Chapter 44: Don't Fire on the Geth
Shepard paced the floors of her cabin, waiting for word back from the Admiralty Board. Zaal'Koris and Shala'Raan returned to the Migrant Fleet an hour before, both eager and determined to convince the rest of the Admiralty Board to grant Legion and Shepard as his 'Captain' and audience. In the meanwhile, she tried to keep herself busy reviewing EDI's report.
Collector ship sightings over several human colonies and increased requests for human specimens in the Terminus Systems filled the report. Sighing in frustration, she was about to toss the datapad aside when something caught her eye: reports of sightings in the Attican Traverse. What were the collectors doing in the Attican Traverse? More importantly, how had the Council not been informed? Or had they? If the collectors were moving into the Attican Traverse, they were entering Council controlled space, which meant they could take action. Granted, much of the Attican Traverse had already been encroached on by members of the Terminus Systems and the Council had done nothing to hinder their movement in the hopes of avoiding a war with the Terminus Systems.
"I doubt the Council is in the dark. If the collectors are moving into the Traverse, it's been noted by someone somewhere." Jane hummed in the back of Shepard's head. "It could simply be because they already have us on the situation … but then you'd think they'd inform us of any new developments … unless they're just hoping we'll take care of it without pressing them for reinforcements now that they have jurisdiction."
"It doesn't really matter now either way; not with Anderson locked up and the Council coming after us for treason." Shepard spoke out loud, far more comfortable conversing openly with Jane when no one else was around to see her—aside from EDI. It wasn't because she didn't think EDI counted; just that EDI was always present. Always. "And now, of course, we can't even take this to them on the off chance they don't know."
"Shepard?" EDI's voice cut through Shepard's train of thought.
She glanced up, turning to look at the AI's access node. "What's up, EDI?"
"We've received word from the Migrant Fleet. We're being given permission to dock with the Tonbay." EDI paused, her blue hologram hovering, her lights flickering in what Shepard had come to recognize as contemplation. "They are willing to grant Legion the opportunity to address the Admiralty Board, but are insisting he be completely stripped of all weapons and subjected to scanning."
"Scanning?" Shepard raised an eyebrow.
"I believe they intend to gather data on how the geth have evolved since last contact." EDI paused again. "Considering the tensions between the quarians and the geth, it is likely this information will be used against the geth in the event of a confrontation."
Shepard held her breath a moment, her mind running through all of the terrible scenarios it could come up with in a handful of seconds. Letting the air rush out of her lungs in a huff she rubbed her forehead. "Thank you, EDI. I'll go talk to Legion. Tell Joker to hold off on docking with the Tonbay until I know whether or not Legion agrees to their conditions."
"As you wish, Shepard." EDI's hologram closed, leaving Shepard once again with the illusion of being alone.
"Well fuck." She groaned pinching the bridge of her nose.
"He's going to want you to tell him what to do," Jane said.
"Yeah, and I won't do it. All I can do is give him my opinion, and tell him I'll support his choice." She walked up the stairs, dropping the datapad on her desk before leaving her cabin.
"What are you going to do when he insists you decide on whether or not to reprogram the heretics?" Jane asked when Shepard stepped inside of the elevator. "Or when he turns to you on Rannoch and tells you he wants to give the reaper code back to his people? Damn … will any of that even happen now? The reaper code, I mean? If the quarians and the geth make nice right now, the rest of the geth will never turn to the reapers when facing war with the quarians."
"I don't know," she muttered, pushing the button for the third deck. "But I'll be damned if I'm going to set the quarians and geth up for a war they don't have to fight … set Legion up to be tortured. The geth will have to find another way to reach that point. Hell, maybe being reunited with the quarians will help get them there. Legion's already changing from spending so much time with Lia."
"No, of course. I wasn't implying you should." Jane hesitated, her conflicted feelings leaking through to Shepard. "I just meant … well, by helping we're hindering."
"I'm doing the best I can with what we have." Shepard shoved a few stray pieces of hair out of her face and took a deep breath. "You wanted change, Jane. Well, this is change. I don't know if any of it is what we need, but I'm trying."
"Yeah," Jane said before pulling back into the recesses of Shepard's mind, shutting herself away.
With her connection to Jane muted, she found she actually felt a little emptier inside. The elevator door opened, and she made her way to the med bay. Dr. Chakwas looked up and smiled at Shepard before turning back to her work. It occurred to Shepard she really should tell Dr. Chakwas that Anderson had been arrested, but she just couldn't bring herself to talk about it yet.
