Mass Effect: Sacrificial Symptom Chapter 8, a mass effect fanfic

Mass Effect: Sacrificial Symptom

Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to representation of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, EA Games and any other mass media trademarks within this fiction. All is represented within the context of private entertainment and the exchange of free ideals/entertainment. No attempts to falsely render said persons or members, fictitious or otherwise were intentional.

Note: This chapter is a very good one. The first real romantic gestures of our Geth-Cassanova. Though we'll see what happens when a Geth tries to romance a Quarian. Will it be beneficial or not? As well preparations of the biggest chapter yet.

~~~~~~ Chapter 8: Shattered Delicately~~~~~~

After all that had happened. The Hunley, Omega and otherwise severe stress that every member endured. Only one of them seemed un-affected by everything. Not one, little bit of this person seemed to be displeased or upset.

Grunt said strangely, "I'm bored. I wish I had something to kill."

Zaeed, puffed a cigar while the Krogan sat across from him. "So, why are you in my part of the ship anyway?"

"My room is unnatural."

"So are you?" Zaeed smirked, as he checked his cards. "Heh, damn near everyone on this ship is." Turning to the right, Jack narrowed her eyes. "You too chrome-dome."

Jack had to smirk. "Anyone else I'd skin them, but seeing you haven't folded yet so I can win all those creds, just keep it coming Scarface."

"Slut."

"Old-man!"

To that the only one not on edge, was now slamming his hand down. The Scottish speaking engineer (thanks to the people that told me. Swore someone said he was Irish.) Kenneth. "Hey! Enough of that crap! I told you all this is a nice, quiet and friendly game!" He tugged his collar seeing he had perhaps the three most volatile people here. "So, uh, why not continue, huh?"

Zaeed snarled, "Easy for you. You got all the god-damn credits."

Even Jack admits, "Which is pretty strange. Seeing how we've been playing only this long."

Kenneth gulped a little, "I'm sure it… well, you see." He turned to Grunt, "So how long's the Commander going to be on the Flotilla?"

Grunt had a smile. "Long enough to skin a human." He blinked, "Oh, that just slipped right out there. Your turn."

"…." Kenneth gulped again. "Might have been a bad idea…"

Shepard's head still was throbbing. There was always a little something. Looking up, he saw the Admiralty board passing judgments and such in this private matter. They with the crew of the Hunley. The conversations switched a lot. There was the talk of Jacohbe and Antura. Seima, fought for her father's right to be named after his ship should it be accepted into the fleet… it wasn't easy, only after she asked if Shepard would be allowed to speak for her father had they agreed it was acceptable, they wanted him to be quiet it seemed. Shepard smiled recalling that trial where he got them to back the hell off Tali.

Argh, and on that. He recalled that night too. Crap, Tali. She was here, behind him. She seemed to be there as support for him. He needed it and not the emotional. Literally, her hands were on his back as he swayed a little. He's going to be feeling this a long time. Shepard heard Seima make a request for the Hunley to be made into a non-personnel carrier, it was met with resistance. However, again when she made the request for Shepard the admiralty almost were united to not allow him to talk. The decision was the large Hunley would be a ship for Lifecropping, the work of growing their people's food stores. It sounded perfect, the large size of the ship will be useful and the lack of need for crew would be helpful, Seima and her team of just four were able to pilot the ship this far. Yet they will need more than just themselves so, talks were what to do. Somehow they decided to take crew from the four other vessels of pilgrimage youths and merge them among the five total ships. The working captains were thus to be made permanent adult captains with restricted political call for now, until they showed the stability to be respected captains. Seima, would be the leader of this five-ship crew. Her larger ship could carry the smaller ships, and even aid in fueling them. It would become a rather unique self-contained flotilla unit.

Seima was now honored as captain of the Hunley. Shepard was surprised but the Admiralty had no interest really in these ships. The next matter was a discussion on the data found on behalf of Vary'Ex. Which, ironically disappeared from the Hunley. No one so far was able to obtain knowledge what happened to them. Reeger himself said he had no information on this data. Which was a lie but the Admiralty board wouldn't benefit from the information. In fact, Shepard was still yet to see it. He had to eventually but the hangover was serving a cruel reminder.

In any such case. The meeting ended with minor discussions. Shepard wanted to get out of here and back to the Normandy ASAP but, sadly, it was prolonged. Admiral Korris caught him, tried to talk to him about the Geth incident on Omega. Then Garrel wanted to put his input on the Hunley incident. Korris wanted Jacohbe brought to justice for his crimes but it sounded less for the Quarians and more the Geth and then Garrel wanted him caught for interrogation. Easily enough Shepard told them both he'd capture Jacohbe if possible, but likely not. They would know this full well enough and accept the decision when it came.

Peeling away Shepard left in a hurry. Tali, who was speaking with her aunt on the board followed soon after. "Shepard?" He turned, and she smirked. "Oh, I get it. Something isn't agreeing with you?"

Even in his helmet his eyes can be seen. How bad they looked. Bloodshot, tired eyes. A bit queasy even. "Laugh it up, Tali."

"I am. Inside, I'm giggling up creds," A smile and she followed her commander toward the doors. "So tell me? What all did the two other Admirals talk to you about?"

"Politics and the desire to further them." A sigh, he admits. "I'm not looking forward to the Reapers. Only because those two idiots are the ones I need to convince what the hell we're fighting for."

Tali only smiled a deeper smile. "You'll do it. Shepard, you've always had a silver tongue."

"Thanks." Still, he stopped at the airlock saying, "Won't help me keep this feeling I'm going to vomit in my suit back."

Tali had only one response. "Thanks Shepard. I really needed to think about that."

A smile, and the Commander warned. "You didn't seem so worried last night if I remember correctly, which is funny since then it would have been on you seeing you were laying on me."

"Oh." She blushed, recalling that. "You remember? Well, uh." She seemed embarrassed. Yet he set a hand on her shoulder giving her a light chuckle. A smile, she just gave him a nod. "Well, I was glad to help. Shepard."

"You did. A lot." His appreciation showed from behind his visor. "Thank you so much for last night."

Mordin rubbed his chin as he allowed his machines to work on analysis of the strange infectious material from Seima. Usually he'd be working on the same subject. Yet at this time, he was on the Extranet skimming over fifty different resources.

"Sad to say study on Quarian romances are very, very low in retrospect. So few Quarians culturally open to romance any more." Yes, and with that. He tapped his chin. "Could be possibly a secretive courtship. One devoted only inside Quarian cultures."

Legion, who was also here. Had also found little to no information. "We assume that is unlikely. Perhaps, the Creators do not follow romantic involvements any longer?" Looking over he gave a slight furl of his brow flaps. "It could be they no longer give to such followings. Since they are devoted to the Flotilla it may be that the Creators work via constant Pilgrimage and consideration via genetic diversity. This is a surmised reasoning to the Pilgrimage itself."

"Ah, yes." Mordin smiled up. "No longer time to romance. They work on pairing within the ships, most likely to newest member to other, though I am almost certain arranged marriages do not take place. Least, not in how I recognize." He thought for a moment. Tapping his chin Mordin found the conversation and discussion rather relaxing. "What if much like other cultures romances are diverse to each partnering? Would be, that certain actions vote highly and others lowly.' To that, he exclaimed, "With this we know Tali'zorah has an interest in Commander Shepard and so, if you seek to seduce her. Than I shall…"

"No." Legion looked at him after his words. "We seek not to seduce. We seek to be accepted, allowed further relations with between platforms. This is not an attempt to mate. We seek unity, consensus of one another." To make his point, he placed his hands together and looked to them, admittedly telling, "Emotional cohesion."

"I see." Mordin smirked. "Fascinating. Right, my apologies. Used to Organic needs. Synthetic, is more pure and far more direct. Yet far more difficult to surmise." To this Mordin walked around his table. "What I was getting to was to say, let us think like Shepard."

"We have made a number of analysis of Shepard and his persona. This, all part to the whole. We understand his morals are high, desires high and loyalties severely high. He accepts loss but does all in power to differ exaggerated losses. His actions are based upon the bettering of all life not just his own kind, a difference between most every other species. He finds that life is a massive cohesion and that we are all meant to in turn, work as the one. Not however as a hive but as…" Legion began to twitch his flaps. This, was difficult. "We find Shepard is far too intricate a specimen to study."

"Indeed…. Another dead end, exhilarating!" Mordin enjoyed this challenge. Pacing, he began to ponder. "If not find solution in Shepard what about Tali? What do we know of Tali'zorah Vas Normandy?"

Legion also paced and much like Mordin seemed to mimic his demeanor. Mordin had a smile knowing why, it's the Geth evolutionary ability to learn by assimilation. Still, Legion began, "If our processes meet a similar end? Tali, is made of similar desires. However she also is a Quarian. Her wishes are to enjoy life she can not. To in ways be able to indulge in activities and similar actions as normal alien species like yours. This is common and has led to a number of Quarians loosing themselves to these desires."

Mordin gave a slight frown. "What kinds of desires?"

"Ingestion of protein based substances suitable for Quarians, 'Meats' as they were. However it is noted the alien tissue can be very hard to digest it takes optimum preparations are difficult. To keep the substance at a minimal infection hazard for Quarians is one task, then properly preparing to ensure it does not serve gastral inflations or other such faults in their systems."

"I see." Mordin smiled this sounded interesting. "Perhaps such a food item is a good gift? Yet how would we prepare? Could it be delivered in such a condition? Would it alter or cause difficulty for the mission? All these things, we must consider. Would be imprudent to make such a meal and find it was cause of harm." A frown, he admits. "That would be counter-productive to your goals."

"Agreed." Legion was already in research. "From our analysis. Such meals can be prepared in a sterile environment, set into a proper dishing unit and thus served within another sterilized environment. We believe the best region to serve Tali'zorah would be either within a sterilized room, or other such setting."

Mordin can think of only one place. "The Medical Bay would offer the best chance…. Hmm, would mean need to inform Chakwas…" He rubbed his neck. "I am not certain if that is wise, yet. She may not hold too many hard feelings."

"What would Chakwas hold in regards to this platform or Tali in negativity?"

"Oh, not you." Mordin frowned again. "More a personal matter…. Mm, never mind! Onto other issues?"

"Agreed." Legion lowered his head. "The consumption of her meal would be applicable of drunkenness. Most commonly the alien proteins, ailitive cells and so on would not harm Tali. Yet would cause a dulled sense commonly effecting the body for a few hours should the food be prepared properly. This can be done easily. We can prepar the food as needed."

"You can?" Mordin asked. "How? You are not skilled in food making, are you?"

Legion seemed to flip his brow curiously. "We can learn with Vid footages, as well data. However if preferred we may ask Cook Harkin fo-."

"Understood!" Mordin, had a frown. "Would be better did it yourself. Surprised Harkin still cooking… would deem recipes very ill-advised."

Legion soon began to show his studies. "We have concluded this constitutes 'dinner and a movie' within human dating culture. With these acts we are given a heighten chance of success."

However, someone spoke up. A woman that had been cloaked for some time. Kasumi the Thief, "You can't win a girl over with just a nice meal and a bad movie." Legion and Mordin pause and began making excuses at least Mordin did. He tried to say these were all about research for a possible project of study. Kasumi waved a hand saying, "Yeah, yeah. I get it." A smile, and she walked around Mordin standing at Legion her hands behind her back. "You know? A gift wouldn't be a bad idea."

"This was the meal we assumed. However, is there another alternative?"

Kasumi said, factly. "Flowers? Chocolates?" However. She frowned, "Wait, Quarians can't smell so that would probably be a bad idea and I wonder if they even make chocolates for Quarians." Grabbing her chin she frowned, "Wow, I think I see why you're having so many problems."

"Affirmative."

Mordin, asked with interest. "Your interests in this matter? What are they, if I may be so bold?"

Kasumi answered by turning on her hip and giving a slight glare. "My 'interest' is in Tali. She's a sweetheart and I don't want her getting hurt. It's bad enough Shepard plays her strings all the time. If she can meet a nice guy…. Machine…." She frowned to Legion who was tilted at the neck, looking at her curiously. So much she smiled. "This one right here might just do the trick. He's so damn cute."

Pinching his 'cheek' Kasumi told them. "I figure it's at least worth a shot. I can't imagine it will ever happen again in history."

Mordin smirked though. "Possibly? Is worth trying. Still… much to do, can not do everything though." Looking to Legion he admits, "This falls greatly on you. Hopefully it will go well?"

Legion looked down. "Agreed."

When Mordin left, Kasumi asked, "Where are you headed?"

"To talk to Chakwas." Mordin, coughed into his hand. "Will discuss use of her lab. I'm certain she'll allow it. Most definitely. Perhaps, can charm her if needed?" A frown, he started tapping his Omni-tool, "Will read on human relationship cues and so on, in elevator."

Kasumi watched him leave. Then she asked, softly, "You're really trusting him with your love life Legion?" Looking over Legion just gave a nod. "Wow, you're either really desperate, or really clueless?"

Legion's flaps twitch. "We assume both are viable answers to romancing Quarians." He nods, however. Trying to reaffirm her opinion. "Yes, for this platform those both offer optimum response."

The shuttle returned with Shepard, Tali and Garrus. The others from the Quarian people would suffer the issue of discussing politics. Shepard happily let them. Tali seemed pretty pleased with herself too, as just moments ago she asked about Illium on the shuttle. Shepard had no issues in fact he seemed, relieved. It was some how a little troubling. Tali found Shepard leaving to talk to Miranda soon after. Miranda was standing at the cockpit waiting for him, perhaps something about the mission to come?

Miranda spoke with slight intrigue, "You wanted to see me Commander?"

Tali was stunned. He did? Why?

"Yes, I want you to differ my credits among the away team, try around a couple thousand or so credits." Miranda herself was uncertain to why, but took this as an order. "We're going to Illium to gather supplies and I'm making a ship order. Enjoy the time on Illium this might be the last good time we have for a while."

Miranda left, and Tali came beside Shepard slightly worried. "Shepard? Is something the matter?"

Shepard looked back with a light smile. "Well, I just thought the team needs some relaxation and you said you wanted to see Illium. I just figured two birds with one stone?"

Tali shook her head. Not likely, Shepard had another reason. Garrus even noticed, and he spoke roughly, "You sure that's it Commander? We're not going to be toyed around here, are we?"

