Thea entered the bridge, already equipped in her new combat harness – Alliance-themed blue Non-Newtonian fluid suit with integrated EVA system and advanced equipment and weapons storage. It highlighted her features rather nicely, turning some heads on the bridge (both males and females alike). It wasn't usual for a soldier to look sexy under military equipment.

She liked it.

"It's the same one, isn't it?" she asked Liam, who had been examining the radar over Davies' shoulder. He was yet again in his usual black armour, just without the weapons. He held up palm, his focus unwavering. It was only then did Thea realise that the whole bridge was tense, like a tiger preparing to pounce on its prey. Even those heads that gave her a glance were immediately twisted back to the screens, fingers poised over their keyboard. An electrified silence filled the room, amplifying the ambient drone of the ship. Such periods of silence were rare on the Horizon.

Thea took this opportunity to study Liam's armour in detail. It was, as aforementioned, a peculiar design, as no soft-body joints were visible, even at the knees or the elbow. The first thing that caught the eye was the fluidity of the design; the sharp edges that lined the chest and stomach, the two angled protrusions that lined the back (and continued all the way to the heels, though it tapered off into a mere incision at the hips), the half-curved rectangular frame of the arms, the intricate and complex plates that formed the joints all fit together with masterful perfection. The neck joint was the only part which had a small gap, but even there the armour flushed completely into the helmet. Not even an omni-blade could fit between the gaps. The armour plates themselves were rather large, with most of them being the size of a palm. However, a closer inspection revealed smaller hexagonal plates that made up the single sheet, allowing the seemingly-solid metal to flex if compressed. This gave the suit a scaly appearance up close, though from afar, it simply looked menacing. The armour did not reflect any light (if anything else, it absorbed it, presumably due to its vantablack coating) creating an aura of shadow. But a small turn in the angle would show its softer side – the silhouette of the armour when having a front-on conversation was comforting, reassuring and very persuasive.

There were numerous bulges of lighter black on the armour – one on each lower legs, one on both thighs, two on the hips, one on the stomach, and five on the back. Thea knew that they were containers, holding everything from combat knives (Liam and Gage were the only two on the Horizon who preferred metal combat knives rather than omni-blades), water bottles (Liam had two – one for eezo, one for normal water), MREs, grenades, and guns (Liam's suit stored the guns inside its frame, unlike many others. But she did once see Liam attach a grenade launcher, which was too big for the suit to store, outside the suit). These bulges also blended into the suit, giving Liam complete freedom of mobility. The suit utilised a unique, singular and self-contained kinetic barrier unit to create its shields (again, different from other suits that usually used integrated kinetic barriers that was weaved into the plates), so it didn't have the usual glow of a combat hardsuit.

Everything about this armour was designed to give its wearer maximum flexibility and stealth, while still keeping the level of protection that would be demanded on a battlefront. It was clearly extremely expensive. Thea guessed that it would probably cost more than the Mako.

Aside from its original marvel of creation, its maintenance was superb. There were no visible signs of wear and tear. Few extensions that had been added over the years were mostly on the helmet (which, by the way, was designed quite similarly to the N7 helmet except for the exceptionally larger visor that glowed in dark red), but even so, they were barely noticeable unless pointed out.

Thea's thoughts were interrupted by an echoing chirp from the bridge speakers. The tenseness was lifted as others started to move freely again (Tom Davies' first movement was to twist around and give her a wink, which she returned).

"No sign of enemy. Stealth systems are on standby. Transiting to target at point nine five cee. Weapons are loose. Requesting full bridge for the proceeding five minutes."

"Request granted. Taker it easy, Neil. Some context will help."

Liam replied, the last part directed towards her. He then turned his eyes towards her, his eyes quickly scanning her body. Thea was disappointed to see a lack of change in his expression, but easily dismissed her thoughts.

She then blushed internally at her foolhardiness: Her habit of starting a conversation out of nowhere had returned. She thought had lost that particular habit when she was about 200, but maybe it had not completely disappeared.

"Right. The planet that we're going to. E-Star D56. You got that from-"

Thea felt a strong invisible hand forcing her mouth shut. Liam's sharp glance was enough to let her know why. He pointed towards his cabin with his chin and held up six fingers, then let go of his biotic grip. Others were too distracted by their work to notice anything unusual.

…

Six minutes later:

"I don't want the crew to know of the Sorceress Group, alright? I don't think you understand the level of notoriety that the two of you had generated over the years."

"Sorry."

"No need. It's probably a little paranoia on my part. But just watch out next time."

"Alright. But really, did you get it from our database?"

