Welcome to the new Chapter people. A lot going on in this one, make sure you pay attention. Don't forget to review either, love y'all and enjoy the chapter.

POV: Aedon Eyes

Last night with Tali after reuniting was probably my best personal night I've ever had in my entire life. Not only in the emotions that went through both of us but I have no problem saying that it was very easily my best performance ever. I pulled out all the stops, threw everything and the kitchen sink, left it all out on the field; whatever way you wanna say it. With that being said Tali very much so appreciated the gesture.

We would both sleep like babies that night and the next morning when I woke up before her I made my way to the kitchen and got her some breakfast as well for myself. Bringing it back to her room we had breakfast in bed and just relaxed together. It was like our own little world and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the galaxy. Unfortunately it eventually had to end with a knock at the door.

Telling them to wait a couple of minutes Tali had to get dressed. Although her immune system had improved vastly in the past months because of the research they did on me she still wasn't able to interact with any other species besides Quarian and myself out of her suit. That came up during out pillow talk and she ended up telling that they estimate that they'll be out of their suits provisionally within the next two years. Completely out of them within five at the latest. Another feather in my cap with the Quarians.

When she was completely dressed in her suit I opened the door to see Mordin standing there almost bouncing in excitement. The reason for this became uncomfortably evident as soon as the door opened and he barged in. Immediately he began to ask us questions about exactly what had happened last night. Rather invasive questions about literally everything that happened the previous night.

For the first minute, maybe two, of him asking the questions he didn't even wait for an answer and just kept rapid firing questions at us about our sex life. He asked how long it had been since we each had a orgasm before last night, how many times we did it last night, could he have a sample of our 'reproductive fluids', and so on and so forth until he asked about performance. At that point I was already uncomfortable but that just question boiled everything over; I don't like to talk about this stuff, it's personal and should stay that way. I didn't get my way though.

"It was great," was Tali's immediate answer to Mordin's question for 'performance'. On one hand I was immensely proud of that statement like any good man would be. On the other hand, that spurred on Mordin.

"Expected. Soldier life, high testosterone; better performance average. Any previous matings Miss Zorah?" Mordin was now in full stride of being a scientist and I could only look on in abject horror. Right then and there I wanted to kick him out of the room but Tali answered him just as fast.

"Two. One before and one during my pilgrimage."

"Comparison or differences?" I just gaped at the question simultaneously stunned by the audacity to ask that in front of me and at the sheer bluntness he had about this as he interrogated Tali. Recovering from my shock at this whole process I turned to look at Tali who was silently thinking it over. She wasn't wringing her hands at all either, she wasn't nervous or uncomfortable! I was extremely uncomfortable here.

"Okay, okay. That's enough for now Mo-"

"It was very similar in terms of process," Tali interrupted me. I whriled on her letting my shock show and she simply returned my look with with a questioning gaze. "What? He's a scientist, I knew this was going to happen; he told me this would happen if I joined you on the Normandy. You should've known this was going to happen

Anyways, the process was about the same. Quarian 'equipment' are generally skinnier because of the 300 years for suit connections, not the case with humans but from the porn I've seen Aedon's an above average specimen in that regard," I saw her mouth open and continue to say words but at this point it was just white noise.

I did not want to talk about this; damn the scientist of Mordin this was something I was completely uncomfortable with. Which is really something when you think about it; I could kill senselessly and with no remorse. I could walk through bodies strewn and ripped apart from gunfire and be completely okay but this is the stuff that gets me. Shaking my head I brought up my augmetic and activated the inborn omni-tool checking the time. 0830 and I'm headed to the bar.

I left them to talk about whatever the hell they were going to and went straight from my room to the bar. As I got to the bar I jumped over the counter and immediately began to pour myself a double shot of liquor. Slamming it down I poured myself another one planning on nursing it for a little. Before I could begin to do so though the door opened and Garrus walked in giving me an amused look.

