MFV Tonbay, April 29, 2170
"Shala!" A familiar voice spoke behind her. As she turned around she saw both Nila and Tali, alongside three suited humans, a large woman, a boy, and a girl. Or at least that's what she could make out from the suits they were wearing.
Raan hugged her "Nila. Good to see you again." She looked at Tali as she tried backing away but was still enveloped in a hug that lifted her from the ground "Good to see you too Tali." She said as she placed a groaning Tali on the ground.
She then looked over at the three humans "I don't believe we have been introduced..." She said.
The human woman extended her hand to give a handshake, a gesture she apparently didn't understand "Right, different species." She said as she let her hand drop "I'm Hannah Shepard. Suppose you're Admiral Raan?" She asked to which Raan nodded.
"Ah, I've heard about you Hannah'Shepard, glad to see you've healed well after what happened." Raan caught herself as she realized that in reality she couldn't see her face by the mask she and the two kids were wearing "Well, technically speaking..."
Hannah chuckled and shook her head "That's alright." She noticed that Raan began looking down at the kids almost tilting her head in confusion "Oh. Umm these are my two children. This is Jane" she said as she pointed to her "And this is-"
"John'Shepard." Raan finished.
"Uhh, yeah... how did you..." Hannah scratched the top of her helmet.
Raan noticed as Tali tensed up and shook her head as fast as possible trying to stop her "Oh well you see, Tali has spoken quite fondly of him in the short time since they met." As Raan finished speaking she saw as Tali tried to cover her facemask and look away from everyone now looking at her.
Both Hannah and Jane tensed up when they realized what that meant but said nothing, only thinking of how dense John must have to be to not realize it as well.
Still, they tried to get past the recent revelation that Jane was surprised she had not realized on either the Einstein or Rainier.
Hannah coughed as she tried to drive the topic away from what they had just discovered "So... I hear we will likely be working together then? Heard you are the likely option to be the ambassador for relations between humans and quarians."
Raan groaned and shook her head "Please. Do not remind me of that. It's hard enough being an Admiral. Now I'll likely be the bridge between two species that may very well try to kill each other tomorrow."
"Well, we haven't tried to kill the turians again yet, and they haven't tried to do it to us either. Besides, you got more votes for these relations than the turians got." Hannah said.
Raan nodded "Yes, quite honestly even we were surprised at just how many of your ambassadors agreed to this."
"Actually, everyone was surprised." Nila joined in "When the vote was relayed, there were so many of us that celebrated it."
"And many of us who weren't happy..." Raan said.
"Hmm... sounds just like both our species have that in common." Hannah said.
"Yes. But enough of that!" Raan said "I'm sure you didn't just request to come here to talk about those things did you?" She asked.
Hannah chuckled a bit "No, we're just here on her request" She pointed at Nila "She said we should meet you."
"Ah. Of course then. If you would like we could go and hopefully get to know each other."
"Hopefully not as soldiers or admirals?" Hannah said.
Raan shook her head and smiled "No. Nila has spoken well of you, I would prefer to not allow our ranks to get into the way of a civil conversation."
Hannah nodded "Sounds good to me."
Raan nodded and started to turn her body around "Good now if you'll follow me, I can get the children a ro-" She stopped as she looked at where the kids were before, finding both John and Tali missing and Jane with a palm on her helmet.
Helmetpalming?
"Wait... where did they go?" Raan asked.
Hannah looked to her side as did Nila both groaning "Not again..."
"How did we manage to miss a quarian and human both escaping from right under us?" Nila asked
Jane chuckled as she just shrugged and said even she did not see them leaving.
"Oh Keelah..." Nila went tense.
"Ancestors..." Raan 'helmetpalmed'.
Hannah sighed...
"Shit..."
Earth, September 9, 2170
Both John and Jane hated long, tedious Alliance ceremonies. So when their mom got a message from Hackett to go to one they both groaned.
John was forced to follow to the Alliance HQ after his last escape attempt with Tali. Still, getting to spend some time with her like that wasn't something he regretted in the slightest.
What he did regret was that he had to be here in something they hadn't even told Hannah why.
So when they entered a small room that Hackett sometimes occupied, he welcomed them pretty quickly "Commander Shepard." Hannah saluted Hackett.
"Admiral, sir" She said in her 'soldier' voice.
"At ease." Hannah's hand dropped as Hackett looked over at the children "I see you brought your kids along."
"Yeah... I hope it's not a problem but I would rather he doesn't do something that will start a war with the quarians..." Hannah said while pointing at John.
"It's no problem Commander" Hackett reassured her.
"So... what is the reason for being here sir?"
"Alliance brass finally decided that we should commend you for your actions on the Einstein and Mindoir." Hackett said as his hands went behind his back.
"That was almost seven months ago. Why now?" John asked.
"John, please leave the talking to me. Okay?" Hannah said, to which John nodded as she looked back at Hackett "Sorry for that."
"Don't worry about it Commander. But he does have a point." Hackett said "Brass has been so caught up in trying to get and send supplies to and from the Migrant Fleet that they had trouble in getting to this."
Hannah's head tilted slightly as Hackett spoke "Commander Hannah Shepard. For your actions of leadership on both the Einstein and Mindoir, and leading an all out assault that very well might have saved the lives of hundreds. We hereby wish to promote you to Captain. Should you choose to accept the position."
Hannah couldn't speak at the sudden proposition she had just gotten out of nowhere. Instead, Jane decided to speak first "Wait... mom is gonna be a Captain?!"
Hackett nodded "If she accepts then yes. She will also be granted the choice of choosing a ship to take command of."
"Choice? I thought you did that?" Jane asked
"In this case there are so many ships that need one. Besides, I trust the Commander's judgement enough to know she'll pick wisely." Hackett said.
Hannah finally gained the resolve to speak "What ships?"
Hackett turned on a screen monitor that displayed several ships shuch as dreadnaughts, carriers, and more "These are all the ships that could use a Captain. Considering the Einstein is being retrofitted after the attack, I think you can guess that it's not an option."
Hannah looked at the screen for quite some time, weighing her options. However, after what must have been some incredibly awkward two minutes of contemplation, Hannah finally looked at Hackett.
"Admiral." Hannah stood at attention "I humbly accept the position of Captain."
Hackett nodded as he looked at the screen "And did you decide which ship you would be fine with commanding?"
Hannah looked at her two children before looking back at the screen and finally Hackett.
"The SSV Kilimanjaro."
SSV Kilimanjaro, June 8, 2171
"No no no. John come on, just work with me here..." The quarian pouted.
"Tali. You know that what your species considers 'good' at hacking or engineering means they are geniuses to us, right?" John asked.
"It's a door!" Tali had gotten frustrated at John's inability to open it "It shouldn't be that hard to open it the way I showed you. Here." Tali said as she pulled out her own Omni-Tool and opened the door after a few quick seconds.
