Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Alliances

Chapter 35 : Tradition

For ten minutes she had just sat there, it had taken that long for her shake off the chill his voice had put in her mind and body. Her trembling had ended soon after. Looking at her desk, at that useless pistol she picked it up and threw it across her office hitting the bulkhead before it landed ignored on the deck.

Damn it, everything had been so easy before Shepard. Feeding to that fool of an Admiral Elneq's ego had been degrading but still profitable. He even stopped checking her mission packs, just signing them as if he had created them himself. Idiot even took the blame when they went wrong. Her crowning achievement had been getting him to endorse her for his position when he retired, of course he had not meant to retire quite as quickly has he had. His popularity had almost secured her the Admiralty by that endorsement alone.

What bothered her more was the realization that her plan had been flawed, deeply flawed. She had not seen it though, blinded as she had been by the perceived glory her work would had brought. The fact that it had been Shepard, that det kazuat, to point that out only made it worse. He had tried to persuade her to give up her plans, ha! Give up, no but change, yes she would have to do that.

Even her current plan was flawed, she had actually been considering bringing geth to the surface! Actually planning to steal from the fleet! She will have to recreate the orders for the transports, make sure all resources went to the colony alone. So bound up in trying to be the one to save her race she had been actually helping it's downfall. What did Shepard say? Time to grow up? Yes, time to forget about childish plans and actually start doing something.

Rael's work had been saved, not complete but it is a start, she would continue his work and make it her own as she had planned to do in the research facility. The Alerai was too big as well as mobile and armed, she didn't need all that. After the colony was settled then she could move on it. A small orbital lab would be all she would need, her and a couple of research assistants. Rael's mistake would not be hers, geth do not require limbs if their purpose is to be examine and dissected. All that is required is an active processor to poke and prod.

All she could do for the present was wait as those idiots in the Conclave had their say. Well, that and find out just what Shepard was planning in that meeting. Pulling up the mission roster she scans the status of the remaining squad members cursing again as she sees the 'Reassigned: Normandy' entry for Kal'Reegar, another trophy Shepard? This one, Rayna'Huntyre. Young, brash and this was only her second mission so any camaraderie with her squad would be low. She had been on Shepard's ship, she may have some information not shown in the report.

Shepard's weakness is he trusts too easily, Rayna may have heard more than even she thinks is important. Leaning to her comm-unit she activates it saying

"Juta, have Corporal Rayna'Huntyre report to my office." After a short pause Juta replies "Admiral, Rayna'Huntyre and squad are aboard the Tonbay currently being debriefed by Admiral Raan. ETA here is unknown currently." "Very well, inform me when she is back aboard the Moreh." she replies and kills the connection.

Pulling up the colonization plans she made the adjustments to the manifests as well as reduce the needed transports. As she finished she thought once more of Shepard, so eager he was to help her race. Yes, help us he would and when he can do no more she will discard him like the human filth he was. Him and his poor little pet biea. Exile won't be an option next time.

…

Entering the yacht John had moved directly to the helm and barely waiting for clearance left the Moreh, just powering directly away from it as if he were trying to outrun an explosion. Only after the small yacht had passed half way through the fleet did he slow and match course and speed with the flotilla. Standing he turns to see Tali just watching him silently.

Tali had stayed quiet, leaving him to his thoughts. On bad missions he would be quiet for a few minutes or hours but she had never seen him like this before. The first thing he always did once he returned was to remove his helmet and his armor followed quickly after that but he had left it all on. Just sitting there quietly as he tried to push the yacht faster. She was worried.

What could Daro have said that did this too him, what could she have done? Knowing that it could be almost anything she stopped chasing those thoughts and only stood there watching him. If he needed her she would be right there waiting. Noticing the course change she stood ready to assist him but still remained silent, he would let her know he was ready to talk when he wanted. Seeing him starting to stand she straightened her stance, pushing off gently from the bulkhead and waited.

"Tali, I'm sorry." he said quietly when he saw her waiting. "I just needed to put some space between us, me, and that ship. I didn't mean for you to be waiting the whole time." Damn it, he had never ignored Tali like this before, Daro had really pissed him off.

"I know John, it's alright." she replied, reaching out to take his hand. "Come, let me help you get out of that armor. Maybe you should take a shower to relax? You know what you smell like after you've worn that for so long." Leading him she walks towards the bedroom thinking just how much she missed it.

Entering the bedroom he sits down heavily on the single chair. Releasing her hand he begins to reach up to unfasten his helmet but she stops him.

"Please, let me help you." she said and reaching up release the seals and carefully removed the helmet. The first time she had done this he had a bad scrape on his noise for a couple days. How was she to know just how snug human helmets were. Placing it on the small desk she turns to assist him with the rest.

