Writers notes: A Battle is won in the first few minutes, but a war is decided by what's left standing when its over. James paczer.
Shepard kissed Tali stealing as many kisses as he could before his body dragged him away. "I've got to go Tali, I'm sorry." Said Shepard backing away from Tali.
"I know, just remember I love you, no matter what happens." Said Tali Sitting on the bet sad to see him go.
Shepard stopped. "What's gonna happen that makes you say that?"
"I don't know what's gonna happen. You could get shot, or the Normandy takes a hit to the room. I just want you to know, I love you, and that I never said it because of the baby."
"I know you didn't, and I love you to." Shepard ran back over to Tali for one more passionate kiss. "I'll be back I promise." Shepard started to leave again.
"Remember, no sand snakes."
"I promise." Yelled Shepard running out the door. Shepard stopped to pet Urz before he left. "Hey take care of my girl alright boy, and no trying to steal her while I'm gone." Shepard then walked to the elevator.
Shepard walked out of the elevator immediately faced with a problem. "Shepard we've got a problem here." Said Garrus, standing behind a crate near the shuttle.
"We don't have time for problems Garrus. What is it?" Replied Shepard.
"What's wrong with this." Garrus took a arc pistol out of the crate and put a thermal clip into the pistol.
"I don't see the problem Garrus." Garrus turned the pistol on its side, and the thermal clip fell out into Garrus's hand.
"That's the problem."
"Have you tried a regular thermal clip."
"Those work fine, but where back to limiting are selves on ammo. The hole point in those clips was to get away from that."
"It's a voluntary thing Garrus, take it if you want. When the thermal clips run out they run out. We've got our regular weapons."
"Okay Shepard, I just wanted to run it by you. Do you want one?"
"Yeah give it here." Garrus handed Shepard the pistol in his hand, and the standard thermal clip he used to test in the pistol. "When we get back I'll have one of the engineers take a look at modding the clip port. Xen obviously didn't take into account our new thermal clips."
"Thane you said you wanted one of these?" Asked Garrus.
"Yes, an assassin best friend is a clean kill." Said Thane Taking a arc pistol that Garrus handed to him. Your sure legion won't mind me using his widow?
"No, he probably won't even know it's gone. It for a good cause anyway."
"If anyone else want one, Grab it, and take a standard thermal clip from the armory... This is it Shepard." Said Garrus reaching down for his black widow.
"I know, it feels like its been ages." Replied Shepard.
"Well you can't hang your weapons up yet, we still have to fight Reapers when this is all over."
"That's provided we make it. Did you spend anytime with Zuula?"
"As much as I could. I took care of those shield battery's first though. I didn't want to get carried away, and forget. Thanks for making me go talk to her that day."
"Were brother Garrus, its what we do."
"I promise to make sure you get out of this Shepard."
"We'll both get out of this. My little girl is going to need someone to play with. Besides I'm sure we'll make it out since your bring the big gun." Shepard was referring to the black widow Garrus had some how afforded, after purchasing his armor.
"Yeah this is my new girl."
"I won't tell Zuula."
"Thanks." said Garrus Half laughing. Oh wait. Legion had these dropped off for you." Garrus grabbed a nuke from the shuttle, still standing outside, leaning in. "He Said these are better then what you've been using. A little radio active, but apparently within safety limits.
"So if I grow a third arm, I know who to blame.
"It's a shame he couldn't come with us."
"It is, but he's got his own work to do. Now lets go before we miss this war, I just need to grab my Cain." Shepard turned around, and ran to the armory to grabbed his cain, and looked up at the ceiling. "EDI can you promise me something?" Asked Shepard.
"That depends Shepard. What do you require?" Asked EDI.
"If the ship has to take a hit. Let it be anywhere else other then where Tali is." Replied Shepard.
"I will request that she move deeper into the interior structure of the ship." Said EDI.
"Shepard, by the time you get down their, the synthetics will have already won. Get a move on." Said Javik standing just outside of the shuttle. Javik walked back into the ship.
"Thanks EDI." Said Shepard. Shepard ran to the Shuttle and Accessed his comm one last time boarding the shuttle. "Joker were ready." The shuttle door closed behind Shepard.
"Opening the shuttle bay doors. Good luck commander." Replied Joker over the Comm.
"You two Joker. Keep her safe, and hey, if she comes back without a scratch, maybe I'll finally get EDI that Robot body."
"Yeah, that will be the day."
