The quarian stood nervously in the alleyway. She pressed quietly into a corner against the wall and next to some crates. Nervousness had engulfed her for a mere moment, it forced a shiver to go down her spine.
Run to the port. Run to a ship, anywhere is better than this.
Before the young quarian could counter the paranoia with a solid train of thought. A turian stepped into view, she pressed along the wall as she saw him. Not letting her back have anything but a wall behind it.
"Did you bring it?"
He was curt and careless, not bothering to even try and lull her into a fake sense of security. She could see two salarians walking down the stairs from the direction of the elevator. The same direction the turian had approached from.
"Where's the shadow broker? Where's fist?"
She turned her head for just a moment to peek up the stairs on her right. They were clear, somewhere she could run to. When her head turned back, the turian had gotten uncomfortably close over the short period.
"They'll be here. Where's the evidence?"
A feeling deep in her stomach told her that things had gone awry. The turian reaching towards her pushed his luck a little too far. With a quick swat at his hand and stepping to the side.
"No way, the deal's off."
It wasn't much, just a slight nod in her direction and the two salarians began to pull their pistols. She already had anticipated their reaction though. Her left hand flung a small improvised explosive towards the salarians. Her right hand pulled out her pistol and sprayed shots at the turian who ran for cover to the opposing corner of the boxes she had been hiding next to before. His shields flared up but remained stable. Stumbling quickly as her own shields came under attack, running to press herself against a slanted wall close to the stairs. It was barely enough cover from the salarians who had recovered from the explosion. She shot towards where they'd be forced to push her from to keep them stalled, it was all she could hope to do.
The sound first started off distant, like a headache that couldn't quite decide if it had found the right brain to bother. Within ten seconds it was like a freighter landing right in the alleyway. She looked up the stairs she had been hoping to use as a getaway. A krogan. Charging at full speed in red armor. Directly towards her.
Keelah...
She lowered her pistol and closed her eyes as she felt the krogan getting closer. She would be dead for certain. She simply hoped that it would be more of an instantaneous afterlife rather than something more drawn out.
A couple seconds past and she felt the charge passing her instead of turning her into a fine paste against the wall. Her eyes opened and she could hear the shouts of a couple surprised salarians attempting to run from the Krogan. The turian shouting something about them being useless before a sniper shot rang out. Silencing his personal complaint. She looked at the top of the stairs, another turian and a human standing at the top of the stairs.
The shadow brokers men maybe?
It was a hopeful thought in her head. She'd certainly find better protection from them than C-Sec. That hopeful thought was cut short as she noticed the turian was from C-Sec.
Great. This will all be my fault.
The krogan came out from around the corner, his hands, feet, and part of his body had a greenish liquid dripping from it. A slight shudder ran down the quarians spine as she saw him. He muttered something about soft enemies as he passed her. She could feel each step he took through a light vibration in the floor.
Not wanting to see the condition his opponents were in, she turned her back to the area around her cover as the human stepped down the stairs into her direction. Making the first statement.
"Fist, that..." She censored herself. Opting to make a small grumble of annoyance as the human approached. "I'm assuming that you aren't with the shadow broker..."
Her voice was low and sounded somewhat disappointed. Eyeing the C-Sec turian at the top of the stairs. The human raised an eyebrow, a facial expression that she had not yet gotten herself familiar with.
"No... I'm Commander Shepard. I work for the alliance." He took a couple steps to the side to look around the corner where the salarians lay. Gesturing to Krogan "That's Wrex. He had a bone to pick with Fist." Pointing his thumb back to the turian. "That is Garrus, C-Sec. We've been tracking info on a spectre named Saren that we believe has gone rogue."
Alliance? Maybe they can protect me
She had a better chance with them than anyone else. Fist had set her up, making the shadow broker a less stable looking option than before. "Then, perhaps I have a chance to repay you commander. Not here though, it most certainly is not safe." Putting her pistol away into its holster now.
The turian, Garrus, walked up to the two of them while wrex was busy picking salarian bits off himself. "The human embassy would probably keep her safe if you vouched for her. Your ambassador would probably want to know what she has to say as well."
