Alright then I manged to this chapter from my E-mail so yea.
Okay so I don't know who came up with the Quarian bonding, but I have read a few stories that have it. So I'm going to do my own twist on it, unless it is part of Quarian Physiology then I need somebody to please point me in right direction so I don't screw it up. Also if anybody knows where I could find a Quarian dictionary that would be greatly appreciated.
As for the poll it will be up for another week for those who are interested. After it might be another week before I'll have the Shadow Fox story posted depending on the results.
So on to what you guys came here for.
Ch. 2
'Oh Keelah, Tali,' I thought in fear as I ran down the halls heading towards Chora's Den. According to Dr. Michel Tali had information connected to a Spectre and she was willing to exchange it for protection. So Dr. Michel pointed to an agent of the Shadow Broker. Some guy named Fist who runs a gentlemen's bar, whatever that is, down in the lower wards. 'Damn it Tali why didn't you let me know I could have helped,' but I knew Tali wouldn't ask for help. She just too selfish always puts the needs of others before herself, but that come with being a Quarian. I'm guilty of it as well.
Suddenly something pushed me into an alley way. I look up from the ground to see a group of humans, "Well look what we have here," one of them jeered, "A suit rat."
"What do you want from me?" I asked as I stood up shaking my head trying to clear the dizziness.
"Hey Frank check its hands," one of them said pointing at me.
"Oh whats this," the one identified Frank said, "Looks like we have traitor on our hands. Get him boys." The next thing I know I'm being lifted and restrained. I hear a clicking sound, I looked up to see Frank holding a knife, "Whats going on down here," an aged voiced called out. I look up to see another human dressed in Alliance blues. "None of your business Army boy, unless," Frank turned around, "You want to help out." Fear gripped me when the Alliance personal said, "Yea I'll like to help."
'I'm sorry Tali,' I thought through my tears, 'You've always been there for me and now that you need me the most I can't be there for you.' The next thing I heard was, "Oof" and, "you bastard," as the arms that were holding me let me go. They were soon followed by a crash.
I looked up to see a dark skin human dressed in an Alliance officer uniform, "You alright son?" he asked holding a hand out.
I look at the hand for a moment before I took it and hauled myself up, "Um, yea why did you help me?"
"Not all humans are like them," the officer said kicking one of my attackers, "I'm Captain David Anderson."
"Thank you Captain," I said before I remembered that Tali was in trouble, "Oh Keelah I'm sorry Captain Anderson. I need to go and find my friend she needs my help," I pressed a few buttons on my omni-tool, "here's my contact information I promise to repay this debt one day." With that I took off.
Finally I was in front of the bar I look up to see neon lights in shape of an Asari.
'Okay remember what mom said about infiltrating,' I said in my head going over what my mother taught me, 'Step one; analyze your target surroundings and pin point the best place to enter.' I look around and spotted an air vent after a small scan I knew that it lead right to Fist's office. I smirked, 'Perfect.'
I quickly removed the vent and crawled inside.
'God this place is small,' I thought as I crawled through the ducts, "Good thing that I'm used to tight crawl spaces from working on the Rayya." I saw a small light coming from a vent that was in front of me. When I reached it I looked down to see that I was right above Fist's office.
"Yea I her told that I'll set up a meeting with the Shadow Broker," I heard a human, Fist I'm guessing, say to a hologram of a Turian.
"Good I'll send my men to deal with her," the holographic Turian said before it cutting off the connection. I felt my anger rise along with my fear, 'Tali in danger I have to hurry.' I quietly removed the grill and dropped down and landed behind Fist. I pulled out my M-3 Predator pistol and pointed at the back of the crime lord's head, "Get up," I growled barley keeping my anger in check. I needed this man alive so he can tell me where Tali was at. Afterwards though I don't give a fuck.
...
Where did that come from? I'll worry about that later.
Fist stood up his hands raised and he quietly turned around, "What do you want Quarian." He said with a small trace of fear.
"Tell me where you sent Tali now," I demanded my voice raising. Fist smirked lowering his arms and crossing them.
"Oh is that what that bitch's name was," he said with a smile, "I don't have to tell you shit you suit rat,"
I snapped. I reached out with my biotics pick Fist up, and slammed him against the wall making him slump to the ground. I pick him and pinned him to the wall my gun pointed right at his head, "WHERE IS SHE," I yelled out as I clicked the safety off. My audio receivers where picking up faint gunshots from within the club.