Shepard looked back. Seeing his friends truly worried. Shepard stood tall and firm, his eyes bare a bit of weight. "This next mission is going to be a lot harder than I originally thought. I was looking over schematics and it's a large facility. We're going to need the entire team broken into groups, and they will need to be at their best. I know how it sounds, but I know what I'm asking and it's not that high. Please, follow me."

That, gave Tali the time to cross her arms and say, "You knew we'd follow you no matter what Shepard."

Garrus even made the comment, "Shepard, we followed into the Collector base, and Illos we'd follow you straight into hell if you asked. So don't you worry."

Walking past Shepard, Garrus did not hear… but Tali did. She heard him whisper just a little under his breath, "That's what I'm afraid of."

Tali looked, but kept walking. What was he afraid of? That he's asking them to walk into hell? That seemed… rather strange. Yet perhaps she hadn't put much merit on what has been said. The Elder Kin, Jacohbe and the Shadow Man. To her they were mythological words all meaning someone wanted to mess with the minds of others. She was not a religious person in fact none of the Quarians held religion as highly any longer. They were an ancestral people and now without the home world, they were lost.

Still, Shepard's words haunt her as she stood at the elevator. If he were afraid, could… hell, be real? Only such a threat as that made her think he might be afraid.

Then again this was Shepard he would pull them through.

The Normandy was headed toward this city port. Illium offered a great many thing. Things that Omega could never truly oblige. It was a cleaner place and so often enough felt safer, but that is far from the truth. There was always danger and even in a place so clean, it lingered.

Even if that were the case? IT was relaxing. Legion and Mordin, met in his office once more. Kasumi came shortly after with an unexpected someone. Dr. Chakwas smiled back to Mordin, as he turned his eyes a little embarrassed. Kasumi on the other hand was able to giggle under her palm, while the two were obviously interested it's Mordin whom chose to keep the distance.

Legion requested though, pleased by Mordin on this excuse, for data. "We are aware should this matter be private. However, there are now three others outside of the two initial members of the relationship involved. We need data as to why this has transgressed?"

Kasumi answered rather blatantly, "You can't do it yourself?"

"Understood." Legion soon lowered his flaps, with his head hanging a little.

"Oh, don't feel so bad Geth-cakes, I didn't mean to upset you." Kasumi pats his cheek. "I just was sort of teasing."

"We are still not able to comprehend this fascination with teasing and toying with your allies. It seems, to us? To be a negative action."

Kasumi however wanted to explain it. Mordin, beat her telling, "Well, teasing helps with stress. Also, plays on emotions. Between two good friends it is known the actions, and words are merely a diversion. What is best to know is the use. In context, you can find it most enjoyable and relieves a number of negative emotional stigmata."

Legion did not even remotely comprehend, yet he'd let that play out later. Instead, he worked to a new consensus via Geth. His information and data became one of the most sought so far. His people were easily attracted to the information and data being uploaded. Legion kept much of his emotional data private yet findings on his emotional segments gave insight to themselves. The Geth were in constant buzz within his data upload, so much a consensus had been made should he be able to explore his feelings within the crew of the Normandy? He however was not aware this consensus had baring on his actions. Instead, he ignored it. His mind was set on how he will act.

The next thing was every member broke apart. Shepard, took to the bar at Illium where he was met with Zaeed, Grunt and Thane. What a fun group here. The Matriarch of the bar though, a Krogan/Asari soon appeared and her smile to Shepard was always most inviting. In honesty, Shepard rather liked her compare to all the other bar folk.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite human customer?" The Matriarch had a rather nice smile, and pretty face. Least he believed. "Here for a few drinks?" Her voice, also more gritty and somehow fitting the personality behind it.

"What made you think anything other than that?" Shepard asked with a sly smile, "Unless, you're asking because you WANT more than me buying a drink?"

"You wish, Commander." Her smirk and Shepard sighed, happily. "Miss me that much?"

"I missed a voice of reason." He said, simply. Then a nod he sat there asking, "Whatever you got to spare, make it plus three."

The matriarch looked over Zaeed, Thane and Grunt. "Well, you brought a whole bunch of people this time. I'm shocked. You know I don't go that way." To which, he smiled but she winked, "I'll just get you your drinks, handsome."

Shepard sat there frowning as Zaeed cringed, "What?"

"Bloody Krogan and Asari make some ugly kids, Shepard. Yet that one? Gah."

Shepard coughed pulling himself to another seat, two away from Zaeed. "Sorry, Zaeed."

"What're ya-ah!" Zaeed was surrounded by a biotic field, and tossed on his back roughly. There, the Matriarch stood smiling and arms crossed. "Ooh, baby… I think I'm in love."

The Matriarch grinned a little, with some disdain, "Yeah, that's what they all say. What a kick in the quad."

Tali and Garrus were together this time. Garrus was somewhat excited. For the most part Tali was spending a lot of time with Legion. To have a day with her, without Legion, Shepard, The Normandy, and who knows what else was on that Quarian mind? That offered him the best chance to finally start trying to let her know, he cared. Not just that he cared, but that he REALLY cared.

Tali stopped at a kiosk, "Look! They sell new grade tech!" Her eyes were sparkling a little as she began to browse. "Oh! Garrus! Look!"

Garrus came over asking, "What?"

"Look! They have a game based on the Citadel! Lead Commander Shepard as he…"

"We were there Tali." He smiled, asking, "You really want to relive that?"

Tali sighed a little. "Sometimes?"

Garrus had to look at her. Obviously, she got excited for another reason. A frown and he had to ask, "What is it Tali?"

"Nothing." A smile, she began to browse. "Wait, look at this. It looks like a repair protocol for a combat drone. You know, I could probably see if it's compatible with Legion."

To that, Garrus raised a brow. "Wouldn't that be better for him to figure out?"

"Maybe." She shrugged, but looked up. "What do you think is a good gift for a Geth?" That, hurt. He winced a little. Mandibles clicking. "What's wrong Garrus?"

"Aww, nothing." Garrus looked back. Then he asked, "Well, what about…" he skimmed the kiosk. "I suppose maybe a data-retrieval program. That way if he did get knocked out least he could be downloaded or something to the Normandy. That would be good, wouldn't it?"

Tali smiled a little. "That would be a good gift… okay, so that's two down. I need…" she sighed a little, "Keelah, why is it so hard to buy people gifts?"

Garrus finally had to ask, as that sounded weird. "Why are you spending your credits to buy the others gifts?"

"Because, that's what I wanted to do. I really don't need anything." A shrug, she admits. "My friends on the Normandy should get something. I can't get them all something… this time, but my close friends. I want to get them something special."

To that Garrus smiled, so THAT was it? She's on a gift hunt. Here he thought… stupid Garrus! She'd never, duh. "Okay, okay… okay, so who else is there?"

Tali thought, "I want to get Kenneth and Gabby something really nice, since I work with them all the time. Jack though she's a bit of a nutcase, I really like her and she's actually pretty sweet to me. Kasumi definitely I need to buy her something nice. There is Mordin, I have an idea on him. Chakwas might be hard but I was debating something if I can find it." Then lastly… "Then there is you but, you can't know."

"Huh." A smile and Garrus gave a nod. "Tell you what when you see something nice for me? You just go ahead and tell me when to leave."

Excitement was restored to the Quarian and she said, "Good. I was worried I'd have to try and sneak it around you or something." Though, she saw… "Okay, Garrus. You need to walk away now."

Garrus frowned, "Huh?"

"Now!"

"Gah!" Garrus left, and she ran to another kiosk. When she came back, Garrus asked, "What was all that about?"

"Nothing." A cough, she hid something in a concealed container. "So, I need to make a trip to the ship, but after that…"

Garrus smiled peaking around her, "You know I AM taller than you."

"Stop!" Tali ran off giggling, the Turian chasing. "You said you wouldn't peek!"

"No! I said, I'd leave when you bought it. I never said a thing about peeking!"

Miranda and Jack were glaring at one another. Jacob, was with Miranda but Samara had stuck with Jack. Shepard made it clear he wanted to the least two people in a group. He wasn't playing around. Maybe, all this insane stuff of late has affected him? Even so, Miranda and Jack were both hands on the same Kiosk.

Miranda, politely asks, "Jack, can you please go somewhere else? I was here first."

"Bitch to the choir, cheerleader." A smirk and Jack told her. "I'm just here to see if they have any good clothes for sell. Other than the excuse for clothing Cerberus offers out, Miranda."

Having said that, Miranda snarled a little. "You little…"

However shocking to them all, Samara suddenly walked over and raised her fist biotic energy a glow. Her fisk broke the Kiosk and she, stepped back.

Jacob asked, "Samara? What were you thinking?"

"Simply that this matter would have grown much more destructive to those nearby. I acted as best I could with the limitations of my code. Since I could not harm my team mates, I needed to stop the fight before others were involved." She smiled, however. "That, and it felt good after hearing Jack complain about how great a lay, Zaeed is."

Jack's eyes grew gigantic, "Y-you-you!"

Samara told her then, as she walked past rather slow, methodical. "It's not part of my code to keep secrets, Jack. I am not a 'priest' after all, like you said."

Jack glared back as Miranda had a smile. "Not a word, Miranda. Not a word."

Miranda had a big grin though. Jack left growling out toward Samara whom did not care. Jacob, he had a bit of a smile himself. "So, Jack and Zaeed?"

Miranda asked, "Do you think the two are serious? Or is this robbing the cradle… or, the grave?"

Jacob whispered to himself, "I could believe it about either of those two. They're both freaking insane."

"They do compliment one another. The one has the ability to act brash the other brasher." A smile, Miranda turned to Jacob whom, sighed back. "You know? We should give it another chance."

"Not going to happen." Jacob shook his head walking off. She was going to ask why, but he said, "I learned my lesson."

Miranda asked while chasing after the other Cerberus operative, "What's that supposed to mean?"

A shuttle landed outside the common port areas of Illium. One of the Asari women working here turned up seeing it. There were no scheduled landings here? Walking over she asked, as the driver door opened up, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The driver was a tall, red-suited Quarian. Jacohbe, pulled out his beret putting it atop his helmet. "None of your business girl."

The Asari woman snapped back, "Excuse me, sir? I don't think you realize just what you're getting yourself into." She, stood with a fist clenched and a minor biotic glow. "I'm not just some kid you can go around bullying. I work for Illium Security."

However, the other person in the shuttle pulled up and began to come over. Another Asari and she was fairly attractive. Even the security officer noticed her fairly lovely figure, the strange look she had about her in all black attire. Long, silk gloves that slowly strolled her chin, and made the security guard loose her concentration.

"Minerva, really?" Jacohbe was checking his Omni-tool, "Can't you wait even for a little while?"

Minerva as she was called gave a smile. "Not always." To that, she pulled the Asari's lips to her own. It's but a kiss, but the sheer sensation met a number of odd feelings. First the guard felt… great, and lulled into this kiss. Then her eyes grew wide and black veins followed from her eyes. When it was but seconds past the guard pulled away grabbing at her throat as her body began to dissolve, and shift. Dust fell from her very skin before in moments the guard fell as but ash.

Minerva sighed leaning back, licking her lips. Then she told Jacohbe, "She had a lover. Thomas a human… she was thinking about marrying him, soon."

"Mhm, and?" Jacohbe lowered his arm seeing the mess. "Keelah Minerva, do you have to make such a mess?"

Minerva, gave but a shrug. "It will dispose soon enough. So tell me, who is my target? Oh elder brother?"

"Ill-advised to speak to me so easily and freely, sister." He almost hissed. Jacohbe stepped closer to her, and latched her neck. Yet her smile played as she felt his fingers sink into her neck. "Hmph, you like that don't you?"

Minerva's eyes played on his features. "Only with you my sire. Strongest of our kind." She raised a brow, "Which, I still ponder how you came to be. From lowly general of our forces to that of the leader of our race… most unexpectedly."

Jacohbe hissed as his grip loosened, and she smiled. Tossing her off the car her laughter angered him more as he turned kicking the dust. Walkig off. Minerva laughed deeper as she followed him. "Oh how angry you get. When someone plays with you so."

Glaring he warned, "I've no time for games woman. If not the fact I needed you I'd have disposed you myself!"

"Mmm, and like Kaireshi?" She asked with bemusement. "How, oh ever did you learn of his demise?"

Jacohbe glared down as they walk. Recalling Harbinger… he did not seek to let on. So he told her. "The Abysmal gave me powers and perceptions you could never understand."

"The Abysmal, a power that far surpasses all our kind. A legend almost as dire as that the Reapers play." Jacohbe snapped his head back, and she passed strolling her arm over his shoulder. "Merely talking about the similarities."

Jacohbe glared on as her taut form strobe past him. His eyes wander. Jacohbe tugged his collar before snarling out, "If it weren't for how useful you've been, I'd have killed you."

"Liar."

"…." Jacohbe cursed under his breath before kicking a crate. She knew damn well he'd never kill her. The only female of his kind with them now, it would be stupid to. Well, least for now. Sort of.

The reasoning part of his mind fell apart as soon her hips began to swivel down the stairs.

Every shop serves a purpose on Illium. Most people will only get to go so far from the trade centers near port. Hailing a cab though, shoppers can go to a number of places. That was what Legion, Mordin, Kasumi and stranger of all Dr. Chakwas were doing. Driven to a small area of shopping the Geth seemed to head the front. Onlookers made comments about the Geth, it is hard to believe one is walking around. Onlookers would stare, some seemed to make whispers to their companions, but everyone here knew if it was walking around it wasn't exactly a danger. Mordin however was well aware staying close to Legion may be a good idea just in case.

There had to be something Legion could obtain. The 'meat' he acquired early. However, he was not yet prepared to leave. In his utmost programming a meal, Vid and other matter would equal the best chances for success. Even so, Kasumi had her eyes out for a lot of things, and had a bag full of nice items though never had she used the credits given out by Shepard. Her discount was of the self-service program.

Chakwas had her own line of credits, even though Mordin requested numerous times warning should she need something. He seemed overly willing to be kind, assumingly the issue before had him on edge. They had a great working relationship should a personal one arise? Mordin easily knew the faculties of this.

Even so, the group stopped abruptly as Legion scanned a sign. His sensor blinking before entering the store. When he entered though the owner seemed to cry out in alarm. Mordin came rushing in to see the Quarian man ducking behind the counter.

Mordin jumped in between the man and Legion as he was brandishing a shotgun, perhaps meant for the Geth intruder? "Stop! Desist! This, is our Geth!"

