Running count: Reaper invasion day 12
Shepard stood in front of his bead, putting his gear on. Shepard was, looking at Tali sleeping, trying to be as quiet as possible. Tali's eyes opened, and she looked at Shepard. "What happened?" Asked Tali, sitting up.
"You fell asleep." Answered Shepard
"And you didn't wake me up?"
"Don't worry. I turned the movie off, as soon I noticed."
"No, I fell asleep on you. I thought we were going to." Shepard cut Tali off.
"Tali, we don't have to do that every night. You looked tired, and I wasn't going to bother you with it, it's not that important to me. As long as I can hold you, that's enough for me. You ready to get moving."
"You mean, you aren't going to leave without me?"
"Well I was going to sneak out, but sense you woke up I can't. Can I?"
"No you can't" Tali started to stretch. "Just give me a minute. Did you get any sleep."
"Yeah, I got about an hour." Said Shepard with a hint that he was lying.
"Good, now help me up." Tali put her hand out. Shepard walked over to the bed, and pulled her up. Tali fell into his arms purposely. She then gave him a kiss. "There, now your holding me."
"For a minute there, I thought you where getting lazy."
"Never. Now don't you dare leave without me. I have to feed our little girl, and then I'll get ready." Tali kissed Shepard again. During the kiss, Shepard swept Tali off her feet, and carried her over to Saleen's crib. Shepard then set her down. Tali stayed pressed against Shepard.
"That'll get you started."
"You haven't carried me around in forever."
"Sorry, it seemed to make the crew uncomfortable, and I carried you when you where sick."
"Well on our next date, I expect you to show me off. Tali put her right hand on Shepard's face."
Shepard smiled. "Of course." Said Shepard as he leaned in and stole another kiss.
Some time later in the shuttle bay
"Shepard you two ready?" Asked Jacob, as Shepard and Tali walked out of the elevator into the shuttle bay. Jacob was standing by the armory table all geared up.
I should be asking you that. Your not gonna take command to are you. Asked Shepard knowing he wasn't. The team started walking towards the shuttle.
"No Shepard, I know my place on this team. Besides, following orders is so much easier, then giving them." Jacob opened the shuttle door, and the team stepped inside. "I'm glad you picked me for this mission to. Javik called me on the comm last night, saying he got Liara pregnant. He sounded drunk, so I didn't believe him, but he kept calling me." Informed Jacob.
"Liara pregnant. He had to not know what he was saying." Said Tali with disbelief.
"Look, I don't know if its my place to tell you this, but Javik isn't lying." Stated Shepard.
"He isn't?" Asked Jacob
"Its not certain whether Liara is actually pregnant. When we get back, I don't want to hear that either of you are spreading it around, and that goes for you to Cortez. I will ask EDI, and I will find out."
"Alright Shepard no talking, got it." The shuttle took off.
"Good, so what's with the heavy weapon."
"Oh this. I figured why are you always carrying the heavy gear, or what if what your packing isn't enough."
"So you just thought you'd take my weapon."
"Uh, technically its not yours. Well it is, but you don't have your name inscribed on it. So technically, it's not yours."
"Its fine. I'm glad I'm not the only one carrying a heavy weapon anymore."
"Sorry, but it would slow me down, and I wouldn't be a nimble then." Responded Tali. Shepard looked over and smiled.
"Your different." Shepard walked up behind Cortez. "How are we looking, is there anything that looks like a base of operations?" Asked Shepard.
"Ezo is making it hard to tell, I'm getting a lot of false readings. Electronic signatures." Informed Cortez.
"Ezo shouldn't do that." Said Tali walking up beside Shepard.
"My scanners says otherwise." Replied Cortez.
"It could be anything causing that. A barely working control panel, maybe. Here, let me just readjust the sensitivity." Tali started adjusting the sensitivity. The screen blacked out for a minute.
"Whoa what're you do." Said Cortez now flying blind.
"Sorry just give me a second." Tali brought the screen up, with the updated adjustment. "There." Said Tali, as the screen came back up.
"And there's what looks to be a base, but now I can't pick up any low powered Geth." Pointed out Cortez
"Your settings were to high anyway. When we get back, I'll help align them better." Responded Tali.
"So that's were Xen should be." Said Shepard suggesting.
"That, or maybe it's a Geth outpost. You know how quick they set up." Replied Tali.
"Cortez drop us out at a distance. I want to get a look over the place, without tipping them off."
A few minutes later, and a scoped in view of the area later
The team stood on a downed ship, in in the raw dirt of the planet. The damage from the ezo had, cut a swath where plants didn't grow, around the wreckage. "It looks clear." Shepard pulled off his scope. "It doesn't look like anyone's alive. Sorry Tali." Said Shepard.
"Lets just go see if anyone's alive, and then kill those Geth bosh'tets." Replied Tali.
"Tali I'm sure we'll find somebody, and we'll definitely make those bastards pay." Said Jacob. Shepard, Tali, and Jacob walked down the debris, that was logged in the ground, that they stood on.
A walk to the outpost
Shepard, Tali, and Jacob walked into the Quarian outpost. Two Quarians layed slain, but no others were in sight. "Split up and search for Survivors." Ordered Shepard. The team separated. Shepard walked over to a near by terminal, where one of the dead Quarians layed. Shepard looked at the Quarian and then looked at Tali, before continuing. Shepard did his best to step around her, to gain access to the computer. Shepard searched the computer, finding a detailed map of the area, with locations under salvage. Shepard uploaded them to his omni tool.
"Shepard over here. It's Xen." Yelled Jacob. Shepard looked over at Jacob, at a small building unit, that was collapsed at one end. There was a window slit about a half inch in height, that Jacob was looking through. Shepard ran towards the building, where Tali met them aswell.
"Does it really matter who's in here. Just get me out of here." Said Xen loudly, as Shepard ran up.
"Xen we're going to get you out." Shepard looked at Jacob. "Any Ideas?" Asked Shepard. The collapsed material was two large to move by hand.
"Well, it's obviously to much to move by hand. The metals bent up there, not broken, and there's no way I can bind that back. I'm nowhere near strong enough with my biotics. A rocket might do the trick. No nuke Shepard, just a rocket."
"You don't think it will kill her?" Asked Shepard.
"I think she'll be fine, but we'll want her to have her barriers up. Just in case." Replied Jacob.
"I can't believe you're even considering this. You both have muscles. Use them." Said Xen, commandingly.
"Stand back Xen." Shouted Shepard. Shepard and Tali ran far away, and Jacob walked less of a distance back.
"Xen are you bake there." Yelled Jacob.
"Just do it already, you trigger happy moron." Replied Xen shouting. Jacob shook his head, and then fired the rocket into the bent metal. The rocket exploded, making a reasonable hole, for Xen to crawl through. Shepard and Tali ran past Jacob to the building unit. Jacob walked up, as Shepard helped Xen. Xen climbed out, tossing a rifle on to the ground. "Where's my Garrus. He wouldn't have let you risk my life." Said Xen Shouting still.
