Chapter 11 : Frankenstein
Bridge: 07:18 hours
"All the data wiped? Again?" Joker complained.
"Yes Jeff, the addition of the alien components require full calibrations of all components. Until we are done, this ship cannot attempt the relay" EDI states.
"Fine" is all he says, turning to the controls he again starts with the basics.
Deck 3 : 07:30 hours
The crews mess begins filling with the sounds of laughing and joking intermingled with the occasional clink of utensils on trays. But in the background, running below the sounds is a feeling of anxiousness. The worry of the unknown. Word had spread quickly through the crew of untested equipment being used to see them home.
Miranda walks among them and feels the current running beneath the conversations. Worry. Well, that's easy enough to deal with, give them a reason for hope, a reason to do your best no matter what odds there are for failure. "EDI, please inform me when Commander Shepard is accessible." she says before joining the group for breakfast.
Deck 4: 07:55 hours
"Legion how's the power feeds handling the added load?" Ken calls as he enters engineering. Walking up he glances at the panel. Gabby follows moving to her propulsion control board being careful to not bump into the odd mass of components beside it.
Legion replies "All systems nominal. Salvaged components interfacing acceptably with ships systems."
"Ah, looks like Joker is trying out the new drives" says Gabby. Watching the power feeds flickering on her board she brings up the diagnostics to trace the flows looking for any abnormalities. Everything at present was in the green and steady. Tali does good work she thought.
Legion releases control of the power control boards to Ken and ducking beneath some cabling moves to the Core control systems board, its metal legs straddling an ungainly mass of cables that run from the control systems in upper engineering to the lower level. It detects minute amounts of heat as the cables channel power to and from the devices below.
Ken examines the boards carefully. Just above the control board sit a green lumpy mass with cables running into it from the propulsion system and others leading towards the core where more oddly shaped devices sit along the bulkheads. Three of the yellowish oblong devices emit a strange blue glow from deep within them. Shaking his head at the strange devices he focuses back on his boards.
Bridge: 08:20 hours
"Increasing power to 50 percent. Drives responding well, power flows looking good. You know EDI it's not just the speed we hit the relay with that matters it's the eezo fields as well. If the fields fail we just implode into a point source and wink out. I hope their putting the core through its paces as well" Joker states.
EDI replies "Yes Jeff, They have been running diagnostics all night. When we hit the relay I, the Normandy, will be ready."
Captains Quarters: 08:30 hours
A soft chime breaks the peaceful silence of the room. 5 seconds later it repeats again but slightly louder.
Shepard waves his free arm, breaking the beam and signaling the alarm to shut off. He was awake, in fact he had been awake for 15 minutes already but he didn't want to move. Tali was laying beside him, her visor just inches from his head. Her arm was laying on his chest, the weight of her slender arm felt good where it rested. He could hear her soft breathing through her filters, the sound brought him peace.
He had been thinking about last night, about what was said and there meanings. Tali deserved more than the few words he had had for her last night. She deserves...deserves what every quarian woman dreams of? Oh what the hell am I thinking of, how the hell...
"Good morning John" she whispers in his ear.
Turning his head he looks into her softly glowing eyes. "Good morning Tali. Did you sleep well?" he asks.
"I slept wonderfully" she says with a smile then suddenly "John, the time. We have tests to run before we can enter the relay!" Quickly getting out of bed she says "Whoa!"
Shepard see's her pause, her hands go to her hood holding her head. Getting out of bed he moves quickly to her asking "Tali? Are you okay?" Placing his hands on her shoulder to help steady her he looks into her eyes.
"I'm...I'm okay, just a little dizzy for a second. Um, maybe taking my visor off wasn't such a good idea last night." Looking a John she says "It's okay, my sinuses are just in overdrive. I'll be fine." Realizing he hasn't removed his hands she says "Really!"
Looking into her eyes for a moment more he removes his hands. "Okay Tali, but if you do need help you tell me!" he says.
"I will John, it was just the quick motion that did it. I'll give myself a booster and it will be fine. Now get dressed" she giggles. He was standing there in his military briefs trying to look stern. "I'll be heading down to engineering, um just in case you forgot where I work." Opening her bag, she applies a booster injection then walks up to Shepard. Gently touching her visor to his forehead she says "That is the way we kiss while in our suits. Better get used to a lot of that." With that she turns and heads out the door.
Dressing quickly he addresses EDI "You understand? Tali is to have full and complete access to these quarters."
"Yes Commander. How do you think she came in last night?" was EDI's reply.
Smiling to himself he says "Thanks" and exits the cabin.
Lower Level Engineering: 08:45 hours
Jack stops her pacing again saying "What the fuck is this shit anyway!" Ducking under the cabling hanging from the overhead she starts pacing again.
CIC: 09:10 hours
"Commander, the crew are a little worried about the modifications" Miranda says "we need to make sure their all focused on their jobs when we enter the relay."
