Chapter 2
"After drifts amongst open stars, through skies amidst open shores, I will return from where I came," Tali recited as the Normandy closed in to the Flotilla to make port on the Rayya. Once the former Cerberus frigate docked Shepard came out into the Rayya wearing his blood dragon armour with Tali dragging Kasumi along close behind him.
"Remind me Tali, why did I have to come along again?" Kasumi asked compliantly.
"It'll just be easier if you're here with me Kasumi. You give me confidence when dealing with people and after what happened with my father I need you more than ever," Tali replied innocently.
"You should probably be directing this to Shep. Besides, aren't you worried about me stealing something from your home?" Kasumi asked trying to sound as malicious as she possibly could.
"If you were going to you'd be smart enough to not say so to avoid suspicion," Tali rebutted wittedly.
"Oh I've taught you well my young shinobi," Kasumi giggled.
The trio made their way through the Rayya until they arrived in the main plaza where they saw Raan talking to the other Admirals who she then excused herself from when she saw Tali and her comrades arrive.
"Tali," Raan began relieved, "I'm glad you've come so quickly.
"We came by as quickly as soon as Tali got the message. What's going on?" Shepard asked suspicious. He still hadn't forgotten how the fleet screwed Tali over the way they did when she was put on trial.
"Yes Shepard, and I'm glad you're here. It is your organization giving the fleet grief right now. What Tali is doing with you is beyond me," Raan exclaimed angrily.
"Now wait a minute you bosh-"
"Please," Tali requested while stepping in between them to try to calm them down, "Now's not the time for fighting. Besides Aunt," Tali coughed several times and Shepard patted her back a few times before she was able to talk again, "we've left Cerberus now that the Collectors are gone."
"I see, forgive me Shepard," Raan apologized.
"We all get a little on edge Admiral. Just tell us what Cerberus is doing." Tali knew not many other people would tolerate Raan's outburst like that. That was one thing about Shepard Tali was always fascinated about: Shepard always seemed to understand people in ways no one else did.
"Of course. Cerberus has been infiltrating the Fleet somehow. They keep stealing our element zero."
"What?!" Tali asked surprised. She was stunned by how Cerberus was just able to steal the fleet's eazoo so easily .
"This is bad. The Migrant Fleet survives on its eazoo," Kasumi stated bluntly.
"Exactly. Cerberus is clever but they aren't perfect. Some of our marines were able follow one of the ships they use and they tracked it down to Elohi, in the Micah system. If you could go in, kill any Cerberus forces there and recover what element zero you can the fleet would be very grateful," Raan explained.
"Shepard please," Tali pleaded, "this is my home." Shepard stared into her visor so intensely that all time around him seemed to just pause altogether. He was Commander Shepard, former gang leader, the Hero of Elysium, N7 Alliance Adept, the First Human Spectre, Savior of the Citadel and had just recently saved humanity by destroying the Collectors. He knew no fear and no weakness… except for one cute Quarian who was able to melt his heart just by acting sweetly.
"Any chance we get to hurt Cerberus is a good chance to do so if they're going to be hurting us when the reapers come," Shepard declared.
"How did I know you would agree to this Shep?" Kasumi asked humorously, sarcastically and rhetorically.
"Thank you Shepard," Tali thanked sincerely despite her cough getting in the way, "I knew you could be trusted." Shepard noticed Tali's purr near the end of her sentence which made his heart skip a beat.
"You have my thanks Commander," Raan thanked gratefully, "but before you go, there is someone I would like to send with you. I believe you have met him before." Shepard, Tali and Kasumi turned their head to find a male quarian covered in a red enviro-suit approach the group with an avenger assault rifle and a rocket launcher strapped to his back. The three of them knew who it was. It was Kal'Reegar.
"Good to see you again Commander. You too Ma'am."