Chapter 49: My Suit and Me

Jack didn't know who was more tense on their way to the Migrant Fleet, Tali or Kal. Both Quarians had understandable reasons as to why they were worried about getting there. Tali was scared she was going to be exiled for her part in Legion's experiments. He personally felt like there had to be a better solution to the Geth problem other than complete eradication but, he could certainly see the temptation given the appearance of the Reapers. Even though breaking the consensus could have massive implications on the Quarian quality of life, the general public would only be worried about getting more food. If the Council caught wind of what the Admirals were doing behind their backs, negotiations could be terminated permanently. Rather than take the blame, the Admiral's could blame everything on Tali and remain in power.

Kal's fears were much more personal and family related. He was afraid Gerrel had orchestrated Tali's treason charges just so he could see his son again, either to convince him to come back and sleep with a woman, or get the chance to shame him again. Jack wasn't as concerned because of the Quarian law stating Quarian's on the fleet couldn't communicate with exiles. Han may have tried something if they were on the Citadel and other Quarians weren't around but, they were going to be on the fleet. Other Quarians would spot him making an attempt and could charge him with whatever law that communication violated. Kal's spirits were also down because Zero was still being sedated.. Chakwas didn't want to wake her too early, wanting the medi-gel to do as much as it could before she wanted to move around again.

He stroked Kal's gloved hand and smiled softly, "Any last minute tips for dealing with a Quarian trial?"

Kal squeezed his hand briefly, "I lost remember? Just...don't expect a warm welcome. I'm sure my father has painted you as the man that stole their chance at a better genetic structure. Plus, we're in a Cerberus ship so that's another reason most will hate you."

Jack chuckled quietly and kissed the glove, "I can handle a little hate.. But, I've always wondered why Gerrel didn't just take some of your sperm and spread it around artificially? He'd get his way and you'd still get to be happy."

Kal sighed watching Zero's better vital signs, "The artificial process would be too risky for infection from the equipment used. He'd rather I had a harem as proof of concept. That never happened so, he didn't get to continue his little experiment."

Garrus coughed from behind them and his voice sounded slightly robotic because of his helmet, "Do you think this will be enough for me to go onto the fleet with Tali, Kal?"

Jack turned his head to see Garrus was wearing his Archangel armor from head to toe. He also noticed it was a lot shinier then normal and it smelled like a large quantity of rubbing alcohol. Garrus must've scrubbed the armor for the past few hours trying to get it presentable for the fleet. Since Tali hadn't said anything to him about it, he assumed the Quarian ships had decontamination chambers to prevent germs from coming aboard the actual ship. However, he was sure Tali would appreciate the extra effort Garrus took to be with her. It seemed to becoming more and more likely that the two were going to be a couple sooner or later.

He could see Kal's nostril nubs almost entirely fold in on themselves under the helmet and he winced, "Keelah Garrus, how much rubbing alcohol did you use? They might toss you out for smelling like that if the airlock doesn't get rid of it. Just wear a helmet and you'll be fine. Though, I don't know if you'll be permitted in the trial, it depends on the nature of the charges."

Saren's voice came from a similar helmet filter behind Garrus, "I told you they would have the best decontamination equipment in the galaxy. Our armor will be enough."

Jack tilted his head in Saren's direction, "You want to come along as well? I don't think that's the best idea."

The helmet Saren was wearing hid any facial expression he might've been giving him, "If this is about Legion as the girl has theorized, I think it would be a good idea to bring me along. I technically knew him longer than the Normandy crew by a few years."

Garrus grumbled quietly, "It's Tali, not girl for future reference."

Jack stood up and added, "That might be true but, your the reason the rest of the Geth follow Sovereign now. I don't think Legion will be that trusting of either of us if you come along."

Saren stayed still with his arms folded, "I'm coming along if they allow it. No one will even know who I am in this armor anyways."

Jack wondered why Saren was so insistent on going when Joker commed in, "Commander, we've made it to the edge of the Perseus Veil and I have to say, it's really pretty. You'll want to get up here for our final approach to the Migrant Fleet."