Shepard nodded, gesturing for her to follow him. Walking past the bodies of her previous assailants. "Wrex, stay behind... her, keep your eyes open for anymore of sarens idiots" Realizing now that he had completely forgotten to ask for her name.
Turning back to look at her for a moment, her bright eyes were looking to the right. Her head turned away from the mutilated bodies that Wrex had made out of two salarians. Her hands fiddling with themselves. Seemingly unable to find a comfortable spot to hold them. "I'm sorry, but it slipped my mind to ask, what's your name?"
Her head came back to look forward at the commander. Her eyes searched his face. He had short, brown hair. His eyes were a bright blue. They also grew more inquisitive with every passing second she remained silent. "Tali... Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya."
He turned forward, tapping the elevator button as he got to it. "Well, Tali, it's a pleasure to meet you." Stepping inside the elevator with Tali and Garrus. "To many people Wrex. You'll have to catch the next-" He felt the heavy krogan shoulder bump him with a casual ferocity only a krogan could ever achieve. Stumbling back and hitting the wall, barely catching himself from falling with his hands.
"Look at that, we made room." Wrex commented before chuckling lightly and hitting the button. The door closing and the elevator rising. Shepard let a small chuckle escape his lips. He hadn't met many krogans in person. So he had a feeling that their aggressive nature was not something people over exaggerated after the short experience with Wrex.
Tali stared at Shepard for a moment. Somewhat surprised that what happened seemed less confrontational than it looked. Her eyes moved to Garrus and then Wrex. Taking a step closer to the wall. It was slightly cramped but not horribly so. The door slid open and Wrex walked out. Looking around for any of Sarens wannabe assassins. Much to Wrex's disappointment, there was nothing.
Tali followed Shepard out as he made his way up onto the presidium. Wrex in tow behind Tali as he'd been ordered to. Tali could feel her jaw slack open slightly as she saw the scope of the place. It was luxurious, a palace compared to any other ship. She had slowed her pace to the point of dragging her feet. Shepard turned around as he got to the elevator. Expecting her to be behind him. Only to see her about 15 yards off. He smirked slightly as he noticed her admiring the area.
He tapped the button for the elevator, turning back to look at her. By now, both Wrex and Garrus were talking about the inadequacies of C-Sec. Wrex mostly because he knew none of them stood a chance against an angry krogan. Shepard called out to her as the doors opened. "Tali?"
That was enough to pull her attention to him. "Hmm? Oh, right!" She shuffled over and into the elevator. Garrus following as well as Wrex. Who got stopped with a hand held open by Shepard.
"Sorry Wrex, but I'm not totally certain that the council would approve of a krogan with a shotgun hovering about." He tossed him some credit chits. "Go snag a drink at the flux. I'll catch you whenever we finish playing politics." It didn't seem to bother Wrex that he wouldn't have to stand around a room and be quiet while he waited for people to finish talking. He'd killed Fist, and there wasn't a fight to be had on the citadel after that. Shepard figured that he probably wouldn't see the mercenary again.
After some long talks with Udina, Shepard realized that Earth's representative knew almost nothing about the Quarians. Not a comforting thought. It could be argued that since they no longer hold an embassy, they were not as relevant. Then it could also be said the Batarians are no longer relevant. Although there were many arguments against that.
One thing that Tali noted was the lack of ability of the embassy to protect her. They did have guards, but they had no way to keep her out of sight other than taking over someone's office for it. Not something she was about to suggest.
With the evidence brought to light from the aid of a quarian that Shepard still knew very little about. Saren lost his Spectre status and Shepard obtained the title of the first human spectre. A stark contrast to the idea that Shepard had cooked into his mind. That they'd stall a little longer. Then more, and more. He was glad they finally did something, even if they refused to track him down.
While he walked away from the council and down the stairs. He saw the sight of Tali, standing to the side. Fumbling with her own hands like she tried to grasp the air between them. A small smile crept on the edges of his lips. His eyes following the pattern on her… hood? He'd need to look more into quarians and their culture. He realized that he should probably talk to her instead of just staring. Walking up and standing next to her.