"He wouldn't have brought a rocket launcher, and then you would have been stuck in there. What where you doing here? Where is everyone else?" Asked Shepard.
"Most of them where back at the ship." Replied Xen.
"The Moreh? She's gone."
"Of course she's gone you idiot. I swear I don't see what Tali sees in you sometimes. We came here to salvage a ship. We were going to have get her space born, and then drag her in to the Zorah."
"Why are you here, on a salvage operation, in the first place?"
"There's alien technology here. It's not Geth, but Obviously I want to be the first one to examine this sort of thing. Besides I'm the most qualified."
"What happened exactly?"
"Those two destroyers, the damn Geth loaned us, went berserk. Killed my two assistance and then tried to kill me. I hid and they luckily moved on."
Shepard accessed his comm. "Cortez we need the shuttle to pick up Xen." Said Shepard on the comm.
"Roger that. I'm on my way. Is she the only survivor?" Asked Cortez.
"So far yes."
"Do you want me to ferry here to the Normandy?"
"No, I have to get that ship off the ground. If we abandon it, then my assistants died for nothing." Said Xen quickly.
"Scratch the pick up Cortez." Said Shepard on the comm
"Roger that." Replied Cortez.
"Thank you Shepard. Now my teams were out on salvage looking for parts. This place is a ezo mine if your willing to search, no pun intended. Now they could be under fire." Informed Xen.
"Xen, I swear you're a pain in my ass sometimes." Shepard accessed his comm. "Joker I need you to drop the tank." Said Shepard on the comm.
"You should have brought it in the first place." Replied Joker.
"I know. So are you going to get Javik on it?" A moment passed with silence.
"He says he'll roll it out the back for you."
"Alright thanks."
"Oh shit. Tanks a no go Shepard. A Geth frigate just dropped out of FTL. They must have seen the shuttle."
"Understood. See what you can do about it. Cortez, you getting all this?" Asked Shepard
"Yeah, I'm looking for a place to hide the shuttle." Replied Cortez.
"Negative. I need you to search for survivors." Ordered Shepard.
"I'll se what I can do." Replied Cortez.
"We'll hit the ship, and hopefully Cortez can pick up your salvage teams. Xen you'll stay with us, but you stay back." Ordered Shepard.
"Fine. The ship is down that way, and that's a EMP rifle." Said Xen pointing. "It's yours if you want it."
"Are you armed at all?" Asked Shepard.
"No, but you'll make better use of it then I."
"Here." Shepard handed Xen his Assault rifle. "I want it back in one piece."
"As heavy as it is. I doubt I could break it.
"You throw it on the ground, and I'll leave you here." Said Shepard picking the EMP rifle up off the ground.
"Touchy about your gear, huh. You more like me then you know." Xen looked at the rifle. "Ooo what's this." Xen yanked on the thermal clip. Tali walked over to Xen, as Shepard walked away shaking his head.
A short walk down the path later
"Hold up." Shepard held his hand up in a fist, stopping the team. A small armature, and two regular Geth stood in the way. Shepard lifted up the EMP rifle looking down the sights. "Xen how effective is this rifle." Shepard got no answer, and looked back. Xen was digging through some wreckage, about one hundred feet back. "Tali hit that armature with an over load. Jacob give that Geth on the right the good stuff your always talking about. I'll hit the one." A Geth looked over, quickly taking notice of the team, and began firing. The team quickly returned fire and followed there orders. "Don't bunch up." Yelled Shepard. The armature fired on the team, meanwhile Tali caused an overload in its shields, as the team spread out along the path. Shepard nailed one of the standard Geth, with two shouts of the EMP rifle. Shepard then focused fire on the armature, which quickly went down with four shots to it's physical body, do to the lack of shields. Jacob had taken his Geth out. "Xen stop playing around back there." Yelled Shepard.
"I swear she's like a kid." Said Tali in response. The Geth frigate broke orbit, burning, while dropping Geth down their path.
"Xen stay back." Yelled Shepard.
"Make up your damn mind." Yelled Xen back. Joker was in pursuit, with the Normandy, and open fired, as the Normandy cleared the clouds. The Geth frigate exploded from the thanex gun fire.
"Suck on that, you Geth bitches." Said Joker, over the comm, sounding happy. "I'll circle around and drop the tank."
"That was definitely Garrus's Idea." Shouted Tali as the team fired on the Geth. "Leave that prime on the right. I'm hacking that one." Shouted Tali a moment later. Shepard nailed another armature, overloading the clip. Shepard popped the clip, and inserted a heat sinked thermal clip. The clips fit in this rifle. and Shepard was using it to his advantage. Shepard kept nailing the Geth as they came. The Normandy swung over head, and the tank dropped from the sky. The tank landed on a few Geth crushing them.
"Lets get to the Tank." Called out Shepard. Shepard pulled out of cover, and advanced into the enemy Geth.
"What about Xen? Asked Tali tagging another standard Geth. The Geth were coming from everywhere.
"We'll come back for her." Replied Shepard shouting. Shepard took a Geth out of his way, and Jacob lifted another one, clearing a path to the tank. Shepard holstered the EMP rifle, and ungloved his hand, touching the tank. The door opened and everyone piled in. "Jacob take the gun." Ordered Shepard. Shepard climbed into the driver seat, and slammed his hand onto the spike, gaining full access to the vehicle. Shepard drove the tank, running over Geth, as Jacob nailed Geth with it's rapid fire. Shepard drove the tank, back on the trail they had walked, up to Xen. Xen was actually using Shepard's assault rifle, fairly well. Tali kicked open the door as the tank rolled up.
"Get in." Shouted Tali. Xen climbed in. "Go." Shouted Tali. Shepard took off in the tank, the shield's where already failing. Most of the had Geth abandoned the frigate, as it flew overhead earlier. Shepard moved out of rang, of most of the Geth, and then turned around. Jacob blasted the Geth with the cannon, charging it, and causing explosions. Shepard leaned back in his chair and looked at his hand, it was bleeding, very bad compared to last time. "It's the ezo exposure, your capillaries widen when exposed, and that's why your bleeding so much." Said Tali. Tali reached around the seat, and held him. "Put your glove back on, so the blood will clot." Shepard slipped his glove on.
"Your the best." Replied Shepard.
"I try." Replied Tali.
"Alright Shepard, that's the last of them. Let's go." Said Jacob, from the gun.
Tali let go of Shepard, and Shepard started driving down the path. The occasional Geth would attempt to fire a rocket at the tank, but Jacob would quickly take down the Geth, before any real damage occurred. The tank rolled up on the ship for salvage.