Neither said a word for a moment then Tali asked "John, you're sure everything is alright? You usually are more talkative by now."

"I'm just feeling really tired right now dear. It was a rather long day and wearing that stuff," indicating the growing pile of armor on the deck, "really saps my energy. I'll be fine after a shower and some rest." he replied. He knew she wanted to know what was said but he was still unsure how to tell her without causing her more pain than she had already experienced at that bitchs hands.

As the last of his armor and clothing fell into the heap he smiled saying "Wish you could join me Tali. I know you can't but someday... Sorry, I'm just dreaming. I don't think I'll be in there long, for some reason I'm just looking forward to laying down and hopefully getting some sleep." Pulling her close he taps her visor with his head and enters the small bathroom.

Watching him Tali wonders again what was said. His anger had been so pronounced in his stance as he dealt with Daro. It had also been obvious they had talked about herself and his anger just seemed to grow after Daro had pointed at her. She had become quite good at knowing his mood by his body language, sometimes guessing his intent before he knew it himself, guess that comes from living your whole life in a suit. Well, he may not want to tell her just yet but that did not mean she couldn't help him get past it. For the first time since boarding the Moreh, Tali smiled.

She was still making her preparations when she heard the shower stop. Glancing at her chrono she was surprised, he normally stayed in for 15 minutes or more but only 4 had passed. Sitting on the bed patiently, she waited for him to dry himself and exit the tiny bathroom.

Walking out of the bathroom he sees her sitting at the end of the bed, hands gently resting in her lap and smiles. In the shower he had revisited his conversation with Daro and knew that each moment he spent with Tali was to be cherished. Ironically he realized that even though he wanted nothing more than to kill her, it had been her desire to see Tali live through those missions that allowed him to find her again. "And just what have you been doing?" he asked.

"Waiting for you to finish," she says standing and reaching for his hand. "Come, lay down on your stomach. It's time I returned that favor."

Laying on the bed he feels Tali straddle his hips as he had done earlier.

Smiling again he relaxes until the soft glow of the decon unit surrounds him. "Tali? I don't need .."

"Hush." she said as right before his eyes he sees her laying down a glove. Quickly she followed it with her other one and then reaching up, being very careful to stay within the meter radius of the field she removed her visor, placing it as well with her gloves. Leaning close to his ear she whispers "mmm, you smell good." Kissing him once she then begins to massage his shoulders, placing kisses where she feels he needs them.

…

"Sir, there's been a lot of fallout from those companies we lost. A number of them have even refused to fulfill even their current contracts." stated Jackson.

"Have the legal branch of Security remind them of their obligations." stated the Illusive man. "I also note that deliveries from our special acquisitions branch have been dismal. Any explanation for this?"

"Uh, We've been receiving reports that there is fear we won't be able to provide adequate payment for the, uh, cargoes. Seems a number of the collection teams are starting to ask for credits up front." replied Jackson.

"I see, have our men break their arms and legs. Remind them that they get paid in credits after delivery, we need breathing test subjects not dead bodies." he said then took another drag on his cigarette.

"Yes sir. One more thing, it may not be important but a armed quarian shuttle was detected entering the Tasale system. The operatives ship was already on track for transit so we don't have it's destination and Illium is not noted for its tolerance of them." stated Jackson. "Inquiries with the local authorities have not gained much in information other than passage through the system was allowed."

"Tasale Systems Authority would have needed a good reason to allow a armed quarian ship to traverse the system, that or a good sum of credits and quarian's do not have that luxury." Could he have somehow found the credits? Pulling up the charts for the Crescent Nebula he quickly scans the options, only one location he might be using. Helyme, in the Zelene system. No docks there but lesser gravity means he could land without much trouble, lifting off would still be problematic though. Unfortunately there is a 46 hour transit time from Tasale to Zelene.

"Jackson, I want the Hunley in Zelene system ASAP. Just to be safe, have them drop a recon team at Illium as well. Instruct them to search every meter of Helyme. If they find the Normandy I want them ready to engage. Make damn sure that is understood. And Jackson, if they find any quarian's keep them alive, I have a need for them."

"Yes sir. Uh, only one recon team at Illium? It's a big world sir." replied Jackson

Moron, he thought to himself. "Yes, one recon team. Have them visually check each spacedock in that system." he stated. If the Normandy was at Helyme he wanted as many special ops forces as he could get. The six man recon team was all he was willing to commit to a search that would most likely prove fruitless.

"Understood sir. Creating the orders now. The Hunley is currently docked at Earth Orbital 183, Crew recall and transit to Tasale system will be in approximately 9 hours." Jackson responded.

"Jackson, remind me to have the Hunley's Captain removed after this mission." the Illusive man said unable to believe his hearing. The crew was on shore leave? Incompetent to the last.

