Chapter.12
Unexpected Arrival.
"Permission to dock with the Vorsen granted, proceed to docking cradle 4." The Quarian's voice clicked off the mike and the only thing left to hear was the faint hum of the millions of ships traveling in the Flotilla.
Tali glanced over at Shepard. "So what exactly are you going to tell them?" She sounded worried and for good reason, if the fleet knew that the illusive was the one that sent Shepard they wouldn't let him speak to Gillian.
Shepard looked up from the console he had been reading that was filled with small green dots showing all the nearby ships as they closely passed by. "I'm not going to mention Cerberus…not that it really matters after all we decided not to give her to them. All we want to do is talk to her nothing more. "
"Let's hope they believe you." Sighed Tali, relieved to know that Shepard had a plain.
Joker kept typing in the coordinates making sure the Normandy docked properly and said without looking up from his station. "I don't see why they would turn us down; after all we did save one of their ships."
Shepard was about to tell him about Tali's trail and how he had spoke down to them, but the sound of the Normandy attaching to the Vorsen cut him off.
He turned around towards the airlock and secured his helmet, making sure the seals were properly working. "Come on, they'll be eager to know why we're here. "Said Shepard as Tali and Garrus turned to follow him.
The airlock on the Vorsen covered the small team in a sterilization spray that removed all foreign contamination. Once it was completed the doors parted and reveled a small room occupied by about eight Quarians. The Quarians appeared nervous and uncomfortable about the group of intimidating strangers, despite their concerns none of the Quarians had drawn there assault rifles which remained stored on their backs folded up.
The room was a long rectangular structure with numerous doors on one side that appeared to be more airlocks. The room itself was a light brown rust color and had crates scattered about it in a disorganized fashion.
The Shepard stepped out of the airlock and was greeted by a small Quarian who held up a hand signaling him to stop.
Shepard complied and stopped beside another pile of crates and boxes that all appeared to be welded shut. Garrus stayed behind Shepard as Tali stepped forward to meet with the Quarian.
"We need to speak with the captain." Said Tali in a demanding voice.
The same Quarian that had signaled Shepard to stop replied back in a smug voice. "The Admiral already wanted to see you, were suppose to escort you to the bridge immediately."
Shepard stepped forward and asked. "What Admiral?"
The small Quarian replied back proudly. "Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib."
Shepard glanced back at Tali and laughed behind his helmet. The group of Quarian's looked confused after hearing Shepard laugh, but before they could inquire what was so funny Shepard started walking toward them and spoke still smiling beneath his helmet. "Well let's get this over with."
The group of Quarian's eager to be away from this strange group turned around and lead Shepard and his team toward a large door at the end of the room.
The small Quarian that acted as the leader typed some numbers into a console next to the door. After he was finished he took a step away from the console and stood in front of the door, after a few seconds were Shepard thought the door was stuck it slowly creaked open.
Behind the door was a wide room filled with small cubicles occupying every bit of available space. Each cubicle was very small and made of a thin metallic material that was covered in various pieces of colorful cloth. Quarians were moving in and out of the corridors conversing with one another as they passed by; a few Quarians were rummaging through a series of large bins that were filled with strange looking parts and objects.
It took Shepard's eyes a minute to adjust to the room's bright lights overhead, he glanced up at them and noticed that the ceiling was much closer than he had assumed.
The group began walking through narrow corridors between the cubicles. Most of the Quarians looked at them curiously, but were quick to continue their previous duty.
Shepard glanced into a few of the cubicles and saw Quarians sitting on the floor performing various tasks. Some cubicles he passed by were empty and others were occupied by as many as four Quarians in the small space. All of them were either looking at data pads, doing something with a small stove, or were laying on their beds trying to sleep.
The group passed by numerous rows of cubicles, all of them organized into fairly straight lines.
Shepard glanced over at Tali who was looking around the room as if expecting someone.
"Tali, Everything alright?" Asked Shepard.
Tali breathed in and looked back over at Shepard. "It's nothing, just….always hard to come back home." Tali's voice was drenched in sorrow and she yearned to help her people.
Shepard reached out and gently gripped her shoulder; he looked in her eyes and nodded his head. No words were spoken but each of them knew what the other meant.
Shepard let go of her shoulder and they continued their way to the bridge.
They eventually made it to a large door guarded by two Quarians, who leaned against the nearby wall causally. One of the two guards typed a few button on a nearby console and the door opened up for the small group.