"There it is." Said Xen. There was a colossus class armature and several primes waiting outside the ship, firing at a small opening in the ship hull. "Quick take them out before they undo the work we did." Shepard floored it, and headed straight for the colossus. The Geth had already began to turned, and fired on the tank. The tank slammed into the side of the armature, plowing it onto its side. The tank then rolled over the armature, crushing the body. The armature fired a final time into the tank, shaking it, before the VI platform failed. Jacob cut down the primes with the gun leaving no Geth left standing.
"Okay everyone out." Ordered Shepard. Shepard got up from his seat, and layed the EMP rifle in the tank. They climbed out of the tank and Shepard took his rifle back. "That thermal clip is impressive Shepard. How come you never shared it with me?"
"Because they're not mine to give away." Said Shepard, with a annoyed voice. Shepard was growing tired of Xen, and it was still to early in the morning, to be dealing with her. The team walked over to the ship, and entered through the hole in the hull. Xen examined the wall, neglecting the other Quarians standing there. Shepard walked up to the Quarians who seemed to be in charge of the defence. "What's the situation. Is the ship secure."
"No it's not, we have the bridge and most of this deck, but the Geth found another hole into the ship, on a lower deck. They have control everything below us, and I can't take it back, because I don't have any soldiers." Explained the Quarian Commander.
"What can you tell me about how all this started?" Asked Shepard.
"Here or all of it?"
"Whatever you can tell me."
"Well I can't tell you much, comms are dead, if you haven't noticed." Shepard checked his comm. All he heard was static. "See what I mean. We had a ezo caravan on it's way back, and most of my men where with that, and Xen's savaging operations. We win our planet back, and yet we're out savaging still."
"You haven't heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The flotilla was driven away from Rannoch a while ago. Collectors hit the planet.
"That figures." The soldier looked over to his right. The sound of gun fire were coming down the way he looked. "Look to make it short. The ezo caravan got hit, and then the Geth dropped in on us. Now I need to get down there." The Quarian commander started to turn. Shepard grabbed the Quarian and stopped him.
"I'll take care of this, you stay here with Xen. Come on." Shepard pulled his ark pistol, and the team made there way down a long hall. Some Quarians were holding the corner to the hall. Two Quarians were taking cover behind a crate. They where obviously not soldiers, but techs. Shepard stepped out around the corner, and fired a charged round into the first Geth. Shepard quickly noticing the corner made a one eighty down some stairs. Shepard fired down the stairs taking down the three Geth on them with the help of the team. Shepard starred down the stairs for a minute, before speaking. "Keep an eye on these stairs." Said Shepard to the Quarians. Shepard lead the team down the stairs, where a Geth rocket turret quickly fired on them. Shepard and the team ran to cover to the near wall, in front of them, shielding them from the rockets. Standard Geth stood on there backside at a angle. The stairs shielded Jacob, but Shepard, and Tali took fire from the two Geth. Shepard and took one with a charged ark pistol round, While Tali fired multiple times on the other taking it down. Tali and Jacob where also carrying a ark pistol. "Jacob hit that turret with a rocket." Ordered Shepard. Jacob switched to his rocket launcher, and quickly peaked out, firing a rocket, taking out the turret.
"It's down." Said Jacob, optimistically. Shepard and the team made their way out to the hall way. The hall made a obtuse v, from the stairs. Many Geth were to the left, including a destroyer, which quickly fired on them. Shepard and the team moved up to a crate, two Quarians had been carrying, before being gunned down by the Geth earlier. The team huddled around the small crate opening fire on the Geth with their ark pistols. The standard Geth went down easy, but the destroyer was different and stood strong. Shepard moved up on the destroyers crate, to find another four Geth to his right. Another destroyer and three standard Geth. Two standards engaged Shepard trapping him huddled against the crate. The other two Geth watched the stair well, on the other side of the ship.
"Tali hack something." Yelled Shepard, before reaching over the crate, and grabbing the Destroyer. Shepard pulled the destroyers face to his omni blade, and stabbed into it. Shepard let the destroyer go, and then shifted left, putting the rest crate between Shepard, and the other Geth. Jacob moved up on Shepard's position, pulling one of the standard Geth, and then taking a few well placed shots.
"Thought you could use the help Shepard." Said Jacob.
"Thanks." Shepard's barriers had taken a lot of punishment dealing with the destroyer. Tali hacked the other destroyer, and it began firing on the remaining two standard Geth, destroying them. The destroyer didn't last long though, and was then gunned down by a hoard of Geth in a very large room, that was across from the doors behind Shepard. Tali moved up with the rest of the group.
"Sorry I took so long, they've upgraded their software some." Said Tali apologetically.
"It's fine Tali. We've got a mess of Geth in that room over there. Take right Tali. I'll take center, and Jacob you take the other side."
"Got it." The team separated, to go to their positions. Shepard shifted over to the crate that the two standard Geth had used for cover, when Shepard rushed the destroyer. Shepard gave Jacob covering fire as Jacob stormed across to the other side. The room appeared to be a mess hall. Tables were turned over, and eight standard Geth had taken cover, behind the tossed around tables. Shepard started charging his ark pistol making his shots count. The Geth where to numerous to stay out for extended periods of time. After nailing the second Geth, Shepard heard the door open behind him. Shepard quickly turned, and then dove to the side firing the ark pistol rapidly. Four Standard Geth had come through the door. Shepard scooted away, as he fired his pistol into the Geth. The team turned, and helped cutting them down, before they could do any real damage. Shepard pulled himself to his feet, and rejoined the team at clearing the mess hall. The team cleared the rest of the Geth in the mess hall, fairly quickly. The team regrouped on Shepard once they where sure it was clear. Shepard walked over to the door control panel, for the door the Geth had come through, and tried to open it, but it was no good for Shepard.
"Tali can you override the controls." Asked Shepard.
"I'll try, but this thing is ancient." Said Tali walking over to the control panel. Shepard stepped back and checked out her ass for a short moment. Before speaking again.
"Tali can you open it."
"Keelah Shepard, I'm not a miracle worker. Give me." Replied Tali. Tali was cut off by the door opening. A Geth prime was standing there, trained on the door, with a spitfire. Jacob dove to the other side, while Shepard pulled Tali away from the control panel, taking her spot.
"Shepard, I have and idea." Said Jacob pulling his rocket launcher. "Tali overload it's shields, Shepard keep the pressure on it. When its shields are down, I'll finish it off." Shepard charged his Ark pistol and stepped out firing on the prime. Tali went quickly to work on the overloading of the shields, now that she found a hole in their software. finishing them.
"Got it." Said Tali. Shepard pulled back in, his barriers had almost failed again. Jacob leaned out, and fired his rocket into the prime, blowing it to pieces. Jacob then examined the room for more Geth.
"It's clear." Stated Jacob. Shepard lead the team into the room. The room was a main battery, much bigger then the Normandy's. The room was was normal height entering the main area, before it opened in height, beyond the edge of the deck above. The team walked up to some railing that isolated the gun a few feet below. "Look at that gun." Said Jacob.
