Running count: Reaper invasion day 12
Shepard stood in the comm room, on the comm with the Primarch. It was still early afternoon. The Normandy had returned to communication range with the Primarch, and the remains of the Turian fleet. "Primarch, I'm sorry I had to leave on such short notice, but something Important came up." Said Shepard.
"Yes, and in your absence, I lost a cruiser of my own." Replied the Primarch.
"Can you give me the details?"
"I was planning to. I need your help Shepard." Garrus walked in behind Shepard, and leaned against the wall.
"What is it?"
"One of our communications outpost went silent. Caelax in our home system to be more accurate."
"Well that makes sense. Reapers are all over that system."
"Yes and We're all very upset over here about that, but there is nothing we can do about it until we figure this out."
"I don't understand, what's there to figure out?"
"That communications outpost contained quantum entangled particles, to all Turian dreadnoughts. We have many contingency in place. I ordered a cruiser to destroy the outpost."
"So you went back through the relay?"
"Yes, and they didn't make it deep enough into the system, to destroy the facility."
"What's the point in destroying it. The comm station is no good to them. No one would dare communicate with it."
"I'm worried the Reapers may be able to trace the quantum entangled pairs. We have no understanding on how the pairs are connected, but yet we know how to make them."
"And so you want to prevent the Reapers from gaining access to them?"
"A precautionary measure, but a legitimate one."
"I guess, but why send a cruiser, and not a frigate. A frigate would have been faster."
"The structure is hardened, and a nuke is not a sufficient means of destroying it. The power of at least a cruisers gun was required.
"What makes The Normandy capable of destroying the outpost?"
"It's not, at least from the outside, but your presence also offers a option that we could not accomplish before."
"I've got a feeling of what that is, but what's this option."
"Infiltration. Those quantum particles are valuable, and we don't have any to spare. You want my cooperation. Believe me, you can have it, but I cannot provide the resource, necessary to do so."
"So I retrieve, the particles, and take them to the Citadel. Meanwhile you want me to blow the place from the inside."
"Correct. There is still data on the computers. If the Reapers haven't learned of our other communications facilities. I want to stop them before they do."
"No offence Primarch, but it seems awfully ignorant of your people, to not initiate a self destruct. Especially being the high priority it is."
"We did. All other facilities initiated these protocols, when they became compromised. This one didn't, and we don't understand why."
"You realize I'm taking a big risk?"
"Yes, but if you want to see this war won, you'll do whatever it takes."
"I'll prep a team, and we'll hit the base."
"Thank you. I hope this will be the start of a very cooperative relations with your people."
"Primarch I don't exactly stand with my people anymore, So I can't promise that, but you have my word, that I'll be fully cooperative."
"I'm sorry that your people don't stand with you, maybe after this war is over we can help settle your problem."
"Thank you Primarch."
"In the mean time I'll be heading over to Tuchanka. I know they're not the best of freinds, but maybe we can strike a deal with them for aid."
"If you are fully convinced you can manage it, speak to Urdnot Wrex. he has many strong allies, and leads more clans then the others. EDI send him the landing coordinates."
"Right away Shepard."
"Be careful Primarch. I don't want to be dealing with another new Primarch."
"I will. Good luck, Shepard." The vid comm channel closed. Shepard turned around to see Garrus leaning against a wall. Garrus got off the wall and walked to Shepard.
"So we're going to get a real nice look at Palaven. See exactly what the Reapers did to my homeworld. When I do, I'm going to do ten times worse to their faces." Stated Garrus joining up with Shepard. Shepard was walking to the door.
"Seems like it. I am sorry about what's happened." Replied Shepard, as they walked out of the comm room. Shepard lead Garrus through Liara's room.
"It's not your fault Shepard. We both knew it was coming."
"True, but you have got to stop sneaking up on me, in the comm room."
"You never tell me when you get on vid comm, and I figured as your second, I needed to be kept in the loop."
"I didn't want to bother you, I figured you where busy, and stop sneaking up on me."
"Your just jealous because everyone can hear you coming from a mile away."
"I just don't like the idea of someone sneaking up on me." Shepard and Garrus stepped out to the CIC.
"No one does. Look I've got to go finish tearing that gun open, but call me if you need me." Garrus started walking off towards the elevator.
"I will. How bad is that gun?" Garrus turned around.
"Really bad. I don't even know if I can fix it."
"What does Zuula think?"
"Taking her word over mine now, huh."
"No just looking for more incite."
"She about wants to throw that gun, away and build a new one. Not a bad idea, if you ask me."
"Do what you can." Garrus turned, and walked back to the elevator.
Hours later in the Shuttle bay
"Tali did you find a baby sitter for Saleen?" Asked Shepard, as he grabbed his rifles.
"Yes Kelly's watching her. Zuula was to busy with the gun." Answered Tali Grabbing some spare spikes from the crate.
"I may need you to help with the gun Tali." Stated Garrus. The team walked to the shuttle.
"I'll see what I can do. I've got a modification going on to the engines." Replied Tali. Tali handed Shepard some spikes as they entered the shuttle.
"Cortez get us to that outpost." Ordered Shepard.
"Will do." Replied Cortez. Cortez fired up the engines and took off.
"The engines may be a better idea, even if I can get that gun fixed, it's not like it's winning us any battles on our own. So what are we looking at?" Asked Garrus. Shepard pulled up the details on his omni tool.
"The planet's hot. I mean real hot, one hundred and eighty five degrees on the light side. I'm not getting anything on the dark side where our outpost is, but I'm betting it's still warm. Theoretically the Reapers won't be able to stand the heat anymore then you or I, out of our suits. So we shouldn't see anything outside the facility, but once we get inside we may come across Collectors or Reapers. The Facility became compromised, before it could be scuttle. So something strange is going on there. I want you both to be careful." Stated Shepard.
"As always Shepard." Replied Garrus.
"Cortez how are we doing?" Asked Shepard.
"I've got a Reaper drop ship, that's either crashed, or landed a few clicks north of the facility. Want me to take a look?" Asked Cortez.
"Lets see this Reaper." Shepard walked over to the window with the team, and looked out the window.
"Oh she's definitely crashed." Stated Cortez
"What could have been in system, that could take a Reaper down?" Said Shepard wondering.
"Maybe the cruiser." Answered Garrus.
"A single cruiser taking down a Reaper, even a troop ship. I'd like to know there secret." Replied Tali, with a bit of skepticism.
"How about a EM strike from the sun. I've been picking up a lot of EM interference on the scanners." Said Cortez suggesting.
"Javik did say a powerful EMP, is capable of knocking one out." Responded Shepard.
"Do you want to divert course, so you can go check it out?" Asked Cortez
"No we have a mission, and last time I was on a Reaper, I blacked out for over an hour. This one is probably dead, but we'll have to check it out some other time." Answered Shepard explaining, looking over to Cortez.
"Alright then, we'll be on the outpost in a two minutes." Informed Cortez.
Two minutes later
"The shuttle door opened, and the team stepped out. Cortez had isolated himself, from the rest of the shuttle. "Wow this place is hot. I'm getting one hundred degrees Celsius." Said Tali as they stepped off the shuttle.
"Let not spend two long out here then. The entrance is over there." Said Shepard pointing. The team ran to the door, which was already opened.
"Looks like the Reapers were here alright." Said Garrus as they slide between the doors. The doors where only half opened.
"Keep your eye's pealed." Responded Shepard. Shepard and the team walked deeper into the dark facility, flipping on their lights.