"Just signal the fleet. lets go Cortez." The shuttle took off out of the Normandy and headed towards Rannoch. "Cortez are you tide into the Quarian network?" Asked Shepard.
"Yeah." Replied Cortez.
"Put them up then."
A moment passed before something came over the comm.
""This is admiral Gerrel of the heavy fleet, began the attack. Priority targets are the AI ships. Patrol fleet maintain formation until engaged. Lets not make Shepard's trip worth nothing. Lets give the Geth A hell of a surprise.""
Javik walked to the window. "Haha ha." Laughed Javik.
"What's so funny Javik?" Asked Shepard.
"It reminds me of my time. I can see those dreadnoughts from here. They are only the size of a heavy cruiser in my time, but Dwarf the Synthetics." Javik had the biggest smile on his face.
"I'm glad your enjoying this. Just remember your on the second gun. Get it done.
"We will be done before you Shepard, of that I am sure."
"Is that a fact?"
"Would you like to put a wager on it?"
"No wagers on a missions, people do stupid things then. Thane your sure you can still cover the entire area?" Asked Shepard making his rounds through the team.
"Put me on that cliff, and they won't even know I'm their Shepard. Said Thane.
"That better be because your shooting them all. Good luck." Shepard patted him on the back, moving on to Jacob. "Good luck Jacob. Remember your team leader not Javik." Said Shepard.
"Got it commander. We'll get this job done." Said Jacob.
"Shepard moved on to Liara. "Liara, thank you for joining the team again."
"Its been a pleasure Shepard, and I hope we have many more missions to come, or we find a intact Prothean super weapon here, and can forget all about the Reapers."
"I'm with you on that." Shepard moved on to Mordin. "Mordin." Shepard hugged Mordin. "Thanks for all you've done."
"Nothing to it Shepard. Someone else might have gotten it wrong." Said Mordin.
"Yeah someone else. When we get back I have something I want to tell you."
"Understood Shepard. Will not forget"
"Shepard walked over to the window, and put his helmet on. He usually never ware his helmet on missions, but this was for protection. Shepard. Said Grunt.
"What's up Grunt?" Replied Shepard glancing over at Grunt.
"I don't get a heartfelt goodbye?" Asked Grunt as if he was being left out.
Shepard looked back out the Window. "You don't need one Grunt. My heartfelt goodbye to you is to die beside you in battle, but that's not gonna happen because I brought Grunt the greatest worrier in the galaxy."
"Battle Master it would be an honor." Shepard smiled behind his helmet.
"No speeches this time, just good luck." Shepard watched out the window looking into the desert of Rannoch. Shepard cought a faint glimpse of what looked to be the sand snake diving into the ground. Shepard got another smile on his face and shook his head.
"Alright where gonna come in low and fast. I don't want to get shot down here, so you're Gonna have to do some walking here people." Said Cortez.
Shepard stepped off the shuttle, with Garrus and Grunt. "Commander." called out Javik. Shepard turned around, and Javik tossed him a EMP grenade as the shuttle left. Shepard cought the Grenade, and turned around holding it in his hand.
"What is it Shepard." Asked Garrus.
"A gift from Javik." Said Shepard tucking the Grenade into a safe place, as they walked to their objective. As they cleared the massive sand hill they had to climb they saw the gun.
"That's a big gun Shepard." Said Garrus. The gun then fired shaking the Ground, and venting a blue plasma out of the sides, about middle of the gun. A large blueish purple ovular shaped round flew from the gun. "That's a really big gun Shepard, look how fast that round moved threw the atmosphere. We should have towed in some asteroids to take them out."
"And make Rannoch a waist land like Tuchanka. Put your big boy pants on Garrus this is going to be a good fight." Said Grunt.
"Before we make it a good fight Grunt lets make it more to are advantage. Lets go to work Garrus." Shepard and Garrus layed down, looking down their viper and black widow sites. Grunt layed down to, to hide his silhouette. "I'm counting six in towers a thousand meters out." Said Shepard.
"I Got seven, ones up on the gun." Responded Garrus.
"Shepard looked on top at the gun. I see him. He's all yours on my mark." Shepard moved off to the middle tower. "Three, two, one..." Shepard drifted and had to readjust. "Mark." They fired nailing the two Geth. They continued firing Garrus taking most of the kills. Thane had even stole one form Shepard.
"Their hiding Shepard, were gonna have to push in." Said Garrus.
"Finally." Said Grunt.
"Learn how to use a sniper rifle Grunt and you can join in on the fun next time. The team stood up and began pushing in.