"You see?" Tali said smugly as the door closed and she re-enabled the lock.
"Alright Miss Smarty Pants. Sorry that I'm not a quarian and don't know how to override your lock." John said.
Tali scoffed at him "Please. I figured out the Eyn-stain's systems after a few minutes. If I could do that, you can do this."
"Einstein" John corrected her "And when did you get so smug?" John asked "Last I remember you were still playing with your hands like this." John wringed his hands together as Tali usually did.
He had clearly hit a nerve when he did that as it earned him a slap on his shoulder "Bosh'tet, I don't do that!"
John chuckled "One, I have no idea what you just called me. Two..." he pulled out his Omni-Tool and quickly pulled up some video he had caught of her doing that said thing "You see? Right here you're doing it!"
Tali sighed in defeat before she realized something and her eyes went wide as she began blushing "Wait..." she looked at John "You have vids of me?"
John's body went tense at her question and as fast as he pulled up the vid, he closed it "N-no! Well, yes... I do, but I get vids of everyone! I mean I get some of my mom and Jane, look."
He tried to find any vids he had taken of either Jane or Hannah, but to his utter embarrassment... there were none. The majority of his vids folder was filled with either vids of himself fooling around, or of Tali. Well crap... Great going John. Because that isn't creepy at all...
He closed his omni-tool and coughed trying to avoid any of her questions and coming up with an excuse "Uhhh... I must have them on my other omni-tool! That's all..."
Tali tilted her head "Why do you have two?"
John tried to make up an excuse and hesitantly explained it "Uhhh, because that one is older, but I like using it... for nostalgia you know?"
"Uh huh..." Tali nodded her head in amusement.
Trying to get out of the situation, John pulled up his omni-tool again again and tried to hack the door, once again failing "Damn it!"
He heard Tali sigh next to him at his lack of progress and saw as she crossed her arms "Come on John. I know you can do it."
"Thanks but... I'm just not as good with these things as you are." John said as he looked down.
"Maybe not, but you don't think I'm became a good technician without failing a couple times did you?" Tali asked.
John looked almost defeated but he felt as her three fingered hand grabbed his cheek and pulled his face to look at her.
"John, don't give up on it okay? I know you can do it. And even if not now, you can still do it later. But I won't give up on you." Tali bumped her helmet with his forehead. Even now, he still didn't understand why she did that, but he didn't mind.
Still, Tali's words sparked something in John he really didn't think he had, and with new resolve he pulled out his omni-tool one more time and input the commands.
As he pressed on it to activate it, the door's lock was released and it slid open.
"Yes!" John's excitement showed in his shout.
"You see? I knew you could do it!" Tali congratulated him and patted him on his shoulder as he smiled.
"Thanks. You know, for not giving up on me." John said in a lower voice as he smiled. He stood up from his spot and beckoned her to come with him.
She got up as well and let out a soft giggle "Never. Whenever you need me."
Rayya, May 25, 2174
Rael'Zorah was sat on his usual work chair. It had been over four years since his conversation with Raan. But any time he tried to apologize, and try to make amends with both Nila and Tali, he got way too scared. Instead, he continuously came up with another excuse, after excuse.
This was getting ridiculous. If he didn't tell them soon, would he ever tell them?
He knew he had already failed quite badly when he couldn't even attend her daughter's coming of age just three days as she had turned 14. He told himself that he had been there when she had gotten an early one when she was nine. So that was enough right?
But it wasn't. Even the human boy and girl she had met four years ago had been there.
Two aliens, aliens who didn't even understand quarian culture as much as he did, had been there for her. But he hadn't.
He mentally sighed as he 'worked' profusely on some bullshit task that he had already finished, but wouldn't admit it.
Raan was growing increasingly more frustrated with him not apologizing for the past several years, and anytime him and Tali crossed paths she tried getting his attention, but he made up an excuse for why he couldn't talk. It always boiled down to 'I'm busy' or 'Maybe later', but that later was always shadowed by another excuse.
This had to end, and soon. If he didn't do something fast, he could very well lose his chance. But he was scared. Scared of what they might say about him, scared of just how mad they would both be at him.
But he had to swallow his pride, and soon.
He received a message on his terminal, telling him that the Alliance still wanted to send supplies for their engines and air filters. But he didn't trust them enough to ever change them. Especially not on the Rayya. Traditional ways had worked thus far, and they were still alive, so he believed that they could manage without them.
As he thought about just how little he trusted these humans, he received another message, one warning him of a possible malfunction on some subsystems, but one that should be fixed rather quickly.
He decided to check it for himself from his terminal to see the problem they were referring to. Once he found it, he saw that one of the maintenance pipes close to the air filters had burst after increased amounts of pressure and dislodged some cables, but nothing to worry about, he told himself.
He decided that he would stay awake for just a little longer, just to see the progress on fixing that pipe and cables.
Rael went to work once more on his terminal on tasks that he already knew he had finished. Hours passed, and he grew tired from the lack of sleep he had been getting. So when there was a chime, he nearly jumped from his seat at the loud sound.
Mentally exhausted he opened the door, and there stood a female quarian, with her arms crossed and he went pale. Nila.
Immediately when the door opened, she made her way to Rael and spoke "Okay. I'm sorry but this is getting ridiculous Rael."
"Wh-what?" He said with his voice quivering.
"You drown yourself in needless work. You don't spend even a minute with either me or Tali. You've given her that same excuse of 'Maybe later' hundreds of times! So when is that later huh?! When?!" Nila yelled.
He knew that whatever conversation he would have with her would be bad, but she was furious. This was going to go worse than he imagined.
He tried speaking, but was beaten by Nila "Tali know you're avoiding her Rael. She. Knows. I know you're an admiral, but even Shala has time to be with Eros!"
Rael looked at the ground and just heard as Nila continued her rant "Don't give me the excuse of 'Oh I'm too busy' because I know it's bullshit! I know you finish your work fast and proceed to do nothing but stay here and act like you're working!"
Nila stopped as she tried catching her breath. She could barely hold herself together as she asked one question with tears forming in her eyes "Do you even love us?"
His head shot up at the question and he immediately answered "What?! Of course I do! It's just... I..." He stopped.
"What?"
"I'm scared. I was scared that you would react like this. That you would yell at me for all of this... I... I'm sorry..." His voice was low as he said those final words.
"Do you even know what she looks like? Remember what I look like?" Nila asked "You weren't there to see her putting on her coming of age suit. And you haven't even seen my face in years..." She said.
Rael once again looked down, disappointed in himself, that he had managed to miss all of it. And that he couldn't actually remember how either of the looked like.
But what truly scared him was when he heard a hiss of air in front of him. As he looked up he saw as Nila began taking off her mask "What are you doing?!" his voice betrayed the fear of what Nila was doing.
