Episode 8-Earth
Soon enough, the Normandy arrived at Earth. The girls looked out the window and stared out at it with several of the Normandy crew standing behind them.
Jewel: "So...that's Earth, huh?"
Ashley: "Yes, that's right. The home planet to us humans."
The girls stared at the planet as the ship approached it.
The Normandy made its way towards a large structure in the middle of a massive and wide-open metropolis. The ship landed within a domed warehouse where it hooked up to a docking corridor, a lot of the crew members exited the ship. The entire group stood around for a bit.
Ashley: "OK, so, I'm to meet with the admiral along with the girls. Dr. Solus, I'm sure that you have a lot to inform the admiral about involving your findings regarding the girls, so we're going to need you to come with us, too."
Mordin: "Of course."
Ashley: "I also informed him about the keys, so Garrus, Wrex, Javik, Tali and Liara, you'll come with us, too."
Garrus: "Sure."
Miranda: "I would also like to tag along."
Jacob: "The rest of us will stay here with the Normandy. We'll help with coordinating the re-modifications that need to be done."
Thane: "We'll see you back here as soon as you're done conversing with the admiral."
Ashley: "Right, let's go, girls. It's time for you to meet with Hackett."
Miranda looked towards the small group that intend to follow the girls and nodded once. They were then on their way.
They made their way through the corridor. Along the way, they ran into the admiral.
Ashley: "Admiral, it's good to see you."
Hackett: "It's good to see you, too, Lt. Commander. How have you been doing?"
Ashley: "Not too bad. We're still hanging in there."
Hackett: "I assume that nothing has changed with Commander Shepard."
Ashley: "No, nothing has changed, but we still have faith that he will come to."
Hackett: "As do I, Williams."
The Hackett soon noticed the girls.
Hackett: "I see that you brought the Fayelons with you."
Ashley: "Yes, we have, just as you have requested."
Hackett: "It's good to finally meet with you in person, girls."|
Jewel: "Hello, Mr. Admiral sir. I'm glad we are able to have this chance."
Star: "So, you're really not a hologram."
Hackett: "That's right, young lady, I am not, this is really me, in the flesh and blood. I felt that communicating any confidential intel via the communication network would be too risky, so I wanted to meet with you face to face. If all of you would follow me."
The admiral walked off with the small group walking with him.
Garrus: "So, admiral, I can see your Earth cities have recovered quite well."
Hackett: "Yes, we have restored a lot since the Reaper attacks. Some places are still being rebuilt, so the repairs are ongoing, but some...have recovered a lot quicker than we expected."
Garrus: "So glad to see that London really has patched itself up after the major toll that it took. This city just doesn't seem to catch a break. There have been extraterrestrial attacks happening here every Christmas and that was since the first encounter with that strange man who owns a blue box that's said to be a lot bigger on the inside."
Aera made a somewhat irritated face.
Mordin: "Hmmmm...the idea of such a containment device seems...impossible. How can an object have more storage space than its actual size would suggest? Defies the laws of physics."
Miranda: "I heard that said box is not displaying its true appearance. Although, could such an object make itself look a lot smaller than it really is?"
Wrex: "Sounds like complex alien talk to me."
Javik: "Yes, let us put aside to such a trivial concept and focus on what we are here for."
Hackett: "Yes, of course. So, I've been told a few small details regarding the girls and their...magical powers. I heard talk about a vigilante gone rogue and going on a killing spree."
The girls stopped as they hung their heads and sulked. The rest of the group stopped and looked at them, they all seemed concerned.
Jewel: "Yes...he's a champion of our realm, a sworn protector that has...taken a turn for the worse...his quest for justice and salvation for all has turned into a horrendous and nightmarish blood-bath that has spread to all corners of our realm...no one was safe from any of it...even the blood of the innocent was spilled everywhere because of him..."
The girls continued to sulk.
Hackett: "I'm terribly sorry to hear about that and I'm so sorry about your plight."
Flare: "No need to worry about us, we are well, despite all that we have been through."
Splash: "I only hope that we don't cause too much trouble with our decision to stand our ground and take our fight to your realm."
Hackett: "You don't need to worry about that. Actually, there is something that I needed to speak to you about. All of you."
They continued on walking.
Hackett: "It involves much that is very much relevant to your plight and trust me when I tell you that what we've been dealing with is of no fault of your own."