"Yes sir, the Hunley has replied and has issued a return call to it's crew members." stated Jackson.

"Next time you contact me Jackson, make sure you have good news." he stated then cut the connection. Finally, over three weeks and we have lead on Shepard.

…

"I can't believe it!" Tali exclaimed almost in a shout as she entered the bedroom.

John shot up out of bed looking around for the problem then he saw her standing over by the door, hands on her hips just staring at him. "Tali? What's wrong?" he asked.

"Bosh'tets! Every last one of them." she said angrily. "The Conclave, that group of self-centered imbeciles are arguing. Voting has been halted until the argument is settled."

"Wait, let me catch up. What argument?" he asked as he rummaged around for a pair of pants.

"The Ziiten's member accused the Sylquin's member of breaking protocol rendering the Sylquin's vote null. That means that the Sylquin will be moved to the end of the list and then may recast it's vote." Tali said actually making it seem like a big deal.

"So, instead of voting now, they get to vote later? The vote would still count right?" he asked, confused as to how it mattered when they voted. "And until this is settled they can't continue voting for Aeia's acceptance?"

"Right. Those idiots are more worried about who votes when then just voting to save our race!" she said letting her frustration show in her voice. "And yes. Of course the vote would count but that's not the issue. It's when they vote, not how that matters more to them."

"Slow down Tali, please. Remember, I'm still trying to learn how to spell your name so let's not just jump into your political machinery so quickly. Why does it matter when they vote?" he asked softly trying to calm her down.

"Sorry John" she said then taking a deep breath to slow her heart and lower her temper she says "It's a matter of prestige. As soon as a vote is called for, every member of the council presses their 'vote' icon. The computers that handle the voting note the nanosecond that each member pressed the icon and puts them in order, from first to press to last. "

"Okay, so they create a queue for voting. Um, Why?" he asked just a confused as he was when she started.

"As I said, it's for the prestige. Say you need ten votes to pass something and 20 people are going to vote. Only the first ten that voted to pass actually mean anything, any remaining votes could be considered unneeded. If the vote was for something important then the first 10 could say they had a part of it, the others could not and they would feel less important than the first 10. Follow me so far?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm with you so far. Still, why does it matter?" he asked again trying to understand.

She had started getting frustrated at John because he couldn't understand the importance of the voting order but another deep breath let her clear her thoughts. Starting slowly she says "John, my people are voting on what is most likely the most important issue they have ever seen. Every one of them wants to be able to say 'My ship helped pass this, helped save our people' but if they vote after the 2/3rds needed to pass is obtained then they didn't help pass the issue. They just added to the tally and really made no difference. It's like Grunt filling a whole thermal clip after we had already killed the thresher maw. It didn't matter."

"Let me guess, the Ziiten's vote will now matter?" he asked not sure he could believe his ears. They were voting to save their race but were concerned over who got bragging rights?

"Yes, the Ziiten was number 33579 in the 'Line of Votes' queue. Now they would be 33578, the final and deciding vote if their objection stays and the Sylquin is moved down to the last. It's considered a great honor to be the ship that finalizes the issue."

"Your race is worried about this? Tali, does that make any sense to you?" he asked hoping she had better sense than the rest of the fleet.

"John, please understand. With so many ships something had to be done to make sure everyone had a chance to make a difference to the whole fleet. Without it some ships would feel like the people aboard them were unneeded, useless. To prevent that we have the 'Line of Votes'. Now, if a ship never gets to cast a needed vote they can only blame their Conclave representative and not the fleet. Next cycle they can replace that person with another and peace is maintained within the flotilla." she said in explanation.

"Tali, I'm trying to, honestly but after today my irritation level is rather high. The one thing I never would have believed is happening right now and I'm beginning to feel like I've wasted our time talking to he council." he said sadly.

"Please don't say that!" Tali said startled by his remark. "You have not wasted your time, this will clear up soon and the vote will continue. You know how important this is and so do they, it's just that it's hard to break a tradition that's so ingrained into all of us. Let's head back to the Illium. By the time we land this will all be over and the voting finished."

"Good idea. Let's radio Shala and then head home. At least it will put some distance between us and...this voting." he said. He had been going to say idiocy but he knew that would have upset Tali. It was as she said their tradition.

Biea: Still ain't gonna tell you but you should already know by now. :)

Det kazuat: Term of curse, considered especially crude. Literal Translation: Living sack of excrement. The Otquer, a large predatory lizard, will pass its meal neatly wrapped in a membranous tissue. Inside the sack, the enzymes used to break down the meat of the prey while still in the lizard continue to act as a stimulant keeping the indigestible brain synapses of its last meal still working until the sun dry's the sack out.