"Okay, the temperature is dying down in here, but its still pretty warm. I don't suggest either of you remove your helmets, once we get completely inside." Said Tali as they walked further into the facility.
"Good thing Thane isn't here." Replied Shepard.
"What was that." Said Garrus beaming his light down the hall, while looking down the sites. Shepard beamed his light to where Garrus was pointing.
"I don't know, but doesn't the air look a little strange." Said Shepard suggesting.
Tali checked her omni tool. "I'm getting similar samples to the Bio weapon, they used in the processing facility. Their all dead though, and only minor acidity. the planet air seems to contain a natural base." Informed Tali.
"Maybe the EM strike killed the virus, overloaded their nervous systems." Suggested Garrus.
"Maybe. Lets keep moving." Responded Shepard. Shepard lead the team down the hall another ten feet.
"There it was again." Said Garrus flashing his light in the direction of the movement.
"Tali can we get your light up her." Asked Shepard pointing his light on Garrus's. Tali pointed her light, and they saw a black animal near the door, at the end of the hall.
"What is that?" Asked Tali.
"I can't tell, it's still to dark keep your gun on it." Ordered Shepard. The team crept forward about five feet. "It's a varren."
"How is it alive?" Said Tali Asking.
"Does it really matter, it's in our way." Responded Garrus.
"Hold up a minute." Ordered Shepard. Shepard walked forward alone and then kneeled down.
"Shepard what are you doing?" Asked Garrus.
"It's was obviously someones pet. If it isn't turned, then it's probably friendly." Shepard put his hand out, and made a clicking sound with his mouth. The varren walked low to the ground, towards Shepard, moving quickly. As it got closer to Shepard it was obvious that the varren had been injured by the virus, and was in the faze of turning. The varren nosed Shepard hand, then licked it. Shepard put his graal down on the floor, and started petting it.
"That poor thing. look it." Said Tali keeping her gun on it.
"Maybe this is a good thing. This varren should have turned by now, but it friendly." Stated Shepard.
"You think it has a natural immunity, to the virus?" Asked Garrus.
"It must have developed one, because there are signs of it turning. If it's still here, I want to take it back to the Normandy. Maybe Mordin will have better luck with a anti virus then." Replied Shepard standing up.
"Poor thing. I'm just glad it's not Urz." Said Tali.
"You and me both. We can't play with this varren right now, that's not our mission. If it's here when we get back, I want to take it with us. If it's not, we still have to leave." Informed Shepard. Shepard walked past the varren, and to the door with the team following. "Tali, do you think you can get this door working." The door was without power.
"Sure It'll just take a second." Answered Tali. Tali took her omni spike and pryed the control panel open. "There should be enough power in the door's wiring to open it."
"Go away." Said Garrus kicking at the varren.
"It just likes you Garrus. You probably remind it of its owner. All you Turians do look alike." Stated Shepard.
"I could say the same for humans Shepard. Look I'm not having a Reaper turned Varren." Replied Garrus.
"Come on Garrus, it's only slightly turned. It's still like any other varren."
"It's alive, without any air. How is that normal?"
"He does have a point." Said Tali as she opened the door. Shepard beamed his light through it, searching for hostiles.
"Clear. We'll talk about the varren later. We don't even know if it will survive Mordin." Shepard lead the team into the room, and flashed the light around, until he cought a cannibals eating on a dead Turian. Shepard cranked back his graal he was packing, and fired. The cannibals collapsed onto the Turian. Shepard flashed his light around the room, again there were no other enemies around. The varren had also disappeared. "Garrus you got anything?" Asked Shepard.
"My visor is picking up nothing, theirs no power running through these walls." Said Garrus as they walked further into the room.
"My helmet's not doing much with the lights from our flashlights either."
"Tali how about you."
"I can't see a thing."
"We need to find a console, and get these lights on."
"I'm not getting any power in the walls Shepard. We're going to have to hit a generator first."
Shepard looked at his omni tool, bring up a map. "We've got elevator access over there." Said Shepard pointing to the right, with his light at the elevator door. Shepard and Garrus walked over to the door, and pryed it open. Shepard beamed his light down the elevator shaft. The elevator was at the bottom.
"After you." Said Garrus. Shepard climbed into the elevator shaft, and climbed down followed by the rest of the team. The team reached the elevator at the bottom of the shaft, and climbed into it, where Shepard and Garrus pryed the doors open again. Tali's light beamed on the door for Garrus and Shepard. Gun fire sprayed into the elevator as they open the door.
"I can't see a damn thing. Said Shepard, as they took cover against the walls of the elevator. The room ahead was pitch black, like all the others, and mass accelerators weapons gave off no flash.
"I can." Garrus switched to his mantis, and looked down the scope. Garrus popped a shot off. "Marauders, and a couple Collectors." Said Garrus.
"Garrus I'm gonna have to put my light out there, if I'm going to help."
"Do it, but before you do, toss one of your Grenades." Shepard pulled a grenade and tossed it, before cranking his graal back. The grenade exploded taking out three Collectors, close together.
"Nice toss Shepard, three for one." Shepard flashed his light out the door, and they both immediately came under fire. Garrus and Shepard tucked back in. "Okay for get your light." Said Garrus.
"We need to move out. I saw a indention in the wall. I'll move out with Tali, and we'll keep the lights off until we get there." There was a small hall, before entering the room.
"Okay, do it." Replied Garrus. Shepard and Tali walked out of the room quickly, and took some fire from a Collector, as they could see in the dark, from tech implanted in them, by the Reapers. The Marauders had not been tech out yet, and were just corpses in Turian uniforms. Garrus took the last Collector out quickly, relieving Shepard from the fire. Shepard and Tali had moved in to the same wall.
"Tali other side." Whispered Shepard. Tali moved across to the other side. "Okay on my mark we alternate, make them think we're just one. I'll go first."
"Got it." Shepard prepped himself, cranking his graal back. Shepard then leaned out, turning on his flash light, and searching the room quickly to find a hostile. Shepard spotted one on a second floor, and nailed it, before pulling back in. Garrus was going to town on the Marauders, and would fire every three seconds. Tali leaned out and found a target pulling the weapons fire off Shepard. Unfortunately the enemies were greater number across from Tali. Shepard swiveled back in, turning back on his light, before Tali pulled in, identifying that they were two, but relieving Tali from much of the weapons fire. Shepard knocked out another Marauder.
"Tali how are you doing over there?" Asked Shepard, loudly, tucking back in. Tali had already tucked back in.
"I've got a lot of hostiles over here." Replied Tali.
"Switch up. Garrus cleaned up my side." Ordered Shepard. Shepard and Tali switched sides, with their lights off. They then both leaned out, turning their lights on.
"You call this cleaned up." Said Tali firing her Graal.
"It's a lot cleaner then your side." Replied Shepard. Shepard fired out his last Graal round. "Garrus I could use your help." Shepard fumbled getting the next load of spikes in, in the dark. Shepard put the spikes in. and then cranked it back, turning on the light again, before leaning out. Shepard nailed another Marauder, before having to duck in quickly. do to the shear number of enemies. Garrus cleaned house while Shepard helped whittle the enemy down. Shepard and the team continued, until all enemies where cleared. Shepard beamed his light around, as he stepped out. "Looks clear."
Garrus came out of cover, and turned on his light. "What do you say we turn the lights on. That way I'm not doing all the work." Said Garrus regrouping on them. Shepard, Tali, and Garrus walked deeper into the room, searching for a panel of some kind. Shepard spotted a opened panel, exposing wires.
