Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Alliances
Chapter 33 : Daro
"As you can see, the Reaper IFF accesses additional routines providing a tighter entry through the relay. These routines seem to interface the ships fields with the relays at a higher energy level. We almost lost some systems on our first pass through due to that." Tali said.
"Well these specs don't seem too difficult to attain. Been awhile since I studied field strength theories though. Wait, damn. It's logarithmic with field strengths that means it will take... about 19 kilograms more of eezo to boost the levels to the required minimum." Gerrel said.
"True Admiral but that also means the containment barriers and control coils will also need upgrading. Luckily they are based on actual field strength so they will be much easier to reinforce." replied Tali.
"I note there is nothing here about thrusters or ships shielding in the data so the ships are okay in that respect? The mounting for the larger core will take just a few hours, the control coils will take a bit longer. The containment barriers though. Have to increase power to them, provide shunts in case of feedback. Doable but will take an engineering team to implement." he stated finally.
Looking at Shepard he asks "You're sure you want to do this? That eezo itself is worth a small fortune and the materials needed to strengthen the rest won't be cheap either."
"I'm sure Han," he said. "We knew the eezo would be the biggest issue so we loaded two 25 kilogram cases of it. It's in the yachts hold. The other materials I think your people can aquire but any costs used getting them we'll handle. We...did a little mining during our journey to reach the Collectors." he replied.
"First you show up in an asari yacht and now you toss around eezo like it grows in a nutrient vat. You're making the other Captains look bad." he said with a laugh.
John says "Sorry Han, I seem to be getting a lot of that lately." he said glancing at Tali then back to him. "I just want to make sure you know I am not in your military, I am not a part of the quarian Navy. If this is going to be an issue then I may have to rethink my plans."
"Shepard, I know. Guess after awhile even a compliment can get irritating. No offense is meant by that title but to the average quarian it does mean a lot, it's a symbol of respect. For your sake you might want to get used to it with your dealings here. I will say though that a couple of the other Admirals might have taken the addition of your name to our Captains ranks as something more than it is. Watch yourself, as you saw at the trial we still try to use circumstances to benefit ourselves I'm sorry to say." replied Han.
"Let me guess, Daro and Zaal?" Shepard asked bluntly.
"Not Zaal'Koris but Shala'Raan." he replied.
"What? Admiral Raan?" Tali exclaimed. "You must be mistaken Admiral."
"Afraid not kid. Though I don't think she puts as much stock in the title as Xen does it's still there. She considers you and the Normandy part of the fleet now." he said.
"Alright, I'll deal with those two. Xen I expected to cause trouble but Shala? No matter, we're here for the fleet right now and there's one thing left to discuss. Tali, now's as good a time as any to mention your fighter idea."
"Fighters? We have ships designed for fast strikes already if that is what you mean." stated Han.
"Those are multi-crew vessels Admiral." said Tali, "What we, um, I am proposing is the adoption of an Alliance invention. Single man crafts, small, quick and carrying ordinance to breach shields and armor."
"I do believe I saw some mention of them in that little skirmish you two were part of at the citadel. Didn't think much of it at the time though, so small the scanners that could record the battle couldn't pick them out of the wreckage. Hmmm." he said as he thought about that.
…
"I used to spend a lot of my free time here John. Just looking out at the stars as we moved from one system to another." she whispered as she held him close.
"It is very peaceful. We haven't really taken the time to just relax like this on the Normandy, I think we need to start." he whispered back. It was past 2nd shift and Tali had warned him the observation lounges turned into a sort of lovers lane in these hours. A bit of jealousy began to build, who had she come here with?
She answered his question before he could ask by saying "I always got strange stares as I came here alone. I really shouldn't have been here at all back then, before my pilgrimage but I always found peace here and eventually I was just ignored. I guess it was a premonition of what my life would be like." she said barely audible.
"Hey, don't ever think that Tali. I have never ignored you and I never will." he stated.
"I know John, but even the good memories have some sadness in them. That is truly what it means to be quarian." she said then paused for a moment as she took a deep breath. Looking at him she said "Come, let's leave this place to the seekers of inis felz. It means souls first touch in our language John."
Taking his hand she leads him from the lounge, weaving past the couples as whispers of future joys drifted to his ears. Finally back in the softly lit corridors Tali looks at him and asks "Would you like to see where I grew up? I mean the decks where I played and learned after I received my first suit?"
"I would love to, just lead the way" he replied smiling. It had become common knowledge that he was aboard so by the time they reached the engineering decks of the Rayya he was quite used to being called Captain. Han was right, if he was to deal with them he would have to accept some thing as they were. Truth be told, he was starting to like the sound of it himself.
