"Shepard, our data indicates that Tali is somewhere in these ruins. There is considerable geth activity and an environmental hazard." EDI's voice warned the passengers of the Normandy shuttle as it was about land on Haestorm. "Solar output has overwhelmed Haestorm's protective magnetosphere. Exposure to direct sunlight will damage your shields."
"Great, first Tali got herself in a planet swarming with geth, now this." Garrus shook his head.
"She is your friend." Jack addressed both Garrus and John, the latter didn't bother to answer. His focus was on the datapad in his hands.
Tali'Zorah vas Neema - Expert in combat tech, systems hacking Formerly listed as Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, the quarian engineer earned her adult name after helping Shepard defeat Saren two years ago. Tali is currently on a classified assignment for the Migrant Fleet Admiralty Board on Haestrom, deep in geth-controlled space.
- Strong engineering background, familiar with Normandy
After the team got dropped off by the shuttle, they saw an insect got burned away when it came to direct exposure of sunlight. EDI's was right. They approached a large closed door which prevented them from entering the colony. "No gate controls." Garrus said.
"There's a control room to the right." Samara pointed out.
John entered the room and found a dead body of a quarian. There was also an audio log playing. "Anyone who gets this, find Tali'Zorah. She and that data are all that matters. Keelah se'lai."
"What has Tali gotten herself into this time?" Garrus wondered.
"We will get her out safe and secure." John said, his voice full of confidence.
"I know that but what is that data they are talking about?" Garrus said.
"I guess we will know when we find her." John said. "Everyone ready?"
Each of the squad members gave a firm nod. John met Grunt's eyes. "You ready to kill some geth, Grunt?"
Grunt thumped his fists together. His eyes dancing with excitement at the mention of killing. "Hehehe." John smirked at the krogan's eagerness and pushed the gate controls. "Let's move."
They just moved a few steps for a geth drop ship to arrive. "Geth drop ship, look out."
"Disruptor ammo." John ordered.
The ruin was large but with plenty of covers so the team had not much difficulty in getting covers. But the place was swarming with geth. They were coming from all directions. John pulled out his sniper when he saw a door opening at the far end and several geth emerging from there. The combined fires from the snipers of Garrus and John gave the geth no chance to close down on them. The closer ones were taken down by Jack, Grunt, Samara, Miranda and Jacob. Miranda's and Kasumi's tech attacks gave them a good edge against the battle with the geth.
"That's the end of them." Jacob said.
The team pushed forward towards their destination. They faced a few geth on their way but they pose no problem. They found a radio near a dead body of a quarian, which was alive and someone was asking for help.
"Break-break-break. OP-1, this is Squad Leader Kal'Reegar, do you copy? OP-1, this is Squad Leader Kal'Reegar, come in, over!"
John picked up the radio. "This is Commander Shepard of the Normandy. Can we provide assistance?"
"Patch your radio into channel 617 Theta. We were on a stealth mission. High risk. We found what we were looking after, but the geth found us. They have got us pinned down. Can't get to our ship, can't transmit data through the solar radiation."
"What's the status of your team? How many of you are left?" John inquired.
"We were a small squad. Dozen marines, plus the science team. We are down to half-strength now. Made the synthetic bastards pay for it, though."
"What brought you deep into this geth controlled space?"
"You are asking the wrong person, Shepard. I just point and shoot. Something about the sun. It's going bad faster than it should. Some kind of energy problem."
"Any idea where the geth came from?"
"One of their patrol ships found us. Dropships started raining geth down on our heads, before we could get off-world. Systems under geth control. We knew they made planetary sweeps periodically. We'd hoped going low-emissions would hide us."
"Do we have to worry about reinforcements?"
"I don't think so. Their patrol ship hasn't lifted off again, and the radiation blocks all offworld communication."
"How are you holding up? We can be there in a few minutes."
"Take it slow and careful. Direct sunlight fries your shields all to hell. We've bunkered down at base camp across the valley. I left Tali'Zorah at a secure shelter, then doubled back to hold the chokepoint. Getting Tali out safely is our top priority. If you can extract her, we'll keep them off you."
