Tali'Zorah vas Neema

"Open log, official. Authorization: Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema, current head of Marine Operations. Joining me is Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay and Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib'Qwib," Han'Gerrel said in a rather bored tone.

"For the record, this debrief is being held due to the loss of personnel on the human colony known as Freedom's Progress. This will be the final interview.

Now, also for the record, please state your name and rank," Han looked up from the datapad he held for the first time since he entered the room.

"Yes, sir," Tali nodded as she stared straight ahead. "First Lieutenant Tali'Zorah vas Neema gar Rayya. Migrant Fleet Engineer. Currently assigned to Migrant Fleet Marines as operations specialist."

"Thank you," Han'Gerrel nodded before staring at her for a moment. "Why are you standing like that?"

Blinking, Tali looked down at herself. She was standing stiffly, at attention with her hands clasped firmly behind her back. "Um….Habit I suppose, sir," Tali said quietly as she cleared her throat. "I picked it up on the Normandy."

"Tali, that was over two years ago," Zaal'Koris scoffed tilting his head to one side. "I don't recall you doing this before, either."

"When I returned to the Fleet after the...incident," Tali managed to say calmly. Her mind, however was lost in a cloud that was difficult to work through. Ever since she had met him again…."When I returned it was something I did at times, and it took me a bit to unlearn it. I suppose after this mission my mind sort of, stepped back."

"Hmm...yes," Zaal'Koris said, his voice dripping sarcasm. "We'll get to that shortly."

Narrowing her eyes, Tali took a half step forward as she opened her mouth to speak. Luckily, the words she had intended to say died on her lips as Shala'Raan stepped into the conversation

"Tali, for the record this is a formal inquiry," Shala said, giving Zaal'Koris a glare. It gave Tali a bit of satisfaction to see the male lean back. "We have already spoken to the surviving members of the team dispatched to Freedom's Progress. We have also read your reports. There is no question as to your conduct on the mission. You were able to secure your objective, despite the incompetence of the marine squad leader." The last had been directed at Han'Gerrel, along with a similar glare to the one she had given Zaal'Koris.

"Yes, well," Han'Gerrel nodded, clearing his throat. "I have already taken responsibility for the lapse in my judgment and have made a formal note in my personal file. You, Tali, are in no way accountable for the incident. In fact, you are being given a commendation for saving the number of people you managed to save. You and Xera'Raan both."

"But, sir," Tali shook her head, unable to accept their words. "I am the one who failed. I should have been able to convince them to stand down. It was my inexperience that…."

"That will be quite enough of that," Zaal'Koris cut in. "You will accept the comendation, because you deserve it. I stand with Shala'Raan on this subject. That, however, is not the part we are here to discuss."

"I..what?" Tali blinked again, looking between the Admirals.

"It was noted, by your reports, the testimony of the other team members as well as the HUD footage from the suits of several people involved, that you encountered Cerberus agents on the colony," Han'Gerrel began, placing hinds clasped hands on the stand before him. "What you failed to disclose is the conversation you had between the one claiming to be your former Captain, Commander John Shepard."

"He wasn't claiming anything!" Tali exclaimed. How dare they question Shepard! Not when he had sacrificed so much! "It was Commander Shepard. I know it!"

"Yes," Zaal'Koris shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the strength of Tali's outburst. "We were informed of the... code phrase, that he used."

"I..yes," Tali said, stepping back. "Yes, he knew the code phrase only a member of the Normandy's ground team would know. And none of us would have leaked it."

The Admirals gave each other a short glance as they seemed to think over Tali's words. Had she been too forceful? She wasn't sure why she had snapped the way she had. It was probably her worry over Xera's injuries. Yes...that had to be it…

"Tali, if you could inform us of your conversation, we can move on to other aspects of the incident," Shala'Raan said, her voice was quiet and soothing. She was clearly trying to help.

Even if I am being an iaysaz, Tali's mind shot at herself.

"Yes," Tali nodded as she gathered her thoughts. "I questioned his whereabout for the time he had been reported deceased by the Alliance and Council. I also asked why it was that he was with Cerberus operatives."

The three Admirals nodded their understand as they made notes on their respective terminals be for Han'Gerrel looked up at Tali. "And what were his answers?"

"Commander Shepard informed me that he had been in a medical coma for the missing time as his injuries were repaired. These injuries were extensive and the repair involved some significant cybernetic replacements. But," Tali held up her hand. She was prepared for this part of the debriefing. She and Xera had gone over it several times on their way back to the Fleet.