Jewel: Huh? What do you mean?"
Hackett: "Perhaps the doctor can fill you girls in on all of it."
Mordin: "Certainly."
Mordin went on his Omni-tool.
Mordin: "Been picking up on a number of strange readings throughout the galaxy."
Tali: "Strange readings?"
Mordin: "Yes, unfamiliar, foreign readings, such that is not of this galaxy but in a way is very much a part of it."
Aera: "And what do you mean by that exactly?"
Hackett: "We've just taken notice of these readings not long after the Reaper invasion. A lot of our scientists have been looking into them to try and figure out what they were, but to no avail."
Garrus: "Hold on, you've picked up on these readings since after the Reapers were completely dealt with?"
Hackett: "Yes, this wasn't brought out to the public since we, ourselves, had no idea what they were. It was an ongoing investigation. I even asked Dr. T'Soni to look into them since she has massive amounts of data that not many knew about as well as unlimited access to many databases throughout the entire galaxy."
Liara: "I've spent a lot of time searching every resource that have access to, but I couldn't find anything."
Hackett: "So, when Dr. T'Soni couldn't figure out these readings, we brought in Dr. Solus shortly after he came out of his coma, but his findings were also inconclusive."
Garrus: "Wait, hold that thought. Liara? You knew about this, too?"
Liara: "Yes. Even if I wasn't informed, I would have found out about it sooner or later."
Garrus: "That's not the point. You guys knew about it and never said anything to us."
Liara: "Well, we couldn't. There wasn't much for us to discuss."
Mordin: "As was mentioned before, all of these findings were inconclusive. The data that we have received was insufficient. Spent a lot of time trying to find more data regarding it, but couldn't."
Garrus: "Well, you could have told us about all of this. We would have helped you to find more intel regarding these strange readings."
Mordin: "Could you? If we couldn't find anything, then chances of the rest of you seeking out any more intel regarding this were very slim at best."
Liara: "Like I said, there really wasn't much to discuss."
Garrus: "Well...when you put it that way...guess there really was no point to it."
Mordin: "Yes, exactly."
Tali: "But...what changed all of that? Why are you telling us this now?"
Mordin: "Glad you asked. Data regarding the mysterious readings remained inconclusive until just recently. Found out much more, lots more. Occurred around the same time as the most recent arrival: the Fayelons."
Jewel: "Us?"
Mordin: "Yes, it seems you girls provided the necessary and vital key to figuring out these readings. From them, was able to discover what these readings are: magic."
Garrus: "Magic? You mean they're...magical energy?"
Mordin: "Correct."
Garrus: "Magical energy? In our galaxy? Heh, I find that hard to believe."
Flare: "Do you know how long this magical energy has been part of this realm?"
Mordin: "Uncertain, but it is believed that it has been part of our galaxy, our realm, for many, many years."
Liara: "They seem to have dated back a lot farther back than any of us could possibly calculate; they've even been around since long before the Protheans."
Javik: "The Protheans, you mean even before my people?"
Liara: "That's right, I believe that the magical energy itself is very much part of the cosmos."
Tali: "Wow, that is very shocking."
Mordin was on his Omni-tool.
Mordin: "After scanning the girls and looking into their magical energy, have found a number of similarities between the energy that is produced within their bodies and the readings we have been analyzing. The similarities truly have us come up to the conclusion that this IS magical energy that we have been looking into all this time."
Garrus: "And here I thought magic wasn't real, but as it turns out, it's been a part of our galaxy this whole time. Who would have thought?"
Wrex: "My race hasn't exactly been known to believe in magic, but even everything that has happened has made me into a believer."
Tali: "Yeah, that speaks high volumes in more ways than one."
Hackett: "After this recent discovery, our findings have gone deeper than that. If you guys would follow me, there is something I need to show you."
They continued on through.
They arrived at a large chamber. They stopped to see it surrounded by consoles save for a few gaps where there were doorways, as well as a massive hologram projector.
Jewel: "Whoa...what is this place?"
Hackett: "This is our conference room. I brought you here because there is a lot that we need to show all of you. Now if you will follow me."
They moved up closer to the projector at the center of the room. As they spoke, different images were projected from within the center of the room.