"You've got conformation that the geth haven't reached Tali yet?"
"Affirmative. Left my best men with her. When you get here, you can talk to her on the comm. Every marine on this rock is sworn to protect Tali'Zorah. Long as one of us is still drawing air, she'll be safe."
"Hold position. We'll hit their back ranks."
"Wait! Watch your ass! We've got a dropship coming in!"
No sooner than they heard the warning, the dropship was spotted flying above them. It fired two consecutive shots destroying a large concrete pillar. The pillar fell down and blocked the doorway to the next area. "Crap! Doorway's blocked. Grab the demo charges in the buildings nearby and destroy the wall."
Getting the demo charges weren't that easy. The place was literally swarming with geth troopers but still they managed it. Their skills and abilities overpowered the sheer number of geth, who were trying to stop them from taking the charges. In the next few moments, the charges were in their possession and they were used efficiently to clear their path. Following John's lead inside the door to their front, the team found themselves in a large room. There were sitting arrangements there. It looked like some sort of meetings were held there once. There were an armory, some research tables and dead bodies. Both quarian and geth. An injured geth was found alive. It was crawling on the floor helplessly. Zaeed shot it in the head finishing it off instantly.
"Are these quarian buildings? From before they got their asses kicked?" Jack said looking around the room.
"This deep behind geth lines! Hope the quarians got what they were looking for." Kasumi murmured.
"Why would the quarians come here? I hope whatever they are looking for is worth it." Garrus said.
Miranda found a journal inside the room. She pressed play when she the journal belonged to Tali. "Our ancestors walked these walls with uncovered heads. The sun must have been normal back then. So much space. Walls of stone…. It's amazing. I wish my friends could see it. I wish John, Liara and Garrus were here."
"I think it is something to do with the sun." Miranda said. "That's why they are here."
"Maybe you are right. But it doesn't matter. We are here to get Tali out safely from here and that's our priority." John said.
"Understood Commander." Miranda said. John raised an eyebrow when he heard her using his title but she merely winked at him and turned away. Garrus saw the exchange and cleared his throat loudly.
"What is wrong with your throat Vakarian? Want me to clean it for you?" Zaeed asked. Jack and Jacob also raised their eyebrows and looked at each other for a moment, confused. Samara smiled slightly.
At that moment, the comm inside the room came alive. "Tali'Zorah to base camp. Come in, base camp." She paused. "Hello! Is anyone there?"
"Tali. It's me. John." In the next second Tali's hologram appeared in front of them. "John? I'm not complaining, but you show up at the strangest times." Then her eyes fell on the blue armored turian standing beside John. "Garrus! You are here too!" Garrus grinned. "What are you doing in the middle of geth space?" Tali asked John.
"I was in the neighborhood. Thought you might need a hand." John said with a grin. Tali knew he was just joking. She is positive that his sole purpose of being here is to rescue her. Just like the old times. She smiled inside her helmet. It was a smile of relief. She knew that she is safe because John Shepard is here for her. She still admires him and she always will. Her feelings for him are also there but she hid it well, never let him know her heart was breaking the entire time when he revealed about the one and only woman who managed to capture his heart from the beginning. She knew in her mind that John can never be hers, but her heart seems to say otherwise, which she knows will never be true. John Shepard belongs to…. Her name was…. Miri? Wasn't it? She cannot remember properly. She pushed those thoughts at the back of her mind and focused on the job in her hand. She have to get out from here.
"Kal'Reegar and what's left of the marines got me into the laboratory. From where you are, it's through the door and across the field. I've got the data I needed and I'm safe for now, but I've a lot of geth outside." She informed John.
"What is the research you are after?" John asked.
"It's about this world's sun. It's aging faster than it should. I can tell more about it once we've got fewer geth shooting at us." Tali said. John realized that Miranda was right as always. She had already guessed the reason of Tali being here into deep geth space. Both of their eyes met for a moment. A silent communication occurred between them, but just for a fraction of second and it was enough for Miranda to see the respect for her shining in John's eyes. She gave a slight nod. John turned to Tali's hologram again. "Would it help if I brought in the Normandy?" He asked Tali.