"Over here." Shepard lead the team over to the panel.
"It looks like someone was making repairs." Suggested Tali.
"The the solar flare must have knocked out power, and they where down here trying to fix it." Suggested Garrus.
"Think you can do something about it." Asked Shepard.
"Of course, repairs are my specialty, and it looks like they where almost done." Tali walked over the panel. "Shepard keep your light on this panel for me." Said Tali.
"The gas must have got the one making the repairs." Shepard looked at his omni tool. "It Looks like the air is contaminated with the gas's from outside. Someone tried to poisen everyone, before they could turn." Suggested Shepard.
"Noble if you ask me." Said Garrus.
"Yes, but why fix the generator then?" Asked Tali.
"Turian protocols dictated you prevent the enemy from accessing any information. With power down. they couldn't initiate the self destruct, that's why they let the gas in. It would at least slow the Reapers from getting intel. Shepard let the light drift, as he was looking at Garrus.
"Can I have my light back." Asked Tali nicely.
"Sorry." Said Shepard moving the light back onto the panel.
"That should do it." Said Tali as the lights came back on. The room was made of two floors, and was square. The generator layed in the center of the room. The second floor was railed off, and where most of the marauders layed slain.
"We'll need to hit the control panel back up top, before we can get all the lights on. The important lights are on, but the system will still need a reboot." Said Garrus. Shepard, Tali, and Garrus made there way back to the elevator. As they entered the elevator, Shepard looked at Garrus, surprised he knew so much about the facilities. "It's basic knowledge Shepard. I can't believe you weren't ever stationed anywhere." Garrus hit the button, to bring them to the top.
"I was, but they didn't teach us that." Replied Shepard.
"That's because your people are naturally lazy."
"Haha, I'll give you that one." The elevator shook, and then stopped.
"What is with these damn elevators." Said Garrus, before gun fire came flying down through the ceiling. Garrus hit the emergency open button, and the team crammed out the door, as soon as it opened. "Damn."
"At least the lights are on." Responded Shepard.
"Yeah, but that means the Collectors turned it on." Replied Garrus.
"Maybe we can find another way up." Shepard looked at his omni tool, bringing up the schematics. "Alright we've got a secondary access latter, that runs the center of the facility, and we're on the floor to the communications room. We'll pick up the quantum particles, exit through the other door, come up the access latter, and trigger the self destruct. All we'll have to do then, is make our way back to the main entrance and get out of here."
"Simple as always." Said Garrus knowing it wouldn't be that easy. "We're gonna have a hell of a story to tell, our kids when this is over."
"I'm glad your optimistic about our survival Garrus, but if we're gonna live, we need to get moving." Replied Shepard. Shepard lead the team down the hall into Seven Collector, that where piling up mangled bodies, by the virus. Shepard leaned around the corner. "Looks like their virus doesn't always work." Said Shepard after he pulled in. Garrus looked out then pulled back in aswell.
"Yeah, but why stack them up. Why not just leave the body's?" Said Garrus.
"Maybe they use failed ones, for making bigger things, like brutes." Shepard Checked His graal to make sure he was fully loaded. "Okay Garrus, I want you to nail the Collector in charge. He seems a little different." Ordered Shepard.
"You mean the one with the slightly bigger head?" Asked Garrus.
"Yeah. Tali I want you to take cover on the other wall. You'll see the spot I'm talking about, when you move up." Said Shepard continuing to give orders.
"And what about you." Asked Tali.
"I'll take center, and give them something to shoot at."
"You can't be serious."
"Tali we don't have time for this, just do as I say. Garrus readied his sniper rifle." Shepard looked at Garrus, and received a head nod, of approval. Shepard and Tali moved out quickly, with their Graals cranked back, and Garrus turned the corner, nailing the Collector in charge. Shepard and Tali both took out Collectors, of separate pairs, carrying bodies, throwing the Collectors off balance momentarily. The other Collectors dropped their body, and pulled there rifles. Garrus quickly took out another one, before having to change thermal clips. Shepard and Tali cranked back their graals, and fire on two more Collector, as Collector weapons fire came back at them. Shepard then fired a concussive shot knocking one of the Collectors down, while cranking back another shot. Tali stole the kill of the last standing Collector, forcing Shepard to unload on the knocked down Collector.
"That was two easy, and no Harbinger for once." Said Garrus.
"Yeah, but he knows we're here now. Come on, we don't have much time. Shepard lead the team down the hall in a hurry, only to be met by marauders at the end of the intersection. Shepard quickly shoved Tali behind the pile of bodies, where he tucked in behind her. Garrus fell back some to a near by door frame. Shepard stepped out, and fired on a marauder taking it down. A possessed marauder rounded the corner.
"I see you have returned Shepard. Perhaps you have finally agreed to ascension." Said Harbinger. Shepard responded by blasting Harbinger in the face with graal spikes followed by a conclusively shot. Shepard then tucked in. "You are weak Shepard, like your Quarian companion. Perhaps the Turian can be persuaded."
"Not a chance." Replied Garrus loudly, before popping out, and nailing Harbinger in the face with a shot from his mantis, taking down Harbinger. "Come at me again. See what happens." Shouted Garrus, firing off another shot, at a Marauder. Shepard leaned back out while Tali stood over the cover, and fired down the hall at the marauders. Harbinger attempted to take another body, but the team combined firepower and quickly knocked out the Marauder. The team wiped out the remaining marauders, before moving out of cover, and down the hall.
"I can't believe he he called me weak." Said Tali.
"I can't believe he thought I would turn." Replied Garrus,
"They're mind games, to make you act rashly, and don't take it personal Tali, he talking about your people's immune system. You're still my girl though, remember that." Said Shepard trying to comfort. Shepard and the team made their way to the intersection, and Shepard checked his omni tool. We need to go right. Shepard lead the team down the hall, and to the communications room. The door was locked. Tali can you open this. Tali walked up to the door, and brought up her omni tool.
"This is really weak encryption, I expected better. You could have gotten this without me." The door opened, and the team saw several cannibals and two Collectors, searching the room. The hostiles quickly turned, and Shepard pushed into the room with the team. The team took cover behind several consoles, and traded fire with the enemy. Shepard nailed a Collector with his Graal, only to see it be taken over by Harbinger. The Collector was larger then the others, and Harbinger used it to his advantage. Shepard fired on Harbinger, while Harbinger ran towards Shepard and hurtled over the console. Shepard turned, and quickly fired his last sets of spikes, and a concussive shot, which hardly fazed Harbinger. Harbinger picked Shepard up with a biotic field, and drew back with one hand, and formed a biotic blade. Shepard stabbed Harbinger with his omni blade, but nothing seemed to stop him. As Harbinger arm reached it's apex. Harbingers head exploded, from a shot of Garrus's sniper rifle. Harbinger turned to ash, and dropped Shepard. Tali was also trained on Harbinger, but Garrus had beat her to it. The team quickly returned to taking down the other hostiles, wiping them out quickly, removing the other Collector first, then the remaining cannibals.
"Shepard are you alright?" Asked Garrus, once they were sure it was clear. Tali ran over and hugged Shepard.
"Yeah I'm fine." Replied Shepard. Shepard held Tali and looked around.
"I tried." Said Tali.
"I know you did, don't worry about it." Said Shepard comfortingly. Shepard held Tali for a moment longer, before letting her go. "We need to find those particles."
"Right." Tali let go of Shepard, and the team searched the room for access to the quantum communication box. Shepard found a data pad on a table, and picked it up. Shepard accessed the data pad and read the message.