The Quarian snarled, "Only good Geth is a dead one! Don't give me that crap!" He aimed toward Mordin but, well, Kasumi popped in with a sweet, kind smile. "Uh, huh, hi?"

Kasumi disarmed him with the smile, then with a hand to the shotgun, pulling the barrel down and out of his hands. "Hi! So, my friends and myself were just browsing. Is that too much to ask?"

The Quarian glared back at her with his shotgun now as she removed the thermal clips. "I'm not sure I like you."

"You just have to let me grow on you." Kasumi did flirt, a stroll of her fingers on her chest to even make the Quarian turn down. A light snicker, and she brushed those same fingers up under her hood making the poor Quarian follow. Obviously, there's a lot of ways to disarm people. Especially while she leaned on the counter asking, "Do you sell any good items for Quarians?"

The man had to scoff. "Of course! That's what this store is, human!" He stood tall, erect and began to tell her. "This is the only Quarian store on Illium. I call it, 'Kaireshi 'Nyoti'. That means, "Hungering Touch Collection."

To that Mordin gave word. "Kaireshi? That means, which of these?"

Looking back the Quarian told him, simply. "Kaireshi is a name for a spirit of the old world. It means 'Hungering Touch' there are legends of many kinds like it, across the universe." He looked to his side, pulling out a data-pad, "Here, I have this data-story it tells of numerous old stories of supernatural creatures. I was always fascinated with them, like the Kaireshi." To which, he opened a tab showing the picture of a large jellyfish. Strangely enough, Mordin did not see any resemblance to the monster they met. "Lore was the Kaireshi hungered on the Quarian migrations and in time grew so fat he gave flesh. Though when he did not eat he was invisible, or legends keep telling. You'd have to read all that to really understand."

Mordin now asked, with his eye narrowed on that data-story. "This means that you named your store, after a monster? Was not best choice, perhaps?"

That learned Mordin a glare, then toss of the man's hand. "Bah! You know nothing. IT attracts Quarian people. They know the words and come in talking. In fact, I had a Quarian woman with a Turian, a while back curious about the name too." He thought, "Yeah, Tali'zorah I believe?"

Legion's head turned back from the small device he was looking over. "Tali'zorah vas Normandy?"

"I didn't get her ship and all, I was just pleased to meet another Quarian. I see them a lot, yet seldom do they give me such a talk. She almost sounded like she believed in the Kaireshi, which was comical."

Mordin, asked with some confusion. "IF you do not believe? Why name your store? Or, rather, why have these data logs, information on old myths and legends? If not superstitious?"

How that was asked, the Quarian gave a shrug before crossing his arms. Leaning on his hip, the Quarian's eyes bare a slight distain. "Why do Turians name their ships after famous landmarks, and Humans name their ships after famous wars? There are, but a hand full of reasons we do what we do. I liked the old legend and used it. Still, that was a time long back. Do you want to buy something or not?"

Still, Mordin had his reservations. Legion on the other hand had been scanning over everything. There were items from Quarian worlds that long past were forgotten. Somehow, it was almost like revisiting his own history too.

Kasumi asked, "Hey, uh? Mr. Shopkeeper? I don't see a Kiosk."

"I don't use them." The owner shook his head, then motioned to his shelf. "I make all transactions here. If you don't like it, you can leave."

Kasumi rubbed her neck. "Huh, well that is a first in some time now."

"Deal with it."

"Grouchy, I see?"

The Quarian glared on her. Kasumi and her cuteness was no longer of value. Still, he asked, "If you know the Quarian girl from earlier, do you know about the rave?"

This, caused Mordin to frown. "I sense a troubling revelation here?"

The Quarian shook his head. "Nothing major it's just that she and the Turian were looking for something exotic. Another Quarian with her Turian boyfriend, or least I think that is what he was? I know he liked her a lot, they hung out at that bar over at the Illium port, anyway. They mentioned the Rave and that Tali girl seemed interested, she took the Turian with her to do some dancing, if I'm not mistaken?" A shrug though, he admits, "I'm not really sure it was wise. I hear they were going to have Dallis there a pretty strong narcotic. It however has a high fatality rate on account it causes severe fevers. Not recommended with Quarians though I hear the highs are incredibly worth the risks."

Mordin knew well the drug. That worried him. Looking to Chakwas he asks, "Would be prudent that Legion makes it to the Normandy, however? I feel a medical aid at this rave could be of interest as well?"

Chakwas was still a little surprised, written on her face was the absolute worry. "Tali knows better. I'm almost certain she'd be wiser than that?"

Mordin admits, "Does seem out of place. Could be, she went for other reasons? Still, wish to go. Make sure. Would accompany?"

Chakwas gave a smirk, "My, Mordin? I almost want to think you're asking ME out on a date."

"W-what?"

Kasumi smirked a bit. "Go! I'll keep an eye on Legion. I can help him with the meal too, so be gone." Mordin went to ask where this Rave was but Kasumi points to a poster. Taking it, the doctors left. Kasumi now turned and saw Legion's lens opening widely at something, his flaps twisting very strangely.

"What is it?"

Legion, turned only to say. "A perfect item to request for Tali'zorah."

Kasumi looked and then she asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Kasumi can't help, but ask, "Why?"

"It is her."

That, made the Thief ask, easier, "Why do you say that?"

Legion, turned to Kasumi. His lens slowly shifts to her eyes and face, across her features. "It is. We know."

Right, okay… Kasumi sighed asking, "You have enough creds?"

"We do not. However, we must acquire this item. It is perfect."

"Right, I got you." With that, she smiled before asking, "You want me to get it for you?"

Legion turned to the Quarian who was glaring at them. Obviously, hating him. Legion told Kasumi. "No. We wish to obtain it for ourselves. We will talk to the owner."

Legion, left to speak to the owner. An attempt to haggle came about. However, the moment Legion attempted, the Quarian shot him down. He REFUSED to sell the item less than sticker price, to a Geth. There was hostility in the Quarian's voice. Even so, Legion tried on. Yet he was rejected all on what he was. When it was obvious nothing would change this. Legion, turned to Kasumi who seemed disappointed. Even so, Legion left with Kasumi close behind.

Legion was slightly dishovled, until Kasumi asked, "Is this going to cheer you up?"

Legion turned with a slight alarm, as his flaps shift with worry, concern. "Kasumi! This will not end well!"

"Relax, I paid him what he deserved for it. Besides, we run now we'll get far enough away!" Running, Legion chased chirping after her. Obviously not for her decision but willing to take the item all the same.

The Owner came out screaming but they were gone, and he held the single credit chit as he entered back in his store. This entire time driving him insane… how could his night get any worse, really?

Luck so had it? A tall red Quarian and his Asari friend entered the store behind him. When he turned, he felt the chill in the air. Which was strange for his suit. Then the red Quarian asked, "Those people who just left here, do you know where they were headed next?"

At first the Quarian was entitled to tell them both to get the hell out of his store, but then he saw the Asari changing color, slowly a pale blue. When he did, he started making a shaky step back. With that, Jacohbe smiled inwardly. "You know…?"

Before the Quarian can run, Jacohbe raised his hand forming his red biotic over the Quarian. When the shop keep was pulled back, Jacohbe grabbed his throat snarling lowly, "What did those people want? Where did they go? Your pitiful mortal life rides on this answer!"

The Quarian gasped and grasped to the hand on his throat. Glaring, he tried to spit at the other Quarian, who he knew was not so. Then, Jacohbe tossed the owner to the Asari. She smiled before pulling away the visor, and leaning in for a kiss.

Seconds later the deathly ash came from the helmet that clunked on the ground. A sigh, the woman said, "There's some Tahrongi leaves burning in those incense balls. Seems, that according to legend the Ardakt-Yakshi are allergic to them." A smile, she crossed her arms. "Which seeing I'm the one that started that little curse? I'm also the same. Very entertaining this one was."

Glaring though, Jacohbe slammed a fist on the counter. "Information I can actually use?"

Minerva gave but a nod, and smiled to him. "It seems there is a Rave that several are attending. Would that be a good place to look for this Commander Shepard you're after?"

He had no idea. Jacohbe snarled before waving a hand. Kicking the suit of cold dust. "No idea. It is a better chance though than I had before. Let's hurry, I've less patience here."

The Rave was somewhere private and hidden. Under a number of the less popular factory areas. This special place offered things few Quarians got to enjoy. Lights, excitement and noise all shown before Tali as she walked inside. Here, she originally was with another Quarian and her Turian friend, yet they disperse quickly arriving and Tali watched all the many strobe lights with such excitement. Colors flashing all around them to beats of songs that had no words only, beat.

"Keelah, Garrus! Look at this place!" She'd always enjoyed these kinds of things. The Wards back when the Citadel was what it was, the clubs where people used to meet. Somehow, it always made her feel better. It was like life on the Flotilla. Though, she also knew it was not the same. Her world and this one were very different. Tali understood, that living in a place where everyone was together is not the same as this.

Garrus grew rather worried though. Tali was acting out of her norm. First, running off looking for gifts for everyone? Then this desire to try and try going to a place like this? He had to get her to calm down. Yet as he tried, Tali reached around grabbing his hand. "What?"

Tali smiled in her way, eyes shinning out in her helmet. "Let's dance!"

"WHAT?"

"Come on! You have to know how to dance." Tali even teased, "Archangel?"

Garrus was dragged out to the dance floor. Sadly, he was rusty as you can get in dancing. The beats these songs had were fast, and free. More than once he got the feeling he's just going to smash up against some one. Garrus watched though as Tali danced and shockingly, she's moving rather spirited. Her arms over her head, her head tossing left to right. She surrendered to the music incredibly fast. Seeing it was such a strange music to him, he had no idea what to do. She just seemed to fit in hips jerking with a lower rhythmic beat while her head threw to the other higher pitch. Having never danced to this music, he watched her for a while before getting disturbed.

Garrus, snapped at Tali. "Tali?" She did not respond as the beat grew faster and she began throwing her form to the sound. A wince, and he snatched her wrist making her stop and turn. Tali's heavy breathing gave him some kind of nerve, so he begged, "Tell me what the hell is going on?"

Tali's eyes looked at him with some confusion. Yet when his eyes scanned hers for answers, she closed them to shrug it off. "I just wanted to find something good. That's all?"

Garrus asked, "What? What do you mean something good?"

"Something… different, maybe?" She lowered her head. "I wanted to see what this was like. A place without all the other things. The Normandy, and all."

Garrus got the idea. Finally, he asked, "Do you want to find someone new?"

Tali looked up worried. "I don't know…?"

Garrus, crossed his arms frowning at that. His eyes were curved with worry. "This isn't the right place for that Tali. You deserve better than the people that frequent these places."

With a smile, Tali said. "I doubt they are all that bad."

Suddenly, she heard a human laughing, as he bumped into Garrus. "You flippin' took how many of those pills?"

The Turian with him, shook his head. In a red armor, and having a red hooded hat on his head, he told the human. "Whoa, I dunno, enough? Heh-he, man. I'm feelin' good!"

"I know, right! Just be careful I hear you can die if you take them like, that many. Since the fever kicks in and stuff."

"Really? FAR OUT MAN! Ha-hah!" The duo, stumbled on the floor dancing with random women.

To that, Tali crossed her arms narrowing her eyes to the smiling Garrus. "That doesn't prove your point." Then, she turned toward a booth, "Though, I do think I would like to sit down, you want to order us some drinks Garrus?"

Garrus gave a nod. "Okay, I'll do that. You just wait over there. Don't go dancing with strangers, okay?" He raised a finger as she began to protest, "Up-up! No!"

Tali grinned, he was a good friend. "Okay, just hurry back."

Going to the booth. Tali sat alone. There she groaned hanging her head. It was a dumb idea dancing here to try and get someone's attention. Like anyone would ever even…

"I noticed your dancing." Tali looked up to the Asari sitting with her. A slight flush in Tali's cheeks, she rubbed her hands looking away. She was a very beautiful Asari. "By the way, my name's Minerva." Minerva leaned in with a wicked, playful grin. "I didn't get your name?"

Tali, gave it in slight rushed passing. Though Minerva knew all too well the girl's name. After all that's why she is sitting with her in the first place.

Mordin and Chakwas were stuck at the door sadly. Chakwas, even tried to work something out. Yet Mordin spoke, "We know nothing about a password! What password? How does one learn it?"

The bouncer seemed to be hunched over, the Krogan just glaring back on two old people trying to get into this kind of event. "Would you not like to know?"

Mordin's eyes glare back as he demanded, "We have friends inside! I demand you let us in, now!"

Chakwas tried to explain, "We're just worried they might be in trouble is all. We won't stay long, it's not a real issue is it? Letting two old people in?"

The Krogan sighed trying to explain. "Look, I already let in a Quarian and an Asari, and they both have the same excuse. They work on the Normandy and are looking for their team-mates." Which, he turned seeing one of them now walking back out. "In fact here comes one now."

Mordin frowned, what? There was no Asari working on the Normandy…. Well, Samara, but she wasn't with Tali. He lowered his head, confused, Samara would never lie about another Quarian working with her? Would she? Less that code demanded her?

Sadly, Mordin realized too late the truth. When he saw the large red Quarian it was obviously too late. He reached at his side, shouting, "Chakwas! Go! Now!"

The Krogan grabbed his shotgun, "Hold it ri-," However, a pistol at his side fired straight into the skull of the Krogan. There, Jacohbe swiftly turned the pistol back firing at Mordin who took that small gap of time to throw an incineration grenade. The explosion was wide, but also gave Mordin ample time to run behind a parked vehicle and Chakwas obviously escaped.

Jacohbe stood there brushing off the worst of the round. Then aimed two pistols toward the area around him as passers ran for cover or better still, home. Jacohbe began to narrow his glowing orbs from his visor. Thinking where was his little Salarian friend? When Jacohbe can not find the good doctor, he started asking, "You wonder how long until Tali's killed in the club? My friend Minerva has a rather high success rating."

Mordin did not fall into this game. Instead, he moved softly behind the vehicles. One great thing about hover-cars was they do not ride up off the ground. Cover behind them was almost unbreakable.

That is, unless someone shoots the windows. Which Jacohbe started doing, lines of glass shattering out, and eventually Mordin felt the glass falling above him. Mordin stopped moving, and hoped he made not a move to crunch the glass. That was not a good thing, he listened carefully now…

Jacohbe chuckled after a slight pause. His head pitched toward the cars. "Salarians are smart. Remarkable how only 40 years and you can solve one or two of the universe's leading issues." A poke at the short life, and assumption that a live of a Salarian was wasted in pursuits as these. Still, nothing. Jacohbe heard no movement and groaned a bit. "I can not sense emotions like the Kaireshi Mordin, yet I can still tell when someone is being an irritant. Why not give up already? Just come out and die with some honor."