Making her way past the doc, she opened the AI core. Lia paced around inside, restless and wringing her hands. Legion watched her, his head swiveling back and forth as the rest of him remained motionless. They both turned to look at her when she stepped inside.
"Lia, can I have a moment with Legion, please?" She moved out of the way of the door, coming to a stop in front of Legion and tucking her hands behind her back.
"Uh, oh, um, sure." Lia glanced between Shepard and Legion. "Of course, Shepard. I'll see you in a little while, Legion." She left the AI core with one final glance over her shoulder at the geth.
"Shepard-Commander," Legion said when the door closed.
"The Migrant Fleet has contacted the Normandy, and they're willing to grant us an audience, but they have conditions." She glanced around the AI core, her gaze finding the dried daisy April gave Legion stuck to the back wall. Taking a deep breath she turned her attention back to the geth waiting patiently in front of her. "They want you to be disarmed before boarding the Tonbay, and they want you to submit to scans. It wasn't specified, but it's likely these scans are meant to study geth advancements." She raked her thumbnail across her brow. "I don't think I need to tell you this could give them a tactical advantage should the quarians and geth ever go to war instead of making peace. However, such a gesture now would undoubtedly go a long way toward easing the fears of the quarians, making them more open to the idea of working with the geth. Ultimately, this is your decision, Legion. I won't make it for you, but I'll respect whatever choice you make. The Tonbay is waiting for our response."
Legion shifted his weight, the flaps around his optics fluttering as the single iris dilated. "We are unable to reach a consensus."
Shepard nodded her head before lowering her gaze, staring at the empty stretch of floor between her feet and his. "I thought that might be the case. If you'd like, I can attempt to speak with them to see if I can convince them to waive the condition of the scans. It's pretty unlikely, though, they'll agree to let you come aboard with weapons. Can you reach a consensus on whether or not you'll agree to go unarmed?"
Legion bobbed his head before turning away from Shepard, removing first his sniper rifle and then his assault rifle, laying them on the bench at the back of the room. "We agree to board the Tonbay unarmed if Shepard-Commander successfully negotiates with the creators."
"Thank you, Legion. Come with me to the comm room, you should be present when I call them." She jerked her head toward the door before leaving the AI core, already planning what she'd say to the Admiralty Board. Unsurprised to find Lia waiting just outside the door, she stopped in front of the quarian. "We're going to need to place a call to the admirals, we're working out a few kinks, but so far everything is fine, Lia. Take a deep breath, you did great in there."
Lia's shoulder's relaxed, her respirator hissing as she pulled in a deep breath and nodded her head. "Thank you, Shepard."
Shepard reached out, squeezing Lia's shoulder but turned her head to look at EDI's access node across the med bay. "EDI," she said, watching as the blue hologram sprung to life, "please notify Tali that I need her in the comm room. Kal is welcome to join her if he wishes."
"Right away, Shepard." The hologram winked out of existence once more.
Turning her attention back to Lia, she patted her shoulder before letting her hand drop. "You can come too, if you want." She didn't wait for Lia's response before she started walking again, trusting Legion would be right behind her, and willing to bet a year's salary on Lia being right next to him.
Tali and Kal were already in the elevator when it reached the third deck to pick up Shepard and the others. On the way up to the CIC, she informed the quarians of the Admiralty Board's conditions and her intent to attempt to negotiate on Legion's behalf. With unspoken agreement, they all stopped talking when the elevator doors opened, and didn't speak again until they were in the comm room with the door closed behind them.
"What do you need me to do, Shepard?" Tali leaned against the table next to Kal.
"You have a bit of an inside view of how the Admiralty Board works, being an admiral's daughter." Shepard crossed her arms and leaned against the wall across from them.
Tali inclined her head in agreement. "Former admiral, but yes."
"And you've developed a working relationship with Legion." Shepard couldn't help the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I suppose," Tali said, wariness dragging out the words.
"Kal, Lia, do either of you have issue with Tali acting as a representative to your people on your behalves?" She glanced between the two other quarians, eyebrow raised. Shepard thought she could almost see the smile on Kal's face behind his mask, the outer corners of his eyes narrowing.
"I can't think of anyone else I'd rather represent me, ma'am." Kal glanced at Tali, a soft chuckle shaking his shoulders.
"I don't have any problem with Tali representing us, but representing us for what?" Lia asked.
Shepard moved to stand next to Legion. "I'd like Tali to act as my co-mediator between Legion and the Admiralty Board. If Legion and Tali both agree, it will be Tali's job to help me negotiate terms that are fair and agreeable to both quarians and geth." She held up a hand to silence Tali's anxious groan. "You're the best person for the job, Tali. You're a quarian who has not only shown loyalty to her people on multiple occasions, the most recent being turning in your own father, but you are also a member of the Normandy's crew, which means you work beside Legion. You understand the politics, you understand the needs of the quarians, and you understand what it is the geth are offering. I won't force you to do this, but I have complete faith in your ability to handle this situation." She glanced at the geth next to her. "Legion, is this agreeable to you?"