The bridge itself was a small square room with one wall made into a large window that surveyed numerous ships in the fleet. There were a few Quarians at their duty stations, rapidly typing into various consoles and terminals that filled the room.
A tall Quarian in a pink suit that Shepard assumed was Zaal'Koris turned around and addressed the Quarian that had lead them here. After a few seconds the escort group turned and left the room, leaving Shepard and his team behind.
The tall Quarian walked over and nodded his head. "Shepard, this is an unexpected surprise."
Shepard knew from the voice that is was Zaal'Koris. Shepard crossed his arms and shifted his weight. "Well I have to say I didn't think they would send me to your ship." Shepard spoke harshly.
Zaal'Koris chuckled lightly and replied."Well that makes two of us, but I hope our past engagement doesn't cause too much tension between us…I was only doing my job."
Shepar dropped his arms to his sides and spoke back this time with less hostility."Well your job wasn't to involve politics were they weren't needed, but I didn't come here to argue semantics. I need to speak with someone in the fleet."
Tali sighed in relief that Shepard had avoided insulting the Admiral.
"Anyone in particular, are should I guess?" Zaal'Koris tried to sound imposing, but his attempt failed.
Shepard breathed in slightly."Gillian Grayson."
Zaal'Koris turned around and looked out the window overlooking the fleet."That might be a problem…for multiple reasons."
"What do mean?" Shepard asked.
Zaal'Koris turned back around and faced the group. "Well she isn't here. Her and the rest of the Idenna are gone. They left on an expedition some time ago and are not scheduled to return for a few more months."
Shepard sighed with disappointment. "Is there any way we can contact them?"
"We could send a message asking them to return, however I would have to speak with the rest of the Admiralty board to do so…and I am reluctant to do that." Zaal'Koris said with a hint of amusement.
Shepard grew frustrated and snapped back at the Admiral. "It wouldn't be beneficial to your overall health if they refused."
Zaal'Koris took a step back, and the rest of the Quarians at their duty stations glanced up nervously. "Don't insult me on my own ship Shepard. I will ask them to speak with you and decide for themselves what the best course of action is."
"And how long should this take?" Questioned Shepard.
"The Admiralty board is rather fond of you Shepard, they should be eager to hear from you. I will send a message telling them the case and they will in time decide when to meet." Zaal'Koris replied.
"What should we do in the meantime?"
"I would appreciate you to stay on board your ship while the Admiralty board decides what to do; I will have a message sent to you when they have replied." Zaal'Koris pushed a button on a nearby console that caused the door behind them to open up."I trust you can find your way back to your ship?" Zaal'Koris said in an almost insulting manner.
Shepard had clinched his fists and was about to say something, but Tali stepped in front of him and spoke quickly. "Yes, we appreciate your help Admiral."
Zaal'Koris nodded his head in an approving manner toward Tali and started typing something into the console.
Shepard released his fist and reluctantly left the room. Once Shepard and his team were out of hearing range of the guards Shepard stopped.
"You know more about the Admiralty board then any of us, any idea what will happen?" asked Shepard as he turned to Tali.
Tali looked up at Shepard and replied. "Well if Koris was telling the truth about the Admiralty board being fond you then we have nothing to worry about, he'll be too worried about his position not to support you."
Shepard sighed, relieved to know that this might work after all. "Well that's the best news I've heard all day, what should we do now?"
Tali glanced behind Shepard in the direction of the small, compacted village. "There's not much we can do, besides wait for a reply." Tali said sounding somewhat depressed.
Shepard sensed that there was something wrong and asked her softly. "Is there anything you want to do while were here? It's not every day we visit the Flotilla."
Tali appeared nervous and looked down the ground as she replied."Well…There is someone I'd like you to meet."
Shepard grinned behind his helmet at her embarrassment, and tenderly replied. "That's fine Tali, who do you want me to meet?"
Tali looked up at Shepard and rubbed her hands apprehensively."Just a friend, I told her that we were coming and she wanted to know what ship we were on so she could meet you."
Garrus who had been standing off to the side tried to cover a laugh but failed miserably. Shepard looked up startled and quickly replied."Garrus…You uhh, can you get back to the ship alone?"
Garrus nodded his head and answered in an amused tone as he walked past the couple. "Yea, I think I can manage that."
Shepard looked back at Tali who had her head cocked to one side still looking up at Shepard.
Shepard smiled and said cheerfully "Do you try to be so cute, our does it come naturally?"
Tali giggled softly beneath her helmet, and took a step towards him. "I can do either one for you commander."