Jacohbe seemed to get a little frustrated. The sound of glass shifting, and he turned to the thrown fuel cell right at… his, head. "Huh."

Mordin took aim preparing to fire. Yet the cell was surrounded by a red biotic. Realizing, Mordin gasped before turning and running down the side of the vehicles. The Fuel Cell smashed into a spot behind him throwing him from the explosion. Rolling on his front, then back Mordin started to scramble up. Jacohbe, ran forward cocking his pistol, while give a satisfied snicker. Leaping over the cars Jacohbe landed in front of the Salarian and began to raise the pistol. However, Mordin was a quick fellow. Standing and slapping the pistol away, Mordin held his own up firing three shots. Jacohbe faltering off the blasts of the shots narrowly grazing the first across his visor. That encouraged a quick slap with biotic force, Jacohbe threw Mordin across the cars and toward the club.

Mordin fell hard, rolled and stood turning and firing his pistol. The shots grazed the vehicles, but not Jacohbe who leapt over them and was airborne. Landing right beside the Salarian doctor seeking to snatch him. Mordin's eyes saw this shape and first he kicked his leg out, snagging the knee of the larger Quarian. Jacohbe fell to a knee, and was greeted with the pistol slapping him in the face, then the knee to the faltering back head. Mordin aimed his pistol after stepping back, yet when he tried to fire his body was thrown with the red biotic. Tosses like a doll, Mordin was somehow thrown inside one of the windowless vehicles. Crying out as his back was jammed into the consoles.

Jacohbe charged in, pulling out a new pistol and aiming inside. Yet as Jacohbe hunched over the shattered window, Mordin saw him and kicked the controls on the door, it flew up opening the shuttle. Mordin hurriedly exits as the heavy Quarian rolled on his back along the roof of the car, cursing at the scientist. Mordin scrambled up turning and firing his pistol. Trying to keep Jacohbe off his guard. Yet it mattered not as soon Jacohbe was up firing his pistol in return. Mordin screamed soon as his shield fell, and he faltered onto his side bleeding now.

Jacohbe stood looking over his pistol to the Salarian. A smirk, Jacohbe jumped down and floated toward Mordin, in a glow of biotic the Quarian descended down as a godly being. Jacohbe landed there, and kicked Mordin rolling him twice, over on his side coughing. Then Jacohbe softly treads toward the Salarian laughing to himself. "That was fun. I didn't think you could put up that level of a fight, kid."

Mordin gave a snarl before grabbing a shard of glass near him. Then Mordin slung it deep in the boot of Jacohbe, who screamed. Jacohbe responded by slamming his fist down on the Salarian's head, and then kneeing him in the jaw. Mordin coughed back a bit of blood before Jacohbe bent down grabbing his broken and still intact horns.

Jacohbe hissed as his hands glow with a biotic charge. "I could just as easily rip your skull in twain. You know that, so why defy my kind? Those that lived long before you?" Mordin glared back, and Jacohbe chuckled. "I know all about your team meeting the Kaireshi. I can imagine, he told you about me. He always was one to gossip. A part of the whole 'being around for several hundred years' sort of thing. We love to gossip."

Mordin smiled weakly. Then he scowled, with his pistol in hand again he aimed up firing straight into Jacohbe's face. The shots sent Jacohbe reeling back leaving Mordin's head dropping on the ground. Standing there, Jacohbe wiped the burning rounds from his eyes as they stuck with his biotic barrier, and then the angry Quarian turned down on this helpless peon.

Mordin then heard a familiar screaming. Looking down from his current vantage, he laughed a little with a broadening smile. Jacohbe turned up just as a blue biotic form smashed into him, elbowing him into the distance. Jack, or Subject Zero slowly skid to a halt grinning at the sight of some big bully being flung back a ways like that. Even when she stood up, charging another attack. She asked, "Hey Mordin? How'd you get yourself into this mess?"

Mordin, sheepishly said. "Was easy. Just walked into wrong alley. Very common on Illium."

Jack had a smirk, "Sure is. I was just heading to this Rave when she jumped me, yammering on about you and how some big Quarian started shooting." To that, she glared over. Jacohbe was up, brushing his suit off. "That's Jacohbe right?"

"Quite. Rather nasty." Mordin, sat up hissing as his side aches a bit. "Was, not what I expected. Very strong even without biotics."

"Sure." Jack had that grin again. The one she got, when she's planning on killing someone. "I guess shooting him isn't a good idea. So let's make this more interesting?"

Jacohbe stood there glaring back at the human biotic. "You must be that Subject Zero I heard about. Cerberus has some interesting files on you." Cracking his knuckles, the Quarian made his way back slowly. "I heard about your childish upbringing. A word of warning, had I been in charge? The handling would have been a much, much more severe trauma."

Jack's eyes glare on this guy now. "I get that. Other thing I get, I'm going to have fun beating the TAR out of you!" Screaming, she charged with a right hook. Charged with biotic force the fist smashed into the palm of Jacohbe. The large man stepping down on his feet holding off the blow long enough to send his own strike at Jack. The two bare against one another, her fists to his hand and fist. The two forces bound over them, red and blue made something of a violet collaboration. Then the two threw one another back.

Jack skid to a halt, Jacohbe reared back charging once more. On his feet before Jack, he slammed up against her with his shoulder and then snatched Jack's hips, Jacohbe reared up high throwing her with aid of his biotics. Jack's body flailing before her biotic power flushed around her, spun her back and sent her kneeled down in a squat looking at this guy with a snarl of hate.

Soon, Jack stood as Samara walked toward her. "I've got this Samara! You just, go over there and look pretty!"

Charging again, Jack sent a right and a left, Jacohbe turning off the blows to then swing his left fist into Jack's chest, the flood of biotic spun Jack around before she was snared by another biotic grasp. Samara's eyes a glow, the Justicar laid Jack down beside her where both women stand looking to one another.

Jack snapped, "I don't want you getting in my way!"

"Of course." Samara, looked back to Jacohbe. "Merely, my duty is to combat corruption. I've not sensed corruption this thick, in my life. Perhaps, that is why I willingly followed you? The Goddess willed us to this place."

Jack narrowed her eyes, but, she smiled. "Whatever helps you sleep."

The Convict and Justicar began a charge toward Jacohbe, biotic glow a tune to the battle ahead. With the conflict starting, Chakwas ran to Mordin helping him up. "Mordin! Are you okay? Here, I have Medi-gel!" She administered it, and Chakwas worried deeply. "You stupid fool. Look what you got yourself into!"

Mordin winced again, "No time. Tali. Go inside. Find her!" He saw Chakwas try to argue, but he grabbed her shoulder squeezing it roughly. Then he glared back blank, but certain. "Her life is in danger. Mine is not. You helped me. Now go."

Easily that was enough. Chakwas gave him a nod and turned running into the club. Meanwhile, Mordin watched as Jacohbe threw fists with the fists of the two biotics. Jack, fell down slamming both her fists into the knee of the Quarian however, and then Samara followed up with a thrust of her palm that threw that Quarian monster back on his other heel. Jack capitalized, pulling up and then running in punching fast into the mid-stomach of the Quarian. After he stumbled back, Samara ran and leapt up, her biotic giving her a near float before she spun kicking his neck with a boot and enhanced biotic thrust. The blow, sent Jacohbe reeling and holding his throat.

Almost like they could sense the blood, much like two sharks prepared to finally take a chunk out of a wounded whale. The two biotics charged forming a powerful biotic blast within each fist. The blast they released was in unison, Jack threw her right as Samara threw her left. The dual concussion threw Jacohbe back so hard he rolled heel over head, three times. However, on the third roll. Jacohbe's body flooded with red biotic, and he stumbled with his form spinning slowly to a halt, and standing off a kneel.

Jacohbe stood there glowing brighter the more he stood still. Looking at the two women looking at him cockily. Samara gave a moderate frown. "I believe, we may have angered him?"

Jack, said as she had a grin all the more insane. "Good! Now he'll take this seriously!"

Jacohbe's eyes glow bright gold however, and his biotic field grew denser than before. Whatever happened Jacohbe was finally starting to tap into his utmost biotic power. Mordin had gotten to a wall to watch as Samara and Jack both were going to fight Jacohbe. To that, he winced his wrist to his Omni-tool, and hoped his message got to them in time.

Tali sat there looking at this strange Asari woman. The Asari seemed to be, looking at her. Which made her uncomfortable more than anything else. Especially how her eyes play like those of a predator. Swiftly sizing up the 'prey' before them. When Tali asked, "What do you want?"

The Asari woman smiled back with this false kindness. "I just wanted to talk. I got this vibe you're all alone here."

Tali, said with that and a shake of her head. "No, I am with a friend."

"I know that." She, reached out as Tali looked to Garrus still trying to get drinks. Then she had somehow lured Tali into looking at her eyes. The Asari had silver eyes that easily grew more distracting. In fact, it was like she was trying to read her mind. "You are alone. You thought you could trust some one. Yet he betrayed you, am I correct?"

Tali's eyes shake, softly. With a slight tremble, she admits. "I did… I, I don't know how you knew?"

The Asari giggled to that. "Aww, don't worry." Her demeanor somehow that more disarming. Even so the Asari asked, "Do you want to maybe forget him and go onto someone else? That's why you're here. You want to 'find' something else. Something new, and exotic."

As much Minerva wanted or tried? Tali didn't really bite. "I'm sorry, I'm not. I don't mean to be rude, yet I'm not really into Asari."

Tali however got drawn deeper with those eyes. Something in her felt the unease, yet this Asari appealed to her. Within moments, the Asari had Tali debating the 'harm' of just trying to get to know the Asari. With that, she asked, shy like, "So… you, are an Asari? Are you a Matriarch? Or a Pure Blood?"

"Oh, I'm far more than those." Her grin widened with play and game. Every little word is picking at Tali. "I sense this man you loved… he never understood you. Not really. You don't have anyone that understands your sorrows or struggles, but I do."

"How? You don't know me, not really."

"I know you are alone. You want to be accepted. Yet you've never truly had someone. Your father was always away. The Commander never gave you the things you needed. Even now, your friend is gone. He is off doing something else, talking to other people. You're so alone, let me change that?"

Tali sensed this thing she was did deal in truths. Yet, they were half truths. Her father LOVED her so much, he sacrificed the time with her to bring her much. The Commander was still there, but was not here for her love. Then Garrus, was just her friend and tried his best. He gave her the adivce and steady mind to not be dragged into the club. However, Tali gulped as this woman easily shattered the safe senses of this place.

Tali said, softly. "I don't know what I want, I just don't know if you're something I'd want."

Ah, but Minerva? She giggled and flashed her eyes with a slight batter of her lashes. "Be not afraid. I've no desire to bring harm. Only the ending pleasure of sweet, true silent peace."

Tali whined though. How she can sense the danger, the alarm. Kind of, like the times you see a fire burning and want to touch, yet the urge to touch is circumvented with the knowledge it burns you. There was however, a part of her not reacting. The urge to pull away was driven to the opposite. Leaning in, Tali felt the Asari and her stare ever growing. Now, the worst came as Tali saw the other woman's hand slowly reaching out.

"What are you afraid of?" Asked Minerva, as Tali looked at the woman's eyes. Minerva was smiling on her prey with this absolute innocence. "There's no need to fear illness. Not after I am done."

In those words was dread, doom. Tali knew that. Yet even as her hands balled up, and toes curled. There was nothing she can do to stop it. The light blue fingertips laid on her visor now, and would remove her mask! Tali's eyes shiver with fear knowing she'd get sick. Yet a part of her mind knew worse, that this woman was going to somehow do something far more wicked.

"WOO! BABY!" A turian hand snatched Minerva's own, and suddenly yanked her up from her seat. This Turian was the same one from earlier, bragging about his over-use of that illegal drug. "I saw you, and I just knew I had to dance with you."

Tali's head was a little off. However, she stood up and turned toward Garrus finally coming back. She ran over grabbing him which Garrus asked, "What's go-ahh!" She yanked him out of this place as FAST as she can, just so happening that while they left? Chakwas was getting into the main floor and had been searching. The three meet, converse and realize the severity outside so they rush back front in hopes of solving the issue immediately.

Minerva growled a bit. "Get off of me, you overgrown lizard!"

"Sweet talk will get you everywhere, hun." Chuckling, his mandibles chattering on as he held her waist and danced with her in place. "Tell me, what's a pretty thing like you doing with a tiny Quarian like her?" Turning back, Tali was gone. "Aww, I must have ruined your date. Sorry, but hey! I'll be your runner up prize."

Minerva glared up on the Turian. He had some nerve… "What do you want?"

His beady eyes slink with some form of joy. "Mm, not a lot. A kiss might be a start?"

Minderva's eyes glow a little as that simple request meant everything. "Oh, well that I can do."

As they inch closer, she heard him whisper, "I bet you can, Minerva."

Minerva quirked her brow, though the kiss was then forced. She felt his lips on hers. The sudden gaze she gave of absolute alarm and fear, when something reached into her throat from his mouth and just seemed to pull something from deep inside. Minerva fumbled back pushing the Turian away, then gagging as the something wasn't pulled from her, but rather instead pushed deep into her throat like a thick, black smog. She coughed up these large phlegm-fogs before pushing up toward the back door exits.

The Turian seemed to smile in a otherwise twisted way. His friend came over, saying, "Wow, you totally made epic fai-," The human's throat then was grabbed by the Turian. Gagging a little, the human squirmed. Yet the Turian pushed him back snarling something and then leaving towards those same doors. Leaving his friend coughing at the fact his buddy just nearly snapped his neck, dude… that was harsh.

The fight between Jacohbe, Jack and Samara was extremely fascinating. Mordin had to lay rather still as the fight continued. It looked like Jack and Samara had Jacohbe on the ropes for a while. However, the more the fight continued, the harder it got. Jack's strength was based on anger and her emotions channeled with her rather warped mind, while Samara feeds on her ideals of justice and desire to follow the code. The powers of Jack and Samara were incredible and together, they formidably fought.

