So, Michael, about you...
No that won't work.
You know, before I was a bit upset, but I've been thinking...
Keelah, no...
Michael, I despised you, now I want to do things to you that would dislocate my hips...
Honest but...Keelah...
Tali was extremely glad for her visor, without is she was sure Michael would have seen her blush a mile away...in fact she was almost worried he'd spot her through it by now. She reminded herself that Michael couldn't though...even as she with gratitude noted that his attention was wholly on the glowing omni-tool surrounding his arm.
Except for the two of them the comm room was empty, something Tali tried not to think about as she watched Michael's furrowed brow as like a curious little animal he looked at the many options on the glowing screen while carefully poking at the odd irrelevant button.
It was enough to draw a snicker out of her.
"What? You told me to concentrate..." He muttered, voice low as he narrowed his eyes at the screen, as if glaring at it would somehow resolve the simple code and overwriting procedure.
Tali offered a small nod, something the focused man didn't notice, even as she felt herself reach the point of giving up. I can't tell him what I've come to understand...he won't listen, he'll joke it away, ignore it or leave...and I can't very well try some sort of question...he's too...defensive when it comes to himself.
Then again I can't really not say anything...he deserves to learn this about himself...to... Her head dropped, Ashley's words during their argument having bored into her heart like acid. To be happy...Keelah...I...can't...he won't listen and...and I don't have any right to...to...
Her shoulders slumped as she let out a small sigh.
Defeat, it held her heart in its black claws...and Tali surrendered to it.
I can at least be friendly...he needs a friend...more then he knows. It was a sad thought, nice, but sad...and Tali embraced it, it was her duty to care for fellow crew-members after all, and that included her captain.
No matter how much pain such an arrangement might cause...
She looked back up at Michael, a sad smile he'd never see on her lips...and watched as he continued to struggle with the embarrassingly simple hack.
They had been in the comm room for a good solid two and a half hour now...and during that time Michael's progress had been minuscule in scale. He just didn't understand...no matter how many ways and times Tali had explained it...his thinking simply didn't work with hacking. While it was amusing to find out Michael actually was bad at something – atrocious more like it – it was also getting just a little bit frustrating...
Not that Tali was about to call it quits, it was far too amusing to see Michael stumble around after all...she smirked sadly at the thought even as she watched the man's gaze dart up to the hovering orb he was supposed to hack.
She had made it out of the element zero and pieces of scrap Joker and Garrus had given her during her pilgrimage-party...and was actually quite pleased with the results, something she'd smugly told the two a couple of days ago. So far the most it did was observe and hover, so she could use it to check cramped spaces on the Normandy...but Tali had plans to add something to weld with...and a connector for computers for even better maintenance.
She had even thought about adding a bit more power to it so it could use such a connector to defend itself...and perhaps a holographic projector to confuse anyone trying to shoot it...but such plans had to be pushed to the future. Seemed kind of silly too...not like such a small thing could be of any danger...
She already liked the bit of additional nonsensical code she'd added though...it made the VI in the machine just a bit more fun for a thing that couldn't talk.
With a small beep the drone did a loop before Michael, making him scowl at it. "And you'll be quiet...or obey my command...whatever."
"I took down almost all the firewalls." Tali pointed out, chuckling as she crossed her arms over her chest. "He should be easy to hack for a Quarian child..."
A defiant growl and a glare from Michael – which made Tali smirk, revelling in frustrating him for a change – and he looked back to the drone...and then to his omni-tool's screen as his fingers slipped over the controls.
"Okay...how about-ouch!"
His code had reached the drone...and made it fly right into his chest as the nonsense he had typed momentarily confused it. Another beep, followed by a whistle...and the drone flew back to where Tali had commanded it to stay, the orb spinning on its axis in an imitation of amusement.
"Yeah...really funny..." Michael glowered at the drone, one hand rubbing his chest as the other pointed an accusing finger at the small thing: "I know other ways to hack machines you know, involving a screwdriver."
"Hey!" Tali exclaimed in feigned indignity, stepping over to the drone and putting a protective hand under it as well as above it, holding it close to her chest while half-turning away from her student. "Be nice to Chiktikka vas Paus, he's helping out of the kindness of his cogitator you know..."
Michael's hand on his chest dropped, the other coming up, fingers rubbing his forehead as he shook his head. "Ah, yeah...about that name...why!"
"He was made during a break in my work...so 'Vas Paus' seemed fitting." Tali retorted defensively even as she smirked in amusement under her visor. "And Chiktikka is just cute..." Michael arched an eyebrow at her...and she pulled the drone further away from him, hugging it tightly. "...shut up."
"Okay, okay...fine..." Michael held out both hands in placation...only to drop them to his sides as he shook his head: "But why is it a 'he'?"
Tali turned back to him, releasing Chiktikka...who with a cheerful whoop moved to hover over her shoulder...as she placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head at him. "Why not?"
"Hey now, no need to get upset..." Michael took a step back in feigned fear, making Tali grin under her visor. "...I'm just saying that Chiktikka isn't a very manly name..."
Tali took two steps forward, hands still on her hips even as she was forced to tilt her head up to look at Michael...and grinned at the continued feigned worry in his stance as he regarded her: "Says who?"