"Mordin?" I just sent him a look and he started cracking up like it was the funniest thing out there. I didn't respond to his laughing and just grumbled to myself as I began taking sips of my drink. My blood's alcohol levels is nowhere near high enough for a scientifically excited Mordin.

"So how was it though," Garrus asked simply as he recovered from his laughing fit. I gave him a blank look exuding displeasure at the question. Knowing he wasn't going to let me out of it though I gave him an answer.

"It was amazing. Tali enjoyed it too," the ghost of a smile appearing on my lips as I said the second part. That was the wrong thing to say though.

"Yeah, we know. I'm pretty sure you two kept the whole of the ship awake," I groaned at that burying my head into the counter for a couple seconds before poppinng back up and slamming my drink. Ugh, I don't need this.

"Does getting asked questions by Mordin and how the whole ship is probably talking about you and Tali really bother you that much?" asked Garrus concern coating his voice. I poured myself another drink before looking back to him.

"Yes. Yes it does."

"You've faced and talked down to a Reaper, killed a couple thousand people without breaking stride, fought practically all of Omega for your daughter, got your arm ripped off and stayed in the fight. You're the mentor to the only person in the galaxy who can rival your body count, have the ear of all of the Councillors, are the head of the operations for a mercenary company and this. This is what bothers you," I could heard the skepticism in his voice but it wasn't unfounded I guess.

"Garrus," I started taking a sip of my drink before turning around and looking out into space through the window. "That was the last bit of my life that was private. It's just that everything we've gone through I wanted that to be private. For it to just be about Tali and myself. I know after the mission getting her I didn't handle it the best if I wanted it to be private but I don't like talking about it regardless. It's a private affair and should be treated as one. It's why I never really participate in those types of conversations."

"I'm sorry," whipping around at the familiar voice Tali was standing in the door way wringing her hands together as she looked at me, her body radiating nervousness. Seeing that I felt a little bad but I wouldn't change my stance on it. If she wanted to talk to Mordin about it that was fine but I did not want to.

"It's okay Tali. I know you didn't mean it, just be more considerate next time. Alright," she sheepishly nodded her head and stayed still for a couple of seconds before straightening herself up and stalked over to me.

"Aedon. I know you don't like it but I have to talk with Mordin about this stuff," I went to respond anger already on my tongue but she cut me off. "The research the doctors have gained from what you gave us has been integrated into the fleet… We could be out of our suits in two years, five at the latest. Add to that you aren't Quarian but you're compatible with us, half of it's for my safety in the future especially considering…" she stopped talking suddenly at the last couple words and I instantly began reading her body language. She had said to much.

"Considering what Tali?" I growled. Her mask was instantly off at my voice and she grabbed my shirt slamming her lips into mine. I growled into it again and bit her lip before pushing her away.

"Considering what Tali?" I asked again. Putting some force into my voice. She looked ready to jump me again but I held out my hand, noticing Garrus in the corner of my eye. He looked between wanting to see how this would end making a hasty retreat.

"The side effects," she stated seemingly recomposing herself and taking a step back from me. I was instantly concerned.

"Are they dangerous?" I asked softly taking a step towards her and reaching out my hands. She took them and I rubbed the back of her hands soothingly.

"No. Just should've told you about them before last night happened."

"I'm gonna leave," Garrus announced heading out the door but stopped in the doorway and turning back to both of us. "You're health isn't in jeopardy?" he asked Tali. She shook her head in the negative and at that Garrus walked out.

"Tell me," I wasn't asking. She took a big sigh looking down at our hands before looking back to me.

"From what the doctors can tell there isn't any negative side effects but there is one that's already become prominent in the few months since they started implementing everything… and before I left on my mission they confirmed it... It's increased fertility rates."

I shut down. I could literally hear my brain shut down as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Not for the fact of the increased fertility rates, that was amazing for the Quarians. It flew over my head how it possible but I was going to chock it up to science and something they did in the process that helped everything.

