Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Alliances
Chapter 26 : Darkness
"Shuttle M325266-45N32 this is Dr. Chakwas of the Normandy. I am requesting a consultation with someone who has knowledge of your medical emergency" states Dr. Chakwas.
"Doctor Chakwas, thank the ancestors. Please hold as I transfer you to Tia." Gavn says quickly tapping in her code. "Tia, a Doctor Chakwas is online and needs to speak with you. Patching her in now" he says.
"Hello Doctor Chakwas, this is Tia'Zanzt. Please call me Tia and tell me you have blood on hand" she says expressing her concern. Though Kal had expressed his belief in her ability, Tia had never met a human and only heard of them second hand. The attack on the Idenna had firmly made some of them enemies but Commander Shepard was famous even on the fleet and not just because he was bonded to one of them.
"Tia, can you please explain the nature of your emergency" asked Dr. Chakwas.
"It's Lana, she was caught in a missile strike. There's a piece of shrapnel lodged in her leg and it's slowly severing her Yaszil'ahs artery. Um, do you know what that is?" Tia asked embarrassed about questioning a doctors knowledge.
"Yes Tia, I know what and where that is. Our surgical staff is ready to move as soon as you touch down. Is she still in her suit or will we need to cut it off ourselves?" Dr. Chakwas asks trying to get a feel for timing. Suit removal can take precious minutes with a wound like that.
"We tried to remove it carefully but I had to cut the lower portion off of her
to get to the injury. I...I may have caused more damage when we did that. Doctor, we are running out of blood, I've been pushing it into her as fast as I can and I've used up 3 liters already, I could use a tourniquet only so much. We won't have any left for the surgery" Tia says worriedly.
"We have on board supplies of our own so don't you worry, now is this her only injury? If the suit breech was that bad then there's a good chance of infection." she states.
"No, she has a broken arm that has been field set, and will require some corrections and her mask was shattered. She has a replacement in place and we've managed to clean and dress most of those wounds but we need to fully remove her suit to verify all damage has been treated" said Tia wondering what type of clean room they would have on a human ship. "Do you need us to remove the rest of her suit?"
"NO!" Dr. Chakwas exclaimed almost shouting it. "Sorry, please don't do anything else that can jar her body Tia. Everything else you mentioned can be corrected after we have the bleeding stopped. When you land we will have a decontaminated gurney for her. Is there sufficient room to bring it aboard?"
"I'm sorry Doctor but it's a tight fit here. We will have to carry her out to you. I promise we will be careful" she replies knowing just how careful Kal will be with her. "Um, she's half out of her suit Doctor, what about contamination?"
"That is the least of our worries Tia, she was exposed to an alien atmosphere, she has a foreign object in her leg and most likely it's already in her bloodstream though the continued bleeding may very well be saving her life. We fix the wound then worry about the after effects." stated Dr. Chakwas "Understood Doctor Chakwas" Tia replied.
"Now Tia. I want you to start giving us her vital signs and I want blood pressure every 5 minutes" Dr. Chakwas said. "You'll be talking to Nurse Stanford now, hang on."
Gavn stopped listening at that point. He had hoped to hear Illin speaking during the discussion but she must be busy tending to Lana.
…
John had finally found Tali in engineering deep in thought as she monitored the diagnostics on her panel. Walking up behind her he almost got his hands on her hips when she said "John, I know you're there."
"Okay Tali, that's the third time you've done that. Just how do you know I'm behind you?" he asked.
Laughing she replies "Just before you grab me you take a deep breath and hold it. It's a pretty bad tell John. You should know my hearing is pretty good within this suit." Turning around she looks at him with her head slightly tilted to her side.
"Oh, so all I have to do is not breath at all and I can sneak up on you? I can do that" he says then grabs her waist tenderly. He has been very careful not to touch her sore hip but everything else was fair game in his book.
"Right, though don't practice that for too long" she said laughing again. "Why are you down here?"
"Well you said to keep my lap warm and it was getting rather cold. I got tied up with Miranda for awhile but since you still were not in the cabin I came here. There a problem in engineering?" he asks
"Oh, John I'm sorry. After I unlocked medical I needed time to think so I came here. I'm worried about Lana but more so about Kal" Tali replies.
Surprised about her concern John asks "Kal? What's got you worried with him?"
"I'm not sure, please understand that our bonding paths are very well known. They have followed the same steps for thousands of years. Kal is acting...strange" she said.
"Or maybe you're just seeing him using eyes accustomed to seeing a humans reactions Tali. What stage were you in when we went up against Saren in the citadel? Where were you along the path?" John asks.
Thinking for a moment as she let herself reenter that time, finally responding she says "Pemla'tiyl John, the first path in the souls walk to bonding. Though I may have been at the crossing where hecs' and pemla meet, I..I don't know for sure. Why?"
"Think about how you felt after the Reaper was destroyed and we were separated by the debris, when you thought I had died. I remember what you told me afterwards but do you?" he asks.
