Notes:

A Grá - My Love (Gaelic)

CGC - Center for Galactic Cooperation

General's Narga Reserve – most famed brand of spirits to use narga root, from Macedyn, widely held as one of the best wines ever conceived in the Turian Hierarchy (Source: CDN)

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian/Source: CDN)

Ghosts of Old

Moreh, Refuge System, Pangaea Expanse – 11 Jan 2191

The familiarity of the passageways aboard this particular Quarian vessel had Shepard experiencing a momentary touch of déjà vu during the brief walk to the captain's suite, one deck below the bridge. Liara reacted instantly to the kaleidoscopic view of memories that tumbled through the link, the most chilling of which was the blinding flash of the explosive vest that ended Daro'Xen's life as Shepard attempted to take her into custody.

Shepard looked at Liara with a sorrowful expression as she said, {I didn't mean for you to ever see that again, Ionúin Álainn. Being back on this ship… the events of that day seem as recent as yesterday. I am so sorry.}

Liara smiled at her bondmate with her reply. {I understand completely, Siame. And while that truly was a horrible day, Daro'Xen can no longer harm you, or anyone else, ever! Even though you ended up losing Tali as a crewmember, having her placed in charge of Special Projects was the best of all the possible outcomes from the rebellion.}

Shepard nodded with the thought, {Agreed,} as their Quarian guide paused in front of a hatch. Passing his omnitool through the haptic lock, he announced, "The honorable Lady Liara T'Soni, Captain Samantha Shepard, and the House T'Soni personal guard have arrived to dine with Admiral Zorah."

The red interface had cross-faded to green before the young crewman could finish his announcement, with the vertically split hatch sliding into its bulkhead receptacles to reveal a smiling Tali'Zorah and Len'Dazza waiting to greet the pair. Tali spoke up first as she held her hands out. "Welcome to the Moreh, Liara… Shepard." Len greeted Samantha and Liara in a similar fashion, adding, "It is wonderful to see you once again. Please, come in. We have a few minutes before dinner is served. Would either of you…" he quickly waved his left hand to indicate the commandos, "or your companions, care for some liquid refreshments before we sit down? We actually have Elasa from Thessia, and there's Honey Mead from Lesuss."

Shepard did not do anything more than think about her answer; Liara quickly glanced at the commandos, asking, "Elasa?" Seeing them all nod in acceptance, she turned back to her hosts and answered, "A serving of Elasa will be fine for all of us." Liara smiled, adding, "Thank you, Len."

The Quarian touched a hidden control that muted his suit mic, allowing him to place an order with the stewards that would shortly be serving their dinner. With his suit mic once more active, he said, "If you would," as he indicated the chairs at the head of a long table. There were also additional tables set up, providing settings for a total of sixteen, prompting Shepard to ask, "Do we have someone else joining us?"

Following a quiet, nervous laugh, Tali answered, "Actually, I wasn't sure how many commandos would be coming up with you this evening. I fully expected the six of your personal guard but, since I wasn't very specific in my invitation, also thought it possible you may bring the second team, so we decided to be prepared… just in case."

She and Len stood behind their chairs until their guests were all seated. As the Quarians took their own seats, a hatch behind them slid aside to reveal two stewards, each bearing a tray on which a number of glasses had been placed, each filled with a pale green liquid. Once these were placed on the table for their guests, one of the pair placed a glass each of General's Narga Reserve in front of Len and Tali, each of whom removed their visors in order to freely drink and eat their meals. Tali held her glass up towards her guests. "To our friends, old and new… your very good health." Without her suit's built-in vocoder, her voice had a lilting, almost waiflike quality that Liara found completely endearing.

After taking a sip of Elasa, Shepard commented, "Tali, I want to believe you and Len will not get sick from breathing unfiltered air while we dine. Have the SILC programs improved your resistance to environmental exposure that much?"

Tali's grin was contagious. "We're getting closer to not needing our suits at all. It's been freeing, and rather scary, all at the same time." She looked around herself as she continued, "The air scrubbers in this compartment are set a bit higher than in the rest of the ship, just to ensure we'll be okay. And despite SILC medical runtime induced improvements to people's immune systems, a majority of people – especially those of my father's generation – continue to wear their suits and masks out of habit; much more out of custom than medical necessity."