No I shut down because last night I didn't use a condom once. In the multiple sessions we went at it I didn't use one once. That would've been something to know ahead of time. The Reapers are literally, at best 10 months away; now is not the time for anyone to get pregnant.

"Aedon… You're crushing my hands," Tali whispered to me. I instinctively pulled my hands back at her words.

"You should've told me."

"Not like you really gave me a chance too," she chuckled out and I had to concede that point.

"Still."

"I know."

"I'm going to go get some sparring in. Find Shepard, he should be able to fill you in on everything I didn't okay," I got a nod from her and walked past her to the door. Stopping at the door I turned back to her. "We aren't doing it again until I get condoms."

With that I walked out the door. Thoughts about a lot of things flowing through my mind but I really didn't want to dwell on most of them at the moment. If she got pregnant right now I have no idea how I would react. Iris was one thing but she was already 8 and for the most part I knew she would be protected at all times when the war started. Preferably with me on the Normandy.

A baby though, so much could go wrong at the start of the war with a baby. It wasn't something that would be good for Tali, as much as I would elated to have a child with her. God fucking damn it.

As those thoughts rattled through my head I found myself outside of Grunts door. Opening it up he was cleaning his weapon but looked up sharply when I entered. His eyes were curious for the interruption and I gave him the hand signal that we were going to spar. His curiosity was gone instantly and he adopted a bright smile, following me to the sparring ring.

It's been two weeks since the side effects came up. I didn't hold it against Tali for not telling me but it definitely would've been something to know. Either way I moved past it and shut it out of my mind. We now had condoms, curtesy of a quick pit stop at the Citadel the other day.

I made sure to visit Iris when we did so too. Not with the condoms in hand of course but I made sure to show up and hang out with my daughter for a couple of hours. After putting her to bed I spent a couple hours drinking with Frank and my other mentors. Tali, Garrus and Shepard joined us and we spent a good bit trading stories. Some we had heard or told before but it didn't matter. It was good enough to just hand out with friends and relax.

Tali was still a bit frosty to Ceelo but for the most part had backed off on that area. Though it didn't stop him from hacking her and data mining her entire omni-tool without her knowing. The only reason I knew he did so was because he tried to do the same thing and I caught him before he could get too far. I swear that man just does it for the hell of it sometimes.

Still, when we were all leaving to go home he stopped me and had a quiet talk. It was about exactly what you're thinking about. I've already gotten the talk once in my life but the second time was infinitely worse. He picked up on my discomfort quickly though, thank god, and cut it short keeping it very simple. 'Just be smart'; I could definitely get behind that.

After that enlightening conversation he stopped me before I could leave. I groaned at that but what he filled me in on could help in the future. He told me about how he got the message for where he was out when he was captured and that in my augmetic he had put the same system in place. If I was ever taken or needed help all I would need to do to activate the program was squeeze my augmetic for two seconds twice in a row. I appreciated the info but I doubted it would ever come to that.

Other than that pit stop on the Citadel we spent a good bit going around to planets and mining them. We actually got enough materials over that two week span to upgrade the Normandy's guns, which was the main reason we went to the Citadel. The upgrade only took a couple hours too surprisingly but I got to see my daughter and pick up what I needed so I wasn't complaining.

Besides that, all we did was train and go do a couple of missions for the Alliance. Shepard told me we were still looking for two more people to recruit and still had no word on them for where they were. At this point I didn't know who either of them were. One would have been Thane but I mostly filled that role besides the biotic area he had. As for the other one I had no idea.

With Tali and I too things were a bit rocky for a couple days after the whole questioning incident. It was just something I wasn't comfortable with but we had an almost three hour long talk over it on the fourth day. We reached a compromise where I wouldn't be involved in the questioning for about 99% of it. If something came up where my input was absolutely needed than I would questioned but for nothing else. Still, it took Mordon promising that for me to accept it.

As for right now though we were headed to Illium. I think Shepard just wanted to visit Liara and try and catch up but I honestly had no idea. I couldn't read his mind and besides she was an information broker, it wasn't a half bad idea to meet with her. Still could have been done for a call.