Her eyes narrowed and she pulled off the mask from her helmet giving Rael a look at her true face. Her skin was a grayish color, delicate lips, her somewhat long nose, and her almond-shaped glowing eyes staring right at his, with some of her hair being visible.
He truly had forgotten just how beautiful she was behind her mask, and it made him sick. Sick of just how much he had forgotten of her.
He wanted to pull his off as well and kiss her, but he believed she wouldn't want that. At least not so soon. Instead he would have to take his time.
"I... I'm sorry Nila... I've just been so scared... I..." He trailed off as Nila kissed his mask and left a small spot there.
"Those apologies need to go to Tali. She wants to see you again Rael. She needs you." She spoke tenderly.
Rael tensed up at the thought of how much her daughter would resent him. But he had to try. He had to.
He gave her a nod and she smiled at him. She caressed the side of his helmet and began getting up.
She began walking back to the door to leave when Rael saw something on the corner of his vision. His terminal was flashing red, and in it he saw a warning.
WARNING. AIR FILTER FAILURE. FOREIGN CONTAMINANTS DETECTED.
His heart dropped as he remembered Nila didn't have her mask on yet. He shot up from his chair and yelled "Put your mask back on!"
She looked back at him sensing the fear and urgency in his voice. She obliged and began lifting it back up to her face. But was stopped by a sudden cough.
That was fast. It should have taken longer...
Her thoughts were interrupted by another cough, and her lungs ached. Soon, she began coughing uncontrollably as her legs went limp and she fell to the ground.
"Nila!" Rael ran over to her side as she coughed wildly. Some blood coming out of her mouth as he put her mask back on himself and lifted her from the ground, carrying her entire body in his arms.
As the door cycled open, he could see that Nila wasn't the only one affected. Several quarians were coughing as well, some having already gone limp as others tried to help.
But he didn't care about them. He cared about the woman in his arms. He cared about saving Nila.
He only cared about his saera.
Rayya, June 2, 2174
John frantically got through the tightly packed hallway of quarians. To this day most of them were still uncomfortable with humans being allowed on their ships. But Hannah's insistence to Raan allowed John to board the Rayya easily.
But he dreaded the conversation he was about to have. What could he say? He really didn't have experience with this and he was definitely nervous. Still, she had said she would be there for him when he needed her.
Now he would be there for her.
John made it outside of the door to Tali and Nila's quarters. And outside of it was Raan who was leaning on the wall looking down. Once she saw the young human, she stopped leaning on it and tapped a few buttons on her omni-tool that released the lock on the door.
But before he could go in, Raan looked at him and spoke "Please, don't say anything that might hurt her. She's going through a lot right now." She spoke almost hurt.
John nodded "Don't worry, I'll make sure to not do that."
"Good. If you or she needs me. I'll be out here." With that Raan leaned back against the wall.
He now stood upon the door, unblocked, and on the other side would be a sight he dreaded to see. But still he had to be there for her now.
He mustered up any courage he could and opened it and stepped inside.
The room was small. Barely able to fit a family. There was what he thought would be where they slept on the corner, it looked almost like a mattress on the go, but smaller. At the other corner was a small desk, what it was for he didn't know, but he could tell she had been on it quite a bit from all the scrap and materials that lay on the table.
But he wasn't here to admire the room. He was here to see her.
He glanced at the room, and at first he wasn't able to spot her. Bit upon a second glance, he saw some movement under the table.
He made his way over to it and kneeled to look under. Sure enough, there she was. Purple veil and mask, her normally shining eyes, now dim and blurry. She was hugging her knees and her body was doing motions he could only assume their reason.
He gulped as he came closer to her. He tapped her on the shoulder once, which she seemed to ignore or not realize, so he tapped her again and this time her head slowly tilted upwards to look at him.
Her eyes had trouble seeing the figure in front of her, but after a while she heard that familiar voice she had grown to be fond of.
"Tali?" The boy asked.
Although her eyes couldn't focus on him, she knew who it was from the voice alone.
Without warning, she pounced on him and held him tightly. She cried in his arms as he caressed her back softly trying to calm her down.
They stayed like that for a while until Tali finally calmed down enough to speak through sniffles "I-I'm sorry..."
John tightened the embrace a bit "Tali. There is no reason for you to be sorry." He paused for a bit before continuing "If anything, I should be the one who is sorry, for not getting here sooner."
Tali broke the embrace "N-no. You aren't the one who just cried into the other one's arms."
John frowned behind his helmet "Tali..." she tried looking away but was stopped by John putting his left hand on the cheek of her helmet which she held with her own left hand "What you have just gone through... it's... it's not something that just goes away... I don't have experience with it. My father died before I was even born. But she... she was here with you for so long, and now she isn't... I can't even say I understand. Because I don't. But I am here for you. Just like you would be there for me."
"But why?" Tali asked with a slight hint of resentment in her voice "Why did she have to leave me?! Why couldn't she just wear her damn mask?!" Tali gasped as she realized the intensity of her words and looked down in shame "Oh Keelah... I... I shouldn't have said that..." she said while trying to hold back more tears.
John put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it "What you just did is perfectly normal." Tali's eyes slowly came up to find his "When I finally realized what happened to my dad. I was just so... angry. Angry that he died before I was born. Angry that he couldn't have just held on. Angry that he couldn't have given me some time with him." He stopped almost just as ashamedly as Tali.
"But I knew it wasn't his fault." John's hand left Tali's shoulder and found her hand which he intertwined, albeit with some difficulty "It also wasn't your mom's fault. She couldn't have known, and neither could you. But it's still normal to hate that they left you so early."
Tali sniffled and she released her hand from John's, instead holding him in a much tighter hug.
"Does... does it ever get easier?" She asked.
"Eventually. Yes. But it's something you will always carry." John responded "But even so. Even if she is gone, she will still watch over you. And she will always be with you Tali. And so will I." He finished.
Tali held him as tightly as she could and held back her tears "T-thank you, John."
He chuckled and began caressing her back once more as she melted into his arms "Just like you told me. Whenever you need me." He said while smiling under his helmet.
He tapped the top of his helmet with the top of her mask in the gesture he still didn't understand, but had grown so accustomed to and she giggled, and squeezed him even tighter.
They got so lost in each other's embrace, they didn't hear the door cycle open. They only turned to look at it once they heard a small chuckle and the voice of the person there "I see you made more progress with her in the past minutes than I have in a week."
Tali broke the embrace and quickly moved towards the person and hugged them "I'm sorry auntie. I-I..."
Raan hushed her and returned the embrace "It's alright child. I know it was hard for that to happen. But I'm here for you, and so is he." Raan nodded towards John.
"Thank you... both of you..." Tali said trying to hold back her sobs.
John once more smiled and came up with an idea "Hey. Do you have anything that maybe she taught you how to do?"
