Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Escape from Tarkov/Mass Effect crossover. Thank you all for your feedback and support. I greatly appreciate it.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that, due to extenuating circumstances in my private life, I won't be able to update my Halo/Star Wars crossover. I wish I could update it soon, but I'm helping out with a major project and, as such, I'm unable to. I deeply apologize for the bad news and inconvenience. I'll be releasing an update later so that the viewers of that story know what's going on.

In the meantime, I have a poll that all of you can vote on for the next story you want me to write. Also, I have a Halo/BattleTech crossover that can tide you over until the update I wish to do for my Halo/Star Wars crossover comes out. If you haven't already, give that story a read. I think you'll enjoy it.

Either way, thank you for your support, and I hope to see you in future chapters. As always, leave a review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Escape from Tarkov or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Electronic Arts, BioWare and Battlestate Games. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.

Geneburn - Comprehend

SSV Normandy

Artemis Tau Cluster

2183

The mission from yesterday had been so tiring that Shepard had advised everyone to get some rest, while Liara immediately went to the med bay for medical treatment. O'Connor had found this to be incredibly smart, as he was hammered from the last mission. Fortunately, according to Chakwas, he was still combat ready, though she remarked that he was fortunate to have survived his first encounter with a Krogan Battlemaster. The only injury he had was some bruising, which would heal on it's own with time.

Today was the first day that they would be able to speak with each other, and the Council, in the Normandy's COM/Briefing room. As soon as they sat down, Joker said, "Commander, I know the mission was successful, but that was way too close. Ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulfur. The Normandy isn't built for landing in exploding volcanoes. They tend to, oh I don't know, fry our sensors and melt our hull, just for future reference."

"We almost died down there and your pilot is making jokes?" Liara, who was looking far better than yesterday, asked, incredulous.

"Joker pulled our asses out of the fire," Shepard explained. "I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes."

O'Connor, though, decided to pipe in. "Hey, Joker, maybe you can come along on the next mission. It'll be fun, what with the explosions, gunfire, adrenaline and all."

"Hah! Sounds like our resident time traveler knows a thing or two about sarcasm."

"How about I come up there with a bootlace and we can figure things out then." The PA fell silent with that remark.

"Wow," Kaidan beamed, impressed. "Someone knows how to outdo Joker's barbs."

"I see," Liara remarked. "It must be a human thing. I have little experience with your species socially. Still, Commander, I'm grateful for saving me, and not just from that volcano. Those Geth would've killed me, or dragged me off to Saren."

"What did Saren want with you?" O'Connor asked. "Do you know something about the Conduit?"

"Only that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I've spent the last fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."

That had O'Connor intrigued. How long has she been at this, he wondered. "My apologies," he asked, "but how old are you?"

"I hate to admit it, but I'm only a hundred and six," Liara replied.

"Damn," Ashley gawked. "Hope I look good when I'm your age."

"I think that's pretty young for an Asari," O'Connor countered.

"That's correct, mr…?"

"O'Connor. William O'Connor."

"Thank you, O'Connor. You are correct in stating that I'm very young. A century might seem like a long time for a short lived species like yours, but among the Asari, I'm barely considered more than a child. That is why my research has not received the attention that it deserves. Because of my youth, other Asari scholars tend to dismiss my theories on what happened to the Protheans."

"Really? If that's the case, then they're being very stupid, no offense intended, of course."

"Same here," Shepard nodded. "As for me, I've got my own theory on why the Protheans went extinct."

"With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind. It's as if someone didn't want the mystery solved. It's like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues.

"But here's the incredible part. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to vanish mysteriously. This cycle began long before them."

"Where'd you come up with this theory?" Shepard asked, surprised. "I thought you said there wasn't any evidence."

"I have been working on this for fifty years," Liara explained, her eyes gaining the spark of someone that knew what they were talking about. "I have tracked down every scrap and shred of evidence. Eventually, subtle patterns begin to emerge, patterns that hint at the truth. It is difficult to explain to someone else. I cannot point to one specific thing to prove my case. It is more of a feeling derived from half a century of work."