Now, for myself I was doing nothing at the moment. Two minutes ago I had been doing maintenance on my augmetic but Tali had walked in and saw me doing my own maintenance. At her insistence she began working on my arm herself after running her own diagnostic and pulling out her own tools. So in short, I was sitting in my chair laying my arm across the desk in my room as my girlfriend did maintenance on my augmetic arm.

She was mostly silent as she worked huffing a couple of times as she worked on my arm. As she finished working on it she pulled away from my arm and gave me a smile. A smile I could see as she never wore her mask in my room; I loved seeing it. Then she was leaning towards me, we had just gotten the condoms yesterday and I didn't want to do it with alcohol in my system last night. Knowing where it was going I began leaning towards her but we were both blocked as a knock emanated from the door.

"Come in," I said sighing afterwards as Tali pulled away and put her mask back on. When the door opened Jack walked in angry. She looked between Tali and I for a moment before she settled on Tali.

"Can I have the room with Aedon," it was framed as a question to her but I could tell that it really wasn't. She wanted Tali gone for this and only one reason popped into my head, Pragia. Still, Tali gave me a look and I gave her a small nod. She then left sending me a message that she would be down at the range while I was with Jack. Once she was gone Jack started talking.

"I found where Cerberus conducted their experiments on me," she growled out as she started pacing around the room. "We're going there, we're planting a big fucking bomb and we're going to erase it off the face of the fucking galaxy."

"You already tell Shepard?"

"It's on the way to Illium, he already gave the okay," nodding along looking at her as she was still pacing around the room, anger still very prevelant on her face.

"Then why are you coming to me now?" I gently asked her. She stopped for a moment before looking away from me into the corner but eventually turned back to me after a couple seconds of silence.

"Just you, Shepard and me. No one else," she was staring me down seemingly trying to intimidate me into agreeing. Like I wasn't about to anyways.

"Okay," was my simple answer and for a moment her eyes widened in surprise at the quick answer. As quick as it happened it was gone and she nodded her head before leaving the room.

Once she was gone I grabbed my Mattock and went to the range. Getting there I 'bumped' into Tali as I walked past her. She was quick to retaliate and pinched my side before I could get far enough away. It was deserved so there was no reason to return the favor. Instead I set myself up in a lane on the range and started going through a few drills.

Mostly just breathing drills as I took controlled shots. Aiming for the bullseye every time and hitting it with consistency. After about a half an hour of those drills I started doing rapid fire and put as many rounds as I could down range as fast as possible. Definitely less accurate than before but for the most part my shots were hitting around, if not hitting, the bullseye.

I spent another half an hour doing those drills before packing up and headed over to the sparring area. I didn't want to spar with anyone and just worked the bag for another half an hour. Once I finished there I packed up and went back to my room. Grabbing my stuff from my room I took a shower and then changed in my room.

I was in there going over some hacking programs when Tali got back. After she had finished up on the range she went to the engineering area and helped them out. If she wasn't in my room she was there most of the time. Once in the room she gave me a quick kiss and then laid down on the bed looking at me expectantly. I ended my work on the hacking programs quickly and got down to business.

A couple hours later, most of it napping, I got a message from Shepard telling me to come to the briefing room. Leaving a napping Tali behind I got dressed in my full kit and locked the door behind me as I left. Getting to the briefing room Shepard and jack were both already waiting there for me. Once I was there Jack began the briefing.

"The facility is on Pragia. From what I can remember and what I found on Cerberus' documents of the place the layout is relatively simple for a facility. Two main entrances, one on the floor and another from the roof. We'll be landing on the roof and making our way to my room. The facility has been shut down for years so we shouldn't find anything beyond the local wildlife there, if they're there at all.

Either way, we make our way to my room killing anything that gets in our way. Plant the bomb provided by Jacob and then leave with the shuttle from the roof blowing the bomb once we get out of range. Any questions?" Shepard and I said nothing to that, just shaking our heads in the negative. "Good, we'll be at Pragia in a half hour and we'll fly down on the shuttle in 45."

