Mass Effect Project Renegade
Chapter 27: 'Reapers' and Charges
Jack, Tali, and Leng took the transit to our former embassy, which is now a land mark for onlookers. Leng just observed the room, thinking this is where it all started with the evidence on Saren. Leng only wish he was around to help Jack take down Saren. Tali wrapped an arm around Shepard, leaning her body against him as they looked at the Presidiums view. Leng turned to Jack, on the intent to speak to him.
"So Shepard, any reason why we have to talk to the Council?"
Jack turned around facing Leng, while Tali just went back to viewing the Presidium.
"I need to know what actions Citadel Space is taking against the Reapers, when the Reapers hit…. Where ever they hit, I need to know what their battle plan is, now come on let's get this over with."
Jack activated the intercom for his scheduled meeting, the holo interface began to static before it emitted three figures. The Councilors seemed pretty shock seeing Shepard alive, Tevos was the first to speak on this event.
"Commander Shepard… You're alive…. the Reports said you were dead….."
Jack sat down in the ambassador's chair, chuckling.
"Well they may have overly exaggerated those reports."
Sparatus folded his arms glaring at Jack.
"Clearly this was all type of Cerberus plan to catch us off guard."
Leng got behind Jack's chair putting both hands at the back of the top of chair.
"I believe we already crippled your economy, a shame we didn't kick you while you were down."
Sparatus glared at Leng while, Valren was thinking this meeting was pretty suspicious already.
"What is the point of this meeting Shepard?"
Jack stood from the ambassador's chair approaching the holo interface.
"Upon my return, servants of the Reapers, the Collectors have been abducting entire Human colonies. As of right now we're committing resources to stop the Collector threat, tell me what your plan of action is for the Reapers?"
Sparatus just raised his hands twitching his fingers while mocking saying "Ah yes 'Reapers' the immortal race of sentient machines living in dark space, we have dismissed this claim. This 'Reaper' Sovereign was a Geth Warship under the command of Saren with an army of Geth followers-"
"Geth Dreadnaught? Those things aren't smart enough to build something like that, and Geth don't follow Organics, they worship the Reapers." Jack Interrupted
Tevos decided to add in to the topic.
"Saren was a charismatic and influential person, and even had Matriarch Benezia follow him, he clearly developed a clever rumor to sway even the Geth to his will."
Leng and Jack approached the console smashing it to pieces startling Tali.
Leng clapped the dust off of his hands while turning his attention to Jack.
"That was a waste of our time…."
Jack shook his head while looking at the ground.
"The Council is obviously indoctrinated."
"How should we proceed with them?" replied Leng.
Jack just looked out at the Presidium view, with an emotionless voice.
"That's a problem for another day, but right now we need to get back to work, for every second we waste another Human is in the hands of the Collectors."
Leng was about to reply but was interrupted from a message on Tali's Omni-tool. Tali was just shaking from the message she was reading, while Jack turned to Leng.
"Leng get back to the ship, we'll be with you shortly."
Leng nodded while heading towards the door, leaving Tali and Jack alone. Jack slowly approached Tali, seeing she was still shaking and sniffling a bit.
"Tali?"
Tali turned towards Shepard slowly, looking up at him through his helmet.
"Shepard – I…. I just got a message from the admiralty board… I.. They—"
Shepard put his hands on both of her shoulders.
"Tali what's wrong?"
"I've been charged with Treason…. I- I never done anything wrong, and now they want me to appear before the Migrant Fleet back in Alliance Space to appear before the conclave for a trial…. I'm scared Shepard…."
Treason, those were odd words to Jack, Tali would never betray her people…. He wondered if it was when he kidnapped her from Freedom's progress.
"Is it because of I kidnapped you on Freedom's progress?"
Tali shook her head quickly.
"No I got permission to leave from Father after the event…. I don't know why they convict me of treason I'd never betray my people."
Jack opened up the comm channel.
"Joker as soon as we get back to the Normandy, set coordinates to the Migrant fleet position over Terra Nova."