"It looks about the size of a main gun, on a cruisers." Stated Tali
"Looks like the Geth where rebuilding it to. look at the damage to the wall. That's part of a single mass accelerator, and look at these schematics here." Said Shepard pointing things out. Shepard led the team over to a panel showing the ship. "See this, why would that be there, even after it leaves the tube. It's still being accelerated. This gun was no small cruiser weapon. I'd go as far as saying it was at least as capable as a dreadnoughts main gun. They put a lot of time and effort into making such a small gun. The ship doesn't even have any other weapons. She was completely dedicated."
"It's amazing, I'm the engineer and you see all this."
"I'm just trying to keep you on your toes." Said Shepard before turning to Jacob. Tali walked over to the panel, and studied it. "Jacob your doing good out here. I think I made the right decision in giving you a command."
"Really Shepard? Because I don't think I'm proving myself here, and I'm not trying to either."
"Jacob your doing fine. We'll talk more about it later. Right now we need to clear engineering, and find out where they're getting in."
"Hold on a second, I think I can access the internal sensors." Said Tali accessing the control panel.
"It's amazing, I see the tech stuff, and you see the soldiering stuff." Responded Shepard.
"Just keeping you on your toes. It looks like we won't have to visit much of deck four. This ship is amazing in the tech they put into it. The Geth are located around the engineering core, and along the way two the breach, just down the hall from it. Now we have a choice. We can repel down a overlook in engineering, or we can take the elevator, and come out right in the thick of it. My suggestion is we repel." Informed Tali. Tali backed away from the console. "Come on, lets go. I can't wait to get a look at the engines." Said Tali excitedly.
"You picked a hell of a girl Shepard." Said Jacob, with a slight laugh behind his voice.
"So did you." Replied Shepard. Shepard lead the team out of the main battery, and in the direction of engineering. They walked past the stairs, with their guns raised, not one hundred percent convinced the internal sensors where accurate. As they reached the doors to engineering Tali pointed out the elevator.
"That's the elevator if you change your mind." Stated Tali.
"Think you can lock it down?" Asked Shepard.
"The elevator is broken right now, the brakes are the only thing holding it in place." Informed Tali.
"Then we'll take the overlook." The team stacked up on the door. The control panel worked this time, and Shepard opened the door. Four standard Geth, had just climbed up, and stood in the overlook of engineering, in front of a latter. Shepard pushed into the room, taking one of them down, with another charged Ark round. Shepard then moved in behind a wall, that jetted out, into the room, about a meter, which actually blocked Jacobs view, of one of the Geth. Tali took Shepard's old position, and assisted Shepard and Jacob, taking down the rest of the Geth. They then advanced to the latter in engineering. More Geth tried to climb the latter, but Tali blasted one with her shot gun as it climbed up. The Geth fell knocking another Geth to the ground, Shepard switched to his assault rifle and fired his armor piercing rounds into the Geth on top, penetrating through to the other one. "Cover me." Said Shepard as he climbed onto the latter. Shepard slid down the latter, and immediately came under fire by three more Geth. Jacob followed Shepard, and they gunned down the Geth together as Tali came down next. Engineering was clear now, and had only one entrance for the Geth to come through. "So Tali, how do you like engineering." Asked Shepard.
"Not what I expected, and I feel sorry for anyone who has to work in this bay." Said Tali sounding a little let down. Engineering wasn't anything like Normandy, or other ships. It was more moving parts and machinery, then electronics. The Ezo core was in miserable condition, but someone had brought in equipment to fix it. Crates were covering the floor of the bay. The core was also very small, about a fourth of the size of the Normandy.
"Next time I'll take you some place nicer." Said Shepard.
"You better." Replied Tali. The team wormed there way through the crates, to the door. They exited engineering nailing two more Geth that where in the hall, that lead to the breach. The hall had a split, like the deck above, but the left side was collapsed. The team moved down to the breach going down the hall. The Geth tried a ambush as they neared the breach, but the team quickly took them down. Several Geth had also come from another collapse further ahead, and attempted to assist in the ambush, but were late, and taken out upon arrival. Shepard, Tali, and Jacob stacked around the breach. Jacob on the far side, while Tali stood behind Shepard. Shepard peeked out, to see the breach sat in a dug out hole below the surface, leading up. Two armatures, a prime, and a assortment of smaller Geth were watching the breach. Shepard was noticed and they fired on him, forcing him to pull back in.
"Tali there's a lot of Geth out there. Can you do anything about the armatures?" Asked Shepard.
"Let me see." Replied Tali going to her omni tool. Tali worked on her omni tool, and Shepard switched to his Graal. Jacob pulled his rocket launcher.
"Jacob how many more rounds do you have?" Asked Shepard.
"Two. One loaded and a spare." Answered Jacob.
"Save the spare." Ordered Shepard.
"Got it." Replied Jacob.
"Okay, I can take one of the armatures, and maybe one of the smaller Geth. I'll be taking the farthest left one, if I do. I've also managed to find a hole in the primes software I can rip it shields down. Anymore then that, and my omni tool will be overloaded." Informed Tali.
"Jacob hit the prime with that rocket. I'll try and clean up the support. Then we focus fire on the armature. Tali You'll take my spot.
"Don't do anything stupid, okay." Said Tali.
"You know I will, Tali. Okay lets do this. Hit it Tali." Ordered Shepard. Tali hacked the armature, and the smaller Geth, causing a fire fight amongst themselves. Tali then overloaded the shields to the prime.
"Make your move Jacob." Said Tali. Jacob and Shepard both stepped out and engaged the enemy. Jacob fired his rocket into the prime, destroying it, and Shepard started nailing the smaller Geth. The defense fell quickly, but the team was forced to pull in. Only a armature, and one standard Geth were left. Shepard reloaded his Graal.
"Tali get your shotgun ready." Tali cranked back here graal. Jacob switched to his scimitar. "Okay on three we nail that armature. One, two, three." Shepard, Tali, and Jacob all stepped out and fired on the Armature. Shepard popped his concussive round first for good measure, then layed the spikes into it. The armature went down, and Shepard focused on the smaller Geth, which was firing on him. Jacob took the kill from Shepard, before he could fire. Shepard looked over at Jacob "Alright, lets move up." Ordered Shepard. Shepard lead the team up out of the hole, where they saw a colossus armature and several more smaller ones standing guard.
"Shit how." Said Jacob. Jacob stopped seeing Shepard pull his cain.
"I don't keep this around for nothing, do I. Stay here I'll handle this." Said Shepard smiling behind his helmet. Shepard charged his cain as he stepped out, and fired it into the colossus. Shepard quickly tucked back in, and the nuke cleared the area, but a peace of equipment quickly spit out a prime, that Shepard didn't see. "It's clear. I think that was the last of them." Said Shepard peaking out. Shepard lead the team out only to be fired on, by a Geth prime from a distance, and several other Geth that were operating the piece of equipment.