Tali and Raan both looked at John confused "What do you mean?" Tali asked.
"Well, after my dad died, my mom got a little through the pain by dancing to what they used to dance to together." John chuckled at the thought "She was not great at it, but it helped her, by living with and respecting his memory. Maybe there is something that can do the same for you?"
Whether or not either Raan or Tali had any objections to that, he didn't know as neither said anything. He saw as Tali looked down and he worried he might have hurt her even more. Instead, Tali broke the embrace with Raan and walked over to the desk she was hiding under before. She opened one of the small cabinets, and pulled out something that resembled a violin to John. The difference was that the strings were made of some form of cloth, and more strings than a human one and smaller, not as precise holes.
Tali held the 'violin' in her hands and John could tell she had a faint smile from the way her eyes had faintly narrowed "This is a pel'res. Mother... she taught me how to use it. Made it herself from materials she could get..." John heard as Tali sniffled at the thought.
"It's beautiful Tali. But maybe you can play a song on it?" John asked of her.
"Wh-what? Oh. It's just... well... I'm not very good with it. Mom didn't have the chance to teach me more than a few songs and I barely practiced them. I'm just-" Tali stopped her babbling as she felt a three-fingered hand touch her shoulder.
Looking up, she saw Raan as she slightly knelt to be at eye-level with her and spoke "Tali, it's okay. Even if you don't know them well, you can still try it. Besides, if it helps you with dealing with the loss, then maybe it's worth a try?"
Tali looked at Raan for a bit only looking straight in her eyes. Eventually, Tali looked away and nodded, to which Raan released her hold from Tali's shoulder and sit down in the room's 'bed' and pat the spot next to her.
Tali obliged and sat down next to Raan, they felt a small shift as John took a seat next to Tali and nodded at her.
She studied the pel'res for some time as her fingers came to hold the strings and she tinkered with it to adjust how it sounded. Once she was pleased with it, her dexterous fingers began pulling at the strings.
John had heard many violins in his life. But this? A violin had nothing on the sounds the pel'res made. It was soothing, calming, and every note was absolutely beautiful. A perfect symphony for every pluck of a single string.
He watched as Tali played a song on the pel'res, and her once tense posture relaxed. He could tell that behind their helmets, both Raan and Tali were smiling, and it made him smile at the sight of the now happy and relaxed Tali.
She was happy. Happy that she not only had her aunt, but now John too. Happy that she had someone there for her.
But even though Raan and John were there for her. Tali couldn't help but feel saddened, and angry at someone else. Someone who couldn't even have the decency to go and comfort her, or so much as say a word to her after what had happened a week ago. Someone who hadn't even done anything to fix their relationship for the 14 years she had been alive.
But she said nothing of it, only letting her mind release some sadness, to be replaced with a hint of resentment for him.
The sounds of the pel'res filled the room, soothing and helping Tali, and although it would take time to heal the new wound. At least she had her aunt, and now she had John, who would be there for her, and Tali would be there for him. Whenever they needed each other.
Earth, November 16, 2174
Jane had still not gotten used to any of this. Ever since Mindoir, they had barely left the Sol System. She didn't know if it was Hannah's fear of the attack repeating itself, or if it was because of Hackett's orders.
Since her mother's promotion to captain over four years ago, she had to make more trips to Earth's surface.
This time, the Kilimanjaro had to get some retrofits, and the entire crew got shore leave while her mother had to report to Hackett, which left Jane to explore the park close to where the shuttle she had come in had landed.
As she walked through the many tents she heard a voice call out to her "Jane! That you?"
She turned towards the voice and found her friend standing beside a tree, with some sort of bag at his side.
"Finch. Didn't think I'd see you here." Jane said as she extended her hand.
Finch took it and shook her hand "Ah well, you know that I like hanging out in many places. I'm more surprised that you are here." he said as he let go of her hand.
"Yeah, the Kilimanjaro is getting retrofitted, so while my mom is reporting to Hackett, I get to just walk around here." Jane said.
Finch looked around Jane and spoke "And what about your brother? John?"
"In a biotic school. Mom still thinks he needs it desperately." Jane chuckled "Though this time the school is sanctioned by the Alliance. And he said he has a good instructor. Someone named... Kaidan? I think." She shrugged as she finished speaking.
"Ah, I see. Plan on sticking around for a while?" Finch asked.
"Probably not. I'll probably go with my mom wherever she is going to go after her meeting." She responded.
"Of course." Finch said leaning against the tree.
"Yeah, well." Jane looked at her omni-tool for a few seconds before closing it "I've gotta get going. But it was nice seeing you!"
Before she could go any further she was stopped by Finch "Wait. Could I ask for a favor?"
"What do you need?"
Finch pointed at the bag next to him "I needed to get this to my friend, but I also need to be somewhere soon. Think you can get it to him for me?"
Jane's gut told her to say no, that she couldn't do it. Besides, she didn't really know him enough to do it.
But he was her friend, known each other for four years, and he hadn't really done anything that came off as suspicious before, so why would he start now?
"Where, exactly?" She asked.
Finch opened his omni-tool and marked the location. Sure enough it was close to a public location, and there was no chance this was a setup or something. At least she hoped.
She reluctantly agreed and Finch handed her the bag. She walked out of the park and fought the urge to see what was inside. She was incredibly tense at the thought this could put her in trouble, but she kept reminding herself that Finch was her friend and wouldn't ever do anything bad. Especially not rope her into it.
Jane's walk took at least 10 minutes to get to the location, and she stood right outside a gate. She opened her omni-tool to see that Finch had told her to simply leave it outside. She did exactly that, and tried walking away. But she stopped as her thoughts intruded and warned her of the possibility this was actually something illegal. She tried to fight those thoughts, not believing her friend would do something like making her deliver what could very well be drugs or weapons inside the bag.
Eventually, her thoughts won over, and her curiosity led her to walk back towards the bag and open it.
What she saw inside was nothing one would usually have to worry about. The bag was only filled with action figures. She exhaled in relief at the confirmation that it wasn't anything sketchy. But she tensed up again when she remembered that no one would send action figures here. And why would it be here? Outside a gate instead of a house?
She took one of the action figures and decided that she had to know. If she was wrong she would apologize later, but right now her fears needed to be extinguished, or confirmed. She lifted the figure up and hit it against the ground, cracking it open in one fell swoop.
Jane prayed that she wouldn't see anything bad inside of it, but it was for naught. Inside the figure was a small pouch with a red powder-like substance inside which she immediately recognized. Red sand.
Finch... you son of a bitch...
Her anger was replaced by fear as she saw a figure walking over to where she currently was from behind the gate. She got up and ran as fast as she could before the figure even realized she was even there. She ran back to the park, constantly glancing back to make sure she wasn't followed, and exhaled in relief as she saw nothing but civilians in the park.