Len, who was sitting across from Shepard, fixed her with a solemn gaze as he said, "The Quarian people have you to thank for our ability to live for short periods without our masks, Shepard. Your… demand, that Han'Gerrel vas Neema halt his misguided attack on the Geth fleet over Rannoch saved us all. End of the war, with the Geth becoming truly sentient, was the beginning of our new lives… free from our nomadic existence as migrants… free to finally return to our homeworld!"

Shepard, responding as she always did at being the subject of praise, blushed slightly and ducked her head, leading Liara to comment privately. {Hold your head up, Samantha. You ended the split between the SILC and Quarians by convincing Han'Gerrel to stand down from his attack on the Geth fleet. That was all you.}

Shepard slowly returned her gaze to Len'Dazza's eyes and, as their meals were brought out from the adjacent compartment, quietly thanked him. "I only did what was right… what needed to be done, Len… but… I appreciate your gratitude," she said softly.

Shepard paused briefly; a fork full of broiled fish poised halfway to her mouth. Completing the movement, she chewed thoughtfully for a few moments, swallowed, then nudged Liara's knee under the table as she spoke through the link. {Do you remember during the early months of the war? We were eating dinner in the crew's mess on Normandy, and I brought your attention to the way Sami was looking and speaking with Riana as they had their dinner together? Now, take a good look at Len and Tali. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe my initial guess was correct; those two are absolutely smitten with each other.}

Liara smiled at Samantha's observation. She covertly watched the pair as she took several bites of the fish from her own plate before responding, {Now that you have brought it to my attention, Siame, I can see it as well, and it is very reminiscent of Riana and Sami's own beginning as a couple. What are the odds?}

{I wouldn't know how to even begin to calculate them, A Grá, but I honestly believe Tali has finally moved on from the loss of Kal'Reegar.}

Liara did not respond to Shepard's statement as she ate the last of her fish.

Everyone had finished their meals and were quietly speaking with one another while the dishes were being cleared from the table. After speaking nearly non-stop with Shepard, Liara and Len all through dinner, Tali had grown atypically quiet, leading Shepard to lean close and quietly ask, "You're awful quiet all of a sudden, Tali. Is something bothering you?"

Her response was not completely unexpected as she replied, "I have some news to share, and I've been chasing it around in my mind, trying to string the words together in a coherent fashion before I give voice to them." She waited a few moments for the stewards to leave the dining room and close the door, then used her free hand to reach out to Len, who quickly used both his hands to grasp the hand reaching towards him. Turning back towards her 'big sister', Tali swallowed hard; in a slightly shaky voice, she said, "I have fallen in love with Len, Shepard." She paused to glance at him, then returned her attention to Shepard and Liara. "He has also declared his love for me, so… we have decided to formally join our futures through marriage." She nervously split her attention between the two people that meant more to her than nearly anyone else in the galaxy.

Shepard grinned in pleasure as she stood and gently pulled Tali up from her chair. Embracing her tightly, she said, "That's simply wonderful, Tali! Congratulations to you… to both of you." She kissed her cheek, then released her in order to congratulate Len and shake his hand.

Liara stood as well, taking Shepard's place in embracing Tali as the commandos all stood, smiling happily for the couple as they applauded the news. "So, when will this happy event occur? And where?"

"In two months – 12 March, actually, here… on the Moreh. Aunty Raan has insisted there be vid-con coverage throughout the fleets and on Rannoch. Of course, we will be happy to send that virtual coverage to both of you as well, Liara."

Shepard overheard her last few words as she turned back to listen to Tali. With a slight frown, she asked, "Do you not plan on inviting us to attend?"

Tali's eyes grew wide at this. In a slightly embarrassed tone, she stammered out, "Of course, you'll be invited, Captain! How could I not invite you, or Liara? But you both will be busy on the planet down below. How will you find the time to…?"

Liara, still holding onto Tali's shoulders, said, "We will most certainly attend your wedding, Tali'Zorah, and don't think for a second that we won't! Especially now, with the Moreh in orbit here!" She looked at Tali and canted her head slightly to the side as she queried, "Did you not tell us you were staying through the first full harvest and replant, to make sure the Prothean team has the process down?"

"Well… yes, I suppose I did."

