A Secret Project
"So we are agreed? The Quarians and the Geth agree to become part of the Citadel community once more?" Tevos asked. Sparatus stood mumbling to himself about suit rats and Valern just stared intently at Shepard, who was smiling his head off. The Admiralty and Legion nodded. "And the Rachni and Krogan promise to uphold their part of the bargain?" Sparatus asked, bluntly. He still didn't trust the Quarians or Geth, but letting two centuries old enemies onto their council was unacceptable.
"Yes Councilor, we are not as uncivilized as you may think. As for the Rachni..." Wrex said proudly before turning to the Rachni Queen. "My children promise to uphold the bargain. We will offer all assistance in any resoluting any conflicts that may occur." Tevos nodded. "Now we must elect our councilors, the representatives of your species'. The Rachni Queen will represent the Rachni, but who will represent all others?" Shepard watched it all played out. Osoba seemed to be playing it nice, just laying back and letting things proceed. He was surprised when only the Quarians, Geth, Rachni and Krogan were allowed a seat on the Council. The Quarians had finally accepted the seat too.
"I will represent the Krogan Confederacy, helping to rebuild the future the Krogan once hoped to accomplish, but this time without the blood of our galactic brethren getting spilt and without conflict." The Shaman stood up. Wrex nodded. Grunt just wasn't political material and he was needed as the head of the Confederacy on Tuchanka. Tevos was impressed by the Krogan's words, it was almost as if the Krogan forgot they had once been monsters.
"Shaman, you are welcomed as the new councilor. Of course the votes will need to be tallied by your people, but we welcome you nonetheless. We cannot call you Councilor Shaman, so what do we call you?" Shaman stood up next to a unflinching Osoba and said, My original name before becoming Shaman was Urdnot Kleg." Tevos nodded, but Valern spoke up, "Then Councilor Kleg it is, now, what of the Quarian and Geth candidates?"
Taigan spoke up, "As leader of the Quarian Republic, I have tallied the votes of the Quarian Republican Senate and the Geth Consensus, and we have nominated Shala'Raan to become councilor...officially." Shepard looked at Shala to find both her and Garu just frozen. It took Tevos speaking up to break her out of her trance, "Councilor Raan, please step forward and take your podium so we may continue." Shala shook out of her trance, tapped visors with Garu and let go of his hand, standing up to her podium, smiling down at Tali, Shepard and Garu.
"Tevos-Councilor, I, Legion of the Geth Consensus has finished building consensus, and we nominate Ambassador, formally known as Bravo, to step forward and take his position." Shepard's eyes opened wide. Ambassador? I thought he was dead when we fired the Crucible or Xen killed him! I wonder if Romeo has been rebuilt. Ambassador wasted no time in standing up next to Raan. Councilor Ambassador, I think Councilor Bravo sounds better.
Tevos smiled, "Now that we are done, I pass this meeting's conclusion to Councilor Raan." Let the new people get a taste of what's yet to come. Shala was bewildered, but didn't hesitate, "This meeting is adjourned." The newly founded Council and its new members left their podiums, disappearing. Garu followed quickly behind and Shepard chuckled. The Council will have to deal with him alot. By the time the crew dispersed, the Quarian plaza was left empty, all except Primarch Victus and Kirrahe, who quickly approached him. Tali whispered in his ear, "You talk to them, I'll go prepare Veetor and Elan's apartment for the Week of Seclusion." He smiled, kissing her visor before she left.
Turning he shook the hands of both the salarian and turian. "Primarch Victus, what a pleasant surprise." Shepard as he finished shaking the Primarch's hand. Victus smiled, "Yes indeed Captain, I wasn't expecting to see you again after the retake of Earth, but here we are. I came here quickly to deal with this meeting so I could return to Palaven and rebuild the Turian Hierarchy from the ground up. So many losses, our colonies need rebuilding, our fleets need rebuilding, the military needs rebuilding, everything needs rebuilding. Our whole empire."