She quickly made her way back towards the tree she had met up with Finch to give him a piece of her mind. Maybe even leave his mind splattered on that damn tree. But as she got there, he was nowhere to be found.
Jane sighed as she realized that she was too late and she leaned against the tree disappointed that she hadn't caught on to the ruse. How did she manage to be so naïve that she didn't think anything of the obviously sketchy bag? She knew she shouldn't have trusted him with it, but it was too late.
She sat down on the grass and close her eyes as she let the tree's shade cover her from the sun. She sat there in silence for several minutes before she received a ping on her omni-tool. Opening it she saw that she had a message from Finch.
F: I'm guessing that at this point you already saw what was inside that bag and know about it. We were too close to getting caught, so we needed you to do it instead. What I'm about to ask is worse though, we will need your help far more than just this once.
Jane scoffed as she replied.
J: And what makes you think I would help you again you piece of shit?
Several minutes passed before Jane received another message from an unknown sender. The message contained a video of her carrying that bag, and it also had an edited conversation between her and Finch.
After seeing that, she received another message from him.
F: If you don't want me to send those to your mother and authorities, you will help us. No questions asked.
Jane's breath caught in her throat as she placed her hands on her face.
Oh god... What did I get myself into...
SSV Kilimanjaro, January 25, 2175
These past two months had been weird. Ever since the Kilimanjaro's shore leave, Jane continuously disappeared when they went to Earth. While John understood she might have wanted to go somewhere, both of them usually went together when John was present. But now she barely talked to him, and he could tell her mood was down and she had some anger in her eyes that he hadn't seen ever since Mindoir.
He had to cheer her up. He needed to see her smile, at least just once.
John entered the Captain's quarters and immediately found Jane staring at the ground while sitting down on the couch. He made his way to it and sat down next to her.
"What do you want?" Jane asked.
He tried to find the words that he could use to get the truth of whatever was bothering her, but he couldn't. Her voice was almost sad, but it contained a hint of rage that he could tell was bothering her.
"John?" she asked.
"I..." John sighed "I wanted to know if I did something wrong."
"Something wrong?" She asked confused.
"Jane... you have been avoiding me for the past two months. You have barely spoken with me, and I haven't seen you smile even once." His voice quivered a bit "Did I do something to upset you?"
"What?!" Jane was startled by what he had asked and quickly replied "N-no! No you didn't do anything wrong!"
"Then why are you avoiding me?" He asked.
Jane couldn't speak. She could tell him the truth and face the consequences of Finch releasing that video if he found out. Or she could continue to lie to him, and avoid him. Avoid him, just like she knew Tali's father had been avoiding Tali, and how torn their relationship was. Was it something that she was okay with? To lose her relationship with her brother like Tali lost hers with her father?
She heard as John sighed and stood up "Okay... I'll give you some peace." His voice was low "I'm sorry for bothering you." He said as he walked back to the door.
"No." Jane said eliciting a confused glance from John.
"Please don't leave..." Her voice was low as her breath was caught in her throat "I... If I tell you the truth. I need you to keep it secret... please..."
John stared at Jane confused at what she was hiding that could be so bad that she had distanced herself, but he nodded.
"Two months ago I... I met up with Finch..." She began, John could already tell whatever happened was because of Finch from the way she said his name like a curse.
"He asked me to take a bag to a location where I would just drop it off and leave it there. And like the idiot I am, I agreed..."
John's eyes went wide Please don't tell me what I think you're about to tell me...
"I realized way too late he had set me up. I saw that the bag was filled with action figures. I broke one to see if it was just that. But I saw a bag of red sand in it. Fucking asshole made me deliver drugs. And I agreed..."
John went back to sit next to her and let his right arm go to her left shoulder and he held her to his shoulder.
"So... why did that cause you to avoid me? You couldn't have known what was in the bag." John asked scared for her.
"Because..." Jane stopped and gulped "Because the fucker blackmailed me. Got video evidence of me and edited my conversation with him to make it seem like I knew it was drugs in it."
That son of a bitch... He'd better hope we never cross paths or those Batarians on Mindoir will seem like they got the merciful deaths...
"Anytime I go to Earth I have to deliver one of those bags. That's why I didn't want to tell you. Because if I did. I would have gotten you roped in as well." Jane said.
John's face was now plastered with anger. He couldn't understand just what she was going through, but he would do whatever it took to get her out.
"Shouldn't we tell mom about this? She's an Alliance captain that knows Hackett. Maybe she can..."
"No!" Jane suddenly shot up and yelled "If he finds out he will release that video and sound file. They will think I was part of it as well."
Fuck...
"Please John. Don't tell her." Jane pleaded with him.
He thought for some time about it. If he told his mom, Finch would probably find out and release the blackmail which would make his sister look like a criminal. On the other hand, doing nothing would mean Jane has to continue being their guinea pig until she gets caught.
But what if he didn't have to do either? He could keep it secret, but also could do something. And he knew just who to call.
"Okay." Was all he could say as he nodded at Jane.
He stood up and squeezed Jane's shoulder as he gave her a reassuring look and left the room.
Immediately he opened his omni-tool and called the only person he knew who could help him help Jane.
3 days later
Another one of Hannah's meetings had meant that Jane now had to make another drop. How many of these until she got caught? What if she had gone to the authorities immediately and explained everything? Maybe she could have gone with only a few days in a cell, or maybe Finch already had a way to make sure she spent just as long as they would in there. Still, she was too scared to even try anything of the sort, and her mind jumped to hundreds of ways she could kill Finch if she had the chance.
Dropping the bag at the location, she sighed and walked away from the spot. Unbeknownst to her, she had been trailed by another figure who managed to slip by her unseen. As the bag was picked up by someone else, that very figure followed them trying to stay as far away from them as he could.
He followed the person into an old small restaurant inside an alley and took cover outside of it. The figure deployed a small device inside the air ducts from outside and made sure to stay hidden. Opening their omni-tool they activated it and immediately heard the voices from inside.
"You got it?" One of the voices asked.
"I got it. Came through for us again." Another one spoke.
"Good. At least Finch doesn't have to ruin her life any more than he already has."
So he's not here then? Shame. Guess at least he'll hear about this and be scared forever.
The figure opened his omni-tool and quickly began inputting several commands. He gracefully worked some magic through his device to find the exact thing he needed. His hack worked wonders. It infiltrated the security of everyone's omni-tools and he could see everything he needed to make them go way for life. It was exhilarating. 16 years old, and already taking down a gang? Damn, just imagine what he could become in the future.
Soon, he found the video and audio file he was trying to find and clicked one button. DELETE. And just like that, the idiots managed to screw themselves, and his sister was safe from the coming storm.
He had sent the location to the authorities and sent them everything he found on their omni-tools.