"The fun is smashing something in your hands Garrus, taking a bullet, and you just keep on coming."
"I took Two to the shoulder Grunt that wasn't fun."
"I only said to take one, Garrus." The team pushed to a wall the Geth had put up on the outside perimeter.
"Is everyone ready." Said Shepard looking back at Garrus away from the opening of the wall. A Geth ran out in front of Shepard, only to be shot by Thane.
"Even a mile away, he's a guardian angle." Said Garrus. Shepard and the team pushed in hiding behind stakes of ezo crates. "My omni tool is reading a lot of ezo exposure Shepard. This damn thing must use a lot of power." The gun fired again shaking the ground again.
"It doesn't matter, we need to set the charges, and get the hell out of here." Shepard and the team pushed up to another set of crates. popping shots off from behind cover.
Raan came over the comm. "Shepard if your hearing this, you need to take out those guns. One just ripped threw the barriers on Reegar's ship." Said Raan.
"Where working on it." Replied Shepard.
"Just hurry." Replied Raan
"Shepard Zuula told me how powerful those barriers are. Theirs a pretty safe bet that put a big hole in the Kal." Said Garrus.
"Well then lets fight like Krogan." Said Grunt. Grunt charged the Geth fighting through them, and disappeared after climbing up the ramp, leading to the gun. Shepard and Garrus started to push their way to the ramp when Grunt came running back over the side. "Armature." Yelled Grunt, running past them. Shepard and Grunt ran back to the cover, and Shepard pulled his Cain.
"How many Grunt?" Asked Shepard.
"Just one, and its a big one. The Colossus armature's head became visible over the ramp. Shepard fired and vaporised the colossus."
"Hell yeah. Never tell a Geth they don't know how to make weapons." commented Garrus." Grunt ran back up towards the gun roaring a Krogan roar. "Now he's brave."
"Cut him some slack Garrus." Said Shepard. Shepard put up his cain and pulled his ark pistol. Shepard and Garrus ran up to the ramp. Running up the ramp the cannon fired again, Shaking Shepard off balance. At the same time a massive explosion had came from where Jacobs cannon was.
Another comm transmission from Raan came. "That's it one cannon is down, but the Kal has had it." Said Raan.
Battle chatter came over the comm with Raan. "This is Admiral Koris to the patrol fleet. Form up around the Kal we have incoming fighters." Said Admiral Koris.
Shepard accessed his comm. "Cortez where gonna need a pickup here in a minute."
"Roger that Shepard, I'm on my way." Replied Cortez over the comm Shepard started shooting the Geth with his arc pistol stopping them in their tracks.
"We need to move on that gun, lets push." Said Shepard. Shepard and the team pushed into the swarm of the Geth blasting the Geth controlling the guns. "Garrus set the charges, Grunt, and I got this." Garrus found a small opening in the bottom of the floor a Geth fired at him missing meanwhile he bombarded the Geth with his assault rifle.
"Shepard this thing is automated down here I just saw a round load into the gun." Yelled Garrus.
"Then set those damn charges." Yelled back Garrus. Shepard tossed the EMP grenade disabling a Geth prim, and its subordinates. A Geth ran up and Shepard killed it at close range running the arc pistol out at the twenty round mark. "Hurry the the hell up Garrus." Shepard switched on his omni blade, and sliced another ones head off. "Now Garrus." Grunt charged a prime knocking it down. Shepard pulled his phaeston, and started firing. A prime ran up close to Shepard shooting at Garrus. Shepard took is omni blade and slice the arm balancing the weapon causing it to fire inaccurately. Shepard then plunged his blade into its chest Causing a system failure in the prime. Shepard put his foot on the the prime pushing it off his blade over a low wall.
"That's it Shepard." Garrus dropped the last charge down the hole
"Lets go." Yelled Shepard, requiring grip on is assault rifle. Grunt ripped the head off the prime, and got up following Shepard. Garrus followed. While running Shepard accessed his comm again. "Cortez we need you now."
"Coming over the hill right now Shepard." The shuttle landed three hundred meters out side of the Geth wall.
The shuttle door opened and Jacobs team provided fire support. As the team reached the shuttle they practically fell into it. "Go Cortez." Yelled Shepard. The shuttle took off.
"Shepard that guns about to fire again I've got to do it." Said Garrus holding the Detonator in his hand.
"Do it. Everybody hold on tight." Said Shepard. Garrus pushed the button on the detonator. The explosion slammed into the ship knocking the shuttle out of the sky and into the ground, knocking the team out.