"Thank you. Tali. Without your evidence, I'm not sure we could've swayed their minds…" He looked about, just now noticing the occasional looks that would be cast their way.
No, that's not right.
Something persisted in his head and he began to look around more. Tali finally spoke. "I am glad that I could help you, commander." It finally clicked in his head.
They're staring at her.
It put him off. The feeling in the council chambers used to be a soft, somewhat warm feeling. All he saw from the people were cold, unforgiving glares. He started wondering if that's why she looked nervous. "Would you like to get out of here?" His question was followed by a slow step towards the elevator.
She gave a short nod and followed close in tow behind Shepard. Once in the elevator, he could almost feel the tension ease off. "Thanks to you I'm also the first human spectre. So if there's anything at all I can do to repay you. Just say the word." He was about to give her a light pat on the shoulder, opting instead to scratch the back of his head.
"Oh, it's fine. You don't need to do anything." She turned around in the elevator to face him. Waving a hand in a small motion, like she was trying to wave the idea of him owing her anything away.
"It's no small thing what you did though. I'm a spectre. In direct link to your actions. I insist, if there is anything I can do. You have but only to ask me." He gave her a warm, friendly smile. His sparkling blue eyes focused on hers for a moment. Turning away when the elevator stopped and the door slid open to a man in an alliance uniform. He swung his arms open as he saw Shepard.
Kaidan let out a short laugh "Spectre? They made your ass a spectre? How long do you think till it's revoked? A week? Two?" Tali was surprised to see another at the opening of the elevator. Trying to squeeze by without interrupting them. Shepard took notice of her trying to sneak off.
"Not so fast there Tali. If you aren't going to ask me for anything in return. You can at least have my information in case you do need anything." Kaidan looked a little confused at first. Looking between the two.
"Gonna introduce us or do I have to?" Kaidan smirked, as he nodded towards Tali. Who had stopped from trying to slink away and turned towards the two alliance soldiers. She could only think about getting the hell of the citadel and avoiding Saren.
"This lovely lady is the reason that Saren is no longer a spectre and is also the reason I currently hold that title. Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya. Meet Kaidan." She looked up and gave him a bit of a nod accompanied by a short wave. "Kaidan is a good soldier and a pain in the ass."
Kaidan returned the nod. A smile on his face. "It's good to meet you. I'm glad the commander isn't just starting firefights on the citadel for no reason." Kaidan stopped and turned to look at Shepard. "Actually, I came down here with a question, I couldn't get you on the omni tool." Shepard, realizing he had turned it off for the ceremony, switched it back on now. "A krogan, by the name of Wrex, was pounding on the airlock to the Normandy. Saying that you were taking too long."
Tali had once again started to sneak away till she heard Kaidan say airlock. She looked between the two for a minute. As they spoke. Shepard seemed surprised at the persistence of a mercenary krogan.
A ship? Maybe I could get passage on it for a short while if...
Her thoughts were cut short as she heard the turian from before shout out. "Shepard! There you are. I heard that the council finally took off their blindfold to look at what happened."
With Shepard introducing the two and them starting to chatter about the idiocracy of the council. Tali found little room to interject a question directly to Shepard. The three started to head towards the bridge. While Tali, feeling a bit dejected, started fumbling with her hands again.
Kellah, there goes your chance at a free ride.
"Tali?"
She turned to look towards the sound of Shepard's voice. His warm smile seemed like an invitation of its own to join him. "Do you want to come and see the Normandy?" The two other men were walking across the bridge still. Garrus gestured to a couple points of interest to Kaidan.
"I… Yes commander. I would." She walked with him and they crossed over the large pool of water. Heading towards where the Normandy was docked.
"Please, call me Shepard."
The walk was pleasant and quiet. Tali once again went back to enjoying the view. Shepard as well although his eyes shifted to Tali soon afterwards. Admiring the beauty of her… cloak… it was the closest thing he could think of. The idea of calling it a Poncho made him smirk but it didn't fit the structure of the cloth very well.
