Mass Effect Project Renegade
Chapter 28: Quarian Political Tool
Before the crew set off to head to the Alerai, Tali stormed to Shala, her eyes glaring at her aunt, if looks could kill Shala would've already been dead.
"Shala!"
The Quarian that was conversing with Shala backed up slowly, not wanting to be dismissed by Tali.
"No one tells me about my Father may be Dead before the trial, why?!"
The Admiral was silent for a moment, before looking at Tali, trying to say something.
"The other Admirals needed to hear the shock in your voice, Tali…. I'm sorry it was the only way."
Jack stepped right by Tali glaring at her through his helmet.
"That is unacceptable, what you did just went over the line Raan!"
Raan turned her attention to Tali's Captain trying to defend herself from her actions.
"Tali has no one to stand for her Shepard, it was the best I could do!"
Tali felt betrayed, worst of all it came from someone who was practically family, Tali thought that Shala told mother and her everything evidently she was wrong. Tali stepped up by her boyfriend pointing an accusing finger inches away from Raan's visor.
"Y-you have no right, to say that! Damn it Raan I trusted you, I thought we were family!"
Raan was a little frightened of Tali's hostility, her body language said it all, Tali tightening her fists showed that as well.
"Tali I—"
Tali however was not interested in listening to excuses, she cut off Raan in mid-sentence.
"I don't want to hear it Raan, in fact I don't want you to talk to me ever again! …. Let's go guys we should head to the Alerai soon."
Hearing that Raan's heart skipped a beat and she felt like collapsing in to the wall to cry. The crew left Raan to herself and approached Admiral Gerrel. Gerrel noticed the approaching Normandy crew and dismissed his advisor.
"Tali it's good to see you, I would've sent you a message about the incident on the Alerai, but I only received the reports, shortly after your arrival."
Tali simmered down a bit, Gerrel was her Father's trusted friend.
"Thank you Gerrel… you don't think I'm to blame for the incident on the Alerai do you?"
Gerrel approached Tali placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Of course not kid, you'd never put the fleet in danger, Koris is just a stuck up suit wetter, causing problems for the fleet."
Gerrel took notice of Shepard, standing behind her.
"Ah and you must be Shepard, Good job on shouting down Koris, the fool needed to be put in his place. With you here Tali is in good hands."
Jack just nodded hoping it would work.
"Koris seemed to be a little agitated, when I came here to represent Tali, why is that?"
Gerrel chuckled a bit, hearing that.
"heh Koris is scared out of his mind with you here, when Tali came back with not only the GETH data, but the Colonization rights, she was hailed not only a hero, but you two were recognized as saviors of the Migrant fleet. Koris was fully ready to take on Tali, alone since her former Captain of hers refuses to represent her, however you representing her makes the Conclave question Koris's ability to lead as an Admiral, and well he should've realized what he was doing when he started this farce of a trial."
Jack folded his arms obviously irritated about Koris, starting this trial to begin with.
"What's his deal with Tali?"
Tali just added in before Gerrel could reply.
"Koris Vas Quib Quib Despises our family, and the view we have on the Migrant fleet."
Gerrel shook his head hearing the statement.
"That's putting it mildly, Koris hates Tali's father Rael, and he's using her to get to him, to destroy the Zorah's reputation among the fleet…. This trial was not solely about Tali, it was also about the future of Migrant fleet, our main purpose to take back Rannoch."
Jack and Tali both gave Gerrel a confused look.
"You want another war with the Geth? The Systems Alliance integrated you, so you could build up what you lost." Stated Jack
Gerrel however argued that the fleet was ready to force the Geth off of Rannoch and it's colonies.
"The Fleet has been repaired and re-armed thanks to the hospitality of the Alliance, but every day we waste recuperating, the Geth are planning ancestors knows what behind the Veil, They're not only a threat to us, but to Humanity, you're the only one they attacked besides us."
Jack could understand the urgency to drive out the Geth but the Galaxy had to prepare for the Reapers.
"I understand the need to take the Geth out of the equation, but right now the Reapers are on the move, we need the Migrant fleet ready to push them back."
"The Geth are just tools working for the Reapers, that Reaper what was its name Sovereign? Well imagine each Reaper ship being escorted with Geth Dreadnaughts and cruisers, can you guess how many ships would've been destroyed before you've even put a scratch on that thing?"
Gerrel was not in the wrong here, the Geth could be a deadly interference in the war effort, having them there ready to cause havoc on our lines could spell our defeat. Therefore he couldn't disagree with this on Gerrel, Jack was even hesitant to tell Gerrel about the Reaper on Rannoch.
"You have a point, but do you think you're actually ready to fend off the Geth this time?"
Gerrel pondered for a moment, thinking about the outcome of the discussion.
"Well…. If the Conclave and the Admiralty board comes to a decision, and decides to go to war, it's most likely they will bring insurance just in case… We'll appeal before the Systems Alliance to take back the Perseus Veil…. But we're not going to get anything done as long as Koris hampers the Fleet's progress."
Jack looked at Korris by the hall conversing a couple of Captains from the Conclave.