Shepard awoke hearing a transmission from Raan.
""Shepard that did it, the guns are down you saved the Kal.""
Shepard accessed his comm. "Shepard to Normandy, the shuttles down I need you to drop the tank off." Said Shepard giving a small cough at the end. The lens in his helmet had cracked vertically over the scar/
"What happened?" Asked Joker over the comm.
"No time for that just get down here." Shepard turned his comm back off "Garrus you alive?" called out Shepard. Shepard crawled to Garrus realizing the shuttle was upside down. Shepard shook Garrus, his eyes opened. "Thank god Garrus. Get the rest of the team I'm gonna check on Cortez." Shepard got up climbing over the team. "Cortez was hanging strapped to his seat. "Cortez." Shepard shook Cortez.
"huh." Said Cortez.
"Your alive, good can you open the shuttle door."
"Let me see." Cortez tried to press buttons on the consul. "No the entire systems dead." Grunt woke up, letting out a roar scaring the rest of the team awake.
"Garrus hit the emergency release." Said Shepard. Shepard helped Cortez out of his seat.
Garrus walked over to the door, and hit the release. "It's jammed." Said Garrus
"I got it." Said Grunt.
"Grunt wait." Said Liara. Grunt smashed threw the structurally weakened glass, making a way out. Liara then forced the door open with her biotic.
Grunt turned around. "You mean I did that for nothing." Said Grunt.
"You would have broke it anyway." Said Garrus stepping out followed by the rest of the team. "So what now Shepard." just then the Normandy hovered down.
"We take the tank." Said Shepard. "Come on move your asses." The team ran to the Normandy climbing aboard. Shepard accessed his comm. "Joker get us as close as you can to the Geth base."
"Yes sir, right away. Don't worry I'm a better pilot then Cortez never crashed a ship in my life." Replied Joker.
"Its kind of hard to fly without power, and a big ass nuke shoving you into the ground." Said Cortez
"Yeah sure, what ever Cortez." Replied Joker
"Restock your gear people." Said Shepard no longer paying attention to the argument. Shepard ran over to where his nuke rounds were and grabbed a new one. "Someone toss me a thermal clip." Garrus tossed him a clip. "Javik your driving, I'll take the gun." The team quickly grabbed their additional gear and boarded the tank.
"We forgot about Thane." Said Garrus boarding the tank.
"We didn't forget about him we just don't have time for him." Replied Shepard Climbing on the gun. we'll get him when this is over.
"We're in position Shepard its now or never." Said joker over the comm. Javik didn't even wait for Shepard to say go. The tank jumped out of the Normandy. Javik drove the tank over Geth trenches and into colossus's crushing them with the Shear weight of the tank.
"Do you know where your going Javik." Shouted Shepard.
"No do you know how to shoot." Asked Javik. Shepard had been missing do to the way Javik drove. "Switch with me." Javik leapt out of his seat with the tank still rolling, and pulled Shepard out of the gun throwing Shepard towards the driver seat. "Drive." Javik climbed into the gun. "Computer load Javik interface."
Shepard ran to the seat slamming his hand onto the spike taking the controls. Shepard drove the tank over a bridge crossing a river. "Javik blow the door open." Shouted Shepard. Javik turned the gun to the door, and fired blowing the door open. Shepard drifted the tank sideways stopping with the hatch in front of the door way protected form the Geth weapons fire coming from the other side of the bridge. Shepard climbed out of his seat. Jacob take the gun. "Javik, Garrus, Liara your with me. Everyone else do what you have to do." Shepard climbed out of the tank barrelling into the main entrance, followed by the rest of his team. Shepard fired his arc pistols at several Geth, including a prime. "use your pistols on the primes don't waist them on the small ones." Shepard pulled his assault rifle and pressed on down the entrance hall meeting a two way split.
"Which way Shepard." Asked Liara, as they gunned down more Geth from both sides.
"I don't know Liara. Legion didn't give me schematics of the place." Said Shepard.
"Lets split up Shepard." Suggested Garrus.
"No we stay together as a team. We go left, right is always wrong. It's a psychology thing."
/
Mean while aboard the Normandy.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
"Ahhh." Screamed Tali falling out of her seat on to the floor in the mess hall.
"Medical emergency in the mess hall." Said EDI over the intercom.
Doctor Chakwas ran out of the Med bay, with her Med kit, finding Tali. "Tali what's the matter?" Asked Doctor Chakwas.
"The baby, it's coming this time, I know it. Ahhhhh" Screamed Tali sounding in severe pain.