Kal stood up with him, "Let's me show you what my home used to be..."

Jack raised an eyebrow surprised, "Shouldn't you stay down here?"

Kal sighed sounding uncomfortable, "Once we dock up yes but, each Quarian gets a password of sorts when they go out on their pilgrimage. It's a way for the fleet to know we aren't being dragged back to the fleet by one of our enemies. Even though I'm an exile, they'll want me to say it."

The lengths to which the Quarians went to protect themselves never failed to amaze him. On Earth, the Alliance usually just assumed a Human coming home meant no harm to them as a whole. Maybe it was a little foolish proven by the Luna attack, but it had worked for them. He hadn't thought about the fact that it would've been extremely simple for a pirate to capture a Quarian pilgrim and take them home with a deadly virus. The effects of which could be downright catastrophic to the Quarian population. While this primitive security system wouldn't stop pilgrims who actively wanted to harm the fleet, it would stop other bad actors trying to get access. He wondered how Miranda was able to get on the fleet before at all with this kind of system.

Jack went to the cockpit with the others in his palladium armor and gasped at the view. Kal had always been one of the best artists he had met but, his sketches couldn't possibly do the Perseus Veil justice. The clouds of the veil like nebula seemed to capture every color imaginable and reflect them off the clouds into space. As the ship got closer to the swirling clouds, Jack got his first real look at the full civilian Migrant Fleet. It had to consist of thousands of ships ranging from fighters to the size of the Everest. However, not all of them were fully functional and dozens of smaller ships towed the broken ones forward. He had to guess that with such limited living space, Quarians had to stay on ships even if they were breaking down as long as the life support worked. The ships were all structurally similar with an orb in the front and a tail trailing off the back. The military vessels he had seen on Torfan followed this general principle except the orbs had been transformed into donuts and lined with weaponry.

Tali was seemingly waiting for them before activating the comm, "This is Tali'Zorah vas Rayya requesting permission to dock with the Rayya."

A deep males voice he thankfully didn't recognize answered, "Our system has your shipped flagged as Cerberus, verify."

Tali's voice almost seemed like she was singing, "After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

The voice responded like he was having a boring day, "Exile, verify."

Tali began to whisper, "Kal, you don-"

Kal cut her off when he started to sing, "Sing me to sleep on the starry sea, and I'll dream through the night of my suit and me. I won't fear the heat of a desert breeze, or contaminants high in the jungle trees. Even in space I shall never freeze. Because I've got my suit, and my suit's got me. Oh, I love my mother who holds me tight, and I love my father who taught me right. Oh, I love my ship sailing strong through the night, and I love the homeworld for which we fight. But what do I love like a lock loves a key? What holds fast my heart, head, shoulders, and knees? I love my suit and my suit loves me. When I grow up I shall have a house in the sun, on my true homeworld, where the wild rivers run. I'll plant flowers in soil where now there are none, and there'll be plenty of room for everyone. But till I see Rannoch with my very own eyes, and kiss the sweet ground where my ancestors lie. We'll sleep safe as engines as forward we fly. My self and my suit. My suit and I."

Jack had to admit it was a beautiful lullaby but, he could tell Kal didn't enjoy it. For one thing, it was a lot longer than Tali's and he had to imagine Han'Gerrel didn't give him helpful ways to remember it. He pictured the Quarian Admiral punishing Kal severely for getting one syllable wrong or missing a word. Remembering your password was probably the most important thing for a Quarian pilgrim to do before leaving the fleet but, it was hard to believe Gerrel really helped him. The content was also pretty strange for Kal to have to remember compared to other Quarian kids. Kal was literally the only Quarian in the galaxy that tune didn't really apply to. He didn't need the suit at all now, so why was that his password?

The other Quarian droned on, "Permission granted. Welcome home, Tali'Zorah."

She folded her arms from the fact that he ignored Kal but moved on, "We'd like a security and quarantine team to meet us. Our ship is not clean."

A sigh came through the comm, "Understood, approach exterior docking cradle 17."

Joker whistled when the transmission ended, "If all fleet Quarians had as much energy as him, it's a phenomenon why you haven't taken your homeworld yesterday."