Even now, Jack came running in with a scream throwing her right fist charged by her power the blow bound against the open palm of Jacohbe. Both forced, red and blue powers forming cones of energy from the two hands. Samara, leapt in kicking her feet the booted heels dug once in the stomach of the Quarian, then as she kicked off the other boot flew up bounding a kick over his head. The stumbling Quarian made a moment lapse, before Jack drove down to a knee and sent her still charged fist into his knee making him topple down hard on that same knee. After that, Samara landed and formed her fists with power, and charging in Samara struck with her fists. The blows Samara released were each aimed for the sides of the head of Jacohbe. Each hit sent the Quarian turning with a strike. Yet after that whole onslaught, Jacohbe seemed to sink in on himself before just as swiftly getting up. This, made Jack roar up and wail both her hands in an upwards haymaker, to the chest of the Quarian throwing him up at such an arc, he nearly looked to fly!

After slamming back and rolling, Jacohbe laid still a while. That is, before he started to shift and stand on his knee. Now Samara and Jack both were breathlessly holding themselves slouched or just about collapsed. The more they attack, the slower he got up but the thing was he GOT up every time. It was beginning to prove impossible to defeat him this way.

Samara even asked, "Have you noticed? This is getting rather off track?"

Jack simply rubbed her jaw admitting, "I'm a bit surprised. Freak's got to have an off switch."

Jacohbe stood there ruffling his jacket a bit. When done, the fairly confident Quarian asked, "Was that it?" He looked at the two with a slight sigh, "I've heard so many rumors. That the two of you embody the greatest of what biotics offer. For humanity and the justicar, it can't be just inter-species bravado, could it?"

Walking toward the now charging duo, Jacohbe gave a slight chuckle. Jacohbe, enjoyed this game. Yet for the time being the rules were very unknown to the two. Where they called up all their strength, he just used his in tandem. With every powerful blow they forced, he bound against with his being to heal. The unfair advantage here came to the Quarian. Finally, the two were on him, but Jack and Samara felt their necks be pried into a forceful grip, bodies raised as Jacohbe glows with that red haze and leapt into the air, forcefully plummeting down and smashing both into a crater of stone and steel road. There, they were snuffed out from their blue flush, and soon left lay as Jacohbe raised his hands into fists and slammed them down hard on each chest.

A sense of pride now returned to Jacohbe. After taking such a long, annoying beating. Jacohbe crouched shifting up one hand and landing it down on Samara, the one that seemed to have the most desire to get back up. "How the "mighty" have fallen, eh? Pathetic really."

Jack snarled a bit, now she turned up forming a ball of blue biotic. However, Jacohbe whipped his wrist and sent his read biotic across Jack, spinning her off to the side. There Jacohbe began to chuckle and gloat over the two downed warriors. "This is how it is, girls. The eventual destruction of you both. The end of your resistance. Mortals, always anger me with this impudent need to continue on. I can't tell where it comes from? My natural desire to be the better of such, or the desire to recognize your failures? Either way, it's a pleasure seeing you give up like good mortals should."

At that, a pistol round struck Jacohbe's head. He turned up slowly, seeing Mordin heaving against a wall. With a twitch, the Salarian stood shakily still aiming his pistol.

"Right, forgot about you." Sighing, Jacohbe rolled his head and stood up. Kicking Samara off to the side as well. "I suppose short lived things like you don't get how important surrender really is. Here, I'll just, take a minute to show you."

As Jacohbe came ever closer Mordin began to fire his pistol. Mostly small bouts, random squeezes of the trigger. The shots rang out and hit the barrier of Jacohbe. The Quarian stomped ever closer, eyes baring a hate under his visor before he came up and swung a punch into Mordin's stomach. The hit, sent the Salarian reeling on his midsection, but a hand took him by the horn and slung Mordin back to the wall. There, Jacohbe asked mockingly, "Was this the plan of the scientist? Hmm? Be beaten to death, let his biotic colleagues gather their second breaths?" Turning back over, Jacohbe raised his free hand sending a powerful blast of his biotic into Jack, then to Samara getting both to flail off the blast itself. "If so," Jacohbe turned and laughed lightly, before whispering in full mockery, "I suspect your genius may be no more than personal word. Mordin."

Mordin had a smirk that perhaps seemed out of place to Jacohbe? However, the smirk gave to a sneer. Even with this level of pain, he had planned more. "Was, not my intention. In fact? Was better a distraction. So long as you were distracted. Would need but a few more moments, I surmise. So, knowing you, and your desire to talk? I found this adequate."

Glaring, Jacohbe snarled out, "You dare assume me, mortal? Pathetic, insecure little creature. Unwilling to listen to the simple truth of your own inability. Why do mortals have to keep this mindless sense of loyalty to their own short comings?"

Even if that were true? Mordin just resisted on, until the heavy light coming from the street. "Timing, quite impeccable." Jacohbe became distracted. Long enough, Mordin could push his legs and weight on the wall before springing himself and Jacohbe back. The resulting event, was not pretty.

First, a vehicle flew down the street. The sound of it now hitting two bodies, was loud as it veered on the one side coming to a fast halt. Jacobe flew roughly with the hood of the vehicle being almost centered. Mordin, since he was still pushing off Jacohbe, he got winged on the side and thrown toward the club wall again, luckily enough in time as Garrus, Tali and Chakwas returned. The doctor ran over beginning to curse the Salarian. Jacohbe's form rolled several foot before he came to a stop and swiftly rolled on his back, grumbling.

"This couldn't be wo-," His ears pick up on a small ticking, sort of. There he turned to see in midst the struggle Mordin placed another of his grenades in place. Glaring, Jacohbe closed his eyes and groaned before the explosion that engulfed him in flame. Obviously enough to do severe damage to him or better his suit?

The shuttle opened up though, and Shepard appeared. With a slight distaste of the whole scene he came running, "Mordin!" He fell to a knee, as Chakwas looked him over. "I got your message, what the hell?"

Mordin smiled, "Was, my idea. That you'd be here much more quickly."

Shepard narrowed his eyes a little. "I wasn't exactly set to drive, the one who was… well, isn't a good driver."

Sadly, Grunt held the wheel as he came over. "I did the best I could. Fortunately, I finally got to hit some one. Even a Salarian, it seems?"

Looking up Shepard frowned, but Grunt tossed the wheel smiling all the same. "It's okay," looking back to Mordin, he asks, "What happened?"

"Not too sure. Seems, Jacohbe came here to find us. Did not expect that." Looking though he frowned, Jacohbe was moving, again. "Most certainly. He is not going to give up easily?"

Shepard regrets it but, "Seems he'll keep attacking us until we're dead." Looking back though, well… "Jacohbe?" The Quarian had turned and was running…? "What the…?"

Jacohbe, grumbled a bit as his suit chipped away little by little as dust and ash. Hearing footsteps, the Quarian turned to see Shepard and his colleagues chasing him now. "Blast." He stopped, turned and forged all his biotic power out over the cars on the street. Needless to say, he threw a large barrage of them before running off again. Whatever happened made Jacohbe flee as fast as he could. Not before he had a small after thought, on how Minerva never returned… probably dead, no skin off his bones.

Oh, that angered him so… Skin…

Minerva had made it to the end of the dark alley. Every step felt off and tired. Her body weighed with this heavy, black muck that literally was in her veins. So thick was it, that her veins were blackened and pulsing from her cheeks. How could she have been this easily overcome? The great Minerva? First of the Ardakt-Yakshi? The FIRST of the breed of the new… it was deplorable. She made a legend come true. A lore become life. Having her being now plagued by a 'Reaver' was ill! They, the hunters… the slayers. The supposed other breed of the other Elder Kin, from the other realms. From a realm she herself never dreamed of seeing. It illed her so to think one was here, and was it possible it was the SAME one? No, they had that one contained. It was… contained, wasn't it?

Telling Jacohbe was all that mattered. Least, for her? Minerva saw Jacohbe now, running. She reached out in an attempt to call him. Yet he was flying with his biotic might into the air, to the rooftops. She tried again but only black smog rolled from her lips. Coughing instead, she saw her lover escape, fleeing her? Was it possible he forgot her? Or, did he abandon her?

These thoughts ended swiftly as a hand latched her lips, and three long talons pierced from her back out her stomach, yet the worst part was as her eyes rolled back, she felt herself slowly being 'pulled' from consciousness and into those diabolical claws. Within her head, a whispering doubt played.

"It's queer, isn't it? How many things you think when you die. There's the whole, 'Did he leave me because I failed?' and, 'Was it because I was too slow?' but, I like 'Did he ever love me? Or did he ever truly care for me and the others?'. To that, I just ask this?"

Minerva was falling as bones now, a sparking light pinched between the three claws. Softly being squeezed into a large, strange mouth fixed at the palm of the hand, with fangs that spun like saws and tongues which circle and lap the unreal energy. Softly nestled in the hand's grasp before being swallowed back.

"Did you really ever think anything more, than all of the above?"

Soon Shepard ran past the alley. The others with him. A sudden turn though and Zaeed had thought he saw someone. All he found was a dead turian falling over next to the bones of what looked to be some long, long dead Asari. Obviously, he called out, "Shepard!"

Shepard watched as Jacohbe was far gone. Cursing in his head, he came back seeing the two bodies. "What's all this?"

Tali, actually recognized the turian. "W-wait? That is the Turian that tore that strange Asari off me from in the bar." Lowering her head, she asked, "Why is he here? Why is she… dead, like that?"

Shepard took a moment to look at the bodies. Obviously, the Asari seemed almost like dust she was dead… been dead maybe? The Turian, was a little different. He looked to be dead a short time, but he was just standing a few seconds ago right?

Zaeed asks, "Shepard, can we leave?"

Looking back, Shepard had to ask with some distain, "We have Jacohbe attacking us, strange occurances here and no clues as to why, so you want to just leave?"

Zaeed however said, "Look! I know things, and I've seen things. Simple as that. I know, I like when I shoot something it stays dead. I prefer, when I shoot something it just lies there. I don't however, prefer to stick around asking questions when something that should be dead, stands up and runs off. That's when I say 'Hey! Let's get to the ship!' Alright?"

Mordin was being walked over with Chakwas whilst Zaeed pleads his reasons. Shepard agreed… lacking the fact, there was nothing more they can do here. Even so, Mordin looked over the Turian with a slight haze. Then, he grabbed Chakwas begging, "Get me a sample, of his blood."

Chakwas was confused, but then she saw Thane walk over asking if he could help, Mordin explaining he needed aid with Jack and Samara who may have some broken ribs, nothing severe? Chakwas gave a nod then she stopped beside the body, taking a blood sample. After that, she left and the rest also funnel off.

Though, Tali seemed to be slowest. Garrus asked, "Tali, something the matter?"

Tali's head slowly looked up. Finding it hard to tell, she just lied. "No, I'm fine. Shaken up maybe from all this excitement?" A sigh, she held her arm as they walked. This was partially true. That matter with, Minerva? It had effected her in some ways. She realized, just how much she wanted something new, different. She desired in her a change, one that might give her the chance to finally stop being so alone. Now, Shepard meant the universe to her. However, she needed to move on. Coming here was supposed to help. Though, what did it really accomplish? In some ways, she hoped… or prayed, by some means that she could just as easily find this something back on the Normandy.

Even though that seemed a bit ludicrous.

The Normandy docking bay, there was a slightly anticipant Geth standing nearby. Legion took time thanks to Kisumi to prepare this meal, and a number of other issues were made clear. Everything, everything to offer the optimum effect. Legion stood ready and still, erect and tall. Basically in absolute preparation for the coming appearance of Tali'zorah, and the rest of the away groups. Although, when they arrived? Legion's flaps twist with slight alarm seeing them hovel in Mordin, and behind him Jack and Samara. Jack was fine mostly pushing off the others. Samara, implied her wounds if any were just superficial and would desire only meditation. The sad thing is that neither were allowed this fiasco of bravado farther than what it was, as Legion saw them now leaving toward the medical bay. This made things most complicated.

Legion turned seeing Tali pass him. As much he deliberated, it was not wise. Instead he stopped Dr. Chakwas. "Doctor Chakwas, what has transpired?" The Geth came looking back at the scene, and then to Chakwas with his camera on the move swiftly. "There seems to have been a major incident?"

Chakwas realized how he must be thinking. "Oh, dear. The whole meal… well, it's not exactly what you'd want to hear." A nod, the doctor motioned him off to the side. Where alone, she explained, "Jacohbe attacked us on Illium and it went rather sourly for everyone. Once more, it would seem perhaps Shepard knows how he knew what was happening, but that may just be him trying to make sense of things."

Legion seemed to understand, mostly. "We see. However, will this impede the original transgression of activities?"

Chakwas did not know. A frown, and she shook her head. "I can not answer this I am afraid. However, I know how much it meant to you so we will do our best to keep things 'on track' so to speak?"

Legion gave his approval by nodding. However, he spun his lens. "If needed, we will happily offer aid within confines of need. Even should this affect previous plans? It will be most acceptable."

To that the doctor only smiled. He was a good friend, machine too? The Normandy was disembarking now, and she walked with Legion telling him. "For now it would be best we all just leave it as is. I'm almost certain, we've got more than our hands full to come." Lowering her head, she realized how bad this could get. "Jacohbe will not be licking his wounds for forever, let's just see what Shepard wants to do?"

Legion accepted this. Legion, looked down though and saw something in her hand. "Doctor Chakwas? What is this vial?"

Lowering her eyes she realized, "Mordin requested I draw some blood from the dead Turian. I'm almost certain, he saw something of importance… perhaps, we should talk to him in the medical bay?"

A dark room where but the sight of the large, exploding star. This was the room of the Illusive Man. The chain-smoker, chuckled to himself as the link became active. Turning, he asked, "What, might I be so humbled with you-,"

Shepard, snapped out angrily, "Cut the crap! How did Jacohbe find us? How did he know where we were, and what to do?"

To this, the Illusive Man asked, "How else does someone find someone? He looked for information. It could have been from who knows where, but it wasn't from me." Sitting up, he pushed out his cigarette, stating, "I'm not playing a game with you Shepard. If he found you it wasn't my doing!" Then, he smiled though. "However, information? I did sell him something. For information."

"In other words information about me, and my team? I hope whatever you got out of him was worth that!"

Ah, but the Illusive man, true to that name, spoke softly and surely. "I got what's needed Shepard. Information not just what he told me, but was stored within his ship's logs. That should be plenty worth any danger you and your group had to suffer." A smile that just told Shepard how true this was, Shepard relaxed crossing his arms. Taking the sign of acceptance, the Illusive Man smoked his next puff with a little more fervor.

"What did you find out?"

