The way to the engine room from the cargo bay was long for being on a frigate.
As such Michael let his steps slow as he held his reader under his arm, mind drifting towards the latest mission report in it, Saren had been so...strong. How could I ever manage to make such a call? It would require to...I.-
He shook his head, banishing whatever emotion was about to push itself up.
No, not productive thinking, focus on objective.
Kaidan. Intelligent and questioning, not in a way that helps me though, his joke not amusing, devoted to cause and following orders however, which is appreciated. Headaches a plus, him enduring through it even better, I can relate and respect it. Care not reached however...not reached a stage beyond the regular need, must push for further care...care must be achieved.
Garrus. Intelligent and questioning as well, but in a harsher way with harsher conclusions. Highly developed sense of justice, which I am somewhat agreeing on, devotion to missions hanging on this sense, a moral person, likeable trait. Frustration with lack of results...understood but not shared, frustration with governmental red tape and dishonest actions is something to care about however. Care achievable, will attain.
Ashley, soldier to the core, something to respect. Religion was...a surprise, not something to bond over but – he hesitated – helpful in relating. Asked permission to take responsibility for the armoury, wants to help out, appreciated. Has a cute blush, not to mention that smear on her forehead and the reaction to it was even cuter...superficial things perhaps, but will aid in caring, which is what matters.
Wrex. Perhaps the smartest of them, or rather most cunning...painful to relate my old self with that...but relating helps forming connection, will proceed with it. Reluctant to give anything but bits and pieces about himself, seems like an important person though for some reason...a Krogan prince? Note to self; do a more thorough background check on Wrex. Not much then normal care, must turn curiosity into true caring, he values strength, perhaps bonding over weapons?
Tali...Michael frowned even as he stepped through the door leading to the engine room.
He hadn't actually seen that much of the Quarian, save on missions. During those she had acted with a surprising professionalism and skill for one who claimed to be out on a rite of passage, showing that she wasn't some simple adventurer along for the ride but a competent technician and support to just about any squad configuration Michael had so far tried out.
But on the ship...not much but glimpses. It wasn't that she was avoiding him, he believed, but rather that they kept different schedules. Which wouldn't be that bad except that he never saw her at meal-times, meaning dramatically less time to talk. According to the others she finished very quickly – not surprising given her slight build – which meant that he – who always came in late due to working out, plotting courses or reading – never actually saw her besides on missions. Of course he had hunted her down a couple of times...but she always seemed busy...which had begun to become frustrating to the man wishing to obtain his objective.
And now he had heard from chief engineer Adams that the Quarian was spending the majority of her time in the engine room, lighting up alarms in Shepard's head.
The Normandy might be under his command as a Spectre, but it was still an Alliance vessel, an Alliance vessel using experimental technology worth a lot...and while Tali had proven highly valuable and was no doubt devoted to their mission...any suspicious activity had to be looked into. He didn't bring her along to steal technology after all...
The engine room, however, was one Quarian short.
Blinking Michael looked about, finding two human backs turned to him, the engineers at their stations by the mass effect core, tapping away at their computers without even noticing him having stepped in.
Engineers...
Stepping further into the room Michael ignored the pair and the swirling mass of barely contained energy rolling around further off, his head moving left and right in search, though there wasn't much to search through. She was not on the decks above, nor has anyone in the cargo bay mentioned seeing her, did we walk past one another?
Then he heard a clank.
Looking up he saw a panel in the ceiling move...before a shadow fell down.
He moved on instinct.
Jumping sideways he rolled with the impact against the floor and came up in a kneeling crouch, right hand on the knife in his boot, left held out, ready to parry a lunge.
With a small grunt Tali landed, two-toed feet close together, knees bowing deep to the sides as she crouched with the fall, hands far to the sides to maintain balance, head bowed, as if in a prayer.
Then her head turned up, only to freeze as the silvery eyes glowing through her visor focused on Michael from under the edge of her cowl. "Oh..." She looked back down, then rose to her feet, Michael imitating the move even as the Quarian looked over to the still unresponsive backs of the human engineers, then muttered something under her breath before once more focusing on Shepard. "...hello Captain...you..." Her voice had an odd warbling quality to it... Due to her helmet...or is it natural? Should ask. She once more glanced to the humans that didn't even seem to notice the two. "...wanted something from here?"
Captain? Michael made a mental note to pursue the issue even as he smiled broadly. "Actually I was coming to check on you, didn't know you would drop in so dramatically however."
