John was pushed abruptly into waking by the sudden change to the day cycle on the ship. The glaring lights felt like they were feeding his head more fuel to irritate his nape. Covering his eyes with his right forearm before using his omni tool to turn the lights down to a dimmer setting. Realizing after a moment he was laying on the cold metal floor of the Normandy.

Once he could see without feeling like something had kicked the back of his head; he'd pull his forearm away from his eyes. First parting his eyelids to a squint, looking first at the object in his right hand. The Quarian fighter spun slowly in between his thumb and index finger, the corner of his lips pulling into a small smile as he looked it over.

John would rub his chin with his left hand as he realized the soreness of it that had been overshadowed by his headache. Soon looking around him to find out just where he ended up crashing. On his right was empty floor space and the interior hull of the ship. To his left, his desk and computer.

My room… on the floor. At least we got back to the ship.

Pushing himself up to a sitting position to see his door in front of him. The sudden change in position made the back of his head throb. Reaching back to rub the back of his neck quietly with his left hand to try and quiet the pain. Soon, he would slowly ease himself up to a standing position. Stepping over to set the model fighter onto his desk. He noted that his computer monitor had the green, blinking light of a newly arrived message.

Ignoring the message for now, John would slowly and quietly head to the door that led to the bathroom. Doing his best to leave the snoozing Quarian to her dreams. Stopping as he saw his lockbox was open, his metal notebook held in her hand as she slept.

Did I show her that…?

He pondered the question for a moment, having no recollection of anything aboard the ship. Glancing at the metal nightstand that had a tube of water laying on it for Tali. Continuing into the bathroom with silent footsteps, closing and locking the door behind him before starting on his cleanup routine to begin the day.

A hot shower would aid his head, but not alleviate the full tension. Spending the time he had in the steam filled room to try and piece together the entire night in his head. Joker and cards was how it seemed to start, right after his rather one sided conversation with the fellow who ran the Citadels branch of Westerlund News.

Gonna have to give them something if I want them to lay off Iromak. Maybe I'll talk to Anderson…

He didn't like the idea of asking Anderson to assist him with keeping Iromak from the public eye. Not sure what he would be able to lay on the line as repayment. John would quickly push the thought away, trying to get himself back onto the track of pieced the previous night together.

Fish, she seemed to like looking at them quite a lot.

The sight of Liara and Wrex at a bar popped into his mind. Remembering he had crossed paths with them before the knock on his jaw. John had to keep Wrex from turning the soldiers that had been bothering him and Tali into paste.

Williams.

He remembered her arrival had been quite timely, and short lived, but she had asked him a fair question that stuck with him through the night of drinking. The quiet reminder that his duties were still waiting for him.

'What's your plan for meeting the new group?'

He shook his head in silence for a few moments. Not totally certain of that answer himself. He couldn't just greet them like civilians, but he certainly wasn't going to treat them like the soldiers he was in charge of. To him, they were occupants that had been forced upon him. He knew none of them besides their records.

Records that seemed questionable. Why two C-Sec officers?

The line of questions stuck in his head while he got ready for the day. Pulling a fresh pair of clothes from the storage in his bathroom to get dressed. Wearing a regular crewman uniform, the only thing that set him apart was his rank stitched onto his shoulder.

He turned the light off to the bathroom before opening the door, heading to the leave quietly. Tali was still wrapped haphazardly in the blanket. The sound of her mumbling in her sleep would make John pause as he crept towards the door.

Once he realized she was still asleep, he would tap the glowing button on the door before slipping out. Letting out a soft sigh of relief when the door slipped closed behind him. The brighter lights of the mess hall made his head a bit more sore, doing his best to brush off the feeling.

"Morning, Shep"

The Commander would blink a couple times in confusion before turning to look at the table in the middle of the mess hall. Williams was the only one sitting at the table currently, a bowl sitting in front of her with what Shepard assumed was the usual oatmeal rations.

"Shep?" He spoke with uncertainty about his name being shortened, walking over to sit across from Williams. Noticing she instead had a bowl of cereal. "And cereal?"

"Yeah, I'll probably just stick to Shepard." Williams would wrap a hand around the white, ceramic bowl she had bought last night. Setting her spoon down in the bowl. "Got a problem with cereal?"

Shepard would chuckle lightly and shake his head. "No, I just didn't expect it. Anybody else up yet?" He leaned on the table with his right arm, his omni tool opening on his left.