Hackett: "Upon discovering these readings to be magical energy, they have helped to fill many gaps and answer a lot of questions that we have been trying to figure out for these past several months. Within the aftermath of the Reaper War, there has been a lot going on, to put it vaguely. The repairs to many of our cities and colonies were obviously one of them. However, within the midst of all of it, there have been many unusual discoveries. One of the readings and...other unusual findings."
Garrus: "Unusual? You must be talking about the mysterious survivals."
Hackett: "Exactly, you already know that there have been reports of thousands who have survived by impossible outcomes."
Garrus: "I've noticed. The turian fleets have taken a lot of heavy damage during that war and most of them were wiped out, but I've been receiving intel from my home-world that 18% of the military personnel that were said to have been wiped out had survived by these mysterious circumstances."
Tali: "Obviously, that wasn't the only report of those occurrences. Some of the members of the former Quarian Migrant Fleet survived by these circumstances, too. Kal'Reegar and his quadrant were amongst them, thank goodness, but still, it's really strange."
Liara: "We've had the same experience with the asari on Thessia. There have been readings of life signs all over our home planet. We have had search parties going all over the rubble from our wrecked cities finding bodies of so many of our kind; all of them still very much alive."
Hackett: "Reports of this have been going all over the entire galaxy. The galaxy was indeed in no shortage of unsolved mysteries. The growing angst to find answers to all of them increased with each passing day. Both our research team who were looking into the readings and many of the denizens that were left in the dark grew frustrated, desperate to find answers to everything that's been happening with nothing to truly clarify any of it, that was until you girls came into the picture."
Jewel: "Really? But...we didn't do anything."
Hackett: "It's not what you did necessarily that helped us out, but what you provided. After Dr. Solus analyzed your magical powers, he sent all his findings to us. It wasn't a lot but it was just the very thing that was needed to truly bring to light a lot of what we've been trying to find out. You provided us with the answers that we have been desperately looking for."
Jewel: "I'm afraid I don't understand, sir. What was it that we could have provided that helped you to solve these mysteries?"
Star: "Does this have something to do with finding out that these mysterious readings were confirmed to be magical energy?"
Hackett: "Yes and it turns out that from your powers, we were able to find that all of these strange occurrences are very much connected with one another."
Mordin: "Yes, having been able to find out from all of this that the true cause of these mysterious and impossible survival rates was indeed magic."
Jewel: "Oh my god...!"
Tali: "Are you saying that a lot of these people were somehow saved by magic!?"
Hackett: "Yes, at least, that's what the data has been telling us. Besides, we can't seem to find any other explanation on how any of it is possible."
Everyone stood around speechless for a good amount of time.
Garrus: "Magic...! I...I don't believe it...! But...it...it all makes sense..."
Javik: "Hmph! This all sounds like a bunch of nonsensical fairy-tale malarkey."
Aera: "Oh, again with the mentioning of these fairy-tales?"
Javik: "I mean, seriously? Magic? Do you expect me to believe that all of this is true?"
Liara: "Say whatever you want, the data pretty much makes it undeniable."
Wrex: "Even I can't deny it and I'm probably the last person to believe in magic."
Tali: "Yes, that would be a given."
Javik: "I'll admit, it is difficult to ignore such after witnessing these...magical girls and their...magical powers...but if this...magic has been a part of our galaxy, then how come so many have been saved by this just now? Also, why weren't the Protheans saved by this kind of phenomenon and why did this not stop the Reapers if it would be capable of such miracles?"
Miranda: "Yes, that would have been nice if it could have saved all of us."
Hackett: "I didn't say all of the mysteries were solved and to be honest, I would have loved to find the answers to those questions, but I didn't expect that we would find answers to every question. Still, I'm confident that we will find them eventually. These girls have given us renewed hope and I know that with their help, all of these mysteries will be solved. Besides, I can't say that it was a complete miracle; not everyone was saved by this."
Javik: "Hmph! I won't deny that; my people were slaughtered ages ago. Such a statement was true long before any of you primitives reached the same evolutionary stage as us."
Aera: "As if your people were any better. There doesn't seem to be enough magic in this realm or throughout the entire universe to keep your massive ego in check."
Everyone nearby laughed.
Javik: "Hmph! Your snark is getting more and more agitating, Aeromancer."
Hackett: "Ahem, there is still much more that I need to go over with you guys."
Aera: "Huh? There's more?"