The smirked had been wiped off his faced to be replaced by fear, "I-I-I-I don't know." I let the crime lord go and backed up...
-BAM-
...put a round into one of his kneecaps, "Wrong answer, I heard you talking to the Turian." I motion to the desk, "Now I'll ask again. Where is she," a loud boom echoed from the club, "and you better hurry." I said as the gun fire became louder. What the hell is wrong with me? I've never been this violent before. Is it because Tali in danger. Yea that's it. That it has to be it.
"I don't know where she is but I know where you can find her."
"Put the gun down," a strong and commanding voice spoke up. I turn my head to see three humans, two female one male, a Turian, and a Krogan. All of them pointed guns at me.
"Not going to happen human," I said turning back Fist, "Not until he answers my question."
"Are you the Quarian that has the evidence against Saren," the male human asked his skin was tan and his hair was black.
The Turian who was wearing blue armor and some kind of eye piece spoke up, "No Doctor Michael said 'she' that is obviously a male."
"Besides LT," said one of the human female, the one with a bun I think it is called. She also was wearing pink and white armor, "Look at his hands he's not a Quarian." That remark caused me to growl. Fucking human what does she know.
"You must the other one that the doctor was talking about," the leader of the group said. The leader turn out to be a human female wearing grey armor with a red line running down the right arm. N7 pasted above her right breast plate. She had a light tan skin which help highlighted her flaming red hair.
"Maybe," I said as I pressed the gun deeper into Fist's head, "Answer the question. Now," I growled as my gun clicks letting me and Fist know that a round was prepped.
"She wouldn't deal with me," Fist spat out hurriedly and with fear, "She'd only deal with the Shadow Broker himself."
"Impossible," retorted the blood red armored Krogan, "Even I was hired through an agent."
"I told the Quarian that he'd be there." Fist continued, "But when she shows up, Saren's men will be there."
Trying my best to control my anger I demanded, "Tell me where she is…Now."
"The alley behind the lower markets."
Without wasting any time I drop the human and used my biotics to jump back to the vent that I had used to enter, ignoring the calls and the shotgun blast. I made it back to the entrance in half of the time. As soon as my feet hit the ground I began running not bothering to put the vent back, it didn't matter I had to save Tali. Using the map that I downloaded I manage to find the spot where Fist said he sent Tali.
It took me about half of a second to spot Tali. Conversing with a Turian who had a skull painted on his face, he was flanked by two Salarians.
"Do you have the data?" the Turian asked trying to run his hand down Tali's body. I growled as I pulled out my tattered Avenger. I would've used my mother's modified M-92 Mantis that she gave me before I left my Pilgrimage, but there was too many and it would have taken too long to reload. Step two: Pick the right gun for the right job.
I charged up a chained Overload when Tali slapped the Turian's hand away, "Where's Fist? Where's the Shadow Broker." She asked.
"They'll be here," the Turian reassured, but Tali wasn't convinced, "No way the deals off." The skulled faced Turian motion to the two Salarians by the wall, they pulled out their pistols, and began making their way toward my friend.
"TALI," I yelled out throwing an overload. The group turned towards the sound, Tali uses that moment to throw a tech mine at the feet of the aggressors. Group's shields were already down thanks to the overload, so when the mine exploded it killed all of them.
"JAY," Tali called out running towards me as I did the same. We pulled each other into a crushing hug. "Thank the Ancestor's you're alright," I said pulling out of the hug, "What are you doing here? I thought you went to Illium?"
"I was," Tali said, "until we came across some Geth."
"Geth?" I said confused, "they haven't been seen outside the Veil in 300 years."
"I know, I was curious as to why, so I manage to separate one and hacked it's memory core and found something interesting."
"Yea something about evidence against a Spectre," I said crossing my arms in mock anger, "I can't leave you alone can I. Keelah Tali I turn my back for a little while and look what happens," I said motioning towards the assassins, "I had to swoop in to your rescue like a hero from the old stories."
Tali placed a hand on her hips while poking me in the chest, "I can handle myself," she let her arms fall and added softly, "but I do appreciate the help." I could have sworn that she was smiling behind that mask, but thanks to these damn suits I couldn't know for sure.
"Yea," I said shaking my head trying to rid the negative thoughts that where clouding my mind.
"I can't believe it Fist set me up," Tali yelled out suddenly throwing her arms out.
I looked at the assassins then back to Tali, "So what are we going to do now?" I asked. "We need to give the evidence to somebody. What about the Council?"