"A gut feeling," O'Connor guessed.

"That is one way to put it," Liara agreed. "But I know I'm right, and eventually, I will be able to prove it. There were other civilizations before the Protheans. This cycle has repeated itself many times over."

"If they weren't the first," Shepard mused, "then who was?"

"I don't know," Liara admitted, frowning. "There is barely any evidence of the Protheans, and as such, even less on those that came before. I cannot prove my theory, but I know that I'm right! The Protheans rose from a single world until they ruled the galaxy. Yet, even they climbed to the top on the remains of those that came before.

"Their greatest achievements – the mass relays and the Citadel – are based on the technology of those that came before them. And then, like all of the other forgotten civilizations throughout galactic history, the Protheans vanished. I have dedicated my life to finding out why."

"Well, I think I know what happened to them," Shepard replied. "They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines: the Reapers."

The moment he said this, Liara was deeply confused. "The – the Reapers? But I have never heard of -" Moments later, the scientist and archaeologist inside of her woke up fully, with a barrage of questions coming out of her mouth. "How do you know this? What evidence do you have?"

"There was a damaged beacon on Eden Prime," Shepard explained. "It burned a vision into my brain. I'm still trying to figure out what it means."

"A beacon?" Liara asked, surprised. "Yes… that does make sense, but the beacons were not programmed to interact with Human physiology. I'm surprised that you were able to make sense of it at all."

"Well, Shepard is a person that's tough as nails," O'Connor remarked. Kinda like myself, he thought.

"It's just a bunch of random images," Shepard remarked.

"I see," Liara mused. After a moment, she stood up and said, "Commander, with your permission, I would like to try something. You were touched by the beacon; the visions are locked away inside of your mind. Using the mind meld, I can join my consciousness to yours. Maybe my knowledge of the Protheans will help clarify your vision."

"You sure you want to do this?" O'Connor asked Shepard.

There was a moment of silence as Shepard thought the matter through, then he said, "Yes. This might be our only chance to find out what the beacon burned into my brain. If Liara can make sense of it, then she can go ahead and do so."

"Thank you, Commander," Liara nodded. "Just stand still and close your eyes." Complying, Shepard did so. Once he did, Liara came closer and suddenly declared, "EMBRACE ETERNITY!"

The moment she did, O'Connor saw an immediate change. Liara's pupils dilated as far as they could go, while her eye color darked, becoming a navy blue, almost black, color. She also stiffened, as though some outside force was restraining her.

The chance was so sudden that he jumped, nearly falling out of his chair in the process. So that's an Asari mind meld, he thought as he watched the entire thing. It's nothing at all like the Vulcan Mind Meld from Star Trek. I think I'll pass on that.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for the process to complete, as moments later, Liara stumbled backwards, eyes returning to normal as she steadied herself. "That was incredible!" she breathed. "All this time, all my research, yet I – I never dreamed."

Seeing Shepard's confused expression, she said, "Oh… I am sorry. The images were so vivid. I never thought the experience would be so… intense. You must be remarkably strong-willed, Shepard. What you have seen, what you have experienced, would've destroyed a lesser mind."

"Come on. Get to the point," Ashley asked impatiently. "What did you see?"

"The beacon on Eden Prime must've been badly damaged," Liara replied. "Large parts of the vision are missing. The data transferred into the Commander's mind is incomplete."

"You sure you didn't come across any kind of clue or hint?" Shepard asked. "Something we might've missed?"

"Everything I saw, you already know," Liara replied. "You were right about the Reapers. The Protheans were destroyed by a race of sentient machines. I think it's obvious that there's a connection between the Reapers, the Prothean extinction and the Conduit. But I didn't find anything that would help us find it."

"What's our next move?" O'Connor asked.

"Good question," Shepard agreed. "Any ideas?"

"Saren knew you were touched by the beacon on Eden Prime," Liara nodded. "He probably came after me because he feared I could help you understand it. I was able to interpret the data relayed through your vision, or what was there at least. Find the missing pieces, and I'm confident that I can put the pieces together then."