Hackett: "Yes and...I think it regards your...vigilante, or rather the dark entity that he controls."
Jewel: "What?"
Star: "Really?"
Flare: "This can't be?"
Splash: "How so?"
Hackett: "First off, I would like to remind you that this is no fault of your own, but...well...I'm sure that Dr. Solus will fill you in on that."
The girls looked at Mordin.
Star: "Dr. Solus...?"
Mordin was back on his Omni-tool.
Mordin: "This dark magic, not the first we've encountered it, or rather...its readings."
Jewel: "Readings!?"
Splash: "You mean to say that you've picked up on Dark magic before our arrival?"
Mordin: "Yes, took notice of this for several months."
Jewel: "Several months!? There have been readings from Dark magic for that long!?"
Star: "But we just got here like yesterday, I think. Could have been today. Can't really tell, but we've most certainly haven't been here for several months."
Aera: "We were still drifting from one realm to another."
Mordin: "Yes, as did your Dark entity. Although not as potent as the entity, very much similar to it."
Flare: "I don't...believe it..."
Splash: "But...what could this mean?"
Hackett: "We're not really sure, the data is still insufficient, so it's far too early to even come up with any theories, but it seems that there is very much a connection here. We will find out what that connection is."
Mordin: "Let us start off with something simple: the survivors. Would like to receive scans of each and every single one of them. Need to find out more about the magical energy that has saved them from dying, saved...us..."
Hackett: "That won't be a problem, all of these survivors have been receiving routine check-ups to make certain that nothing would cause a dramatic decrease in their health. I'll have all the data sent to you as soon as I can."
Mordin: "Greatly appreciated. Will also need to scan myself, being amongst those survivors."
Miranda: "We may need to do the same with Thane, Commander Shepard and..."
Tali: "Captain Anderson?"
Miranda: "Yes, of course. Speaking of which, is he...?"
Hackett: "No, he still hasn't come to, yet. From what he has gone through, it's no doubt that he's another of those survivors, too."
Liara: "Of course. He should have died from his injuries, but it's apparent that something did keep him alive."
Garrus: "No way we can deny magic after that realization."
At that moment, a generic scientist came over. Alongside him was a middle-aged woman.
Scientist: "Oh, hey, admiral."
Hackett: "Hello, did you need to see me for something?"
Scientist: "Thought that I might give you the results of the most recent analysis."
Hackett: "Thank you for that. By the way, I don't think you're acquainted with Dr. Solus."
Scientist: "Doctor who?"
Aera made a greatly agitated face.
Scientist: "Oh, right, I remember you. You're that salarian doctor that was part of the mysterious survival rates that we've been looking over."
Mordin: "The very same. May I look over the research that you have there?"
Scientist: "Sure, I'll be happy to give it to you."
He handed the data over to Mordin.
Mordin: "Much appreciated, young man."
Scientist: "I'll get going on the rest of the other data."
The scientist walked off. The middle-aged woman stay behind.
Hackett: "Ah, it's good to see you again, madam."
Woman: "The pleasure is all mine."
Hackett: "By the way, I'm sure that you haven't been introduced. These people over here are amongst the crew of the Normandy."
Woman: "Hello."
The woman then pulled out her ID badge.
Woman: "Prime Minister Harriet Jones."
Garrus: "Uh...yeah...we know who you are."
Mordin nodded.
Prime Minister: "Damn it! What's the point of introducing myself if everyone already knows who I am?"
Hackett: "Calm down, Prime Minister. I'm sure there's someone out there who doesn't know your name."
Jewel: "Uh...We didn't but now we do."
Prime Minister: "Well, nice chatting with all of you. I need to finish up on some important matters. Admiral."
The prime minister walked off. Aera had an irritated look on her face.
Star: "Um...what was that all about?"
Ashley: "Let's just forget about that."
Aera: "Believe me, I would be happy to!"
They stood by for a little bit as they tried to contemplate a little.
Hackett: "One other thing. Those keys, I would like to have a good look at them. If you wouldn't mind."
Garrus, Wrex, Javik, Tali and Liara pulled out the keys that were given to each of them and held them out. The admiral spent a little bit of time looking at them.
Hackett: "So...those are magical keys that I've heard so much about."
Mordin scanned the keys with the use of his Omni-tool.
Jewel: "Actually...those are just parts of them."
