Episode 10-Analyzation
Within much time after leaving Earth, the Normandy made its way to the nearby mass relay and left the star system. They made their way through space. Jewel was staring out a window at one of the observation rooms. She did this for an extensive period of time, worried about something. The rest of her friends stood by and looked towards her. Within much time, she became surprised, spotting something that immediately grabbed her attention. From directly outside, she saw 5 cargo ships approaching them.
Jewel: "They're back!"
She rushed out of the room as fast as she could with everyone else following after her.
Everyone arrived within the cargo bay. There, the 5 cargo ships landed. Everyone stood, eagerly waiting for each one to open up. From there, they did, but one at a time. Liara was the first to be seen, then Tali, followed by Javik, Wrex and of course, Garrus. A look of relief appeared on Jewel's face.
Jewel: "Garrus!"
She rushed over to him as fast as she could. Jewel placed her arms around him and embraced him closely.
Jewel: "I'm so glad to see you back! I was so worried about you!"
Garrus did the same with her. Jewel then pulled back from him as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
Garrus: "You don't need to worry about me. I'm OK, really."
Jewel smiled at him. She then grabbed his hand and walked off the shuttle with him and back to the others. Wrex, Javik, Tali and Liara did the same. Aera and Splash rushed up to Tali and Liara. Splash and Liara grabbed each other's hands as they smiled cheerfully at each other. Aera stood in front of Tali with a smile on her face. Star walked up to Javik.
Star: "So, did you manage to find a good place to hide that piece of the key that I gave you?"
Javik: "Not to worry, Star. I was able to find a good place where no one will be able to locate it, much less reach."
Star: "Good! You better! Or else!"
Javik: "Your threats are validated."
Star walked away from Javik. Flare was seen standing near Wrex and Grunt.
Flare: "So, what about you? Were you able to hide that other piece that I have given you?"
Wrex: "Not to worry, I have found exactly where I wanted to hide that key away."
He looked at Grunt and smiled as he began to chuckle. Grunt then did the same and they both chuckled with each other. Flare had a confused and concerned look on her face. Everyone else looked at the two krogan, as much concerned and confused as Flare.
Jewel: "So, where to next?"
Ashley: "Our next destination is Grissom Academy."
Garrus: "Grissom Academy? You don't mean…?"
Ashley: "Yes, I mean exactly what I think you do. I've gotten in touch with Kahlee Sanders. I informed her about you girls and said that she would like to meet with you, and….also…Jack."
The Normandy crew were startled and remained speechless for a time.
Mordin: "Oh! This might be problematic."
Star: "Jack? Who's Jack?"
Miranda: "Someone that we know very well. She….uh..."
Jewel: "Is she OK? You know, for us to meet with."
Miranda: "Um….well…."
Liara: "I'm sure she would be very happy to meet you girls."
Miranda: "Oh, I'm sure she would, but...let's just hope she's on good terms with them."
Tali: "Unlike you?"
Miranda: "We still have our fallouts, but they're not as bad as our first meeting."
Garrus: "But they're not great, either."
Miranda: "I know."
Mordin: "Hm...perhaps...not as bad as I may fear. Might have better rapport with these girls."
Garrus: "Most likely yes. I hope..."
Splash: "Are you sure that it's OK for us to meet this Jack?"
Ashley: "Don't worry about that, girls, I spoke with Jack personally, she said that she would be thrilled to meet you and nothing else."
Jewel: "I hope not."
Star: "Well then, in the meantime, I say we take care of a few things while we're on our way to this Grissom Academy, so without any further delay, let's get to it!"
She grabbed on to both Garrus and Mordin by their hands and pulled them off, both of them had startled looks on their faces as did everyone else watching this.
Liara: "Something tells me we'll need to get use to that."
Area: "With how Star is, yeah, that would be the case."
Everyone else followed after Star as she continued on.
Star eventually arrived with Garrus and Mordin back in the lab. She then let go of both of their hands as she marveled at the newly-modified room.
Star: "Wow...isn't it just glorious?"
Garrus took some time to look around the entire room.
Garrus: "I...can see you guys have made some changes here, but….it pretty much looks the same."
Star: "Yep! We remodified the room a bit. It's somewhat like what it used to have been but there are clearly plenty of differences. Still, it's going to be one amazing place where we can do research and stuff."