"Say he died in a ventilation accident, would it make this trial go away."
Gerrel almost broke out in laughter.
"It would solve a lot of problems on the fleet, but unfortunately know, it would make this trial more difficult for Tali….. You better head to the Alerai"
The crew made their way to the shuttle docks completely ignoring Koris, as the crew boarded the shuttle, Tali watched through the window seeing the Rayya get smaller as they approached the Alerai.
Zoey looked at Shepard who was sitting in the opposite chair.
"So Shepard, what's the plan?"
Shepard was checking his equipment, while going over the plan.
"Simple get in get out, we'll clear out the Alerai curb stomping any Geth we find in our way, also survivors are a priority as well as getting evidence clearing Tali's name."
The shuttle shook as it connected to the Alerai. In the docking corridor the crew saw four dead Quarian Marines as well as a shot up deactivated Geth Prime. Jack approached the door that led in to the ship, but not before stomping his foot on the Geth Prime's head. The first room was littered with Quarian Researcher Corpses, and a few Geth soldiers. Jack equipped his AR-15 taking out the first three. Jack heard an approaching Geth, but it was in active camo, thankfully Leng found it instantly driving his blade right through the optics of the Geth then slicing it's spinal cord. Zoey through a heavy Biotic Shock wave sending a group of Geth against the Wall ripping them to shreds. Tali however was more interested in moving to the next room while mowing down any Geth in her way.
Each room showed the same result more Geth and more Quarian bodies scattered. Tali was beginning to believe that she might never again see her Father or the Fleet. Tali approached the console on the wall looking through the data, Jack approached her seeing she was quickly shifting through the information. Jack heard Tali speaking her thoughts.
"What is this Father, didn't you promise to build me a house on the home world?"
Jack approached closer, putting an arm on her shoulder.
"That's a worthy promise Tali, and if your Father can't take back your home world, then I will."
Jack didn't noticed but Tali was crying under her helmet.
"Father was so committed to the fleet, he barely took the time to take leave and spend time with his family… I did everything to make him proud of me, but it wasn't enough for him no… I had to live up to the name Zorah and prove to be a worthy successor…. He never spent quality time with me, and barely with Mother. It was always work…. I always wondered, did he ever love me?"
Jack was about to say something but Tali just left down the ramp to head to the final rooms of the ship. The Geth in the room stood no chance against the experience Normandy crew. Tali opened the door, hoping for any signs of life, but to her dismay, her Father lied on the cold floor unresponsive. Tali's eyes widened and rushed to her Father's corpse.
"FATHER! ….. No you always had a plan, masked life signs an- an onboard medical stasis….. –They're wrong you wouldn't have done anything wrong…. You couldn't have…. Please don't leave me….."
Tali just broke in to tears seeing it was over, her Father dead, No evidence, Exile….
Jack knelt down to the corpse examining his body, Geth Plasma Shotgun caused his death. Jack took something out of his side pocket where a shotgun shell would be. It was Red and glowing, Jack administrated the vial in to the syringe in his pack. He aimed for his heart preparing for any reaction.
"You better have the answers."
Jack made a single thrust in to Rael's chest piercing his heart. Tali tried to stop Jack of what he was doing but Leng held her with one arm. As the syringe emptied its contents in to Rael'Zorah's heart, Tali heard a sound she thought she would never hear again, a gasp of air.
Rael let out a nasty cough trying to see what was happening, his vision blurry there were four figures in the room with him. However Rael could make out one of them.
"Tali?"
Tali quickly grabbed a hold of her Father, hugging him tightly. Jack however put the moment on hold.
"Rael Listen, I know you must be confused and hurt right now, but I need to know what the hell happened?"
Rael pointed at the room above the stairs.
"Server room, quickly the Geth—activated ship schematics, there is a failsafe program that will fry their sensors."
Jack equipped his Stakeout while Leng followed in suit.
"The Door slid wide open showing two Geth Destroyers blocking their way, Jack fired two slugs in to the Geth causing them to fly through the glass behind them breaking a desk holding a model frigate and a computer."
Leng Jumped through the glass while tossing his sword at a Geth Pyro, Leng immediately tackled the Geth Prime tearing its head off from its socket.
Jack signaled the crew it was safe, Zoey and Tali helped Rael up the stairs, they set him down carefully in the chair by the console. The crew approached the console viewing the logs.
EARLIEST LOG 29 – PROJECT OVETURE
/ "THE GETH PARTS SHOULD BE SUFFIECIENT ENOUGH, RUNNING TELEMETRY PROGRAMS. OUR ANALYSIS OVER THE DATA WE RECEIVED SHOW THAT THERE IS A FRAGMENT IN THE GETH SERVER, IF WE CAN FIND WHAT THIS FRAGMENT IS WE CAN SURELY CRIPPLE THE GETH CODE. "
LOG 32 – UKNOWN FRAGMENT
/"THE CODE WE'VE BEEN OBSERVING IS NOT OF QUARIAN DESIGN, THIS CODE REACHES BACK BEFORE MORNING WAR, WE'RE STILL OBSERVING IT, OUR RESEARCHERS OF PROJECT OVETURE SAY THIS IS MORE OF A SOURCE SIGNAL THAN A FRAGMENT, ITS RELAYING MESSAGES TO THE GETH, I DON'T UNDERSTAND."
