Episode 36-Realization

Much time later, they met back at the medical bay. The girls were there, as well, with Flare and Star having reverted to their Dormant forms. Star, sitting down on a medical bed, was being evaluated. Some are the crew members arrived.
Liara: "How are you feeling?"
Star: "Fine, never better."
Dr. Chakwas: "I was just finishing up with the final evaluations of her. She seems to be in good health, if not better after she and the rest of the girls have been put on the regular diet."
Garrus: "That's all I needed to hear. We'll keep the diet going as planned."
Dr. Chakwas: "Of course, it is important that we keep at that."

Garrus nodded once. Mordin walked up to Star. As he approached her, she looked at him and smiled.
Star: "Hello again, Dr. Solus. I feel like I'm doing very well."
Mordin: "That is good to hear, Star. However, there are…concerns regarding your lightning abilities that need to be discussed with you."
Star: "Concerns? What are they about?"

Liara also stepped forward.
Liara: "We've looked over your readings and…they don't look good at all. I've also found an Intel Crystal that contains information regarding those powers."
Star: "Wha…what is this about? Am I sick? Would I be succumbing to a horrible condition?"
Liara: "No, no, it is nothing that serious. You are still in good health."
Dr. Chakwas: "Of course, I looked into whatever I could find about terminal conditions for your kind, so far, you and your friends have nothing that serious."
Liara: "But it is something that is very serious regardless."
Mordin: "Would like to discuss the rest of this in the lab, if you don't mind."
Star: "Are you kidding me? I'm always happy to go back to your lab."

She jumped down from the bed.
Star: "Let's get going. I want to know everything you've found out about my powers! I won't wait another minute!"
Mordin: "Very well, let's go."

Star walked out with Mordin and Liara. Everyone else stood by and watched.
Aera: "How bad is it? Did they tell you?"

The group stood by, concerned, almost like they didn't want to mention anything about the subject.
Hackett: "It is…a critical issue. Again, we just want to remind you that this has no negative effects to her health, but…"
Garrus: "Her health is not our concerns. It's…it involves how badly she's been treated."
Miranda: "We've always known that Star received a lot of horrible treatment during childhood, but the more we look into this, the worse that it seems, like…almost like…"
Ashley: "Like a huge trail of abuse is being displayed before us and the further we look into this, the shadier and more disturbing it's made out to be. I'm sure you girls have been through that, too."

The girls stood silent for a bit.
Jewel: "Yeah…I guess you're right….but…when it came to her lightning powers…no one did anything about it…."
Miranda: "Don't forget that neglect IS also a form of abuse. Some forms of inactions can be damaging."
Ashley: "She's right, whenever a caretaker refuses to do anything that needs to be done for those that they take care of, it can cause harm. Your friend's lightning abilities are one of those examples."

The girls seemed saddened by this.
Splash: "Poor Star. We've always known that our mentors were being mean when they refused to teach her how to utilize her lightning powers, but…we didn't know it was that bad."
Aera: "No kidding, they made it out as though they didn't have to teach us about certain powers, like it was optional, so would just decide that they won't. What a bunch of crap."
Flare: "Indeed, my grandfather has told me that all abilities need to be taught and learned properly. Through structure and tutelage should our abilities flourish. So, I knew that what they believed in, or rather what they wanted to believe in, were all lies."
Splash: "We…we want to know everything we can about this. We want to know how horribly they treated Star."
Ashley: "Yes, we wanted to show all of you. Let's go."
Jewel: "Of course…"

The girls walked out with the group. Jewel looked saddened as she walked out.
Mikhailovich: "I had no idea things were this bad. These girls…their suffering is far worse than I thought."
Hackett: "We have reason to believe that their conflicts have started before their vigilante went rogue, so we will have to deal with more detrimental issues later on. Also, we have confirmed that these girls and their current conflict with the Dark entity isn't the first time that this galaxy has dealt with such Darkness."

Mikhailovich was startled to hear about this.
Mikhailovich: "So, it's all true."

Soon enough, they entered the lab. There, they noticed Mordin, Star and Liara. Mordin and Star were at their usual spots with Liara standing near Star. Star looked very startled.
Star: "Are you serious? Is this….really…?"
Mordin: "Yes, all of it is confirmed to be accurate."
Star: "And….and they knew about this….? All of it?"
Liara: "From what I can tell, yes, they have."