As he made his way down, he heard a voice speak from behind him "Hey! Who are you? You've got a lot of nerve coming he-" The person was stopped as they were enveloped in biotics and flung against a wall.
He heard as the bones in their back were broken from the impact. But he didn't care. He felt the same way he had against the Batarians on Mindoir. He felt no pity for them.
He walked away and watched in amusement as the place was raided by authorities and several of the members were caught. He smiled, pleased with what he had just done, but there was still someone he had to take care of. And thankfully, he had learned how to track them down.
Turns out that quarians were great at hacking omni-tools. And he just so happened to know the best one on the Migrant Fleet.
He used his newly learned skills to track down Finch to an alley. The alley was dark, but he could make out that Finch was there, with what he assumed were his friends. No, not friends, simply business partners in a drug deal. Well those never ended well did they? Well, he would make sure at least this one didn't.
As he walked towards them, Finch turned to look at the approaching figure who had their head covered with a hoodie and some glasses as well as a mask. Made him feel like a vigilante. Which in all seriousness was exactly what he was at the moment.
"Who are you?" Finch asked.
He didn't respond. Only walked closer to Finch and the group of people with him.
"I asked you a question." Finch stated.
No answer again.
"Looks like the guy's got a death wish eh?" One of the members said as he pulled out a knife.
They had no idea just how much he wanted them to do this. It was clear that there were some who were high on the drug, which was going to make this even more interesting.
The one with the knife walked over to him and tried hitting him. But was stopped by his biotics as he grabbed the knife and shoved it in their arm, pulled it out, and shoved it in their leg rendering them immobile.
He saw as one of them tried pulling out a gun, but he was quick to use his biotics to simply used some stasis fields to make them unable to move and watch helplessly as he launched a biotic throw at them sending them towards the wall as their bones broke. Only him and Finch remained. Just how he wanted it.
He saw as Finch tried escaping, but was cut off by a biotic lift that left him without a way to run.
As Finch fell to the ground, he was brutally beaten by the attacker, blood oozing out of his nostrils and mouth as one punch landed after the other.
Once Finch could barely breathe from his broken nose, he saw as the attacker removed his mask "J-John?"
"Ah. Jane showed you how I looked like did she?" He said as he chuckled at Finch's inability to speak "Guess you never expected that her brother would help her get away from what you did to her."
Finch tried laughing but instead let out a cough "Y-You only doomed h-h-her to p-prison..."
John chuckled again "Oh. You mean with the blackmail material? Go ahead. Try to upload it."
Finch's eyes went wide as he realized that John had obviously done something to the footage "Wh-what di-did you do?"
John's fist began glowing "Oh. Let's just say that the restaurant must have looked good as the cops raided it." John kneeled and raised his fist "Don't worry, you'll join your friends soon enough." Those were the last words he heard before he was knocked out from John's biotic fist.
2 days later
John sat at the couch fiddling with his omni-tool and trying to perfect the program he had used two days ago to bring down a gang.
He still couldn't believe it. He took down a gang single-handedly. But with a little help of his best alien friend. Now he could truly call himself Batman.
He chuckled at the thought as he heard the door cycle open and looked to see Jane panting with her eyes wide.
"J-John?" She asked between breaths.
"Yeah?"
"Wh-what did you do?" She asked.
"What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about." He said almost smugly.
"I know you had something to do with this." She said as she showed him the news of a major part of the gang having been taken down by an unknown informant.
"Ah. That? Don't know. Guess Batman finally decided to show up."
Jane chuckled at her brother's stupid joke making him smile as it was the first one he had heard from her in two months "Shut up. But seriously, what did you do?"
John let out a pleased sigh "Just had to get some small hacking help to find out how to make sure that video and audio could never come out. And hack some omni-tools."
"From who?" Jane asked.
"Come on. You know who." John responded.
Jane almost hit herself for not realizing immediately "Tali?"
John chuckled "Good job! You get A+ for the correct answer!"
Jane chuckled as she sat down next to John. There was a silence between them which was eventually broken by Jane "So. Did you tell Tali then? About what happened?"
"No." Was his immediate answer.
"Wh... Then how did you get her to help you?" Jane asked.
"Simple. I told her that someone had gotten a video of me naked and I needed to know how to find them through their omni-tool and remove the video." John responded.
"And she bought that?" Jane asked almost amused.
"Yeah. Surprisingly she didn't mock me or anything. Only took her a few minutes to get her to help me. I'm surprised at just how fast she was willing to help me get rid of something like that, but oh well." John shrugged as he closed his eyes.
Jane though was smiling This dumbass still doesn't know? Does he? Oh well...
John felt as Jane hugged him "Thank you. Thank you, a million times thank you."
He chuckled at her "Couldn't let some assholes like them get the better of my younger sister could I?"
Jane scoffed "Only by 15 minutes."
"Mmmm, don't know, still seems like I'm older than you." John said which earned him a punch in the shoulder from Jane.
"Idiot." She stopped as she held him tighter "Still. Thank you."
"Anytime." John responded.
Alliance Recruitment Center, May 1, 2176
This was it. The first step into both John and Jane's lives. They had waited for this very moment for 18 years, and their mother had been more than happy to see them so excited to join the Alliance after so long.
The recruitment center was big, it was filled with several Alliance officers, and many ads promoting people to join. Neither of them needed that though, not when they already had their mind made up about this.
Both of them waited in a small line to get to the tall, blonde, young receptionist who would help them enlist for the Alliance Navy.
As the line ended, they eagerly stepped closer to the woman in an Alliance uniform checking her terminal before noticing the two siblings.
"Welcome! How may I be of assistance?" The receptionist asked while smiling at the two.
Jane spoke before John "We want to enlist for the Alliance Navy."
"Wonderful!" The receptionist said "You will have to take the elevator to the 5th floor where you will be interviewed. Elevator is just through that hallway" She said as she pointed at a hallway at their left.
"Thank you!" Both of them said as they walked over to the elevator. Looking behind them they saw as Hannah caught up to them panting.
"Jesus. I know the two of you are excited, but maybe slow down for your tire old mom?" She said between breaths.
Both of them laughed and John responded "No one said you had to come with us you know?"
Hannah let out a single loud laugh "And miss out on the two of you following on me and your father's footsteps? I think not."
The elevator chimed, indicating that it had arrived at their floor. Stepping inside John hit the button for the 5th floor.
Can't this go any faster? Jane thought as she was practically beaming with excitement.
Once the elevator finally reached the 5th floor, each of them made their way towards the recruitment office where another receptionist, also in an Alliance uniform, but she was much older with some gray in her short hair and a few wrinkles "Hello there. I take it the two of you wish to enlist?"
"We do." Jane responded.
The receptionist chuckled "Of course." She pulled out some holopads and gave it to both of them "In that you will find a bit of information about the procedure and how it will work. Simple really. You can wait over there and a recruitment officer will take you in."