"If any one finds this, and we didn't get the power back up, please don't put my varren down. She's a good girl, and she still hasn't bit anybody. Some how she's surviving outside. I guess it won't matter long anyway, sense we're all going to blow up, when the generator is back up, but please don't kill her, if you see her. I'm going to let her back in. I want to be with her when this place goes up.""
Shepard set down the data pad "Shepard I got something over here." Said Garrus a terminal in the back of the room.
"What is it?" Said Shepard walking over to Garrus.
"The particles are in the main control room. They're in a terminal in the center of the room."
"Figures we come down all this way, only to go back up. At least we're going that way anyway." Said Shepard sounding a little annoyed.
"We still needed to come down here, to release the particles. We better hurry, Harbinger is probably looking for them. Otherwise they wouldn't have been down here."
"Lets go." Ordered Shepard. Shepard, Tali, and Garrus walked out the other side of the communications room, and accessed the secondary access latter. The team came up on the top floor, and moved to the control room. The path was clear to the control room. "Be ready, I'm sure there's a lot of them in there." Said Shepard, checking his Graal. "Everyone ready."
"Ready Shepard." Said Garrus, putting his assault rifle to his shoulder. Shepard opened the door, and the team moved in, grabbing cover quickly. The team hid behind a metal wall, that surrounded the interior section of the room, which was a foot and a half lower. The four Collectors and ten marauders in the room quickly fired on the team, tearing down there shields.
"Garrus go around." Ordered Shepard. Garrus took off around the perimeter staying low. Shepard leaned out right, over the stairs that lead down, and fired on a Collector drone, killing it before Harbinger could steal the weakest. Shepard pulled back in again, as he had taken a lot of fire from the enemies. Tali was by Shepard assisting when a marauder came up the stairs. Shepard quickly shot it, but a gut shot did little damage for Reapers. Shepard had always aimed for the head. Tali threw herself onto her back as the Reaper seemed to be more interested in her, and fired a volley of graal spikes into it's face. "Tali you alright."
"I'm fine."
"Okay I need you to go right, take up position between me, and Garrus. You think you can do that."
"Yeah, just don't get yourself killed." Replied Tali.
"I love you to." Then Tali scurried past the stairs, and moved around the corner. Shepard leaned back out, and took another marauder out before hearing Harbinger.
"Shepard why do you persist? If you wish to survive hide like the Prothean." Said Harbinger. Shepard pulled a grenade, and lobbed it over the wall taking out Harbinger aswell as another marauder. Harbinger quickly took over another Collector. "You will not leave here alive Shepard." Harbinger walked over to the main console, and started working.
"Shepard he's going to blow this place." Said Garrus on the comm
"Don't let him, take him out." Replied Shepard quickly. Shepard, Tali, and Garrus open fired on Harbinger. bombarding him with damage, but the other Collector put up a ballistic shield stopping there rounds. Garrus get a grenade on him. Shepard fired his concussive shot from his Graal into the shield before discarding it for his arc pistol. Shepard fired his arc pistol rapidly into the shield. The concussive grenade soon exploded taking the shield down. The next few arc rounds hit Harbinger, forcing Harbinger to lose control, and turning the Collector to ash. The other Collector quickly moved to complete Harbingers task, but Tali took it out with a cranked back set of graal spikes. The marauders unlike the others of the facility had Reaper tech in them, and push to complete the self destruct. The team gunned them down before they could touch the console, one at a time. Once the team wiped out the marauders they converged on the center of the room. "Tali get those particles." Said Shepard, watching the door to there left. Tali walked over to the terminal holding the particles, and searched for a way to open it.
Garrus walked down watching the door behind him. "Shepard I don't like this. We're to exposed down here." Said Garrus.
"Tali can you hurry it up?" Asked Shepard.
"I'm just trying to get this damn panel open." Tali pulled the on the panel, falling on her ass when it came loose. Tali got back up and then realized their were release levers. "Of course I see them now." Said Tali Sounding annoyed
"Tali."
"Just a second. I can't believe I didn't see those levers." Tali started working in the panel, and shut down power to the terminal. Tali then pulled a two by two, by two inch box from the terminal. "Okay I have it." Tali pocketed the box. "Now all we need to do is set the self destruct. How long do you think it will take us to get out of here?" Asked Tali, walking over to the main console
"Two minutes tops." Answered Shepard.
"Two minutes it is then." Said Tali.
Shepard access his comm. "Cortez I need you to move as close as you can to the comm station." Shepard waited and got no response. "Tali make it three minutes." Ordered Shepard.
"Right." Tali worked on the console Harbinger had accessed. "She's set. Just give the word." Said Tali.
"Lets move." ordered Shepard. Tali activated the timer. Shepard, Tali, and Garrus stacked up on the door, Shepard had been watching. Shepard quickly opened it, and saw four Collectors with particle beams at the end of the hall. They fired as the door opened, but quickly stopped. Shepard pulled his raptor, holstering his graal. Garrus also changed back to his sniper rifle. "Okay let's do this." Said Shepard. Shepard and Garrus both leaned out, and open fired on the Collectors, removing two of them in no time. Shepard and Garrus tucked back in after removing them, to recharge their barriers. They then both leaned back out removing the other two. The team charged down the hall, reaching the other side. The door was locked. "Tali get the door."
"On it." Tali went to work on her omni tool, while Shepard and Garrus switched to their assault rifles. The door opened and they found a battle going on between a Collector, and the varren from earlier. The six marauders payed the varren no attention, and fired on the team. The team in a hurry pushed out, under fire, making their way back to the door to the entrance hall of the facility. The marauders persuade, but the team fired behind them as they exited. The varren tagged along after it had ripped the Collectors throat out.
"Cortez we need a ride out of here, get as close to the door as you can." Said Shepard on the comm. The team stopped at the exit, firing back down the hall. Keeping the marauders from leaving cover. The shuttle soon came behind them with the door opened. The team turned and ran into the shuttle. The varren follow, but they heard a yelp as they entered. Shepard turned around and saw that the team was on. Even the varren had made it though it was laying on the floor, bleeding out. "Cortez go." Ordered Shepard over the comm. The shuttle door closed and they took off. Garrus walked over to the varren that was bleeding out, and pet it.
"You did good. It's okay to die now." Tali hugged Shepard looking at the varren, and Shepard held her. The facility then exploded. Shepard pulled his pistol with his right hand, and past it to his left behind Tali, giving it to Garrus.
"It's the best we can do for her." Garrus took the pistol an pet the varren again, as he pressed the pistol to hit head. "Cortez, ignore what your about to hear back hear." Said Shepard over the comm.
"What's going on back there"
"Just trust me. Ignore it."
Back on the Normandy
Shepard stood in the comm room on vid comm with the Primarch. "Primarch your comm facility has been destroyed, and we got the quantum particles. We're taking them directly to the Citadel." Informed Shepard.
"Thank you commander. We'll cooperate the best we can, with the Prothean, but I don't want councilors making the decisions. I want that Prothean of yours doing it, and I want to understand his plans, I'm not one to follow blindly."
"That's understandable, but if you want Javik to handle everything, then why don't we just install them to the Normandy"
"I don't want him handling everything. As for the particles I want them at the Citadel. I'll know they'll be safe there."
"Any luck with the Krogan?"
"No, I just got here. Surprisingly they haven't been touched. At least from what I can tell. The comm buoys are still up. So I'll be able to keep in touch, as long as you stay within what's left of the network."