Star's friends approached the side of the table that she sat closer to.
Aera: "Star….are you OK?"
Splash: "We…we were told that…what you guys have found out is bad. We came here to find out what it was."

Star glanced down towards her friends, looking as though she wanted to kill someone.
Star: "Bad!? BAD!? Are you kidding me!? To say this is bad doesn't even come close!"

Splash flinched.
Splash: "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you!"

Star looked like she calmed down a little.
Star: "No…don't be sorry. At least….at least I know I can trust all of you with anything."

Her friends stood by. They were worried but smiled a little.
Garrus: "Tell them everything you've found out about this."

Mordin nodded, then went on the console.
Mordin: "Analyzations from electrical energy indicates that Star's lightning abilities are very difficult to contain. Because of such, no restrictions can be placed on those powers, therefore making it nearly impossible for her to reduce the intensity of her own lightning abilities to safer levels."
FemShep: "You didn't know anything about this, did you, Star?"

Star shook her head.
Star: "Of course not, none of our mentors even bothered to mention anything about this. When I asked, they would say things like "figure it out yourselves" or "there is no way to reduce your power levels" or something like that."
Mordin: "Untrue. Have found out that such methods are possible."
Liara: "From the Intel Crystal regarding these lightning abilities, we were able to find that there are special training procedures to help electrokinetic Fayelons to contain these powers better."
FemShep: "The info. also mentioned that this needs to start at a relatively young age, meaning that Star is far behind on managing those powers of hers."
Liara: "Yes, that is correct."
Garrus: "But it's the mentors who actually have to put forth the effort to train them."

Mordin dropped his head a little and paused with a slight discontent look on his face.
Mordin: "Yes."
Traynor: "I don't believe this! This is terrible! How could they do this?"

The girls stood by silent with disheartened looks on their faces.
Ashley: "Are all of your mentors unwilling to teach you how to utilize your powers?"
Jewel: "Not all of them. We had a few good ones that were willing to take us under their tutelage. They were…the greatest. We…we probably wouldn't have made it as far as we did without them."
Star: "Yeah, they were wonderful."
Aera: "They really did help us out a lot when no one else wanted to."
Flare: "Hmm, indeed. But they did not last…"
Liara: "What happened to them?"
Jewel: "We don't know. They just…disappeared one day. We haven't heard from them."
Garrus: "Hmm, it seems like such a bizarre coincidence that all of your better mentors just vanished."
Miranda: "I take it the same did not happen to the ones who didn't care about you."
Star: "No, they didn't. And if that wasn't bad enough, the academy just continued on as though the disappearances weren't anything to be concerned about."
Jewel: "Although, a handful of them still reached out to us a few times. One that I still remember was absolutely wonderful. She was…the best…a true role model."
Aera: "Oh, I remember her, it was the first time that I've ever had a genuine and caring motherly figure."
Splash: "Yes, she was like a second mother to all of us."
Star: "And one who was not a spineless coward, unlike mine."
Flare: "We had her around for an entire sol cycle. She promised that she would teach so much about how to utilize our powers better. We knew that she would have kept her promise had it not been…"

Flare paused as she sulked. The crew members looked on as though they were a little startled by something.
Tali: "If she had not disappeared?"
Jewel: "Yes…but…a little after she did, we received something from her and she left a message to not reveal to anyone that we had received it or that she had given it to us. We really made sure that no one else found out about that."

Everyone was stunned and confused to hear this. However, Liara developed a startled look from realizing something.
Liara: "The jewelry box!"
Jewel: "Yes, she didn't mention that it was her that gave it to us, but we knew. She always seemed like…she was worried about something, like she was always looking over her shoulder. I don't know why, but…"

Jewel paused, everyone in the room seemed puzzled.
Hackett: "Yes…I think we understand…"
Star: "So…any ideas on how I would be able to…get caught up with the training I was supposed to start as a child?"
Liara: "I don't know. I'll try to consult the crystals for ways to do that, but until then…"
FemShep: "This means that you will have to hold off on your lightning powers until we're able to figure that out."
Miranda: "At least it doesn't have a negative effect on your health."
Star: "Yeah…I'm…I'm glad for that, I was never crazy about my lightning abilities anyway. Still, I can't believe…they knew about this and did nothing about it."
Tali: "Is anyone else getting the feeling that we're finding out things that these girls supposedly shouldn't know about?"
Liara: "That doesn't surprise me. We've already found out so many things about their world that have indicated to be kept on a need-to-know basis."
Ashley: "This is ridiculous! How could they do this to these girls!?"
Miranda: "Hmm…a good question, this is looking more and more suspicious."
Hackett: "By the way. Flare, is this how it has been for your other magical ability?"
Flare: "My…other ability…? Are you referring to…the explosions that I've conjured up?"
Hackett: "Yes, it seems that both you and Star have such dangerous secondary abilities that are clearly in need of urgent training, but you didn't receive it, either, did you?"

