it'll be awhile before I'm available again."

"Yeah, Garrus told me. I appreciate the offer, Shepard. Good luck."

"I'll see you around." Shepard left and decided to wander the Presidium.

The rest of the two weeks went by very slowly with nothing to do.

/\

"So what do you have for the Pilgrimage, anyway?" Shepard asked.

"I managed to get a ship and fix it up."

"…" Joker didn't like the sound of this.

"So… Joker's going to sit this out then?"

"…You really weren't told anything, were you?" The Quarian asked.

"Alright, lead the way to your ship." Shepard sighed.

"Shepard, wait." Joker called out.

Shepard motioned for the Quarian to wait and walked over to Joker, "Yeah?"

"Just… just be careful alright? I've got a bad feeling about this."

"What do you mean?"

"I just, you know… You know!" Joker said awkwardly, rolling his eyes. Shepard raised a brow and Joker sighed, forcing himself to be calm, "I worry about you."

"I appreciate it. Why don't you see about upgrading the ship? And look after my gun alright? We'll meet up in Illium, Nos Astra port."

"You got it. See you… whenever the Quarians are done with you."

Shepard thought a moment, but then shrugged. She leaned over and gave Joker a quick, familial hug. He returned the hug after a couple seconds of confusion.

Shepard grabbed her weapons and strapped them to her armor. She put her helmet on and walked after the Quarian, "So what class of ship did you fix up?"

"A frigate, of course. Anything larger and I'd still be working on it."

"Fully armed?"

"Yep."

"Where'd you get it?"

"Scrap from a battle that happened several months ago in the Terminus, some dealer was selling it and I happened to be able to pay his asking price thanks to a streak of luck on some Quasar Machines. You know, before I was thrown out on my ass."

"Of course. So, Asari? Turian? Batarian? Human?"

"Turian. Most of the scrap was Asari. But this was in the best shape of what he was selling."

"Well, the battle of Crescent-Omega went very badly for Illium. I bet he offered you scraps of the dreadnought I blew up…" Shepard agreed, but she winced when she realized she said too much.

"You blew up? Ah, of course! You introduced yourself as Shepard! You came up with that battle plan!"

"Yes. But let's not talk about it. How much experience do you have at the helm?"

"None." He admitted.

"Fine, I'll pilot and you navigate. Deal?"

"Deal. If we're attacked by pirates?" The Quarian asked.

"Where are we going?" Shepard asked back.

"Terminus System with a binary blue giant star system, it's in the Valhallan Threshold. The system is called Raheel Leyya, the Fleet stops there often for the solar energy and nearby ice dwarf planets we mine to get water."

"There are two routes there, one through Omega, the other through Illium and Asari space. And though it may seem counter intuitive, the route through Omega is safer for us."

"Okay then…" The Quarian said uncertainly, but he decided to take her advice.

Shepard got her first look at the ship as it was being towed into view and a shuttle flew down to pick them up. Shepard read the name of the ship printed on the side, "Invictus. Good name for a frigate."

"Quarians do try to rename ships that we get."

"True, but it's not always so easy. Volus ships for instance."

"That's true. There's even a ship by the name of Qwib-Qwib."

Shepard suppressed her chuckle as the shuttle docked and let them off on the empty ship.

"Alright, I need you to get the engines going while I bring on the necessary systems from the control panels on the bridge."

They spent a half hour working together on getting everything running.

Finally the ship flew away from the Citadel and hit the relay…

/\

Shepard was relieved to see the Migrant Fleet out the viewport; she was extremely annoyed with the inane chatter from her traveling companion. She was also tired of doing all the flying. He knew how everything worked, but he was utterly useless in a practical setting.

"This is frigate Invictus to Migrant Fleet. Request docking with the Rayya Liveship." The Quarian spoke over the frequency.

"This is Captain Kar'Danna, docking permission granted."

"Request standard quarantine procedures. The Human the admiralty hired, Shepard, is aboard; please advise."

"I will inform Admiral Han'Garrel. The admiralty agreed that his job for Shepard would be done first. Quarantine procedures will be ready. And welcome back, Jito'Hannan."

Shepard initiated all the correct docking and quarantine procedures. Shepard stepped off after Jito did and was greeted by the captain of the huge liveship. "Greetings, Shepard. Admiral Han'Garrel is on his way. For now, if you'd like to watch the Pilgrimage come to a close…?"

"I'd be honored, Captain… Kar'Danna, right?"

"Yes." Judging by the vigorous nod, and his tone, he was pleased she remembered his name after only hearing it once. "Follow me, Shepard."

He led her to a large meeting area, what captains that weren't there had called in on the correct frequency to listen to the ceremony.

"The Captains' Conclave accepts the gift of the Invictus, though it is customary to give a gift to your chosen captain an exception is made when the gift is a ship. Where do you wish to serve?"