"Stay right here Tali I need to get my hazmat suit." Said doctor Chakwas calmly. Doctor Chakwas ran back into the Med bay. "EDI decontaminate the Med lab and get some people to help me carry her in."
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Back on Rannoch /
"Alright Shepard lead the way." Said Garrus. The team moved down the hall battling many standard Geth, and taking the first right moving deeper in the structure.
"Something feels off about this place." Said Javik.
"What?" Said Shepard.
"The contours of the halls are not like that of the carrier. They are familure." Said Javik. The team was in a temporary break in fighting. A strange machine stepped out from behind behind the next corner. It appeared to be a metal Rachni from the middle down, but the top was covered in weaponry with no definable shape. Asking no questions the team fired on the machine until it collapsed.
"What the hell was that." Said Garrus, not expecting an answer.
Javik got a look of hatred on his face "Metacon scum." Javik walked forward firing on the machine, pulling one of the arc pistols that was kept in the tank.
"Javik." Yelled Shepard. Javik didn't stop. "Liara go to him. Stop him."
Liara ran to Javik standing in his way. "Okay you got it, it's dead." Said Liara holding onto him. The machine tried to stand up.
Javik shoved Liara out of the way, firing at the machine until it collapsed. "Die you piece of garbage." Said Javik after he stopped shooting, he then fired one final shot into it.
"That was a Metacon. holy shit that bastard was hard to kill." Said Garrus.
"We are on the right track. I know where the AI core is, follow me." Javik led the way and they engaged several more Metacons along with the Geth. Javik led them to a very large open chamber.
"Javik what am I looking at here." Said Shepard popping a Geth coming at them. There was a large upside down hexagonal pyramid structure in the center of the room.
"You are looking at a Metacon AI super core. Someone must go down their and destroy it." Their was a long path that led from down below to the AI core.
"But who, and why only one?" Asked Liara.
"This is a suicide mission. I am the most logical choice, I will go. I know what has to be done." Said Javik.
"No." Said Liara grabbing on to Javik.
"I must women, only I know how to destroy it." Said Javik pulling Liara off of him.
"I'll go." Said Shepard. everyone looked at Shepard.
"Shepard you can't, you have a child coming." Said Garrus.
"Exactly Garrus. I've passed on my DNA, This was my mission I'm going." Replied Shepard.
"Shepard I promised I'd get you out alive."
"Well that's a promise you can't keep. Now I'm doing this. Your in charge once You get back to the Normandy. Do me proud. Javik what has to be done."
"Your nuke will do the job, at the bottom of the structure their is a opening. Fire your nuke into it. The magnetic lift will get you down their. Javik hit a button setting the lift for down. Their is no actual lift just step into it. The lift will no longer function once you shoot the core either. Take my pistol it is more effective then yours, and one more thing call your women. This room should give you a excellent signal." Said Javik handing Shepard the Pistol. Shepard's Started to walk towards the lift.
"Your not doing this Shepard." Said Garrus grabbing Shepard's arm.
"Javik get him out of here." Said Shepard. Shepard pulled his arm out of Garrus's Grasp. Javik and Liara pulled Garrus away from the room. Shepard stepped into the lift, and fell at a uncomfortable speed, as it was not fast enough to be normal. Shepard accessed his comm. "EDI can you patch me into Tali?"
"Of course Shepard. I'm sorry it has come to this." Replied EDI
"Me to" Shepard heard a click in the comm. "Tali." Said Shepard.
"Are you alright?" Asked Tali.
"Yeah, in fact we just blew the AI core."
"It's so good to here your voice, guess what."
"What"
"I gave birth."
"She's a beautiful healthy girl Shepard." said Dr. Chakwas
"That's great Karin, but I really want to hear all this from Tali right now." Said Shepard. Shepard hit the bottom it was probably a two hundred feet down. Shepard ran down the raised path to the Super core, firing at Metacons on his way.
"What was that?" Asked Tali.
"Just moping up a few Geth. So tell me what does she look like. Who's eyes does she have, mine or yours."
"Mine."
"What about her ears."
"Mine again."
"How about her nose, fingers, toes."
"All mine."
"Does she have any hair."
"More then you would expect, and its black."
"What about her skin it sounds like she looks just like her beautiful mother." Shepard stopped under the core and pulled his nuke.
"She looks just like her mother, yes, with one exception."
"What's that."
"She has this cute little tan spot on her forehead. you'll see it when you get here."