"We goes up must come down." Shepard said. Victus raised an eyebrow, or did he? Damn Turians, you can never tell with their scaly bodies. Shepard thought it was confusion anyway so he answered, "It was a old human saying. Back on Earth, Empire's never stayed in power for long. The Persians, the French under Napoleon, the Germans under Hitler, the Romans, the holy romans, the Byzantines, the Mongols, Austria-Hungarians, Egyptians, The Macedonians etc, they all had empires that always collapsed eventually and never were indefinite. So its like I said, what rises up, must eventually fall."
"You humans are very wise. People say humanity are still learners in this galaxy, but it looks like we could learn alot from your people as well." Kirrahe stated. Shepard chuckled, turning to him, "The Quarians are already learning fast. I've seen quite a few handshakes going around, Shala slapped me, a few quarians swearing in english rather than their native tongue, and Gerrel recites human war poems and generals. I even heard him saying at one point, 'As a ruler, men worry more about what they can't see then what they can.'"
"Who said that in your times?" Victus asked. He was eager to learn about human history. "General Julius Caesar, he lived during the times that the Romans were just a Republic. He got assassinated by another roman vieing for power named Brutus. He was a brilliant general, very skilled at warfare. Of course there is a range of those; Napoleon, Rommel, Stalin, Churchhill, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Ramses III, King Leonidas of Sparta etc." Victus nodded in impresson while Kirrahe just shrugged.
Turning to Kirrahe he said, "So...Kirrahe, what's the status on Sur'Kesh, I heard the Reapers haven't even hit them." Kirrahe nodded, "Reapers completely ignored Sur'Kesh, only attack we got was from Cerberus, and with your help captain, we easily repelled that attack, and that base has been so far, repaired."
"That's excellent. So what are you two going to be doing now?" Victus straightened up, while Kirrahe crossed his arms. Victus spoke first, "Like I said, I'm Primarch of the Turian Hierarchy, so I am expected to return to Palaven to continue the reconstruction efforts. It will take years, maybe decades, before Palaven is back to its original state, but we can do it. Even the Krogan left there are helping us out."
Kirrahe moved on, "I'll be returning to Sur'Kesh to take command of the 26th Stealth Battalion and help as a trainer. However, I have as much time as I want to delay so if I may Captain Shepard, I'd like to join your crew. I have already petitioned for it with STG High Command, and they have approved of the transfer. I am waiting for your approval."
A salarian to add to the team. It would constantly remind him how much he missed Mordin, but at least Kirrahe would fit in well. However, that was indeed the only problem. "I would gladly have you on my crew Kirrahe, the only problem is...the Normandy was...hijacked by the Blue Suns during our pursuit of Vido and EDI was forced to destroy it. Were shipless, needless to say."
Kirrahe nodded solemnly and Victus had a empathetic look in his eyes. "I'm truly sorry to hear that Captain, but I will join your current crew nonetheless, there is nowhere else I don't belong at this very moment. We must destroy Cerberus once and for all, and I wish to be there when we do it." Shepard nodded and Kirrahe left. Victus stood closer to Shepard and said, "Rumor has it you are bonded to that quarian, Tali'Zorah. Is this true?" At first Shepard was surprised, but then he realized he hadn't known Victus for very long, as he only met him on Menae during the Reaper invasion of Palaven, and he hadn't reunited with Tali then so of course he didn't know.
"Yes. We both love each other deeply and I would sacrifice everything to make sure she is safe. Do you have...objections about it Primarch?" Victus nodded, but he had a smile on his face. "Yes I do. Your a lucky bastard to get a quarian to fall for you, let alone a female, they are hardass sons of bitches to persuade, but I guess I can't blame them. May I ask, what does she look like? Is she turian looking? Salarian? Reptillian? Or maybe the rumors are true and she's a...cyborg!" Shepard laughed out loudly, catching the attention of a few angry quarians nearby. Lowering his tone he answered, "First off, it's Tali'Shepard, were married. Second, None of the above. I'm the only one to know what her face looks like and I'm not telling a soul. All you'll get to know is that she is...more human than you like to think."
Victus looked bewildered as Shepard turned and walked off, saying goodbye to the confused Primarch as he went. Now that all these political meetings, bonding ceremonies and Cerberus assaults were over, he could now get down to doing what he wanted to do. Keying his omnitool, he sent a message for Garrus, Tali, Legion, and numerous geth platforms to meet him on northern plane outside the city. They all awknowledged, stating they were on their way.