Both of them responded with a "Thank you." And they went to sit down as they both read the holopad they had received while they waited.
What felt like hours passed before two officers walked through the doors, one of them taking Jane with him, and the other taking John with her.
They got separated as they walked into different offices.
Both sat down in a chair where they eagerly waited until the officers sat down in front of them and began with the simple question.
"So, you wish to enlist in the Alliance Navy correct?"
Despite being in different rooms, with different people, the question was the same, and so was the answer "I do."
The officers let out a smile and asked the question that would change their lives "So what is your name?"
"John Shepard"
...
"Jane Shepard"
Earth, August 7, 2177
It had been over a year since both John and Jane had enlisted and finished their basic training. They had been lucky to have been placed on the same ship, the Alliance cruiser SSV Detroit, and were now on shore leave.
Soon, it would be over, and they would be heading towards a colony on the Attican Traverse named Akuze. Supposedly, the colony had gone quiet five days ago, and the Detroit had been ordered by Hackett to investigate the colony.
Sure, both Jane and John would be in different parts of the colony, much to their disappointment, but they knew that they were both in the Alliance Navy now.
The time to be brother and sister could come on shore leaves. Shore leaves, such as this one.
John and Jane were watching a drinking competition between Corporal Toombs, and Corporal Stevenson. Sure they had thought about having one, but they weren't fans of the idea of hangovers. But apparently these two idiots were, and they saw just how tipsy Toombs was compared to Stevenson, and sure enough, he fell to the ground as he passed out.
"Stevenson wins!" Lieutenant Pertis shouted as Toombs was carried by John away from the crowd, laughing at his tipsy friend as he sat him down against the wall.
"So who's next?" Pertis asked, many of the marines wanted to be next, with some such as Jane and John wanting to stay out of it.
"Alright, Linda! You're up!" Pertis scanned the marines and spotted the one she wanted to compete "Oi! Shepard!"
Both John and Jane answered "Yes?"
Everyone laughed at the confusion while Pertis continued "No. You Corporal!"
John and Jane exchanged glances and responded in unison "We're both corporals..."
"Oh for the love of... The woman dammit!" Pertis announced frustrated.
Jane stiffened up as she really did not want to do this, but instead of objecting, she reluctantly sat down to face the smug looking Linda.
"Come on Shepard. Give me a challenge." Linda said with a lot of confidence in her voice.
Oh, that was enough for Jane to throw all of her original objections out the window "Oh, you're on."
The match went surprisingly well for Jane. She had only drank a few times in the past year, but there was no way in hell she was going to let this confident smug-looking officer win.
While Linda began swiveling back and forth, struggling to keep her balance, Jane held on to reality and fought the three Lindas in front of her to win this.
However, after the 7th beer, Linda could not hold on anymore and lost consciousness as she fell to the ground.
"Shepard wins!" Pertis announced as John carried her to sit next to the now awakened Toombs.
"Ohhhh, Johnnnnnn did I wiiinnn?" Jane was completely drunk as she asked the question to which John simply patted her shoulder and left the now giggling Jane behind.
"Alright then, I'm impressed Shepard, your sister can sure hold her drinks!" Pertis said.
"But I wanna see how you do." She said with an evil smile on her face.
Ah shit...
"And your opponent will be me!" Pertis said, increasing the tension in John's body.
As he sat down, both of them looked at each other and nodded. The first 5 drinks went by and nothing happened. On the 6th however, John began feeling the effects of the alcohol in his system as he fought to keep conscious. The 7th was the worst one. His head felt heavy, and he began thinking that the woman in front of her had somehow turned into his favorite quarian.
But as he looked around the bar he realized something... He was surrounded by Tali's.
What the fuck is going on?! He knew he was way too drunk, and now he was having a drinking contests with... Tali #1?
It made him think about just how he would do against the real Tali. She had a weakened immune system, so would he win? But she also had the suit which regulated her system, so she had the advantage there.
He chugged the 8th beer and felt himself slipping in and out of consciousness as he began babbling about things even he couldn't make out.
However, he soon realized that Tali. No, that's Pertis. Gotta remember that. Had fallen and he was victorious.
He let out a laugh at the now fallen Pertis who still looked like Tali. But as he tried to get up, his eyes went dark and he fell to the ground as well.
The onlookers were now confused. Both John and Pertis were now unconscious. "So... who won?" Corporal Trevor asked.
There were many different people saying that John had won, or that it was a tie. But one thing was for certain, he would have a hell of a hangover once this was done with.
At least though, it would go away just before they got to the Detroit, and subsequently Akuze.
Elysium, July 17, 2178
Shore leave once again. This time there had been no drinking competitions. Not after what had happened on Akuze. Ever since then John had avoided the topic since his team had been attacked by the three thresher maws. He had been the only survivor, and now he was acting almost like he had directly after Mindoir.
Jane didn't understand, and frankly didn't want to understand what he was going through. But this shore leave at least was more peaceful.
The Detroit had been repositioned to Elysium to oversee the colony while the SSV Agincourt's crew were fixing their scanners.
Thankfully, John and Jane had been ordered to take some shore leave, and now they were simply exploring the colony.
It reminded John so much of Mindoir. Beautiful, big buildings blocking the sun. At least this one hadn't been attacked by Batarian slavers.
As they both sat, enjoying some coffee and not worrying about any dangers, they enjoyed the company they kept each other.
"So. You speak with Tali?" Jane asked John.
"Hm? About what?" John asked.
"About the N thing." Jane said.
John had been offered the chance to partake in advanced training, where if he completed everything he could become an N7. One of the most prestigious ranks in the military. Anderson had been the one to advocate for him. He had also advocated for Jane, but she had decided to refuse the offer, she was fine with earning ranks like she had been doing, and frankly felt like the training would benefit John more, considering he was horrible in hand to hand unless he used biotics. And even then he got destroyed by Jane. Besides, he had gotten into more life or death situations than she had on both Mindoir and Akuze.
"Yeah. Told her I wouldn't see her for some time when it happened. But we will be transitioning to Earth soon, so maybe I can make a trip to the Rayya before I don't see her for who knows how long." John said.
Jane chuckled a bit "I take it she was not happy with it?"
John smiled a bit "She used words that didn't even translate to describe her anger. But she understood eventually."
"Good." Jane replied as she finished her coffee and dumped it into a trash can close to her.
"So... any plans for while we are here?" Jane asked.
"Not really. I'll probably just explore a bit of the colony before we head back to the Detroit tomorrow." John said.
Once they had both finished their coffees, they both sat up and went their different ways. While John went to see the colony, Jane decided to relax and enjoy Elysium's sun in the park. And if anyone had any sketchy bags this time, at least this time she would be ready.
She saw as kids played with their toys and model frigates as they simulated their flying. She wondered if she would ever have that. Kids.