Garrus: "I...guess…?"
Soon enough, the other arrived.
Liara: "Hmm, seems as though Star was eager to show you the newly modified room."
They soon noticed the others.
Jewel: "We've spent a lot of time doing some of the remodeling as well as some of the other work that needed to be done on the Normandy. So, what do you think?"
Garrus: "I…."
He looked back towards the rest of the room for a bit.
Garrus: "I can see that you kept the room pretty much the same with the exception of a few obvious changes."
Ashley: "We tried to make the room somewhat like it was before it was handed over to the Alliance but we also decided to have it be a conference room so that we can talk about any intel regarding any research that will be done here."
Garrus: "You didn't bring it back to being the tech lab that it use to have been?"
Miranda: "We were planning on doing that, but the doctor suggested to leave it as is but to bring back some of the equipment that he had here. As Ashley mentioned, he would like to have it so he could brief all of us on what he has found out during his research."
Garrus: "Hmm, I'm guessing this was Star's idea."
Aera: "Yeah, she was the one who suggested it, then Dr. Solus decided that it was a great idea. He felt that this equipment was more useful for studying our powers than what you guys had here before."
Splash: "And besides, what better place for Dr. Solus to brief us about his findings?"
Star: "Exactly!"
Jewel: "Alright, you guys, we have a lot that we need to discuss regarding these findings."
Star: "Of course. Now then, shall we?"
Star and Mordin walked towards the back end of the table. As soon as they reached the table, Star climbed up and sat down right near Mordin with her feet hanging off the inner part of the table. Mordin went on his Omni-tool which activated a console from within the table and got to work on it. Everyone else gathered on the other side of the table.
Star: "While Dr. Solus and I were testing the equipment, he uploaded some of the data from scanning our powers on to the computer system that was built into this table. Check out what we were able to come up with."
From the hollowed area of the table where a hologram was projected, there were several images that were projected. They consisted of several streams that were different colors. There were several that were lined up that were different colors with a few that had 2 different colored streams swirling together. The colors of the streams were orange, yellow and lavender with the streams that were swirling together being 2 which one was green and another was brown with another pair of streams swirling together being aqua blue and periwinkle. There was also a stream above those that was white and another below them that was black.
Liara: "Oh!"
Javik: "Hmph! What exactly are we looking at?"
Tali: "Are these….holographic images….the different forms of magical energy?"
Star: "Yes! That's exactly right. Each color represents a different type of magic."
Liara: "I presume the white stream above the rest of the image represents Light magic and black stream on the bottom represents Dark magic."
Mordin: "Of course. Exactly that, both major sources of magic, as the girls have informed us."
Tali: "And I'm guessing the rest of these streams of magical energy represents each of the girls' powers."
Mordin: "Correct."
Ashley: "It's not so hard to figure out which stream of power belongs to which girl."
Liara: "Yes, these must represent each elemental power. It's clearly indicated by their color."
Star: "Absolutely."
Liara: "There are a few things about this that I'm still confused about. First off, if the white stream represents Light magic and Star's power is Light magic, then why are both of these streams different colors?"
Star: "Well, to put it simply, my form of Light magic is much more subtle than the stream above it. That Light magic is a sort of….sacred power. My kind is able to wield that kind of power but...we are forbidden from ever making our powers reach that same intensity."
Tali: "And why is that?"
Jewel: "We believe that the more intense form of Light magic is from a deity. We're not exactly sure of such a thing, but those who believe in such worship it, like the Divine Bringer of Light."
Aera: "Yeah, some of us believe that while others think of it as just some incredibly powerful form of matter that's not necessarily created by anyone."
Flare: "Regardless, the source of Light magic is one that is not taken lightly. No pun intended."
Aera: "Thank you, Flare!"
Splash: "That was a close one."
Star: "Although, we have no way of making ourselves that powerful even if we wanted to. It's not like some haven't tried. It's a lot of magical power to conceive. So, my kind just came up with our own form of Light magic that we can utilize."
Mordin: "Indeed, Star's Light powers confirmed to be much more subtle than the Light magic that is displayed above, hence why they are different colors."
Garrus: "But aren't they the same kind of magic regardless of intensity?"
