Episode 29-Evaluation

As everyone was thinking, Jewel turned her attention towards Adrien.

Jewel: "Adrien? Uh, I mean, honorable Primarch? May we have a word with you?"
Adrien: "Um, sure, and...don't worry about how you would address me. I feel that we can be on a first name basis."
Jewel: "Thank you..."

Jewel looked towards her friends; they had the same looks in their faces. They then walked into the new Conference Room and stood around the table. Garrus stood near the doorway, glancing towards it from behind him.

Jewel: "You mentioned to us how secrets can get people killed and well..."
Flare: "We do have secrets that we've been keeping to each other."
Adrien: "Is that so?"
Jewel: "Yes, the thing is...we're not going to mention them, not yet."
Star: "When you mentioned that whole "secrets getting people killed" thing, it did scare us."
Adrien: "Oh, I...well...I didn't mean to scare you girls. And I can understand if you don't feel like telling us anything that you don't want to mention."
Splash: "We do want to mention them! We really do!"
Jewel: "Easy there, Splash."
Star: "Well...she's right, we want to tell them so badly. I hate keeping things from our friends, especially Mordin, but..."
Aera: "We can't risk telling anyone, at least until the time is right."
Flare: "What we do know...we worry that if it gets out before then, it could risk the safety of the entire universe."
Adrien: "Is what you're keeping to yourselves really that catastrophic?"
Jewel: "Yes...someone we know...let's just say...she's allowing her feelings to get in the way of her good judgment and...what we did...or rather what I did...I...I didn't want to...I just hope..."
Aera: "And I thought we told you that she brought it upon herself."
Flare: "We have reminded you many times it was either that or..."
Jewel: "I know, but...it doesn't do much to alleviate the guilt."
Flare: "Yes, we are all well aware of that."
Star: "You think we don't feel the same way? We all feel responsible for what happened back there."
Flare: "Though, we should not in any way feel remorseful. There wasn't anything else that could have been done."
Adrien: "I can understand you're scared. You girls are still young, you shouldn't even be handling this yourselves. It's also very clear that you've had to make a lot of difficult decisions."
Jewel: "That would be a given..."
Adrien: "So, yes, it is only natural for you to be scared as well as feel guilty for the decisions that you had to make, though you shouldn't. It's clear that you're very brave."
Jewel: "We did what we have to in order to protect all those that we love."
Adrien: "Still, I think you should at least mention to them. I know these people are very trustworthy and they would be willing to help you out."
EDI: "I have already overheard one of these conversations of theirs a while back. I agreed to keep it confidential but I did offer to help them out with this."
Jewel: "And we appreciate that, EDI. We can't mention to anyone because if he finds out...then..."
EDI: "I can understand. You don't want to risk the vigilante finding what it is that you're trying to keep from him. I also believe that it could threaten the safety of the entire universe. I don't know much, but I do believe that our situation is that dire."
Star: "You seem to be the only one who can help us with this. I don't know what the rest of the Normandy crew can do; we want to tell them so badly."
Adrien: "You girls choose to carry the weight of this conflict to protect us, but you should also consider what it's been doing to you. You're harming yourselves. It's great that you would sacrifice so much of your own well-being to protect all of us, but you girls could only handle so much, especially at your age."

The girls stood by, speechless for a brief moment.

Jewel: "You're right, but...if he were to obtain what we've tried to keep from him, none of this would matter."
Adrien: "I...I can understand that. Can he really be that much of a huge threat?"
Jewel: "He could. We honestly don't know, ourselves, but we don't want to take that risk. We can't."
Star: "If there really is a powerful source in the universe, then we can't slip up, not even by a little."

Garrus, having heard all of this, became worried again.

The girls and the Primarch walked back to regroup with the others.

Hackett: "Listen up, there are a few things that you need to know. First off, I will be taking my leave."
Jewel: "What? You're leaving the Normandy?"
Hackett: "That's right. I have other important matters to tend to."
Jewel: "Well, I was wondering when you would decide to leave. I worried about having you stay with us for too long with how busy you are."
Hackett: "Thank you for your concerns. I did make sure to take care of as many things as I could prior to my arrival here as well as what I could take care of during my stay. But now, I need to return to my fleet as well as my other obligations. I did enjoy the time I've spent here."
Jewel: "So did we, admiral."
Star: "Oh, absolutely!"
Splash: "Please come back whenever you can. We'd hate to see you go."
Hackett: "Not to worry, Splash. I will return here from time to time. There are still other matters that we need to deal with together."
Flare: "We look forward to it, admiral."
Adrien: "I also need to get going. It was fun getting to know you girls and I would love to come back and spend more time with you."
Splash: "So do we."
Jack: "I need to get going, too. I can keep away from my job at the academy for only so long. Just let me know when you guys plan on doing more of those meditation sessions and I'll come back. Just don't leave me out of them again."
Flare: "Certainly, we will make certain that you can be included."
Miranda: "Great, we have to shift around our schedule just to accommodate Jack. Never thought we'd have to deal with you being so needy."
Jack: "Hey! Watch it, b****!"
Splash: "Guys, please!"
Hackett: "There is one other thing that needs to be mentioned."