"Primarch, If you don't mind, I never got your name?"
"Its Victus." The comm channel closed, and Anderson instantly popped up.
"Anderson." Said Shepard surprised.
"Just checking in seeing how you where doing. You picked up pretty fast, something happen?" Asked Anderson.
"I just got off the comm with Primarch Victus. EDI put you up as soon as you called."
"I heard there was a change in the Turian military. Fadorian got himself killed, back on his command station."
"I'm guessing news like that travels fast. He took about a quarter of the entire Turian fleet with him."
"News like that does travel fast, but it sounds like your making headway with the new Primarch."
"Losing Fadorian was probably the best thing. Primarch Victus is much more cooperative. Any news about earth."
"I'm hearing very little, but I heard something about the uses of a gas. I don't know who's using it."
"Sounds like the Collector gas. I've got Mordin Solus looking into a way to neutralize the effects."
"Any results."
"So far no. We can gas the Reapers, but it's going to inflict just as many casualties on civilian. He want to see if he can find another way, before handing out the gas."
"I can understand that, but it doesn't sound like the civilians have much time, if the Collectors are dropping that gas."
"We'll have to settle for what we can get, I know, but even if we wipe the Collectors off the earth with the gas, they'll just come back. Unless we actually do something about them. Hows the weapon coming?"
"It's a lot of work, that's all I can really say."
"Any finds on Cerberus?"
"Nothing, not a damn thing, with them. It's like they just dropped off the grid."
"Pay attention to the synthetic insights cooperation, Cerberus owns it and they might be moving under that name."
"I'll definitely look into it. Is there anything else?"
"No that's it."
"Alright Shepard, I'll let you get back to work, and don't forget to call your mother." The comm channel closed.
"Shepard would you like me to?" Asked EDI before Shepard cut her off.
"No EDI, not right now." Replied Shepard.
"Very well Shepard." Replied EDI. Shepard walked out of the comm room into Mordin's lab. The varren was on Mordin's work table while he looked through his micro scope.
"Did you lean anything Mordin?" Asked Shepard.
"Yes, virus died do to electro magnetic exposure. Not strong enough to kill large organisms, but enough to wipe out smaller ones." Answered Mordin
"So Cortez's theory was right. The sun did knock out a Reaper?"
"Yes, must have been on intercept course for planet, when impacted. Lost power, maybe died on impact to planet. Maybe catastrophic system failure. Either scenario acceptable. one less Reaper to deal with. Can't decide which scenario is preferable. Hm, have idea for battle against Reapers."
"What is it?"
"Large mine field. Nuclear minds in fact. When detonating release large EMP. No where near the size of solar flare, but perhaps collection of explosions will generate a significant electro magnetic wave. Double action aswell. Reaper left with two options. One attack through mines. striking hard towards Ion cannon. Take damage doing so. Other option, clear minefield directly in path or go around it. Either way Ion can fires on Reapers from a distance."
"I never thought about using a mine field like that."
"Common STG practice. While enemy clears minefield, ambush them. Mine fields multi purpose. Will suggest it to Javik. Should have invited me to play strategy game could have beat you all. Unfortunately very busy."
"It was good talking to you Mordin. I'll let you returned to work now."
"Will be hear, if you need anymore ideas."
Shepard walked over to Lia working over by the window, overlooking the core. "How's the Genophage cure going?" Asked Shepard.
"It's coming along. I thought I had something, but then I spilled it all over the floor, and contaminated the results." Replied Lia.
"You going to be able to make it again?"
"Maybe, but It's going to be days. I wish Mordin could help. I've had more failures then ever, sense he started working on neutralizer the Collector virus.
"He's old Lia. He's not going to be around for ever. Your going to have to learn to watch your own mistakes."
"I know, but he's so great to work with. He doesn't yell at me, and I'm always laughing from his stories."
Shepard smiled at Lia. "You know he worries that your smarter then him.
"
"He does? Lia looked over at Mordin who was humming a song. He can't be worried."
"Trust me he is. I didn't tell you that by the way."
"Understood."
"Good. I'm gonna go now. keep up the good work, no more accidents."
"I will. I mean I won't. You know what I mean."
"I got it." Said Shepard walking away, smiling. Shepard walked out of Mordin's lab, to the CIC. Javik was at the galaxy map starring into it. Shepard walked up next to Javik. "Something the matter?" Asked Shepard.
"No just trying to determine our next move. We have the Turian fleet at our disposal, but yet we do not install it in our own ship." Replied Javik.
"The Primarch doesn't want it that way. He want it his way and we'll have to respect that, if we want the fleet at all."
"You do realized the repercussions of installing the quantum particles to the Citadel don't you."
"And what's that exactly?"
"It is Trebia all over again. The station in hardly capable of moving, and yet we centralize command there. They will use it against us, and disorganize us."
"Javik I see your point, but we can't exactly install the particles. We lack the equipment, and if we don't do as they say, they won't work with us. I suggest you get on the comm with the Primarch, and give him your opinion. Maybe you can get him to agree, but in the meantime we're going to the Citadel."
"Then I will speak with the Primarch." Javik stepped down from galaxy map, and walked towards Liara's room. Shepard stepped down and walked over to Traynor at the left side of the CIC. Shepard leaned back on the console.
"So you've been very quiet." Said Shepard.
"Have you seen the mood Javik is in?" Replied Traynor.
"He isn't that bad right now. Is he?"
"He's just waiting for me to make a mistake. So can I ask where are those new toys I was promised."
"A six thousand credit tooth brush is not a toy."
"haha, you know what I ment, and don't joke about oral hygiene. My tooth brush has kept me from getting even a single cavity, sense I lost my baby teeth."
"Mine has to, but it didn't cost me six thousand credits. I've never had a cavity."
"I tend to eat a lot of chocolates. I get around them, and I can't help my self. Obviously I work it off, but their was once a plate of brownies."
"They didn't last ten minutes. Did they?"
"Try two. It wasn't a big plate, and I was little at the time. My mother put out a plate for dessert. They told me I could have one brownie, but when they left the room I scarfed down the whole plate."
"What happened when they got back?"
"They tanned my hide so hard I cried. Don't get me wrong they weren't bad parents. I just wasn't learning, and they had tried just about everything else."
"It sounds like they left the room on purpose?"
"Maybe, but they only spanked me over the principle of the matter, and now I have some self control.
"I thought you said you couldn't help yourself."
"Okay let me set you straight on this. Lets say for example you handed me a box of chocolates. I wouldn't tear the box open. I would gently place the box off to the side, and continue my duty's. That is until my shift ended, and I went back to the crew quarters. There I would tear that box open, eat the entire box, then brush my teeth. Like it never happened."
"Hm. just so you know, there are no chocolates in my room."
"That is not true Shepard." Stated EDI.
"Haha ha, thanks for the info EDI. Now all I need is a master of theft, and stealth." Said Traynor with a smile.
"Now I know what kind of person you are." Said Shepard Smiling back.
"Oh, was this the psych evaluation because that story doesn't do me justice, and neither did the theft statement. I'm not that bad really."
"It's fine Traynor I like you, and this wasn't a psych evaluation. If anyone gives you one of those, it will be Kelly. So I'll let you get back to work. As for your toys. You'll get those after we get them to the Citadel."
"Javik doesn't agree with that. He thinks we should keep them for ourselves, and personally I have to agree. You saw what they did to the Turian forces, putting them on the Citadel is just asking to lose them. What we should do, when we get to the Citadel, is ask the council to move everything here. The Normandy is a stealth ship. What's better then that?"