Mordin: "Not really. Intensity very important, by the way. Absolute significant difference between that and Star's powers."
Garrus: "OK! I get it! They're 2 different forms of Light magic."
Miranda: "It's funny how they're not one in the same."
Mordin: "Not particularly, but do share some connections with one another as well as the other forms of magical powers."
Ashley: "Wait, other forms of magic?"
Mordin: "Yes, but more on that some other time. Still analyzing that data."
Aera: "Yes, of course. We...still need to cover the other types of magic?"
Miranda: "So, what about Dark magic?"
Mordin stayed quiet for a bit.
Mordin: "Uncertain. A mysterious form of magical energy. Even the girls, as well as the rest of their kind know very little about it."
Jewel: "It's something that we still haven't completely figured out, but there have been some legends as to what it could be. Some say it's a malevolent force, others say it's another form of matter that's not anything that's alive. We really have no idea of knowing."
Liara: "Have you tried asking?"
Jewel: "We have, but…."
Aera: "Whenever we do, everyone that we have asked regards it as something we shouldn't be asking about and in a non-subtle way."
Star: "Heh, tell me about it. Every time we even express some curiosity, so far, everyone we have asked would snap at us as though it's a forbidden topic!"
Jacob: "But there's this Dark entity that's being controlled by your vigilante. What about that?"
The girls sulked and remained silent for a bit.
Jacob: "Umm….sorry, I...I didn't mean to…"
Aera: "No...it's OK, Jacob, it's just….this has not been easy for us to handle…."
Thane: "I would think so, considering that you girls are still just children."
Miranda: "Well, all the more reason why we need to help you through this."
Garrus: "Yeah, I agree."
Jewel lifted her head back up and smiled.
Jewel: "Thank you, everyone, you guys really have been the first to actually step up and help us out with this."
Everyone stood by silently for a bit, they did seem touched. Although, some had shown concerned looks on their faces.
Splash: "Alright! So, are we still in the mood to discuss our powers?"
Miranda: "Yes, of course. Let's continue on with that."
Ashley: "So, we are very well aware of the different streams of magic that represents the other elemental power, such as the pyromancers, the photokinetics, the aeromancers…"
Garrus: "But what about this other form of power?"
Garrus pointed to the green and brown streams swirling together.
Garrus: "What's with these 2 different colors?"
Miranda: "Hm...I'm guessing that represents Jewel's power, but what's with these being 2 different colors?"
Mordin: "Ah, an excellent question. Jewel has clarified that this is a special trait to her kind. One represents the regular Geokinetic power while the other represents her special kind of ability."
Liara: "You mean the Gemma Kinetic power?"
Mordin: "Yes, correct. Care to fill them in on this, Jewel?"
Jewel: "Well, some of us Geomancers have that special Gemma Kinetic power."
Garrus: "You mean not all Geomancers are Gemma Kinetics?"
Jewel: "That's right. It's a...special kind of power that we understand and have learned to utilize. Some of us are born with this unique and special magical power, but for those of us who don't have that kind of power, we're just simple Geomancers. But even those with just a tiny trace of it can learn how to use that power with just enough practice and training. I should know. I lived that."
Miranda: "That's incredible. You must have worked hard to harness that power into becoming so strong."
Jewel: "Yes...when I found out that I had it, it became my desire to harness that potential and use it. It was my dream and I made it happen, but not without so many hardships."
Jewel sulked, everyone else looked at her, concerned.
Ashley: "You must have endured a lot of trials to get your powers to where they are now."
Jewel: "That would be an understatement…."
Thane: "Very often, it's our hardships that help to strengthen and fortify our skills and abilities."
Miranda: "Some of us know that better than others."
Jewel: Heh, well, if that's the case, then I've had too many that would strengthen my powers."
Aera: "That's odd, considering that so many of them tried to cripple you and your abilities."
Jewel: "Yeah….I know….but…..I wonder…..hmmmm…."
Jewel stood silent for a bit as she thought.
Miranda: "What is it, Jewel?"
Jewel: "Huh? Oh….no...it's nothing...just….thinking, that's all….anyway, back to the subject of the rest of our powers."
Splash: "Yes, of course, how could we forget the best one of all?"
Ashley: "You mean your powers over water?"
Splash: "Yep, that's right, it's truly the best of them all, at least in my opinion."