She left immediately after that leaving both Shepard and myself in the room. After a few seconds of silence he got up as well and left the room. I stayed for a few moments going over the game plan and just silently prepared myself before standing up and making my way to where the shuttle was. Getting in well ahead of time and sitting and waiting, there was nothing else to do but wait for now.

30 minutes of waiting in silence in the shuttle later Jack climbed in and Shepard followed soon after. The shuttle driver arrived at the 40 minute mark and at the 45 minute mark we were out the back of the Normandy.

As we flew down I took the time to get up and look out the window checking out Pragia. It was completely covered in lush forests but in the distance, slowly getting closer, was a concrete complex marring the beauty of the planets jungle. That being said I wouldn't want to be trapped here or in any forest/jungle in general. My skillset was far more suited for cities and they are vastly different than jungles. It's a whole other beast.

Either way as we flew down Shepard and Jack had a quiet conversation between each other. I couldn't hear them but didn't want to eavesdrop anyways, whatever they were talking about was private. Still, as we came upon the facility Jack got up and stared at the door with fierce determination.

As the door opened she jumped out before the shuttle even stopped. She landed without a problem though and Shepard and I followed her once the shuttle landed. With all three of us on the roof she led the way down the stairs on the roof and to the entrance.

Stepping inside the place was completely overgrown with the forest; I give it five more years before the forest takes this place over. We glossed over this as we followed Jack down the stairs that were in front of us. One of the creatures of the planet eating a body on the ground but bolted when it saw us.

As we came up to the body it was obviously a Blood Pack member and a recent kill as well. We all exchanged looks at this and they made sure their guns were at the ready; mine already was. Still we stalked forward looking for any of the other Blood Pack members. That was until we came upon a still functioning terminal, Jack activated as soon as we were close to it.

"The Illusive Man is getting impatient. He needs results before he'll give us any more funds," the man on the screen, a doctor I think, said to someone else not on the screen.

"He's always impatient but you have promising data. I read the report."

"Yes. But only one, Subject Zero. Remarkable adaptation to all the experiments and enhancements but I fear we need more data."

"Is it working for Subject Zero."

"Yes, bu-"

"I don't care doctor. Continue the experimentation. Break the rest if you must, I don't care. The Illusive Man wants it done."

That was the end of the recording and at the end I could feel the rage emanating off both Shepard and Jack. I couldn't fault either of them, who could? I fear the further we go in the worse the recordings will get if we find any more that are even active. Which at this point seems likely.

Grabbing Jack's shoulder she turned to look at me silently for a few moments before reigning her rage in and giving me a determined nod. Pushing down her anger she once again began to lead us through the building. Along the way we crossed a couple rooms with several dead skeletons with Cerberus armor on and blood stained walls where they laid.

Jack made an off hand comment about remembering doing that. Neither Shepard or I chose to say anything to that and continued to follow her. We were on edge believing that the Blood Pack was still in the area but we weren't slow about it either. That being said the next minute we found another active Terminal. Jack hesitated for a moment at it before activating it, the same doctor from before appearing.

"Subject Zero is improving but the others… They're dying by the dozen. If we want to improve Zero I need more children for the experimentation. I don't want to risk her health."

"You're in luck doctor. The Illusive Man gave the okay, you'll get your kids within the week," the doctor had only one reaction to that. Glee. Bastards. My thoughts were mirrored by Shepard and Jack, the anger at Cerberus was palpable in the room and surprisingly Jack was the first to reign it in.

"Good. Good. She's too much of an asset to lose at this point. I've only encountered one problem with her."

"What is it doc?"

"She's getting a little bit too powerful too quick. I did some scans and if I'm right the implants and experiments we've done on her will significantly shorten her lifespan."

"Will Subject Zero still be an asset?"

