The Normandy rapidly decelerated coming through the mass relay in the Haskins system of the Titan nebula. Orbiting the system's only planet Capek, the same planet where Shepard had disabled a faulty mech factory assembly line, was a smoke screen of ships that had withstood the perils of many generations since the Geth uprising. A massive flotilla of ships that every Quarian called home; the Migrant Fleet.
The glittering metal of the distant vessels grew larger as the Normandy approached. Shepard as well as Kal'Reegar and Vel'Lara waited eagerly for Tali to join them in the helm. The Spectre had almost used his commlink to call her when he turned to see her walk up beside him and greet him with a nod. He did the same and noticed her turn to briefly glance at Kal before lowering her head shamefully. Kal had already looked back out of the front viewer before Shepard could read the emotion in his eyes but he knew there was tension between the two nonetheless.
He wondered what had taken place during their private conversation. He didn't think anything of it at first. He trusted Kal not only because Tali did, but because of how he stood up for her during her trial. That was all he needed to do to earn his respect. Still, something was eating its way into her head. He'd been with her long enough to know every message that each movement of her body told. He made a mental note reminding himself to confront her later. It was by this time that they were skimming the borders of the fleet and a Quarian operator hailed them.
"Unidentified Cerberus vessel, state your business or we will open fire." Tali rolled her eyes. You'd think they would remember the Normandy, the only ship in its class. Fleet security must have been elevated since their last visit. Dammit Shepard, why hasn't he painted over that dreaded insignia yet?
"This is Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya," vas Normandy, it still felt wonderful to say it. After the trial she had stood in front of the mirror in her clean-room and repeated it for hours on end just to remind herself that it was true, "requesting permission to dock with the Neema."
There was a brief pause while the operator received the message. "Transmit verification code." Replied the male operator. Now it was her turn to speak the verse she had practiced since childhood, even more so before departing on her pilgrimage two years ago.
"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."
"Verified. Welcome home Tali'Zorah." the operator confirmed.
"Be advised, our ship requires a quarantine team for decontamination." she warned.
"Understood. Approach docking cradle thirteen." Several minutes past as Joker gently flew the Normandy alongside the Neema. A light lurch confirmed the ships secured docking a moment later and the four all stepped into the airlock and let the decontamination cycle activate. The doors slid open and they found themselves in the west wing of the ship Tali had once hailed from. A team of four Quarian marines met them inside. Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema began pushing his way past the guards eager to greet them.
"Kal'Reegar, I expected your report 12 hours ago. What happened? Where's the rest of your squad and why are you here with Captain Shepard?"
Stepping forward Reegar said, "I'm sorry sir, we were compromised. Geth killed most of my squad. If it wasn't for Shepard showing up we'd have all been killed."
"Damn..." Han cursed under his breath. "I'm sorry to hear that Reegar. At least the ancestors spared us two of the Neema's children." Turning to Shepard he added. "Thank you for your assistance Captain."
"You're welcome Admiral." replied Shepard. "I just wish I could have been there sooner."
"Regardless, you did what you could. You're welcome to stay aboard as long as you like. I'll have quarters prepared for your stay."
"That's not necessary Admiral. I'd rather not have my crew strain your supplies. We'll use the Normandy."
"My offer stands should you reconsider." Han turned then turned to Kal. "I'd like to debrief you and your squad mate in my office."
"Yes sir." Kal acknowledged with a salute. He and Vel then followed behind Han as he lead them to his quarters leaving Shepard and Tali alone.
Knowing it was going to be a while before he heard from Kal again he decided to use this free time for some personal business. "Tali, should we send a message to Shala?"
"Oh yes, o-of course." She replied nervously which he easily picked up on.
"You ok? You've been pretty edgy about talking to her."
"You must understand Shepard, Shala has been like a second mother to me. After she died my father put more attention to the fleet and I would be left in her care during that time. She's very protective of me and I'm afraid her reaction to...us won't be very pleasant."
Shepard placed one hand on each shoulder to ease her discomfort and said. "Hey, I survived Liara's mother didn't I? This won't be my first girlfriend-mom meeting."