"But, Commander Shepard was not being controlled by Cerberus. He took the risk of allowing me to give him a body scan. Both myself and Xera'Raan. We were able to confirm his identity via genetic marker as well as being sure that he had no control chips implanted in him," Tali continued, her body naturally drifting back to the Alliance parade rest as her hands clasped behind her waist once more.

"Right," Zaal'Koris grunted, disdain clear in his voice. "And what, exactly, were his excuses for being with Cerberus?"

Tali's head turned to stare sharply at the Admiral. It was all she could do, not to snarl. Not to yell at the fool, for doubting Shepard's word. Not to assault the bastard….

"I assume it has to do with the Collector's?" Shala'Raan cut in, pulling Tali's attention away from the det kazuat. "We have looked over the footage Veetor had recovered."

"Yes, Admiral," Tali nodded, sparing Zaal'Koris one last glare. "Shepard informed me that human colonies had been going dark while in the Terminus. Both the Alliance and Citadel Council refused to investigate. Shepard then stated that he was taking the Cerberus resources to look into the matter."

"So…" Zaal'Koris leaned over his podium, his eyes growing narrow. "Commander Shepard has been bought by Cerberus?"

Now, Tali did snarl. "Don't you dare accuse Shepard of being a terrorist! He has treated me with more respect that I have received anywhere else, even here in the Fleet! He sacrificed more than any single being should be asked to give! When my Captain tells be that he is taking Cerberus's resources, then that is all he is doing. He has the authority to seize assets as a Council Spectre, and use them as he sees fit!"

Zaal'Koris's eyes shot open wide as he stepped back. It was clear that he had not expected quite that reaction when he had pushed Tali.

"Tali!" Shala'Raan barked out. "You will step back!"

Gasping, Tali stepped back. What had she been about to do?! She had wanted to attack the Admiral. She wanted to take the man and shake him. Maybe smash his visor with her...No! There it went again! She must have been running a fever.

"Please, excuse me," Tali muttered, placing a hand over her own helmet. "I seem to be a bit feverish. I should probably go to medical."

"Well...yes…"Zaal'Koris said, clearing his throat. "Quite understandable. It was a stressful mission."

"Now then," Shala'Raan cut in. "In light of Tali's fever, I do believe we have all the information we need?"

"We do," Han'Gerel nodded, marking another note on his podium terminal. "Close log. Record, and backup."

As the Admirals began to leave, Tali stood, her head bowed, her hand still covering her visor. She couldn't understand what was going on.

Her mind rolled constantly. She was having a hard time focusing on tasks for very long. Her thoughts kept...drifting to Shepard…

Keelah, girl, she thought. It's like you are a child on her Pilgrimage again.

"Oh, Tali," Han'Gerel's voice brought her back to reality as she looked up to the man. "I was informed a short time ago that Xera'Raan is out of surgical and she should be fine. You should go and see her. Maybe you two could have a long talk."

"Yes, Admiral...thank you," Tali said quietly.

Then with a slight nod, the male left the room, leaving Tali alone.

Fool girl….

Xera'Raan vas Neema

Groaning quietly, Xera adjusted herself slightly higher on her bed. She fucking hurt, and now, even the drugs weren't helping. Nor was the fever…

Taking a deep sniff, Xera attempted to clear her nasal passages, futility, she knew. Then she just sighed and picked up her datapad again.

Xera was trying to distract herself with the data Shepard had given Tali. Data that was absurdly amazing. Data that would normally make her dead to the galaxy, if not for the pain. And the congestion.

"What in the…" Xera muttered to herself as she set the datapad back down and opened her omnitool so that she could access the extranet.

Unfortunately, the access link was incredibly slow.

So. Very. Slow.

"Ancestors….why do you all hate me…." Xera groaned again as she let her head drop back onto the pillow behind her.

The Fleet was probably out of position to get a solid signal from the comm buoys. And this was on top of preparing for a long system jump, so everybody and their mother were probably trying to get their hands on as much data as possible. Vids, music, gossip. Some people, like Xera, might even be looking for actual, legitimate, science and medical data.

Finding the data she needed, Xera just set it to download. The system was slow enough that she didn't bother trying to read it. The buffering, combined with the pain, fever and medications made her to irritable. Or pissy, according to the file Shepard had given her.

"Fuck," the little quarian giggled to herself. It was still her favorite word of all time….

Tali

When she had finally gathered enough courage to go to the medical wing of the Rayya, Tali found herself hesitating again.

She had taken a shuttle from the Neema, which had been it's own mini adventure. Pulling a favor as an Admiral's daughter was not her favorite thing, but sometimes it was awfully useful.