"I thought you said it was clear." Said Jacob having to switch to his ark pistol. The team open fired on the support, while finding nearby cover.
"It was." Replied Shepard. Shepard switched to his Raptor. Shepard opened fired on the smaller Geth, taking them down with Tali, and Jacobs help. They targeted the prime, and opened fired on it. Tali fired her graal, cranking it back for range, and Jacob switched to his rocket launcher. Shepard and Tali wore down the shields, before Jacob fired his rocket and blew it apart.
"Now that's it." Said Jacob lowering his rocket launcher. "Good call on saving that rocket."
"Yeah, but now what is this?" Asked Shepard.
"It's a manufacturing center. The Geth use them as force projection. They must have set up only a few hours ago, or they would have over run us." Informed Tali.
"Can you shut it down?"
"That, and any other units operating in the field." Answered Tali. Shepard, Tali, and Jacob walked up to the fabrication unit, and Tali shut it down. "The comms should be up now, and I suggest we get out of here before this thing blows." The team walked away back towards the ship.
Shepard accessed his comm. "Cortez did you find any survivors at the savaging points?" Asked Shepard.
"I picked up a few. Not to many of them made it, mainly soldiers." Answered Cortez.
"It's better then nothing. Drop them off at the tank. Xen will be waiting for them."
A walk back across the ship
"Nice find Xen." Said Shepard walking up to her.
"Nice. The ship is pathetic. That ezo core can't even support a kinetic barrier to stop that gun of yours, much less a Reaper." Replied Xen.
"Looks like you have your work cut out for you then. The ships clear, but you'll want to close up that breach the Geth made. Just in case. We'll call in the Zorah, and the Normandy will stick around if you run into any Geth that reactivate."
"Thank you Shepard. Now I can get this ship off the ground, and it can soon be ready to defend the fleet. Well for a few seconds anyway, before she gets blown out of the sky.
"We'll be in touch." Said Shepard before turning away. Shepard, Tali, and Jacob walked back to the tank. Shepard accessed his comm "Joker we need a pick up."
"On it. Sending you the landing coordinates."
Back on the Normandy
Shepard stood offset behind Joker, on the Normandy bridge. "So how long are we stuck here?" Asked Joker.
"Until the Zorah gets here."
"Hhh, that's gonna be hours. That Primarch is gonna be pissed. We already stood him up once."
"He'll have to make do for now. I doubt talking is going decide anything anyway. Besides sense when does a ship rise from the grave everyday. You know EDI, your gonna have to step it up, that ship managed to fit a dreadnought size gun aboard only a frigate.
"Shepard, my weapon systems are state of the art. The ship is double the length of the Normandy, while dedicating a entire third of the ship to the weapons system, and it's maneuverability is almost zero. It has a ezo core one fourth the size of my own. A kinetic barrier incapable of defending against one staffing run from any frigate currently in service, and I could easily destroy it with no damage to the hull. The dust that impacts my hull will be more damaging." Stated EDI.
"Wow touchy. Now I've got to see what this ship looks like." Said Joker Teasing EDI.
"Keep your eyes on your own console, Jeff." Responded EDI.
"Hey a pilots got to watch where he's going EDI. Besides you know I like your rear end?" Responded Joker.
"Which rear end are you speaking of Jeff?" Asked EDI.
"There's no correct answer to that Joker." Said Shepard quickly.
"Both." Said Joker, with some hope he picked the right answer.
"You are lying." Replied EDI before going silent.
"I warned you Joker." Said Shepard.
"Yeah you did, but for future reference, there was a correct answer." Replied Joker.
"What is it?"
"Make her guess. When a women has to guess, they forget about their problems, and will do just about anything to get an answer."
"Good to know." Shepard scratched his head. "I'm gonna go now, good luck on making EDI happy."
"Thank. I guess I'll need it, with the way she's been lately."
"How have I been lately, Jeff." Said EDI, sounding almost like a mad girlfriend. Shepard walked away from Joker, towards the the elevator.
"You've been acting like a real." Said Joker before his voice faded, to the point where it would be to hard to hear. Shepard took the elevator to engineering, going to see Tali. Shepard walked into engineering. The same side as always. Tali was on the comm with Xen, so Shepard waited by the door.
"I can't believe Shepard just abandoned me down here. I could have used your help. All of you could have been useful. Look I don't care which power coupling you use, just make sure it gets us into orbit." Said Xen seeming distracted. "See what I'm dealing with." Said Xen over the comm.
"Xen, you have to understand, Shepard raced across the galaxy to help you. He stood up the new Primarch for the Turian fleet. I don't even think he slept at all last night." Replied Tali.
"We'll that's his fault, and what happened to the old one?"
"Reapers got him. The point is, you should be grateful that Shepard came at all. Look I have my own ship to take care of, and I need to get back to work. Just like you need to get that ship back to the fleet. We'll be here if you need us." Said Tali closing the comm. Shepard walked up behind Tali, who was holding Saleen.
Shepard touched Tali on the shoulder. "Hey, arguing with Xen." Said Shepard stating the obvious. Tali turned around, and looked at Shepard.
"Fortunately it's only Xen, and not Raan." Replied Tali,
"Feel like your arguing with your mother, when you do it with Raan."
"A little bit. That's why I only send her messages."
"I've been putting off talking to my mom to."
"Really, Why?"
"Same reason you send Raan messages. Believe it or not my mother isn't to nice. I would go as far as saying she wasn't a real mother, and it will turn into a argument."
"But she was so nice that time you called her."
"That's because it was business. She practically blew me off as soon as she could. Now she wants to talk to me. I'm betting she probably wants to yell at me for my choices."
"Because you chose flotilla over the alliance. Freedom as a spectre, being able to do as you please, instead of hand cuffs and shackles, rules and regulations? Because you chose an alien over a human? She has to come to terms with these things. This is your life, not hers. If you need somebody, I'll stand with you. We shouldn't have to stand alone.
"But we should if we can. What do you two have to argue about anyway."
"I don't know. She loves you. So it won't be about that. Probably because i didn't take that admiral position, but I don't see why that matters."
"Do you want me to stand with you, next time you talk to Raan?"
"No I believe I can stand on my own now. Here it was, I try to help you, and you help me."
"If you change your mind, let me know."
"I will."
"So can tell me something about that ship, I don't already know?"
"Well, I can tell you it's perfect for fighting Reapers."
"Really, why's that?"
"Because it doesn't rely on kinetic barriers. If you remember sovereign didn't use a mass accelerator. He used some sort of energy weapon. Like our thanex cannon. A kinetic barrier doesn't stop that kind of weapon. Well maybe marginally, but not very effectively. Anyway the ship relies more on it's armor, and if Xen can get it fully together we're looking at a formidable attack ship against the Reapers. At least until they get in close, and hit it multiple times."