"Doubtful." Tali shook her head negatively. "These buildings are centuries old. If you bring down heavy fire, this whole place could collapse on us."
"Understood." John nodded. "Is anyone else still with you, or are you alone out there?"
"Reegar had a team of marines covering me when I ran for the observatory." She paused and bowed her head. "At least some of them are still alive. I can hear them firing at the geth outside." She was full of regret that so many good marines had to die because of her.
"Don't blame yourself, Tali." John said softly.
Tali's head shot up in surprise. How did he realize what she was feeling? How did he even do that? "How did you know that I am feeling guilty?"
"Because I know you Tali." John replied with a small smile. "It looks like somebody sealed the door against the geth, and the console is damaged. Can you get it open on your end?"
"Let me see…. Yes. I can do it. Should be unlocked now. Be careful, John. And please, do what you can to keep Reegar alive." Tali requested.
"You have my word Tali. I won't let Reegar die. Not if I can help it."" John nodded.
"Thanks a lot John. That means a lot to me." Tali said before ending the connection.
By the time they got past the door, the whole place was shaking occasionally from the heavy fires between the geth and the quarians. "Is it always like this with you?" Kasumi asked.
"This is nothing." Garrus said.
"Right. I forgot with whom I am here." Kasumi rolled her eyes.
Before they reached Kreegar and his squad they had to destroy a couple of camouflaged drones and a few group of geth. They found Kal'Reegar alive but alone behind a cover with a missile launcher in his hand. "Squad leader Kal'Reegar, Migrant Fleet marines. We talked on the radio before that dropship arrived." Reegar introduced himself. "Still no idea why you're here, but this ain't the time to be picky." He paused. Then revealed himself from cover to fire a missile at the geth. He quickly shot down behind cover again. "Tali's inside over there." He indicated towards the door at the far end guarded by geth and a geth colossus. "The geth killed the rest of my squad, and they're trying to get to her. Best I've been able to do is draw their attention."
"How many geth are out there?" John asked.
"The geth are near platoon strength, but the colossus is the worst part. It's got a repair protocol. Huddles up and fixes itself. I can't get a clear shot while it's down like that. I tried to move in closer, and one of the bastards punched a shot clean through my suit."
"We need to get to Tali. Got any ideas?"
"Just one. I'm not moving so well, but I can still pull a trigger, and I've a rocket launcher that the sun hasn't fried yet. You move in close. I'll keep the colossus busy, maybe even drop its shields. With luck, you'll be able to finish it off."
"You've done enough, Reegar. You don't need to throw your life away."
"Wasn't asking for your permission. My job is to keep Tali safe. This is our best shot." Reegar argued back and went to fire a shot but John pulled him down behind cover.
"We don't have enough people on our side for you to take one for the team! Stand down!" John ordered. His voice changed from gentle to commanding in a moment. Reegar couldn't help but agree to that commanding voice. "I'm not going to stand here while you run into enemy fire! They killed my whole squad!" Reegar said.
"And if you want to honor your squad, watch my back! I need you here in case they bring reinforcements!" John said.
"All right, Shepard. We'll do it your way. Hit them for me. Keelah se'lai." Reegar agreed finally. John nodded in appreciation. Then his head turned towards his squad. "Garrus and Zaeed onto that right platform. Concentrate your fire on the geth, avoid the colossus. Jack you and Jacob with them. Watch their ass from the flankers. Samara, keep Reegar alive." She nodded. "Understood Commander." John paused. "Miranda, Kasumi and Grunt with me. We will clear the left path."
"Hehehehehe!" Grunt pumped his fists excitedly.
The four of them pushed down the left path while Garrus and Zaeed begin to take down geth after geth from the right side. "When I give the signal, everyone fire on the colossus with everything you have."
"You got it." Came the reply from his squad mates. It took only a couple of minutes to clear the area of the remaining geth. They fell down like flies. And now the Colossus was standing tall and acting as a guard to the door that led to Tali.
"Now!" John ordered. Immediately the Colossus took heavy fire from all directions. It couldn't even pick its targets and was quickly overwhelmed. It took heavy damage and as Reegar said it begin to repair itself.