"I love you Tali." A tear rolled down Shepard's face inside his cracked helmet. Weapon fire wiped by him. Shepard fired the Nuke into the Super core.
"I love y..." The comm went dead as the nuke exploded. Shepard ran back towards the lift hoping it would still be functional blasting several more Metacons on his way. The floating super core fell behind him barely missing him. Shepard stepped into the lift not looking up, nothing happened. Shepard stepped back out of the lift firing Javik's pistol until it died, and switched to his viper holding them off.
Shepard held off the Metacons and Geth units that approached for several minutes. Garrus ran out from the lift firing his weapon assisting Shepard. "I thought I told you to get out of here." Yelled Shepard.
"Were brothers Shepard, and sometimes we don't listen to each other." Said Garrus.
"Thanks Garrus, for being here with me when I go."
"Who said I plan on dieing."
"Shepard move your ass." Yelled Javik from above. Liara and Javik blasted the area with biotic shock waves.
"You brought them back to." Said Shepard sounding disappointed.
"No, they came back on their own. I guess they wanted their rope line back." Said Garrus. The rope Garrus had used was a high tension light weight rope. "Now get in that lift and climb that rope."
"You first, last time I left you behind you got shot."
Garrus entered the lift, and climbed the rope. Shepard followed right behind. "You know I'm going to have to reprimanded you."
"On second thought Shepard you can stay here." Replied Garrus, still climbing.
"Garrus your the greatest friend someone could ever ask for, you just need to climb faster... Why couldn't you just fly me up Garrus. You are a bird."
"Flightless remember, and second of all I only take women out for joy rides."
"I know, I'm just playing."
"You can play with your daughter when we get home now."
"I ment for you to have a child, so my little girl would have a friend" A explosion happened lower down in the lift. Shepard looked down to see it. "Move." yelled Shepard. As the explosion chased them up. Garrus and Shepard managed their way to the top. Shepard rolled out of the fire, climbing out. As the facility continued to explode, they ran through the facility back the way they came. Blowing through Geth that where still operating, while seeing others that weren't active. "I guess the Quarians are doing a hell of a job." Explosions where happening all over the facility now.
"Perhaps, but we will know when the battle is over. The team exited the facility, entering the tank as fast as possible." Jacob had been on the gun keeping the bridge clear. Javik took the drive seat, and they sped off down the bridge as the facility exploded. The explosion engulfed the tank. "Haha ha, Just like old times." Said Javik.
"I don't like that laugh Shepard." Said Garrus.
"Commander Javik the hull has reached critical temperature you must escape the heat." Said the Tank VI.
"Shut up computer." Replied Javik.
"Yes Commander Javik."
The explosion cleared the Tank. Shepard accessed his comm. "Shepard To Normandy we could use a pick up when ever your ready." Said Shepard into the comm.
"On are way Shepard, sending you a Nav point, Joker out." Replied Joker over the comm.
"Lets not forget about Thane this time." Said Garrus.
"We won't." Replied Shepard.
The tank drove into the shuttle bay. Shepard waited by the door for Javik to stop, but before the tank even stopped, Shepard opened the hatch, and tried to run to the elevator. "Shepard where are you going." Yelled Garrus leaning out the tank.
"I'm going to see my daughter." Yelled Shepard turning around running backwards.
"Your gonna get her sick, not to mention Tali."
"Then I'll decontaminate in my room first. Said Shepard coming up with a quick solution. Your in charge Garrus Get the Normandy into the fight." Shepard turned around, and ran to the elevator, going to the room, stripping his armor.
"Shepard may I ask a question?" Inquired EDI.
"Anything. Give me a decontamination sweep though." Said Shepard.
"Why are you so happy? The Quarians are still fighting the Geth, and we are about to join them."
"I just escaped death EDI. I just did something I was told I wouldn't come back alive from, and I have a daughter now. This is the happiest day of my life EDI."
"I see achieving the difficult or in your case the improbable task makes organics feel good."
Shepard was now striped out of his armor, and the beam was going across him slowly. "Exactly EDI."
"So taking the Normandy into battle and fighting the Geth will increase your happiness more. Are you currently trying to use me to increase your happiness."
"No. EDI this is different we can save lives here, that's why where going."
"At the expense of the Geth."
"The ones that would destroy you without a second thought. We're not wiping them all out EDI, can you handle this.
"Yes Shepard I can. Thank you for the talk." The beam finished crossing over Shepard and he ran to the Shower, for a complete decontamination.