Inside Talis head, gears were turning. She had yet to find an appropriate gift for her return from her pilgrimage. It wasn't something that concerned her, but all the advanced technology on the citadel was certainly a chance to find something worthwhile. Perhaps she'd have to dig deeper into the citadel than people were used to though.
Her head turned as she looked for more things. Catching Shepard's gaze, as she was looking over to him. His head quickly snapped forward, as did hers. He had gotten lost in thought while admiring her. Now he felt a bit of a fool. He turned his head away, lifting a hand to rub his chin as well as hide his embarrassed look.
It was a quiet walk to the Normandy. He found it altogether pleasant though. He wasn't one to force a conversation and found silence comfortable where others may not.
The initial news of him taking over the charge of the Normandy was a shock. Followed by an overwhelming sense of suspicion. The fact that Anderson looked like he was one wrong word away from pushing Udina off the platform, only cemented the feeling.
After a piercing glare shot in Udina direction, followed by some kind words to Anderson. He took his leave of them. Heading onto the ship with Garrus and Tali in tow. Kaidan pointing towards the elevator. "I'll be back on the Normandy in a while commander." Shepard gave him a short nod in confirmation.
The airlock started it's decontamination process which intrigued Tali a bit as she watched it scan over them. Shepard spoke up as he looked towards Garrus. "Do you know much about the Normandy?" The turian shook his head as the process finished.
"No, not much other than our people both had a hand in it." Shepard nodded his head. He wasn't too well versed in the technical functions of any ships. Much less just what the Normandy was capable of.
"I figured that you might like to see the best that your people can do, Garrus. This ship is a beauty. Both in looks and design." He walked into the ship as the airlock opened up. The door sliding closed after the three entered. Tali was following, but much slower than the others. Her eyes scan every inch of the computers, walls, ceilings. She liked ships, but to be on one that seemed so advanced compared to anything in the migrant fleet.
Are all human vessels so advanced?
She turned to see the man sitting in the pilot's seat was giving her a look. Joker, the pilot of the Normandy, was curious as to what the quarian was up to. He turned away after a moment. He seemed too preoccupied to ask, or perhaps he was feigning it to look busy.
When she turned back to follow Shepard and Garrus, they were missing from the CIC. Suddenly feeling very out of place as she noticed an older gentleman that had lost most of his hair was giving her a similar look to the one Joker had given her.
As if he could sense her timidness, he spoke to her before she even got the chance to speak. "You'll find Commander Shepard on the lower level. In the mess hall." He gestured towards a door that lay on one end of the room. A similar door mirroring it on the other side.
"Th-Thank you." She stammered out, giving her head a slight bow to the man. Who watched her intently till she had left the room.
First two minutes and I'm already lost.
She tried to shake the idea out of her head. She needed to talk to the commander. She was hoping to get passage on his ship to somewhere else. Anywhere else.
Maybe the flotilla? No, no gift yet.
She hated not being able to return. She understood that she needed to complete her pilgrimage, but it was one of the few places in the galaxy a quarian could truly call safe. She needed somewhere that she could call safe. Somewhere to breathe without worry.
Tali had been so lost in thought, she barely noticed the other woman starting to walk up the stairs and nearly ran right into her. "Whoa! Watch where the hell you're going-" The woman stopped talking as she looked up from something she had been reading, noticing Tali was not one of the crew. "Who are you?"
The words sounded like they were laced with venom. Tali was a bit taken aback by the sudden hostility. Took a step back up the stairs. "I… Tali'Zorah." She decided to just leave off the ship name as she was certain no one would refer to her by it. "Um, I. Shepard." She seemed to be having trouble forming the sentence to explain herself.
The woman, who had Williams stamped onto a plate on her armor. Seemed to dislike Talis fumbling for basic words. "The Commander." She said in a less than friendly way. Like she was reminding Tali of his rank.