"Well, as far as I know, Wrex and… uh… Iromak aren't in their pods." Williams would point towards the sleeping pods for a moment before looking back to Shepard. "I don't know about Liara. Kaidan drank a bit too much with Garrus last night so I think they'll both be out for a while."

Shepard would nod, looking back at the pods for a moment as he spoke. "Kaidan isn't a heavy drinker, he's gonna have one hell of a headache when he gets up."

"You and Tali seemed to have quite a few drinks as well." Williams' comment would get Shepard to turn and face her with his left eyebrow raised slightly. "I also noticed that she wasn't in her pod this morning."

"Now Williams-"

Williams cut him off, leaning on the table as she glanced at the door to Shepard's room. "You've really taken an interest in her, haven't you?"

Shepard was a bit taken aback by her rather direct question. Closing his omni tool before crossing his arms. "I don't think that's a subject most people discuss with their Commander."

"Maybe I wouldn't if it wasn't so obvious." Williams would shrug slightly as she sat back. "Try not spending all your time with her, like last night, it looked like you two were on a nice date."

"We were not-"

"Say what you will, Shepard, but-"

Shepard put his right hand up and shook his head. "But, nothing. We weren't on a date. We got away from work for a while, that's it."

"And woke up in the same room together?" Williams would cross her arms to mimic what he had been doing, her left eyebrow raising slightly.

"I slept on the ground last night." His right hand fell gently down onto the table. His left hand pinched the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. "I barely even know her, Williams."

His comment got Ashley to scoff slightly, leading into a soft chuckle as she shook her head. "Right, barely know her, after spending all your time with Tali, you barely know her."

"Why does it matter to you? Do you just enjoy fucking with me or something?" Shepard would cross his arms again, the two watching each other from similar positions.

"I've never seen somebody fall head over heels for someone, it's kind of amusing." She would smile slightly as she watched him, shaking her head. "It's hard to tell if she even knows though, she's either oblivious, or good at hiding it."

John would roll his eyes at her first statement, tilting his chair back slowly. Her second statement got him to think about his time with Tali last night. She had pulled him around for so long, he had nearly memorized the print on her hood. A small smile formed on his lips as he thought about the night before.

Williams noticed Shepard was beginning to zone out, waving a hand to get his attention. "I hope you're thinking about what you're going to do about the four new crew members currently sleeping on cots; right where I'm supposed to be able to clean my weapon." Williams would continue eating after a moment, looking at the bowl in front of her now.

Shepard would look at Williams and shake his head with a smirk. "What am I going to do about them? I'm gonna draw a line between them and the crew of my ship. Have you talked to any of them?"

Ashley would raise an eyebrow as Shepard posed his question. "No, they didn't seem to be the chatty type. Took their place in cargo and I haven't seen them since."

Shepard nodded as he got up, going to make a cup of coffee. "Well, then I suppose it's time to go greet this group." Once he made the coffee, he would wrap his hand around the cup and bring it with him to the elevator. Giving a short nod to Williams as he passed.

John would stand in the closed elevator for a few moments. Letting the aroma of fresh coffee fill the elevator that awaited an input on the pad in front of him. Raising the cup up to take a long, silent drink of the coffee. As he lowered the cup from his lips, he would let out a lengthy sigh. Finally bringing himself to press the button to send the elevator down.

Alright.

Don't be an asshole, but make sure it's clear, this is my ship. My crew.

The Commander's stance straightened up to almost being at attention, his feet spaced out to be even with his shoulders. His left arm pulled back and held just behind his back. His right arm in front of him, holding the cup tight. As the doors opened he would let a quiet breath out, his face dropping to a deadpan look.

The first thing he saw when the door opened was an Asari standing on the middle raised platform that was used for the Makos drops. She wasn't taller than 5'5" while wearing thick combat boots, wearing an all black uniform except for a white highlight around her neck.

Her back was facing him and she seemed too preoccupied to notice the opening elevator. Holding a smaller crate up with her biotics. The crate was a meter long in any direction. The Asari seemed to be practicing as she moved it up into the air.

On the left, a row of four cots were all neatly in a line; by chance blocking the workstation that was usually taken up by Williams. The first three, longer cots were filled with sleeping Turians, at the end, a regular sized cot that was empty. Underneath each cot was a duffel bag.

The Commander would step out and look to either door leading to the core, a guard standing at each one. Walking up to stand a couple meters behind the practicing Asari. Taking care not to make a sound with each approaching step. His eyes watching the small crate twirl in circles while being suspended several meters in the air.