"Kind of. Your database marked the planet as a potential target against the Cerberus, but what caught my eye was a recent Quarian report. They too seems to have been monitoring this particular Cerberus base for some time. Recently, there was a minor conflict in the area between Geth and Cerberus, but the report didn't mention what the outcome was. I'm planning to find out, and finish the job if need be. I also need a Geth unit, too."

"You need what?"

"A Geth. For our mission. Beta-Two? That's what the cryotubes are for."

"You are really indiscriminate, you know?"

"Yes, I know. I think it's only fair that way. Changing topics here… Tell me this; why are you dressed up?"

"I want to go down on the planet with you."

"I don't think that is necessary."

"Please?"

"Why?"

"Because, well. I thought your friend could use a spotter."

"But he's trained as a single-"

"And I can wield a sniper rifle."

"You can?"

"Look, if you live long enough, you learn just about everything. And if you happen have a job that involves fighting and killing bad guys, then sniper rifles are a must."

"Noted. With envy, I might add. On 'living long' part. Hmmm… Having two snipers does seem like a good idea… Are you sure you can-"

"I'm in an army now, aren't I? I know enough to not to make false claims."

"Alright. Gear up. Be ready."

"Yes sir!"

…

Kem stood next to his sister, tentatively staring out of the window over her shoulder. It was the same old space, with beauty of stars and symphony of silence ever flowing into eternity. It was so special, but also so distant and surreal. Something that they were a part of, but was also never a part of. And much more. This particular place… here, was different. This mundane piece of the sky was…

"We're here."

"Yes."

"This… This is…"

"Our home."

Home. That word echoed against the silent wall of Space. Home… was a place where one could be. Where they can forget all the sorrows of yesterdays, all the dreads of tomorrows. One belonged to home, and home belong to the one. When one's body ached, one's mind weary, one's heart dampened, home was the place one would think of. It was beyond a place of comfort – it was a place of belonging.

Neither Kem nor Shema has had a home. Nor did their parents and grandparents. Their species were lost wanderers, unwitting victims of their own ingenuity. For centuries, they had been lost, knowing that they have a home, but could not return to it. That was worse than having no home.

For the first time in their life, the Hidinours set their eyes on their home. They knew that it was but a mere glance. But… it was a glimpse, a fleeting sense, a glimmer. Ever since they could understand speech, they were told tales of their homeland Rannoch, the Walled Garden. The freedoms without their suit, the sweet waters of rivers, the crisp evening air, the cool rain of blessing, the magnificence of the Tikkun. The tales were always so grand, so beautiful, so real, something that both the children and adults would enter with their heart and soul.

Real too was their reality, where such tales of nature were told in: run-down ships, crowded with people, noisy with machinery, trapped in their suit. The damned suit. Migrant Fleet, as much as they valued and fought for it, was not their home. This was their home.

"Home is a state of mind" came a faint whisper in Khelish.

Both Quarians jumped up, then turned around to find Kisa behind them. She wore a graceful expression, one that a wise old women often has when telling a child the wonders of the world. She looked deeply towards them, her lips curling into a sad smile.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you." Kisa apologised.

"No! No, it's okay." Kem replied.

"You didn't disturb us. We were going to go soon anyway." Shema lied.

Kisa walked closer towards them, encouraging them to return their gaze back to the window. The three stood, watching the stars.

"How do you know that?" Kem asked.

"Know what?"

"About home." Kem answered.

"… I was there when it all happened."

Kem then remembered that Kisa was roughly four hundred years old. And she was a codebreaker capable of accessing some Geth data. She was also a veteran on numerous wars. She did study cryptography (three hundred years ago, Quarians and Turians had the best cryptographic skills in the Galaxy). So it was entirely possible… entirely possible… that she was part of the Geth War.

"You were on Rannoch?"

"Yes. And when the Migrant Fleet was formed."

"Were you… in the War?"

"Yes… Rannoch used to be my home, too. And Thea's"

"Wow… you were there. Actually there."

Kisa's expression changed from a sad to bemused smile.

"Everyone seems to forget sometimes how old I am. Myself included."

"Can you tell us? About Rannoch?" Shema asked at this point, her heart pounding with the ache of longing.

"Where do you wish me to start?"

"From the beginning."

…

Kisa stepped out of the dropship and onto the dry platform, smelling the arid sandy air that she would soon grow fond of. With her was a carrier bag and a folder full of computers. Strange languages filled the signs as her eyes glazed over the warm landscape. This was going to be her home for the next two years. Like all travellers, she was disorientated, a little nervous, and inundated with the sense of excitement.

Kisa sat on the park bench, lost in things to do. Her unofficial school was closed for the day, giving her a whole afternoon to spare. She could take afternoon strolls on the unique Rannoch sand, with large soft grains and ticklish waters. She could also visit the market (most locals by now had stopped sneezing at her). She could rest in the shade of the trees or buildings. She could enjoy the sunshine that was always a little too warm. She could also try to 'talk' to those machines. The Geth were a marvel of an idea, and a delicious programming conundrum to crack. But for tonight, she decided to go to a show.