"Erm...common sense?" And then Michael jumped back in a crouch, hands over his head as Tali's hands dropped to her sides when she moved after him. "Don't hit me!"
Tali couldn't hold it, she laughed, shaking her head as she took a stumbling step backwards, hands moving to hold her stomach. "Ha...yes...because...ha...you bruise easily!"
"I really do." Michael smirked at her as he straightened, then cocked his head to the side as he flashed that irritating smile: "Besides, you're surprisingly strong for such a little person."
Dangerous territory... Tali shook the thought aside as she smirked: "Well, you know, Quarians – in contrast to humans – were made with quality in mind."
"Ah, of course they are." Michael chuckled, smiling at her.
And she smiled back, even though he couldn't see it, for a moment letting that warm feeling in her chest swell...
And then the console beeped.
Tali practically jumped, icy guilt digging into her chest as she clamped down on the warmth, putting it back behind its bars of friendliness where it belonged. The moment was gone, and reality came back.
It hurt, but that was okay...
Joker's voice was, as always, cheerful: "Commander, we have a transmission from the Council, could you head for the comm room?"
"Already there, Joker." Michael replied...then moved to grab Tali's shoulder as she moved to leave...and smirked at her even as she felt her cheeks burn at the touch. "No, stay, this won't take long I'm sure." That irritating smile...and her knees wobbled. "Beside, I'm sure it'll amuse you." Then he released her...and Tali rubbed where his hand had been, regret whispering at her...unheard. "Bring them up Joker."
Instantly three holograms appeared at the far end of the room, the expected Councillors looking at the pair evenly, or rather, at Michael.
Actually, this should be good... Tali stepped to the side and crossed her arms over her chest as she observed.
"Councillors, it's an honour." Michael said, the man's voice correct...and not the least friendly as he stepped in front of the holograms with his hands behind his back. "I did not expect a direct call."
The Turian moved forth...only to stop as the Asari placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft as she looked to her companions...then Michael: "We have read your mission report Shepard, it's most...interesting." Again the Turian moved...and again the Asari held him back. "Especially over certain...decisions of yours."
The Rachni...
"Ah, I gather you have an opinion?" Michael crossed his arms over his chest, smile deceptively friendly, but his entire stance radiated nothing but amusement...he might as well have been laughing at them.
For the third time the Turian Councillor moved forth, hand raised in a fist...only for the Salarian to speak: "Not over a communication device no, we must make sure such discussions are done privately." He shot the Turian a look. "Through proper procedures."
The Turian slowly eased back, his voice shaking ever so slightly with the strain upon his discipline. "Yes, we need you here for a briefing...Commander."
"I'm afraid that's not possible." Michael politely replied, the man's face neutral even as the amusement in his stance grew. "We are currently in pursuit of our primary objective, we know he is heading for Virmire and we intend to capture or kill him before he can escape."
"What?" The Turian snapped, only tease back as the Asari placed a hand on his forearm, his voice was still a growl however: "The Council has called you for a debriefing Spectre, obey."
"A Spectre isn't usually called to be debriefed in the Citadel tower after every mission councillor." Michael retorted, calm, at ease. "And you yourself criticised me for my lack of speed in apprehending our target back on Feros, we are now taking your criticism to heart and making the best of speed for Virmire..." Now the slightest of smirks appeared on his face. "...I thought you'd be happy?"
"Hap-!" The Turian's mouth slammed shut, holding back the exclamation as he shook with anger. A deep breath...and the Turian's shoulders dropped: "You are of course in charge of this operation...but even Spectres have to answer to the consequences..."
"Which I'm sure I will when there's time for a full debriefing...now if you don't mind I have work to do." Michael's omni-tool was suddenly glowing as he moved the hand towards the holograms.
The Asari moved forth, voice hurried: "Now Shepard, we understand if you were upset after last the debriefing, but that is not a reason to disrespect this-"
A thump...and the holograms died.
With a chuckle Michael smirked at the projectors, as if he could see the faces of the councillors – arguably the most powerful individuals in citadel space – realising they had been cut off.
He looked strangely...at peace with the decision.
Tali smiled at him...and couldn't help but speak: "Impressive."
"Well..." Michael shrugged and turned to her, grinning. "...I have my better moments."
"No..." Tali's smile turned to a mischievous smirk as she glanced at the still glowing omni-tool around Michael's hand: "...I mean impressive that you managed to shut off the holograms, bet finding the 'off' command tested your abilities."
Michael blinked...then grinned, dropping into a combat pose as he chuckled at her: "Okay, that's it, you've been teasing me for hours, time for payback."
"What are..." Tali's question turned to a squeal as Michael advanced, fingers finding her side before she leapt away. "No!" Her protest was tinged with laughter, she couldn't help it. "I've been helping you!"
Michael simply smirked, still advancing. "Torturing me you mean...now it's time for you to get what's coming to you."
Tali squealed again, realising she was stuck between a wall and the advancing Michael, with nowhere to go...
Nowhere else she wanted to go...
8
8
8
Thank you to Abydos Jackson who hasn't killed me yet for some reason...