"He asked me if I wanted to see the ship. So I obliged." Williams stared at her, the suspicion in her eyes was not something that she was trying to hide. Pointing a thumb at the elevator. "You just missed him." With that, Williams pushed past. Tali was quite put off by the sudden aggressiveness of the woman.
Maybe I did something rude...
The thought crept it's way into her mind. It was entirely possible as she knew little about humans and their social cues. Letting out a small sigh of relief as the woman disappeared up the stairs. She made way to the elevator. Riding it down to the cargo bay.
When the door slid open, she saw Garrus and Shepard standing next to a large vehicle. Both of them talking about something to do with the gun. She looked about the storage area, taking note of the old krogan sitting on a metal shelf that was bolted to the wall. The shelf looked like it was straining to keep Wrex and his armor held up. He was too preoccupied fiddling with his shotgun to notice her.
Her head turned back to Shepard, who had a small smile twitching at the corner of his lips. The lights in the room seemed to make the blue of his eyes sparkle. She quickly blinked herself into reality again as she caught herself staring. Walking up and standing next to Shepard, admiring the large land vehicle. "Just because they're made to take a beating, doesn't mean I want it too. A reliable vehicle, and if you keep it in good shape, you can always count on it."
Shepard looked over to Tali, his smile revealing itself now that she was here. "I was worried you ran off before even looking around. You didn't run into any trouble did you?" His eyebrow raised, his face returning to a more serious look. She made a mental note to look into human facial expressions.
With the question, she only thought of Williams. The woman who stopped her on the stairs. Then again, she hadn't really said anything against Tali. Perhaps she was just a rough person. Quickly waving the thought away. "No, no trouble at all. I just was busy admiring the deck."
He gestured towards the doors on either side of the elevator she had exited from. "Engineer Adams is there. Tending to his pride and joy. I don't know much about the engines but you're welcome to ask him about them."
Garrus had started to examine the Mako closer, primarily the gun on top of the vehicle itself. Shepards attention rested on Tali so he was rather oblivious. "Actually, I was hoping to ask you a question…" She started to drag her words out a bit. Looking down as she fiddled with her own hands. "Well, less of a question and more of a… request." The last batch of words flew out as fast as she could get them into the air. She winced, not visibly so but more of an internal cringe.
Make requests from a spectre? Keelah, you're insane...
Shepard's head turned slightly to the left, finally realizing that her grasping at air was a nervous habit. "I promised to help you if you ever needed it, Tali. What can I do?" His casual tone made it a bit easier to relax, but not by much.
"I was wondering if you would…" She started to doubt herself but it was too late to back out now. She chose to restructure her question though. "Would you be alright with me residing aboard your ship for a short while?"
The question brought his smile back, giving her a nod. "Of course you may. It'd be a pleasure to have you aboard the Normandy. I'll make arrangements so that we get rations on board for you before we leave the citadel." He was actually quite happy at this as he was hoping to ask her to aid him in pursuit of Saren. He knew nothing of the geth other than where to shoot them. Having someone who had first hand experience with them would likely be handy.
He started to walk away, looking back to expect Garrus to be in tow. Only to see him standing atop the Mako like it was his own. Fiddling with something on the gun. Clearing his throat before speaking. "Garrus. What are you doing with my Mako?"
Garrus looked up for just a moment before looking back down at the gun. "Do you know how bad the alignment is on this thing? I'd be surprised if you could hit a barn."
Shepard got a look that even Tali recognized as confusion. Looking at her for a moment before going back to Garrus. "Yeah, I've been meaning to take care of it. Don't worry. I don't think the barns will attack yet."
Garrus wove him off and started disassembling the gun. "Well since I'm sticking around, I might as well fix it." This took Shepard by even more of a surprise.
"I thought you worked for C-Sec Garrus?" He wasn't complaining, Garrus was a crack shot. He just got caught off guard.
"I did. Not anymore though, we can talk about it later. Besides, you'll need someone to keep an eye on the krogan." It was an off handed remark that made Tali flinch a bit. It got a bit of a chuckle from Wrex though. Shepard just looked like he was gonna need help finding his senses.