After a minute of watching the box, he would finally speak up. "How much of your concentration are you using?" His question had caught her off guard, turning suddenly to look up at the Commander. Her surprise was worn plain on her face, not even attempting to hide it. The crate nearly fell to the ground when she turned around. Saving it with her biotics only a foot or so from the ground.

Once she returned the crate to the floor in a gentler manner, she would again turn to the Commander. "Spectre, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were here." The Asari gave a short, but courteous nod to him. John's eyes squinted slightly as he watched her, his lips remaining in a straight line.

No mean look? No poker face?

Just as Tali had said, not a single tattoo was visible on her light blue skin. Her dark green eyes were attentive, but gave away her nervousness in their constant shifting. He would watch her silently for several moments. Leaving a notable pause between her statement, and his. "What's your name?"

"Vaay, Vaay Helyt." It took her a few seconds before she would stand at attention. "I was led to believe you were sent our records?"

He gave a slow, unenthusiastic nod, adding on a quiet "Mhm" after a moment. Taking a slow drink of coffee as he watched her. She avoided direct eye contact, instead choosing to look to the ground or at the array of sleeping Turians. Eventually Shepard would turn to look at the sleeping Turians. Wondering if he should awaken them. "I thought Commando's primarily worked in groups with other Commando's. Why the Turians?"

Vaay looked up at him for a second, turning her head to look at the sleeping group. "I… wouldn't know. I just do as instructed, by Councilor Tevos."

"You know the Councilor?" Shepard kept his voice firm with every word. Turning to look at Vaay once more, his left eyebrow raised just slightly. The Asari would shake her head at his question. Refusing to return his look as she looked at her empty cot.

"No, not personally. Someone was needed for the Asari side of the report. I was selected." As if a realization smacked her across the face, she would quickly turn to him, finally looking him in the eye. "Not that it's not an honor to work with a Spectre, Sir."

The Commander's eyes squinted once again as he watched Vaay, who once again was feeling the weight of his gaze bearing down upon her in a lengthy pause. "How long have you been a Commando?"

The question wasn't one Vaay had anticipated, her head tilting slightly to the right as she spoke a single word. "Sir?"

"Fairly simple question, how many years, decades or centuries have you been a Commando?" He nodded towards the crate she had been practicing with. "Lift the crate up with your biotics while you talk."

Vaay would watch him with uncertainty evident on her face. Turning to the box as the Commander stepped forward to stand beside her, watching the box move upwards. "I've uh… been a Commando for a few decades now."

"Five, nearly six by the count of your record." He watched the box spinning it about in the air. After taking a quiet sip from his coffee he gave another order. "Open the box."

She was silent for a moment, looking back and forth between him and the box for a moment. "I'm not certain I can do that, Spectre."

Her statement got the left corner of his mouth to twitch upwards just slightly, his lips quickly smoothing back into an emotionless line. "Non-dominant hand creates a field around the center mass of the box to keep it raised."

He would wait until she had followed the instruction. Her left hand turned to face upwards, held out in front of herself. Once she seemed to have a decent control of the box he spoke again.

"Good, now on each of the four corners is a latch keeping the top secured. You need to create a much smaller field around one latch, then pull it upwards."

It took her quite a few attempts to get the first latch flipped up, he could see her faltering though. Her concentration split between keeping the box up with one hand, and attempting to flip each latch with the other. Occasionally the box would wobble a bit, forcing her to take a couple of seconds to rebalance it. After several minutes, the final latch was flipped, allowing her to gently lift the top off and set it on the ground. Looking over at the Commander to flash a satisfied smile.

Her lips would quickly revert back to a thin line as she saw his expression, or the lack of one. Vaay watched the Spectre for any sign of approval or disapproval; instead, he would walk over to the top of the crate, bending down to pick it up with his left hand and securing it to the top.

Vaay watched him do so, keeping the box level for him with her biotics. Soon after resecuring the latches, he would return to where he had been standing. Gesturing to the box with his left hand. "Again."

Again and again, he would have her repeat the simple instruction. After nearly half an hour, he would stop putting the top back onto the box; instead having her put it back on top and taking her time to try and secure the latches with her biotics.

Vaay would eventually question whether this was necessary for her to do. Finding it somewhat tedious to constantly repeat the process. She would quickly silence her questions when he suggested practicing her biotics on the sleeping Turians instead. After that she continued with his instructions rather than question it again.