"No, I already tried there," she said letting out a sigh, "They threaten to call C-Sec if I didn't vacate the area."
"We might be able to help," a voice said behind us. I quickly spun around aiming my rifle while Tali pulled out her pistol. I saw the same group that was in Fist's office. "What do you want," I demanded tightening my grip on my assault rifle.
"Take it easy there kid," the human male said, "We're here to help."
"Sorry if we don't believe you," I said, "I hope you understand."
"Look," the lead human said in a soft voice raising her hands up, "I know you're scared right now. So how about I introduce myself and my team, I'm Commander Shepard of the Alliance," she pointed at the other female human.
"This is Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams," the Chief gave a wearily nodded.
"Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko," she point at the human male.
"Garrus Vakarian," Turian in blue armor she then pointed at the Krogan, "And Urdnot Wrex."
"Jay maybe they can help us," Tali whispered to me.
I hope so because if not were in deep trouble. They greatly out number us we wouldn't last long against them. "Don't get into a fight you can't win," my mother voice whispered in my head as I gave a sighed, "Fine," I said as I put away my weapon, "Sorry I'm little on edge. I'm Jay'Toon nar Rayya, and this is," I pointed at Tali.
"Tali'Zorah nar Rayya," Tali said introducing herself.
"Nice to meet you," Shepard said, "Come on we'll escort you to the human ambassador." the N7 operative led us towards the ambassador's office.
"So," Shepard said while we waited for the air taxi to show up, "Are two like siblings or something?"
"No," Tali began explaining, "We were both born and raised on the same ship the Rayya. That is why we both have the Rayya in our names."
"So what's with you then?" Ash asked looking at me, "I thought Quarians had three fingers and their lower legs were bowed backwards?"
I shift around nervously as I crushed by hands together, "It's a little complicated."
"How so?"
"I'm a…um," I stuttered my hands moving faster.
"He's a half breed," Tali said cut in rescuing me, "Jay is part Quarian and part Human."
"How is that possible?" Kaidan asked curiously.
"It isn't," Garrus jumped in, "Humans and Quarians amino acids are too different. Quarians are like us Turian's their dextro-protein. So to have a hybrid is impossible."
"That's right, so why don't you try again," Ash said with a smug smile on her lips.
"Leave him alone you don't know anything about him," Tali shot back angrily, "So don't you dare stand there and pretend that you do."
"Tali," I said resting a hand on her shoulder. I was caught off guard by the ferocity of Tali's retort. Sure this wasn't the first time that Tali jumped into my defense, but this is the first time she done so like this. It was almost as if...No its not possible. Its just because were on edge with all of this Saren business. Once this matter is cleared up everything will go back to normal, and me and Tali will get back to our Pilgrimage.
"Sorry we didn't mean to upset you," the commander said shooting the Chief with a glare, "If it's a touchy subject we'll drop it. We were just curious, not very many humans put on a environment suit like that or take a Quarian name."
"It's alright," I said as I was able to calm down Tali, "Your right it is a touchy subject at best. You see I was found by the Quarians when I was a small child, and they took me in."
"Why didn't they just take you to an human controlled colony?" Ash said eyeing Tali with mistrust? I couldn't tell humans are hard to read at times.
"Because I have…certain needs that a colony wouldn't have," I explained.
"Which are?" Shepard asked.
"I'll tell you some other time," I said spotting the cab pulling up.
"Alright then," she said as we got in, "Let's go." The sky car was was a little tight, but thanks to living on board the Flotilla me and Tali were used to it, and was able to adjust. The rest of the journey was mostly kept in silence. The humans were discussing about something I wasn't really paying any attention. Why you ask? Well it might have to do with the fact that TALI'S HAND IS ON TOP OF MINE OR THAT SHE SO CLOSE. I MEAN BY THE ANCESTORS SHE'S PRACTICALLY ON TOP OF ME.
Okay breath Jay. It just a simple friendly gesture and we're in clos- OH BY THE HOMEWORLD OUR HAND ARE INTERTWINED. Tali began to tremble which cause to pull me out of my bliss. Keelah she must be afraid and no wonder considering whats going on. I gave her her a reassuring squeeze causing her to look at me. Oh my look at those beautiful eyes.
"Alright you two love birds," A smirking commander said, "we're here." the sky car shuddered to prove her point. I don't know about Tali but I was blushing up a storm.
"You're not making my life easy Shepard," an elderly man that was dressed in white said as we entered office, "Firefights in the Wards, an all-out assault on Chora's Den, do you know how many-" the man stopped mid-rant and noticed Tali and me, "What is this, a Quarians? What are you doing Shepard?"