"You may be right Traynor, but I still have to talk to the console to make it happen. We just don't have the tech to do it ourselves."
"Right, well you have to try at least."
"I will. Talk to you later." Shepard walked away towards the Joker who was for once not arguing with EDI.
"So Commander what was with the dead varren. regular varren not enough. Now you want a Reaper one. haha, I'm just kidding. setting all that aside, I feel sorry for the thing. It helped you guys escape, and I'm sure Garrus would have loved it." Stated Joker.
"She wasn't going to make it, I thought it would be the best way to end her suffering." Replied Shepard.
"Perhaps I should have done the same for Joker." Said EDI, with a joking tone.
"A broken hand isn't life threatening EDI. You see what she does. She's just like a wife. Already wants to collect my life insurance. I know. You were joking. I love you to. Said Joker. Joker rolled his eye's, and gave a half smirk, after saying this.
"So, I take it you two are getting along?" Asked Shepard.
"Yes. Jeff has explained the fundamentals of a being a girl friends. They differ greatly from what I read on the extranet, but following Jeff's advice has proved to be a fruitful endeavors. We have both benefited from it." Stated EDI.
"Yeah, she read something about how to control your man. I explained to her, how wrong they were, and now she's great. You know I bet Ash wrote that one. We still don't like her for shooting at the commander right?" Asked Joker.
"We do not."
"Oh, how I wish I could see the look on her face, when all this is over."
"I'll just be happy to never see her again."
"She's the kind who holds grudges Commander. One day she'll be standing on your door step, with an axe. You'll open the door, and it will all be over."
"You are insinuating that Shepard would die. there is a seventy six percent chance that Shepard would survive, do to his stronger muscular build, and cybernetic implants. Tali and her shotgun also play a factor in this." Stated EDI.
"Joker was always a unloyal one. Like Ash." Said Shepard smiling.
"You know, why are you two always picking on me?" Asked Joker.
"because it is fun Jeff." Replied EDI.
"I'll let you two talk this out." Said Shepard walking away.
"Later Shepard." Said Joker, as Shepard walked back down the hall to the CIC, and knocked on Liara's door.
"Come in." Said Liara loudly, sending her voice through the door. Shepard opened the doors to Liara's room. Liara was working on a computer, when Shepard enter. Liara turned her head and looked at him. "Shepard, I figured it was you." Said Liara.
"I'm getting predictable, aren't I?" Asked Shepard.
"Yes, well you always make your rounds to check on your crew." Liara gave a yaw.
"Tired?"
"It is late."
"Then I hope you have something for me, with all that work you put in?"
"No missions, but I managed to buy three Batarian frigate today."
"How'd you manage that?"
"It took the movement of a lot of red sand, but I hired a group of mercs who are going to receive a very large sum of money when this is all over."
"So technically your rich right now?"
"Well no, not really. The money and red sand is absolutely fake, and I bought them under a alias, that will in no way come back to me.
"So they're going to be pissed when they find out."
"It is likely they won't survive this war. It at least will replace some of the ships the Turian's lost. I only own them for one battle though, so using them at the right time is crucial." Liara yawned again.
"You must really have put in a lot of work today. I've hardly had any sleep, and I'm not tired."
"That's not true Shepard, I can see it in your face your only making your rounds. You'll probably pass out the moment you sit down in a chair. Thanks for checking in. Now go finish your rounds, so I don't have to drag you to your room."
"I will, don't work to hard." Shepard turned and left Liara's room. Shepard walked to the elevator, where he took it down to the crew deck. Shepard stepped out on to the crew deck, and headed for the main battery. "Garrus how's the gun coming?" The entire right gun was torn open. Shepard did his best to step around the pieces on the floor.
"Legion I could really uses that conduit right now." Said Garrus over by the gun.
"We are unable to locate the conduit. We are attempting to manufacture one." Said Legion over the comm.
"Alright bring it as soon as you're done." Garrus climbed out from under the gun, and walked towards Shepard. "We'll that's your answer Shepard. We don't have the parts." Stated Garrus.
"We'll get the parts then, I still have some credits. I'll see what I can get." Replied Shepard.
"Thanks, nothing low grade though. I need the expensive stuff or I'm going to be doing this again."
"I'll try. Tali helping you out up here?"
"She said she couldn't be pulled away from the engines, so she sent Legion and the four, where ever they're at."
"Sounds like Reegar needs to take another crack at them."
"No they're fine, they just take their time getting things done. So is that it?"
"Yeah I guess."
"Well you could always help with the guns."
"I think I'm good. I'm not to good with the bigger guns. I'll let you get back to work." Shepard turned, and started to walk out of the main battery.
"Don't trip." Said Garrus, just as Shepard tripped over a piece of the gun. Shepard stumbled to avoid falling.
"Thanks for the warning." Shepard made his way back out of the main battery and headed towards the starboard observation room.
"Still very loud Shepard." Stated Samara.
"I'll work on it." Replied Shepard.
"Good. Now I wanted to discuss a matter with you."
"What would that be?"
"The Geth, you elected to destroy all synthetics in your vision."
"Do you not agree with that. Your code does grant people the chance to defend themselves. To try and survive."
"Yes it does, but I was not questioning your decision. I was merely going to ask about after the Reapers are destroyed, in this reality. How will you handle the Geth this time? There is no miracle way to defeat them, this time around."
"Will We slaughter them, after they helped us."
"Yes, no one would blame you for such a order, but even I have bent the rules, and give a reasonable amount of time, before hunting the enemy down."
"Are you saying we shouldn't wipe them out?"
"I am saying that you should understand that your decisions have consequences. The Geth and other races look highly upon you. Your opinion will matter, and you will likely not be able to refrain from judgment."
"It's something to think about I guess."
"That is all anyone can ask Shepard. When the time comes, you will give your opinion, and it will be the right choice, what ever it may be. I have confidence in you Shepard. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to return to my meditation."
"You meditate a lot Samara."
"It helps keep my abilities in check. You may not know this Shepard, but it is common practice for someone at my age. It tend to allow us to step back, and understand before we speak."
"So that means you chose not to talk so much?"
"Yes, the way we see it. The less you talk, the more your heard."
"Because the only reason you talk is because it's important."
"Precisely. Not that we don't converse though. I have no problem holding a conversion, as long as it's worth while."
"Is this one worth while?"
"Yes, but it is coming to a end. I must meditate now Shepard."
"Then I'll just head on out."
"Thank you Shepard."
Shepard walked out of the observation room, and walked away towards life support. "EDI I feel like Samara is withholding information. Try and access the extranet. See if anything would cause a Asari Matriarch to meditate often." Ordered Shepard.
"Of course Shepard. would you like me to consult Mordin, for further efforts on the matter?" Asked EDI.
"No if she won't tell me, then Mordin is likely not going to say anything."
"Understood."
"Thanks EDI." Shepard walked into life support, where he found the air a little moister then usual. "EDI why is it so moist in here? I thought you where suppose to keep it as dry as possible in here." Asked Shepard.
"I have instructed her otherwise." Replied Thane stepping out in front of the door, next to his cot.
"Why?" Shepard walked forward some.
"To ease my breathing."
"But your only going to accelerate your condition."
"Yes I know, but it is my body, and I'll do as I please with it."
"Thane I said I wouldn't force treatment on you, but I can't allow this. EDI restore the moister in the air to normal, and don't let him change it again." Ordered Shepard.