Entering the massive compartment with its catwalks and rigging for piping and cable runs he just stood there looking upon the ordered chaos he witnessed. Engineers and technicians moved about constantly going from one panel to the next, some making adjustments as others just took reading. No matter where he looked he saw them doing their jobs, trying to keep ancient equipment functioning. And through the chaos he saw them, the children of the fleet, playing their games or watching as an adult would take the time to show them what they were doing.
He was a cold hearted killer when he had to be, he had slain men and women from almost every race the galaxy had to offer and in battle he feared nothing but here, here amongst the playing children he felt the water in his eyes as a few tears ran down his face. Children who should be playing in fields of grass now chased each other through upright cable runs. Children who should be splashing through gentle streams stood within coils of cables. Their laughter was the hardest to take, to accept as right for them.
This is were Tali had come to play, an area never meant for children to ever be in? The Alliance ships where children were found always had areas for them but the quarian's could not even give them that. To base your fondest memories on this?
Looking at him Tali could see his watering eyes through the visor and concerned she asked "John? Why are you crying?"
"I'm sorry Tali, seeing the children here, having to use this as a playground just, just hurts. I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling but don't worry. I'll be fine in a moment. You said it earlier but until now I only half believed it. Even good memories have some sadness in them." he said barely audible over the noise of the engine room.
Tali didn't know what to do. She had brought him here to show him some of her fondest memories but they only brought pain and grief to him. "John, come. We don't have to stay here if it makes you sad. There are many places I can show you."
"No, I need to stay and see this. If ever there was a reason to see peace between the quarian's and the geth it is right here. Here where the children play, ignorant of what should be. I need to let this sadness, this unjust rage I feel turn my heart cold to anyone who opposes this peace. Tali, I may do some things soon that may upset you but this." he said motioning to the children "must stop." His eyes watered no more but the cold burning in his heart that had ignited just grew stronger.
…
"Admiral, Captain Shepard is here. He states he needs to see you now." stated Trelin on her intercom.
"Fine, send him in please." she responded. Good, now to get this problem with her marines sorted out.
Walking into Admiral Raan's office Shepard just approached the desk and said "Time to clear a few things up Shala."
"In this office it's Admiral, Captain." she stated.
"And when your addressing me formally it's Council Spectre. Do you really wish to push this Shala?" he responded with such coldness in his voice she actually shivered.
It wasn't that he used his spectre status, that meant little to quarian's, which caused such feelings of dread in her but in the utter coldness his words were encased in. She knew that at that moment she no longer faced John, lifemate of Tali and friend. No, she was facing Shepard, who battled his way to the very heart of the citadel. A man capable of killing anything in his way. And behind him she saw Tali, just staring at her.
It was then she realized her mistake. Recovering from her paralysis she said with a tremble "I realize now that your addition to our ranks was for purposes of concealment only. I am sorry about my presumptions."
Relaxing his stance only slightly he said still in his icy tone "Shala, events are coming to a head soon and by god I won't put up with this anymore! I've been nice up till now but damn it, I'm tired of these political games and maneuverings."
"John, please. Let us restart this conversation." asking for help she said "Tali?" her voice still shaky.
Walking up to him, Tali puts her hand on his shoulder and lets it rest there knowing he feels its presence.
Staring at Shala for a moment longer he relaxes his stance more and glances at Tali nodding, turning back to Shala he says clearly "Having the Normandy registered with the fleet is for convenience only. If this is a problem tell me now Shala. I will still assist the fleet but I will not put up with someone trying to tell me what to do. Not any longer."
"John, you have always helped my people. What do you need of me today?" she asked quietly still shaken by what had stood before her.
"I'm sorry for having to be so direct with you Shala but if our positions, my position, is not understood then we cannot continue forward and that is all I care about right now. I stated events are approaching and these events will change the entire fleets future. I need support in this and not someone trying to order me about." he stated.
"Again I am sorry, we have become so set in our ways. Another ship, another set of orders. It's what we have done for so long that it becomes almost natural to apply those concepts to anything, to anyone." she said. "But what events are you referring to?"
"The pending vote on Aeia is the most important one right now. Until your people are actually grounded there, building your food tanks and homes nothing else matters." he states.
"Aeia? Why would settling on Aeia have such importance to you?" she asks clearly confused.
"It's necessary if the quarian race is to have a chance to survive and help in the coming war with the Reapers. If your race is safely living on a planet, then no matter what happens to the fleet they will survive." he said. "Without that safe haven, when the Reapers find the fleet, and they will, you will all die and finish what you and the geth started 300 years ago."