Flare paused as though she was about to ponder.
Flare: "No…I have not…upon the discovery of such destructive power, I asked our mentors to train me to better manage them. They claimed that they would agree to it, but they never did. When my grandfather found out about this, he, himself, offered private tutelage of such, but they declined and continued on the claim that they would train me personally, but never got to it."
Jewel: "It was so annoying. Her grandfather went to them over and over again, begging to have her receive the training, but it was always the same response."
Aera: "It was almost as though they were delaying him so that they could intentionally put off the lessons indefinitely."
Star: "He pestered them so many times until he gave up and offered to pull her away and start the tutelage, himself, without their consent."
Splash: "It went swimming for a while, until…"
Jewel: "The headmistress of the academy found out. She reprimanded Flare for the "unnecessary" tutelage behind their backs, claiming that they have "interfered" with her other course. She was…also incredibly harsh towards him."

Flare clenched her fists in frustration.
Flare: "She told him off, calling him a nosey busybody and to never pull that stunt again. He argued that if they had proceeded with the tutelage as they had promised, he wouldn't have had to do that. She said it still didn't excuse him from what he did. From there, I was forbidden from ever taking on those tutelages again."
Liara: "Flare, that's horrible."
Ashley: "Why would they do that? Clearly, your grandfather was only trying to fill in where you were clearly being neglected and they just…"
Flare: "They were horrible about it. I could have sworn that I've noticed a seemingly unrecognizable sinister grin on the headmistress' face."

Everyone in the room was shocked to hear about this. From there, a slight tense look appeared on Ms. Shepard's face.
FemShep: "Find everything you can about this special tutelage and get her started on this as soon as possible."
Liara: "No need to tell me twice. It's clear that she and Star will have a lot of work that needs to be done."

Liara walked out of the room.
Miranda: "I'll have a chat with Samara about this and see if she'll be interested in helping out. I'm sure she would be."

Miranda also walked out. Star stood by, looking frustrated. From there, she banged her fists on the table.
Star: "Damn them!"

Everyone was startled from this as they looked at her. Star then repeatedly slammed her fist on the table in frustration.
Star: "Damn them! Damn them all! Every single last one of them! How dare they!"

She stopped and just placed her fists on the table.
Star: "They should have…how could they…? Why…would they….?"

Her lip began to quiver, tears then streamed down her face, she lost it and bawled her eyes out uncontrollably. Mordin, saddened from seeing her crying, grabbed her and held her close as she did the same with him. She also cried on him as they held each other. He placed his hand on the side of her head and stroked it as she continued crying on him. Everyone else just stood by and looked on at them as they saddened by this.
Jewel: "Oh….Star…."
Aera: "It should be apparent why they did, even though…this is unforgivable…and reprehensible…"

Mikhailovich dropped his head a little and sulked.
Mikhailovich: "I was wrong about you girls. I can understand now that you have suffered a lot and it is very clear that you need to be here not just for the support regarding your powers, it's clear you need emotional support as well. I wish I had known this sooner."
Aera: "Thanks so much for understanding, finally. You really had no idea what we've been through."
Mikhailovich: "I would still like to look over all of the data that you've collected."
Ashley: "Sure, we'll provide you with everything you'll need."
Mikhailovich: "After I sort through all of the data, I'll be making my report to the alliance. I will also be needing a lift back to the alliance to send my report about my observations. It seems that the report that I will send out won't be as crude as I have originally intended. Thank you all for allowing me to observe what you do here with the girls. I have indeed received some firsthand experience as to what goes on here and it is good to see that each of you have these girls and the safety of this galaxy in good hands."