After nearly an hour of the repetitive cycle, he would cut the practice. Dismissing the Asari, stepping over to the crate she had been practicing with and setting his now empty cup on top of it. Vaay would watch him with a bit of curiosity as she waited for the elevator; going to have breakfast in the mess. The Commander decided that if the Turians weren't going to get up of their own accord, he would wake them.

Once the elevator was closed and she was gone he would take the top of the crate off himself; setting it on the ground with his cup balanced on top. Pulling a small metal cube out of the crate and tossing it back and forth in his hands. It was about two inches long in any direction, and was fairly lightweight.

"Rise and shine." He would say first in a calm voice, his eyes watching the cube being tossed between his hands. Once it was apparent his statement was getting none of the Turians up, he spoke again, in a much louder, harsher tone. "Up! Now!" With a hefty kick, he hit the box he was standing next to, the sound got two of the three to jump into waking. The third letting a quiet groan take his place.

They didn't seem particularly pleased by the sudden awakening, the first one to sit up was in the middle. Who would glare quietly at Shepard for a moment, his mandibles twitching slightly before laying back down. "We aren't here to take your orders, we're here to report to the Council. If you haven't done anything of importance, then my job is already done."

"You're on my ship, you will follow my orders, you follow the chain of command." Shepard would focus his attention on the Turian who laid back down. Leaving the small block on the crate before stepping over to stand next to his cot. "Until you all prove that you're more than some greenhorns, you're just recruits to me."

"Hey." The Turian at the end had sat up to look around, noticing the missing Commando. "Where's the Asari? She gets it easy?" The Commander would look over to the Turian, noticing several scars along his right mandible.

Vitus Stradus.

"No. She does not. She was actually awake and practicing when I arrived. Which is a hell of a lot more than you all can say." He kept his tone firm and finished each sentence with a sharp turn of anger. His hands folded behind him as he looked at the Turian in the middle who remained in his cot.

Cavius Dexidus.

"Up, now."

"Shove off, I'll-"

The Commander didn't let him finish, quickly stomping down onto one of the support beams under the cot. The support for the left side collapsed and the Turian rolled out of the cot with a rather surprised look. The Commander took a few steps back to put space between himself and the Turian. The Turian would turn to glare at Shepard, his mandibles spread wide. "What the fuck?!"

The Turian pushed himself up, his full height standing a few inches below Garrus; but being a Turian gave him quite a height advantage in any case. He started to quickly close the distance to Shepard. Halfway through his second step, he froze stock still in place. Shepard would look him up and down before turning to look to his left. Seeing the final Turian sitting up, holding him still with biotics.

"Maybe thank your friend for making sure you didn't get yourself into trouble. Now that you're all awake, let's see how fast you can dismantle a weapon." Shepard would walk past the frozen Turian to the workbench behind his cot. Kneeling down and pulling a larger footlocker out from under the bench. "Assault rifle or shotgun, take your pick. In the end, you'll be taking both apart." He maintained a sharper, louder tone throughout every sentence he spoke.

The biotic would finally let go of the other, the two trading silent glares at each other for a moment. "Do you even know our names?" The biotic spoke up, eliciting a silent glare from the Commander.

Vitesia Calnion.

"I've memorized your names and your files; but until you prove that you're more than an idiot with a weapon, you won't get the privilege of a name."

The biotic would speak again, crossing her arms as she shook her head. "If you memorized our records than you know what we can do, this is-"

"Pointless? Irrelevant? Beneath you?" The Commander would glare at her, picking a shotgun up by the barrel and tossing it onto her cot. "I don't give a shit if you're a biotic who served in the Turian military, or how many years you put in at C-Sec. Until you prove you can pull your weight and follow orders, you're just a recruit to me."

He would have them disassemble, clean and reassemble the weapons on top of crates in the middle of the room. Once one weapon was finished, he would pull the weapon apart in front of the person that cleaned it. Pointing out inadequately cleaned areas, overly tightened or loose screws, miscalibrated sights, anything and everything he could pick at, he would.

Often he would hear a Turian gripe about human weapons being smaller and more delicate, when they did, he had them reclean the weapon they had just finished cleaning. Keeping the process up for at least half an hour before Vaay arrived from having a very quiet breakfast across from Williams. She too would be forced into the weapon cleaning cycle, deciding not to question it and taking her spot next to the Turians.

Iromak kicked awake suddenly with a sharp inhale. His head supported by his left forearm on a table, sitting up slowly as he yawned. Looking around to see the bar he and Wrex had been drinking in the night before.