"Yes Shepard." Replied EDI.
"Huh, your concern for me is touching Shepard." Said Thane.
"Thane you keep this up, and you won't make three more months. Now I don't want to see you die, and Kelly doesn't either, But it is your choice, to live or die." Stated Shepard.
"But yet you remove the moister from the air."
"I didn't say when you could die. What happened to being selfless, and punishing the wicked? The man who wanted to repent for all the bad things he's done, and make the universe a brighter place for his son? How are you going to do any of that if your dead?"
"Shepard it is not likely going to be possible, with the way this war is going."
"And so you just want to give up. I'm not giving up, There's still hope. Doctor Chakwas is looking for a cure. Mordin is looking for a cure."
"Mordin is busy with more pressing matters, and as good as your doctor is, she is no scientist."
"Thane you have to give them a chance. Right now your taking that away. Look I'm not saying to put on that breathing mask, but you have got to give them a chance. Just give them the three months. Everyone says this war isn't going to last that long, but what if it does. Dieing on perpose will be the worst possible sin you can commit."
"Coming from a man who does not generally look at religion fondly, means much."
"People hide behind it, to much. You've got to see a person for who they really are. I don't see you as a quitter, but if religion gets you going, then I'll uses it to make my point. It's your Choice to live or die Thane. Don't Die."
"You say it is my choice, whether I live or die, but you haven't left me with much choice in the matter."
"EDI give Thane back his controls."
"Yes Shepard." Said EDI.
"Now it's your choice Thane. You can live or you can die. I'm not going to stop you." Said Shepard, before walking out of life support and taking the elevator down to the shuttle bay. The Quarian's Shepard had picked up on the Citadel had been transferred to the Zorah, and was only occupied by Jacob, Reegar, Cortez, and Legion. Jacob and Cortez were listening to a story Reegar was telling.
"The next thing I knew I was flat on my back, and the ships where on fire." Said Reegar.
"I can't believe you survived a fall from that height." Said Jacob.
"I told you, you would believe it." Replied Reegar.
"Your details are a little sketchy Reegar." Stated Cortez
"It doesn't matter if you believe me, just as long as I know it happened." Replied Reegar.
"Let me guess, classic Batarian pirate attack stopped?" Said Shepard finally saying something.
"Geth, actually." Replied Reegar.
"So do you feel like telling the story again. because I missed it?"
"Maybe another time. I have a rule about telling that story no more then once a week."
"Alright so what's happening down here?" Asked Shepard.
"Just sitting around, trying to explain why the hammerhead was the biggest mistake in military vehicles the alliance could make." Replied Reegar.
"Hey that tank can out preform any vehicle in service today."
"Oh really, what about our Prothean tank?" Asked Jacob.
"Javik says it's an APC, there for not a tank." Replied Cortez.
"Sounds like you three got a lot to talk about. I'll leave you to it." Shepard walked over to Legion who was working in the center of the shuttle bay. "Legion, what are you doing?" Asked Shepard.
"Fabricating a power conduit for Garrus Vakarian. He has requested materials that are currently unavailable." Informed Legion.
"So you're making them from scratch. Where are you getting the parts? None essential components to the axillary shuttle."
"Does Cortez know your steeling them?"
"We are not steeling. The parts belong to Normandy. We are relocating them."
"I wasn't accusing you of anything Legion. Does Cortez know about this?"
"No."
"Keep it that way. Cortez has been trying to fix that for a while now. I don't want him blowing up over it. Did you ever reallocate any essential parts from the shuttle?"
"Yes."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"That would be a insufficient use of our time."
"How come you didn't report it?"
"Their was no need. The AI of this ship monitors every movement of those inside."
"EDI why didn't you tell me?" Asked Shepard.
"The Normandy only needs one shuttle. It seemed a insufficient use of your time." Replied EDI
"EDI, Legion I thought we understood each other. I don't care if it's a insufficient use of time. I want to know about these things, before they happen, and if you can't tell me before, I want to know as soon as possible." Said Shepard loudly. Cortez walked up to Shepard and Legion.
"What's all the yelling about? Wait, is that the power conduit from the shuttle?" Asked Cortez.
"Yes. We are modifying it for Normandys weapon systems." Replied Legion.
"That better not have be the one I've been working on. And that deffinetly had better not be from the other one either. Damn I thought parts where missing from that shuttle. Parts that I knew I installed. What the hell Shepard. Did you order this?" Asked Cortez.
"No. I only just found out about this myself." Replied Shepard.
"Damit, I spent all night working on that." Said Cortez sounding annoyed.
"We will replace the parts, as they become available." Stated Legion.
"No. Stay away from my shuttle." Said cortez hostily. Cortez walked away.
"Shepard Commander, we do not understand. We offered to preform the task. Steve Cortez will not be required to preform these task. Steve Cortez will be capable of preforming as his desires require him." Said Legion.
"Your not following Legion, he likes to work on the shuttle. He doesn't want you to work on it anymore, then I want you building my ships. We as organics want to prove we're superior in anyway. Cortez just proves it with the work on the shuttle." Explained Shepard.
"We do not understand. Steve Cortez has already proved his capablitys of installing the components."
"Legion when someone asks who did the work on the shuttle, he wants to say he did it, by himself."
"But we could install all parts to Steve Cortez ability, identical to prior parameters."
"Legion your not getting it, just don't touch the shuttle unless your installing a stealth drive."
"Understood." Shepard turned towards the elevator. In the middle of his turn, he noticed a flash of green coming from Grunts room. Shepard walked quickly to the elevator, taking it to the engineering deck. The elevator opened and he jogged to the door, seeing the flashes of green light, growing more frequent, through the window. Shepard opened the door, and the moment he stepped through, a green jet of flames shot out at him, nearly touching his face. Shepard dove forward as a natural reaction, to something coming at him, and landed on the floor.
"Oh, sorry Shepard. I didn't notice you were there." Said Grunt, who was sitting on the floor.
"You did that?" Said Shepard getting up. "You about took my face off." Shepard felt the side of his face. In fact you gave me a cleaner shave, then I ever get with my Omni razor.
"Haha ha, you're lucky I turned it down."
"I guess so."
"So you're not mad?"
"I didn't say that. What is that your playing with?"
"I made it. It's a plasma thrower."
"Was a standard flame thrower not enough."
"Hehe, no. This will melt one of those Cerberus Mecs, real quick."
"Where are you getting these parts?"
"I scavenged a few of the broken parts of Garrus's gun.
"What about the plasma?"
"Oh that. Tali's says the Normandy makes some kind of plasma after it makes the fusion. I don't know how it works. Some sort of smart people stuff I don't care to here about. All I know is that I get a unlimited supply. Oh check this out. Grunt raised his flame thrower, and shot a under barrel spike from it. The spike hit the wall, sticking in it."
"Grunt what are you doing."
"I don't know, it was suppose to go deeper. I still need to work on it I guess."
"Grunt stop shooting my ship. What if that went through the wall and hit something important."
"Uh."
"Please just don't put holes in my ship."
"Got it Shepard. Hey do you want me to make you one. I've got a lot of free time on my hands."
"You trying to butter me up now?"
"No, I just like making these."
"No more holes in the ship, and you can do it." Said Shepard walking to the exit.
"Will do Shepard." Shepard walked out of the room and headed for engineering. As Shepard entered he heard singing from the sub deck. It was very low and quiet, but it carried a distance. Shepard walked down the stairs towards Jack. The singing was still to low to understand. Shepard walked around the corner, and Jack stopped.