"Wh- wait. Who? Wrex, I thought you just wanted to have a drink. You know, at the flux?" Tali stepped up next to Shepard, he looked at her for a moment before going back to Wrex. Happy that at least one of his new members thought of asking him before taking up residence.
"Well yeah, I still do, but after that little scuffle at chora's den. I wanted to see what you could do in a real fight." Shepard shook his head and ran his right hand through his short hair.
"Okay, then maybe I should get some more food than I thought." He shook his head as he walked to the elevator. Tali following in tow. He barely even noticed that she basically shadowed him into the elevator till she spoke up.
"Comm-" She cut herself off before continuing. "Shepard, Thank you for letting me aboard your vessel." He turned to look at her. The corner of his lips twitching slightly but he stopped himself from smiling.
"You'll always be welcome aboard my vessel, Tali. And, thank you for asking me." The door opened and he walked out. Going back up the stairs and towards the airlock. "Pressly. You have the ship." The older, bald man that directed Tali to Shepard gave him a nod. "Yes, commander."
Tali thought in her head. She wasn't totally certain just why she chose to follow Shepard. It seemed like a better course of action than staying on the ship.
While the two of them walked, Shepard began to inquire into the quarian people. His knowledge of them was lacking, so he figured this would be an excellent chance to learn.
Tali was a bit uncertain at first, answering slowly and picking her words carefully. She explained firstly, the names of their people and how it would change after the pilgrimage in accordance with what ship they joined. He had already learned of the pilgrimage in Udina's office but he inquired again about it. Then about their political structure and how it formed after the fleeing of rannoch. He at first started to stumble into asking about their suits.
He learned a good bit about the quarian people as they walked along the presidium. His hands held behind his back as he listened. After a while, she got more comfortable answering the questions. Realizing that he seemed to have a genuine interest in her people. An uncommon but not rare thing.
He started down towards the wards, realizing that he had gotten so lost in quarian history that he had gone out to get provisions for her and Garrus. Tali shadowed him the entire time.
After some various stops and requisitions. They were on a return, while Wrex was planning another expedition. Tali and Shepard were waiting for the elevator to go up to the docks. Only to see Wrex inside. Who let out a half roar, a half shout. "Where have you been?! You tell me twice that we'll have a drink and twice I wait! WE GO!" Wrex had definitely already had a couple drinks. Shepard was not prepared for the krogan to move so fast. Wrex clotheslined Shepard and started dragging him. The wind was immediately removed from his lungs as he reached out to Tali as if pleading her to save him.
She knew much better than to mess with Wrex though. "Uh… I'll… see you two... back on the ship…" they were out of sight by the time she finished her sentence. She boarded the elevator and started her way up.
Wrex had Shepard dead to rights. He promised to buy the Krogan some drinks after the scuffle. He could smell ryncol on the hand that dragged him along by the armor. As well as salarian blood, he tried not to think of that though.
In the flux. It took a bit of persuasion and some credit chits to convince the owner to let the nice krogan in. Shepard wasn't sure if it was him or Wrex's threat to give him an aerial view of the place without a space shuttle that convinced the owner. They got in and eventually got out. Shepard was not a heavy drinker, and a krogan can be very persuasive on having just 'one more drink'.
Kaidan had stopped in to buy himself a bottle while he was on the citadel. Not knowing when the next chance to grab one would have been. He got pulled into the pair that was now a group. The three of them had a few more drinks before returning to the Normandy.
Shepard wasn't sure how Kaidan managed to keep Wrex from snagging the bottle he bought for the road. He wasn't totally certain how he made it back to the Normandy in fact. He was laying on the ground in his cabin. Still feeling the effects of the drink a little too much as he felt some spinning.
First day as a spectre and I'm smashed, this is not becoming a habit.
He rolled over and pushed himself onto his hands and knees before up onto his feet. Moments later blood rushed into his head and he could feel the punishment for drinking. He always got a headache after drinking. Even if it was just half a beer. He went to wash his face off in the bathroom.