"You got it Commander."
Hearing that Tali's mood jumped a bit.
"Shepard, I- are you sure?"
Jack only nodded, while withdrawing his arms from her shoulders.
"No on convicts my crewmember, especially not my girlfriend."
Tali removed his helmet followed by her faceplate; she then pulled Jack in for a kiss. As soon as the Normandy left Citadel Space, Jack is approached by Leng on the Normandy.
"So I heard we're making a detour to the Migrant Fleet, comments on that Shepard?"
Jack just observed the FTL light streaks going across the windows of the cockpit.
"Tali got convicted of treason, we're going to go clear that up, I don't want any regrets on this Suicide Mission, they're not like us Leng, built to be perfected, nerveless, fearless, and calculating soldiers… If I can take away the fear and put in assurance, then I can guarantee you we won't lose anyone."
Joker turned his chair around.
"Oh if we're taking away any last regrets—"
"EDI" Jack interrupted
EDI holo interface lit up in the cockpit turning the chair back around.
"Yeah … Yeah, it's not like I have needs too you know." Stated Joker.
As the Normandy approached the Migrant fleet, and docked with Rayya, Jack, Zoey, Tali and Leng came aboard.
The Rayya's captain approached the group escorted by a couple marines.
"Tali'Zorah, your arrival here was expected…. Who's this?"
Tali decided to introduce Jack.
"Oh right this is Captain Jack Shepard Vas Normandy…. Where's the Captain of the Neema?"
The Captain shook Jack's hand.
"It's an honor to meet the savior of the Migrant Fleet, the colonization rights saved the fleet and our species."
Tali was now worried about her situation.
"Kar Danna…. Where's the Captain of the Neema?"
There was a pause for a moment, as he turned to face Tali.
"Tali, they're charging you with bringing active Geth on the fleet, your Captain refuses to represent you at all."
Tali heart skipped a beat while Jack eyes widened from that comment.
"I never sent active Geth, only parts….. and my captain refused to-"
Kar Danna, made a noticeable sigh.
"Tali Admiral Raan is expecting you by the conclave meeting, you better hurry."
Tali along with crew made it to a corridor, leading to the chamber, there in their way was Admiral Raan, which Tali quickly rushed to her giving her a hug.
"Auntie Raan!"
Tali quickly looked back at Jack.
"Tali'Zorah Vas Normandy, it's good to see you…."
"Shepard this is Admrial Raan Vas Tonbay, Raan this is Captain Shepard Vas Normandy…. Raan wait, you just called me Vas Normandy…. And where's Mother?"
Ignoring Tali's last comment Raan shook Shepard's hand.
"It's good to meet you Captain Shepard."
Shepard knew that Tali must be feeling like a nervous wreck.
"Raan?…" Asked Tali.
"Tali, the Admiralty board has come to the decision to change your name to Vas Normandy, due to the circumstances, and your Mother doesn't know."
Tali's eyes widened from that comment.
"Shepard they removed my name, that's as good as exiling me already… why doesn't Mother know Raan? And Father I can imagine what he's thinking right now."
Jack noticed Raan was unusually calm.
"Tali… Shepard will have to represent you, I'm sorry I can't tell you anymore."
Tali turned to Jack, with a shaky figure.
"S-so you would be representing me?"
Jack stepped closer to Tali.
"I'll make sure you come out of this trial unscathed Tali."
Raan noticed Tali acting strangely around Captain Shepard, if Tali was in a relationship with Shepard, then he couldn't represent her for a biased defense.
The Crew made their way in to the conclave, the room quickly filled up. Admiral Raan took her place with the other Admirals.
Jack activated his Project Renegade vision while waiting for the rest of the attendees.
Command/ Force Message Display/Target/Tali'Zorah/Visor
Don't worry Tali, I'm here for you, it'll be over soon enough.
Tali immediately saw the message appear on her visor, reading that she grabbed his hand intertwining her fingers with his, they immediately pulled apart before anyone took notice.