"Shepard entered the Med bay, seeing Tali holding onto the baby. covered by a blanket rapped around her, under her arms. The blanket was so short that it exposed her shins. Shepard ran over to Tali and kissed her. "I thought I'd never see you again. I'm so proud of you." Said Shepard pulling away.
"What do you mean, you thought you'd never see me again." Asked Tali.
"Lets not get into that right now. Just know how glad I am to be alive right now, here with you, and Saleen." Shepard looked at his child. "She's beautiful Tali."
"Do you want to hold her." Asked Tali.
"Yes." Said Shepard happily. Tali handed Saleen to Shepard. Shepard took extra special care holding her. "Hey guess who. Its your daddy." Saleen started to fuss. I think she wants mommy back. Shepard gave Tali back Saleen.
"Don't feel bad Shepard, its normal for a baby to want their mother." Said Doctor Chakwas in her hazmat suit.
"You cozy in their doctor?" Replied Shepard
"What ever happened to Karin? In fact why did you call me Karin in the first place."
"hhhh, promise you won't get mad Tali." Said Shepard
"Your lucky I have a baby in my arms right now, because I already know where this is going. You promised. You promised we'd go together, and you where going to leave me hear with this child to raise all by myself."
"Shepard do I need to leave." Asked doctor Chakwas
"No Karin stay." Shepard looked into Tali Silver eyes. Somebody had to do it Tali. Who would I be, if I let anyone else go on a suicide mission. I wouldn't be the heroic white night you fell in love with. This is me Tali. I skate threw life getting by on the most narrow slivers of chance. I do all this for you Tali all of it. I know I can get the job done. just have faith in me. If you can't then we should even be together, and if you don't want this child, I'll take her, and you can go on your way, just know I'll always love you. Because the day we go together, better be because its unavoidable, because I plan to go first if will keep you safe. Now can you except me for who I am."
Tears pored from Tali's eye's, and her voice quivered. "I love you John, with all my heart. Don't leave me. I except you. I have Faith in you, but you break my heart a little more every time you do this. I just don't want to lose you."
"And you won't, because I'll always be in your heart, and in that little girl in your arms."
"Okay." The ship shook.
"EDI what was that?" Asked Shepard.
"A Geth Dreadnought has exploded near the Normandy." Informed EDI.
"The good, or bad Geth."
"The bad Shepard."
"Thanks EDI. How are we doing out their, are we winning?"
"Total victory will be achieved by the Quarians shortly. I predict no more then several minutes left in the battle."
"You know when this is over Legions got hell to pay for." Said Shepard to Tali.
"What did Legion do now." Asked doctor Chakwas.
"He about got me killed, had Garrus not come back for me I'd be dead right now." Replied Shepard. Shepard reached over to try to hold Saleen again. Tali gave Saleen to Shepard again this time she didn't squirm or fuss. "Their we go, daddy isn't going to hurt you, he just wants to hold you."
"Shepard what happened down there? You can't just stop in the middle of a story."
"We ran into Metacons down there."
"but they're from Javik's time." Said Tali
"Well they where on Rannoch, that was the Geth's backup AI core. I had to go down their and put a nuke up it, while fighting with Metacons and Geth. Legion Damn well near got me killed" Replied Shepard.
"That was what you where doing, when I herd that noise?"
"Yeah, that Nuke was what cut me off to. I never got to hear the last two words."
"They were you to."
"I know Tali, but every word from you was a blessing, at that moment."
"Shepard your such a Charmer." Said Doctor Chakwas.
"Thank you Karin, and so you know, I called you by your name, because I wanted you to know I thought of you as more then just my doctor, you are a friend. hey do we really need these windows blacked out anymore?"
"I suppose not, but then everyone is going to get a good look at Tali's face." Answered doctor Chakwas.
"Is that a problem for you Tali? I know you where embarrassed last time." Said Shepard.
"No its fine. I was embarrassed, but that's because everyone put so much emphasis on wanting to know what's was under my mask. I thought they would see it and think I'm a monster." Said Tali.
"But I though it was a big deal to see someones face." Said Doctor Chakwas
"No it never was about the face, It's the exposure. We could get sick if we removed our mask, our mask aren't clear, because even my own people would want to remove them. If they could see the beauty of our face's, it would just be antagonizing not to be able to remove them. It also helps us find a good man." Tali looked at Shepard. "I'm not trying to say all my people are beautiful, but that's the reason we don't even know what's under somebody else's mask." Explained Tali.
"So in conclusion your okay with this?" Said Shepard not trying to sound insensitive, but had no idea what else to say.