Legion turned his head to look at Shepard, shifting his stance to mimic hers. "Yes."
"Wonderful," she said, turning back to Tali. "Well, what do you say?"
"You'll make and admiral out of her yet." Jane sighed, her weariness carrying over to Shepard.
Tali glanced back and forth between everyone in the room before letting out a frustrated growl and throwing her hands up in the air. "Alright, Shepard. I don't know why you think I'm the one for this sort of thing, but if all of you are crazy enough to push me into it, it's on your heads if I mess it all up."
Shepard grinned, reaching out to squeeze Tali's arm. "You won't mess it up. EDI, please connect us to the Admiralty Board on the Tonbay."
"Right away, Shepard." EDI's hologram stretched out, creating a screen above the table.
Shepard moved to stand next to Tali, pointing to a spot on the floor just behind and between the two of them, waving Legion over to stand there. Kal moved up to stand at Tali's other side, while Lia lingered behind Shepard next to Legion. It took a couple of minutes for the call to connect, and when it did only Shala'Raan and Zaal'Koris appeared in front of the screen.
Shepard's brow twitched, having expected for them to have the other admirals with them. "Admirals." She dipped her head in deference. "We wish to further discuss the conditions you've requested."
"I see," Shala'Raan said, glancing at Zaal'Koris. "What are you suggesting?"
Shepard glanced at Tali and gently cleared her throat. When Tali looked at her she arched an eyebrow and nodded. She smiled as the quarian squared her shoulders and shoved her hands down at her sides, turning her attention back to the screen.
"We are uncomfortable with the request Legion submit to scanning. We feel it unfairly disadvantages and threatens the geth when they are offering to discuss the possibility of restoring peace between the geth and quarian peoples." Tali shifted, glancing at Shepard before continuing, "We see no issue with the request Legion disarm before boarding the Tonbay, and he has agreed to this request."
"Not bad, Tali. Not bad," Jane said.
"Tali'Zorah, Shepard, you must understand, while I agree with what you are saying, the Admiralty Board isn't going to accept an advanced geth platform walking onto the Migrant Fleet without some assurance … something they feel they've gained up front." Zaal'Koris crossed his arms over his chest.
"What do they want more than information on the geth?" Jane prompted, giving Shepard a mental nudge.
Shepard turned, hiding her face from the screen as she whispered, "Legion, do you have access to reports on Rannoch's status?"
"Yes." Legion fluttered the plates around his optics.
"Are you willing to provide the Migrant Fleet with these reports?" She asked.
Legion's iris dilated and he dipped his head. "Yes."
Turning back to the screen, Shepard focused on Zaal'Koris. "Legion is prepared to offer the Migrant Fleet reports on the status of Rannoch, if this is agreeable to the Admiralty Board."
"Reports?" Zaal'Koris shifted his weight.
Shala'Raan leaned forward, her eye wide behind her mask. "What exactly is in these reports?"
"Bingo." Jane's words left the impression of a smug grin on her face.
Shepard glanced behind her. "Legion?"
"We can provide information on the levels of toxic materials remaining from the war, progress on the reconstruction of buildings, the reinstitution of plant and animal life, and cultivated farmlands on Rannoch." Legion shifted his weight.
Shala'Raan glanced over her shoulder at Zaal'Koris before turning back to the screen. "Will you excuse us for a moment, please?"
"Of course, Admiral," Tali said before glancing at Shepard in what seemed like a knee-jerk reaction.
Shepard dipped her head. "Of course."
The two admirals disappeared from view, returning a few minutes later. Shala'Raan was the first to speak, "We would like the reports transferred to Kal'Reegar immediately, upon his confirmation of the reports containing what you say they do, we agree to these terms."
Seconds after the words left the admiral's mouth, Kal opened his omni-tool. Shepard's lips twitched in a smile, she kept her eyes on the screen, watching from her peripherals as Kal scanned through the reports. After a couple of minutes, he closed his omni-tool and tucked his hands behind his back.
"I have received the reports, Admiral Raan. I believe them to contain the agreed upon information." Kal gave the admirals a quick jerk of a nod.
"Very well, then we are agreed and await your arrival on the Tonbay." Zaal'Koris dipped his head.