"Oh yes. The normal human in this day and age can live to almost 150 if they are healthy and get the right treatments. My estimates will she'll only live to about 50, 60 if she's lucky."

"That's more than fine then. We'll use the data to recreate her when we can."

The recording cut out and there was a solem silence for a moment as we realized what that meant for Jack. She had, 30ish years to live and everyone had a good chance of outliving her. Still, if anything that spurred a more determined look in her eyes than anything before. Good girl, use it as motivation.

Shepard put a hand on her shoulder in a comforting way and she took his hand without looking to him. She gave it a squeeze before pulling away and walked off. Shepard watched her go as I followed her. I patted him on the shoulder as I followed her and he broke out of whatever trance he was in and followed me.

As we continued walking the path that Jack followed we found an open space and in front of us were the Blood Pack. About three Krogan and a dozen Vorcha lounging around the area. In the back was a Krogan with the leader patches of the Blood Pack talking into his radio to someone. I couldn't remember the guys name but it didn't matter at all. Though when the Krogan turned around and saw us he cut the connection.

"Red Eyes," his voiced boomed out getting the rest of his groups attention as they all shot up and looked at us weapons drawn. "We have no quarrel with you. We were just leaving."

At that the entirety of the Blood Pack lowered and put away their weapons holding up their hands in surrender. I was surprised that this happened but I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth and stepped aside. Shepard followed my lead but it took Jack a couple of seconds before angrily sighing and doing the same. Once the door was free the Blood Pack members all left the room. The leader giving me an appreciative nod as he passed me.

With that development out of the way we walked through the room and to the doors at the other hand. Going through them we found another terminal. Jack gave each of a quick look before going up to the Terminal and activating it.

"Subject Zero is loose. I repeat Subject Zero is loose in the facility," a frantic voice of a guard shouted into the terminal.

"She can be contained. Follow the protocols!" I recognized the voice of the doctor from before as he came into view of the terminal and got in the face of the guard.

"We've already tried sir! She broke through them like it was nothing."

"Then do it again!" the doctor shouted.

"Of course si-h-h-hello Zero," the guard stuttered as he looked to his left. The doctor and the guard had less than a second of their lives as they were torn, literally, apart by Jack's biotic might. The last thing the terminal recorded was a young Jack, 12 maybe 13 coming into view giving the two bodies the middle finger before dashing off.

Looking to Jack at the end of the recording she was proud of what we had just witnessed. I couldn't find it in me to blame her either. With that done we walked off leaving the terminal alone.

Going through the next room we came upon Jacks room, only it was blocked off by a glass wall. Still, I could feel the trepidation, anxiety and ptsd rolling off Jack in droves. I gave her a shoulder pat reassuring her that I was here. She gave me a grim nod and determined face and when Shepard did the same she looked relieved. I should really get the betting pool up again for relationships.

Before we could get through the room to hers though we heard scrangled muttering off to our left where a room was. Glancing between each other we nodded and made our way to the room. Stacking up at the door I hacked it open and Jack was the first one through but stopped immediately upon seeing the occupant. Following her in I saw the man getting up from the floor and looking at Jack.

"Subject Zero," he breathed out. Jack took offense to that and raised her shotgun at him.

"Don't call me that," she seethed. "What are you doing here, whoever you are?"

"My name's Aresh and we all knew you're face. They inflicted horrors on us so they wouldn't kill you. You were they question and I'm still looking for the answer," Jack's immediate reply was to raise her shotgun at him.

"Why are you here?" She growled out.

"I'm rebuilding this place. Piece by piece, and I'm going to learn everything they knew. The key to unlocking the potential of all human biotics and it will be beautiful."

"Why the fuck would you want to make others live through this. You lived it!" Jack was incensed and she was right to be. "How the fuck could you ever think starting this again would be a good idea." Jack growled as she got up in Aresh's face almost nose to nose with him but he didn't back down.

"What we went through has to be worth something! That all this pain wasn't for nothing. That my friends died for something other than a meaningless experiment that failed!" he roared back in her face but she didn't back down and instead pulled out the bomb strapped to her back.