"I..I was trying to hide my feelings for you then but it felt like a part of me had died with you. That I lost the best part of myself. I told you that you couldn't know the pain and loss that your death would have meant." she said quietly adding "The same way I felt when you really did died."
Hugging her to ease the bad memory he said "You didn't mention who would have felt the loss but that was clear to me even back then. Is that not part of the third path Tali? Didn't your feelings race ahead of themselves then? Reegar is no different. He feels deeply for Lana and his feelings took control. I bet if you really studied a couples progress that you would find your well known paths to have many crossings and shortcuts. Love doesn't follow rules no matter how long you think they have been around. Relax and stop worrying."
"How do you understand so much about our paths of bonding John?" she asks.
"I don't Tali, I do understand the ways of human love though and as humans say, hind sight is 20/20. I don't think we are that different at all" he says then adds with a snicker "Of course the way you were falling all over your words back then helped me sort it out."
"You bosh'tet" she said then looking at her console added "These tests can wait, it's almost time for the shuttle to arrive anyway. Should we head to the cargo bay now?"
"Yes, if for nothing more than to make sure no one gets in their way. The medical team has priority now." he says and taking her hand they leave engineering.
…
"Kal, approaching the dock now. Clearance has been confirmed. ETA Normandy 10 minutes." Patyn said making last minute changes to their course. "Reducing power in 6 minutes."
"Thank you Patyn. Everyone please listen to me now. Commander Shepard is working for peace with the geth. He asked me to keep it secret for now and I'm asking each of you to do the same. If word gets out before he can prove the offer is genuine it may damage any talks. The fact the geth provided transport as well as not once firing on us may be talked about but in all honesty I actually can't believe that myself even though I know it to be true. I fear that even mentioning that will have the gils'tyns all calling for our internment." he said looking at each person to stress the point.
"You may say whatever you need to say about me and my leadership, that is your personal right and I would never attempt to stop you. Once we touch down we will get Lana into the infirmary then Patyn, you will be in command. Please take the shuttle back to the Moreh with my report. I will be staying here until she's outside of danger." he finishes and sits down again.
"Kal you sure about this? If we return without you there will be lots of questions. You could be sited for desertion and knowing Admiral Xen it could be desertion in the face of the enemy" said Patyn.
"I know this and if that is the price I must pay to stay with Lana then so be it. Shepard showed me during Tali's trial that there are times when you need to leave the safe confines of your position and do what you know is right no matter who thinks otherwise. Staying with Lana is the only right thing I can do" Kal replied.
All eyes turned to the med-station's door as it opened and Illin came out resealing it behind her. Looking at Gavn she said "Please inform the fleet that a replacement environmental suit will need to be created for Lana. Her current one is beyond reasonable repair in the lower half and it's possible the chest section will need to be cut from her as well as her right sleeve. Resources will be found to make up the losses to the fleet."
Her remark about losses to the fleet bothered Kal deeply. It was just a standard quarian saying that was repeated throughout the fleet daily whenever anything was broken or destroyed by accident. Hearing it now made it sound like material was more important than life. Looking at her he asked "Illin, I will need to carry her out of the shuttle. Is she...covered?"
"Yes though the beds mattress may feel bare she will not be." Like the rest of the fleet, nothing was wasted and sheets were a waste when you were always in a suit. "We have fashioned a makeshift bubble from her waist down to her knees and she still remains within her upper suit and helmet, the seals have been checked and are all working correctly. We have been informed that a gurney will be present so please put her in it. The Normandy's medical staff are already standing by and they have everything needed to help her." replies
Illin.
"Entering the dock now Kal, 1 minute till touchdown" Patyn calls.
…
Kelly stood in the background, making sure she stayed out of the way as she waited for the shuttle. A number of the crew were there with her but most were there just to see the quarian's in general, she was there for one specific one. She had heard of the medical emergency and having feared the worst had been pleased it was not Kal. At least pleased until she realized it meant another person was badly injured and her elation fell.
She watched as a heavy covered medical bed was brought onto the deck with Engels and Stanford attending to it. Moving it into position she saw Stanford adjust something and a familiar glow began within the unit as it decontaminated itself. Dr. Chakwas would most likely be staying within a sterilized zone in the med-bay allowing her to immediately begin working so her absence wasn't too surprising.
Commander Shepard and Tali finally showed up, she was actually surprised they had not been here when she herself had entered. Kal was a very old friend of Tali's but she guessed being Chief Engineer meant her duties had to take precedence over anything else. At least the dock workers were off today as it was a local holiday so there had been no one to clear.
Over the ships speakers she hears Miranda making an announcement. "Attention all hands. The elevator is now off limits for use for the next 10 minutes." Miranda repeated the message a second time before the audible click of her connection indicated she was done. As soon as she did finish the cargo hold operations chief touched the control board and the large bay door began to slowly open. Straining to see out she scanned each new centimeter visible beyond the door for the shuttle.