"Oh...that...sorry about that, didn't see you." Tali once more glanced over at the human engineers, hands twiddling with one another as she looked back to look at him. "Wait, me? What about?"
A hint of fear in her voice? Worry? Suspicious. Michael smiled. "Just want to get a sense of my crew, understand them."
"I..." Tali nodded, then hesitated, head cocked to the side. "...of course Captain, I'm at your service."
Michael imitated her, his head cocking to the side as he judged her disposition. Seems...guarded...is she hiding something? She didn't seem so guarded before...what changed? The silvery eyes glowed as they waited, patiently regarding him.
For a horrifying moment it felt as if she saw right through him.
Then he pushed the illogical worry aside and smiled widely: "Okay, first of all, what's with the 'Captain' thing? I'm a Commander and a Spectre if anything. And when on the ship I answer to Shepard or Michael just as well...I prefer it even."
Again the Quarian hesitated, glancing down on her feet before back at him. "You are in command of a ship, of its crew, the crew – including me – are trusting their lives to you and in exchange do their utmost to keep your ship at its best..." Michael nearly shuddered at the words, it was obvious truths, yet he hated to think of it... "...to a Quarian that makes you Captain, the Alliance rank is...superfluous."
Test her reaction. "We're not on a Quarian ship though." Michael pointed out, smirking.
"You're telling me..." Tali responded, her voice going a bit absent as she looked about herself. "...everything's so clean and...empty. It's like half the crew is missing."
Homesick perhaps? I can care about such a thing...if unable to relate. Still, tread carefully, don't make her clam up. "At least it allows you some personal space...and as I said, on the Normandy you may call me Shepard, or better yet, Michael."
"I...yes...Shepard." The tone was again guarded, the Quarian regarding him with a somewhat defensive posture. Why is she so...tense?
Thinking about it doesn't help, pursue primary objective. Michael looked about himself, assuming a curious look. "So...Tali...Engineer Adams tells me you spend basically all your time down here..." He let it hang there, looking back at Tali.
Her posture stiffened, the Quarian's warbling voice becoming harder. "Are you saying I'm not allowed in here?" Her hands ended up on her wide hips as the silvery orbs narrowed at him, making it look as if she was trying to stare him down, amusing considering she was nearly two heads shorter... A sliver of hostility even entered her voice as she continued: "Because I was under the impression that everyone in the crew was supposed to do their part, but if some aliens aren't wanted in-"
"What?" Michael blurted out, blinking as he realised he'd been taken off guard. Had not expected that of all things... "No – I just...I was just curious as to why anyone would want to spend all their days in here? It's loud and dull..." Weak lie, could ruin any further interaction, beware, prepare to repair and continue, primary objective at least achieved, she is unlikely to have faked such a response...no stealing of technology ongoing.
"Oh..." Tali sounded hesitant, but then relaxed a bit as she made a plaintive gesture. "...sorry about that. I just get a bit defensive when I suspect speciesism..." The hand dropped, as if the subject made her too weary with continuing holding it up...or even speaking.
Treated differently because of where she comes from...a thug from Earth can relate...if only in part. Michael shifted where he stood, the silver eyes following him, waiting. "So why are you here? I mean the ground team isn't really required to do any extra duties except for those within the Alliance...you didn't have to do anything."
"I am part of the crew, I should, no, need to make myself valuable..." Tali shrugged. Very easy to relate to... The voice shifted, becoming calmer as the Quarian looked about the room. "...it's the Quarian way. Besides, I'm an engineer at heart and this difference between your ship and those of the Flotilla's...it's fascinating." She was still looking around as the voice softened, acquiring a dreamy tone. "And as to the ship...what a beauty...the drive core is just a marvel...did you know that despite the heavy energies fluctuating within such a dense energy cloud it's well contained within safety parameters while giving off an excess energy of-"
Michael's laugh cut her off, a short bark as he moved a hand to his chest. "Ha! I see! You're a nerd!" Good, she amuses me, caring achievable.
"I – what..." The Quarian's words stumbled as she took a step back, her tone shifting from bafflement to a rebellious shrill thing with a hint of a smile beneath it as she jabbed one of her long fingers in his direction. "...I resent that description! We Quarians have a natural affinity for mechanical things and it's not my fault that I happen to be even more so..." The tone was lowered, amused, the Quarian looking away with her arms folded in front of her. "...nerd...of course that comes from the gun-totting savage."