"I don't a fuck. This place doesn't deserve to be started again. No kid deserves what you or I went through and if you want this place up again you will subject kids to what we went through," she growled out slamming the bomb onto the ground in the middle of the room.

Aresh looked at the bomb and back to Jack before dropping to his knees on the ground. He looked completely dejected in his choices as he realized that she was right. He was silent for a few moments before he spoke.

"Just leave me here."

"Gladly," Jack responded before raising her gun and putting it against his head.

"Don't," Shepard shouted out before she could pull the trigger. Her trigger finger twitching as he did so. "He's trapped in his past Jack. The whole point of this was for you to move past yours. The fight is over, don't pull the trigger."

"Every stride you've made hinges on this Jack. Who will you be?" I added on getting side eye from Shepard. Jack, though, looked between both of us conflicted. A battle raging in her mind trying to figure out who she really wanted to be. Eventually she ripped her shotgun away from Aresh's head letting out a frustrated shout as she did so.

"Go! Get out of here!" she screamed at Aresh her frustrating boiling into her voice. As he ran off she took a few deep calming breaths before looking back to us. "He's not worth it and neither is this place. Lets… Let's just get out of here, the bombs already planeted."

"Don't want to look at your old room?" Shepard asked.

"No. I've relived this place enough already as it is," she stated choking out the last words her shoulders trembling.

We left the room and made our way back to the shuttle. It was a quick walk on the way back and Jack held it together the whole way but I could tell that she was on the verge of tears at reliving this place. Once we were on the shuttle and took off she pulled out the detonator and kept flipping the detonator top open and closed as we got farther and farther away.

Reaching out to here I put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Giving her a reassuring nod she took a deep breath before opening the detonator top one last time and clicking the trigger. The bomb went off well behind us but as the shockwave caught up it sent shutters throughout the shuttle. It wasn't anything the shuttle couldn't handle.

Once she hit the detonator everything came out and she started to cry. Once she did Shepard came over and started rubbing her back whispering into her ear that everything would be okay. I didn't participate in that and just kept my hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

She kept crying the whole way back to the Normandy and once we landed she continued to cry into her hands. Shepard put one of her arms around his shoulder and supported her out of the shuttle taking her back to her little cot as she cried the whole way. I stayed with them until they got to her cot. When we got there I left them alone as Jack refused to let go of Shepard as she continued to cry.

Going to my room I saw Tali looking over hacking programs on her omni-tool. She looked up from them as I entered the room giving me a curious look. I waved it off and got out of my armor before crawling into bed. As I did so I lifted the blanket inviting her to join me. She gave me a smile as she stopped going over her programs and joined me in bed. Her being the little spoon. Sleep took me moments after she joined me.

*Mordin POV: the next morning*

"I am the very model of a Scientist Salarian.

I've studied species Turian, Asari and Batarian

I'm quite good at Genetics as a subset of biology

Because I am an expert which I know is tautology

My zeno science studies range from urban to agrarian

I am the very model of a scientist Salarian!"

Ooooo, results back on Aedon. Tali and him, good chemistry. Wonder what child will look like, hybrid race to study. Whole new avenues. Soooo EXCITING! Many things to discover, many things to figure out. Much to do, little time.

Treatments of Quarians with data from Aedon increase fertility rates in Quarians. Obvious side effect after looking at treatments. How its surprising don't know. Very easy to spot. Wish I had been a part of it. Would've been wonderful. Once in a lifetime to work on it.

But now this is EXCITING! So much to discover from them. Biology, immune system, attributes of species, attributes of parents. Child could be powerhouse. Preliminary results show no possible defects from cross breeding. Aedon and Tali, foremost leaders of all things involving tech abilities; Aedon unequal in combat, Tali unequal in improvisation and innovation. Power couple, will shake galaxy with child.