Shepard grinned. "Besides that, we should already be drawing down, in preparation of our return to Thessia, since we planned on leaving here no later than the morning of the 14th, anyway, in order to be home in time for our spring celebrations starting on the 17th. Your wedding will be the perfect start to our break!"

Tali's answering smile was positively radiant. Turning back towards Shepard as Liara released her, she said in a voice that would brook no argument, "Then I will insist you stand for me once again, my Captain!" At Shepard's instant expression of puzzlement, she added, "As my Captain, you stood for me when the fleet admirals accused me of treason." A tear escaped one eye, to slowly trickle past her nose as she continued, "As both of my parents are dead and I have no siblings, you simply must stand for me for what will be the happiest day of my life! You will be my captain once more, Shepard."

Shepard's grin belied the solemnity of the occasion as she answered, "It will be my honor to stand for you, Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Moreh."

Tali had asked Len to go ahead of her as he escorted Liara to the VIP guest suite set aside for their guests. Now having a bit of privacy, she was clinging tightly to Shepard's arm and speaking softly as they strolled slowly down the passageway. "You may be wondering if my agreeing to marriage with Len is really for love, Shepard… perhaps wondering if maybe I have forgotten about Kal'Reegar." With a sniffle, she confessed, "Ancestors forgive me, I still love Kal! I will never forget him! It's just that, ever since we met, Len'Dazza has always treated me special – not like an admiral, but more as an equal. A partner, even. Discovering how much we had in common, we quickly became friends. That friendship has deepened into a mutual love, such that I am unable to visualize a future without him. Does that sound silly, Shepard?"

The Human turned her head in order to study the face looking up at her. "No, Tali. It does not… not in the least. It sounds like you are very much in love. That's something precious, Tali. Hold onto that love for the rest of your life."

Tali's sweet smile was all Shepard needed to see. By this time, they had arrived at the entrance to the VIP guest quarters. Shepard turned and placed her hands on Tali's shoulders. "Good night, Tali. And even though I know you realize it as truth, it bears repeating… It will be my honor to stand as your captain when you say your vows."

Tali's heart clenched upon hearing her captain's promise. "Thank you, Shepard," she squeaked. "That means more to me than I could possibly put into words." Activating her omnitool, she waved her wrist through the red glow of the haptic lock, which obligingly turned green, allowing the hatch to part in the middle and slide into its pockets. "Good night, Shepard. Someone will be here at 0800 tomorrow to lead you back to the captain's suite for breakfast." She threw her arms around her captain – this Human female… a woman who had never failed to stand by her side – and hugged her tightly. With a soft kiss on a freckled cheek, she released her friend, turned and walked back down the passage.

Normandy SR2, Shadow Sea, At Large – 14 Jan 2191

The Reaper War was a slowly fading, exceedingly unpleasant memory, and the conclusion of the Galactic Council's actions to put a stop to the dreams of subjugating the Geth – known now to the peoples of the galaxy as SILC – by a pair of Quarian admirals refusing to accept the reality of the machine race's newly gained sentience, had brought a sense of peace to the galaxy.

Since the Normandy SR2 was no longer operating on a wartime footing, lead engineer Commander Greg Adams had split the duty hours of his primary specialists so they could each work as individual team leaders. So, instead of working side-by-side for an entire 14-hour shift in battle-ready status, Specialist Ferank's and Specialist Yakovna's on-duty hours had been split; Ferank had morning shift from 0400 – 1400, and Yakovna covered what was known as the mid-shift, from 1200 – 2200 hours. This resulted in an 18-hour duty-cycle day, with enough overlap to complete a leisurely shift change and still have six hours of what they called 'quiet running' with Edi at the helm, stealth systems engaged, and passive sensors set to maximum range.

This also resulted in some necessary cross-training so, during the twenty months he had served as the frigate's propulsion engineer, not only had Garok spent a majority of his free afternoon hours reading and studying the technical manuals relating to the vessel's propulsion systems he had also begun familiarizing himself with the ship's mechanical systems. The Batarian had actually displayed a bit of embarrassment at admitting his rapid understanding – his mastering of the intricacies – of Normandy's sublight engines, as well as the vessel's ultra-high-performance FTL drive core, was thanks in large part to the author of the ship's technical manuals.