"Ouch!" Michael laughed again, hand to his forehead. "You're as bad as Ashley!" Before the woman could reply he pointed up at the ceiling. "So...what's with imitating a ninja?"
"A...ninja." Tali repeated, seemingly tasting the word, sounding confused as she cocked her head to the side in question.
Irrelevant. Michael shook his head and smiled. "Never mind, I meant what was up with the whole crawling around in the ducts?"
"Oh..." The Quarian looked once more over at the backs of the engineers, the silvery orbs behind her visor narrowing, her voice rising ever so slightly: "...just doing some proper maintenance."
A snicker suddenly rose from the two, though they didn't turn.
"Proper?" Michael repeated, stiffening, gaze moving to the backs of the engineers, making the two squirm as they felt his eyes upon them. If there has been improper maintenance heads will roll, the objective is paramount, no technical issue is allowed to interfere. Still, out on mission, no replacement available without turning back. Punishment should be either double shifts for a week, ship scrubbing duty or perhaps even running the gauntlet if the crime is bad enough...
"Just some...disagreements on specifics Capt-" Tali moved her head back to regard him. "-Shepard...nothing that will interfere with the mission." The Quarian shrugged even as Michael relaxed and looked away from the two engineers. "Just...a long term goal of keeping the ship in top shape."
Michael arched an eyebrow, arms crossing over his chest.
The Quarian shrugged. "The ship has an automatic system to clean the insides and such, all you do is press a button, amazing thing by the way, while on most Quarian ships you have-" She shook her head, raising a hand in apology even as Michael smirked. Caring achievable. "Sorry, what I meant was that while such a system is well and good it's not as observant to the odd marks of wear as a proper set of eyes, nor as meticulous in cleaning out grime and the odd piece of stuck lint. While most would settle for such automatic death-traps we Quarians have long learnt that every inch of the ship must be cared for, one busted filter or gear that has suffered from too much rust and...well." She shrugged, shooting another glare at the backs of the engineers.
"So..." Michael once more found himself smirking. "...you spent what...hours in there? Looking for...lint?" Good, the ship will stay in perfect condition, still, it evokes...amusement.
"Erm..." The Quarian looked up at the ceiling, then back to Shepard, shrugging, her warble awkward. "...sort of?"
Good, secondary objective seems easy to attain, keep at it: "And most Quarians do this? Would you mind...telling me of your people?" He leant forward a bit, sensing his objective close at hand.
He wanted to care, he had to care, he needed to care...
The Quarian took a step back, voice hesitant: "There is lots of information on the extranet and such..."
No, not the point, the information itself is a secondary concern. "Nah, I don't like such official stories, too formal and lacking in details." And untrustworthy, Skyllian blitz shows official media isn't aiming for accuracy. And I need... He made a gesture at Tali with a friendly smile: "Why don't you tell me? It's more fun that way."
The Quarian leant on her back foot, the silvery orbs within the visor silently regarding him, she almost seemed...perplexed.
Once more he had the horrible feeling that she was looking right through him.
"Alright Shepard, on one condition." Tali straightened, then hesitating, the hesitation still in her voice: "Would you tell me of humans? I...don't think I fully understand you..."
Michael blinked, finding himself hesitating even as he calculated. Exchange of questions means doubling of time, time that can be spent on work, caring for the crew is imperative however, and though it seems easy with this one all efforts should be made to keep level of caring at a high level. He smiled a toothy smile. "Okay, sounds fair, you got a deal." He waited for a moment, regarding the suited alien with a cocked smile: "So...what about that voice? Is it natural or because of the helmet?"
"The...what?" The Quarian's hand moved halfway to her visor, then down again.
"The warbling." Michael clarified. "It's almost human...yet not."
"You're kidding." Tali's tone was flat. Then she shrugged. "No, natural, nothing done by the helmet, you humans are curious about the oddest things..." Before Michael could reply she continued, head nodding towards him: "Right, my turn...you have different skin colours..."
"Yes..." Michael replied guardedly, forcing aside the ambivalence against the fact and the ingrained worry that he'd somehow be accused of racism. It's a different species, not familiar with our history, such worries are not productive. "...what about it?"
"So..." The Quarian hesitated for a long moment, regarding him with her head slightly titled. "...that captain and ambassador were darker...does it change with age?" Michael spluttered. What! "Or with rank? Or are those by that colour just natural leaders?"
And Michael laughed.
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for staying with the annoyance that is me.