"Commander, it is repairing itself. You must take it out now." Reegar warned.
John pulled out his own missile launcher and fired five simultaneous shot at the already damaged colossus. The heavy fire destroyed it's already damaged armour. "Get to cover. It's gonna blow!" John said when he saw sparks flying from the body of the colossus. True to his words, in the next second the colossus exploded with an ear deafening sound.
"Tali open the door." John said through comm.
"Just a second. I locked the door to keep more geth from getting inside." Tali acknowledged his request.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
"Just let me finish this download." Tali murmured. "Thank you, John. If not for you, I would never have made it out of this room. This whole mission has been a disaster. I wish I'd joined you back on Freedom's Progress, but I couldn't let anyone take my place on something this risky."
"A lot of quarians lost their lives here. Was it worth it?" John asked.
"I don't know, John. It wasn't my call." Tali said, her voice still full of regret. "The Admiralty Board believed the information here was worth sacrificing all our lives for. I have to believe that they know what's best."
"I didn't ask what some admiral thought. I asked what you thought." John asked placing a hand on Tali's shoulder.
"A lot of people died here. Some of them were my friends. All of them were good at their jobs." She said after holding John's hand in hers. "That damn data better be worth it. The price was too high."
"When can you tell me about your research here?"
"Haestrom's sun is destabilizing. Back when this was a quarian colony it was a normal star. It shouldn't change that quickly."
"Any idea why this is happening?"
"If I had to guess, I'd say that it was dark energy affecting the interior of the star. The effect is similar to when star blow off mass to enter a red giant phase, but Haestrom's sun is far too young for this to be natural."
"Whatever the reason, I'm glad I could help. Once you deliver the data, I could use you on the Normandy."
"I promised to see this mission through. I did. I can leave with you and send the data to the fleet. And if the admirals have a problem with it, they can go to hell. I just watched the rest of my team die." Tali said.
"Maybe not the whole rest of your team, ma'am." Kal'Reegar arrived at that moment limping slightly with the other Normandy crew mates at his toe. Tali was both surprised and happy. "Reegar! You made it!"
"Your old captain's as good as you said. Damn colossus never stood a chance." Reegar said with admiration in his voice.
"If need be, the Normandy can get you out of here, Reegar." John offered.
"The geth didn't damage our ship. Long as we get out of here before reinforcements show up, we'll be fine." Reegar said.
"Actually, I won't be going with you. I'm joining Commander Shepard." Tali cut in.
Reegar took a moment to notice both Tali and John. Then he nodded. "I'll pass the data to the Admirality Board to let them know what happened. She's all yours now. Shepard. Keep her safe."
NORMANDY DE-BRIEFING ROOM, 30 MINUTES LATER
"Cerberus saw footage of your action, Tali'Zorah. We're looking forward to having you on the team. Your engineering expertise will really benefit the mission." Jacob said.
"I don't know who you are, but Cerberus threatened the security of the Migrant Fleet. Don't make nice." Tali shot back.
"You don't have to like them, Tali, but we're on the same side this time." John said.
"I assumed that you were undercover, Shepard. Maybe even planning to blow Cerberus up. If that's the case, I'll loan you a grenade. Otherwise, I'm here for you. Not for them." Tali offered. John chuckled. "Sadly no, Tali. As I said, we're on the same side this time. But if it helps, check out the Normandy while you're here. We've gotten a few upgrades."
"I'll get Tali'Zorah the necessary security clearance to access our systems." Jacob offered.
"Please do. I can't be part of your team if I don't know how the ship works." Tali said. Jacob nodded and left. She turned to John again. "Remember, John, these people thought enslaving Thorian creepers and rachni was a good idea. I'll be in engineering."
"Don't forget to introduce yourself to EDI, the ship's new AI." John said. "And Tali I would greatly appreciate if you meet me in my quarters immediately. There are few things we need to talk about."
"I will be there in a moment." Tali agreed.
A FEW MINUTES LATER, AT JOHN'S CABIN
The door whooshed open as Tali stepped inside the room. She took a moment to notice the room. It was almost as same as the last one. His taste didn't change at all. "What do you want to talk about John?" She addressed John who had a datapad in his hand.