"Except that we are telling her not just about our relationship, but our engagement!" She exclaimed.
"Trust me, I can take whatever she throws at me." He said with a wide grin.
Tali sighed in defeat and summoned her omni-tool to relay a message to the Tonbay; the vessel the one she called her auntie served on. She subconsciously hoped she had miss-typed the destination for the message...
Shala'Raan vas Tonbay was exhausted. She had been awake for nearly 20 straight hours meeting with captains from other ships in the Flotilla and discussing plans for the resources salvaged from the abandoned mech facility down on Capek, as well as their Iridium mining operation. She was ready to pass out.
The Tonbay's Requisitions officer tried to keep up with her as she stormed down the corridors of the Tonbay to her personal quarters. The young girl carried a datapad in hand while constantly chattering about requested supplies for the fleets ships. Shala was to say the least, annoyed; trying to ignore her the entire way to her room.
"And the Tillus is requesting a surplus of food supplies."
"Yes yes, I'll see that it is done." Raan replied looking straight ahead.
"Also the Oronus has placed a requisition order for a new artificial gravity generator..." By this time they had reached the door for Shala's quarters. Opening the door quickly while her assistant continued to chat her ears off, Shala angrily slammed the door behind her. She absentmindedly ran her hands over her visor as if trying to rub the exhaustion from her eyes. She stumbled over to her cot and let herself fall flat across it; her aged body needed the rest. As she closed her eyes and began to drift off to sleep, her omni-tool beeped loudly; startling her and causing her to fall off her cot onto the hard metal floor.
"Bosh'tet!" she mumbled as she picked herself up and sat back down on the cot. Quickly summoning the holographic interface, she noticed 1 new message. She opened it and was surprised to see who it was from. Tali had returned with Shepard and requested that she come to Neema to discuss something of importance.
"Keelah!" She sat up and walked over to the communicator on the wall. Pressing it she said. "Nila, prepare a shuttle. I must depart for the Neema immediately."
Kolyat awoke to the sound of his beeping omni-tool. It took him a moment to realize where the sound was coming from as his consciousness took focus and he sat up in bed. He groaned angrily, wanting to smash the annoying device but summoned restraint as he sighed and activated it. Running his hand across his eyes he asked in an irritated tone.
"Yeah, what is it?"
Captain Bailey answered with sense of irritation matching his own. "Kolyat, what the hell where you thinking?"
The Drells eyes shot wide open before he replied with, "Um, I'm not sure I follow sir."
Bailey sighed. "I could drink 3 glasses of ryncol and still remember bashing a Turian's face in."
Kolyat hesitated to answer as he recalled yesterday's events. Slightly stammering he said, "Sir...that bartender tried to poison a Quarian women with a drink for levo-protein species. Bastard deserved what I did to him!"
"I believe you, but look son." Bailey said trying his best to maintain a soft spoken voice. "I'm no fan of bigots either. But when a citizen runs up in my precinct claiming one of my officers broke his jaw without proper cause, I'm the one who gets shit on by the higher ups."
Kolyat shook his head and cursed to himself quietly. "I understand Captain, it will not happen again..."
"I sure hope not kid. But that's only part of the reason I interrupted your beauty sleep."
Kolyat stood up from the bed and walked over to the window looking out onto the vast complex of the Citadel as he listened further. "Sir?"
"Councilor Anderson is gonna be meeting with a Krogan bigshot today. Diplomatic stuff. As usual we'll be giving him a C-sec escort. I want you on that escort. So grab your gear and get over to the Presidium."
Kolyat felt thrilled to be given such an honor. Finally a day away from simple pick-pockets and looters. "Yes sir, I'm already on my way!"
The young Drell walked over to his locker and typed in the desired code. With a quiet click, it opened revealing his C-sec uniform perfectly hung up on a rack along with his pistol and holster He grabbed it all from the rack and began dressing himself in the blue and black striped uniform, making sure everything was neatly worn. He hooked his holster onto his belt and slid his pistol into it then with great pride, looked at the C-sec insignia stitched into his sleeve.