"Sounds like a plan, Stan," O'Connor remarked, thought his earned a few confused looks.

"Good to have you aboard, Liara," Shepard beamed.

"Thank you, Commander," Liara beamed. "I am very gratef-" Suddenly, Liara swayed, with O'Connor nearly leaping out of his seat, catching her just before she could fall over. "Woah!" she gasped. "I'm felling fairly lightheaded."

"That's an understatement," O'Connor remarked. "You nearly fell ass over teakettle." Turning to Shepard, he said, "Commander, I think it's best that Liara get some rest. I had this before, so I can tell you she needs good food, plenty of water and some rest."

"Agreed," Shepard nodded. "Garrus, can you take her there?"

"Sure thing, Commander," Garrus nodded. Walking over, he took Liara from O'Connor's arms and walked out of the room, with one of her arms slung over his shoulders as he carried her.

"We'll talk more once Liara's seen the doctor," Shepard nodded. "The rest of you, dismissed!"

"Affirmative," O'Connor nodded. With that, he and the others got up and left.

. . .

With the meeting over, O'Connor decided to head down to the Cargo Bay to talk to the Requisitions Officer, or BB Counter as he called the man last time. He was about to hit the button to head down when Wrex entered the elevator. Once the doors closed, Wrex flipped a switch that hadn't been visible before, stopping the elevator mid-deck. As soon as they stopped, he growled, "How did you know how to do that, O'Connor?"

"Do what?" William asked, genuinely confused.

"I figured out what you did from Garrus," Wrex continued, pushing O'Connor up against the other door of the elevator. "You ripped off a Krogan's headplate during your fight with that Krogan. How did you know?!"

The tone of Wrex's voice told O'Connor that this was serious, as he heard the tiniest sliver of fear in the hardened Battlemaster's voice. Taking a moment, he said, "I didn't know how to do that, to be honest, Wrex. The motherfucker was choking me to death, and I lashed out blindly with my combat knife. I didn't even know what happened until I looked at him."

"You mean, you didn't know?" Wrex asked, surprised.

"Yes," O'Connor replied. "I take it that's a major crime in your society?"

In response, Wrex let go of O'Connor, before taking a deep breath. After a moment, he said, "Our headplates are precious, because it allows us to assert our dominance as males in a group. A Krogan without a headplate is… is…"

"Is like a man that is sterile due to injury or torture," O'Connor finished.

"Yes," Wrex nodded. "Exactly. If we lost those, we wouldn't have any way of asserting our dominance. We'd be as useless as a lame Varren, as a piece of meat." Looking at O'Connor again, he said, "Let me make this clear, O'Connor: Never,evertell anyone about this. If other people were to learn about this -"

"I know what you mean," O'Connor interrupted, "and trust me, I don't intend to inflict that kind of humiliation on your people ever. The Genophage is already hard enough on your people. A slight like that would destroy any respect the Krogan had."

There were a few seconds of silence as the two stood in the elevator, with the silence being deafening. After a moment, Wrex said, "Thank you, O'Connor. You look like the kind of man that is discreet. I hope you are that way."

"A man that can't keep secrets doesn't last long in my line of work," O'Connor nodded. Reaching over, he flipped the switch, allowing the elevator to continue moving downwards. Instead of getting out, though, O'Connor went back up to the crew deck.

Sitting down in the mess, he pulled out an MRE from his armor pack, one of the few things that he'd kept with him when he left the Citadel. One talk with Wrex, and I'm already feeling hungry, he thought as he poured some water into the MRE. I never thought I'd see him appear so… frightened. Losing a headplate is very much a serious crime in his culture.

Once the MRE was done, he began to eat, popping chicken dumplings into his mouth like popcorn. He was cleaning up after himself when he heard someone walking over. Looking up, he noticed that it was Shepard. "Need something?" he asked.

"Just checking in on you," Shepard replied as he sat down at the mess table. "I noticed that Wrex seemed edgy around you for some reason. Is everything alright?"