It took about 20 minutes before he finally reached the northern plane, and by that time, Legion and the geth were already there, and Garrus and Tali right behind him. Once there, Garrus asked, "What's this all about?" Shepard smiled and turned to Garrus, "Time to begin Operation: BTAHGOIKYA." Garrus gave the thumbs up, wearily, he really didn't like the abbreivation of that jumble of words, and Legion and the geth began picking up materials and heading towards the outskirts, Garrus helping while Shepard and Tali followed behind them, hand in hand.
Operation: Build Tali A House Garrus Or I'll Kick Your Ass has begun.
...
"What the fuck do you exactly mean when you say 'Lithios has dropped out of contact?'" Hawk asked as calmly as he could. If even Etrius failed his mission, he would have his head for it. Hellion unflinchingly answered, "Exactly what I said sir. The Lithios dropped out of contact just over an hour ago. 20 minutes after that, Romulus Regiment Delta dropped out of contact. We received imagery from the Lithios and Moreh, and it doesn't look good."
Hawk took another swig of his coffee. After gulping it down he sighed and said, "Give me the details." Hellion nodded and brought the imagery up on his datapad, giving it to Hawk. Hawk scanned the pad over while Hellion explained, "Lithios was destroyed by a half constructed quarian orbital defense gun that had the ability to see through its stealth system. We don't know how the quarians got their hands on this technology but..." Hawk rolled his eyes and said, "Their allied with the Alliance dumbass. You exchange technology when in a Alliance, and guess who came up with the Stealth system? THE ALLIANCE!"
Ignoring his boss' outburst, Hellion continued, "...but we now know. Etrius reported to be heading towards the city's plaza for evac with the Moreh. Moreh broke off after detecting numerous turian, rachni, geth, quarian and normandy forces converging all around Etrius' regiment..." Hawk fired a look at Hellion. "What? Turians I can understand, but Rachni? What is Shepard up too?" He said that last line to noone but himself. "We have no idea sir I was..." Hawk rolled his eyes again, "It was a rhetorical question you idiot! I wasn't asking you, it was a self ponder! Now get me a connection with Xen and then leave before you say something else that makes you look like a moron."
Hellion nodded and calmly and set up the link before leaving. Hawk, turning back to his screen, eagerly awaited Xen's face to appear on screen, she had alot of answering to do. Finally, her face appeared on screen. "MORPH! WHY, is it that my men, Etrius' men, are now dead? And why didn't you pick them up when they needed it?" Xen gulped before answering, "The area was too hot, we had too..." Hawk's face contorted in rage, "TOO HOT!? YOUR SHIP IS A CRUISER FOR GODSAKE! THEIR ATTACKS WOULD HAVE BEEN PEBBLE THROWING!" Yes Hawk was angry, angry at Xen's stupidity. Xen was an Admiral, she should know more about naval warfare then he does. Yet she doesn't.
"That wasn't the problem. That 'aging warship' was." Hawk wasn't catching on. Aging Warship?" Seeing this, Xen continued, "Han'Gerrel was the problem. In case you hadn't noticed Hawk, he is in command of the entire quarian military, including the armed response fleet. My cruiser wouldn't stand a chance against the full might of a geth and quarian fleet, lead by a quarian dreadnought. Escape would also be impossible, as the sheer numbers our fleet could easily blockade the Tikkun Relay."
Hawk pondered this. She has a point but still that didn't change facts. She was a coward, keeping her own ass safe is the only thing that mattered to her. Exactly like I expected from a quarian. Always running away from the fight. "Very well Morph, but your information better continue to hold up. Etrius and his regiment were some of my best men, I'm not willing to send anymore in until your information is up to scratch. And I swear, if its wrong again, you will wish you never partnered with us. Understand?"
Xen nodded calmly again, too calmly. Like she had something to hide. He disconnected the call and turned back to the datapad. Shifting its contents, he began to look at the schematics for a brand new weapon. When this baby is complete, Shepard will never know what hit him.
...
Garrus groaned once again. "Come on Shepard, just one break?" Shepard gave an irritated sigh and looked down. Garrus was put in charge, allow with him, of doing the heavy lifting and placing down the main foundations. Tali was in charge of making sure everything was set right and had electricity while Legion and his geth counterparts helped with both. This house was coming along well, and they'd only started 2 hours ago. Garrus' groaning didn't help of course.