"Yeah, I caught some of that in the mess. Okay, I'll think of something before we enter" Shepard says. "You know, the engineers have really done a great job down there."
Smiling Miranda says "You mean Tali. I have never seen a more resourceful person in my life. Oh don't look so shocked Shepard, I can change. And it appears you can too."
"If I didn't know better Miranda I would say your spending way too much time talking to Kelly" Shepard says grinning.
Miranda just shakes her head then says "I'm going to check on final repairs. If I find anything I'll let you know" and turning she enters the elevator.
Well, until the teams all report ready there isn't a lot to do. Idly studying the holoscreen he wonders at all the ships he see's. There are some shapes that almost seem familiar but the vast majority seem so..well alien. When we get back and inform the council about this there's going to be an exodus of salvage seekers and research teams. Lot of money to be made here if you know how... Shepard smiles to himself.
Pushing off from the railing he had been leaning against he steps back from the holoscreen and turning, steps down.
Kelly says to him "Commander, do you have a minute?"
"Of course, what is it Kelly?" Shepard says turning towards her. He notices she looks a little worried.
"I'm sorry to bother you for something personal but do you really think all that stuff down there will get us home?" Kelly asks. "It's not that I don't trust your judgments, after all if it wasn't for you, I and the entire crew would be dead now, but that..that stuff down there scares me."
Smiling Shepard says "Kelly, I may not understand the details but I trust the crew and their abilities. That engineering team is doing everything to make sure we get home. They are, after all, on the ship too and have a vested interest in making it. I trust them like I trust everyone on this ship. If the Chief Engineer gives the okay, I know we will be safe."
"How is Tali?" Seeing Shepard frown a little she continues "Oh, I'm not trying to pry into your personal life, well not on this at least. It's obvious that you and her have well, overcome certain difficulties" she says smiling "but she has been under a lot of stress lately with the collector base, the accident and repairs."
"Obvious huh" Shepard responds, he was going to continue but Kelly sensed she needed to explain.
"Well, finding her sleeper pod cleaned out, knowing how you carried her to your quarters after the explosion, the look on your face whenever she is mentioned. I could go on but you get the idea. All the clues add up and I'm happy for both of you" Kelly finishes.
"Oh.." Shepard says "well" clearing his throat "I think she grew up with just these kinds of problems on the fleet. Having to adjust, to deal with new problems is just in her makeup I suppose. She see's this as a challenge and she has a damn good team working with her."
"Is there anything else Kelly?" Shepard asks after a short pause.
"No Commander, just talking about it makes me feel better. Thank you" she says. "Kelly, spread the word. Full ships assembly on the cargo deck at 11:30 hours. Only exceptions are engineering and flight" he says.
Smiling Kelly responds "Aye aye Commander" and turns back to her console to prepare the message.
Engineering: 10:10 hours
"Fuel feeds optimal. Control feeds nominal. Slight oscillation in port 2 engine but within specifications." Gabby says.
Ken looks at Gabby saying "Within specs? Just what specs are you referring to woman? You and Tali are writing the book on this one and you know it."
"All engine's have an area of operation that balances inputs and outputs resulting in greater efficiency for all components." states Legion.
Tali just stood at the Engineering master panel. She was monitoring all boards, not as in depth as the dedicated stations but the overview gave her the complete picture on ships status. She was also listening to the wordplay going on and inside her helmet she was smiling. "Gabby, those oscillations appear to be a harmonic. See if you can locate the actual frequency please." she said.
"Affirmative Tali, running checks now" Gabby replied.
To her left stood Legion, it's metal hands moving across the Core's control panel. Tali had been watching it's hand moving and marveled at how well the ancestors had duplicated quarian fingers. "Legion, once we are back into normal space I can assist you in completing your repairs. I noticed a whine emanating from your lower servo-control motors." she says.
"Creator Tali'Zorah, your assistance would be acceptable to this platform." came his reply.
"EDI. Please inform Commander Shepard that engineering will be ready for relay insertion by 13:00 hours" Tali says to EDI's console "Understood Tali." EDI stated.
Deck 3: 10:10 hours
"What can I help you with Commander and thanks again for pulling my sorry ass out of that place." says Gardner.
Nodding to Gardner he says "Can you work up something special for lunch today. Pull out the stops? Give the crew something to smile about?"
"Sure thing Commander, course it may deplete some of the finer spices I have." he replied.
"We'll get you more, don't you worry about that. Oh and make sure each person gets one, that's one, glass of something special as well. Time to reward the crew for all their hard work." he finishes with a smile.
"Now that will bring a smile to everyone's face, even grouchy Johnson" he says turning to look in the pantry.
Engineering: 11:25 hours
"Ken, Gabby, Legion. Slave your consoles to mine" Tali says "It's almost time for the crew assembly."