"Sit down." He gestured towards the sofa. She did as she was told and he took a seat beside her. "Look at this." He handed her the datapad. Tali scrolled the pictures for a minute to look at them carefully.
"Collectors." She concluded.
"Yes. I know you have already seen them in Veetor's recorded video. But I thought since we are going to face them eventually I should give you information about them." John said.
"Yes. That would be good. Tell me about them." Tali replied.
For the next half an hour he described the Collectors to Tali. His experience while he fought against them. How they work, how they move, their attack patterns, everything. Tali listened with concentration the entire time never interrupting him. "So, you are saying Harbinger can possess any collector at his will and it becomes enhanced?" Tali asked.
"Yes. Both its defensive and offensive abilities increases a lot. It should be dealt with first or it can do some serious damage." John confirmed.
"You sure it was Harbinger? I mean if it was Harbinger then the Collectors are clearly the servant of the Reapers." Tali asked.
"Positive. The Collectors are indeed working for them. They are the tools of the Reapers." John said.
"This is not good. The Collectors must be stopped at all cost. But why are they abducting only human colonies?" Tali asked.
"We still don't know about that." John sighed.
"You met Kaidan and Ashley at Eden Prime?" Tali asked, carefully gauging his reaction.
"Yeah. It didn't go well. They think I'm a traitor." John said, with a sad expression on his face.
"That's nonsense. You didn't tell them why you are working with Cerberus?"
"I did. But they were not ready to listen. They know me, and still they thought I betrayed Alliance? They didn't trust me, Tali."
Tali put a comforting arm over his shoulder. "I trust you John. So does Garrus. We are here with you, aren't we?"
"Yes. I am glad I have both of you with me." He smiled. "I have a good news Tali."
"What is it?" Tali said looking at his face. His face was practically beaming with joy.
"I have found her." He smiled at her.
"Found her? Who?" Now Tali was confused.
"Miranda. I have found her." He gave her another bright smile.
Tali's heart clenched. She knew that she never had a chance and she thought she had suppressed her feelings but apparently not. She was happy to see him smiling that much. A true smile of happiness. "I am happy for you, John. So, where is she now?"
"She is here on this ship. She is also my XO." John grinned at her.
Now Tali was dumbfounded. Did he meant that Cerberus woman in white suit? "John… are you talking about that woman in white suit?"
"Yeah. She is the one." John said, still smiling.
"Are you sure, John? She is Cerberus. She could be manipulating you." Tali proposed.
"I am dead sure. I didn't mistake in recognizing her." John said with confidence.
"But…"
"Listen to me, Tali. You need to know this. She is the one who brought me back. She is also the one who helped us during our fight with Saren." John revealed. He felt that Tali had the right to know this.
"What do you mean she helped us? She was never there." Tali asked confused. He grinned at her confusion. Then he proceed to tell her all about Miranda, how she helped them while remaining undercover. It took some time for Tali to take it all in. "I don't trust Cerberus, Tali. Specially the Illusive Man. But I trust her. I am not asking you to trust her immediately. Take time. Get to know her, and I bet you will also trust her. She is a good woman. She just don't allow anyone to see it."
"It's not necessary, John. I trust you and if you trust her that's good enough for me. But I will keep an eye on her." Tali said. "No offense."
"None taken. You are welcome to do that." John said.
"But my offer still stands you know. Tell me if you change your mind." Tali joked. John chuckled. "I will let you know for sure, Tali."
LOCATION UNKNOWN
"You brought what I asked for?" The Emperor asked the Shadow Broker agent, standing in front of him.
"Everything is here. The transfer will be done once the payment is completed." The Shadow Broker agent said.
The Emperor indicated his men to do the payment. They did as they were told and the data transfer was done immediately. "It was a pleasure in doing business with you." The Shadow Broker agent said and left from there. The Emperor looked at the datapad in his hand. He opened it and his eyes gleamed seeing the information he was looking for. Perhaps he cannot give to the Collectors what they asked for within time but he can give them Shepard. He knew the Collectors will be more than happy to get their hands on Shepard.