My first impression of the ambassador: Flet'shul(*)
I took notice of the other occupant in the office, "Captain Anderson?"
The good captain nodded, "It's good to see you again I assume that this is the friend that you mention."
"Yes sir," I nodded.
"Well there may be a chance for you to repay your debt then," Anderson said with a smile
"Ahem," the ambassador cleared his throat as I made my way back to Tali, "What did he mean debt?"
"To make a long story short he saved me," I whispered to Tali just before the ambassador cleared his throat again a bit louder this time. Bosh'tet. "As I was saying. Shepard do you have any idea what a political shit storm is?"
"Well Udina if you would let me explain, she," Shepard pointed at Tali, "has evidence involving Saren."
"I see," Udina said looking at me before he turned to Tali, "We usually don't see many Quarians on the Citadel. Why did you leave the flotilla miss-"
"My name is Tali. Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and this is Jay'Toon nar Rayya," she said introducing me, "I was on my Pilgrimage, our rite of passage into adulthood."
"Tell us what you found." said Shepard.
"During my travels, I began hearing reports of Geth. Since they drove our people into exile, the Geth have never ventured beyond the Perseus Veil. I was curious." Tali continued, "I tracked a patrol of Geth to an uncharted world. I waited for one to become separated from its unit. Then I disabled it and removed its memory core."
Anderson cut in, "I thought the Geth fried their memory cores after they died. Some kind of defense mechanism."
"How did you manage to preserve the memory core?" asked Shepard.
"Our people created the Geth. If you're quick, careful, and lucky, small caches of data can sometimes be saved." I said as Tali pulled out her omni-tool.
"Most of the memory core was wiped clean. But I managed to salvage something from its audio banks." She explained.
A voice played over the omni tool. This Saren I'm guessing, "Eden Prime was a major victory. The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
I recognize that voice it was the one that Fist told about Tali.
"That's Saren's voice!" exclaimed Anderson, "This proves that he was involved in the attack!"
"Wait, there's more. Saren wasn't working alone." said Tali, re-activating the audio file.
It replayed Saren's message before playing another voice.
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers." A smooth female voice spoke.
After the recording finished, Udina spoke up, "I don't recognize that other voice, the one talking about Reapers."
"I feel like I've heard that name before." said Shepard rubbing her head.
"According to the memory core, the Reapers were a hyper-advanced machine race that existed 50,000 years ago. The Reapers hunted the Protheans to total extinction, and then they vanished." said Tali almost excitedly, "At least, that's what the Geth believe."
"That sound a little far-fetched," I said before smirking, "But then again you always did like the old stories." Tali crossing her arms and cocked her head to the side.
"Yes, it does sound a little crazy," said Udina drawing my attention back to him.
"The vision I understand it now," Shepard said who was rubbing her head again, "I saw the Protheans being wiped out by the Reapers."
"Well if the Geth revere the Reapers as gods, the pinnacle of non-organic life. Then it would make sense that they would follow Saren. Thinking that he some kind of prophet of their return," I said thinking out loud.
"The Council is going to love this!" Udina scoffed.
"The Reapers are a threat to every species in Citadel space. We have to tell them." Shepard said with conviction.
"No matter what they think about the rest of this, those files prove Saren's a traitor," Captain Anderson said.
"The captain's right. We need to present this to the Council right away." Udina said, agreeing.
Wrex turned to Shepard, "What about them? The Quarians?"
"We have a name!" Tali exclaimed at Wrex who just shrugged. "Let us help Commander," she continued.
"What about you Jay?" the commander asked.
Truthfully I wanted to go, but I don't know if I should, "I would like to but I have a debt to pay. My mother taught me to always repay my debts."
"Well then," the Captain said stepping forward, "This works out then. If you go with Commander Shepard and help them bring down Saren consider you debt repaid." I nodded my head, "I'm ready assist Commander."
Commander Shepard smirked before replying, "Welcome aboard Tali'Zorah, Jay'Toon." She turn to her crew, "Alright then Ash, you and Tali will come with me the Council Chambers. Everybody else will wait at C-sec."
I began rubbing my hands together, I didn't want to be separated from Tali again especially now since we're going after a rouge Spectre. I'm mean, she already had assassins come after her what if they get attack again and I'm there to help...Tali must have notice my nervousness because she came over and put a hand on my shoulders, "Don't worry Jay I'll be fine. We'll talk more later. Okay."