Legion is the first to respond "Creator Tali'Zorah, this platform computes a 99.6344 percent probability that this meeting is intended for morale. geth do not need this. There is also a 81.6666 percent probability that the absence of the Chief Engineer would cause a less than optimal result."
"Your most likely correct. Very well Legion, you have the controls" Tali says and follows Ken and Gabby out.
Cargo hold: 11:30 hours
Miranda stands before the crew making sure they are all in formation. To her right is the away team members. Some standing, others slouched on boxes. Tali however is with the crew, where she belongs at the head of the engineering and tech section. Miranda grins as she remembers Tali's reluctance but reminding her that she was officially listed as vas Normandy and the head of engineering quieted her objections. Besides, it was far more important for the rest of the crew to see she stood with them in this.
Every crew member snapped to attention when Miranda called "Attention on deck!" Commander Shepard entered the deck and moved to stand before the assembled ships crew. At the same time, right hands came up to salute the Commander.
Once in place he returned the salute with a crisp snap of his arm. Miranda then called "Crew, parade rest!" and all members assumed the stance. Tali had to watch another to see what to do but she quickly took the position as well. Legs slightly separated, hands held behind their backs.
For a moment, Shepard just looked out at the people before him. Glancing over to the away team he nodded, noticing that even Zaeed had stood. Looking back to the crew he began... "Less than 48 hours ago humanity was at war with the Collectors. Almost every one of you here had already been taken. All that stood between humanity and extinction was this ship and we all knew it." Shepard states.
"We know now that it was not just humanity at stake but that of the galaxy. The entire galaxy owes each and every one of you their lives. They may never know what you did here, but you will know. You will know deep inside that you made a difference, that you all are hero's. Look to the men and women around you and know that they are hero's."
"Myself, my away team and even yourselves all stand here today because of what each and every one of you did. What each and every one of you still do. We are not done yet, one final voyage is left to be made. One final trip remains, back through the Omega 4 relay, back to home."
"This ship, due to all of your efforts made a voyage everyone had said was impossible. This ship, due to everyone's abilities survived that voyage. This ship, due to your efforts now, this day, will take us home!"
"Crew of the Normandy. At 13:00 hours today we go home!"
Miranda had been watching the crew as Shepard spoke, could see and feel the pride and courage swell within them. She even felt it as well. "Crew, Attention!"
Shepard turned and walked towards the elevator.
Addressing the assembly Miranda says "A special lunch is being prepared as we speak. You will have access to any drink aboard this vessel. You are all limited to one glass! Everyone will be back at their stations by 12:30 hours. Crew, dismissed."
Tali stood for a minute, her mind going back years to that time on the original Normandy. When he had given the speech about Saren. He instilled such courage in her then, as he had just now.
Bridge: 12:55 hours
"Joker, set your course for the relay. Its time to go home." Shepard says calmly.
"Alright!" Joker exclaims, checking the helm he says "ETA 7 minutes." Noticing Shepard was heading aft he calls out with grin "Say hello to Tali for me."
Engineering: 12:57 hours
Shepard walks into engineering. His eyes moving from place to place as he follows the cabling running around, through and over the deck. In front of him stands Tali at her normal position with Legion standing by her side. She really has changed he thinks to himself. He does not call out, does not interrupt her as this is her world and she needs focus.
"Power flows increasing to standard levels" calls Ken.
"Propulsion responding normally, Joker is keeping acceleration below 80 percent as requested" calls Gabby.
Legion states "Core charge nominal, bleeding excess loads through bypass shunts. Fields holding steady."
Engineering: 12:59 hours
"Gabby, harmonics on port 2 increasing. Dampen it" Tali calls out. Her fingers flying over the board as she monitors and makes minute adjustments "Ken power dropping on starboard bus, down .012."
All four control boards are shifting under the fingers of their respective monitors. All four working for one goal, to bring this ship safely home.
Engineering: 13:00 hours
"Overload building on field generators 3 and 4, shunting" states Legion.
"Power looks good Ken, Gabby harmonics acceptable, 30 seconds to relay. Watch your boards people." Tali calls.
Around him Shepard feels the power building. The room is filled with strange glows and shifting patterns. Electrical sparks race up two of the salvaged devices and odd whirring sounds touch his ears. He watches Tali from behind, her fluid motion and he knows that no matter what happens he is content.
As the relay fields touch and mesh with the Normandy's the engine room becomes alive like some monster of old. The alien devices all seem to move in self induced fields as the relay touch's them. Shepard is reminded of an ancient film he had seen of a monster made from many parts to make a whole.
Engineering: 13:01 hours
The relay firmly grabs the ship and throws it at the galaxy with speeds far greater than could be imagined. Just as the ship accelerates Shepard remembers the monsters name, Frankenstein.
A/N: Originally, this was to be the final chapter but well. I couldn't stop. Hope you enjoyed this first part.
The size of the chapters are small as mentioned in the header it was designed for short daily posts.
As always, comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