He looked towards Ms. Shepard as she stepped up a little.

FemShep: "I'll be taking over as commander of the Normandy from here on til my cousin returns from his coma."

Everyone in the room had startled looks on their faces. Ashley looked as though she had a huge sense of relief. Garrus was especially surprised as it was more apparent on his face.

Star: "Really!? You are!?"
FemShep: "That's right. However, it won't be effective immediately. There is something else that I need to take care of, but I'll be seeing all of you as soon as I finish up with it."
Splash: "Of course! We're really looking forward to seeing you here again!"
Star: "Not to mention that you'll be able to have more time with Garrus."

Both Star and Splash giggled to each other.

Jewel: "Easy, girls."
Splash: "So, when will you guys be departing?"
Hackett: "Soon, I especially need to get going since I have so much on my plate to take care of. Cortez will be sending us to our intended destinations."
Jewel: "I really hope that we'll have a chance to meet again."
Hackett: "Not to worry, Jewel. We will. I promise you that."
Jewel: "I...really hope so..."

Much time later, nearly everyone met in the cargo bay. Jack, Ms. Shepard, Hackett and Adrien stood before the crew members and the girls.

Ashley: "Thank you for seeing us again."
Hackett: "It was my pleasure. I look forward to doing this again sometime in the near future."
Jewel: "Same here."

Garrus looked towards Ms. Shepard as she looked towards him as well. He walked up to her, placing his hand on the side of her face.

Garrus: "Jane..."
FemShep: "Don't worry, I won't be gone for long."
Garrus: "I know, just...make sure you are able to make it back."
FemShep: "I will..."
Garrus: "Be careful out there. I...I..."

She leaned up towards him and kissed him directly on the mouth.

FemShep: "We'll have more time for each other when I return, I promise. Continue looking after my cousin."
Garrus: "Yeah...we will."

Everyone stood by as they watched this. Ashley walked up right next to Garrus. She placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassured look.

Adrien: "Well, this has been great, seeing the magical girls for the first time. This is indeed one experience that I know I'll never forget."

Ashley: "Give our regards to the Turian Hierarchy for us."
Adrien: "I will."
Jack: "Well, this was fun and all, but I can't neglect my obligations back at the academy."
Ashley: "Right, let's not delay you any further."
Steve: "I'll be back as soon as I drop off these guys to their intended destinations."
FemShep: "Right, time a wastin'. Let's go."

Jack, Ms. Shepard, Hackett and Adrien boarded the shuttle. Upon entering, they stood before the crew members and looked out towards them. They continued to stare until the shuttle closed its door and departed.

Mordin: "Well, then, now that we were able to see them off, perhaps we should return to the lab. Much to look into, much to discuss."

Mordin walked off.

Star: "Coming!"

She rushed off after him. Most of the crew members walked off. Garrus, however, still stood and looked out at where the shuttle departed. Ashley looked back towards him, then walked back towards him. She placed her hand on his shoulder as he looked at him, he looked back at her.

Ashley: "Don't worry, at least this time, we won't have to wait too long for her."

He looked back towards the shuttle exit.

Garrus: "Yeah...at least...I just...hope so..."
Ashley: "I know. Come on, the professor mentioned something about going over some more data regarding the girls."
Garrus: "OK, I'll be right there."

From there, she walked back. He paused for a brief moment before he followed after her.

Later on, they were back into the lab. Mordin and Star were at their usual spots. Mordin on his console. Several of the crew members were in the room as well.