Much time later, there were examinations done. Both Star and Flare were back in the cargo bay, doing all they could to manage their abilities. Both of them were in their Metamorphose forms with everyone else still standing by watching. It's very clear that they're struggling.
Liara: "It doesn't look good."
FemShep: "No, it doesn't. This is very worrisome."
Star: "Ugh! It's no use. We can't do this without any guidance."
Flare: "Indeed, I still remember the very few that my grandfather has taught me, but…it's not enough."
Star: "It was so rude and inconsiderate for that miserable hag to just cut you off from receiving those lessons! Your grandfather also offered to help and they wouldn't allow him! Did he really deserve to be treated so horribly just for trying to help!?"
Flare: "He did not. He had made many valid points to them, but…they just wouldn't concede. All of this had been suspicious from the very beginning."

Liara stepped up to approach them.
Liara: "That should be enough for the time being. We have something better in mind so perhaps you should meditate for the time being."

They both nodded and walked off.
Liara: "Hmm…she does indeed make a point and I would say that those suspicions would be warranted. I managed to find an Intel Crystal regarding the pyromancer's combustible abilities. Such a technique is so dangerous that immediate tutelage of said ability is highly recommended."
Ashley: "It wouldn't be detrimental to their health if they didn't carry out the ability, right?"
Liara: "No, but that's not the point. They would sometimes carry out these attacks on impulse. These girls have done an incredible job with resisting said impulses, but…there are times when they would need to use them, as we have clearly seen during those few previous fights."
Garrus: "Yeah, it's no surprise that they would fear their own abilities, especially if they're incredibly dangerous. Hardly anything about their situations make any sense."
Mordin: "Indeed, upon realizing when one has such dangerous abilities, the first course of action would be to immediately place them under special tutelage."
Tali: "But why didn't they? What is making them so hesitant to place these girls under these special teachings to help them manage their powers better?"
Ashley: "Your guess is as good as mine. Anyone in their right minds would put them into those teachings the second their powers were discovered, but…something about this definitely doesn't fit right."
FemShep: "I agree. I also get the sense that they just didn't want to do anything about this."
Samara: "Hmm, indeed, anyone with those kinds of powers would need special attention and a second thought about any of this would not come into play."
Thane: "The same applies for the likes of us. Biotic abilities can be dangerous. Definitely not as dangerous as wielding lightning or the ability to utilize explosions from one's fingertips, but still something that needs to be addressed."
Garrus: "But is this really just a bunch of neglectful mentors who just don't want to do their jobs properly or is it…? No, something tells me that it's much worse than that."
Samara: "I agree, when Flare was forbidden from receiving tutelage of her combustion powers, I was told that she mentioned something about her headmistress grinning upon giving out said punishment, if I'm not mistaken."
Ashley: "No, she did tell us that."

Samara nodded.
Tali: "Not to mention that it was because her grandfather offered to give out said tutelage."
Garrus: "I agree with her grandfather about these suspicions. They shouldn't have put off mentoring her for these powers. Why put her through this?"
Miranda: "I don't know and I agree that so much of this is suspicious. Sounds to me like they're being singled out on purpose. I can't think of why they would do this."
FemShep: "You girls have had some personal experience with this. Perhaps you can tell us from your own point of view what they've been doing."
Jewel: "I can't say we really understand the full extent of why they treated us the way they did but…we attended our courses like we should have and most of our lessons went normally, but…there have been times when we got the sense that we have been singled out on multiple occasions."
Aera: "Some members of our specialties were given equal and fair treatment. Too often we would be singled out and whenever we would ask them why, they would always give out lame excuses. They tried to convince us that they're "reasons" were truly just, but we weren't stupid."
Jewel: "They would continue on for the first few rows of compacted rotation cycles."
Liara: "You mean the first few weeks?"
Jewel: "Yes, it would go on like that, then there was a day in which they would concede to treating us fairly."
Aera: "And they would go about it involuntarily, almost as though they were scolded and chastised like oversized children who were punished for breaking the rules. I always find it amusing to see the distorted looks on their faces when they had to do their jobs properly."
Splash: "Though this would not happen all the time. Sometimes, our mentors would teach us like they were supposed to and some were actually nice."
Miranda: "Yes, we would believe that."
Garrus: "What I find hilarious is how Aera would describe your mentors as being treated like they were breaking protocols and going about doing their jobs like it's such a nuisance for them."
Aera: "It's even more funny when you see their faces. I've taken great pleasure in seeing them so unhappy."