Iromak had tried to limit himself, but Wrex proved himself to be quite persuasive in saying 'just one more' several times over. He would rub his forehead quietly for a minute, a headache quickly taking over his head. A cup of water was placed down in front of him as he tried to soothe his headache, looking up to see Liara was the one who set it down.

"Thank you." He would take the glass, looking around for any sign of the Krogan he'd been drinking with. "You're Doctor… T'soni? Right?" Iromak would take a long drink of the water, hoping it would help dull his headache.

She would give a small smile and nod to him. Pulling a chair out to sit across from Iromak. "Yes, just call me Liara." She would look around the bar for a moment before speaking again. "Wrex got up earlier than you, he should be heading back to the Normandy."

Iromak would set the glass down as he looked back at Liara. "I don't seem to remember you drinking with us last night, how'd you find us?" Iromak would roll his shoulders back a couple times, trying to loosen up a few tight muscles in his back.

"Wrex told me a lot about the Citadel, said he likes this bar as of late because they always have ryncol. I figured he would be here." Liara would look over at him before nodding towards the door. "Shall we get going? I don't know when Shepard plans to take off, and I'd rather not risk getting left here."

Iromak would shake his head after a moment. "You get going, I've got some things to handle before heading back. I'll send a message to John so he knows."

Liara gave him a short nod before leaving soon after. Iromak took his time to drink the water before leaving. Making sure he had paid for his drinks before leaving the bar. He would send a message to John as he told Liara he would. Moving on to get himself some food before going to check in with Sislio.

It was uneventful, double checking that the things he had asked Sislio to get were sent to the ship. Finding out from the Turian fence that John had a few crates being loaded onto the Normandy through the Turian as well, although Sislio neglected to mention just what it was. The items were already on the way to be loaded onto the ship, so he made his way back to the Normandy. Choosing to walk the distance rather than catching a cab.

Iromak would press the button on the elevator that led to the docks that currently housed the Normandy, finding that the elevator was already on its way down. He took a couple steps back to give whoever was in the elevator room when the door opened.

Iromak was somewhat surprised to find Tali standing inside. The Quarian had her left hand held against the left side of her helmet and hood, oblivious to him at first as she was currently trying to ward off a blasting headache.

Tali realized Iromak had been standing there once she looked up, moving her left hand to give a small wave to the Batarian. Her eyes were squinted to try and avoid the bright lights of the Citadel that would only worsen her headache. "Hey… you wouldn't know where John is, would you?"

Both pairs of Iromaks eyes would squint slightly as he watched her for a moment, shaking his head at her question. "No, I figured he was on board. Have you messaged him?" The pair would trade places, Iromak entering the elevator as Tali left it.

"No, I asked around the ship to see if anyone knew where he went." Tali paused for a moment as she thought of his interaction with Westerlund the night before. "I think I know where to find him though." Iromak would give her a short nod as she turned away, hitting the button to head up to the docks.

Tali would stand in front of the elevator for a moment. Placing her left hand on the side of her helmet again, her eyes closing against the light to try and soothe her head. Taking a slow, deep breath before opening her eyes. Raising her right hand up to look at the metal notebook she had awoken with.

Tali would start with where she was certain John would've gone to today, the Westerlund News branch on the Citadel. Taking a cab for a quiet ride to the same place they had gone to the day before. Thankful for the dimmed atmosphere of the cab for the short time she had it. Again going out to face the bright light after paying the cab driver.

Tali would make a few inquiries about whether or not the Commander had been through, mainly asking the receptionist at the front desk if he had turned up that day. When anyone she asked gave a resounding 'No' she would begin to leave. Stopping as the rough voice of the boss echoed down the hall.

"Is that the quarian that was with the Spectre?"

The receptionist would sigh quietly to herself before pressing a button on her intercom and speaking into the microphone. "Yes Sir, it is. Why did you get the intercom if you aren't going to use it?"

Again, his voice would echo down the hall. "I like to raise my voice, I got it so you can use it. Send the Quarian in!" The receptionist would stare at the microphone with a dull look in her eyes, eventually raising a hand to point down the hall.

"If you want to see him, you may." Tali would look between the reception and the hallway on her left. Deciding to inquire whether he knew where Shepard was at least. Tali would walk down the hall to find the door already open. The nervous looking man from the day before was sitting where Al-Jilani had been sitting the other day.

Tali was closing off the olfactory system with her omni tool once again, the smoky room was quite offensive to her sense of smell. She didn't even get the chance to introduce herself before the boss launched into a line of questions. "Ah, good, I wasn't certain you'd show. Now tell me, who are you? Who's the Batarian? Why does that Spectre give a damn about him?"

