Chapter 7 : Hope
Crews Berthing: 11:38 hours
The fist hits him hard in the stomach jarring him awake. "How could you do it?" she asks loudly. "Why couldn't you keep that big fat stupid mouth shut for once!"
Scrambling out of the rack he narrowly ducks the slap aimed for his face. "Do what? What the hell are you talking about woman?" he shoots back.
Taking another swing at his face she continues "Why couldn't you leave them alone? Just...Just let them have some peace for a bit."
Ken just stands there for a minute, his face stinging from the slap. "Gabby...Gabriella" he asks softly "what did I do?"
"I'm coming back from the head" she says quietly "and I hear Stacy saying that Tali is now shacking up the the Commander! No one knew that but us and I didn't say a word!" she finishes almost in a shout. Her anger unleashes other emotions as she starts crying. "Why can't at least those two find some happiness? We almost died, we can still die. There's so much to do." she says sadly through her tears.
Ken gently hugs Gabby saying "Gabriella, don't worry. I happen to know this ship has the best two propulsion engineers there ever was." Gabby wraps her arms around ken, hugging him tightly as her tears fall onto his shoulder. "You and Tali can get this bucket moving. You said it yourself last night, were not out of the running just yet." He gently whispers in her ear.
After a couple of minutes Gabby stops crying but stays in Kens arms. Softly Gabby says "Ken, I'm scared."
"As am I but as long as we have each other it will always turn out right" he replies. Pulling back he looks her in eyes and...
The whoosh of the door surprises them as Crewman Phillips walks in, stops with his mouth hanging open and backs out slowly letting the door shut again.
Looking at Gabby, Ken says "For what its worth, I dinna say anything about Tali and I'm sure not going to say anything about this to no one. Well no one but you."
Gabby just said "Crap."
"Come on Ken, better face the music now before the gossip about us gets too bad. Let's get some lunch and head down to engineering" she says
Engineering: 11:45 hours
"Creator Tali'Zorah" asks Legion as it continued to monitor the ships power systems "this platform has a query."
Tali looked up from her omnitool saving her data. She had been in engineering for almost an hour but until then had been able to almost ignore Legion. "What is it Legion? she asks.
"Before, in the AI core" Legion begins "Shepard Commander stated that we need to end this war and work together. Specifically, do you believe there can be peace between the Creators and the geth?"
Tali was too stunned to answer at first. Peace? After what the geth did to us? Peace after 300 years of barely surviving? Her mind brought forth everything the quarian's had had to endure, the losses they had suffered. The humiliation, the isolation. Peace...
Legion just stood there quietly monitoring the panels patiently waiting for the answer.
"Legion" Tali started "I...I don't know. I hope there can be peace but I don't know."
"This one has one more query if it may ask." Legion says.
Tali just nods yes.
"You had the chance to destroy this unit. This one had no weapon so you had the advantage. Why did you not shoot?" it asks.
"Because, because it would have been wrong. Taking another life, no matter what life it is, is wrong unless that life is trying to take mine." She says and then realizes just what she said. That's Shepard talking not me. Well, it wasn't me a month ago but now, now?. A month ago I would have filled that thermal clip putting rounds into a geth. Oh Shepard what have you done to me. Smiling to herself she turns back to her omnitool to recheck her data.
Legion says "Acknowledged." Inside, the geth continue to work for consensus.
Bridge: 11:50 hours
"Jeff, come right 12 degrees, declination 53 degrees please" EDI tells Joker. "I believe our target is of turian design or one very similar."
Joker swung the ship to the new heading and said "Got it, eta about 90 minutes."
Cargo Hold: 11:50 hours
"Hah!" calls Grunt. "That the best you can do?" Walking over to the disarrayed storage boxes he grabs the largest one and begins dragging it into position.
Zaeed just watches him for a minute before picking up the small container and following.
Armory: 11:50 hours
"Commander! I heard about that wild run you had and about the trouble afterwards. If I may ask, is Tali okay?" asks Jacob. As Shepard comes closer Jacob snaps to attention.