As she had moved through the corridors of the Rayya itself, Tali had heard conversations stop as she approached, and after her passing, snippets about how she had served with humans. How she and Shepard had stopped Saren. Even about how a foolish male had nearly gotten the entire team killed, but it was Tali who saved the day.

And she hated that. She hated that she had become some sort of icon to her people. It hadn't really helped how the galaxy saw or treated quarians. It hadn't made the missions she went on somehow easier. If anything, the fawning and autograph requests were becoming an issue.

Not as bad as the pairing requests, Tali thought, angrily. Males constantly sent requests to the observation lounges. Or to work in the ship together. They would say about how charming she was, or that they could pull her onto a mating path with their wit alone.

"Fuck," a quiet muffled voice cursed from behind one of the bubble curtain hides.

It actually took Tali a second to realize that she had reached the medical bay. She hadn't even noticed passing through the airlock. It was just another normal thing aboard a quarian ship. She probably would never have realized how odd it was without serving on the Normandy.

"Are you alright?" Tali burst out, once her thoughts had caught up with her mouth.

"Keelah, you bitch!" Xera cursed. "You could have given me some kind of fucking warning, Tali!"

She was angry. Not that Tali could blame her. After all, it was her fault that her best friend was in this situation.

"Oh...sorry," Tali said quietly, her head dropping as her hands began to twist around each other at her waist. "I was about to signal you, but then I heard you cursing, so I thought maybe something was wrong. Are you covered? Can I come in?"

"I'm in a bubble, Tali," Xera growled. "I'm not in my suit. You're as close to me as a sister can get, blood or not. You can look on my face, as it pleases you."

Tali paused, a bit shocked. Xera often said how close she felt was with Tali. She was the first one to proclaim the other as a best friend. She had gone out of her way to help Tali when she had first returned to the Fleet after the attack. And now she was casually proclaiming them sisters.

It was not something a quarian did lightly. Even on heavy painkillers.

"I...Thank you, Xera," Tali said quietly. "That means a lot to me. I was afraid you would blame me for...you know…"

"Bosh'tet," Xera sighed, clearly impatient. "Get your ass in here before I come out there. Just...if I'm ugly, don't tell me."

And then the tension was gone. It was something Xera was extremely good at, even if she didn't realize it.

Opening the off white curtain slightly, Tali slipped her body into the small space around the isolation bubble Xera was in. It was very similar to the ones quarians put their children into, but, of course, not mobile.

Being careful to fully close the curtain and attach it back to the wall, Tali slowly turned to face Xera. And for the first time she saw her friend.

A lot of races took seeing faces for granted. They could be casual about that person's eyes, or that male's nose. Humans, especially had such expressive faces! But for a quarian, seeing the true, uncovered face of another of their people was one of the greatest signs of trust that could exist. Second only to sharing a suit environment.

Xera, however, lay on the medical bed, simply watching Tali. She made no moves to cover herself. No attempts to hide her face, or turn away in embarrassment. She didn't even blush.

Or, at least, Tali didn't think she blushed. She honestly had no idea what another quarian looked like blushing.

That's a very odd thing to think about right now, Usl'sa yze tabb, Tali berated herself.

She was mentally babbling to herself. She knew it. But that didn't really stop Tali from doing it. It was just a bit difficult to process the situation.

Xera was just so...beautiful. She looked just like those quarians in the old vids, from before the Exile. Her skin was the same light mauve color. Her eyes had the same pale white glow, the cross shaped pupils shifted to the light as she watched Tali. Her features were just as smooth and shapely.

Even Xera's hair was the same black as the void. Each strand was deep and dark, absorbing light, not reflective at all, not how human hair could be shiny, even when black. The strands themselves were thicker than on humans, each one slightly smaller than a sixteenth of an inch in diameter.

Xera's hair, like all quarians, Tali included, was cut very short. Almost like how Shepard wore his. A 'buzz cut' he called it.

"Xera," Tali breathed after a moment. "You are certainly not ugly…"

Sitting for a slightly uncomfortable amount of time, Xera blinked up at Tali before looking away in evident embarrassment.

This time Xera's blush was obvious.

"Well…" Xera muttered. "What did you, um, come down here for, anyway?"

"Oh!" Tali jumped slightly and shook her head. "Sorry...I was, you know, worried about you after what..happened…"

Xera

"Seriously?" Xera sighed turning back to her friend. "Or are you seeking to soothe your conscious? Maybe because you are blaming yourself?"

Tali's head dropped as her hands began twisting at her waist. Yup… Xera rolled her eyes.