His life took a turn for the better so quickly. From performing mercenary work to bringing the very people he used to work for to justice. It was nice to have something to actually be proud of, to accomplish, to earn respect from his father. Only a few weeks ago he resented the man, even wished he would die a gruesome, painful death. He felt he had been thrown away when Thane left him alone with his mother. He wasn't even there for her funeral, for all the years he spent alone afterwards. For the longest time he felt it was his fault. That he was the reason he left. Maybe he wasn't good enough of a son. Eventually the longing grew into hate that nearly dragged him down a path from wens there would be no return.
He was wrong. Just when he was so sure about his decision to carry out an assassination on a council senator, the last person he expected to stop him appeared to him. Were it not for this realization he would have pulled the trigger a lot sooner. But he wanted him to see just how much pain he had put him through. This kill would be his way of rebelling against his father for the last time. But thing didn't turn out as he had predicted. Shepard stopped him; convinced him to hear his father out. At that moment he knew the man he hated was not the kind of father he thought he was. He wanted to make up for all the time he lost with his only son. He wasn't sure he wanted that, but he knew he needed it.
Even after all that chaos, this was the outcome. He was a changed young man. No more injustice, only the exact opposite. He wondered if his father had received the message he sent, telling him of his promotion. He didn't know where he was with the Normandy constantly traversing the clusters of the galaxy. He hoped he would reply to him soon and receive some long desired recognition. Just to hear or read his words before his disease took him. That was the worst part of just now reuniting with his father, the fact that he only had a year to spend with him before the last of his family was lost.
Glancing at the time on his omni-tool he dismissed himself from the thoughts and stepped through his open door into the living room of his apartment. Hearing noise, he looked over to his couch and noticed the young Lia'Vael sitting comfortably and watching the Citadel news net on his vid screen.
"You're up early. You sleep well?" he asked sincerely.
Lia jumped slightly from his voice and turned to him before shooting up from her seat. She nervously held her hands in her lap as she spoke. "Oh! I-I didn't wake you did I? I hope you don't mind, I couldn't sleep and I was bored so I-"
"Are you always this nervous? Or is it because I'm with C-sec?" he asked interrupting her nervous chatter.
Lia lightly hit her visor with her hand, feeling stupid for her rambling. Dammit he shows you this much hospitality and you can even converse with him in a straight manner? "Uh sorry. I guess I'm not used to having privileges without some sort of catch."
Chuckling while walking closer he said. "You don't need my permission to watch a vid. And no, you didn't wake me. I have my captain to thank for that."
"I see..." For a while the two stared into each others eyes absentmindedly from a distance. She couldn't help but admire how perfectly her reflection showed in his black orbs. It was like looking into a mirror. Kolyat too felt entranced by her white pearls as if being pulled into a black hole. It wasn't until the reporter on the vid screen started to speak that they were pulled out of their hypnotized state.
"In other news, the respected human Councilor, David Anderson, is scheduled to hold a meeting with a Krogan delegate claiming to be the leader of his race. The informal meeting will take place near the Krogan memorial statue on the Presidium later today. Reporting live this is Emily Wong, Citadel news net."
Turning back to each other, Kolyat scratched the back of his neck while Lia dropped her head in embarrassment. An awkward silence followed while both tried to think of a way to start up a conversation.
Kolyat, finally gaining the courage to speak, said. "Well um...I should report to the precinct. I'm supposed to be part of Councilor's Anderson's escort today...There's uh...a chit with 80 credits on it on the kitchen counter if you need to buy yourself food or anything..."
"Alright...well thank you..." she replied still averting her gaze.
"OK, I'll see you later then?" he said as he walked over to the door.
"Um yeah, I'll be here." she replied. Just as Kolyat began to walk out the door Lia spoke up. "Good luck!" he smiled as the door closed behind him and began looking around for the nearest rapid transit terminal.
