Dear John,
I'm just going to send this one to the same place as last time, since I don't know what rounds your ship makes.
Today, we're supposed to be going to Illium so I can begin my Pilgrimage. It feels as if just yesterday I had left my birth-ship and set out into the galaxy. Don't think I've forgotten about you, though, Private.
Just so you know, I'm still thinking of what I'm going to do when I find you. It may take days-it may take years-but we'll meet each other again. I promise.
I love you,
Tali
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Tali wandered about the Honorata. Things tend to get extremely slow when there's nothing to do, so she tried to feel invested in the engine room. She didn't know why, she just felt the most comfortable there. She spent her newfound free time either tinkering with the thrusters or writing letters, and loved every minute she did so. She was drawing up a way to increase the ship's fuel efficiency when Keenah's voice sounded over the intercom. "Attention, all personnel," he said, "before we get to Illium, we're making a small detour. Don't panic, we just need to check something out."
Even if her helmet blocked any actual view of her face, Tali was visibly upset. She had intended to go to Illium, get something done, possibly see Shepard again, and return to the Flotilla. Fairly simple goals, but they were her goals all the same. She marched up to the bridge, trying hard to shove people out of the way, but they really didn't seem to mind. By the time she got there, she had already run out of rage fuel. "Keenah," she said, "what's this detour about? We were supposed to be getting to Illium today."
"Terribly sorry, Tali," he apologized. "We'll be back on course right after we figure something out." He pulled up the galaxy map, zooming in on their destination. "We're picking up odd signatures from this planet in Attican Beta. Some of the crew thinks that it's geth, others think it's not. We're just going so we can put everyone's minds at ease."
"If it actually is geth?"
"We go down and get rid of them. Not only will there be fewer geth, but we also potentially get on good terms with several other races that call this system home. But, if it isn't geth, then we'll have to get out as quickly as possible, because then it's trespassing."
"So, we need to be sure before we get there."
"Right."
"…I'm coming too. Geth or not, something in my gut is telling me to go."
"I'm sure you have your reasons, Tali." He radioed the helm. "Plot a course: Attican Beta, Syided."
"Yessir."
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Dear John,
This is my second time writing this letter. We were supposed to be traveling to Illium today so I could start my Pilgrimage, but there's possible geth on a tiny, out-of-the-way planet. We're going to check it out, and then I'll be well on my way to actually getting something done.
Don't think I've forgotten about you, though, Private. I still can't believe you joined the Alliance, even after saying you wouldn't in a million years! I'm still thinking of what I'll do when I find you; but when I do, you won't forget it. Trust me.
Love,
Tali
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Note: Okay, this one was kind of short, but it's for a good reason. The next chapter will be significantly longer, I promise.