Admiral Raan began to announce to the conclave.
"This Conclave is brought to order. Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and bless the Systems Alliance who saved our lives in our most dire time of need, Keelah se'lai"
The entire room echoed "Keelah se'lai."
Admiral Raan now put her attention towards Tali.
"The accused, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, has come with her captain to defend herself against the charge of treason-"
With word traveling fast that her newly appointed Captain was the man who saved the Migrant fleet, Admiral Koris immediately interrupted Raan.
"Objection! A Human has no business at a hearing involving such sensitive military matters!"
The entire crew just glared at Koris, Raan just looked down at her colleague.
"Then you should not have declared Tali crew of the Normandy, Koris. By right as Tali's captain Shepard must stay.
Koris decided to go on the defensive.
"I thought Shepard died with the original Normandy, and this was some sort of-"
Gerrel decided to step up to the plate.
"Quit your complaining Koris, you pissed in your own drinking water after removing Tali's Name."
Koris quickly huffed, trying to retain his composure.
"Objection withdrawn…"
Raan turned her attention to Jack now.
"Shepard vas Normandy, your crew member Tali'Zorah stands accused of treason. Will you speak for her?"
Jack stepped ahead of Tali grabbing the rails in front of him.
"I shouldn't have to, when Tali helped me stop Saren and his Geth army her actions spoke for themselves…. Without her help none of you would be alive to put her on trial today!"
Gerrel gave an approving nod hearing Jack's defense.
"Well said Shepard, none of us should forget Tali's contributions to the fleet, like my colleague Koris would like to forget."
Koris was about to say something to rebuttal that but Raan spoke first.
"Tali you are accused of bringing active Geth to the fleet, what say you?"
Jack decided to speak for her defense again.
"Tali would never endanger the Migrant Fleet she pleads not guilty."
Tali chipped in as well to add to her defense.
"I left parts and technology for teams to pick up… My father ordered me to do so, but I would never send active Geth to the fleet….. Everything I sent back was disabled and harmless."
Koris with a taunting tone added in to her plea.
"Then explain how Geth seized the lab ship where your father was working?!"
The entire room was in a frenzied panic, leaving the crew awe and Tali in utter shock.
"W-what?! What are you t-talking about?!"
Gerrel with a voice who sounded worried, approached the stand.
"As far as we can tell Tali, the Geth had killed every one on the Alerai… your father included….."
Tali couldn't believe what was happening.
"What!? Oh Keelah…."
Jack was starting to get irritated now.
"I thought Quarian's valued family! How the Hell do you justify this by springing this on Tali in a middle of a Fucking Trial!"
A couple of gasps and murmurs could be heard from within the conclave leaving Raan stunned for a second.
"O-our apologies… Tali should've been informed…."
Jack wasn't done however.
"You're damn right she should've been informed!—"
Tali interrupted by turning Jack towards her.
"Shepard we have to take back the Alerai."
Admiral Koris crossed his arms while looking down at Tali with a smirking form
"The safest course would to be destroy the Alerai, but if your are looking for an honorable death instead of Exile—"
Tali approached the stand fuming.
"I'm looking for my Father you Asshole!"
Zoey looked at Tali through her helmet with astonished eyes.
"whoa… Tali."
Raan looked at Tali, with a worried expression.
"You intend to take back the Alerai, this would be a dangerous quest?"
Jack just looked at the Admiral.
"We'll be back in five minutes."
Gerrel looked at Tali before the left.
"If you fall in battle Tali, I shall see you cleared from these charges… Good luck kid."
Koris however just shook his head.
"We'll discuss that later Admiral."
Yeah where to start…. Lets talk about Mass Effect 3, and the connection to Tali's Trial…. What…. The….. F**k are you serious?! We see Koris again and we're all buddy, buddy with him now? Are you kidding?! Forgetting the damage he caused? Turning Gerrel in to an Asshole?! Bioware What the Hell?!
Well I'll be fixing the series the right way, expect twists and turns.