I calmed down a bit, "Alright then I'll see you afterwards," I said as Kaidan and Garrus led us out the office to the elevators that would take us to C-Sec. "So," Garrus said as we entered the elevator, "I have some questions about Quarian immune-system."
"Oh Keelah," I muttered as the doors closed.
So after a long elevator ride and many questions about Quarians we made to C-Sec. where we waited for the Commander to come back.
And waited
And waited some more.
And waited.
...
"Keelah," I groaned, "Whats taking them so long." I was getting nervous again. I hope Tali is alright.
"Don't worry kid," Kaidan said, "Shepard and your girlfriend we'll be here soon," he ended with a chuckle.
I began to blush, "W-W-What. NoNoNoNo me and Tali aren't bonded."
"Bonded what are you talking about," Kaidan said while Garrus laughed at my expense even Wrex had a smirk on his face, "do you know what a girlfriend is?"
"I…uh…of course I know," I said as I tried remember everything I knew about humans, "Besides Tali and I are just friends."
"Uh huh," Garrus said his fringe twitched into a smirk. At least I think it's called the fringe or is it mandibles. I really didn't study alien physiology that much. Luckily I was saved by the arrival of Shepard and the rest of the ground crew.
"Alright you guys," Shepard began explaining that she had been made a Spectres, and her first mission was to take Saren in or bring him down by any means necessary. Our first lead is the daughter of Matriarch Benezia Liara who was an expert on the Protheans. Afterwards Shepard gave us a tour of her new ship the Normandy. She introduced us to the pilot Joker from there we made our way through the CIC all the way explaining what she could about the Normandy. We were showed where the comm. room, sleeping quarters, mess hall, her office, and the med bay.
When came to the docking bay Garrus went straight to the Mako saying something about calibrations, Wrex picked a wall and began leaning against it. Ash and Kaidan went off and removed their armor and weapons. Shepard turns to me and Tali and leaded us to the engineer room. As soon as we saw the engine drive core I saw Tali's eye brighten as she dashed over to a console and began typing away. I chuckled along with Shepard, "So Commander," I said turning towards her, "How long until we reach our next destination?"
"Well first off call me Jennifer when we're not on mission," Shepard said, "and second we should reached the Artemis Tau Cluster in a few days."
I nodded, "Thank you Com- I mean Jennifer, me and Tali should have the Normandy running at peak performance by the time we get there." Shepard raised her eyebrow, "Your both engineers?" she asked.
"Of course Jennifer," I said crossing my arms, "It comes with being a Quarian. Give us a piece of metal, some circuits, and a little eezo and we'll have it making precession jumps in no time." Shepard chuckled at that, "I'll like to see that but back to my question."
"Well yes and no. You see Tali there is the best engineer in the fleet, and while I'm good engineering I've been taught to be an infiltrator. So my specialty is more to weapons upgrades than technical things."
"Give yourself some credit," Tali said her head glued to the console hiding her face. I notice that her accent was strong. Weird, that only happens when she is either embarrassed, nervous, or excited. "You could probably teach me a few things."
With a smile Shepard led me towards the work bench where Ash was doing maintenance of a few rifles. After showing where everything was at and let the Chief know that she had an assistant, much to her displeasure, we were making our way back to engineering. "So," Shepard said with a smirk that made me nervous, "You and Tali?"
"What about me and Tali?" I inquired.
"You know are you two like together or something?" Jennifer said with a smile.
"What," I said my face heating up again while my hands began clashing together, "No where just friends. We've been friends since we were kids."
"AWW," Shepard schreech as she grabbed me into a hug and began rubbing her cheek against my hood, "that's so cute. Anyway you and the rest of the new guys need to make your way to the medical room for an exam," Shepard said before turning away and...skipped away. Shocked I slowly turn my head towards Garrus who looked equally shocked. "Uh," I began, "I think the human term is 'Dafuck'?" Garrus just shrugged his shoulders and turn back to the Mako.
I walk to the engine room observing the drive core, 'This is going to be an interesting Pilgrimage,' I thought as I made my way to the console next to Tali and began my work.
I hope didn't freak you guys out with the way my Shepard reacted there. And before you guys start sending flames and what not about her behavior let me tell you. Yes Shepard will still have 'I'm a badass' attitude, but at times she will have a childish attitude to add a little flavor.
(*)-Flet'shu- Equivalent to the human term "What a dick"
Also don't forget to R&R