He chuckled, "Come on Garrus, your not tired already are you? Were only just getting started!" Garrus rolled his eyes, "I'm thirsty though." Shepard shook his head and Garrus reluctantly returned to his work. Shepard chuckled and keyed his dedicated channel, "Turian my ass. Garrus is groaning like a kid going to the dentist." Tali's giggles were all that answered before he switched channels again. Picking up another piece of brick, he slapped it down on the bricky paste, hard. He reached for another one but didn't get far when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"John, could I speak with you?" Shepard turned around to see Shala on the ground behind him, eagerly looking at him. It took him a few seconds before he nodded. He jumped down from the ladder onto the ground and keyed Tali's channel, "Tali, Shala's here. Wants to speak with me, I'll be right back." He disconnected the channel. He knew Tali knew he didn't need an answer. He quickly approached Shala, stopping right in front of her.
"Yes Shala? I thought you'd be with the Council heading for the Citadel by now." Shala nodded, but Shepard immediately recognized his mistake and addressed apprioately, "I mean, Councilor Raan." Shala laughed, shaking her head. "Don't fret John, I never knew you to be formal among family members. You can just call me Shala when not around those Councilors. If they find out I'm now technically your aunt, well, they might think I'll favor you if you commit treason again." They both laughed.
"I gather you didn't come all this way just to tell me you won't exonerate me during trials even if I am family." Shala nodded, "Yes, is Tali close?" Shepard turned around, "No. I can get her if you want, she's coordinating with Legion about flowing power into our house." Shala held up her hands and shook her head. "No, that will not be nessacary John. This is not for Tali's ears anyway." she then noticed a certain turian eavesdropping and added, "Or for any certain nosy turians either..." Shepard turned around to see Garrus watching them. Hearing 'Nosy turian', he looked at Shepard and gave a sheepish grin.
"Back...to...work. Trust me, you think I'm bad, if Tali finds out your slacking, she'll have your head. Literally." Hearing those intimidating words, he immediately returned to work. Shepard knew that apart from losing his family and Tali herself, Tali's shotgun scared him the most. He couldn't help but laugh inside at that. Turning back to Shala, he nodded and motioned for her to move outside the frontyard, and they pasted the fence, which they had set up first. Garrus rolled his eyes. I hate secrets. I'll get him back.
Shala crossed her arms. Shepard instantly became worried. Uh-oh. She's called me away from Tali so she can't come to my rescue. I think Shala is going to be very pissed off. But about what? Shala saw his look and laughed, "I'm not here to kill you Shepard. If I was worried about Tali's safety, I would have brought an entire fleet to deal with you. Everything you touch would explode." Shepard chuckled.
Shala continued, "You are indeed correct. I was supposed to be heading out to the Citadel, but I let them leave first and I promised I'd follow on the Tonbay. I will most likely gone for a very long time. Garu will be coming with me for reasons you know. I just wanted to say something before I go." Shala walked forward and said coldly, "Those bosh'tets dare try to touch or indoctrinate Tali again, you kill the assholes quickly, Cerberus will be destroyed, and you have every reason to be the primordial of it." Shepard was shocked. First Tali, now Shala. How many more quarians would give into human curse words?
"You can be assured that noone will get within an inch of Tali...or Rael. I love them both equally, and no harm will ever come to them as long as I'm breathing." Shala nodded, satisfied, "About Rael. He's been givin a decade's worth of medication for his speed aging and is scheduled to be dropped off here in little under an hour. Gerrel just can't deal with him anymore and I think Malra is just about to lose it. You know what that tilgrap is like."
Shepard chuckled, patting Shala's shoulder, "Believe me Shala, I do. Good luck with that Councilor thing. I hope we get to see each other sometime in some kind of family reunion. My mother's been eager to speak with you. She's quite fond of you, being an admiral and all. You and Garu take care." Shala nodded and bowed, in which Shepard quickly followed suit. "I hope the Ancestors continue to watch over us all. Keelah Se'lai, John." Shala then walked off, reentering her shuttle before the doors closed and it took off, speeding into Rannoch's atmosphere. He had to say, he was going to miss Shala, and Garu. But they would meet again, in due time.