Miranda: "So, what else do you have for us, Doctor?"
Mordin: "Hmm, did some more reviewing of the girls as well as some of the magical aura similar to what I was able to pick up on Tuchanka."
Ashley: "OK, so, what more can you tell us about this?"
Mordin: "Have found readings of this lingering magical energy in many parts of the galaxies. Many other planets contain heavy amounts of it."
Liara: "There's more of this lingering magic? Hmm, I feel as though I shouldn't be surprised. Given that this magic consists of glimpses of the past, I would conceive..."
Garrus: "There would be a huge abundance of this. The galaxy is a massive smorgasbord of past events."
Ashley: "It makes sense. But...how far back does this lingering energy go? Is so much of it still potent?"
Mordin: "Potent? Hmm...no telling how much of it is or how far back this lingering magic would go, but...have many theories to follow and would like to test one of those theories."
Garrus: "What do you have in mind this time, Professor?"
Mordin: "Would like to try and see if we would be able to pick up on whether or not this dates back to eras of many, many years back. Possibly dating back to the previous Reaper attack."
Liara: "You don't mean...!"
Mordin: "Yes, wish to test if there is a way to sense out and conceive any visions of those times. If possible, will work our way from there."
Star: "Wow! That's amazing, doctor! This must be like some sort of breakthrough for you!"
Aera: "So, where do you have in mind to try and pick up on these magical readings?"
Mordin: "There is one particular planet that I would like to evaluate. It is one of the planets that are former Prothean settlements; the first one that Shepard visited during the start of all of this."
Ashley: "You mean...Eden Prime?"
Mordin: "Yes, and also where you found...him."
Liara: "Oh...yes...of course. I remember that."
Ashley: "I'll have Joker set a course for Eden Prime. I'll have Cortez arrange us to have us delivered to the planet's surface as soon as we arrive."

Ashley walked out of the lab.

Mordin: "Will need him to come with us. Could use his help in this."
Jewel: "I'm guessing you'll also be needing Flare's help with this."
Mordin: "Exactly. She is the only one who can pick up on the visions from this lingering energy. Will need her to verify if such can be conceived."
Splash: "Yes! It makes perfect sense!"
Garrus: "Hold on for a second. Are you telling me that we'll need to use Flare and her special powers for this? I do not approve of having her to be used in any way, especially for this."
Flare: "It's alright. I do not mind at all. In fact, I am curious about this as well. If I could conceive visions of events further back to those times, I would like to see them for myself."
Garrus: "You sure about this, Flare? I'm OK with whatever you girls would like to do, but that doesn't mean that I would allow you to be used in any experiments. The last thing I would need is to allow you to hurt yourselves, even if it's for the benefit of this galaxy or your own powers."
Flare: "Please, do not worry for us. We have not been harmed in any way to satiate curiosity whether it be yours or our own for that matter."
Star: "Yeah and it's not like we would keep quiet about being in any pain from this."
Mordin: "And besides, would never hurt these girls unless there is no other way. Even they would accept that."
Garrus: "Well...alright. I'll allow it, but if anything were to happen to her, I'm putting a stop to this."
Flare: "Usually nothing does. I have been taking precautions to ensure that the intake of any mystical energy would not harm me in any way."
Garrus: "OK, sure, I trust that you are careful, but that does not put me at ease, not completely."
Flare: "I understand. For that, I will meditate to rest up until then so that I am to not strain myself."

She then walked up to Mordin.

Flare: "Mordin, will you evaluate me as I meditate?"
Mordin: "Of course. Would be happy to."

Flare had a tiny smile on her face.

Flare: "I would appreciate that."

Mordin nodded, they both then walked up to the medical bed, Flare climbed back up on it and sat down while in her lotus position.

Garrus: "Wait, you're not going to enforce those visions again."
Flare: "Ease your concerns. I won't. I cannot force myself to perceive them. For the better interest of my own abilities, I will allow them to focus themselves. I need only to relax, nothing more."

Garrus seemed a bit tense.

Aera: "Are you guys sure that he's the right person to be our main caretaker? Because he seems a little too overqualified if you ask me."
Liara: "Well, it may seem that way, but that's probably why he's the perfect fit for the position."
Tali: "Exactly, if there is anyone who could prevent any unnecessary harm to you girls, he is, without a doubt, the best person to depend on for that. Honestly, I couldn't think of anyone who's better for the position than him."
Aera: "As long as he doesn't go overboard, I'm fine with that."
Liara: "And we know that he doesn't do this for the best interest of the galaxy, but rather, you girls."
Aera: "Yeah...we know. It may be annoying sometimes, but...to be honest, we actually like it. This is probably the first in a long time that we've had someone other than our own families who actually care about us like this. In fact, he actually cares about us more than some of our own family members."

Liara and Tali exchanged concerned looks with each other.

Within much time, Mordin continued to monitor Flare as she meditated. Garrus stood by to overlook the evaluation. The rest of the girls also stood by. Flare seemed calm as she meditated.