Liara: "Yes, we were told that these are half of each of the keys that they've taken from their realm."
Aera: "The other halves stay with us. You can say whatever you want but we won't give them up!"
Hackett: "Calm down, young lady. I'm not asking you to surrender the rest of your keepsakes. It's probably better if you girls held on to the other pieces of those keys."
Jewel: "Thank you, sir. We...have our reasons for holding on to these. We don't want to talk about them...not yet...anyway..."
Mordin observed his Omni-tool after scanning the keys. Garrus and the others put the keys away.
Hackett: "Did you find anything interesting, Dr.?"
He continued looking into the results of the scans a little before talking.
Mordin: "Hm...detect traces of magical energy. Very unique, no similar from the girls. Have a hunch but will need to further analyze this."
Tali: "These keys are said to unlock some sort of magical door. Is there any way for us to figure out what could be on the other side of it?"
Mordin: "Uncertain. Believe that a simple scan will not determine what's on the other side of that door. Could contain the ultimate magical source or perhaps could lead to a very special place, or perhaps even both. So many possibilities, but not looking for answers to that, only clues."
Wrex: "I'm guessing the only way to know what's on the other side of that door is to open that door and see for ourselves."
Garrus: "Are you serious? What if it's too risky? If there really is an ultimate source of magical energy or something like that, then perhaps it's better to leave that door locked. I'm surprised no one even attempted to destroy these keys!"
Star: "Well, no one has been able to find them until just recently, so doing so wouldn't exactly be something we could do even if we have thought about it, which we didn't."
Flare: "Also...we always felt that there was a reason why we would need to gain access to that door, like some sort of sign that if the time should come, we need to gain access to whatever is behind that door."
Liara: "And what exactly do you think that would be?"
Flare: "We don't know, but...I feel that it's something that would happen when the time came. At least...that's what I think."
Javik: "I do not know what any of that meant. You girls sound like you don't have a clue as to what you have or what you're dealing with."
Star: "Of course we don't! We're teenagers! What did you expect we would know about this!?"
Jewel: "Even our elders know very little about what this could be. But one thing is certain: whatever is behind that door, we can't let that vigilante gain access to it."
Liara: "Yes, we understand."
Hackett: "Sounds like this is a mystery that we may need to try and solve. In the meantime, I've arranged to have each of you taken to wherever each of you plan to hide away these pieces of those keys. When Williams informed me of what you plan to do, I agreed that we must do all we can to prevent this vigilante from reclaiming these keys and gaining access to whatever is hidden behind that door."
Garrus: "We appreciate that. Also...these girls...we'll need to...help them get stronger. We all know that their enemy intends to put the entire galaxy in danger just to get what he wants."
Hackett: "Yes, I understand. From what I've been told and from the data I received, these girls are the only ones who remotely stands a chance against this...dark force."
They stood by for a bit and sulked for a bit.
Hackett: "Now then, shall we get going? There's still much for us to talk about. Also, since you girls are to be staying here in our galaxy, we'll need to arrange a few things for each of you."
Star: "Sounds good to me."
Ashley: "Let's go, there's still a lot to look into."
Miranda: "Of course."
They walked out of the room and continued on their way through the corridors.
Meanwhile, back where the Normandy was, the rest of the crew were working on the ship. Some of them stood by to look after the progress.
Jacob: "Everything seems to be going well, just as we had coordinated."
Thane: "Indeed, although, there are some suggestions the girls have in mind that I find...perplexing, especially Star."
Grunt: "Heh, that Star has some unusual tastes."
Samara: "I get the feeling that she will make things very interesting."
Zaeed: "Of course, not that the other girls would be any less . That Jewel is tough, perhaps tougher than any rock that she could forge with her magical powers."
Traynor: "That's magical girls for you."
Samara: "She most certainly threw you for a loop."
Grunt: "Heh! Yeah, she made you look like a wuss and your weapons seem like cheap, frail pieces of crap."
Zaeed: "Yeah, yeah, keeping talking."
James: "Never thought I'd see the ship finally having its modifications finished. It pretty much up and left just as the upgrades were finishing up."
EDI: "It was an action that needed to be taken, there really was no other choice."
Joker: "Yeah, it really got serious there."
James: "I get that. The Reapers pretty much didn't leave room for any other options."
EDI: "No, they didn't. It was either that or risk obliteration."
