The Normandy had just left Illium after dropping off those of the crew who desired to remain there for R&R until the dilemma with Grunt was solved. Among those who desired to stay were Mordin, Garrus, Legion, and of course, Tali'Zorah. Grunt had remained on board as well but had locked himself in his room for the time being. Shepard had been in his cabin the entire time after briefing them about Grunt's problem.
He leaned against the wall and looked towards the ceiling, deep in thought. Grunt had been a valuable crew member. He helped them do the impossible at the Collector base and save the galaxy. "I guess I should have known this day was coming..." The Spectre re-directed his gaze to the hatch and decided to go talk to Joker for an update on their ETA to Tuchanka.
Exiting the elevator onto the CIC, Shepard felt the ship lurch forward; they had just made the jump to the Krogan DMZ. He then made his way to the cockpit but his trip was short lived as a someone behind him poked him in the shoulder. He turned around to notice Kelly with her hands laced together and her gaze directed at his eyes as if having something important to say.
"Yes Chambers?" The Spectre said with a slight hint of confusion in his expression.
"Commander, we're receiving a transmission from the Illusive man, apparently he wishes to speak with you about something of importance." The Spectre's expression became full of surprise. It's been over two weeks since he last spoke to the mysterious Cerberus leader and he wondered why the Illusive man had waited so long before finally contacting him again.
"Thank you Yeoman, I'll check it out." he said.
"Of course Shepard." The Yeoman replied as she gave a slight bow and returned to her station. Anger began to grow in the commander's eyes. His opinion of the Illusive man was very low, even lower after he suggested they utilize the Collector base for use against the Reapers. But Shepard refused. Even when faced with the opportunity to use the Reapers technology against them, he remembered what Sovereign had once told him "Your civilization is based on the technology of the Mass relays, our technology. By using it your society develops along the paths we desire." He knew that using the base was what the Reapers wanted and he wasn't going to fall into any of their traps anymore.
"Joker open a channel to the Illusive man." Shepard said as he entered the briefing room.
"Roger that commander." Joker replied over the intercom. The table collapsed into the floor and the orange sensor grid activated and produced the Spectre's image in real-time to the Cerberus leader.
"Shepard, it's been a while since we last spoke." The dark figure said then took a drag from his cigarette.
"Not long enough..." Shepard replied, not bothering to show an ounce of civility.
"Indeed..." he took another drag from his cigarette. "I haven't exactly forgiven you for disobeying my orders to preserve the Collector base-"
Shepard interrupted, " Your orders? You make it sound like I was actually working for you." He said in a sarcastic and annoyed tone.
"Your sarcasm is transparent Shepard, however I didn't contact you to socialize." He said putting out his cigarette in the ash tray next to his chair.
"I figured as much." Shepard replied.
"I have a job for you. Simple, but of great importance." Before he could continue the Spectre spoke up again.
"I'm not your errand boy anymore! Whatever it is I want nothing to do with it. Besides I have business of my at the moment."
"Of course... EDI's logs tell me you're on your way to Tuchanka. The task I'm entrusting you with is right in your path." Shepard gained a little interest and decided to let him continue.
"A state-of-the-art research vessel of ours, the Bermuda, was running tests on a newly discovered form of energy, we have no name for it, but it could be used to develop new and powerful weapons to be used in our coming battle against the Reapers. However, recently we lost contact with the vessel. We've sent scout ships to discover the cause of the anomaly, but none of them have reported back. I'd like you to find the Bermuda, discover the fate of the crew, and retrieve the experimental power source." The Illusive man lifted his lighter and lit another cigarette, taking a drag from it.
"I remember a similar instance involving a certain Collector ship. How do I know you're not sending us into another trap?" Shepard said with suspicion present in his voice.
"When the subject of "Reapers" is brought to question, I don't lie. That power source is critical in our war effort. I've already sent the last known coordinates of the Bermuda to EDI. Its last transmission
showed it to be in orbit around the gas giant Ruam in the Aralakh system."
Shepard wanted to tell the man to go hell, but this was about the Reapers after all. And they needed anything they could get their hands on that would give them an advantage. "If we have time we'll check it out." Shepard said with a nod.
The Illusive man took one last drag, "See that you do..." With that, the transmission ended and Shepard made his way once again to the cockpit to tell Joker of their new destination.
"Perfect time you picked to give your team shore leave..." he said to himself.
Joker was taping away at the controls and quietly bickering to EDI when Shepard arrived in the cockpit. He smiled and shook his head at the site. "Some things just never change." he thought.
"Commander, we'll soon be in the Krogan DMZ. ETA 5 hours." Joker said looking over his shoulder.
"Good, that gives us time to plot and discuss our new destination." Shepard replied.
"Tell me it's somewhere with better drinks than the crap we have on this ship. I could use a good hammering." Joker commented.
Shepard chuckled, "Sorry to disappoint you Joker, but were going on a scavenger hunt for the Illusive man. He wants us to check out a Cerberus research vessel. Apparently they lost contact with it a few
days ago and there's supposed to be something important on-board he wants us to recover. EDI should have the coordinates."
EDI then chimed in, "Affirmative Commander."
"What about the rest of the crew?" Joker inquired.
"It's been a while since any of them got any rest. Besides I'm sure we can handle it."