Garrus: "How does it look? She's not stressed out, is she?"
Mordin: "No...if fact...she seems calm. Tranquil, at piece. No signs of any stress. Never seen anyone who could be...less agitated. Most likely unaware of her surroundings at this moment."
Aera: "That's usually how she is. This is, without a doubt, her way of alleviating stress. Though it doesn't work like that all the time."
Splash: "She says that it helps her "perceive the universe and all those within it" or something like that. I couldn't really understand much about it."
Aera: "No surprise there."
Garrus: "So, you detect no signs of her in any forms of stress. She's not even trying to enforce anything?"

Mordin scanned her for a bit then shook his head.

Mordin: "No, not enforcing anything, especially not the visions, although, have been detecting energy readings similar to those visions. Have reason to believe that she is "allowing the visions to focus themselves" as she has mentioned."

At that time, Flare is able to see the visions a little more clearly, with them skipping out a little less. Soon enough, she could see other visions that she hadn't seen before. She was able to see the tower collapse. Then, she saw another one consisting of the krogan having cleaned up the debris of the collapsed towers with Eve also digging through the rubble and having found Mordin, unconscious, very much alive.

Flare: "How...can this...be...?"
Star: "Flare? What is it?"

From there, Flare opened her eyes. She seemed calm, but was concerned about something.

Splash: "Flare...!"

The other girls approached Flare and stood near her.

Aera: "Are you OK? Did you...did you...see them...?"

She sat quietly for a bit.

Flare: "I saw...the visions again. I did not force them, I just let them focus themselves. I saw them...a little more clearly."
Jewel: "You seemed as though there was more to it. Is that true?"

Flare looked to her side as she dropped her head a bit.

Flare: "I did...there was...a little more...to those visions...I saw the tower...when it collapsed...also...much time after that...the krogan...they were...cleaning up the debris after the war...I also saw Eve...and..."

She then looked towards Mordin.

Flare: "When she found you. She...she didn't seem surprised to find you, just like she said..."
Aera: "Was there anything else to it?"

Flare turned her head back and dropped it again.

Flare: "No...nothing else...I could not...I wasn't able to find out anything else. I still don't know how it's even possible, but..."

She then remembered the vision of the mysterious, glowing arms that were placed around Mordin.

Flare: "I know it has something to do with that mysterious being. I know...that it...has something to do with how he even survived the destruction of that tower. I'm sure of it."
Miranda: "That still isn't a lot to go by."
Flare: "I know...I just...I really to find out...how it could have been...how it happened...did it...do something to him? I couldn't see anything else."
Liara: "It's OK, Flare. We'll figure this out along the way."
Garrus: "Yeah, at the moment, your well-being matters a lot more to us than trying to comprehend these visions. You'll have more time to put those pieces together."

Mordin nodded. Flare smiled.

Flare: "Thank you."
Garrus: "But...just to really make sure, are you OK? You're not hurt or strained in any way, are you?"
Flare: "Of course not. That was...quite soothing. Best I've felt in a while."

She jumped down from the bed.

Flare: "Now then, is there anything else that needs to be taken care of prior to our arrival at Eden Prime?"
Mordin: "Of course, must console with the one who was alive all those years ago, the last time the galaxy was under attack by the Reapers."
Flare: "I see...shall we ask him to join us?"
Mordin: "Was planning on getting to that."

Star looked a little annoyed.

Splash: "I'll let Ash know right away!"

Splash ran out of the room.

Star: "Great, we have to deal with him again."
Liara: "We know that he can be, um...very rough around the edges but..."
Tali: "He did live many years ago and he would have a lot of memories of how the galaxy was all those years ago."
Star: "Is it really important for him to get involved in this?"
Mordin: "Absolutely. Just want to see how accurate the visions Flare picks up on as compared to how he remembers it. Just need to make sure of that."
Flare: "I can only imagine so many horrors that he endured. I must admit that I am somewhat frightened about what visions I am to come across upon our arrival."
Liara: "I would imagine, too. The Protheans have gone through such a terrible ordeal; to have their entire civilization and race be wiped out in such a terrifying manner."
Miranda: "We almost went through that and although we survived, the whole ordeal was terrible."

Everyone stood around, melancholy.

Much time later, Splash returned with Ashley and Javik.