"And their goes his charm." Commented Doctor Chakwas.
"Yes." Said tali Replying to Shepard
"Your sure about this?" Said Shepard making sure.
"Yes I'm sure."
"EDI can you Unblacken the windows?" Asked Shepard. The windows Unblacken and several of the Team where waiting out side. Garrus was on the bridge, and Mordin was probably in his lab, but it seamed most of the team was there. Liara was the first to notice the windows were no longer blackened out. Shepard walked up to the window with Saleen in his arms to show the team. Liara spoke to the rest of the team, but Shepard could not hear what was said.
"EDI patch us through to the mess hall." Said Shepard.
"I did not hear you say please Shepard." Said EDI.
"EDI?" Said Shepard questioningly.
"You need to install (originally a typo) manners on your child Shepard. It is best to start at a early age." Said EDI.
"She is right Shepard." Said Doctor Chakwas.
"The word is instil EDI." Said Shepard correcting EDI.
"I do not see the Difference." Replied EDI.
"EDI will you please patch us in to the mess hall."
"Yes Shepard."
"Thank you EDI."
"You are welcome."
"Can you guys here us out there." Asked Shepard.
"Shepard." Said Grunt.
"Yes Shepard, and your little girl is beautiful. What's the spot on her head though." Asked Liara.
"I think that's the only part of me she got." Answered Shepard.
"That's why she's beautiful." Said Tali. Shepard looked over at Tali. Who had a big smile across her face.
"Well I just wanted to give you guys a chance to see her." Said Shepard.
"She's beautiful Shepard. Congratulations. If I am still around when she comes of age for her pilgrimage, I offer to teach her how to defend herself." Said Thane.
"Uh, thank you Thane, when she's old enough I would be fine with that, but I don't even know if she'll be going on a pilgrimage." Replied Shepard
"No matter self defence is a skill everyone should learn, and lets face it Shepard I fight better then you." Said Thane, smiling.
"I'll give you that." Said Shepard. Saleen started to fuss again. "looks like I have to give her back now, We'll see you all later." Shepard walked over to Tali. "EDI can you turn off the comm. Please."
"Very good Shepard." Said EDI, sounding a little smug.
"So no pilgrimage?" Asked Tali Taking Saleen back.
"Do you want her to go on one." Asked Shepard.
"I don't know, I never thought that far ahead. I mean now that we have our planet back are we going to even need to go on a pilgrimage." Replied Tali.
"Tali, you currently have not acquired your planet, it is still under Geth control." Said EDI.
"Right, but we soon will, right?" Asked Tali.
"The odds are in your favor."
"Then just indulge me EDI. So what does my little girl want to do, do you want to go on a pilgrimage when your older. Saleen only grasped the blanket covering Tali. We'll decide when your older. Right now, your my little girl, and I'm going to take care of you.
"Commander, I've got a transmission from from admiral Gerrel he wants to talk to you." Said Joker over the intercom.
"Put him through." Said Shepard.
"Roger that putting him on... now."
"Admiral Gerrel what's going on?" Asked Shepard.
I wanted to thank you Shep..., you have done the...ple a great honer. Said Admiral Gerrel over the intercom.
"Admiral Gerrel I'm getting a lot of static over here. Is everything alright?"
"Somebody fi... a better transmitter tower. Can you hear me now Shepard."
"Yes what's going on out their, is the battle over?"
"Are you not watching this Shepard."
"No I'm in the Med bay with my Daughter."
"Congratulations, to both of you." Said Gerrel sounding happy
"Thank you. What's going on out there though."
"The Geth are in full retreat, according to Legions information they only got away with two AI's one dreadnought and a frigate, plus several support ships. Legions Geth are in a full pursuit. It doesn't look like were going to catch them, but I doubt we'll be seeing them for a while. Thank you for saving the Kal. Those guns were tearing her apart. I've got to get back to reorganizing the fleet now, but I wanted to say thank you. You have done the Quarian people proud. We'll speak again when everything settles down Gerrel out."
"We did it Tali." Said Shepard Smiling
"No, you did this." Said Tali. Shepard Leaned in and kissed Tali.
Writers notes: This by Far was my favorite Chapter, and don't think I'm done. I've still got Reapers to kill. For those who play strategy games you know aswell as I even the Largest of fleet battles do not take hours they end in minutes. I know they are just games but for anyone to think a battle would take longer then a few hour is ignorant of what actually happens in a battle. movies and non strategy games over dramatize these things and strategy games under dramatize it.