Shepard requested the information, and the Illusive Man seemed to be compliant, for now. "What we found out was interesting, to say the least. First, it would seem Jacohbe had received a call recently from a most unexpected location. It originated from Dark Space."

"So, it is true. He has a connection to the Reapers?"

The smoke cloud rolled forth a little, as the Illusive man said, "I think more than that. We did some more research, and there was a strange signal sent from his ship to the Omega 4 Relay, which surprisingly seemed to send his ship into another unknown coordinate. That is what has me worried. You've mentioned in a report that there is a possibility Jacohbe is something called an "Elder Kin"? Well, if that were true? It could be a race of some unknown origin. I'd like to know more."

This, was where Shepard got his bad feelings. "So you want me to study them if I can?"

"I'd like information. On this race, what they are and why they exist? What are their politics? Benefits to us? Technology? All the works. It sounds simple for a man like you, one who loves to poke his nose into others business."

Shepard smirked as he asked, "Only when it's worth my time. Like when I'm poking a nose in your business?"

"Which always costs me in the end, right?" At this moment these two almost sounded friendly. Shepard knew better, and this man definitely knew better. The Illusive man said, somberly. "I'm not sure what else I can tell you on that information. What I DO know, is that the unknown signal is most likely one Jacohbe has only, or perhaps others like him? That will be up for debate. What I can tell you is that the information I gathered, within trade? It was valuable as well. I found he has some interesting partners Shepard."

Shepard was now very interested. "Like, who?"

Three figures stood before Jacohbe in holographic sight. One, a Salarian, in a fine robe. The other, an Asari with a fine dress. The last was a Turian, whom now asked, "What news do you have on the Quarian/Geth relations, Jacohbe?"

Jacohbe lowered his head, "Well," He smiled within his new visor and helmet. "From what I can tell, they are still very deeply in war."

The smile on the lips of the Salarian implied, he was satisfied. However, the Asari member lowered her head, glaring to the side. "It is still remarkable you can offer so much. Especially after the… failure, on Omega."

"Omega was derailed. However, I cam still more than capable of doing what must be done. There are other ways to fulfil the plans put forth. After all, I am a Spectre. That is what you made me one, in secrecy for, no councilors?"

"THE Council!" Shepard was shocked, appalled… disturbed. "How? Wh-what and why?"

"From what I can tell? Jacohbe, is an un-known Spectre. Working within secret back-office dealings. Think about it Shepard." He crossed his arms leaning in his chair. "The Council is not as 'clean' as it likes to seem. The Geth attacks left great levels of fear and uncertainty. With them, Quarian people are discriminated ten fold. The Council survives on the uncertainty of other races, and the constant distortion of the truth. With the Geth attacks? There is a universal distortion."

Puffing another blast of smoke, the Illusive Man allowed Shepard some time to think that part, then he said, "As they use the situation. Geth mean fear, fear means control. The more hate for the Quarians the better the Council seems by univocally dismissing them. You want to control people, give them something to look to you to fix. The Quarians and the Geth both serve a surprising tool for the Council. Jacohbe, is their answer."

Lowering his head, Shepard realized deeper. "Which, if the Geth and Quarians were to ally the Reapers would be in danger. Synthetic life meeting with the Reapers in rebellion… damn, I get it."

"Now you're thinking like a war commander." To that, he pressed out his cigarette and flicked the ashes. "The Reapers are using Jacohbe to perhaps keep these two factions in war. If the creature from the Hunley had achieved that goal? Then who knows what would have happened? Perhaps it could have been claimed for another purpose? Perhaps, there was a use for all those Quarians being killed? The Geth attack on Omega, also would have only intensified issues. The Council would be called into action, perhaps to allow some one to take command of the situation? Or strengthen the fear, to make new legal revenues? It's hard to tell."

Lowering his head, Shepard closed his eyes. "I can't trust anyone it seems." To that, he glared on the Illusive man as well. "No one, but my team."

"Perhaps, it's for the best?" Shepard gave a nod, and left the talks. The Illusive Man puffed his cigarette as thought played in his mind. Would this be a way to get him back? Or would he still believe the Council? It's hard to tell, hard to believe. Did he believe anyone? Other than himself?

Shepard… what the illusive man he turns out to be. Though, he's more allusive in reality.

Dr. Chakwas returned to her medical bay to find someone standing at the consoles working. The person, was Mordin Solus. "Mordin!"

Mordin, turned but smiled. "Ah! Glad you're here. I was beginning to worry I might have to hobble over to the culturing device for my samples."

Glaring though, Chakwas showed no interest in 'aiding' him that way. "You need to lay back down Mordin."

"Laying will wait." Mordin said without really looking at her now. He was hunched over the microscope, asking, "Did you get the samples I requested from my lab?"

Mordin then felt the hand on his shoulder. Looking back, he saw this worried human woman. With a frown though, he stood there lowering his own eyes. "I need this Chakwas. When I have answers, I'll rest. Not until then?"

Chakwas and her eyes were still just the same amount of concern. Showing the level of care she had for him. The Doctor smiled back softly before offering him the samples. "I'm going to regret asking but, what has you so up and about?"

Mordin smiled back now. Taking the samples, he began to divide them on slides. "I seem to recall the same odd growths on Seima, though not heavily collected in wounds like this Turian sample, similar samples were in the body of the young girl Quarian lost also." Here, he started to compare. "Extremely unexpected. All signs point to similar ailment, yet perhaps not ailment? Merely a side-effect or, better still symptom caused by same occurrence." He turned, holding his chin. "If only…"

Chakwas raised a hand, though he was asking, "EDI?" The AI came up, "Might you rune a swift comparison to known logs and files within my medical database, anything of similar composition and so on, all the better!"

"Of course, Mordin."

A nod and the professor started to pace. However, grabbing his side the Salarian reminds himself. "Searing pain, internal bruising I'm almost certain!"

Chakwas angrily warned, "That's what I was trying to tell you!" Her eyes, bare anger as he held the table nearest him. "You're still injured. You still have to take time to heal. The medical supplements serve for what they can, yet you can't go on like this so… so, stupidly!"

How Mordin disliked to be even remotely criticized, let alone called such a word. "I was not expecting that." He admits, yet Mordin smiled and gave his nod. "Most likely, you wouldn't say that unless you were truly worried?"

"Of course I'm worried!" Her eyes flutter a little. "Mordin… I…"

The sound she made as she held back her words? Awkward. Mordin stood there somber, but fairly neutral. He tried to keep his mind in control. Mordin then asked, "Do you really care this much about me?"

Chakwas shrugged her shoulders and crossed her arms. How it felt to care for him, but only get disbelief. "What I feel is what I feel. I'm not going to deny that."

Mordin now felt rather good for himself. Smiling, the Salarian asks with a slight infliction, "Is that to imply you have feelings for me?"

"Hmph." Her smile, and Chakwas asks, "What makes you think I really care? I took an oath to help all those and care for them. My crew in total."

To this, Mordin asked, "What about me? Is it this oath or you just like our long discussions together? The constant mental stimulation?"

Chakwas asked, huskily as she'd turned about to the now nervous professor. "What if I were to say it's not the mental stimulation I'm craving any more? What if I wanted something more… tactile, as it were?"

"Oh, well. That would be, unexpected?" Mordin, coughed into his hand, before his eyes speedily waver to the sides. "Mind you, I do have some research papers and otherwise interesting pamphlets for you, if you wished? That is, to read on this. To imply, therein that those desires and wants were viable actions to be tak-."

"Shh," Chakwas smiled after the sudden hush, and laying of her fingers on his lips. "You're talking too much. It reminds me of a certain Quarian on this ship."

That made Mordin recall, what happened with Legion and Tali? However, having Chakwas now hold his arms softly in her hands drove that away. His eyes, blinking rapidly as the human woman leaned up on her toes. Salarians were not all tall, but he obviously was tall enough she'd stand. Mordin did not help how he nervously bent back on his knees somehow trying to not kiss her, thought it felt somehow right?

EDI returned, "Professor Mordin?" Mordin turned with all the appreciation he can hide, pulling from the near-kiss. Then Mordin asked, or was going to when EDI told. "I found one result outside of the samples currently acquired. It is on the ship under your logs, from a mission a week ago. Do you wish for me to release the information?"

"Yes, swiftly." Mordin, held his chin idly skimming his eyes to the shadow of Chakwas. Dr. Chakwas sighed closing her eyes and slumping her shoulders. What a stubborn Salarian! The information was then received however and Mordin whispered, softly, "Was not what I expected. Strange. This is, unsettling."

Even hearing him breathe before the last word was enough. Chakwas finally grabbed Mordin and forced him to a bed. "Lay down Mordin! The research can wait!"

Mordin laid still however, and crossed his arms. "Agreed, I will continue later. I can not think what to do now." Seeing he gave up, or in so easily? Chakwas smiled thinking she caused it. Really, it was the information he gained. They have had contact prior to this, and that now confused him. Mordin needed time to think. Sadly, Chakwas would put him under sooner or later, he'd have to think as much as he could before she did this.

Now Mordin asked, "Chakwas?" The doctor got back to her own console, turning only to show interest in how he asked for her. "Do you know what has happened with Tali and Legion?"

Tali had no idea what was going on outside of Engineering. In truth, no one did. Other than one Geth and his cohort in crime, a certain thief, named Kasumi. Kasumi helped Legion on grounds of a number of reasons. The most being she felt Tali was perhaps the best friend she had any longer. True, she's not on a regular meet-up talk with the Quarian, but they got along far better than anyone else. Legion seemed to be in some, unknown way nervous. Kasumi saw how as they stood just outside of engineering the Geth's lens clicked repeatedly, and hands wrung together for whatever reason. A nervous tick the poor Geth picked up while interacting with Tali it seemed. Either way, Kasumi would not allow him to back down.

"Okay, here we go." Kasumi smiled to Legion who watched her push him forward into the door. When it opened, Tali stood there working all the same. "Go on, do it."

Legion turned back. Yet he followed through. "Tali'zorah vas Normandy?" Tali turned around, blinking. "We were aware issues occurred on Illium, however, we were still well aware that plans were made for future interactions. If this has changed, we accept this as relation to other issues within the previous encounters."

Tali's head tilts almost like that of the Geth when he was curious and confused. When she realized what he meant, however? "Oh! Keelah, Legion! I forgot!" She clanked her helmet softly, "Ancestors forgive me, there have been way, way too many things going on. Sometimes, the important things get disheveled, no?"

Legion's flaps twitch with what might be excitement, did she feel this was important then? If so, that was a good sign. "Again, we acknowledge the needs of Tali to do other tasks. We would not interfere."

Tali slowly lowered her head. "Well, I have work here…"

Ah, but Kasumi? "Well I can take over!" The way Tali looked up, hands up in hold showed her excitement. "Hey! What are friends for, right?"

"Ah! Kasumi!" Tali's arms wrap the thief in a hug. "Thank you so much! I really need something good to happen today." A scoff, the poor Quarian girl admits, "Everything else has become a mess of another mess. It'll be good to relax, oh, Legion?" Legion turned up to Tali, ready for her question. "What vids did you acquire?"

Walking off, Legion followed Tali. Kasumi smiling as she took over. This will be SO good for gossip. She loved to get into some new gossip.

Legion began to explain, "We found numerous vids which will be of interest. Several documentaries on the Quarian people, as well a number of vids on rather interesting re-telling from Quarian culture, sub-culture an-,"

Tali asked rather oddly, "Did you really want to watch those? Or did you choose them solely for my benefit?"

"We do not have enough data?"

Tali smirked, before telling him. "Just tell me, what you think of what I have?" She had a flip of her wrist and began a list of vids from her Omni-tool, "What about… hmm, no I saw, I hated that…" She was skimming the list, then she stopped. "What about this one?" She gleamed a bit, "Flames of Rannoch?"

Legion looked to the title, and swiftly he began to decipher the meaning. Not from the title, but the title in Vid searches. What he found was interesting. "Flames of Rannoch, a romance action film written by Quarian Filmaker Undrid Vas Tempest. The film depicts the story of a young Quarian girl on pilgrimage trapped in a midst of gang wars and political corruption, her life at peril her only hope is an Ex-Alliance military member now simply a bar patron. The story also delves into the extent of human/quarian relationships, and introduces Marcus Zimmerman for his original role as the main character, Mr. Onto Vehrk, the 'hero' in role. It sounds appealing."

Tali looked back with a slight sparkle in her eyes. Already, she was beyond excited. "Excellent! This will be perfect, I've been waiting for a chance to watch this."

Legion however reminds himself, somehow. "We need to stop at the Crew showers. If that is acceptable?"

Tali raised a brow though "Wait, we what?"

"I have a surprise for you. Kasumi helped to arrange this matter."

Tali's eyes wander across Legion for a moment. She tried to get a clue, but you can't really tell from a synthetic this way. "O-okay, sure… whatever you want?" She was nervous, but that's natural. What kind of surprise could anyone want to show them in the showers? IT was just out of place. It also made the poor girl think one thing that hopefully as just a play of her curious imagination.

When the two reach the crew quarters. Tali raised a brow to the sign on the women's restrooms. "The rest rooms are out of order…?"

Legion gave but a nod. "I arranged this thanks to Kasumi. Her skills were most promising in this plan working." He turned, Tali just narrowing her eyes on him. Was she upset? Or merely displeased at the secrecy? "We assure you this has no negative ramifications."

Tali would have said something around the lines of, 'or only ones you can think of?' but, from the men's restrooms Zaeed and Jack came walking out. The sight was less than appreciated. "Eh, you still can't find better than me, huh skank?"

"Old man like you? Please, I got more of a work-out with that biotic freak on Illium." A smirk though, Jack held his arm rather curtly. A bit of a giggle, she asks, "Want to go fool around on Tali's console? I swear, if she ever knew what a mess we ma-," Her eyes grow wide to the sight of Tali, "T-T-Tali? Oh! Hey! Tali, yeah. So… you were there?"

Tali's eyes were wide, glowing balls of disbelief. Zaeed coughed up a little saying, "Let's just take the er, long way back…" he smiled down as he whispers, "Go and fool around on the weapons controls, get poor Garrus a show if he finds us, am I right?"

The two laugh to themselves as Tali slowly turned back. Disbelief and slight horror, she asks, "What the hell was that? Negative, try detrimental Legion!"