Shepard headed back to the house in which he spotted Garrus being...attacked by Tali. The sight was amusing. Tali was glaring down a very petrified Garrus, who looked like he was ready to shit himself. What has he done this time. Tali's shouts answered this for him. "YOU LITTLE IGRA GARRUS! IF YOU DARE DO THAT I WILL TURN YOUR SNIPER RIFLE, INTO A BLINDFOLD! FOR YOU!" Shepard had to resolve this. "Saera, what's wrong?"
Tali looked at him in anger and was close to slapping him. "DON'T SAERA ME! WHAT ON RANNOCH IS THIS!" She shoved a magazine into his face. He took the magazine and only now did he realize what it was. A Fornax Magazine, with a picture of what was meant to be...Now it dawned on him. The picture was of a quarian female in a purple realk with her suit wide open, her breasts hanging out and seductively swaying her hips. Her right arm held her hips while her left hand seductively motioning to the reader, her index finger flexing backwards and forwards. The Quarian's eyes were overly done, a see through mask. The quarian winked at the reader. Not only were her breasts hanging out but her...the area inbetween her legs was clearly visible. On right of the page read "Quarian Lover". He recognized the quarian. It was meant to be Tali.
Now he knew why she was pissed off, I would be too if my body was used in a porn magazine to create fantasies in some weirdo. Why she was pissed off at him though was beyond him. He never read Fornax, well, he had Tali. It would be considered cheating. "It's you...but why..." Tali rolled her eyes and took the magazine out of his hands, ripping it in half. "SHEPARD YOU PERVERT! SECRETLY LOOKING AT PORN BEHIND MY BACK! ESPECIALLY ONE WITH ME! ME! ON THE FRONT COVER!"
She slapped him, a red mark left on his left cheek. He rubbed it and then turned to Tali in confusion. "What!? Tali I've never read a porn magazine in my entire life! I've never seen one a matter of fact until you threw this one in my face! I'm disgusted by those...things," he said, motioning to the remnants of the magazine, victimised by the outraged quarian female, "You of all people should know that Tali!" Tali seemed to have calmed down, but she wasn't done, "Then how come I found it in your personal duffel bag! Don't deny that, I found it there when I was unpacking!"
"Duffel bag!? But I..." Then it hit him. He knew who did it, he was framing him, as some kind of little prank. "Oh he's crossed the line this time..." Garrus got up and held his hands up in innocence, "I've never read porn in my entire life. I'm innocent. But, who has crossed the line?" Shepard looked up and then back down at both of them. "This is a prank. And who else would prank me other than a certain pilot?" Garrus shook his head in realization and then Tali's face flared up again. "That...little...BOSH'TET!"
Tali stormed right past them and before any of them could do anything, she was in the Mako and racing down the highway. Garrus and Shepard just watched as she went. They both looked at each other and thought the same thing. He's doomed. They both chuckled as they returned to the house and continued their work. Climbing up the ladder, Shepard was about to begin work again when he heard a shuttle land nearby. Turning he heard only one thing before the ladder began shaking. "Daddy! Daddy! Where's mummy?"
Rael had arrived. Oh hell.
...
"Jeff, you have a very...angry visitor." EDI announced, forcing Joker to wake up. Releasing EDI's embrace, he looked at the door, "What do you mean angry visitor?" Joker was worried. Don't tell me Tali found out...I didn't mean to get Shepard in trouble...If he caused Tali and Shepard to break up because of this, he would kill himself. Wait...didn't quarians say they bond for life? So technically, they can't break up. Damn quarian marriages, so confusing. Why didn't they just get married the good old human way.
"Exactly what I said, Jeff." Joker rolled his eyes. Well aren't you helpful. Getting up, Joker slowly approached the door. He could hear banging. Then he heard a VERY familiar voice. "OPEN UP YOU IGRA! YOU DET KUZUAT! YOU HRARXA! YOU OPARQIIT! OPEN UP OR I'LL MAKE MYSELF WELCOME!" Joker was literally crapping himself. I don't even know what those words mean! Oh shit, I'm really in deep shit. What have I done.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. Almost immediately he was lifted off the ground by Tali, hanging by his collar. She was absolutely pissed. "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS! You frame my lifemate using a porn magazine as some kind of prank!? I have only ONE warning for you Joker..."