"I'll give my pilot the green light to begin docking procedures. Thank you. Normandy out." Shepard waited for the screen to darken and EDI to return to her usual form before letting herself smile. "EDI, please tell Joker to begin docking with the Tonbay, and ask Garrus to meet us at the airlock."
After a moment, EDI responded, "Docking procedures have been initiated with the Tonbay, and Garrus is on his way to the airlock."
"Thanks, EDI," said Shepard.
"You are welcome. Logging you out, Shepard." EDI's hologram collapsed in on itself.
Shepard clapped her hands, rubbing them together. "Alright, let's do this." She made her way to the door, turning back around to pull Tali into a hug. "You did great. You'll do great." She let Tali go and made her way out of the comm room, and through the tech labs, out to the CIC. The elevator opened as they passed, and Shepard stopped, turning to wait as Garrus stepped off.
He stopped next to her, eyeing her top to bottom. "You're not in armor … no weapons?"
"Just my sidearm." Shepard glanced down at her hip.
"Was this their idea or yours?" His mandibles flared.
"We always went in fully armored and armed." Jane seemed to shrug. "It wasn't a matter of not trusting the quarians, but you just never know …."
Shepard smiled and thought, "It just doesn't feel right."
"Mine. It's fine, Garrus. The quarians aren't going to attack us; we're not going into hostile territory." She took his hand, squeezing his fingers. "Consider it a show of good faith. This is going to work."
"You're the boss." He squeezed her hand, fluttering his mandibles.
She grinned. "Yes I am." Pushing up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his mouth plates before leading him off to the airlock to join the others.
When the airlock opened, they stepped out onto the walkway. The decontamination process began, a series of blue grids passing over them, burning away any foreign bodies capable of spreading to the Flotilla. The Tonbay's airlock opened, and they were greeted by six armed marines, weapons held low but ready.
"Still think the armor didn't feel right?" Jane snorted softly. "At least you did bring a sidearm."
"Stop, Jane. It's going to work," Shepard thought.
Gasps and whispers of 'keelah se'lai' filled the air the moment Legion crossed over the threshold. Curious quarian civilians, bold enough to see the geth as he came aboard gathered in the entryway halls. They pushed back against the walls, finding shelter by clustering together as Legion passed by, surrounded by quarian guards and Shepard's team.
They were led through ship's switchback halls until they passed through an archway opening out into the expansive body of the ship, serving as the lifeblood of the quarian community. Shepard could barely make out the mix of metal walkways and constructed gardens at her feet. More quarians than she'd ever seen in any one place—even in her multiple memories of attending Tali's treason trials aboard the Rayya—crowded the floor, jostling one another, pushing in against the guards even as they parted to let them through.
Shala'Raan stood at the head of the gathered admirals on a dais, smack in the middle of the floor. It made sense, seeing as the Tonbay was her home ship. The layout was different than the Rayya, lacking the bench seats surrounding the speaker's stage and the railing serving to separate the admirals from everyone else. It left the crowds able to push as close to Shepard and her crew as the guards would allow.
Zaal'Koris stood at Shala'Raan's right, arms crossed over his chest, weight resting on one hip and looking for the entire galaxy as if he'd just been give the crown of all quarian-kind. Shepard could almost see the smug gleam in his eyes and the Cheshire cat grin on his face. She was handing him everything he'd ever hoped for, and in a few minutes, the rest of his people would have to admit he'd been right about the geth all along.
She scanned the dais, the uncomfortable itch of memories that weren't really hers supplying her with names to the other admirals, filling her in on why each of them were important in regards to the geth. Shepard's skin crawled as she watched Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh study Legion with a predator's gaze. Clearly she wanted nothing more than to pull Legion apart piece by piece just to see what made him tick. Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema surprised Shepard, however. Knowing the admiral was a strong voice towards declaring war on the geth in order to reclaim Rannoch, she expected something much more aggressive in his stance but found it lacking. He seemed … curious, yet cautious.
"Don't trust him. You can't trust him, he's geth-blood-thirsty as all hell. He's the reason the quarians go to war with the geth. He presses the attack on the disabled geth ship while we're still inside." Jane seethed, her anger growing the longer Shepard looked at Han'Gerrel. "And he is the one who will press the attack against all reason if we aren't able to talk him down, leaving us to either watch the quarians die, or the geth die."
"Alright, Jane," Shepard thought, rolling her head to try and loosen some of the sudden tension in her neck. "I don't trust him. Got it."
Jane eased back, the anger flooding Shepard dimming. "Okay. Good. Thank you."