The explanations of the brilliantly sophisticated design elements behind what he felt was a massively overpowered drive core were written in plain, easy to understand, everyday language. Along with the detailed schematics included for each of the numerous sub-systems, and the programming instructions for the software that automated 85–90 percent of routine operations for the propulsion and maneuvering systems, the Batarian felt he had stumbled into a dream job.

He promised himself if he ever had the opportunity, he would personally thank the author of the tech manuals for creating such clear descriptions and succinct instructions for obtaining the best possible performance from the ship's engines. He just needed to discover the identity of the author; the letters GD appeared at the end of each section break, perhaps alluding to the identity of one of the people – Garok believed there must have been several – responsible for putting together such a remarkably concise set of manuals.

He placed the datapad he was currently studying at the place he preferred to sit whenever he was eating or taking a coffee break in the crew's mess – just forward of the elevator tower. If that spot was already occupied, he would sit ahead of the secondary support bulkhead, facing the sleeper-pod lined passageway leading forward to the ship's main battery.

Grabbing a serving tray, he studied the available selections. Fortunately for the Batarian, food that was edible by Humans or Asari was safe for him to eat; he even enjoyed partaking of a few Salarian dishes when they were offered. Today's menu was a hundred percent Human; he filled the recesses on his tray with stewed meat from Horizon – he didn't ask what kind of meat it was, as some things were best left unknown – a large helping of potato salad, the ingredients also products of farms on Horizon, and a serving of beans. A couple of rolls for sopping up the gravy, along with a small mug of ale – actual Batarian ale, a beverage for which he profusely thanked Captain Williams when he discovered its availability – and he had a meal that would keep him satisfied the remainder of the day.

Taking a seat at his chosen spot, he began eating, glancing at the text on his data pad between bites. The tech manual he was currently studying concerned Normandy's other machinery – the HVAC systems, electrical plant and wiring, pumps and plumbing for fresh water, along with plumbing, recycling machinery and holding tanks for the so-called grey water and black water. Although not his area of expertise, he understood that learning as much as possible about all of this vessel's mechanical systems was not only necessary for cross-training, but would also be to his advantage, as well as of value to his crewmates, should something ever happen to Oksana. He hoped his co-worker felt the same and did not object to his foray into her area of responsibility.

As if summoned by his thoughts, the woman appeared with a full tray of food, greeted him and sat down across the table from him. Seeming to pick up on his misgivings, Engineer Yakovna glanced at the datapad and commented dryly, "It is good to see that a propulsion engineer is interested in this ship's mechanical systems, Garok." She curled the corners of her mouth just enough to give the impression of a smile. "Let me know if there is anything you don't understand and need help on." The hint of a smile became a broad grin. "This ship isn't exactly your normal Alliance frigate, is it?"

"No, it most certainly is not." Garok hurried to expand upon his answer. "And while understanding how internal systems utilize power from the fusion reactors may not seem critical to my own job, Oksana, I completely agree with Commander Adams' request that we both cross-train… just in case something happens to one or the other of us. On my homeworld, we were always taught that cross-training was an important part of being a successful engineer." He took a swallow of beer, set the mug down and tilted his head to the left. "Just so you know, I am certainly not looking to replace you… quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. I enjoy working with you and believe the two of us make an excellent team." After taking a couple more bites of his meal and another swallow of ale, he asked, "Just out of curiosity, how is it that you're able to read upside down text?"

"Detskaya igra… child's play, Garok." Holding up a finger, she added, "Hold that thought." She took a couple of pulls from her own glass in between forkfuls of the tossed green salad that filled half her tray. After chewing and swallowing, she leaned back slightly and sighed, seemingly in relief. "That's much better! It's been a while since breakfast."

Using that same finger to touch the top edge of the datapad, she explained, "I learned to read upside down when I was in college, back on Earth. There never seemed to be enough textbooks or datapads to go around, so my roommate and I taught ourselves to read printed text upside down. That way, we could both read from a book or D-pad simultaneously by putting the tops of our heads together." She smirked while adding, "I can also read mirror-imaged text."

"Mirror text?" The Batarian's face reflected his astonishment. "Huh. I find that quite the achievement, Oksana." Upon returning his attention to his meal, Yakovna did the same.