"We could not have forseen this. However, perhaps this will rectify the situation?" Legion opened the supposedly out of order bathroom to show a recent mist in the air from sterilization. Legion and Tali enter, Tali realizing when she used this restroom most regularly there is a self-sanitation protocol. It was used so she can take her own bath which was fine. When they enter, the same mist began to spray out from numerous vents and positions in the room.

Tali looked to Legion confused. Why was he doing all this exactly? What was it he was trying to show her? Then she found out what. Right there he now pulled out a foldable table setting it on the center floor, and there came a set of chairs. When it was set up, Tali raised her brow again as the Geth started setting one chair with a plate, fork, knife and spoon that he then looked to Tali obviously offering her a seat. Tali took a seat and felt Legion push her in. Next, Legion walked to a small rounded platter with a lid over it, and the lid was a vacuum sealed dish. The sound as Legion turned a nob allowing the platter to be revealed was like a long, heavy hiss. The contents inside had been in this sanitized vacuum for some time. Tali's eyes watch the sight of a rounded slab of almost purple blooded meat cooked rather well, and the small garnishing of a number of specific plants from Turian worlds. Tali's eyes look across the meat dish and asked, after the initial shock, "IS this what I think it is?"

"Yes." Legion's vocal pattern almost sounded excited. "We prepared it ourselves. We obtained it upon Illium, and desired to offer it to Tali when we could. Kasumi aided us in preparation, it was most exquisite." Turning to the wall, he moved flicking his Omni-tool, "There are 0% infectious materials inside this facility, we purged several times and encouraged no intervention of other personnel. This should keep from any chance of infection or disease to an extreme minimal. Also, an immuno-booster was used with preparation, and should aid with all other health risks while digestion occurs."

"Oh Legion, you shouldn't have…"

"We desired to offer optimum performance for your participation tonight." Turning about, Legion stood seeing she was with her head low. He tilts his head with confusion, "Is there something the matter? Have you already consumed your daily intake prior?"

"Hmm?" She had a smile, one of sincere appreciation and regret. "No, not that. It's just… well, Legion? I'm allergic to this kind of meat. In fact, the last time I tried it. I bloated up like a Volus." A giggle, and she stood. Legion's head had turned down realizing his failure at this point. "Still, this was really kind of you. Much better than I ever anticipated." Walking over, she hugged Legion who stood tall and slowly reached around in an attempt to do the same. Tali pulled back however, and gave her appreciative nod again, "Thank you so much. This is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for me. You REALLY went out of your way."

"Yes." A nod, Legion lowered his arms. "If this may proceed? We have Vids to continue, correct?"

"Mhm," A smirk and Tali asked, "What about this meal? Any one else you think might want it?"

Lowering his head, Legion debated. "There is no one else to offer it to. It was prepared for a Quarian. We have no other Quarian members. Perhaps, I will contain the item for a later time?" He began to gather the platter and put it away. "If something may come to pass, we will use this meal another time?"

"Alright." Tali gave a smile and pats his shoulder, "I'm so sorry you went through all this for nothing."

"Negative." Legion stood, as Tali looked at him curiously. "We did this for many things. It does not matter should the event not be a success. It is not a failure."

Looking down, she shrugged. "I suppose?"

"Indeed. We are certain. Perhaps, you will be happier to take your time the observation deck we will be there shortly." A moment, Tali turned and left. Legion had the dish put back away and now exited, turning his head to the side seeing if anyone saw him. He lowered his head shaking it when knowing he was alone. "That was, unexpected."

Another emotion, disappointment. It will be noted and information from the Ethernet gathered.

There was the sound of the door opening in the medical bay. Chakwas, still alert for fear Mordin may do something idiotic found a welcome distraction in the resident Krogan. Grunt came in looking around finding Mordin laid out. "The Salarian is still injured, I see?"

"Very." Chakwas smiled as it seemed rather irregular Grunt would arrive. The only viable thing to understand was… "Well, I never thought I'd see the day. A Krogan was worried for a Salarian."

Grunt glared back on Chakwas, who did not falter but sat arms crossed. She was always well refined and better confident from her years.

Grunt told her, with a slight snort of irritation. "What I am here for is none of your concern." He however looked back over, and asked, "How is the Salarian healing? He was able to fight this 'Jacohbe' being, I've yet the pleasure."

"You sound like you look forward to the conflict?"

"I am Krogan." That, she sighed closing her eyes and shaking her head profusely, realizing what he means. A Krogan looks for battle. Grunt, had to be the best of the best in their own. So to defy his natural lust for battle, was idiotic.

"Yes I forget that fact sometimes." A smile, she saw Grunt move to another table and have a confused look. "What is the matter?"

"Jack and Samara?"

"Oh, them?" She thought, "Jack, was barely bruised though she had a broken rib, I mended it with some proper attention. Samara had not much else than severe exhaustion, easily she took time to rest. Mordin was the one that sustained the most injuries." A frown, and she looked over sadly. "I fear he might be a few days before properly healed. Let alone if the damn fool can stay still."

Grunt lowered his head with thought, then asked, "Would moving around kill him?" She shook her head no, "Cause more injury?" To that, she shied her eyes. "Huh, maybe you're the one that needs to leave well alone?"

"I am a doctor! I can't just ignore my patients!" Huffed up, Chakwas stood but found herself easily outsized by the Krogan. To which, she restates, "Hard to believe a Krogan is this worried for a Salarian?"

A grin and Grunt told her, simply. "He is part of my Krannt. I need him here as much as anyone else. For the battles to come." A nod, he asks, "Where does keeping him locked up aid me? Let alone himself?"

A good point to be taken. Chakwas, lowered her eyes biting her lip. Mostly she's afraid for him. Seeing how badly he got hurt, it was not unlikely the same conflict could kill him later. That idea made her want to keep him in her lab all the time. Though, realistically that was just being selfish. A smile though she asked, "Well, what do you have planned?"

"Hmm?" Grunt, shrugged as he sat. "Just waiting to see what he does when he wakes."

That came faster than they expected. Mordin, shot up almost as EDI told them all, "I have finished comparing the cultures gathered Professor Mordin. I have found an existing match. One outside of the case studies you provided."

Mordin smiled proudly it seemed, sitting on the bed. Here, he asks, "What did you find? I am beyond excited. Might offer a good, outside look." Turning toward Chakwas and Grunt, he blinked. "When did he arrive?"

Grunt had a laugh as Chakwas sighed, so Mordin was that obsessed with his work? That even sleeping, if it did not matter to that, he cared not?

EDI said, as per her usual unemotional self. "The data shows an unknown crystal formation, grown in the blood of extreme 'cold'. However, it is not ice. It is a nearly almost foreign body formed perhaps by an unknown alien body. Most likely, the fusion of the other body with normal living tissue leaves this residual formation."

Mordin gave a nod. "Makes sense. Can not 'exist' inside the host. Is rather, part to the host. Becomes the host. For a short period of time the host is unaware and unable to realize the severity of the changes." Looking down, he held his chin. "Therefore, if the host is dead the body can be more directly controlled. If the host is near death, the body again can be contacted or controlled… interesting."

Chakwas asked, "What are you on about?"

"The samples. One from Seima, another her daughter and the last was the Turian." Standing, he held his side wincing of pain. Chakwas knew and stood, getting some pain killers. Still, Mordin came over to EDI. "However, you found a fourth sample? From where, what medical records?"

EDI spoke, strangely. "That is the oddity, Professor. It is from your record on the Normandy. You made this log previously."

"Me?" Mordin was incredibly confused. "What record? When?"

"Six days ago, you finished your report on the sample. It was from planet Verazia, a jungle world where two team members nearly were killed after being lost." Mordin closed his eyes, trying to recall. "The incident ended with the sample from an unknown mutation, within a Varren. Not native to the world, it is assumed it was somehow brought to or left on the planet. There is no definite information available. You filed all the proper reports."

Shockingly, Mordin can not recall. Yet Grunt did. "That was where Battle Mistress Tali and Legion got in that fight, remember?" Mordin's eyes grew, "Yeah, the two of them killed that thing. In fact, I remember it was a weird looking Varren even by Varren terms. You mean, that thing was related to this?"

Mordin turned and said, "Not related! That Varren, IS this thing!"

Chakwas had a frown. "Wait, what?"

Grunt, sat there shrugging. "I don't know. Yet I bet being a Salarian, he has a big explanation." Tapping the bed, Chakwas sat since both got the feeling there was a long talk. However, what happened?

Mordin frowned and said, "Not sure. Need to run tests."

To that, he started out the lab. Chakwas glared as she stood up and followed. Grunt, smiled before saying. "Hah, forgot. Salarians love tests too."

The Vid was…

"We do not understand?"

Tali glared, this makes question number seven. "Legion, please. I'm trying to-."

"If she refuses the aid of the authorities, why does she in turn believe a lone ex-Alliance officer can protect her? From a number of forces, well in tandem with private training and severe firepower instead?

"It's ACTION Legion! The Action part, is just…" Tali, narrowed her eyes. She was loosing her patience. Every time he was asking how this or that can happen, his analytical take to everything was ruining this for her. "You don't have to question it. Just relax and enjoy it!"

Legion, turned to the Vid and this point there was a Volus, short and in black attire. The Volus leads the mercenary band, and as one of his subordinates began to question his orders. The Volus fired a pistol, the round bouncing from the roof lamp, to the metal mug and then lastly into the back of the subordinates neck.

Legion's eye turned to Tali, the VID, and then to Tali… blinking. Tali looked up and narrowed her eyes. Then she paused the Vid sighing, "Yes, Legion?"

"HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THAT COULD HAPPEN?"

Mordin argued with Chakwas for a short amount of time. When she FINALLY pulled him back to the medical lab. Mordin warned her, however, "You are not stopping anything!"

Chakwas threw him into his bed, not caring if he reeled off a little shouting. "Oh you'll live!"

Grunt, had a chuckle at the Salarian's expense. However, Chakwas glared and he shut up FAST. Chakwas sat against the table or desk, asking, "What's going on Mordin?"

Mordin, looked to her with some concern. He knew she will not let him leave. Mordin, instead, tried to explain. "The work I started was on this 'Shadow Man' we met previously. I am almost certain there is a real, living entity. One that has directly, or indirectly involved themselves in this matter." Sitting up, he told them. "Whether he, she or it. Has any real part or investment in this matter I do not know. I do know, that it was involved with this matter. Now, all that has happened? It just happens to be we interacted with this entity? I'm definitely certain there is a Shadow Man and he has helped us."

Sitting, Mordin winced after the relaxing posture. "Still why? What do we offer?"

Grunt, asked, "Well, he doesn't like Jacohbe? What about if we're just sort of his… Krannt?"

Mordin thought, and smiled. "Because he, can not fight for himself?"

"Right." Grunt, smiled a bit. "Like the old. He may be unable to fight. So we, are his Krannt."

That made sense. Mordin, started to rub his chin. "Perhaps. He has only used the sick. What if there are limitations? Rules and laws, or physical loss? I can not be sure. However, that makes the most sense."

Chakwas didn't know what to make of any of this. What she knew? Well. "I know you're tired, you need rest." She stood, smiling. "As well no more excitement. Mordin, you're off of the roster for now."

To that the Salarian smiled. "I assumed I was off the missions for a time. Sad, but unavoidable?"

Chakwas shrugged, "Least you'll have time with me." To this, she walked over with some look in her eyes. "Alone time, at that."

Ah, now Grunt narrowed his eyes as the Salarian's eyes grew bigger. "Hehe, I just remembered. I have things to do." To that, the Krogan got up, waving a hand idly as he passed. "Goodbye Salarian."

"N-no! Grunt!" Sadly, Grunt left with a bellowing laugh. Mordin swallowing hard as Chakwas sat down holding his hand, softly. "Uh, this, was not my int-,"

"Shh," She said, kind and caring. "It is mine though."

"…." A big gulp, the Salarian realized. He should have sent her pamphlets much sooner.

The Vid continued, and was closing to the end. From all the questions, to none. Legion now watched with great intent. Tali as well. The ending, was where the Quarian girl, who looked like Tali when on her pilgrimage, now held at gunpoint by the Volus. The man, a human Alliance commander, in a long black coat stood with his buzz cut, bushy brows and blood trailing his head. The events of the final bout, took on insurmountable odds where this one man fought hell to save this girl. Why? It was hard to tell. He was older, and did so much for her, a girl he'd barely met.

The Volus hissed up, with the pistol in the neck of the girl. "You're wasting your time. This station will fall into the sun, you idiot! We're all going to die. What the hell were you thinking?"

"No… not all of us. There's a ship, it can take one of us."

"One? You mean that scuttle-ship? That thing isn't even going to get past the solar system!"

"Alliance will be here, in three hours. By then, someone will be safe."

The Volus glared, and aimed up, firing. The shot he fired went to the human's heart. The Human, fired into the Volus, the shot slow-motioned as it spun in the air, the round of glowing thermal spinning and going straight between his little eyes. The shot, threw the Volus over head and foot, spinning three times, before he landed right onto his back showing the large wound that went straight through his head.

Tali asked, "How could th-,"

"Less audio please?"

"Oh, sorry…" Tali giggled, yes. It was true, she found it hard to believe. Yet, Legion and she both could dismiss that. For the following.

The Quarian girl ran over grabbing the now bleeding Alliance man's chest. "Please, Keelah. Don't you die! You can't! You saved me! You… you saved me so many times."

A chuckle, and the bloodied man told her. "You gotta go. Get to the shuttle. Get out of here. Okay?"

"Wh-what about… us?"

A frown, he said. "Sometimes, you have to sacrifice everything else, for the one thing that means something. There is always going to be more people like that Volus bastard out there. You have to find what you want kid. What you need. What you love. If it's worth it, you need to protect it."

A whimper, and she lowered her head. Still, he held up her chin, saying. "If you love something enough. You'll know what to do. I love you, so this is easy."

"Keelah, I'm so sorry."

"I'm not." A nod, and he pushed her, and she rolled over. "Go on, get."

The last scenes, were of her leaving. To which Legion took in the data very significantly. It was, unique. He asked, as this resulted in the station falling into the sun and the man's epilogue about life, death and love. "Do you suspect this is a normal response?"

"Maybe?" Her eyes were watery, and voice a little choked up. "Mhmm, well." A nod, she saw the credits rolling. Then said, "I liked that. That was fun. Thank you, Legion. I appreciated it."

"Yes." Legion, stood with Tali. She seemed happier now. So, he asks, "Did we provide a positive experience?"