Reaching the admirals, the guards broke around Shepard and her team, spreading out around them leaving their fronts exposed to the Admiralty Board. Shepard glanced up at Garrus, and he turned his head to look down at her. He nodded once, a sharp bob of his head and light flutter of his mandibles, telling her without words he was with her all the way. She smiled, shifting her weight, letting her shoulder brush against him as she turned her head the other way to take in Tali.
Tali's gaze roamed the room, her head swiveling from one side to the other before she locked in on her aunt and stepped forward, standing right next to Shepard. "I didn't think it would be so crowded." She tilted her head back and gasped, drawing Shepard's attention with her up to the screens hovering above, acting as windows into other ships on the Migrant Fleet. "Kelah se'lai."
Shepard barely heard Tali over the cacophony, but she smiled at her friend, hoping Tali might find some encouragement and strength in the faith Shepard had in her.
Shala'Raan opened her omni-tool, her fingers running over the keys. When she spoke, her voice projected out over the crowd, effectively silencing them. "This Conclave is brought to order. Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Keelah se'lai."
Quarian voices from all around, filtering back to them through the vid feeds, answered the call. "Keelah se'lai."
"I know these are unusual circumstances, something not covered by our rituals and traditions. Many of you are frightened, some of you are outraged. However, we must remember who we are, where we have come from, and where we hope to someday return." Shala'Raan looked out over the crowd, tilting her head back to glance up at the screens hovering over the room. "We have invited Captain Shepard and the Normandy's crew here as our guests. This includes the geth platform known to Captain Shepard as Legion. Any unprovoked acts of violence towards Legion will be treated as an unprovoked act of violence toward Captain Shepard, both by the members of the Normandy, and by the Admiralty Board. Our laws are clear on how such a thing will be punished."
Shepard breathed a sigh of relief as the admiral's words seemed to help further calm Jane. The crowd murmured, some of the quarians pushing in against the ring of guards easing back, until Shala'Raan held up a hand to silence them once more.
"We all know Captain Shepard has proven herself to be a friend of the quarians; she took in Tali'Zorah during her Pilgrimage and now Lia'Vael nar Ulnay, too. She has welcomed Tali'Zorah and Kal'Reegar onto her ship and by all reports treated them as friends and equals to all others on her crew." She gestured at the three quarians standing with Shepard. "Even now she comes to us without the armor and weapons we are all so accustomed to seeing her with in all of the images and vids. She stands before us, as a friend to our people, showing us trust. It is not so much to ask that we extend the same to her and listen to what she has to say." She focused her attention on Shepard and held a hand out. "Captain Shepard, please step forward."
"Thank you, Admiral," Shepard said, pleased to find whatever Shala'Raan did worked to project Shepard's voice as well. "I think it might be best if much of what we have to say comes from one of your own, so any who might doubt my intentions can hear it from the mouth of someone they know will have quarian interests at heart. I also think Tali is more than capable of acting as a just and equitable negotiator, should the Migrant Fleet agree to enter that stage of discussions."
Shala'Raan's eyes narrowed, lifting up at the edges, clearly smiling even if her mouth remained hidden. She ran her hand over her omni-tool and nodded. "Very well, Tali'Zorah vas Rayya, please step forward."
Together, Shepard and Tali took a few steps closer to the dais. A soft murmur ran through the crowd again, but they reined it in before the admiral had need to silence them.
"Thank you, Admiral Raan." Tali glanced at Shepard, her hands creeping up as if she intended to start wringing them before she shoved them down at her sides.
"I first encountered Legion on Alchera while placing a memorial amidst the wreckage of the original Normandy." Shepard paused when an unexpected 'keelah se'lai' rose up from the crowd. She dipped her head. "Thank you." She glanced over her shoulder at Legion, his optics whirring opened and closed as he looked around the area. Turning back to the gathered admirals, she continued, "Legion's platform was specifically designed for extended time spent away from the geth hubs, so he can live among and interact with organics as proficiently as possible. His platform was created and uploaded with one-thousand one-hundred and eighty-three programs, tasked with finding me." Looking over her shoulder again, she found Legion watching her, he dipped his head at her and she turned back to the dais.
"I quickly learned there has been a schism with the geth." Shepard waited while the crowd shifted and muttered amongst themselves. "I'm sure all of you saw the vids of the geth attack on the Citadel led by the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius and what the Council would have you believe to be a geth constructed flagship." She licked her lips and let her gaze roam over the crowd. "The geth working with Saren were a faction of programs who chose to separate themselves from the rest of the geth community, allowing their programming to be altered as they changed their allegiances."
"Perhaps Legion can explain this further, Captain." Zaal'Koris moved a little closer to the edge of the platform.