Garrus looked a bit displeased.
Hackett: "By the way, I've been meaning to ask, does your kind have a form of higher authority? From what I can understand, you would have someone that your kind would answer to and regulate the rules and structure of your realm's society."
Aera: "Huh, thought you would never ask. The highest authority of our kind would be mysterious beings that are known as the Disciples of Order. That's who regulates our society."
Jacob: "And who would these "Disciples of Order" be?"
Jewel: "We're not really sure. They are said to answer to the Divine Source, that they are the voices that would speak for the Mother of all Life in the Universe."
Liara: "The Mother of all Life in the Universe? So, the Divine Source is a goddess?"
Aera: "Yeah, you would think it makes sense considering the "Divine bringer of all life" and all of that."
Liara: "Hmm, yes, from that perspective, that would be the case."
Hackett: "So, back on the subject on these Disciples of Order. Tell us anything you know about them."
Aera: "Hmmm….best to my understanding? They're probably the only kind of authority that I would ever have any respect towards. Unlike too many that I have known, they actually care about withholding true order within our realm."
Jewel: "As far as we know, aside from the Divine Source, they are the genuine leaders of our kind. They're held in high regards for their need to maintain peace and order without rest or hesitation. We don't know how they do it, but it is believed that they are immortal beings that are direct subordinates of the Divine Source."
Garrus: "They don't enforce the rules in ways that make you unhappy, right?"

Jewel shook her head.
Jewel: "Not intentionally. There is always something that we would not like that they have to enforce, but we understand that it is for the best interest of all of us. They are fair, just and ideal."
Aera: "Unlike too many of our own kind."
Splash: "Ever since we were little girls, our parents always taught us to obey the Disciples of Order as they truly are the Divine bringers of peace and justice and always look out for our wellbeing in the name of Divine Bringer of Light."
Garrus: "And what about everyone else in your society? What do they think of the Disciples of Order?"

The girls just stood about and said nothing. However, they were also sulking. Garrus seemed disturbed by this. He looked back towards the others who were also troubled by this reaction.
Garrus: "That…that's not what we want to see…"
Miranda: "Something tells me we should have seen this coming."
Ashley: "Well, let's put that aside for the time-being. What's important is helping these girls with managing their powers a little bit better."
Miranda: "Yes, I agree. A while ago, I called up Jack and told her everything. She was also appalled by what she heard. So much so, that she really couldn't hold back on the swearing. She offered to have us return to the academy to train with them."
Liara: "That sounds like a great idea, Miranda. I'll be sure to provide everything that we've found out."

Liara walked off.
Ashley: "In the meantime, we'll have Joker set a course for the academy."
FemShep: "I'll give them a call to let them know that we're on our way."

Ashley and Ms. Shepard walked off.
Garrus: "I don't know if this would be as effective towards enhancing your powers and prowess as your standard academy, but we'll do all we can."
Jewel: "Not a problem. It should be plenty."
Aera: "Yeah, and besides, you guys are providing more of an effort to help us out than those half-hearted and apathetic jerks who were supposed to be our mentors."

Jewel also nodded.
Jewel: "It would be great to attend an academy that would actually put forth more of an effort to actually teach us than the one we have back within our realm."

Star and Flare were seen walking back.
Star: "Oh, for sure. You've provided so much more for us than anyone else."
Flare: "Indeed, I would also vouch for that."
Garrus: "I appreciate that, but I won't take this as being a good thing."
Flare: "Hmm, you would be right about that. It is, without question, the most positive we've ever received and for that reason, this is truly a grim situation that we have been part of."
Splash: "So, while we're making our way back to this academy, how about we continue training our powers together."
Jewel: "Well…considering that our abilities will help to negate the lethal effects of your powers in a way, I guess we could do that."
Splash: "Eeee! Let's do it, then!"
Jewel: "Umm…OK, fine."

Jewel and Splash made their stances and ready themselves.
Jewel, Splash: "Metamorphose!"

They transformed.
Splash: "Let's go!"

All the girls ran off with the exception of Aera who just stood by for a brief moment.
Aera: "Eh, what the hey? Might as well join them."

She also readied herself.
Aera: "Metamorphose!"

She transformed as well and ran off towards her their way to the academy, the girls spent that duration practicing their powers. Flare and Star utilizing their explosive and lightning powers with Jewel and Splash using their abilities to contain the lethal elements. The crew members stood by to watch this take place. Mordin, on his omni-tool, scanned this progress taking place. Garrus had a slight tense and unnerved look on his face while watching. Ms. Shepard was looking towards Garrus, she seemed quite worried. She went up a little closer to him and placed her hand into his. He looked at her as she had a reassured look on her face. They stared at each other for a bit before resting her head on his shoulder. The both of them then consoled each other.