Sure, she knew that there were a surprising amount of marines that she knew had a crush on her. But not only did she follow the fraternization rule, she also wasn't into anyone.
She didn't know what it was. She could throw regulations out the window in secret, and maybe indulge on a relationship with someone. But she didn't want anyone on that ship the way some of them wanted her.
Heh, next thing you know I'll be fucking a turian... She chuckled at the absurdity of that thought, but knew it wasn't outside the realm of possibility. If John wasn't so dense, Jane was sure he and Tali would have gotten into a relationship and had sex by now. So if John had a chance with a quarian, who's to say she didn't also have a chance with an alien?
Suddenly though, she was broken from her thoughts at the sight of armed officers running, weapons in hand.
That's weird... She thought.
But then, a siren began blaring behind her, and in front of her, and her two sides. The siren of an impending attack.
Jane tried to contact John, but she found she couldn't raise him as comms had been blocked... Just like Mindoir.
She looked up to see the sky being enveloped by explosions in the place where the Agincourt and Detroit were. And soon after that followed exactly what she feared was coming. The same ships she had seen on Mindoir. Batarian ships.
The colony was now being attacked just like Mindoir had been.
But this time, she would help fight back. She knew that wherever John was, he would too. And they would not let this one be as broken as Mindoir had been.
Not this time.
Rayya, August 4, 2178
John walked closer to Tali's quarters. He wanted to say one more goodbye in person before he had to leave for probably an entire year. He and Tali usually saw each other at least a few times a year, but next year she would not be able to see him at all. So he wanted to make it up to her before he left.
After the attack on Elysium, now being called the Skyllian Blitz, both he and Jane had been offered the Star of Terra after they had both taken a huge roll in saving the colony, which they had both accepted. But the Alliance had finally had enough. Mindoir was annoying, but Elysium too? With the help of the Migrant Fleet they found one of the slavers major operations on Torfan.
Although he had originally wanted to go, he had been stopped by his captain who had ordered him to sit this one out and say his goodbyes before he went to training. Now Jane would help lead the troops against the slavers for her actions on Elysium.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the fact that she got to lead some troops and he didn't. But if it meant he got to spend time with Tali then so be it.
As he got to Tali's cabin, he hovered over the holo-pad and the door cycled open in front of him. He didn't get a chance to call for her, before he felt Tali wrap her arms around him "John! It's great to see you!"
John chuckled at Tali's happiness at his presence "It's great to see you as well Tali." He let out his next words with a hint of sorrow "Thought I'd come to say goodbye before I went to training."
Those words had obviously hurt Tali as she held him tighter and let out a small sniffle "One year? Do you really have to leave for that long?" She asked.
"Yeah. Might be longer though. Or it might be shorter if I fail." John said as he caressed her back.
"You won't fail. I know you won't. It's just that... right now I will only have Auntie Raan to keep me company. And maybe Reegar too, but he might be too busy." Tali said.
"I know. I'm sorry, but I want to do this. But I promise you, whether I fail, or become an N7, I will let you know immediately when I get out." John said.
Tali released her hold on him and nodded as she went to sit on the bed and made a small groan as she tried to sit.
"You okay?" John asked worried at her groans which he had come to know where not of annoyance at him, but pain.
"Hmm?" She let out as she tried to slowly ease her way down "Yeah. It's just that I spent over six hours inside a vent yesterday and my back hurts a lot."
"Oh." Was all he could say at that. He rubbed the chin of his helmet in contemplation before coming up with an idea.
"Wait. I got something that could help." John said stopping her before she fully sat down.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Simple, just lay down on the bed looking down." John said.
Tali blushed under her helmet at that "Wh-what?"
"Trust me. My mom used to do this when I had back pains. Your suit might make it harder but it's worth a shot." He said almost casually.
"I... Oh... well. Okay..." Was all she could say as she did as John had instructed her to do. Once she finally managed to lay down, she faced the side and saw as John cracked his knuckles through his gloves and his shoulders went in circles.
As she was about to ask what he was doing, she felt as pressure was put onto her back and her joints popped from it. She let out a soft gasp of pleasure from it. Any pain she could have felt was negated by John's hands putting just the right amount of pressure on her back.
"Kh-keelah... I-it feels so... so good..." She said as she was moaning from what John was doing.
She heard as he let out a small laugh "Glad to hear it."
Tali's entire body relaxed as her joints popped and as John's hands worked on her back. The pleasure was enough for her to replace her gasps and moans to a sound John had never heard before. It sounded almost like a song with a slight hint of purring, and it was beautiful, and relaxing.
She closed her eyes as John continued working on her back and her thoughts went to the extreme pleasure she was feeling. But there was one thing she believed could create much bigger pleasure. She wondered just how it would feel if John simply pulled down her suit, or ripped a hole through it and took her right then and there by sliding his co- KEELAH! DON'T THINK THAT!
She stopped making her sound and her body went tense at the thought. Unfortunately, it also made John stop as he asked "Crap. I didn't hurt you did I?"
Tali immediately looked at where his eyes would be "N-no! No you didn't... I-I was just thinking if I did something correctly yesterday. But I just remembered I did. You didn't hurt me, I promise."
John frowned at the obvious lie, but decided to continue on her back as she began making the sound once more and he finally decided to ask "What sound are you making right now?"
Tali's eyes stayed closed as she responded "I-it's my... my heelrou... We... we do it when we're h-happy..." She said through her gasps and moans of pleasure.
He smiled at knowing that at least he had managed to make her happy and spoke "When I get back. Maybe I can give you a massage again, if you want it."
Tali smiled under her helmet "Making me w-wish you g-got out sooner? I'll... I'll have to hope you fail then..."
John chuckled as she said those words. Yep, you'll make me want to fail so I can see you, Jane, and mom again soon.
He continued massaging her back as her tension was gone by the time he was done with her. He exchanged one more goodbye and subsequently gave her a quarian kiss, which he still didn't know it was one, and parted from the Rayya to head to Rio de Janeiro for the N1 training.
Even if he failed, if it meant he got to see Jane, his mom and Tali sooner, then it would still be worth it.
?
Deep in an unknown region of space floated an unknown ship. One that floated through space seemingly without a goal.
NAZARA
Harbinger.
WHAT IS THE STATUS ON THE CONTINUATION OF THE CYCLE
It is right on schedule.
DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING NEEDED
Yes. I have obtained the help of a synthetic race. The geth. They worship us. They will help bring about the doom of this cycle.
GOOD
There is only one final component needed.
HOW LONG UNTIL YOU HAVE IT
Not long. He is what this cycles council calls a Spectre. The best one they have. He will serve our purpose well.
PERFECT
This cycles end is nigh.
WE AWAIT THE ACTIVATION OF THE RELAY
And you will not wait much longer. It is time.
THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE
...