"Yes," O'Connor nodded. "Remember when I was flailing around with my combat knife?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Well, in the process, I tore off that Krogan's headplate. According to Wrex, doing so is a major offense in his culture. He told me never to speak of it to anyone that didn't see it happen, and I intend to honor my agreement with him there. His people have enough problems with the Genophage, he doesn't need another to deal with."

"That's noble of you," Shepard remarked. "I never read your personal files, so I figured you might be just another mercenary. Good to see that I'm wrong."

"You wound me with your lack of faith, Shepard," O'Connor remarked dramatically, miming a wound on his chest. As the two chuckled, he said, "Yeah, I'm your typical merc in some ways, but I had a good upbringing. You can thank my father for that; he was in the Army."

"I heard you mention that. What rank was he?"

"Captain, but he worked in the field a lot. He didn't see much action until the Gulf War, when I was just a teenager. Won the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star during his time there. Once he came back, he shared some of his experiences with me, enough that I decided to become a Marine."

"I take it that was an interesting time, yes?"

"It was. I remember when I was in boot camp. Boy was that tough, even though my dad made sure I was very fit before I even joined the military. The DI's, Drill Instructors, were hard on us, and with good reason now that I look back on that time. There was one, though, that we called 'Hartman' because he acted just like the DI from the film Full Metal Jacket. He was hard, but he was a fair man too."

"How'd you do under him?"

"Pretty well, to be honest. Really helped shape me up. During the days when we weren't training, he would often take me aside, since I was a house mouse, someone that helped out with anything he needed. It turned out he was a family man, as he had two other sons that were in the military, DI's just like him. He still didn't go easy on me, though, but I liked the man."

"You speak about him as though he was a father figure."

"He was, in a way. Now that I'm here, in the future, I wonder what he would've made of this."

"Anyone else that you liked?"

"Yes. One of the traders that I worked with in Tarkov. Prapor was what he preferred to be called. Former Warrant Officer in the Russian Federation's army. He was hard, like my DI, but he was a good man. When he found out he was working for someone that wanted to turn Tarkov into an arena for blood sports, he cut off connections with them."

"Good man on his part." After a moment, Shepard said, "I should go. See you around."

"You too," O'Connor remarked. I get the feeling that I'll be hearing that a lot, he thought. Oh well, he's a Spectre on a mission. I can forgive a few eccentricities. With his meal finished, he headed down into the Cargo Bay.

Once down there, he found Garrus at work on the Mako once more, only he had a scowl on his face. "Something wrong?" he asked.

Again, Garrus hadn't expected to hear him, with the Turian sharply bending up, smacking the top of his head against the chassis of the Mako. "Spirits, O'Connor! Don't do that," he half-growled, half-shouted. "How you manage to sneak up on me, I don't know."

"I wasn't intending to," O'Connor frowned. "Am I that silent?"

"Apparently, yes," Garrus remarked, rubbing his head where he'd banged it. After a moment, he said, "So, what can I do for you?

"I wanted to talk more before I talked to the BB Counter."

"BB Counter?"

"Marine nickname for a Quartermaster or Requisitions Officer."

"OK, I guess." After a moment, Garrus stood up fully and said, "So, what do you want to know?"

"Why become a C-SEC officer in the first place?" O'Connor asked.

"Hm. That's a good question. There were several reasons, I guess."

"Such as?"

"Probably the same as most officers," Garrus shrugged. "I wanted to fight injustice, help other people. I guess my father had something to do with it too. He was C-SEC, one of the best. I grew up hearing about his accomplishments or seeing his picture on the vids after a big arrest. He's taking my resignation hard, like I said last time."

"That's tough," O'Connor agreed. "You'd think, though, that he'd be impressed that you're going after Saren, with Shepard alongside you."

"My father's a C-SEC man to the bone. 'Do things right, or don't do them at all,' he says. He thinks I'm being too impatient, too rash. He's worried I'll end up becoming like Saren, like you warned me. He actually talked me out of becoming a Spectre when I was younger, for the same reasons."

"Really? I didn't know you were asked to become a Spectre once."