"Great, first we go easter egg hunting then we get to watch you get snuffed out on Tuchanka." Joker said as he rolled his eyes with clear sarcasm in his tone.
Shepard raised a brow and crossed his arms. "Thanks Joker, would have thought you had more faith in me."
A smirk grew on Joker's face. "That's what you get for not giving the cripple shore leave."
Shepard laughed. "We all know the only reason this ship is in one piece is because you're at the helm Joker"
"Damn straight! remember that next time I pull your ass outta the fire." Joker said sarcastically.
"Duly noted." Before Shepard could turn to leave he felt a hand on his upper arm.
"Shepard, need to talk. Important. Made progress analyzing Prothean Relic recovered on Kopis." In a previous mission Shepard had taken the M-44 Hammerhead assault vehicle to investigate a dig site on the planet Kopis in the Hades Nexus and had discovered an old Prothean relic. He had given it to Mordin to find out exactly what it was. He began to follow Mordin back to the lab. Upon entering the Relic was floating on top of Mordin's desk and humming a strange sound. Shepard walked up to it, his eyes full of curiosity. When he reached up to touch it it pulsed and moved a couple of inches back from his finger.
"Do not touch! Still do not fully understand purpose of device!" Mordin snapped.
"So what kind of progress did you make?" Shepard said backing away from the floating orb that was the relic.
"Observe..." Mordin took some raw element zero in his hand and held it close to the orb. The relic reacted by growing half a size larger and then the particles of element zero seemed to be sucked into it. Shepard grew an expression of shock.
"What just happened?" he asked.
"Yes, intriguing isn't it? Device able to absorb energy from materials in close proximity." Mordin inhaled deeply then finished, "Astounding..."
"That is interesting. Any way we could benefit from this?" Shepard asked. Mordin walked behind his desk and activated his console.
"No, must continue analysis. Purpose still unclear, but may have weapon applications."
"Alright Mordin, let me know if you find out anything more." Shepard was about to leave when something struck his thoughts.
"Hey before I go I don't suppose you have any more antibiotics laying around do you?" Mordin knew exactly what he was refering to.
"Yes Shepard. Haven't forgotten about Tali'Zorah. Synthesized more doses this morning." Mordin leaned over his desk to hand Shepard several tubes containing the liquid antibiotics.
"Thanks Mordin." Shepard decided it was time to get some rest before the mission and headed back to his cabin for the night.
...
When he entered he could hear mumbling from around the corner. He quietly tip-toed his way over to see Tali sitting on his couch with her arms folded and legs crossed. She instantly noticed him and gave him a despicable glare.
"You still mad?" He asked her.
"Mad?" She got up and walked over to the edge of his bed. "I'm not mad Shepard... I'm worried. This is a bad idea, Keelah, this whole thing is a bad idea..." Shepard kept silent trying to think of a way to
comfort her about the whole situation. It seemed like no matter how many times he saved the galaxy there was always a life threatening matter at hand. He knew Tali was strong when times called for it, but it didn't make him feel any better that he was putting his life at risk and putting a burden on her shoulders.
He walked closer to her and dropped his authoritative stance. "I wish I didn't have to do this, but it's the only way. I'm sorry." He said softly. Tali stayed silent with her back turned to him.
"Putting you through these things isn't one of my favorite hobbies." He said. She still didn't reply.
Shepard moved in closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you remember Virmire? Wrex threatened the entire mission. All of you were just waiting for him to turn on us. Ash was ready kill him right then and there, but I changed him. I gave him a chance and he followed me to the end. Even though he may have missed his chance for a cure for the Genophage." Tali dropped her arms to her sides and turned to Shepard. He wrapped both his arms around her waist and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I don't give up on my crew, and I haven't given up on him either." Tali returned the affection by wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. They remained in each others arms for a few moments before breaking away. Shepard stared into her bright, shining eyes and brought one hand to the side of her helmet. "If you want to join the rest of the crew on shore leave we cam turn back. I'll understand." He said softly. She became lost in his sapphire blue eyes and slowly brought one hand to his chin.
"I'm not going anywhere Shepard." Shepard grew a genuine smile and placed a small kiss on her visor. He then lifted one hand to show her the tubes of antibiotics he received from Mordin and gave her a wink. She quickly snatched one of the glass tubes from his hand and walked over to his desk, injecting herself with the antibiotic. She walked back over to Shepard swinging her hips sensually and guided his hands up to the seals on her helmet.
A light clicking sound was heard followed by a light hiss and Shepard removed her visor to reveal the divine beauty of the face behind it. Looking into her uncovered eyes always left him awestruck. Seeming hypnotized by the gaze of her glowing silver eyes, he couldn't find the words to describe the love he had for her. Tali gave him a small nudge on the shoulder.
"Just making sure you're still here Shepard." She said with a giggle. Shepard sprung into action and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Their love for one another seemed to cause all that was around them to fade away. It was as if a world created for just the two of them had been born.
Tali spun him around causing him to fall backwards onto the bed with herself on top of him, barely realizing where they were until Shepard broke the kiss.
"I'll always be here for you Ms. Zorah."
Tali touched his lip with her finger and spoke before they continued to embrace each other. "You're a Bosh'tet, but a sweet Bosh'tet, and that's why I love you..."