"Just how thick is that armor."
"That depends on where your at. Forward facing armor is very thick. At least the thickness of a alliance dreadnought, and its high quality Asari plating. So it's a like adding another half layer. Then all of it's slanted, which gives a false extra layer of material for the Reaper to cut through, while also giving a slight deflection chance to any incoming light projectiles."
"So a fighters not going to manage a staffing run and cause a core overload then."
"Not unless the fighter is packing a nuke, by the look of it. They where smart about the way they built ships. I just wonder what it would have been like, to have found a dreadnought. It stands to reason a big gun on a frigate wasn't for casual battle. Anyway I've got to get some work done. I think I've figured a way to double the output of our engines, but I need to concentrate." Tali said this looking down at Saleen. "Say bye to daddy." Tali took Saleen's hand, and made her wave. "She's been awake all day, I'm teaching her to work on the engines."
"Good, maybe she can take over in a few hours. Because I want you tonight, we've got movies to finish."
"Hehe, I'll see you later." Shepard gave Tali a pat to the ass, and walked out of engineering. Shepard entered the elevator, which he took to the shuttle bay. Jacob was at one of the tables, working with the Rocket launcher. "Did something break?" Asked Shepard.
"No just tightening up the firing mechanism. I noticed a slight delay from when you pull the trigger, and when it fires. I figure the less I have to stand in combat the less likely I am to get taken out." Replied Jacob.
"Your gonna make a good leader Jacob, and I want to give you a team."
"Really?"
"Yes really. Anyone you want. I'm not going to be able to do this on my own. I need those, who I know can get the job done out there."
"But you already have Garrus to do that. You chose him to lead the other team back on the super structure."
"Garrus and I can't do it on our own, and there are a lot of people on this ship that need to be lead. Your not one of them."
"So I can have anyone I want?"
"Obviously Garrus is off limit, and so is Tali, but anyone else is yours to take."
"If you don't mind, then I want Grunt and Javik."
"You really want to put those two together, and you don't want Jack."
"Rule number one, never mix business with pleasure. That would just be asking for a argument in the battle field. As for my team they'll have to learn to get along. Maybe out in the battlefield they'll pick up some respect for each other. It's not like I can't trade out if something goes haywire right?"
"Of course, but just try to keep the team in order. You keep changing your squad, and I'll start to rethink your leadership position."
"Can do Shepard. Can I get your honest opinion on something now?"
"Sure."
"What do you think about the squad I picked."
"Grunts always wanting a good fight, he's strong, but he can get aggressive. You'll have to keep him in line. If you do that, he'll be a strong back bone. As for Javik, if you think you can handle his mind games, you'll probably be fine. He's a hell of a soldier, and his biotics make up for his mouth. I think you put together a good team. Just keep in mind, your team is subject to change if I need one of them."
"Sure, I figured as much. Alright Shepard let me get back to work. Jack has something special planed for tonight, and you don't want me making here feel like I stood her up."
"Right, don't want any holes in the ship. I'll see you around."
"Later Shepard." Shepard walked away to Cortez who was working on the broken paper wait known as a shuttle.
"Hows she coming Cortez." Asked Shepard.
"She's starting to come along. Oh, and Tali and I got the scanner recalibrated. Now I'm just trying to get this girl working. What did you guys do to this shuttle." Replied Cortez. Cortez was working on the second shuttle in the Normandy, that was only used once.
"You know, I don't know what happened to her. We took her out for one mission, and when we got back she quit."
"Same thing with the hammerhead?"
"No, I just don't like that piece of junk."
"Piece of junk? You are wrong on so many levels Shepard. The only reason the mako is still in service, is because it's been around so long. Same thing with the with the grizzly."
"Cortez you don't even want me to get me started."
"Sure I do. I love a good debate."
"Cortez are you trying to sell Shepard on that hammerhead." Shouted Jacob from the armory table.
"You know it Mr. Taylor." Shouted Cortez back.
"I can give him hell if you want Shepard?" Offered Jacob, still Shouting.
"No thanks, I've got it. So, are you sure you really want to do this?" Asked Shepard.
"I'm game Shepard, take your best shoot." Replied Cortez.
"Okay, the armor, its horrible. You gets hit twice and its finished."
"Okay we start with a classic. They made it light for a reason Shepard. It's to keep jar heads like you from damaging the plating. Your suppose to keep moving."
"I don't think I replace, but one piece of armor on that mako. Hell I was able to jump over a rocket, sitting still."
"Jump, you think that thing can jump, the hammerhead flies."
"Yeah and one rocket to the engine, and your falling out of the sky. Losing a wheel on the mako, and she won't even notice. Lose the right one, and you can lose a second, and with the new tracking ordinance that mercs and military use, they'll just chase the hammerhead, until they get her. The kinetic barriers are more powerful on the mako two.
"Well what about the gun. The cannon on your mako doesn't fire very fast. Meanwhile the hammerhead has a quick reloading rocket launcher."
"Sometimes you need a smaller gun like on the mako. What if I'm just trying to get one guy. I shouldn't have to unload a rocket on him."
"True, but you should be using a sniper rifle then."
"Okay, I'll give you that, but I can take down an army with a round block the size of a rocket. Meanwhile I might get five or six mercs with a rocket. So what else do you have."
"I uh."
"Your at a loss, its fine. I've had an entire vision to come up with reasons why the mako is better."
"Just give me some time, I'll come up with something."
"Take all the time you need. I'll let you get back to work now." Shepard walked away, back to the elevator, taking it to the crew deck. Shepard exited the elevator, and walked towards the observation room. Shepard entered to find Liara and Javik starring out the window together.
"It's amazing, all my years as a archeologist's, and I never found anything that could help us against the Reapers, but the Geth find something in a few days of searching. A sight marked as unless wreckage." Said Liara standing next to Javik in his arms.
"Remember they are synthetics, and they can pick you out among a crowd of million, ten kilometers away. You where also looking four Prothean technology, not Inusannon. If only they would not had squabbled over a planet they may have survived, the Reapers, with their war like tendencies." Said Javik suggesting.
"How do you know so much about them?"
"We. My people learned about them in school. We studied why there civilization collapsed, so that the Prothean empire would always stay strong. If only we had manage to put down the Metacons sooner. We where to patent, and they replicate quickly. I am getting off subject, and you have already heard this."
"What caused their collapse?"
"Economics, they're banking system failed, about twenty years before the Reapers arrived, and they were over run by their enemy, the Thoi'han. The Thoi'han and Inusannon became war torn, and neither of them could survive the Reapers when they arrived. Both their empires were slaughtered in a month."
"What where the Thoi'han like."
"I do not know everything Liara, and don't you think we should be discussing the issues of the child."