"Well, duh. Yes! You were really nice to me. I mean, I can't tell you how great this has been." Lowering her head, it's hard to even try. So far, things have been really hard. Knowing Legion was impartial, helped. "You're a really great friend."

Legion stepped up though, asking, "Do you wish to perform this again? To strengthen our relationship?"

"Another friend night out? Sure." A grin, and she asks, "I mean, you're a lot of fun. Though, you ask a lot of stupid questions, especially for a Geth?"

"We seek to learn. Tali." To that, he gave a nod, and offered a hand. "We will walk you to your quarters on Engineering if you prefer?"

"Legion, why would you walk me back to Engineering?" She smiled at the insanity of it. "I mean, nothing bad will happen."

"No, that is not why." Legion stood, hand still out. "We have noted. After a date is complete. The two separate within the close quarters of home for the other partner. We do not understand why, but this is practice."

Tali did not respond really. Not at first. Legion could see how she stood there, arms crossing and brows curved up with confusion. What he said, had struck a cord. One that didn't really resonate the first few moments, yet when it had? Her eyes grew and brow stretched up with alarm, jaw slacking with hard disbelief.

Legion knew what he'd done. So he spoke. "We did not mean to upset or insult. We did not mean to do anything of the kind. Is this what we have done?"

Tali did not respond. Instead, her eyes were shooting about. She was thinking, and recalling things. The smallest thing that might have been a clue. To then realize how many there were. She stepped back, holding herself as she shook a little. Was she this upset? Legion tried to comfort her with a hand to her shoulder, yet she saw from her eye and slapped his arm away.

"Don't you touch me!"

Legion, stood with absolute shock. Or alarm? Either way, he was not ready for that. Or, what was about to come.

"How could you do this to me?"

Legion, stood there looking at Tali. Her hands were shaking, and she was standing with her head cocked on him all the more hostile. Legion tried to say, "We did no-,"

"How can you try and make this, into that? Into a DATE of all, things? You can't be serious! This, this was a joke? Right? A game? Right?"

"No." Legion, said this with no pause. He explained, "We care for you Tali. We know, that we have grown thanks to you. It is our desire to continue this."

Tali's eyes tightly weave into themselves shut. The words he spoke, only enraged her more. Stepping to the side, she swung a fist from her side out in complete exclamation, "You don't CARE for anything! You're not even alive! You're a machine, a synthetic life form! You don't have a heart! You don't even have, a, SOUL."

Those words easily hit Legion many more times than the billions of thermal shots over the years. It was even seeable, how he seemed to sink on his knees, and lens slowly turned at her speech. The silence of the machine did not help either. So Tali, unafraid, continued on.

"You were made by my people, Geth. The fact you even remotely humor me with this talk of emotions and feelings was bad enough. Yet to then stand here? To tell me, you wanted to date me? To be with me? That's not only disgusting, it's… it is insulting! It insults my PEOPLE!" Her eyes, water from the tears. Legion did not cry, yet she did. Tali turned from him, holding herself. "You want to destroy me. To kill me."

"No!" Legion, stepped forth and took her shoulder with his hand. "We love you!"

There was the word, the emotion. That one that Legion had been trying so hard to understand. As it clicked, how easily he can define it here. He was not really surprised? Legion understood the bond growing. The desire to protect, to nurture and grow this feeling. That was love? Or was it, more? He can not say.

"NO you don't!" Tali, tore from his hand, and suddenly slapped him. Her scream, as her hand ached from the strike. There she held her gloved fingers. Glaring at the Geth as his head pitched off her strike, then she stood there. "You do not. You can not."

Legion looked at her. Then he asked, simply. "Why?"

"B-because." Her head sunk, and Tali whispered. "You aren't even real."

"This platform is real. We are Legion. We are your friend." To that, he lowered his head, "Are we not?"

"N-," Tali looked down ashamed of herself. Yet, there was something else making her act. Fear, it was. Fear that a Geth could say this, think this and… could be that this were, ever, true? Tali closed her eyes swallowing a lump in her throat. Then she called out, "You're not a REAL person, not real. You're not alive. You just act, and do with whatever you think is best by programming. You are not alive. You are not real."

Legion stood there taking what she said. However, it did not understand. "We feel, Tali." He made a move, and she leapt basically to the wall. It was then Legion realized what has happened. "We have frightened you?"

"What? No!" She shook though, and looked at him with a number of confused, scared looks. "I-I… I never, I never asked for this?"

"We can not resist the feelings we have. They are who we are, like you."

Tali's heart sunk a little. What… if, it were true? Legion, saved her, protected her and tried to help her many times. Yet, was that for her? Or for him? Was this to help him 'be more organic'? Closing her eyes she shook her head, "Legion! Stop!"

"We, are only seeking con-,"

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Tali, turned to the door and screamed, "You're a synthetic! I'm an organic! Stop!"

"It does not matter. If we feel for one another, we are able to overcome. This we came to consensus on previously." Legion wanted to offer her everything. However, she would not accept his words on this. No matter how many times Legion offered, Tali's mind seemed to refuse him. "We are friends. If we are friends, can we not become more? If we choose?"

"No!" Tali spun to him, shouting, "I'll never love you! I'll never care for you like that! Okay? I don't feel anything for you!"

Legion can not believe her. They have shared so much. Legion, lowered his head however. "If we did not speak of this. Would you be so upset?"

"NO! I wouldn't be freaking out that a Geth wants me! You, you don't understand how unreal this is!" Shaking, she finally screamed, "I have never felt so awful!"

"We understand." Legion, lowered his head. Hands strangely hanging with his arms like he was defeated. "We do not wish to harm you. We will not act on this any longer, Tali."

Tali stared at him and finally felt some regret. As well, a bit less of this other feeling. Like she somehow caused it to happen? Though, she can not imagine how that is. Looking down she held her hands starting to rub them hard. "I-I don't know what to say Legion. I just, I can't do this. Not with you. Never, with something like you." She closed her eyes, stinging in her eyes. "I'm sorry, okay? I don't want to be this way. I just can't."

"We understand." His vocal pattern was lower, different. He turned up though seeing her. Legion, came over to her and said, with a grab of her hands. "We do not seek to harm your platform. We rescind our original requests and desires. You may never speak of this again. We will not."

That made Tali feel… worse? Tali watched Legion leave, and head toward the AI room. At that point, she groaned as the stinging stopped in her eyes, but moved into her chest. What has she done? Did she hurt Legion? Did she break his heart? Wait, he did not have a heart… so, that wasn't it was it?

Even so, she had to get out of there. She had to move, fast. Tali left to Engineering swiftly, and passed the urge to go see Legion once more, appologize. What for though? She can't tell. She still can't stop thinking about what happened. A Geth was on a date with her? A Quarian? The Geth and Quarians, they were enemies. It was preposterous. Wait, was this what she believed? Or what her people believed?

Tali slammed up into the wall of the elevator, after tapping it to go down. She hung her head as she knew not what was happening, only that she needed to get back to her quarters, pull out her cot and sleep. This, entire thing has her on edge.

Softly, she whispered, "Keelah, I'm so confused."

Legion entered the medical bay seeing Mordin and Chakwas laying on a medical bed. It was, interesting. They were both sleeping. When he looked closer, he noted the smile on Chakwas face and the fact Mordin showed similar signs. The Geth looked over them taking note how close their platforms were. Held together and holding one another's clothing.

It was this, that made Legion realize just how different he was. As well the two compared to him and Tali. Where Mordin and Chakwas might not be of the same people, they were still people. That was why he could never be with Tali. Why he would never be what she desired. That realization, or understanding, gave Legion pause as he now lowered his head once more. Processing all the data Legion had he entered the AI Room. Here, he sat on his table and let his hands lay on his knees.

He was not real. Neither was he flesh and blood, he had no pulse and therefore could never be the things Tali needed. Legion, was a machine. His purpose was unknown, and Tali had the purpose to live. What was it that Legion could do? He could never give Tali a family. He could never lay with her, warm her with his embrace. Those things of the organic world Legion finally understood were beyond any Geth to ever understand. To ever experience.

This all made Legion know, why Tali spoke how she did. "We, are unimportant."

Tali entered engineering slowly and rather quietly. Even for her. Kasumi did not even realize she arrived, which was remarkable with her background. When Tali stepped closer though, she made a slight ruffle of her suit and Kasumi turned with some alarm, "Tali? You're back? What happened?"

Tali looked up, somber. With every sign of bad news, Kasumi frowned more. Did Legion make a mistake? Upset her during the date? That isn't good. Still, she hoped it was fixable?

"He's a Geth."

Oh, that's not good. Kasumi flinched a bit as Tali went to her console and instead of working she noted this small object wrapped up on it. A cough, Kasumi told Tali, "Legion bought that for you. It, uh… was a surprise, he was supposed to come back for you to open it." This, was where she rubbed her neck. "Tali, I'm sorry that…"

"You knew, then?" Tali was not angry, more monotone. Perhaps, feeling all the anger earlier was enough to leave her none now? Even so she was able to smile back. "I just wish I knew. I would have stopped him before he made this mistake."

"Mistake?" Kasumi blinked, then she knew it wasn't Legion. It was Tali. "Wait, what mistake? Loving you was a mistake?"

Tali looked over plainly and without reason, or cause, she asks, "What else is it? He isn't real. I need a real person, Kasumi. I can't, in any stretch of the word 'love' that thing. Not like he wanted."

Sickened, Kasumi asks, "How can you be that way? What, is this your Quarian heritage playing out?"

"Maybe." Tali, shrugged it off. "I don't know. I'm just so lost right now, I can't even tell why I'm upset from this. I suppose, I should just be alone."

"Maybe, that is best. Still, don't hate him for this."

"I won't." To that, she chuckled distantly, from herself. "I wonder if he hates me. For what I said?"

"How bad was it?"

"Very." Tali said, simply. As she looked at the small item. It was shaped like a cylinder, with the bottom flat and top domed, probably a canister? Still, it was interesting. "What is it?"

Kasumi looked at it, and said. "He said it was a perfect analogy for you. What he thought of you… how he felt for you. I think he would like it if you well, you know. Looked at it?"

"No." Tali stared at the item though. She DID want to, but? It was something she can not. "I won't. You can have it."

"No way!" To that, Kasumi said softly, "It's not meant for me. This was meant for you. Legion couldn't stop expressing what it meant to him for you to have this. Tali, just think it over?"

Tali turned seeing Kasumi leave. IT felt wrong though. Keeping something, that she didn't care for. That she can't care for? Tali closed her eyes and looked at it one, last time. Tali then grabbed the item walking toward the garbage compactor. She'll get rid of it, dispose of it. This was meant for someone that didn't just browbeat her best friend, and tell him he was a machine that meant nothing. This was meant for a woman that earned a friend's love and gave him the courage, to try and make it happen. Even while she degraded him, he tried. He fought for this.

Tali stood at the door to the room where they dump said garbage. That is where she looked down slowly, and fumbled her fingers along the fine wrap. It was shoddy looking the job Legion did wrapping it, but the wrap itself was beautiful. A purple with small golden swirls. Tali slowly let her eyes loose focus and think, how much he must have delighted in doing this? Wrapping this.

Softly, she stepped back to the wall, tugging at the tape. Tali's eyes are closed as she strangely took her time, pulling away the tape and opening the package. When done, discarding the paper and all, Tali opened her right eye first. Then her left eye meets her other, in the gawking stare. What she saw, was a small purple flower that was in full bloom, seven large petals with purple outer rims, white center petals and three long, black pollen sacks hanging out as it settled in a small glass container. It was not just any plant however. This, was a plant from her home world. One of the rarest you can find.

Looking at it, Tali thought about what Kasumi said. This, represented her? How? The answers were then obvious, as she read the small card taped to the back. It reads,

-This Flower is processed with special chemicals to never wilt, made strong for last generations.

-Warning: Do not expose flower to direct sunlight.

-Warning: Do not remove from canister.

-Warning: Do not water or expose to other ailment possible bacteria.

-Warning: Do not shake, is very delicate.

Tali looked at it and felt the stinging in her eyes once more. She, and never be in the sun and feel the sweet touch of warmth. Tali, could never remove her suit, less she die. Tali can not wander the world without her protective suit, due to ailment. Lastly, Tali was… delicate, in her own ways. Still, she was strong. Tali was very strong, to endure these things. To be able to continue like she did? Tali soon felt her hands holding the item tightly, and she knew she'd made a terrible mistake.

Kasumi stood there watching, waiting. Then she said, "Legion also thought." Tali looked up, painfully. "That like you? It needed someone to watch over it. To keep it safe and happy. At least, sometimes. Because being in that container all alone? Without anyone to hold it and touch it, that sometimes it must be very hard being so beautiful but never really having a person to touch it. Least, that's what he told me?"

Tali looked to Kasumi a while, then she asked, as she pushed it to Kasumi. "GET rid of it!"

Kasumi was shocked, as Tali ran past her crying. Soon, Kasumi sighed holding the flower. Looking at it, she shook her head. For now, she'd hold onto it. Perhaps, later? Tali will change her mind. Making her way to the elevator though, Tali ran out and suddenly snatched the flower, looking up a bit worried or confused, but then ran back into engineering.

There, Kasumi smiled a little. Okay, maybe she will get better… in time.

Kasumi headed back up stairs. Legion would be fine once he had time to process this. Tali, will go to him perhaps? For now, they both were in a very emotional place. Kasumi actually giggled, thinking about that. The Geth was emotional and the Quarian was emotional, those two were meant to be.

Tali held her flower to her heart. Yes, to her heart. Something in her was changing. No, not changing. It was how she felt, always. Yet she's trying hard to let it out. Feeling it was one thing. Accepting it another. In her mind, she heard her father's voice condemning her for this. She heard the Admirals, charging her for treason, and madness and damnation. A part of Tali heard herself curse her for thinking this was 'okay'. The more voices she heard, they all were against her.

Tali however heard another voice. This monotone, mechanical voice that she happily listened to. As he asked her about if they chose, can they not become more? This question now was beginning to grow a different response. A very different answer. Tali, slowly whispered in her mind.

"Yes…"

Note: Goddess, was that not loooong? No not the chapter, I mean the wait. I had a lot happen but here's another chapter. Get ready for some waits between though. Life's not as easy as it was, when I was healing after surgery. However, I will continue. Read my profile though I got some info on new stories I'll be working on when this one's over? Any feedback on them would help.

I need to thank you all for reviewing too. Every kind word helps me get through the chapters and try to make each one unique. Provided, with the time to write.