Chapter 7: Journey into the Veil part. 1

"This is the SSV Normandy SR2 to any ships in the area." Joker called hoping to hear from some one. "This is hopeless." Joker groaned. The Normandy had been patrolling the Perseus Veil for a week with out any signal from the quarians or geth.

"Patience Jeff." E.D.I responded.

"Well maybe you're fine with going into one of the most dangerous areas of the Galaxy but..." He was interrupted by the chiming of the ships monitor.

"I'm getting a distress signal from a nearby debris field."

They flew to the source of the signal. It was in the systems asteroid belt, the remains of a battle they missed. "E.D.I run a scan."

"Processing... I'm not picking up any life signs Jeff. But this debris is fairly recent."

"Again?" They've seen wreckage like this before. The sight of a battle that happened before they entered the system. Most of wreckage they came across was of geth ships, but quarian vessels littered the asteroid field. "What happened here?"

"Where are the Live ships?"

"I'm picking something up on the long range scans!" E.D.I announced. "The silhouette is geth!"

"Jeff the geth have opened fire!"

"Oh shit!"

Joker flew the Normandy deeper into the asteroid field avoiding fire from the incoming geth ships. Explosions from geth disruptor torpedoes rocked the ship. "Danm it! E.D.I how many ships are on us?"

"Six ships are in pursuit."

With the geth still on their tail, Joker continued through the asteroidfield. The geth had more trouble maneuvering in the debris, some even crashed training to chase the Normandy. The Normandy wasn't unaffected either. Joker could fly passed the bigger asteroids easily, but the smaller ones were unavoidable and dropped the ships shields down even further.

"Shields at 53% and falling!"

Joker wasn't worried. This was his ship, she knew how she moved and every sound she made. He destroyed the collector ship that destroyed the original Normandy and was at the head of the fleet during the Battle of the Citadel. His ship would not lay down with out a fight.

The Normandy ascended through the asteroid field, the geth following closely behind. "Shields at 30%" He ignored E.D.I . Joker banked the ship left. The geth ships speeding passed the Normandy. With the geth at the Normandy's bow Joker activates the main gun. The thanix obliterates half of the ships in one shot.

"More ships coming over head!" E.D.I announced.

"Ah hell more geth?" Joker looked out of the window, the geth were retreating, disruptor torpedoes rained down over them. The remaining ships were destroyed, But by who?

"The ship responsible seems to be of quarian make."

"So they really are this deep in the veil." Joker said relieved to have survived this latest battle. "Well at least we aren't chasing ghosts."

"They're trying to open a com link."

Joker pressed a button on his monitor. "Patching them through."

This is Admiral Daro Xen of the Moreh requesting communication with SSV Normandy SR2.

"Message received Moreh." Joker answered. "What do you need Admiral?"

Well you can start by docking with the ship. The Admirals voice was strong and authoritative. "You are in an active war zone and trespassing in a quarian controlled system."

"Quarian controlled?" Joker a surprised said aloud. "Normandy docking with the Moreh."

Moreh, Bridge:

Shepard made his way through the massive ship. The Moreh was every bit as big as the Ascension back at the Citadel, maybe even a little bigger. A quarian woman he recognized as Admiral Daro Xen vas Moreh stood on the bridge, facing a massive window; watching the vast expanse of space. Shepard caught up and stood next to the Admiral. "I'm glad you could make it Shepard." She greeted.

"You are about to witness the rebirth of the quarian people!" She proclaimed, her arms outstretched to add emphasis. "And you and your friend Tali are to thank. Both of you are hero's to my people!"

Shepard was confused. How was he to tank for the quarians regaining a few of their systems? "I don't think I understand Admiral? How have the quarian been so successful without any help?"

Admiral Xen looked at the Commander. Even with her helmet Shepard could guess that she was about to tell him something he didn't know before. "You didn't order Tali Zorah to forward information regarding Cerberus' Overlord project?"

Shepard's eyes narrowed. "No I didn't."

"Ah well the thanks is mine to give." She answered, seeming not to care about Shepard's bewilderment. "Because of Tali we can finally regain control of the geth!"

Shepard cocked his head over to the side, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. "How where the quarians able to advance this far into geth space?" Shepard questioned.

"We took the data we got from the Overlord project, improved the hacking methods and created a simple A.I. That changes faster than the geth can adapt." She answered proudly. "Its only a matter of time before we have their entire collective under control."

"An A.I. Admiral? That's insane!" Shepard exclaimed. "So you create another monster to replace the ones you have? And you are willing to put the lives of every quarian in the flotilla a risk to reclaim quarian space?"

"Yes I am human!" Xen snapped, gaining the attention of the quarians on the bridge. "In the last six months we've been able to recover five systems and the geth are starting to fall under our control!"

"I can't believe the other Admirals would agree with this." Shepard said, disgusted with the woman in front of him.

"They didn't. The Admiralty isn't our only government body Shepard. "

"The conclave?" Shepard asked quizzically.

"Yes Shepard." She replied in a condescending tone. "I had just enough votes to to get the conclave to agree with me. Shala'Raan and that coward Zaal'Koris cannot get in my way this time around."

Shepard didn't trust her. Her intentions may be good but Shepard could tell there was some bottom line Xen was after. "What are you planning Xen?"

"That is a sensitive military matter." She responded simply. "I appreciate you for taking the time to meet with me." She signaled her guards.

"Please escort the Commander to his ship." The Admiral calmly ordered. "And do please send Tali aboard. The people want to meet their hero."

Normandy, CIC:

The airlock hissed open as Shepard walked in. In front of the door was Tali, who evidently had been waiting for him. "Shepard..."

"So when were you going to tell me about the over lord data?" Shepard questioned.

"Well you see... I... I... oh keelah." Tali rambled. "Shepard I'm sorry I just... I had to do this."

Shepard sighed, scratching his head. "You don't need to apologize." Tali knew she didn't have to, but lying to Shepard is what bothered her. He stuck by her when she was exiled and he was doing it now.

"Thank you Shepard." She said quietly, relieved that Shepard was handling it so well.

"Don't mention it." Shepard said, giving the machinist a reassuring smile. "I here the quarian want to thank their hero. You might want to check that out."

"So you're kicking me off the ship?" Tali questioned.

"You are their hero now Tali. " Shepard continued. "Xen wants to talk to you on the Moreh, you might even be invited back to the fleet by the Admiralty board. " He walked passed her.

"Whether or not you come back is up to you Tali."

AN/ And I've updated once again and always randomly. I'm trying to work on that though. How does two chapters a week sound?

Anyway Ashley/Kaiden will be squad members in ME3! Please leave a review if it so compels you, tell me how you like the story, what I'm doing wrong/right.