"I would request serving on the Alarai."

"As captain of the Alarai, I accept his service."

"The Conclave bestows upon you the title of Jito'Hannan vas Alarai."

"The Alarai? An interesting choice." A voice said from beside Shepard. "That's a research vessel."

Shepard turned and found who she assumed to be Admiral Han'Garel. She responded wryly, "Then it's a good choice."

"I must say, I'm a little surprised to hear you say that, Shepard."

"I spent quite a bit of time with him, he knows the theory, and how everything works and how it's all supposed to connect. But if you put a tool in his hands, things break. I shudder to think of a gun in his hands."

"I see, perhaps research would be perfect for him." He turned to face Shepard, "Admiral Han'Garrel at your service." He extended his hand.

Shepard took the hand and shook it without hesitation. "Pleased to meet you. Shepard."

Han'Garrel took up the parade rest stance common to military figures. "I must say, we've heard a great deal about you. Almost as much as we've heard about Wrex."

Shepard smiled, "How flattering. Now, shall we get down to business? I'm a bit anxious to get back to my own ship."

Han'Garrel let his amusement creep in to his voice, "Perfectly understandable. Please follow me; I'll introduce you to the other Admirals before we get to the jobs."

"Which section of the fleet are you admiral of?"

"The military fleet, there is an admiral for the civilian ships, one for the research ships, one for the Patrol ships, and one that speak for the entire Migrant Fleet as a whole. By the way, I must compliment you on the tactics you used during your tenure as Chancellor of Aria's short lived Confederacy; before she turned it into an Empire."

"Thank you. A lot of the tactics have to do with the layout of the Battlespace."

"A simple fact that is often forgotten." Han'Garrel nodded his approval.

They got to a small room with four Quarians sitting around chatting with each other. Han'Garrel looked to one of the other male Quarians, "Rael, you've got yourself a new crewmember aboard the Alarai, and according to our guest the first thing you should do is have him trained in the practicalities of ship life."

Rael' Zorah sighed melodramatically, "It figures." Then he brightened his demeanor, stood up and greeted Shepard, "Admiral Rael'Zorah, it is a pleasure to meet you Shepard." He pointed out one of the two female Admirals, "That is Admiral Daro'Xen of the research fleet," He pointed at the last male Admiral, "Admiral Zaal'Koris of the civilian fleet," and then the last Admiral, a female, "Admiral Shala'Raan of the Patrol Fleet."

"A pleasure to meet you all, Admirals." Shepard returned the hearty greeting.

"Well, I believe Han'Garrel's got the most pressing mission." Admiral Zaal'Koris gestured for Han'Garrel to get the ball rolling.

"Right, I sent some marines on a recon mission to a planet on the edge of Geth space. And it's well passed the time I should have heard back from them. They're good men; I want you to see if you can rescue them and if you can't… bring back their equipment. As harsh as it seems, we can't afford to waste anything."

"I'm going to need a ship."

"I've got one waiting, Shepard. A full briefing is available if you want it."

Shepard opened her Omni-tool and sent her frequency to the admirals in the room. She looked to Han'Garrel, "Send it to me and I'll look it over."

"Great. Rael, could you escort her to the shuttle?"

"Of course. Follow me, Shepard."

Shepard followed along after Rael. About two minutes later a young adolescent voice excitedly shouted out, "Daddy!"

"Tali? What are you doing out of school?" Rael couldn't keep his obvious pleasure from his voice.

"They let us out early father." Tali said excitedly.

Rael knelt down and lifted up his daughter with a small laugh. And then he remembered what he was doing, "Ah, Shepard. This is my daughter, Tali'Zorah."

Shepard smiled inside her helmet. She knew just how to introduce herself to this little girl. She solemnly reached her hand out and said, "Sarah Shepard. A pleasure to meet you."

Tali shook Shepard's hand and then blurted, "Are you a Human?"

Shepard chuckled, "Yes."

"What's it like?"

"What's what like?"

"Living without a suit?"

Rael started as he set her back down, "Uh… you don't have to answer that." He turned to Tali, "That was rude to blurt out."

Shepard laughed, "No it's alright." She turned to Tali, "That's… a complicated question Tali."

"No it's not."

Shepard ignored Rael's reaction and continued talking with the young girl, "I suppose it isn't a complicated question, but the answer is complicated. It also depends on the individual. I hope that one day you can answer that question for yourself."

"Well said, Shepard." Rael approved.

They got to the ship waiting for Shepard. Rael sent Tali to her "Auntie Raan." Shepard sighed slightly, "Good kid. What is she, about eight?"

"Yes, but in a couple months she'll turn nine."

"Inquisitive, isn't she?"

Rael laughed.

Shepard shook his hand and boarded Han'Garrel's transport.