Tali ignored the joke and glanced at Kal, "Why is that your password Kal?"

Kal slowly started to retreat from the room towards the elevator, "My dad thought it was ironic for me to learn as he ripped off my childhood suit. Over and over again."

Tali paused looking at the floor, "You mean the hospital nurse who took it off because it was malfunctioning right?"

Kal tapped the elevator button and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, sure. Whatever helps you sleep better at night."

Jack was taken aback by the exchange knowing they were friends. Did she not believe him when he told her his father tortured him? Why would he lie about that at all? It wasn't as though Kal couldn't prove he had stronger immunities than the average Quarian. Hell, when she returned to the Normandy Kal was dealing with a crack in his helmet and was still walking around and fighting. How did Tali think he had gotten that better immune system? Maybe he was just too close to Kal but, it appeared to be pretty cut and dry. Tali most likely was in denial not wanting to think her leaders could do something like that to their own people. Especially when her father was one of those leaders and had to know what was going on.

Tali hit the airlock button and she sounded flustered, "You smell just awful CSEC, like really. I'm tempted to turn off my scent filters."

Garrus shifted awkwardly and looked at her, "Sorry I just wanted to go with you for support.. I didn't know I could just come over." He waited a few seconds before adding, "Maybe you should just call me Garrus while we're here. I doubt advertising I was CSEC would be a good idea on the fleet."

Tali laughed and shrugged, "What would you like me to call you instead? A plagerizer for stealing your vigilante name from a Human comic book?"

Garrus tapped the bottom of his helmet pretending to think about it, "Plagerizer isn't very nice. What about...handsome?"

Tali giggled for a good ten seconds, "Hahaha, hahaha! Never."

Jack let out his own laugh as they stepped forward towards the door to the Rayya, "Nice try though."

Saren grunted and pushed through the door, "Let's focus on the task at hand. Your starting to act like drunken children."

They entered the airlock in general silence and a white mist started spraying their armor, a different Quarian spoke to them, "Stand by shore party. Decontamination in progress."

It was another minute but, they eventually entered the Rayya and Jack took in the view. The walls were dark gray durasteel held together with patches of newer materials obviously scavenged. He wondered how much of the newer steel was provided by Quarians on their pilgrimages. Jack hadn't really realized how dependent the fleet was on pilgrims. It was despicable that the Council wasn't supplying them for something these people's grandparents were responsible for. He wanted to have the power to at least have the Alliance give them better ships but, Jack definitely didn't have that power.

A squad of heavily armed Quarian marines were waiting for them. They had a variety of different primary colors but, each suit had the same dull gray secondary color and the same suit seal pattern. Seeing them all made Jack realize Tali had indeed 'borrowed' a red version for Kal's personal use. He doubted that was the reason Tali was here but, it did show she cared about Kal. Another team of thinner Quarian scientists rushed by the three of them to start spraying the Normandy's section of the airlock with the same white foam. As long as Gerrel himself stayed away from the ship, Jack was happy to let a team aboard the ship to prevent an infection from spreading.

An orange suited marine drew his weapon in Jack's direction and was preparing to fire, "You kriffing sanark and fa-"

The marine's squad leader, a man in a blue suit, grabbed the others wrist and drew his weapon, "How dare you say that?! Go back to the barracks and wait for me to come back." He turned back to them, "Apologies, I am sergeant Senna'Olam vas Kalom, leader of alpha team. My associate is a bigot to put it bluntly. Captain Shepard, Tali'Zorah told me a lot about you. I wish we could be meeting under more pleasant circumstances."

Jack knew now Kal wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't going to be popular, "It's alright, not the first time someone's tried to kill me on sight. And I never actually reached the rank of Captain. Technically, I'm no longer in the Alliance military at all..."

Senna seemed to visibly relax, "Your the Commander of the Normandy, responsible for the lives aboard it. That entitles you to get the same amount of respect among our people." He put his hand on his heart, "May you stand between your crew and harm as you lead them through the empty quarters of the stars."

Tali mimicked his hand motion, "Keelah se'lai." She whispered, "It's an old ship-captain's blessing, Shepard."