Tali would look up from fiddling with her omni tool, not quite sure where to start with the man sitting behind the desk. "It's not my place to say, and neither is it yours. Just tell me if you know where John is and then I'll be going."

A small puff of smoke escaped the boss's nostrils, obviously amused at Tali's attempt to be forceful. "You tell me nothing, I tell you nothing." Shaking his head and waving her away with his left hand, picking up a magazine in his right. Tali watched him for a moment, glancing at the assistant for a moment who sat awkwardly to the side.

Tali left the building, opening her omni tool once again to get her suits olfactory system on. While fiddling with her tool on the stairs that lead to the news outlet, a light tap on her shoulder would pull her attention. Seeing the assistant that had been silent to her so far.

"I can't say for certain where he is now, but the last time we knew where the Commander was, he was on the Presidium." He spoke quickly and quietly, giving her a short nod and turning to reenter the building before Tali had a chance to thank him.

After a small bit of confusion at the sudden act, Tali would take the information and head to the Presidium. Upon getting onto the Presidium, she would take time to marvel once again at the artificial ecosystem that had been maintained upon the Presidium.

Eventually she would question just as to who cultivated the intricate system. Wondering if the Asari who had discovered the Citadel had put the time and effort into creating such a green space, or if the Keepers had always tended to them. Tali watched a keeper walking lazily across a bridge, starting to wonder as to where they had originated from.

Her personal line of inquiries halted as she saw John on the opposite side of the water from her. He was walking with another man who wore the dress blues of the alliance. The gold hemmed edges made the man stand out quite a bit compared to Shepard. Three heavily armed guards formed a loose triangle around the two Alliance members, keeping people a few meters away from them. Tali's curiosity would get the better of her and she began to cross a bridge towards them.

"We need this kept under wraps until we know just what is going on, Commander. Eden Prime has made things more difficult for the time being." Admiral Hackett walked with his hands folded neatly behind him, his calm but serious demeanor maintaining as it always had before. "Another colony going dark would only worsen the situation."

The Commander would nod before speaking. "Yes, Sir. Alliance only, Sir?" Shepard kept his eyes forward, and maintained a rigid stance as they walked slowly towards the elevator that led to the Council's chambers.

The Admiral shook his head briefly, reaching up to straighten that hat on his head. "No, this is bound to become public sooner or later. We're looking to minimize backlash from politicians and civilians when it does get discovered, so maintain a level of discretion till we know what's going on at Feros. Hopefully we can avoid a situation like Prime again."

"And if I do find evidence of Saren? Or the Geth?"

The Admiral would stop, turning to look at Shepard. The Commander halted in step with him, turning to face him. "Do what the situation calls for." The Admiral would look to the left as his guard intercepted the approaching Quarian. The heavily armored man moved to stand between her and the Admiral, simply putting a hand up and shaking his head.

Shepard followed the Admirals gaze to find Tali standing patiently in front of the guard; finding her glowing eyes were already focused on him. "A friend of yours?" John heard the Admiral speak, his mind taking a moment to register the fact he spoke.

"Yes, I…" Shepard would quickly stop himself, clearing his throat. "Sir, this is Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya. My- A expert on the Geth, she also provided the evidence against Saren." He quietly started to question himself in his own head.

What are you doing?

"Tali." As Shepard spoke, the guard would take a step to the side. Allowing the Admiral to see the Quarian, but maintaining his position close enough to protect the Admiral.

Why are you introducing them?

"This is Admiral Hackett. Alliance Fifth Fleet."

Tali would give a short bow to the Admiral as her hands folded together in front of her. Holding the small metal notebook in both hands. "Sir, it is an honor to meet you."

The Admiral gave a nod to Tali. "Miss Zorah." He would turn to look at the Commander now. "I'll expect a report on the Feros situation soon, Commander."

The Commander would salute, returning to a calmer stance when the Admiral gave him a short nod. Soon, Hackett was heading to the elevator to the Council chambers. Shepard watched him go for a moment before turning to Tali. A small smile slipping its way onto his lips. "Tali, I didn't think you'd be up and about yet. How's your head feeling?"

Tali would glance between him and the departing Admiral for a moment. "Well, it could feel better. I don't think I'll ever drink that much again." Tali held her right hand out, offering the notebook to Shepard, which he would take, tucking it into his back pocket. "Do you know the Admiral?"