Garrus: "Of course you would think that way, considering how you are with fish."
Splash: "Hey! Don't you dare pick on my aquatic brethren!"
Garrus: "Wouldn't dream of it. Good thing we learned that lesson the easy way."
Tali: "You keep calling fish your brethren. Are all aquamancers like this?"
Aera: "Ummm….not really…"
Splash: "Well, I'm more than just a simple aquamancer. As a matter of fact, I am a mermaid!"
Everyone stood by and gave out awkward looks as they stared at her for a bit then looked at each other the same way.
Ashley: "I-is she really?"
Aera: "No, she's not, she just likes to think that way."
Javik: "Hmm, so she must be deluded, then."
Aera: "Umm….it's more complicated than that, actually. It's a long story."
Tali: "I don't even know if I want to hear that story."
Flare: "Ahem. Let's not lose focus and get back to what we're trying to discuss here."
Splash: "Oh! Right! I almost forgot! My powers. My aquakinetic abilities."
Ashley: "Right, let's get on that before we get sidetracked again."
Mordin: "An interesting subject. The ability to control water. Mostly revolves around liquid but does consist of not just liquid. Others forms of water."
Tali: "You must be referring to ice."
Garrus: "Makes sense considering that ice IS frozen water."
Mordin: "Exactly. Some aquamancers can utilize ice while others purely control water."
Miranda: "Yes, I do remember seeing that some aquamancers can also be cryokinetics. But despite the fact that ice is frozen water, it's usually identified as its own element separate from water, with some magic users being purely cryokinetics as opposed to those who have control over all forms of water."
Jacob: "I'm guessing that aquakinetic Fayelons also can utilize the power over ice."
Splash: "That's right and I'm one of them. It is a very tough ability to use, but with just enough training, it can be done."
Flare: "Some aquamancers choose to be just that others revert to becoming purely ice wielders. It's part of their nature."
Garrus: "I'm guessing Splash prefers water over ice."
Aera: "That would be too obvious."
Splash: "It's true, I love water more than ice, but conjuring ice can come in very handy during combat, so I would use it whenever I need to. It also helps with protecting my fishy brethren."
Garrus: "I don't think I would want to know the details behind that."
Aera: "No, you wouldn't."
Ashley: "Does some of the aquamancers becoming pure cryokinetics cause problems amongst your people, Splash?"
Splash: "Ummm…..sometimes it does. They hardly escalate too much as far as I can tell, but I don't always pay attention."
Garrus: "Um...is that true?"
Aera: "Not completely. Some aquamancers and cryokinetics are perfectly fine with mixing, but there is some tension between the 2 sides."
Flare: "Yes, indeed, we have seen some bitter conflicts between the 2, perhaps more often than necessary."
Star: "Yeah, it's almost like some want to start some sort of war between each other. Some prefer to stay out of it, but the 2 different sides seem almost insistent on escalating it, especially with those who prefer to mix and mingle with each other just fine."
Tali: "But what of those who choose to wield both water and ice?"
Aera: "There are plenty who are willing to live with them, as well, but those that are like super adamant and fixated on their opinions about their powers, well...things do get tense. All 3 sides are not completely in the right about their thoughts and opinions."
Flare: "Indeed, there is an imbalance between the 3 factors. The aquamancers and cryokinetics that are adamant about their powers look towards those that wield both with much contempt while those that wield both have a tendency to look down at the others as though they are inferior, crude and narrow-minded. It is an infuriating conflict."
Tali: "Crude would be putting it likely. I'm guessing that those who are willing to live with whatever powers they choose to have are looked at with even more contempt."
Aera: "Stupidly, yes. They have a very hard time understanding how some are willing to live with anyone who has different preferences to magical power. We choose to avoid those kinds of conflicts; they're idiotic and a waste of our time."
Garrus: "That's probably the smartest thing to do with situations like those."
Liara: "Splash, your thoughts on this?"
Splash: "To be honest, I don't care who wields what power or who wants to become what; we're all Fayelons, nonetheless. That's all that matters to me. Besides, my best friends are nowhere near my field of magic wielding, so why should I care about who wants to wield water or ice or whatever?"
Liara: "That's a positive way of thinking and I do agree with you. Water, ice, jewelry; none of that matters. I think all of you are amazing and not just because of your powers."
