The last mine clung to the crate.

Hopefully I won't need to use these. Tali thought herself as she went to take a seat next to the crate. She put her weight on her left arm; a shot of pain caused her to lose her balance and fall onto her backside. She had never felt pain like this, like her muscles were constantly being prodded by a knife. She had only been on her pilgrimage for a couple weeks, and she had already almost died. She sighed, the weight of her situation setting in. She remembered the scene vividly.

She had just gotten released from the cell in C-Sec HQ. Tali was caught stowing away on a turian freighter, and put in their detention center for the night. They said she "wasn't worth the bullets." She was released and she went to the Citadel Embassies to try and show the evidence in her possession regarding Saren. Before even making it inside, a turian clerk cut her off. He kicked her out and called her "suit-rat."

Tali clenched her fist in anger at the memory. A single tear dropped from her eye and landed on the inside of the visor.

She thought she had at least escaped the assassins on Illium. The presidium had her in awe. She needed to see some beauty after staying in that cell all night. Sadly, it was only moments before she felt the sting of a bullet clip her shoulder. She didn't have her shields up. Shit, I should've been more careful.

She felt the air rush in as her suit ruptured. She ducked into the crowd and hid amongst the common folk. She was panicking and couldn't find a place to hide. As she started to lose consciousness, a pair of hands grabbed her and dragged her to an elevator.

She awoke in a makeshift medical center to the welcoming smile of Dr. Michel. A friendly face was a rare sight for her. The doctor helped her with the infection; Tali was surprised by knowledge of quarian anatomy. Dr. Michel put her in contact with this "Fist", who apparently worked for the Shadow Broker. This was her big chance to get this evidence to someone who needs it, and hopefully get protection from Saren's assassins.

She was at the spot they were to meet- an out of the way alley in the wards. It had an ominous red glow that gave her the chills. It felt like being in a ship without power, a death sentence for a ship in the Flotilla.

She got to the place early to set up some traps just in case. She got up from her sitting position, making sure she used her healthier arm, and got herself ready for the deal.

A minute later, she noticed a turian in all black clothing flanked by two salarians enter the alley. A bunch of guards covered both entryways once they entered. No escape. Damn. And none of those can be Fist, he's a human. She didn't like the feeling of this.

"You're not the Shadow Broker. Where's Fist?" She asked with skepticism.

"He'll be here!" He was a creep. He put his hand on the side of her helmet, and slowly moved it down her right side.

His touch made her uncomfortable. She hated the way he was looking at her, like some little girl to take advantage of. I'm going to gut this bosh'tet. As he got past her shoulder, she slapped his hand away.

"No, the deal's off!" She activated the proximity mines she had placed.

The explosion knocked the turian and the two salarians over and gave her time to defend herself. She dove instantly behind a crate, grimacing as her arm felt like it was about to fall out, and grabbed the shotgun from her back. She popped up and quickly blew away one of the bodyguards that came around her crate and then ducked back behind it. The armor on his chest exploded, pieces of metal shining in the light like confetti. She unloaded the thermal clip and checked her remaining stash. Three shots left.

Three! Keelah, I can't take out all these guys with just three shots! Tali panicked trying to come up with a plan but nothing was coming to her. Ancestors, please help me!

As Tali struggled to come up with a plan, she saw a couple of shots from an assault rifle take out three bodyguards in an instant. She looked where the shots came from and saw a human male in red and black body armor with an N7 logo on his chest.

His movements were quick; a veteran in the craft of war. Behind him was a turian in blue armor wielding a sniper rifle, who then lined up a shot that took out two more bodyguards with one pull of the trigger. The precision of his shot was impressive.

Both shots hit right between the brows of both targets. The third person was a giant krogan in red armor who bulldozed his way through the two salarians in bodysuits and sent them flying into the walls. Tali could hear their spines crack on impact. The krogan then took his shotgun and blasted a couple more targets, giggling with the happiness of a quarian with a brand new drive core.

Who were these people? Friends or enemies? Either way, they were a lot more scary than the bodyguards.

As she was thinking this, the turian she thought was with Fist turned the corner and was pointing a pistol right at her. His face was charred, and blood was seeping down his face and neck. Before he could pull the trigger the human got him with a quick burst from his rifle.

The turians body fell on the ground, dead, and there was a moment of calm that settled in the alleyway as the carnage ended.

She sat in shock staring at the three strangers. She expected the worst, pointing her shotgun at them, ready to blow them away if they tried something. Her arm was still pulsating with pain. She could barely keep her aim straight. She had enough shots for each of them. The fear in her grew, and she was shaking slightly. Keelah, if these guys beat all of these thugs, then they...

Her thought was cut short when the human started walking up to her. He carefully put away his assault rifle and removed his helmet. She expected him to be some mean-looking mercenary trying to take advantage of her. But, the look in his eyes were of real concern, and he was reaching out to her with his hand.

"Hey, you okay miss?" He asked with total sincerity in his voice.

Ancestors, is this the guardian you have sent me? Tali thought to herself as the man helped her up to her feet. The strength she felt was impressive, but also gentle. "Yeah, I'm fine, but if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

"I'm a friend, Commander Shepard, I'm an Alliance soldier looking for evidence to incriminate Saren." He was standing at attention, and Tali couldn't help but find him charming.

"Well then you may be in luck, Commander, I may have something to repay you for rescuing me. However, I want to have protection before I help you." She still was skeptical, but knew that she had no other choice.

"We can take her to the human embassy, Shepard." The turian said as he put away his sniper. "Your ambassador would most likely want to hear this anyway."

"We'll make sure you're safe, I promise." He gave her a big smile.

Her cheeks started burning up under her helmet. She couldn't explain why, but she felt safer in his presence. "Alright, Commander. I'll follow your lead."

Shepard nodded. "Alright. Everyone move out!" The four of them left the alleyway full of corpses and headed back to the presidium.