After several minutes spent enjoying their food and drink, Yakovna looked up and admitted, "I never did get around to learning about propulsion theory, especially concerning FTL powerplants, Garok. I can find my way around the ship's APUs just fine, but even sublight engines are a bit outta my league so, while I offered to help you learn my job, I may need the same from you."

Ferank made an effort to roll his lowers in amazed denial. "I find it difficult to believe Normandy's FTL and sublight engines are beyond your understanding, Chief." Shaking his head slightly, he placed a forkful of stewed meat in his mouth and chewed while he thought about Oksana's lack of FTL knowledge. "I would be happy to help but, as I did, you can also learn a good deal about Normandy's propulsion systems, including the RCS… umm, the reaction control systems, from the propulsion systems manuals. Though, if you desire a narrower focus to start, you may wish to begin with just the RCS. When the Quarian missile exploded in this ship's belly, it was left tumbling and spinning out of control on its original heading."

Oksana perked up at that last bit of info. "How would you be aware of that, Garok?"

He smirked – at least, the expression on his face resembled a Human's smirk. "I read the ship's log for January 2189. The reason I'm on this ship – the reason you are on this ship – is because a warhead exploded in the machinery and piping compartments below our current workstations, killing the two engineers stationed there. Main engines were offline – the RCS was the only reason the ship's uncontrolled gyrations could be arrested."

"I am well aware of that event, Garok, seeing as those engineers' deaths resulted in the vacancy in the position I currently occupy. The reason your position came open was because Specialist Donnelly's wife became pregnant and, by Alliance regulations, could not remain assigned to a war ship. I was told she transferred to the Alliance's propulsion lab on the CGC, but after giving birth to twins, she resigned, was honorably discharged, and moved back to Earth, in order to raise her children on her homeworld."

Ferank had once believed – as every Batarian male he ever knew believed – females, of any race, on board a space-faring vessel, particularly a warship, were a bad idea. Since serving on Normandy for the previous twenty months, he no longer held that belief so completely, but a woman getting pregnant during wartime certainly supported that position… which was an opinion he would definitely not share with anyone on this ship. After his brief rumination, he thought to ask, "Her mate… did he also transfer off the ship? To be with her?"

A different voice – slightly lower in timbre, answered his question. "Mr Donnelly's services were still needed in engineering, Specialist. I couldn't afford to lose both of them at the same time… especially given the situation between the SILC and the rogue Quarians."

The Batarian looked up in surprise. Captain Williams had quietly entered the small kitchen area and was fixing a snack to accompany the mug of coffee she had just poured. "Captain," he said as he made to stand up. "I did not see you come in."

"As you were, Specialist." Glancing at Yakovna, she added, "Mind if I join you?"

Oksana was quick to answer. "By all means, Kapitan … please."

Even with the topic of conversation, Ashley still managed a smile at the Russian word as she moved to the table and took a seat on Yakovna's right side. Taking a bite from the sweet roll on her plate, she chewed, swallowed, then took a couple of sips of coffee from her mug. Making a point of studying Garok's lower eyes, she spoke softly. "Even though Normandy is a Spectre vessel, I am still Alliance, as were the Donnellys at that time. I really had no choice, as it matters not if the vessel is a dreadnaught, a frigate, or as small as a fast corvette; the Alliance simply does not permit pregnant service members to remain aboard anything designated as an active warship… period."

The captain's mention of Donnellys, plural, started a seed of understanding geminating in the Batarian's mind. "This Donnelly fellow… his name was Kenneth, was it not?" Bringing a hand up, he indicated the area behind himself as he added, "Same as that engraved on the nameplate in the passageway, on the memorial wall?"

Ashley's thin smile didn't reach her eyes. "That's him." Thinking back to the beginning of 2189, she added in a somber voice, "Unfortunately, it was my unhappy duty to inform Gabby – um, Gabriella, his wife, that the man she had married just the previous July had been killed in action, because of a couple of stubborn, rogue Quarians. Damned if that wasn't one of the absolute worst days of my life."

Garok, finally understanding but needing clarification, asked, "And this female… Gabriella Daniels… was Normandy's propulsion engineer?"