All the girls smiled. However, Garrus looked towards Jewel, concerned.
Garrus: "Hmm…."
Star: "Well, that pretty much covers all that we have for now. There's still lots more work to do."
Mordin: "Yes, indeed, aware that these are not all the magical abilities that there are to look into. Still feel that there are lots more to it."
Liara: "If only there was some way to obtain more data about you girls and your realm."
Jewel: "Well….there is….one other way…."
She reached behind herself and pulled out what looked like a jewelry box.
Garrus: "A jewelry box?"
She opened that box. Inside it contained lots of jewels of different shapes and color.
Garrus: "Full of….jewels….that should have been apparent."
Liara: "Wait! Those are Intel Crystals, aren't they?"
Jewel nodded slowly.
Star: "Hold on, Jewel! Isn't that the same box that was given to you by….?"
Jewel: "Yes, the very same."
Aera: "Jewel, are you sure about this? I mean, we agreed to never tell or show anyone this. Do you really believe….?"
Jewel: "Yes, I do! We can trust them with this. It's OK."
Everyone stood around staring at the Jewel and her box for a bit. The girls seemed concerned.
Flare: "Well...if you insist on this, then….OK."
Splash: "You know that we're willing to support whatever it is that you want to do and if you feel that way, then we're with you. Besides, I trust these guys, too."
Star: "Same here, I know that Dr. Solus and the rest of these Normandy guys would never do anything with them that we wouldn't want them to."
Aera: "Well….if you say so. I do trust your judgment even if it's not always correct."
Jewel: "That's fine. Whose judgment is ever 100% correct?"
Aera: "Exactly."
Liara: "Can I take a look at those?"
Jewel went over and handed the box to Liara. She looked into the box for a bit at the jewelry.
Liara: "Hmm…..these jewels must have a wealth of so much information involving your realm. Who was it that gave you this box?"
Jewel: "Umm…."
She hesitated.
Liara: "It's OK, you don't need to answer that right away. I'm sure it's not important at the moment. I just wonder how we'll be able to extract whatever Intel could be in these jewels."
Mordin: "Hmm...perhaps will come up with a special analyzation program that can extract the information from within those crystals. Just need to figure out how they work."
Jewel: "Intel Crystals are one of our more sacred and mysterious Gemma Kinetic powers. We are able to insert memories, knowledge and such with one simple touch. They can store away so much and can send out that kind of information with just a simple touch."
Liara: "Really? Is that how these crystals actually work?"
Jewel: "Yep. We….don't fully understand how or why they do, we just know that it's what they're able to do."
Garrus: "A simple touch and everything within those crystals are placed within our minds? That's an incredible feature."
Tali: "Wish we had something like that. Nothing we can come up with could do that, even the Salarian don't know how to make something like that."
Garrus: "Exactly, and they are heavily regarded for their technological advances."
Jewel: "I see. Well, you're more than welcome to look into what information is in them, just be careful not to touch too many of them at once; all of intel can flood your mind and can cause you a major headache."
Liara: "Thanks for letting me know. Perhaps you can help me with this since you know how to use these crystals."
Jewel: "I'd be happy to. We Gemma Kinetics know how to handle Intel Crystals without activating their functions."
Liara: "Well, all the more reason why I need your help with this."
Jewel: "I was thinking the same thing."
They smiled at each other. Garrus had a concerned look on his face, however.
Garrus: "Hmmm….."
Tali: "What's wrong, Garrus?"
Garrus: "Something about this seems….suspicious. Who gave Jewel that box? Why fill it with so many Intel Crystals? I get the feeling that there's something not right here."
Tali: "I see what you mean, but who knows what could be in those crystals?"
Garrus: "True, though Jewel feels that they consist of important intel regarding their realm. Why give away so much important intel to a young teenage girl?"
Tali: "Yeah, you have a point. This is suspicious. It makes me wonder what kind of people are part of their realm."
Garrus: "This whole thing reeks of suspicion from the very beginning. I don't like this one bit and I have a feeling that there are far worse things going on, something other than the vigilante."
Tali: "What do you think it could be?"
Garrus stayed silent, he then looked towards the holographic image of the black stream that represented Dark magic in a tense and suspicious manner.