"EDI, help me! She's crazy!" Joker said, looking towards EDI for support. EDI laughed, "No Jeff, your on your own on this one." Joker cursed. "Ye...Yes?" Joker said as he turned back to a very annoyed lifemate. Tali nodded, "Play a prank like that again, and you won't only be eating your own porn magazine, but I will personally break your legs myself." Tali gently placed Joker on the ground. She may be pissed off, but she knew Joker's legs were still pretty fragile. Joker laughed, "You still care?"
Tali shot him a glare and he instantly retreated behind EDI. Tali gave a mocking smile, "Please Joker, I'm a combat engineer. I can disable synthetics with my eyes closed." Tali then left saying as she went, "No offense EDI." EDI laughed. Joker still found that strange, EDI may be gaining sentience quickly, but she picked up on emotions pretty quickly. "Joker, how the hell are you laughing?"
EDI looked down at him and smiled, "Another time Jeff." Joker just shrugged as they lay back on the mattress, awaiting the arrival of the Alliance shuttle. Tali continued to smirk as she walked down the corridor back down to her Mako. I wonder why Shala wanted to see John. Hmmmm...maybe I can find out later.
She just shrugged as she continued down the corridor and entered her Mako.
Bosh'tet: Thought by many non-quarians to be the quarian equivalent of "son of a bitch" or "bastard." Surprisingly, it is actually the name of a animal native to Rannoch, similiar to Earth rats. It is a rodent to lives my scavenging, but has a very low intelligence, is quite irritating and lazy. It eats the excrement of other animals, using what's let of it as a home and the undigested bits as sustenance. It will eat any dung, even its own. It will defend its dung pile at any cost, even its own kind, and has been known to fight to the death. Quarians used it as a curse word for people who are being stupid, unresponsive, irritating or fighting for a worthless cause or reason.
Tilgrap: Large herbivore, native to Rannoch. Tilgrap, alpha female of the pack. Tilgra refers to the other members of the pack, both male and female. Moving in packs, the tilgrap uses snarling and huffing to force the pack to move where she decided to lead them.
Igra: Term of curse word used to describe people who like violating people unwillingly. Literal Translation: Pervert. Although quarian perverts are extremely rare, it is still possible.
Saera: Term used when speaking to one's lifemate. Literal translation: My soul's soul. Other meanings include, but are not limited to: Keeper of my soul and My soul's protector. Most commonly used word throughout the fleet by a quarian when speaking privately to their lifemate. Though unconfirmed by any quarian, there are implications that this word holds extreme intimacy as well as absolute trust. No single human word or phrase encompassed all that this one short word implies as it appears to contain both dominance and submissive traits.
Det Kazuat: Term of curse, considered especially crude. Literal Translation: Living sack of excrement. The Otquer, a large predatory lizard, will pass its meal neatly wrapped in a membranous tissue. Inside the sack, the enzymes used to break down the meat of the prey while still in the lizard continue to act as a stimulant keeping the indigestible brain synapses of its last meal still working until the sun dries the sack out.
Hrarxa: Term used to describe anything that affects a clan negatively. Literal translation: Insult to my clan's honor. Insulting a clan's honor is considered an insult to every clan member. In ancient times it was enough to cause a war. 3000 years ago, the word was used as the quarian's way of instigating a battle.
Oparqiit: Term used to define relationships with other clans. Literal translation: Ignored ones. Its meaning is clear, no interaction, no speaking and more importantly, no assistance will be given to the clan under this naming. Any cooperation that was present before is now ceased, any work requested is ignored. Even calls for help will remain unheard until the offended Clan is appeased. A simple 'I am sorry' would not be sufficient as the honor of a clan was questioned.
Joker can be such a dick sometimes. This is where he shines, and I thought I'd do this just to give his namesake some justice, you know?
Thanks for reading. I'm hoping Chapter 26 will be out just as soon!
"When this is all over, you can tell me which one of us is the machine."
- Cortana