"Well, I was targeted as a potential Spectre candidate, me and about a thousand other Turian military recruits. I would've received special training, but my father didn't like it. He despises the Spectres. He hates the idea of someone having unlimited power with no accountability. He probably wouldn't like Shepard, no offense intended."

"What about me?"

"That's a bit tougher. You're a merc, but your actions, so far, have shown that you're a good man."

"I see. Still, I can understand your father's concerns."

"You can? But Saren's not going to play by our rules, by C-SEC's rules. If you want to nail Saren, you need to send someone that's not restricted by policies and procedures."

"That's where you're wrong," O'Connor countered, stepping closer to Garrus. "My father, who would get along perfectly with yours, taught me a very important lesson: just because you can break the rules doesn't mean you should. We should not, and will not, stoop to Saren's level just to stop him, and neither should you, Garrus."

Those words had an effect on Garrus, as the Turian was about to speak up, only to stop. There were a few seconds of silence as he considered O'Connors words. "I see what you mean but… I'll think about it," he decided.

"Do so," O'Connor nodded. "We need people who can think, not mindless drones." With that, he walked away to where Tali was at. Nearby, he spotted Shepard and Ashley talking, probably about something that was related to the aliens onboard, if her body language said anything.

As soon as he came inside, he could tell that something was off. Tali's shoulders were slumped, which indicated that she wasn't doing too well. Turning around, she said, "Oh, hey O'Connor."

"You OK?" he asked her. "Is something wrong?"

"I don't know," Tali replied, shrugging her shoulders. "Your ship is amazing, the training you're giving me is phenomenal, and the crew is really nice. Especially Chief Engineer Adams, but I just sorta feel… out of place. The Normandy runs so smooth that it feels as though we're not moving, and the engines are so… quiet. How do they even manage to sleep?"

"The silence is deafening to you?"

"Back on the flotilla, the last thing you want to hear is silence. It means an engine's died, or an air filter's shut down. I guess you don't have to worry about that here, but old habits die hard. What about you?"

"I learned to catch sleep wherever I could. Back in the Marines, especially when you were on duty, you caught sleep wherever you could find it. You never really knew when you were going to be under fire, so it was best to rest so that, when something happens, you're at 100%. The same was true at Tarkov."

"I see. Still, it's more than that. The entire ship feels so empty, like half of it's crew is missing. Back home, I couldn't wait to go on my Pilgrimage. I couldn't wait to get away from the crowds. Now that I'm out here, I kinda miss them."

"I know what you mean. Sometimes, you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. I think that's what the Pilgrimage is meant to teach you: to cherish and love what you have before it's gone forever."

"You know, when you put it like that, it makes sense. Maybe that's what the Pilgrimage is all about. If that's the case, then I've gained a whole new perspective on my people. You know, there's always a few who go on their Pilgrimages, but never return. I always assumed that something terrible happened to them, but maybe they just wanted a different life."

"You do plan to return to the Migrant Fleet, though, do you?"

"I could never abandon my people, O'Connor. I will go back, eventually, but only after we stop Saren. If we don't, then I won't have a home to back to."

"I know what you mean." Looking around, O'Connor said, "Thanks for letting me know, Tali. I just wanted to make sure you're alright."

"You're welcome," Tali replied. "Are we going to the Citadel at some point, though? I need to make sure I've got what I need."

"We will," O'Connor nodded. "See you around."

"You too."

Walking out of the engine bay, O'Connor nearly collided with Shepard, stopping before he ran into him. "I was just going to check on Tali," Shepard explained.

"She's homesick, but I talked with her," O'Connor replied. "She's a good person, Shepard, a little naïve, but good. So, is there anything you need?"

"Just letting you know what'll happen next," Shepard replied. "We'll be heading to the Citadel to get some supplies, then we'll head for Feros. The colonists will need our help if they're in trouble."

"Agreed."

"Also, I think you did good on the previous mission. You showed a lot of initiative when you assaulted the Geth, and you got yourself out of some hairy situations. Looks like that training in the Marine Corps paid off."

"It certainly did." With that, the two left, fully aware of what needed to be done.