"Yes, she was." Ashley nodded once with her reply. "Actually, she was the very first propulsion engineer on this vessel, even before it was launched… and Kenneth was the first systems engineer. They helped design, fabricate and install all the systems, then continued to serve on the ship during the Collector campaign under Commander Shepard. They then returned to serve again for the majority of the Reaper war. Why do you ask?"

"I should have realized that before now." The Batarian shook his head in surprised understanding as he chuckled quietly. Downing the last of his beer, he swiped the back of his hand across his mouth before responding to Ashley's query. "The operations manuals, Captain. I've been studying them for the past year and a half, and I continue to be amazed at the simplicity of the explanations, illustrations and instructions. That she was on this ship before launch explains so much! The letters GD are present at the end of each section of the propulsion systems manuals, making it clear to me, now, that she was the author. And it appears, by the style of presentation, she was also very likely involved in drafting the Ops Manuals for the ship's other mechanical systems, along with her mate. In my humble opinion, this Gabriella Daniels is truly a brilliant engineer."

Williams laughed at that. Upon seeing the amazed expression on his face, along with that of her Systems Engineer, she tried to explain. "Gabriella Daniels-Donnelly is brilliant, Specialist, and it pleases me to no end to hear you offer such high praise." Her laughter vanished as she continued, "I really hated that I had no leeway when she became pregnant – I absolutely had to put her ashore." Shaking her head, she added, "In the end, I was glad I did, as there is no doubt in my mind… that single act was the only thing that spared her life, and the lives of her unborn twins. My only regret is that Kenneth didn't live to meet them."

"Do you know what Ms Daniels is doing now, Captain? How to get in touch with her? I would really like to thank her for leaving behind such wonderfully written, easy to understand manuals."

Ashley finished her sweet roll. Taking another sip of coffee, she replied, "She's still working as a propulsion engineer, on Earth – currently employed by a ship-building guild on Thessia."

Yakovna asked, "An Asari firm? Why not a Human-owned manufacturer? There must be a few that would love to have her working for them."

"More than a few, I would imagine." Ashley followed with a light shrug and offered, "That's a question for which I have no answer, but if I were to guess, I'd expect she did not wish to work for some soulless conglomerate." She sipped from her mug, then continued. "I also know that Gabby hated the idea of having to place her children in daycare while she worked; I understand she now works from home, in a lovely seaside city."

Ferank chuckled, then declared, "A big corporation would place little value on a single engineer, no matter how talented. The owner of that Asari company should thank her Goddess for sending such a gifted engineer to work for them."

Ashley finished her coffee, cocked her head and leveled her gaze on the Batarian's lower eyes. "If you seriously wish to thank her for writing Normandy's systems ops manuals, compose a message, with her full name in the address header. Place it in the outgoing comms queue, and I'll locate and insert her extranet address. As long as we're not running silent, it'll get sent the next time we make a relay jump."

Garok grinned. "I would appreciate that, Captain… thank you."

Normandy SR2, Nubian Expanse, At Large – 17 Jan 2191

Garok Ferank was nearly ready to go up to the crew's mess on Deck Three in order to enjoy a spot of lunch with Greg Adams. As he was locking his workstation down, the comms speaker situated between Specialist Yakovna's workstation and his own came to life. "Specialist Ferank?" Comms Specialist Sheldon Dubow continued, "I have just received a message for you, from the Sol System."

Garok was momentarily surprised by Dubow's announcement, then remembered he had sent a note to Normandy's former propulsion engineer, Gabriella Donnelly… thanking her for creating the clear, easy to understand operations manuals for the ship's drive and mechanical systems. He asked, "Do I need to come up to the CIC, Specialist?"

"No need, Mr Ferank, as it's text only. I forwarded it to your personal extranet account, so you can access it with your omnitool."

He thanked Dubow, then signed off while thinking, 'Why am I still surprised – after serving on this ship for nearly two years – that everyone on board seems to go out of their way to be kind to me? Is it because I'm the only Batarian crewman, or are they all just that nice?'