"Look, Tali, it isn't your fault," Xera said quietly as she grabbed Tali's hands in her new right hand. "If it's anybody's fault, it would be that suit wetter, Praza's. Not yours."

Tali went stiff as she stared at the metal cybernetic limb that held her hands. Then slowly, her eyes followed it up the shoulder and where it's connection sat, red inflamed skin around the metallic grafts that secured the arm to Xera's torso.

After a moment Xera leaned back and looked down at the hand herself and flexed the fingers a couple of times.

"How is it," Tali asked in a small voice.

"Heh," Xera snorted with a small smirk. "Well, it's kinda amazing really. I can't feel anything right now. I mean, I won't have the same sense of touch, of course. But the shoulder and stuff where it's all connected is still numbed. Makes it difficult to move the hand and arm. I have to watch it and concentrate."

"I..I don't know how cybernetics works really...will you be able to..you know…?" Tali babbled, still staring at the arm.

Xera let out a long suffering sigh as she dropped her arm to the bed. "Fine. I'll go over this once, got it?"

Startled, Tali looked up to meet Xera's eyes for the first time since she had arrived.

Inwardly, Xera winced. It had taken some time, and a lot of work to build Tali back up into a strong woman. Had her self confidence really been that fragile?

"Sorry," Xera said quietly. "I am just tired and grumpy. Extranet is taking forever to download the info I need, and everything aches. I know you aren't a medical genius like myself."

Tali giggled quietly as she nodded. "I understand Xera. You're the weirdo that likes poking at people's innards."

"Bosh'tet," Xera grinned before settling in. "I'll give you the quick and dirty version, alright?"

"Sure," Tali nodded with a smile.

"So, as I said on the planet, I lost the arm just below the shoulder. Normally this would have been the end of my term with the Marines and probably would have regulated me to an assisting position in medical, or something.

"However, it seems my record and circumstances caught the attention of the Admiralty board and they decided to do a full replacement."

"Wow," Tali tilted her head slightly. "Shala doesn't normally use her position like that."

"It wasn't Shala," Xera frowned slightly. "Don't interrupt."

"Sorry," Tali hung her head.

"Don't be sorry," Xera grunted. "Be quite."

"So-," Tali cut herself short with the dark stare Xera gave her.

"It was Dero'Xen and Rael'Zorah, actually," Xera shrugged her original shoulder. "The arm is probably an experiment of some sort."

"Now...getting back to it. They decided to do a full replacement. So, they removed the entire arm stub and shoulder joint. My upper skeleton has been reinforced and the muscles modified to handle the cybernetic implant.

"I'm told I will be a bit stronger than before, which is kinda neat. And I will get a chunk of the feeling back. Not like a normal flesh and blood arm, of course, but spacial awareness, pressure, that kind of thing.

So, a week or so of medical treatments to fully close the wound and handle the nerve connections, then probably another week of training and I will be fit for basic field duty."

Waiting for a moment, Tali nodded, "That soon? Shouldn't recovery take longer than that? I mean, with your specialty…"

"Meh," Xera waved idly with her metal hand. "I'll have the control to do field medic work. I'll have to be backup medic though, which is no big deal to me. Probably not going to be doing surgery anytime soon though."

"Xera," Tali began, a hand sliding over her visor in exasperation. "I really don't get you sometimes. You are a talented doctor, like you said, but you bullied your way onto marine field teams. Now that you have lost an arm, you're still trying to stay on away teams."

"Well," Xera said quietly. "I have somebody I really care about. And I want to be part of their team."

"Xera!" Tali looked up suddenly, bouncing slightly on her toes. "Have you started the Path?"

Pausing slightly, Xera blushed again and looked down. "I...I think so, yes," she said uncomfortably. "They don't know though. I doubt they will ever notice."

"Oh, Xera," Tali laughed quietly, resting a hand on Xera's leg. "Don't you worry. Anybody would be happy to have you interested in them! Tell me though…." the nosey quarian leaned in close. "Is it Kal'Reegar?"

Quarian Lexicon

Iaysaz: Small horned predatory lizard, native of Rannoch. If hungry they will eat their own young.

Det kazuat: Term of curse, considered especially crude. Literal Translation: Living sack of excrement. The Otquer, a large predatory lizard, will pass its meal neatly wrapped in a membranous tissue. Inside the sack, the enzymes used to break down the meat of the prey while still in the lizard continue to act as a stimulant keeping the indigestible brain synapses of its last meal still working until the sun dries the sack out.

Usl'sa yze tabb: Term of insult. Literal translation: Slow children of an inbred family.