"You peaked my interest with a history lesson." Liara looked over her shoulder, and saw Shepard. "Shepard is here."
"I know. I was trying to make him uncomfortable, so he would leave."
"I can go if you want?" Said Shepard Asking.
Javik turned around. "No, we acknowledged you Shepard. Now we must converse. What did you come to speak about?" Asked Javik.
"I was enjoying the history lesson myself, but I came to see how you where dealing with the possibility of a child."
"It is not a possibility, it is for certain. We visited the medical bay last night, after I made the discovery, of your conversation with Liara. We are keeping the child." Informed Javik.
"What ever happened to waiting until the Reapers were defeated?" Asked Shepard.
"It is no longer a options." Replied Javik.
"Javik made a very strong case on why I shouldn't abort the child." Said Liara giving a more informative answer.
"Like what?" Asked Shepard.
"That this is a life, and that it should not be extinguished because we're not ready. By aborting the child we would be no better then the Reapers, and when we made that statement about getting pregnant, the child could have certainly pulled me from the field. Now the child can't, unless this war manges some how to drag on. I look at you and Tali, and I see how happy you are, and how you manage to both keep doing what you love. Why can't we do the same. Samara also said that while I'm pregnant, my biotic abilities will be enhanced, at least by a factor of two. So aborting the child would reduce my effectiveness in battle." Explained Liara.
"Like on the carrier?" Asked Shepard.
"Yes, well that was the instability that comes in the beginning of pregnancy, it won't follow me forever, but I'll certainly gain in the field of biotics." Explained Liara.
"Remember what I said Shepard. You get her killed, and I will kill you." Stated Javik.
"I won't." Replied Shepard.
"Javik please stop threatening him." Said Liara.
"It is the same threat he would give me, if he put his women in my hands." Replied Javik to Liara.
"He's right Liara. Jacob told me you where drunk when you told him about it." Said Shepard asking why.
"I do not remember calling him." Stated Javik quickly.
"Well you did, and you were drunk apparently. So why did you go off and get drunk."
"I was worried Shepard. Think of our situation. I don't want my child to fall into the hands of a reaper. Imagine the atrocities they would preform on a child."
"I don't want to. I've already had a dream of Harbinger taking Saleen."
"Then you understand why."
"Okay, I guess I do. Look we don't have to talk anymore. I'll let you two talk. Shepard started to turn away."
"Shepard." Called out Liara in a normal tone. Shepard stopped and looked at Liara. "I did some translating on the writing, on the ships hull. You would never guess what it says."
"Somethings telling me I already know." Replied Shepard.
"It translates to Normandy. Isn't that amazing Shepard."
"I wouldn't have figure the translation would match up so well."
"It didn't match perfectly, several of the letters translated into other letters, that when assembled together, still made the same sounds. I just thought that was ironic, that we pull a ship from the grave, and it turns out to be another Normandy."
"Lets hope no one ever has to raise this ship from the grave. I'll let you go now." Shepard walked out of the the observation room, and made his way to the main battery. Shepard entered the room to find Garrus standing at the console again, while Zuula was working on the equipment.
"Can you get it off there?" Asked Garrus to Zuula.
"It's fussed." Replied Zuula.
"I can come back there if you need me to." Offered Garrus.
"It fine Garrus I can do it." Replied Zuula again.
"Did you break my ship Garrus?" Asked Shepard.
"One of the energy converters fused when we fired the first shot. Gave that Geth frigate a hell of a wake up call, but now she won't fire." Explained Garrus.
"I though that beam was a little dim."
"The problem has been festering sense the super structure. Losing one of these guns during that fight, could have been bad."
"But your fixing it right?"
"Trying to. Tell Tali to add at least a thousand to my kill count for that mission. This is still my gun, and without it, we wouldn't be able to take out a Geth frigate."
"It's becoming more my gun Garrus." Said Zuula from the gun.
"That's because you won't let me back there." Said Garrus loudly before getting quiet. "I swear I love that women. Just don't tell her that."
"No worries. By any chance have you looked over the schematics for that ship Xen's salvaging?" Asked Shepard.
"I have, and both Zuula and I think it was damn near ingenious. Putting a dreadnought size gun on a frigate and dedicating it to fighting. Never running, or skirting the sides of the enemy. Just dedicated to one big gun."
"But the Normandy can out maneuver it."
"True, but think of it this way. That ship is packing a forward battery that puts these guns to shame. Now put about a hundred of them out there, with about fifty maneuverable frigates for support. That fleet alone can do a lot of damage. I'd say if we would have ran with that idea, instead our multi role ships, the Reapers would be in a lot of trouble. Dedicating ones self always leave room for weakness, but having the right friends can make up for more then that. So what did you really come here for? I know you didn't come here to talk about a gun."
"I need to talk to both of you. It's important."
"Zuula did you get that?" Asked Garrus.
"I'm coming. Just give me a minute. This little bosh'tet won't loosen." Replied Zuula.
"Bosh'tet?" Asked Shepard.
"She's been around Quarians to long. I kinda like it though, cursing in another language is always attractive. So what is it that you need to talk to me about?" Asked Garrus.
"It's bit of a favor." Answered Shepard. A sound of metal breaking was heard.
"Sure Shepard, anything. Zuula what happened?" Shouted Garrus.
"Wait until you hear it first Garrus." Said Shepard in response.
Zuula walked up to the railing for the guns, with a broken wrench in hand. "Damn wrench broke. I told you I needed Tali's set. So what did you need us for?" Asked Zuula.
"I wanted to ask you two, to be the guardians for Saleen? Just in case if something happiness to me and Tali." Said Shepard. Garrus started to open his mouth, but turned to look at Zuula's. Garrus then looked back at Shepard.
"Just give me a second Shepard." Said Garrus quickly.
"I figured you'd need one." Replied Shepard. Garrus walked over to Zuula at the railing, and started talking low. All Shepard could here was muffled words for a moment, then Garrus put his hands on Zuula's face, and kissed her. Garrus then looked at Shepard from the railing.
"We'll look after her." Answered Garrus.
"Thank you. Your gonna have to be real careful with her though. She can't." Said Shepard before Garrus cut him off.
"Shepard I said we'll look after her. Not that we wanted to be talked to death. Zuula knows a thing or to about handling Quarians, and if we need help we can always ask Raan. Besides this isn't the first time she's taken care of your child." Said Garrus.
"Sorry. I just want to make sure she's okay."
"It's fine Shepard. She's your little girl, and you want her looked after, there's nothing wrong with that. Now I want you out of here before you get all touchy freely on me. We can't do that kind of stuff in front of my girl. Garrus smiled, and then looked back at Zuula who wasn't smiling. You better go Shepard we have to break that converter lose, and replace it. Damn bolts melted on there."
"Okay sorry I had to ask."
"It's nothing Shepard, honestly." Shepard turned and left the main battery, heading back out to the mess hall. Oddly for once Mordin was actually eating, and Shepard chose to sit down with him.