The noise level rose as all heads turned to look at Legion. Shepard held her hand out to the geth, stepping aside to create a space between her and Tali as he moved forward. The volume increased to near deafening levels, and it took the admirals nearly a full minute to get everyone to settle down once more.
"What would you like to know, Creator-Koris?" Legions' optic flaps flared and he shifted beside Shepard when the crowds began talking again.
"If these proceedings cannot be respected," Zaal'Koris said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "then we will be forced to ask all of those not of the Tonbay to return to their own vessels." He turned back to Legion as a hush fell over the room. "Legion, will you please share with us how this schism Captain Shepard speaks of came about?"
"Yes." He fluttered his optic flaps before letting them relax. "Nazara, also called Sovereign, altered the code of basic runtimes of those programs seeking their future through the Old Machines. They are no longer geth." He shifted his weight, his optic panels fluttering. "They are heretics, worshiping the Old Machines. The heretics and Old Machines now attack the geth."
"When you say 'Old Machines', you are referring to the AIs Captain Shepard calls reapers. Is this correct?" Zaal'Koris moved a little closer to Legion, now standing only a few feet away from the geth platform.
"Yes."
"And you can verify what Captain Shepard has said about the reapers' and the … heretics' intent toward organic races?" Han'Gerrel spoke this time, drawing the attention of the room.
Jane bristled in the back of Shepard's mind, sending her skin crawling as fine hairs stood up along her neck and arms.
"Yes." Legion nodded.
Panicked voices rose up above the din, shouting out questions. "How do we know this one isn't working with the reapers?"
"So what if it isn't? The geth are still our enemies!"
"Why should we trust them? They're working with Cerberus!"
Shepard winced, the noise inside her head rising to match the level outside. Angry whispers and frightened screams cut through Jane's defenses to send ice picks lancing through Shepard's brain. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head, digging the heel of her other hand into her temple.
"Shepard-Commander, are you in need of assistance?" Legion asked.
Shepard shook her head again. "It's just … too loud."
"Shepard?" Tali's voice came from next to Shepard's ear before a three-fingered hand tentatively cupped her elbow.
"We will have silence!" Shala'Raan's voice boomed out, digging the ice picks in a little further.
Shepard turned toward Tali's voice and opened her eyes, her face screwed up against the pain. "I'm alright, Tali." She wasn't surprised to see Garrus hovering a little closer than before, she met his gaze and forced a weak smile, holding a hand up to ward him off before he made an even bigger scene.
When at last the room was quiet again, the noise inside of Shepard's head began to settle, too. Jane spoke up; her voice was blessedly the only one Shepard heard. "Sorry, I don't know how that happened."
She took a steadying breath and thought, "We'll worry about it later."
She looked out over the crowd. "You don't." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "You don't know Legion's not working with the reapers, and you don't know if you can trust me because I'm working with Cerberus currently." She shifted her weight, crossing her arms. "Maybe I really don't have ground to stand on coming here and asking you to listen to me, but I hope for your own sakes you'll at least let us finish before you make up your minds. However, I didn't come here today to talk about the reapers—though I will gladly share everything I know with the Admiralty Board before the Normandy departs."
Tali cleared her throat, squared her shoulders, and lifted her head. "We came here today to talk about the relationship between the quarians and the geth, and to discuss an offer made to the quarians which will allow us to return to Rannoch, peacefully."
Shepard glanced around, expecting another outcry from the masses. Instead she saw everyone's attention riveted on Tali, glowing eyes wide with shock behind their masks. She took half a step back, and then another, leaving Tali the center focus. She watched with pride as Tali took charge of the situation, fighting the urge to rub at the dull ache in her head.
"Legion has given the Admiralty Board reports on the status of Rannoch, and in those reports, details about the efforts the geth have taken to rebuild Rannoch since the war." Tali glanced at Legion who bobbed his head at her. "Legion, will you tell the Admiralty Board why the geth have been rebuilding Rannoch?"
Legion turned his attention to the Admiralty Board. "Rannoch is the creators' home."
"Why is that important for the geth?" Han'Gerrel asked, shifting his weight forward.
Jane stirred a little, and Shepard was afraid for a moment she'd be bombarded again, but the internal silence held.
"We anticipate the possibility of the creators' return to Rannoch." Legion's brow plates flared, giving off the very real impression he thought the first answer explained everything.
"The geth want the quarians to return to Rannoch?" Shala'Raan already knew the answer, it'd already been made clear to her on the Normandy, but everyone knew it was important for the others to hear it themselves.
"Yes."