Would love to see child grow. May have to affect condoms to speed up process. Put STG training to work. Paranoia of Aedon will be detriment but I can manage. Want to see child.

Why Aedon uncomfortable with questions don't know. Maybe religion? Maybe personality? Way he was raised most probable. Tali answers questions though; for betterment of race but still she answers. Good for data.

Looking at data now wasn't on the fertility or sex of the two. Tests from after Horizon. Been incubating for good assessment. Jack's testimony sparked reason for more tests. New biotic abilities created means affect of Virmire bomb and drainings more drastic than previous thought. Grave oversight, failure on my end; could harm Aedon.

Data… concerning. Must get Shepard. Already sent message, now waiting. Waiting. Pacing. Waiting. Pacing. Waiting. Pacing. Door opening, good he's here.

"You wanted to see me Mordin. Everything okay?"

"Yes… No. Yes. No… Concerning."

"Tell me."

"Aedon accumulating more eezo in blood and body. Increase increasing. Seems to be seeping into the whole of his body. Untold consequences, untold power. Adverse affects unknown, plus sides unknown."

"Mordin… Give it to me straight," Shepard commanded… breath deep. Slow it down, talk normal.

"The eezo he is creating in his body and abosbing from his drains is seeping into his whole body. From his vocal cords to his legs. Biotic anomaly he produced on Horizon is only the first. He will create more and will create new biotic abilities because of this… But's its also affecting his brain."

"Meaning?"

"Shepard… Aedon is slowly... no, he is a living biotic weapon; only a matter of time before he figures out how to harness it. With a mental state that could deteriorate," I emphasized 'could' as I don't know if it will but it might; still Aedon shown remarkable control. Shepard was silent for a few seconds looking around the room before he looked back to me.

"Any suggestions?"

"Protect Iris and Tali at all costs. Fear losing them could trigger a psychotic break in Aedon. Damage he could do… immense if power continues to increase as is."

"Fuck."

"Yes. Apt description," didn't tell him but conversed with EDI. Her scans will now pick up biotic anomalies for study. EXCITING!

POV: Unknown.

We were gather in our circle and our meeting was just about done but one more thing had to be discussed. The plan was already set and in motion as well as the facility. It had been up and running for years doing what we needed it to. For the betterment of our lives and the galaxy. Now it was time for what will be our crowning achievement.

"So, Aedon Wynne, otherwise known as the Torchbearer and Red Eyes. Are we all agreed to go through with the plan?" the head of our table asked us.

"Yes," was the chorus of answers given back to her.

"Good. Information has been fed to The Illusive Man that our Justicar wishes to join their group. When pick up happens we strike and take him. The power he posses will slingshot us to ruling the galaxy far after the Reapers are taken care of."

We all gave smiles and claps of what was to come. We've ruled this galaxy from the shadows for ages and will continue to rule them forever, we are inevitable. Still, as we clapped and smiled I couldn't help the small shiver that went down my back.

My companions never bothered to talk to the ones they deemed below them. So, of course they never talked to Aria T'Loak. I did though and of course I didn't tell her the plan but she figured it out quickly. Say what you will about her but she was smarter than they all thought her to be.

When she did figure it out she looked me dead in the eyes. No laughing, no remarks of condescension, no hautiness. She told me straight that if we did this and suceeded in it we would ultimately fail so horrifically that we would never recover. That we would unleash a beast so powerful in determination, strength, cleverness, ruthlessness, and WRATH that we would wish we never thought to go down this path.

That in going down this path that we would face Red Eyes the Marauder and Champion of Omega. And that he was something we couldn't hope to handle. That we would be better off just killing him if we sought this path.

I initially scoffed at her words completely confident in our plan and our people. Now though, as we clapped and smiled at the plan we agreed to go through with. I couldn't help the dread that filled me. I couldn't speak out for fear of loosing my seat on this council but a part of me agreed with Aria. We had just made the worst mistake of our lives.

Be ready my dudes. It's about to go down.

Otherwise, I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. Have a good weekend!