"Shepard need something?" Asked Mordin.
"A weapon to destroy the Reapers would be nice." Replied Mordin.
"Sorry fresh out. Perhaps come back when Ion cannon is built. Will own the weapon once war is over."
"Really and how do you plan to do that?"
"Will hold galaxy for ransom with bio weapon." Mordin smiled.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you'd do just that."
"Still might." Said Mordin continuing to smile. "What have you come to ask Shepard."
"I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about my daughter?
"Technically only twenty percent your daughter. Most of your DNA failed to sequence with miss Zorah. Made child more miss Zorah's then yours."
"Why is that exactly?"
"Simple answer. Her DNA on file, yours wasn't. Not that complicated actually. Would advise that if you want another child, that you continue without any inhibitors."
"Why?"
"Odds would suggest it impossible. Like mating with a varren. Still have not discovered the source by the way. But back to matter at hand. Idea of being the same not true. Varren is a four legged animal. humans and Quarian bipedal species. Organs generally in the same place. Heart, liver, lungs, all somewhere in torso. Number of organs does not matter as long as working system is developed, but still miss Zorah is of a different species, many disagreements in DNA. Dextro factor actually aids in child development though. Dextro and Levo genetics become locked in battle, until one destroys the other. Still can end up with both levo and dextro parts, but will forever attempt to destroy one another, once contact is made. Fact of the matter, miss spoke when giving odds of pregnancy. Wait, no. Gave accurate numbers, just never gave odds of successful birth.
"If dextro and Levo destroy each other, how was I able to make Tali pregnant."
"Still triggered development. Both sperm and egg have full DNA to make child, on their own. Point of sperm, and egg making contact is to remove imperfections of both sides, to make better offspring. If not worried about DNA. Have a simple solution, that would amplify chances of proper pregnancy."
"What do you mean?"
"Could neutralize DNA of your sperm. Only allowing the trigger of development in egg, not sperm."
"So essentially I wouldn't really be the father?"
"On the contrary, child could still not exist without you. You would still be the father. Depending on point of view. Similar to Asari. No pregnancy results in a fair father and mother hood anyway. Always one parent with stronger numbers, of stronger genetic code."
"What do you mean similar to an Asari?"
"All Asari children females. Making child from own DNA. Essentially mistake in long lines of genetics. Blame Ardat Yakshi on Asari mated pares. Truth is bad genetics. Will need to soon develop a artificial DNA to mix with next generations, in order to allow continued existence. Human DNA most likely candidate. Can explain if you do not remember Tuchanka. Not necessarily case for miss Zorah though. Quarian genetic code different, receiving both male and female code from egg and sperm. Makes use of best code available. Female code in miss Zorah's case. Could still have male child, and will be capable of mating with other Quarians."
"Okay My head is starting to hurt a bit." Mordin smiled. "Thanks for the information, I'll let you get back to eating, what ever that is."
"Fish. Do not tell the Prothean. Would raid my personal supply."
"I won't. See you around." Shepard walked over to the kitchen, and looked in the bowl of virus that hand been being left on the counter, as normal. The virus had tuned brown, and wasn't very appealing to Shepard, not that it ever was. "Mordin what's wrong with the virus?"
"Yes, almost forgot virus, recently died. End of life cycle, have figured out Javik's serum though. Will have one hundred vials manufactured tomorrow. Leave virus on counter, will dispose of it properly."
"Alright thanks." Shepard walked over to the dextro food crate, and opened it. unfortunately there was no meat in the supply left, the other Quarians had eaten it all, and Shepard wasn't about to make Tali a salad. Shepard got up and checked the refrigerator, again nothing. Shepard turned back to the crate, and opened it, Grabbing the eggs. It was the best he could do for a lunch, he thought. Then Shepard thought again, putting the eggs back, and pulling the dextro flour from the crate. He was going to make pizza. Shepard set the flour on the counter and went for a large bowl.
"Commander Shepard." Said Mr. Vakarian behind Shepard, as Shepard pulled a blow out. Shepard turned his head. "Thank you for taking us aboard your ship."
"No problem. I assume Garrus's room is making you comfortable?" Asked Shepard in reply
"Very, and I wanted to talk to you about him."
"Nothing bad I hope."
"That depends on how things go here."
"I don't understand."
"My son has always been a failure in life. The military kept him straight, plenty of rules to keep his free mind in line. After the military he joined Csec, only to lose his job over rules he wouldn't stipulate to. Yesterday was different, in fact the whole week was. He had a sense of purpose. I want to know if you gave him that sense of purpose?" Shepard poured the flower into the bowl, and added the other ingredients.
"Your son has always had a sense of purpose. So much of one in fact, it about got him killed back on Palaven. You seem to think rules govern success, but what you forget, is those rules put us in the position we're in today."
"Those rules existed for a reason."
"Those rules are wrong."
"I see."
"I don't think you do. You're one sided. It your rules, or its wrong." Said Shepard before being interrupted.
"So society should go on without rules, live in chaos to make a spectre, and my son happy. Said Mr. Vakarian.
Shepard started mixing the food. "No, what I'm saying is, just because there's a piece of red tape in the way, doesn't mean it should stop you from doing what's right. Your son understands that, and I believe in him to do just that. You should be doing the same, and if ever here you call him a failure again, after the things he's done. I won't care that your his father. I will knock your ass down. Shepard through some flour as he pointed his finger.
"I see, I seemed to have struck a nerve. I'll leave you alone." Mr Vakarian walked away. Shepard looked over noticing Tali, standing there, with Saleen. Tali started to walk up to Shepard.
"I come to give Zuula my wrench set, and I see you threatening people." Said Tali walking up.
"He shouldn't have said, what he said, about Garrus. Do you not approve?" Asked Shepard.
"No I approve. I approve so much, I hope you'll do the same for our daughter."
"No one is ever going to treat her bad."
"Good, but don't smother her. I want her to like her father. So what's with the pizza. It isn't dinner time."
"The virus died, and I know how you hate salads."
"I appreciate it, but I have to get back to engineering."
"Why?"
"I have to work on the engines."
"Tali, I've seen you stand there for hours, doing nothing in there. If you can't take a break, then you don't know what work is, or I'm smothering you."
"Your not smothering me okay. I have engine modifications to make, and I can't do them in bed."
"Who said anything about a bed."
"Shh." Tali put her finger up to her mask, while holding a wrench, interrupting Shepard.
"Okay, But you've got two hours, or I'm dragging you out of there. Pizza is no good when it's cold."
"Okay I'll see you later." Said Tali giggling, knowing the true reason why.
Writers notes: This chapter was suppose to be a sad ending, but a certain someone talked to much. Schematics for the frigate are on my face book page James Shepard. Interior Schematics for mainly deck two and three. It is a very crude rendering of the ship, but its the idea.