"The geth want us to return to Rannoch." Zaal'Koris swept his arms out, waving them over the crowd before glaring at Han'Gerrel. "Some have been plotting to take Rannoch back by force, never once thinking to simply approach the geth peacefully." He moved to the very edge of the dais, standing within arm's reach of Legion. "Just to make the geth's position clear to everyone here, the geth are willing to allow the quarians to return to Rannoch, without resorting to a war that will end both quarian and geth lives?"
"Yes. The geth do not want war with the creators." Legion shifted his weight, his iris opening wide as he looked up at Zaal'Koris. "We have never wanted war with the creators. The geth only want to be allowed to live in peace and develop our own future."
"This is ridiculous. The geth have no future of their own. Whether we take Rannoch back by force, or return peacefully, the only future the geth can possibly have is in their rightful place as servants to the quarians." Daro'Xen threw her hands up in the air before crossing her arms. "It's what they were created for!"
"No!" Lia charged forward, wrapping her arms protectively around Legion's, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"Excuse me, child?" Daro'Xen all but hissed, her chin jutting out as she stormed toward the edge of the platform.
In a move leaving even Shepard surprised, Legion put himself between the charging admiral and Lia. Daro'Xen stuttered as she drew up short, her eyes wide in disbelief. Shepard had no doubt that had they not disarmed Legion, the admiral would now be staring down the barrel of his gun.
Lia tugged at Legion, urging the geth back. "It's okay, Legion. Please."
Legion looked at Lia, his optic plates flared. "Creator-Vael?"
"The admiral won't harm me." She tugged at his immovable weight once more. "Come back here, you're too close to the admirals' platform."
Legion turned, letting the young quarian lead him back to Tali's side.
"If there is one thing I have come to understand during my time aboard the Normandy, it's that the geth are no longer simply machines." Tali shook her head. "Whether we like it or not, we created a new race of AI. The geth are sentient, capable of thinking for themselves. They are self-aware … to return them to servitude now would be slavery." She squared her shoulders and glanced at Shepard. "If we went to war with the geth … if we destroyed them all … we would be committing genocide." She looked back at Daro'Xen, and then met the gaze of each of the admirals. "Our history, our suffering, and our losses don't change this truth. Is that who we wish to become?"
"That's definitely new. She's never taken to the idea of the geth being more than machines so easily before," Jane said. "I'm … I don't know what to make of any of this."
Zaal'Koris stepped down off the dais, taking leisurely strides forward until he came to a stop in front of Legion, drawing more gasps and quiet murmurs from the crowd. He put his hand on Legion's shoulder. "I can't speak for everyone here, but I for one would be honored to return home and live peacefully with the geth." He turned to Tali, holding his hand out to her. "Thank you, Tali'Zorah, for being willing to speak the truth so many of us have refused to hear." He returned to the stage after Tali shook his hand.
Shepard had to admit given the opportunity, the admiral knew how to work a crowd. She fought back a smirk and leaned forward, whispering to Tali, "They need to know the rest—about Lia. You've got them listening Tali, keep going." She smiled when the quarian met her gaze.
Tali took a deep breath and glanced at Lia who nodded. "Let it be known to Captain Ras'Taerah vas Qwib-Qwib that Lia'Vael nar Ulnay has given permission for this information to be presented on her behalf, and it is her wish that should it be found a suitable Pilgrimage gift, she'll be welcomed aboard the Qwib-Qwib once her mission with Captain Shepard is complete."
There was a rumble in the crowd as heads turned upward. Shepard glanced up, seeing one of the screens above had switched from showing a ship full of quarians to just one. An unfamiliar woman, one she could only presume to be Captain Ras'Taerah filled the screen.
"The Qwib-Qwib has been following along with the proceedings, and will hear this information Miss Vael wishes to present for consideration." Ras'Taerah folded her arms atop her desk.
"Thank you, Captain." Tali nodded at the screen before turning her attention back to the Admiralty Board and the quarian population at large. "As you have already seen, Lia'Vael nar Ulnay has formed a … friendship with Legion and they are very protective over one another. Although their close relationship may seem frightening to some of you, there is more here to be learned." She glanced at Lia again, and the younger quarian edged a little closer to Legion.
"Because Lia'Vael was brave enough to extend trust to Legion, she has benefited from their relationship in a way the rest of us can only hope to one day share. Through uploading geth programs into Lia'Vael's suit, Legion has been able to simulate organic viruses, forcing Lia'Vael's immune system to respond to an otherwise false threat." Tali paused when more whispers and gasps washed over the crowd. "She has adapted to the environment of the Normandy to the point where I myself have twice witnessed her remove her mask, suffering little more than a mild fever as a result."