Joker: "Had we not taken off like we did, it would have been all over, not just for us but for the entire galaxy. Gives me chills just thinking about it."
Traynor: "Yeah, that was interesting. I'm just so glad I was part of the whole thing. It was incredible."
Jacob: "I can't believe the amount of changes that took place with this ship. I had a hard time recognizing it when I saw it again. My usual station was gone. They really renovated the ship."
Thane: "Yeah, it was almost as though they knew that the Reapers were real and were preparing for their foreseeable arrival and assault."
Jacob: "Glad to see some members of the alliance didn't dismiss our claims about the Reapers. Too bad it didn't do much to prevent so many casualties."
Thane: "I get the feeling that's somehow compensated. The mysterious survivals seem to suggest that."
Jacob: "Yeah, I think so, too. Judging from the analysis, a lot of those people shouldn't even be alive; so many of them are not even possible."
Samara: "We already believe that the nature behind all of it is very strange."
Zaeed: "This coming from the mistress of all things bizarre."
EDI: "From the analysis, it is indeed very, very difficult to comprehend how these survival were even possible. A lot of them took on some very serious injuries, some also survived the destruction of their cruisers."
Jacob: "From hearing that, magic has to be the only possible way for any of these survivals to be possible."
Thane: "I wonder if they're talking about that now."
Jacob: "Probably. I know the admiral would be very interested to hear about all of this. I would like to hear what they have found out."
Thane: "Indeed, any answer would truly suffice. I've contemplated a lot of how it was possible for me to even be here. Although...I feel like...I've already known how this could be...but I can't remember what that was. It's...strange. I feel like my soul knows things that my body doesn't."
James: "That's a...drell thing, right?"
Thane: "Probably...it's not easy to explain."
Joker: "So...it's official; we'll be having magical crew members on board the Normandy."
Traynor: "Well, I find it to be exciting! It'll be like reliving my childhood all over again!"
Joker: "You really have been a lot of those shows, haven't you?"
Traynor: "Of course! I've watched every single one of them, especially the non-anime magical girl show."
EDI: "Hmm, yeah, I remember something like that from gaining access to the Earth history archives."
James: "The magical girl craze was so immense that pretty much everyone and their mothers wanted to copy and remake that concept over and over."
Traynor: "Absolutely! It was one of the most popular tropes in anime. People really couldn't get enough of them! I could see why."
EDI: "Yes, so can I."
Joker: "So, how about you, EDI? Your thoughts on these...magical girl shows?"
EDI: "I don't have much of an opinion, to be honest. I know only what I was able to research in the archives. But they do sound exciting. I've also read on the humans and the trouble with a lot of their females gaining equal treatment. This, I believe, really did feed on the craze. The idea of girls being the main heroes was a very exciting concept that a lot really wanted to get behind."
Jacob: "Yeah, that does make sense. The problems with the women in that aspect has diminished a lot over the years, but the issue, itself, has all but disappeared."
Samara: "That's really sad. I have heard about that. My people have a very hard time understanding why that is for obvious reasons, but with issues like that being so ongoing, it's not so hard to understand why the concept of female heroes are so greatly celebrated."
Zaeed: "You have no idea that kind of crap that we have put ourselves through just because some men like to feel superior over women. I was never one to fall into that state of mind, but it has been part of our race for many generations."
Traynor: "Yes, that much is true."
James: "I'm sorry it had to come to that. A lot of us men were nothing but a bunch of stuck-up, arrogant a*******, weren't we? Couldn't get enough of dominating over women. The thought of it makes me sick."
Joker: "We really are quite dumb when it comes to stuff like that. No wonder why so many of us liked stuff involving girls saving the day and such."
The humans all hung their heads down and sulked.
James: "Hmmm...wonder if those girls went through something like that."
Traynor: "I sure hope not. It seems to me like the females of their race would be the more superior ones with them having more magic than the men."
Jacob: "We can't be too sure of anything. Remember: when there are some with incredible powers, there are always others who would do whatever they can to weaken them. Chances are, that's how it is in their world."
Traynor: "Say...you think they've also dealt with prejudice before?"
Jacob: "Not sure, in fact, they didn't even mention what it was that they've been dealing with back in their world, other than the vigilante. Even so, I feel that we haven't even scratched the surface of a good amount of their issues."
Everyone stood silent for that moment, concerned.