"Glad to see your in once piece as well. Yes, had me worried but she is doing fine. Mordin said it was just a concussion." Getting back to business "Listen, we will be doing some scrounging soon so please make sure Tali's shotgun is ready" he says with a smile.
Jacob smiles saying "Don't worry Commander, she lost her old one in that fall but I have a nice, new, pretty one she hasn't banged up yet."
Shepard makes a move towards the interconnecting door when Jacob says "Commander, power is down still so you'll need to take the long way around to Mordin."
Walking out he calls "Thanks" and heads through CIC.
Seeing Shepard, Kelly calls out "Commander, Tali would like to speak with you when you have a minute. She is currently in engineering."
He calls back "Thanks Kelly" as he walks through the door to the lab.
"Mordin, uh, did you mention, uh, where Tali was last night by any chance?" he asks.
Mordin pauses for a second then says "Me, spread gossip, rumors? never. I only informed Dr. Chakwas of both of your conditions."
"And just where was Dr. Chakwas when you told her?"
"In the medical bay of course, can't leave patients alone..." he pauses then "My apologizes, did not mean to cause harm."
Shepard snickers a little and says "No, no harm. Well as long as Tali doesn't find out who spilled the beans that is."
Engineering: 12:05 hours
Tali turns to face the door as it opens. "Hi Gabby, Hi Ken" she calls.
They both return the greetings with smiles.
"Ken" Tali starts "I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I am sorry I was rude to you."
"You had every right to be Tali. I was wrong not you" he says. "So, whats on the schedule for today?" changing the topic.
"Legion if your okay staying on that console Ken can finish getting power up. I hear the conference room is still without power." Tali states.
Legion replied "Affirmative."
"Well, guess it's just me then." Ken says bringing up his omnitool to trace the cabling looking for the break. Grabbing his tools he turns and leaves.
Tali says "Gabby, I've finished that list. I would like us to go over it again to make sure we didn't miss anything."
Bridge: 12:40 hours
"EDI, it sure looks turian. Old, really old but still it's better than nothing" says Joker "Big too, well whats left of it anyways."
"It does seem promising Jeff but only a hands on inspection will tell if the components are usable." replies EDI.
"Always gotta burst my bubble don't you" quips Joker.
Engineering: 12:45 hours
Walking into engineering Shepard is surprised to see Legion on the controls. Spotting Tali over near her usual console the walks over calling "Tali, Kelly said you needed me?"
"Shepard" she says with a smile in her voice. "Gabby and I have completed the list of parts we need. EDI informed me you have already ordered a search for an appropriate derelict ship. Once we find one I will need to go over to it but I wanted to let you know we are ready." Starting to fidget a little she continues "uh, the amount of parts needed means we can only get a few people into the shuttle, no more than three." Fidgeting more she says "they...they should be, um...techs." she finishes looking down.
Shepard's is confused at first but then realizes what she is saying and starts laughing. "Tali, believe me you do not want me anywhere near tech. 3 you say. Okay You will lead the team. Legion your able to function in vacuum correct?"
"Yes Shepard Commander" Legion replies
"Good, now Garrus has a broken arm. Tali, how about Kasumi? Or would you prefer a biotic in case something big needs to be moved? I'm sure Samara would be able to assist you." Shepard asks.
Tali says "No, Kasumi would be best. Gabby, if Ken isn't back from repairs will you be able to handle the boards?"
Gabby replies "Sure."
"Okay then the team will be you as lead, Legion and Kasumi. I figure you and legion can verify the parts and even if it's nailed down Kasumi should be able to get it." Shepard ends with a chuckle.
"EDI" Shepard calls "Please inform Kasumi of the impending mission. Have her contact Tali for the details please."
"Yes Commander." EDI adds "Also, we are currently approaching a vessel that may have the required parts. ETA is approximately 20 minutes."
Looking at Tali, Shepard says "Well, we found the store. Let's hope it's still open."