Jack lowered his head politely, "Thank you sergeant, can you tell us any specifics about Tali's charges?"

Senna sighed looking at his feet, "They're charging you, my mother, and others with bringing active Geth onto the Fleet as part of a secret project."

Well, there was the answer they were looking for on Tali's charges. Even though the Admirals had known about and participated in the experiments on Legion, they were charging her for it. Maybe they should've kept Legion at another secure location, but Tali was only trying to help the fleet. If the experiments had succeeded, they would've been able to take Rannoch back and soon. Something must've gone public and Tali was a convenient scapegoat for the incident. It reminded him of something Udina would've done when under pressure. No matter what species you were, politics were politics.

Tali's eyes widened and she sounded stunned, "Act...Active Geth?! I would never!"

Jack put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "Let's deal with that later, Tali. What's our next step, sergeant?"

Senna fiddled with his hands uncomfortably, "Technically... I'm under orders to place Tali'Zorah under arrest pending the hearing. So, uhhh Tali... your confined to this ship until this trial is over."

Tali placed her hand on his to still them, "Thank you, sergeant."

Senna nodded and stiffened up, "Preparations got underway as soon as you arrived. You should speak with Admiral Raan. She's waiting for you up ahead."

Tali led them forward through a hall which seemingly functioned as a street for the Quarians. It wasn't really that much different than Omega really with each family living in identically sized cubicles. Whether only one person, or a family of four, each cubicle only consisted of one bed, one toilet, and one fridge. No wonder illnesses could spread so quickly in the population. The cubicles were only protected by a blanket serving as the front door. Jack couldn't help but glance at each individual blanket as they passed. Similar to Turian facepaint, Jack assumed each of the intricate designs represented that Quarian family. He wondered if the blankets had the same designs as the hoods for females.

A Quarian woman with an almost Middle Eastern accent called out to them from up ahead, "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, I am glad you came. I could delay them for only so long."

Tali threw her arms around the obviously older Quarian, "Auntie Raan! Jack'Shepard vas Normandy, this is Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay. She's a friend of my father's." She slowly let go of the hug, "Wait. Raan, you called me 'vas Normandy.'"

Shala sounded depressed and nodded, "I'm afraid I did, Tali. The Admiralty Board moved to have you tried under that name, given your departure from the Rayya."

Tali looked even more wilted from the crushing blow, "They stripped me of my ship name. That's as good as declaring me exiled already."

Garrus moved to her side and was probably glaring at the other woman, "You know how ridiculous this is right? Tali would never endanger anyone's life here."

Shala gave a very subtle tilt of the head and was seemingly ignoring Jack, "It's not over yet, Tali. You have friends who still know you as Tali'Zorah vas Rayya... whatever we must call you legally."

Jack was looking right at her, "Will you be a part of the trial then? It'll help to have a few people on our side."

Something was off in the way Shala avoided direct eye contact with him, it was almost like she was scared of him, "I'm afraid not. My history with Tali and her father forced me to recuse myself."

Tali took a slow breath, "I imagine Father had to do the same."

She seemed more comfortable talking with Tali but, curiously rather evasive, "You'll see inside, Tali. For my part, I moderate and ensure that the rules of protocol are followed, but I have no vote in the judgment."

Jack folded his arms wishing he could get a read on her, "So what happens now? Does Tali need to meet with some sort of attorney before the trial starts?"

Shala seemed amused now, "Indeed she does... Captain Shepard. She is part of your crew, now, recognized by Quarian law. And remember, an accused is always represented by his or her ship's captain."

Jack looked over towards Tali, "I only know one Quarian law but, I'd be honored to represent you if you'd have me Tali."

Tali seemingly let out a breath, "Thank you, Shepard. I could not ask for a better counselor."

Shala put her hands behind her back, "It's settled then. The three of you can have this cubicle for twenty minutes to prepare. I will retrieve you all when the time is up. I have something to attend to first."

Jack watched her go in the direction they had come from for a moment. He still wondered what her problem with him was but, coming up with a defense for Tali was more important.