"No, he needs the Normandy to… perform some reconnaissance." John took a look around for a moment before returning his gaze to Tali. "We'll be taking off soon, so if there's anything you need, now is the time to get it."

Tali didn't have anywhere to go, but decided to stay with John as he went to the wards. Following a similar path she had used to get to the Presidium, giving Tali the idea that he was returning to the news outlet.

After a short cab ride to the same arm that the news outlet was on, but quite a bit further down the arm, further from the Presidium ring than Westerlund was. Tali's curiosity would again overcome her, looking at Shepard as she posed a question to him. "Where are we going?"

"I need to check in with Sislio, make sure some things are in order. You don't need to come with me if you don't want to."

"Couldn't you just message him?"

John would nod, continuing to walk with Tali. His eyes watched ahead of them, focused on the middle distance. His hands folded neatly behind. "Sometimes it's best to do this in person."

Tali and John would walk to a large storage depot divided into several different sized lots for separate owners. Multiple shuttles of various sizes being loaded by mostly biotics and machinery at the landings. Tali was going to again question just where they were until Sislio exited one of the storages.

The two had a quiet greeting, trading a few words before John would depart from the depot, leaving as quickly as they had arrived. Instead of taking a cab though, John would lead the way up a flight of stairs to a large, interconnected walkway that went above the Wards. The path gave much more direct routes and helped people avoid the bustle of the Wards while getting from place to place.

The silent walk would eventually get Tali to approach a topic that John had put off the night before. "Would you be up to talk about that… thing, that happened last night?"

The question took John by some surprise, his eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to figure out what she was talking about. "What thing…?" John turned to look at Tali, his head tilting to the left slightly. Keeping his pace as they walked towards the docks.

"Iromak, and you not wanting to tell people." Tali would only glance at him before looking over the railing on the walkway. "If you don't want to-"

"No, it's fine." John would look ahead now, making sure not to bump into anyone as he walked. "It's less about me not wanting to tell people, and more of keeping his options open."

"Options?" Tali would again look at him as she spoke, her eyes half squinted as she tried to figure out what he meant.

"If it was common knowledge that he and I were close, he would be highly restricted in where he could go without worry." John would sigh softly, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand. "Not because he's a Batarian, but because places like the Traverse and Terminus would have people that could recognize him, and quite a few Batarians hold an ill will towards Humans and anyone who sides with one."

They would again walk in silence, Tali contemplating on what John had said, her eyes focused on the ground below the walkway now. "And what about you?" John's question got her head to pull up, turning over to look at him.

"What about me?" Tali's comment got a short chuckle out of John before he answered.

"Yesterday, you said you wanted to get into contact with your home, have you?" He would return her look, his left eyebrow raising slightly

"Oh… I…" Tali stalled, not sure what to say. Her hands came together to fumble with each other as she thought about it. "No, not yet. I haven't been up for too long now, and last night wasn't-"

"Tali?"

His interruption surprised her, turning her head to look at him. Finding John was already watching her with a mild amount of concern evident in his eyes. "Yes?"

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

Tali didn't want to admit she had been up less than an hour before she went searching for him; saying how she hadn't been hungry when she woke up. He wasn't allowing any attempt at sidestepping it, taking her to the place they had eaten at the night before. Every step of the way, John hammered away at the importance of the first meal of the day.

Since John had already eaten, he simply sat with Tali and drank water. They took a table and chairs rather than a barstool this time around. While Tali ate, John opened his omni tool to look through his messages. The silence didn't go long without interruption.

"Commander Shepard?"

He heard the journalist before he saw her, closing his omni tool before looking to the entrance on his right. "Miss Wong? Is something wrong with the plant?"

"No." She took a few steps over to their table, pulling a chair out to sit down. Tali watched her with a slight curiosity. "I believe I've discovered something, about that Batarian you killed?"

"What? When did that happen?" Tali looked between the two for a moment, her eyes focusing on John afterwards.

John looked at Tali, clearing his throat before speaking. "I killed Balak when you were in the hospital." John paused for a moment, dwelling on what to say. "It's… complicated. I wasn't made aware that he was allowed on the Citadel till after the fact."

"He was allowed?" The journalist sounded bewildered at his statement. Tali watched John with her head tilted to the left slightly, her hands rolling a tube of purified water in circles as she listened to them. She was aware of what happened, but Iromak hadn't filled in every detail to her.