Liara: "Welcome back, Javik. It's good to see you hear again."
Javik: "You have...called for me?"
Flare: "Javik, I'm not sure if you are aware of this, so allow us to bring you up to speed on what we have discussed."
Javik: "Hmm, I have been informed actually of the current matter. It seems that you have learned a new ability. You are able to see glimpses of past events."
Flare: "Yes, it is not so much something that I am able to carry out on my own, per se. It's more so what I can conceive from magical energy that surrounds me."
Miranda: "We were able to discover a form of lingering magical energy that the Fayelons describe as "containable memories" that belongs to someone, possibly their Divine Source."
Jewel: "If they really are memories that belong to our deity, then there really is no telling how far back they go."
Liara: "Hmm...that is an interesting question. If it's an almighty deity, then...perhaps those memories could go as far back as the dawn of time."
Garrus: "Whoa! Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Ashley: "Garrus is right. We should focus on one thing at a time and then we'll work our way to other events prior."
Liara: "Oh...right, sorry, I...almost got carried away there."
Javik: "So, what does any of this have to do with me?"
Jewel: "Well, Flare wants to look into this ability a bit more so that she could fortify it better."
Star: "While we were discussing that, Mordin, the ever-brilliant genius that he is, have found readings similar to the lingering magical energy that we have found on Tuchanka."
Aera: "The readings were discovered to be found on a planet that we were told you know: Eden Prime."

Javik seemed a bit shocked by this.

Javik: "I...I still don't understand where you are getting out."
Flare: "Well, this lingering magic, as we have mentioned before, consists of memories that belong to the Divine Source, so they could date back to hundreds or maybe thousands of years. Or perhaps even...50,000 years ago."
Javik: "You mean...during the previous Reaper attack...prior to the current one that we have just eradicated?"

Flare nodded.

Flare: "We are heading there now to see if I can...pick up on those visions...those...memories..."
Liara: "The reason we asked you to come here is because you were the only one who lived those events all those years ago, so we don't know who else to ask to verify if the visions that Flare will see there would coincide with your own."

Javik stood by, spellbound.

Tali: "You do...still remember what happened on Eden Prime all those years ago, correct?"
Javik: "Of course I still remember them! How could I possibly forget such a terrible event that I was forced to endure!? No one ever could!"
Aera: "Alright, alright, no need to be testy there, guy."
Liara: "Well, then, since you've managed to reassure us of that, I believe we should be set for once we have arrived at our next destination."
Star: "Assuming you would be willing to help us out with this."
Javik: "Hmm..., I do not like to be dragged into doing something without my consent, so I appreciate you telling me about this. I am indeed curious about this special new ability of the pryomancer. How could I possibly say no to this most interesting request?"
Splash: "Then it's settled! As soon as we reach this Eden Prime, we will get right down to it! Oh, I'm so looking forward to this!"
Ashley: "We should be arriving soon. Get ready, everyone."

Soon enough, they arrived at Eden Prime. They looked out at it from one of the windows.

Ashley: "There it is, girls. Eden Prime."
Jewel: "Wow, so...this is the planet where it all started."
Ashley: "Yeah...it's amazing how far we've come. I still..."

Ashley sulked a bit. Jewel took notice of this.

Jewel: "Ash? You...OK?"
Ashley: "I...I'm fine. I just..."

She paused again.

Liara: "This was where Shepard first met Ashley."
Jewel: "Oh...really?"
Ashley: "I...I still remember it very well. I...we...let's just say a lot has happened since then. Come on, Cortez is already waiting for us."

Everyone left the room. The girls stood by for a bit, concerned.

Star: "Well...let's get to it, girls. Those visions aren't going to rush into Flare's head on their own."

She walked off. The others followed. Jewel stood by for a brief moment, seemingly like she was pondering something, then left afterwards.

They were already on board the shuttle and making their way towards the planet.

Steve: "So, coming back here again, huh? You guys must have something else important to do here."
Flare: "Yes, very important."
Steve: "Well, I don't know exactly what this is, but I would like to check this out for myself."
Flare: "Certainly, you are more than welcome to join us."
Aera: "Oh, I would love for you to do that. Absolutely!"
Steve: "Heh, I bet this would be interesting."
Garrus: "Depending on your point of view. None of us will be able to see anything there, but Flare, on the other hand..."
Liara: "We have reason to believe that there will be a lot for her to pick up on. You'll find out what we mean."
Samantha: "Oh, I've heard about this special power of hers. I can't wait to see in action."
Tali: "I doubt you would see much but it is interesting to know that she has this kind of power."
Samantha: "I wonder what she would see there. I still can't believe it, though. Could these visions actually be real?"
Jewel: "Yeah, they are real. From what everyone else has told us, they describe her being able to see these visions as though she was there actually witnessing them."

Steve sat by; he was a bit confused.