LOG 54 – UNFINISHED CYCLE
/ "WE MADE A BREAKTHROUGH! THE GETH CONSENSUS, WE'RE USING THE GETH DRONE TO ENTER THEIR SYSTEM, THEY DON'T KNOW WE'VE ENTERED THE CONSENSUS…. THE CODE FRAGMENT IS HERE TOO? WE'RE PLUGGING OUT I DON'T WANT TO JEPORDIZE THIS THINGS USEFULLNESS WE'LL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW."
LOG 86 – STRANGE OCCURRENCE AND MISSING WORKMEN
/ "SEVERAL WORKERS DID NOT REPORT LAST NIGHT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS ABOUT GETH PARTS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, WE'RE ALL ON EDGE HERE FROM THE PROJECT, TALI ALSO WENT RUNNING OFF WITH HER SUPPOSED DEAD CAPTAIN, WELL…. TIME AWAY FROM THE FLEET WOULD DO HER SOME GOOD."
LOG 99 – (INCOMPLETE) ALERT SIGNALS.
/ "REAPER? THE INFORMATION WE WENT THROUGH SHOWS THAT THE GETH DID NOT OBTAIN TRUE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, THEY WE'RE DELIBERITLY UPGRADED FROM AN UNDERGROUND FACILITY ON RANNOCH BY THE REAPERS! WE'LL FINISH OUR TESTS ON PROJECT OVETURE AND—RED ALERT? (EXPLOSION RATTLES THE SHIP) GETH HAVE BREACHED IT THE CODE WAS SIGNALING THEM TO TERMINATE PERSONAL, HOW DID THEY REPAIR THEMSELVES SHUT DOWN ALL WEAPONS SYSTEMS, THE ALERAI CAN NOT DAMAGE THE FLEET I REPEAT CAN NOT— "
Jack closed the terminal extracting the data, he signaled the others to make it back to the shuttle, Rael Zorah was too exhausted to speak, Jack told Rael about the trial, he was both angry and in pain.
"Koris, will pay for that, how dare he accuse Tali… my daughter of betraying the fleet."
The shuttle docked to the Rayya and the crew made their way through the corridors. With Zoey and Tali helping Rael through the halls, the crew heard that the trial was continuing without them.
"We need to face facts, there has been no word that Tali and Shepard have survived therefore I propose that Tali'Zorah be posthumously exiled."
"Bosh'tet!" Tali growled angrily
Gerrel however was beyond shocked, of hearing that from Koris.
"WHAT?! I said she would be cleared of all charges we agreed on that!"
"I recall no such discussion, therefore I call for a vote."
Jack and Kai Leng came charging in followed by Tali, Leaving Zoey to bring Rael in by herself.
Tali glared at Koris, as she stepped up to the stand.
"Sorry we're late."
Jack was in no mood for games, this trial was wasting precious time.
"You sure didn't waste your time of declaring us dead, go get your ship!"
Gerrel looked at the Normandy crew.
"I apologize for Koris's rash behavior, you taking back the ship was unexpected…. Along with Rael….. do you have any evidence to prove Tali's innocence."
Shepard gave Gerrel the evidence and the work log of the event unfold.
"There you have your evidence of what happened, the Geth were activated by the Reaper Code, it sent a signal out to them."
As the Normandy crew was about to leave, they were halted by an outburst of Korris.
"Hold it, there is one small matter, to deal with during this trial the Rayya's computer detected an anomaly got through Tali's visor, the channel was encrypted and one of the files showed Geth detection, the encrypted channel could have the evidence that proves your guilt."
Shepard glared at Koris.
"Those files vid files aren't yours to mess with, the trial is over."
Xen now had interest in the file.
"Indeed, I would like to see the encrypted file myself."
2/3 vote forced Tali to show what vide they were talking about, Tali searched through the channel to choose the selected one, she saw the vid through her visor first, her eyes widened seeing it.
Tali was forced to show the video, she uploaded on the main screen so the whole conclave can see it.
TWO YEARS AGO/ILLOS/4:40 PM
WARNING GETH DETECTED!
"Heavy's down the rope first, Medium follow, then light…. I'll hold off the Geth" Ordered Shepard
"Shepard! No we'll all go down there together." Argued Tali.
"Tali if we all go down there we'll be fighting Geth both in front of us and behind us. Listen Tali I need you to go down there to restore power to get that door open, they need you down there, you need to survive… None of this would've been possible without you and that data, you may have single handedly saved the Galaxy, Now please go… I'll be fine." Stated Shepard
Many gasps could be heard from inside the room, when they saw Tali'Zorah and Commander Shepard Kiss without a fatal reaction, Tali was mortified that everyone saw what happened on screen. To save herself the embarrassment Tali fled back to the Normandy.