"They wanted to return him to the Hegemony, I guess in an attempt to ease relations. Like I said, I wasn't aware of their plans. In any case though, he attempted to drop an asteroid on Terra, which asteroid drops are an extreme offense. I don't think he had many days left anyways."

Emily Wong was staring at him in a mixture of surprise and confusion. "This… I don't-"

"Miss Wong?" Shepard interrupted her, leaning on the table with both elbows. The journalist would snap to attention as she watched the Spectre, giving him a questioning look. "You cannot say anything about this."

"Why-" The journalist was about to start on her own line of questions, getting interrupted again.

"I don't know how important Balak was to the Hegemony. However, I do know that if you make this whole line of events public, it will only worsen the tensions between the Alliance and the Hegemony. Understand?"

The journalist was evidently not pleased with him putting a boundary on her ability to report; she understood the situation he laid out in front of her though. Giving a short nod to the Commander, who would in turn ease back into his seat. "Thank you. Is there anything else?"

The journalist would decline before excusing herself, going to dwell upon what the Commander had told her. Leaving John and Tali to the mostly silent breakfast for Tali; John eventually pulled his notebook out to look at the drawings he had. Looking at a few doodles that resembled the various types of Geth. Notes made on each page about the different Geth.

He could tell fairly easily that they were not his drawings, the notes detailed various things about each Geth; one of the pages seemed to have quite a few notes of speculation on the usefulness of a synthetic muscular system.

After reading through the various notes, he would begin asking Tali about the Geth and their advancements. Why they would go beyond the Veil and what she thought they were attempting to accomplish with Saren and the Conduit.

Once Tali finished her late breakfast, they would return to the Normandy. Finding Iromak sitting on a bench outside the ship. His eyes were closed and his hands folded together. Tali wasn't certain he was awake considering his rhythmic breathing, John however could see through the ruse; walking up and giving his boot a kick. "Did you see the new crew yet?"

Iromak didn't respond to the light kick against his thick boots. Giving a short nod to the question posed to him before speaking. "Yeah, I'm not too certain. Like you said, no tattoos, makes things more difficult."

Iromak would look at the two out of the corner of his top left eye. Tali noticed a slight twitch on the corner of his lips, the Batarian quickly firming his lips back into a straight line. "What do you think of the group?"

Iromak began stretching out before getting up. John looked at Tali for a moment before heading towards the door of the Normandy. "The Commando is… interesting. Turians don't seem to be overjoyed by getting orders from a Human either."

"Does the Asari have a good grip on biotics?" Iromak would question him as he followed into the ship. John shook his head as he opened the airlock.

"For her supposed age, she could be outdone in skill by Kaidan. In any case, she's not like any Commando I've met."

"You've met other Commando's?" Tali spoke up now, looking up to John as he activated the decontamination. The inner door sliding open to let them inside.

John would nod, the three stepping onto the ship. "Iromak, you know the deal. Tali." He would turn to face the Quarian who stood on his left, her hands folded together neatly in front of her. "Would you keep the comments I've made on the new crew to yourself?"

"Of course, I-"

"Except for me right?" The voice of Joker coming from the bridge would get her to pause. Glancing back to the pilot for a moment before giving John a questioning look. Who in turn would sigh and give a nod.

"Fine, just keep what you learn to yourself, Joker."

Tali took a seat on the Bridge to talk with Joker while Shepard would go to speak with Pressly on their upcoming excursion. The CO had a few vocal worries about so many Turians being aboard. Shepard did his best to calm the man's nerves on the situation. Attempting to assure him they'd only be reporting to the Council and not interfering with the ship or its crew.

John and Iromak would go to check on the six crates that had arrived; none of which had any distinct markings except for the destination and who it belonged to on the side of each one. Three of the larger crates were about four feet tall and four feet long, all belonging to Iromak. Another crate which was a two feet tall and two feet wide stacked on top of those, likewise belonging to Iromak. John had only two crates in his shipment, both looking similar to Iromaks smaller one.

They would get the crates stacked into a corner and strapped down before the Normandy left the docks. Garrus would attempt to get some information on just what they had brought aboard. Neither would give him a straight answer though.

The Normandy would soon depart from the Citadel. It's destination was the now silent world of Feros. Shepard hoped that the new crew that had been forced upon them wouldn't cause any problems.

So I believe I'm going to change my policy. I want to get these out every two weeks, but I think I'll take my time and release each chapter once I'm satisfied with it. I hate rushing things but I also hate feeling like I'm forcing people to wait on this. I hope you understand. Thank you for reading.