He quickly entered the central compartment with its massive Eezo core; turning and leaning against the control console, he opened his omnitool. With a feeling of disbelief, he read the message he'd received from Normandy's former propulsion engineer:

Specialist Ferank: Thank you for your recent message. It pleases me to learn my efforts to provide clearly written and illustrated instruction manuals for Normandy's propulsion systems have been useful and are actually being used and appreciated. Truthfully, I never imagined a Batarian being assigned to a Spectre ship but, after giving the matter some thought, I honestly believe you would not hold the position of lead propulsion engineer unless both Captain Williams and Commander Adams trust you and have faith in your knowledge and abilities. Given that, it is my hope those manuals will continue to be useful for the entirety of your assignment, I wish you smooth sailing and the best of luck in your career aboard the Normandy SR-2.
Respectfully: Gabriella Daniels Donnelly

Garok read the brief message through several times before deactivating his omnitool; he walked slowly out of the core containment compartment, then out of engineering, listening as each set of doors swished closed behind him. His thoughts were now centered on Humans in general. The Hegemony has to be wrong. Must be! These past twenty months have shown me that Humans are not the terrorist bastards the Hegemony makes them out to be – at least not the ones on this ship. They are the same as any other race in the galaxy, with most just trying to live their lives with as few problems as possible.

After serving on this ship for close to two years, he felt completely at peace, having finally found an excellent job on a state-of-art-frigate, among people – Humans, at that! – who treated him as an equal. Sighing happily, he left to take the elevator up to deck three, for lunch with his boss.

Ilos, Refuge, Pangaea Expanse – 1 Feb 2191

With everything that was happening, the second half of the month had passed quickly. Tali had been extremely busy – even though initially believing it would be otherwise – with fine-tuning the settings on the first two biodomes. With each unit needing to sustain a different crop with different requirements, Tali and Aelia had been almost constant companions. Then, with the arrival of the second shipment of supplies, the construction of the additional three units had completely filled whatever slack time she had.

Liara, on the other hand, had continued working very closely with Arick. Together – and much to Liara's relief – they had determined the statues actually were statues… of a sort. Once they began to study the figures in depth, along with key assistance from the SILC, it had been determined they were some sort of reference equipment. There was electronic gear enclosed within each unit, which the SILC were carefully investigating in an attempt to determine their content and purpose. The leading theories were they were either some form of teaching device or simply historical monuments of some type, with auditory descriptions.

Initially, the main focus had simply been data recovery, but the more the SILC units learned about the devices held within, the more they began to believe they would be able to eventually restore them to at least limited functionality. This prospect excited Liara the most; the idea of having a 'speaking' history teacher, even if a mechanical one, from a long-lost race? Even if designed only to teach history to young ones… it was more than she ever could have hoped for, as it would give them a base of knowledge they would otherwise be guessing at. It was a tremendous find, no matter how it ended up.

In her enthusiasm over the discovery, the one thing Liara had forgotten about was the language barrier; musical in nature, the Inusannon language was unlike any they had heard before. With no basis for comparison, nothing like the Cypher which Shepard had received to decode the Prothean language, and no form of contextual reference, even the SILC were at a loss.

"By the Goddess!" Liara threw her hands up in frustration. She had been staring at the screen, listening to the recordings for hours, finally relenting in undisguised exasperation. "A wealth of knowledge is, quite literally, at my fingertips, yet I cannot even begin to decipher it!"

Shepard felt the reverberation of her mate's vexation through the link and gave Jakaror an apologetic look. "Seems I need to step away for a bit, before Doctor T'Soni does something she may regret in her aggravation over the statues' unwillingness to give up their data."

"It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?" Jakaror asked, a toothy grin taking over his face, reminding Shepard a bit of Grunt. "Looking at her… the young Asari that she is… if I had not seen her in action in the news vids during the wars, I would never believe her capable of the things the two of you accomplished together." He shook his head and shrugged. "And the connection you have… I do not think I would care to have someone continuously in my thoughts, as she is in yours. Now, go… before she rends one of those figurines into the thousands of grains of sand from which it was made."

"Thanks, Jak… I'll do that." Shepard flashed him a thankful smile, appreciating the level of understanding from her relatively new Krogan friend. "See you at dinner… maybe kick back and have a drink?"

The big Krogan chuckled, not willing to pass up the chance to tease the still relatively young Human. "Sure… so long as T'Soni is willing to share you after hours."

Shepard gave him a punch on the shoulder in response, her face taking on a bit of color at his words. "Smartass."

As she walked away to go find the good doctor, she heard Jakaror make one last comeback. "Aren't all Krogan? Not like you should expect anything else."