Deciding that standing were she was wasn't the best choice she moves near the Commander and Tali. As his personal assistant no one would actually question her she thought. She was just getting close when she heard Tali saying "...how he is holding up with his inszel in such trouble John. If that were you lying like that I don't think I that I would be able to stand the waiting..." Quickly looking up the word in her quarian dictionary Kelly decided her best option was to back slowly away and hide again. She knew there was no chance for them as she silently said a pray for Kal's girlfriend.
…
"Please everyone, settle down so we many begin" stated Taigan'Latsow, current Prime Speaker to the Conclave. Standing at the podium he just looked about as slowly the noise level in the plaza subsided. Checking the indicators he sees that almost every ship has been connected as well. Sadly he notes the Allarie's indicator dark, they are still trying to recover from the losses sustained. At least they have a Captain and command crew now but even with our overcrowding, getting people to willingly move to that ship has been difficult.
Turning to his lifemate he says "Annys, please."
Standing she approached the podium and begins the opening prayer. "This Conclave is brought to order. Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Keelah se'lai." Bowing slightly she then resumes her seat by Taigan's side as the chorus of Keelah se'lai's in response was deafening to those present.
"We have one item on the agenda for this meeting. 2175 Aeia. You have all seen the reports, all had a chance to study and request additional information. The 'Line of Votes' has been created, I now call upon the Fleet to vote." he states clearly.
Smiling he just eases his stance as the automated systems track and queue each request to speak never allowing anyone to shout over their neighbor as they voiced their concerns or questions.
"Gorus'Haxen vas Yenszel speaking. What are the projected returns for our resource expenditure?" came the first question and Taigan knew it was going to be a long voting session.
…
"There's one now Silkie" Jacko whispers to his partner. "Female but I bet if we follow her we find others. Their kind always stick together."
"Jacko, I already told you stop with that crap. I got no problem nabbing someone but I don't like putting them down and you know it. Their just like us only different so lay off that racist bullshit" Silkie stated.
"Fine, fine, I'll keep it to myself but don't preach to me. Wonder what they do here though, nobody's going to hire them not after they let the geth attack the place" he replied.
"You are one dumb fuck you know that? They created the geth over 550 years ago, around 300 years ago they upgraded too far and they almost all died in the battle. They don't control them any longer, jeez Jacko, you were sleeping when I was reading those books weren't you." responded Silkie with disdain for his companion.
"Unless them books got pictures they're boring." Looking back at their quarry he says "Damn, turian shelter. Okay, so we wait here and see what comes out."
…
Cold dark eyes watch as Lia entered the safety of the shelter once more. It had been difficult to convince the merchant to accept her as an employee but here he had surprised himself. Just the mention of a single name had changed the volus from his outright hostility to one of contemplation as the prospect of reducing losses from his quasar machines passed through his mind.
After that it had been easy to adjust her work hours to suit his needs, allow him to track her without the concerns of interfering with his other duties. If she had known just why she had been hired she might not have accepted the position but he had been careful. Not even the volus knew him or his reasons.
He had also seen the two men who had stopped once the quarian had entered the shelter, their movements sloppy and crude. To a trained eye it was clear they had followed Lia as they now just stood around looking out of place in this sector. Thugs looking for an easy robbery? No, everyone knew that quarian's had nothing but themselves to value so abduction seems to be the only reason.
He sees the face of the smaller man and remembers "Child running in the alley, a foot sticks out tripping her as laughter is heard. A dirty hand reaches down to grab her arm, twisting it until she screams. Again the laughter as he says "Too small, lets find a bigger one", the memory fades from view.
Moving to a better vantage point he once more views the two men. They have moved into an alcove, hidden from most as they look towards the shelters entrance. Keeping a promise to one of the very few he could call 'friend' Thane says to no one but himself "Once more I shed light into the darkness" and pulls the trigger twice.
...
Bosh'tet: Not even going to try! :)
Gils'tyns: Derogatory term used to refer to Psychologists. Literal translation:
Memory or mind eater. Depends on originating ship of the speaker.
Yaszil'jies, Yaszil'ahs: The two primary arteries supplying blood to the legs. 'jies - inner and 'ahs - outer. The two arteries provide maximum oxygenated blood to the powerful thigh muscles for extreme but short lived bursts of speed. The femoral artery in humans.
Inszel: Term of status or standing within a social circle. Literal translation: Most trusted confidant and partner. Used to describe the personal relationship of an individual. Implies a deep personal connection. Humans would say girlfriend or boyfriend but these only touch the surface of what it truly means.
Pemla'tiyl: Term for courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the mind, the first of the three phases that lead to bonding. The period of time where the couple learns of one another through a deep sharing of thoughts. May lead to bonding or just a very deep friendship.
Hecs'tiyl: Term of courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the heart. Second of three: Signifying the period where the needs of both begin to overrule the needs of self. Almost always leads to bonding though this phase is usually the longest of the three.
Felz'tiyl: Term of courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the soul. Third of three: Signifies the period in which the two slowly realize that without the other they are incomplete. Once this phase is entered only ones death can prevent the bonding.