Kisa stood on the balcony, gazing at the magnificent landscape. Her stay was extended, mainly because of Thea and her sister's totally unexpected arrival (bringing a little pandemic of cold amongst her friends). They were literally twins, quickly taking over her peaceful life. But she didn't mind – Rannoch was a beautiful place to be. The strange signs were still quite strange, but had become familiar. There were many faces she could recognise, and some faces had become quite close to her. She had never grown so attached to a place like Rannoch.

Kisa knew that there was tension amongst the Quarians. Many foreigners had left the system by now, having foreseen this… madness. She had decided to stay behind and try to support the development of the Geth virus (Thea had also stayed back with her Quarian girlfriend, but she had lost contact with them few days ago).

She watched in horror as the sky burned. The once-docile machines were approaching them with guns. It was only two weeks ago when the first news of Geth uprising flashed on the news. Now, everybody was dying. Screams, terror, shock, unlike anything she had ever seen before. This was a desperate war, a battle between living and machines… Could the Geth be considered alive?

Kisa awoke, surrounded by groans and hums, trapped in a medical isolation bubble. She could not feel her left arm, which was torn just below the shoulder. She didn't try to sit up, but instead stared empty-eyed at the ceiling. An unknown amount of time later, a masked men entered her containment bubble. Her first reaction was the scream in fear, but she realised that he was a Quarian doctor. He tended to her wounds, calmly explaining what had happened.

Her extraction shuttle was hit with flak, but survived. Two of her friends were killed, and she was hit in the arm, fainting as the ship's cabin depressurised. The War was lost – hardly anybody was left alive. What was left of the Quarians gathered together in a fleet, fleeing as far as they can from the Geth.

Kisa observed passively as the Quarians struggled on. They formed the Migrant Fleet. They entered the suits. They became people without home.

Thea was alive. Her lover was not. Kisa's left arm took a long time to heal. The Quarians' wounds still did not congeal.

"Attention to all crew! We are entering a combat-ready state. Repeat. We are entering a combat-ready state. Four hour stealth drive is now active. Please return to your posts and limit your extranet access. Thank you."

Neil's voice boomed unpleasantly in the room. All three figures moved away from the window, their eyes still lost to the tragic tale.

"I will tell you more, when we have the chance."

…

Liam climbed aboard the dropship, armed only with his armour (his helmet was on and glowing, and he had ceased to speak). Thea couldn't fathom what sort of magic he packed inside that suite this time around. He did not sit down, instead standing straight like a robot in the middle of the ship. Alexander followed closely behind, with his modified M-98 Widow rifle (which he called "Zloy Vdova" or the "Wicked Widow" in his home language) slung around his back. He was lugging a large suitcase, where all the equipment required for sniping was held. He took a seat on the far right side of the dropship, next to the window.

Thea followed in, cradling her own sniper rifle. It was the same one that she found in her apartment about a month's ago, except it was now significantly more powerful than it used to be (a tip of the hat to Kem and Shema's handiwork). It had been a long time since this beauty was put to test, so Thea was itching to pull its trigger. It had its name embossed onto its side, but the years of use and neglect had worn it to unreadable levels. She too had forgotten its name. Perhaps it will get its name in this mission. That was how you named your guns, right? You put it to the test, and name it according to its nature and performance. Right?

Tom Davies was behind the controls again. He gave her another wink before the cabin door closed and cut them off.

That kid! Does he really know who he's flirting with?

An unconscious smile spread across her face as the dropship swung its doors shut. She sat down next to the left window, looking outside. The bright lights of the cargo bay dimmed to red, signalling the Horizon to open her belly. The mouth slowly opened, and the Kodiak took off, quickly leaving behind the brightness of the cargo bay. She let out a little gasp at the sight of the green planet – she hadn't expected it to be so close.

The window automatically blackened as the ship zoomed into the atmosphere, but it did not completely hide the blinding light arising from superheated air. The re-entry took roughly fifteen minutes, which was only filled by the hearty roar of the superheated air. Thea marvelled again at how such a thin wall of metal and biotics kept them from burning up.

Davie's voice cackled in. "Executing roll… now."

The ship veered heavily to the right, and Thea instinctively grasped the handle. She was surprised to see Liam in the same, rigid position. Maybe he locked up armour joints, or maybe he just had crazy muscles, but he did not change in position in any way.

They slowly veered out of the roll, and Thea shuffled back into her seat. When she looked out the window again, she was gifted with beautiful view of the sky, green forests, and a sapphire blue ocean that sparkled in the golden sunlight.