"I don't understand, the battle will go badly for us I know but ..." she was saying before John interrupted her.
"Badly?" he says with a sarcastic laugh, "You will all be killed, every last man, woman and child. No exceptions, no mercy. Wiped from the galaxy in one battle. Wake up Shala! Look at the data before your eyes, stop talking about plans and do something." he said coldly. "You must have a planet to keep your people safe!"
"Shala, look at my trial. Look at how you're reacting right now! Talk. Talk and stupid missions that kill our own people are all that have come from the Admiralty board for as long as I can remember. Keelah! Think of our race!" Tali exclaimed angrily.
"I am Tali! They are voting on it now. It will succeed, there is no doubt about that. We have already begun the colonization plans and as soon as the final vote is in we are prepared to move." replied Shala glancing at her terminal. On it was the readout for the voting. 31,981 for and 9,001 against. Almost the required 2/3rds needed to ratify the decision.
"Good, one less thing to worry about. How long until then?" he asked finally feeling the tension in his body easing.
"Hours, a day at most. We have our own reasons for needing this planet John.
I have not told you or Tali this because it did not concern you. The liveship Bakala is failing. We have some time yet before it becomes too bad but with the planet we can easily build nutrient vats without the massive overhead in materials needed aboard ship." Shala explains.
"Then you have as much reason as I do to see this work. As soon as I know that the colony is in fact being built I will call a meeting with every Admiral and the Conclave. What I have to say then will change your lives but know right now that it is important to continue with Aeia." he stated.
"Very well, if that is what you require it will happen. If I must wait then so be it." she said wondering just how the other Admirals will respond to being summoned by him.
"It will be the most important meeting you have ever called Shala. Now, if there is nothing you wish to ask I must see Xen about something." he stated back to his old self.
"Well, there is one thing I need to understand. Why have you kept Kal'Reegar aboard the Normandy? I know you're tending to an injured marine but keeping Kal for guard duty? Come now, I have been on your ship, there is no one there to guard against." she said hoping not to draw his anger again. "Shala," Tali said. "The injured marine is Lana'Shalgur. She and Kal have started along the path though it seems the path is moving quickly for him.
"Kal and Lana? I did not see that. As far as moving quickly Tali, your...missions...did not allow you to see it but on field ops a lot of marines return well along the path. The stress of the situation, the need to always help others as others help you, these things tend to turn a slow walk into a quick jog along the path. But that still does not mitigate the fact that he abandoned his mission no matter the reason. He is fully under my command for disciplinary actions, you do understand that I hope." Shala said exerting her authority again.
"Yes but I would make a request as a friend on this." he said pausing for a moment. "The excuse of guarding Lana will not hold for long, I would ask you as a favor to Tali and myself that he be stationed aboard the Normandy until such time as my current mission is complete or I no longer require his services."
"I see. And what is your current mission? Other than meddling in our politics." Shala asks but her tone held no malice.
"To create an alliance of the known races to battle the Reapers. Everything I have done and will do has had that single goal in mind." he stated.
"And getting us a world to live on would allow our ships to add to that alliance. You plan well but there is one thing you may not know. Kal is a
strike ops commander, simply reassigning him to the Normandy would cause much debate for the leniency shown. No I'm sorry but it can't be." Shala said shaking her head.
"I see." responded John. "Then when Lana is fit to travel, that includes having her replacement suit, they will return to the fleet."
"You misunderstand John. I must award a punishment to quiet any complaints of favoritism. Yes, boring guard duty does seem to be fitting, demotion in rank from Warrant to Chief and removal from the strike ops team rosters. Assignment to a quarian ship in space dock, nothing more boring and demeaning than that." Shala said.
"Thank you Shala, just one more question if I may." he said glancing at Tali for a second "Tali mentioned her time aboard the Neema, of her missions while assigned there and you just alluded to them being different. I want to know how so many of them could go so wrong and still have her assigned to them? If they were suffering so many deaths how could Rael let her go on them?"
"I do not know yet though that as been one of my own missions since taking over the military assignments desk this cycle." replied Shala. "Admiral Xen had the honor of directing our forces for the last two. First as top aid to Admiral Elneq and after she replaced him she finished the cycles, we alternate duties on a 2 cycle period. The mission was already planned to Haestrom when I took over and unknowingly chose our best personnel to run the operation."
"Daro again. We well be heading to the Moreh now. Thank you." he said and turning took Tali's hand and left the office.
Shala had seen his eyes go cold again when he mentioned Daro. John, don't do anything rash she thought to herself.