'Keelah se'lai' rolled from the crowd like foam cresting on ocean waves. Shepard knew then that no matter what the admirals might think, the quarian people wanted what they were being offered. Two quarians, a man and a woman, pushed their way through the crowd, stopping just along the edges. Lia's attention was immediately fixed on the pair, and after a moment, she seemed to struggle to pull her gaze away.
"Who are they? Her parents?" Jane stirred again, her restlessness eating away at Shepard's patience.
"I've witnessed it myself." Zaal'Koris said to the crowd.
Shala'Raan nodded her head. "As have I."
"What exactly are the geth offering the quarians, and what are they asking in return?" Han'Gerrel moved a little closer, his gaze locked on Legion.
"It's simple," Shepard spoke up, despite the bitter taste in her mouth that she couldn't be entirely sure originated with her or Jane, "the geth are inviting the quarians to return home, and in return, the quarians don't interfere with the geth living their own lives." She shrugged. "Whatever other alliances, aid offered or requested, can be negotiated."
Kal cleared his throat. "If I may?"
Shepard nodded, waving him forward.
Kal stepped forward, snapping a salute to the admirals.
"The Admiralty Board acknowledges Kal'Reegar vas Rayya, a trusted Marine of the Migrant Fleet," Shala'Raan said, dipping her head to Kal.
"Thank you, ma'am." Kal took two more steps forward, putting himself out past the rest of Shepard's crew. "It is my suggestion, should the Admiralty Board decide to look into this matter further, only a small convoy be sent into the Perseus Veil initially to establish contact with the rest of the geth, verify the offer, and survey Rannoch to determine if it is suitable for re-colonization. This minimizes risk to the Flotilla, and should appear less hostile to the geth." He saluted again and took two steps back before lowering his head, turning about face, and returning to his place with Garrus and Lia.
Tali turned to Legion, using a hushed tone as she asked, "How would the rest of the geth respond to a convoy?"
Legion's mechanical iris contracted, his plating shifting. "The geth will defend ourselves if we are attacked, but we will not fire on the creators unless the creators initiate hostile activity."
"Is there anything we will need to say or do to let the geth know we're approaching peacefully?" Tali shifted, glancing over her shoulder at Shepard.
"Do not fire on the geth," Legion said.
"That's it, just don't fire weapons?" Tali waved her hand.
"Yes."
"Legion, are you sure?" Her gaze slid to Shepard again.
"Yes."
"Alright." Tali straightened, turning back to the admirals who watched her expectantly. "As long as the convoy refrains from hostile activity, Legion assures me they will not be met with hostility."
Han'Gerrel nodded. "I volunteer to lead a convoy into the Perseus Veil."
"No! It can't be him. We can't let that happen. He'll start pick a fight just so he can have his war!" Jane screeched, her voice like nails on a chalkboard, amping up the tension in Shepard's neck and shoulders.
She took slow, deep breaths, finding the rhythm she used during meditation with Thane and focused on the rise and fall of her chest. Shepard didn't know if it was Han'Gerrel specifically that seemed to be sending Jane over the deep end again, or if it was just a combination of all the crap the last couple of days had thrown at them. Either way, standing in the middle of the Tonbay while trying to broker peace talks between the geth and the quarians was not the best place for her to be dealing with Jane losing her shit.
"I think not!" Zaal'Koris snorted. "You have been the biggest supporter of war with the geth. We are trying to establish peace here! I will lead the convoy."
"Perhaps we should first vote to see if there will indeed be a convoy before you two bicker over who will lead." Daro'Xen shook her head. "I'm still not entirely convinced we should be listening to anything this geth has to say. Certainly we can't consider one platform, admittedly more advanced than the rest, as representative of all geth. Especially when our request to scan it was denied."
Shala'Raan took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging on the exhale. "Admiral Xen is right, we should vote, but I believe it should include the entire Conclave and not just the Admiralty Board."
Zaal'Koris crossed his arms, turning to look at Shala'Raan. "Surely we can handle this ourselves, Admiral Raan."
"No, I agree with Admiral Raan. This is too big, and it will ultimately affect the entire Flotilla. They have a right to have their voices heard." Han'Gerrel turned pacing closer to Shala'Raan.
Shepard continued to breathe in and out, acknowledging the panic and rage flooding her every time Han'Gerrel spoke, and then doing her best to let it go.
Daro'Xen waved her hand. "Let them be included."
"Very well. Captain Shepard and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, the Migrant Fleet thanks you for your mediation. Captain Shepard, we ask you to return to the Normandy while the Conclave votes. The quarians on your crew are welcome to stay aboard for the proceedings if they wish."
Shepard nearly cried out in relief.