"Shepard, what are you doing here. I told you I'd call you if I wanted to talk." Said Jack defensively, before shepard could speak. Jack was sitting there with her knees up, holding them.
"I was on my way to see Tali in engineering, and I could heard you." Replied Shepard. Shepard stood in the center of the subdeck.
"Heard me? Heard me doing what?"
"Jack you don't need to play dumb with me. I'm not here to pick on you. What was it that you where singing?" Shepard walked over to Jack's bed and Sat down.
"Just something that I remember before Pragia."
"Does it comfort you or something."
"Yeah a little. Remember when I told you about hiding under my desk?"
"Yeah."
"I use to sing that, when I was under there."
"Why are you singing it now then?"
"Why do you think I'm singing, Shepard?"
"I don't understand, what's there to be sad about. You have more then you ever had."
"Yeah, and in the meantime, metal head is probably a roasting hunk of metal right now."
"Jack the Salarians aren't reporting any Reapers there. I know I promised we'd get him, and we will, but it's going to take time. We have to make priority's first, but I promise you we'll get him. Just think you still have Jacob."
"Yeah, I don't know about him. He was fun when it was secret, but now the whole damn thing seems like work now."
"Work. Jack your just starting this relationship. Of course it is work. You're just getting to know each other. Jack just give it some time, and if it still feels like work, then maybe its not right, but just give it time."
"Thanks. You know you're pretty smart."
"No I'm not. I just tend to be right a lot." Shepard sat there for a moment.
"Uh, are you gonna go now, it's getting a little awkward."
"I thought to much time had passed."
"And yet you stayed. Seems like your not right all the time Shepard. Now get out of here before you make this anymore awkward." Said Jack pushing Shepard with her foot. Shepard got up, and walked out of the subdeck. Shepard came out the side Tali always worked on, and enter main engineering. Tali was chatting with Gabby. Shepard hid behind the wall and waited for them to finish their conversaion.
"So Tali is it just me, or does it seem like Kenneth wants to be more then just friends?" Asked Gabby.
"Are you kidding me, you haven't been getting the hints. He asked you out just the other day, and you shrugged it off." Said Tali sounding surpised.
"I thought he was just making jokes like he always does.
"He hasn't been joking about that sort of thing for months now. He's serious Gabby."
"Well what do you think I should do."
"Why are you asking me that, it's your decision. Do you like him or not. That's all that matters, not what I think."
"I don't know how I feel, about him."
"Don't give me that. You know exactly how you feel about him. You're just to scared to admit it. Go talk to him, I can handle thing here." Gabby walked towards the core.
Shepard walked up behind Tali, who was holding Saleen, and wrapped his arms around her, laying her head on her shoulders. "How are you doing?" Asked Shepard.
"I'm doing better now that you're here. Have you come to drag me up stairs again, because right now is not a good time. Don't take that the wrong way, earlier was fun, but being your girlfriend is a full time job, and I need to get this done." Said Tali looking over her sholder at him.
"Here let me get Saleen out of your arms then." Shepard let go of Tali, and she turned to hand off Saleen. Shepard looked Tali in the eyes, before looking at Saleen, and mouthing the word hi to her, while waving his hand.
"Thank you, now I've got two hands." Tali turned around to her console and started working again.
"So hows every thing down here."
"It's coming together. Gabby is maybe, finally going to get together with Donnelly. The four have disappeared again, and I feel sorry for that varren, who's in Mordin's lab right now."
"Hold on the four disappeared again. Garrus said you sent them to work with him."
"No I didn't. Why would I do that, this engine modification is big, and they could have learned something. I can't believe I was such a bad judge of character with them."
"it's not your fault. They had outstanding marks, you couldn't have known. EDI locate the four, and then have Reegar chase them down. Inform him about what happened."
"Right away Shepard." Asnwered EDI
"Thank you. I can't believe they're still acting like kids." Said Tali to shepard.
"We'll straighten them out, and I feel sorry that varren to. Poor thing Survives that Collector mutation virus, and gets killed, because we come along. So how far along are you on the engines?" Asked Shepard, Glancing at the console, then looking back at Tali.
"The engines are almost done. Donnelly is working below the core, running a few more power conduits. Then I've got to go help Garrus."
"Sounds like you got your hands full. Good thing you got the captains ear."
Tali looked at Shepard. "I'm not going to get all this done am I?"
"No, we'll get the engines worked on, then it's time to relax. If these are our last days, I'm not letting you work through them."
"This is why some girls marry captains." Said Tali before going looking back at her console.
"So they can go do what ever they want?"
"No, because their man knows what he want, and won't take no for a answer. And it gets her out of work to do something more fun."
"We're not talking about other captains and their girls are we?"
Tali looked at Shepard. "No." Donnelly walked up around the corner, miss Zorah she's ready, all you have to do is start her up.
"I'll be back over at the core, monitoring the the power flow." Said Donnelly pointing back at the core. Donnelly started to turn away, but then turned back. "Oh, and thanks for convincing gabby, and thank you Shepard for telling me not to give up." Donnelly walked back towards the core.
"Okay, lets see if this works." Said Tali looking back at her console again. Tali started working on the control panel. Four bars on the engines where rising. One was moving slower then the others.
"Tali."
"I see it. That's the engine that had a hole in it. some of the conduets are not fully operational. I'm trying to reroute power now." Tali worked quickly on the console. The bar that was moving slow began building up speed. "Come on come on catch up. The bar line slowly cought the others, then surpassed it, barely before stopping at three quarters full, with the rest of the bars. "hhh, that could have been bad." Tali looked back at shepard and leaned on the console. "So are we getting out of here?"
"Are you done?"
"Yes I'm done."
"Then sure." Shepard and Tali walked out of engineering, and took the elevator to their room. Shepard let Urz in as they enter the room, and carried Saleen over to the bed, where they sat down.
"So are we still talking about marriage?"
"only if you want to."
"I want to." Saleen was swiping at Shepard's nose.
"I think she wants you all for herself." Shepard, leaned down and Saleen finally hit his nose, where her hand stayed sprawled out. "Your so silly." Tali tickled Saleen's belly. Saleen's arm dropped. "But you can't have him, he's mine."
Your to young for me okay. Plus Your mommy already claims me.
"Yes she does." Tali put her hand on Shepard's leg. Shepard then noticed Urz's claws in his leg.
"Hey do you mind if I leave you two here for a moment."
Sure, just so you know, I'm not trying to pressure you into it. The courting before marriage average around ten months, and sometimes they take as long three years. Now I'm fine waiting that long, or it can never happen at all, but when you do it. Please just don't do it on a dead Reaper."
"It's not that I don't want to talk to you. I just think urz is hungry, he's digging his claws in me. Do you mind taking her."
"Sure." Tali took Saleen, and then Shepard turned and pulled Urz's paws off of him, before standing up. "Hurry back, it's not a good Idea to leave a girl waiting." Shepard smiled and walked quickly out the door with Urz. Tali watched Shepard leave and then looked down at Saleen. "Your father is a great man, and I love him. I just hope I didn't pressure him, and that he asks when he's ready." Tali sat there for a moment, and starred out at the door. Tali sat there for a moment before snapping out of the trance, she put herself in. "Now what do you think about getting something to eat."
Writers notes: The Primarch going to Tuchanka that can't be good. Combining Garrus's dialog sequence, after speaking with Tali would mean the events would change slightly, with the four still getting Reegar on them. I can't believe Legion broke the second shuttle, and I really didn't want to kill the Varren.