Still inside the apartment, Lia plopped back down on the couch with her head leaned back and one hand over her visor. A familiar sensation plagued her. One that she recognized as a young woman's crush. She'd had plenty back on the Ulnay during her younger years. But those were with Quarian men. But a Drell? They aren't anything like Quarian men. This was so strange.
She shook her head as she thought about her foolishness. She's supposed to be attracted to the slim build and silver eyes of a Quarian man. Not the broad shoulders and large biceps of this tall, firm bodied Drell. With his tight abs and dark eyes and...Keelah...
Kal'Reegar stood firmly as he explained to Admiral Gerrel, sitting behind his desk, the details of the mission. The Geth ambush, Sovereigns control, Shepard's assistance. And worst of all the deaths of his squad.
"I knew those rusted cyclops were up to something." Han said with his hands clasped together over his desk. "I'm just sorry it cost you the lives of your men Reegar."
"As am I sir." replied Kal.
Standing up and walking over to the window Han said. "The fleet has lost more of its children today. I'll inform their families and make sure they all receive a proper memorial."
Lifting his head Kal stiffened and requested. "Sir, permission to inform their families in person."
"That's not necessary Reegar. You've been through enough. You should get some rest." Han dejected.
"With respect sir, it was my responsibility as squad leader to ensure the safety of each and everyone of them." Han walked back to his desk while Kal added. "I need to do this, sir."
"Permission granted. I can someone accompany you should you desire."
"Not necessary sir. This is something I need to do alone..." Kal left the office leaving Han to his thoughts. Six more added to the millions that have sacrificed themselves for the fleet over the course of 300 years. And it was getting them no where. The only progress they have ever made was with the Geth data recovered by Tali'Zorah during her pilgrimage. Fitting that Rael's daughter would be the one to finally give them hope a spark of hope to cling onto. It still didn't make it any easier with him being the one that had to order these soldiers to their deaths. Mission after mission Kal had always blamed himself. But Han knew that if anyone should be blamed for the mourning the families of these soldiers endured, it was him.
Shepard and Tali walked into the small quarters Han had assigned to them carrying small bags of personal items for their stay aboard the Neema. Shepard immediately began unpacking as he explored the room. Two lockers, a single bathroom, and a bed for...'recreational' activities.
Tali found herself disappointed with the rusted metal interior of the room. It wasn't as bad as those of other ships such as the Rayya, but it still was nothing like their cabin on the Normandy. It was at least 1/3 the size of it and half as fancy. At the bed was nice.
"I never thought I'd set foot in one of these abysmal rooms again." She said, disappointed by their decision to actually take Han's offer. But denying his hospitality would have been some what of an insult she thought.
"Oh?" said Shepard as he walked over to her with a smile that warmed her heart. "Is the soon to be Mrs. displeased with her accommodations?"
Tali blushed at the word Mrs. To be the life-mate of this man was something nothing short of a real-life fairytale to her. Bending one foot back and placing her hand on her hip she seductive said. "That depends on what other 'accommodations' my man can provide for me..."
Shepard placed his hands on her hips and brought his face close to her visor so that he could make out her expression. "And what might those be Miss Shepard?" He said with a grin.
Tali giggled and replied, "I'm not a Shepard yet...John..."
Shepard felt himself grin even wider as he raised his brows. "Oh? Finally breaking at least one bad habit I see."
"Do you approve...John?" She said with flirtatious emphasis on his first name.
"Only if I see those luscious lips when you say it." he replied. Tali giggled as she guided him to the seals on her visor. Something he still needed practice on. He felt the latches disengage and carefully pulled the visor from her helmet to be greeted with her silver eyes and adorable smile.
"John..." she said grinning widely. She surprised him as she lunged forward and locked lips with him. Shepard returned her affection with equal passion and led his hands to her butt as he lifted her off the ground. Tali wrapped her legs tightly around him as he walked over to the bed while still deep into the kiss. Arriving at the foot of the bed, he leaned forward and let her lie on her back across the bed; not bothering to take a breather from their exchange of love for one another.
Shala walked down a narrow corridor looking for number of the room Han'Gerrel had given to her. She was terribly excited to see her 'adopted' daughter again. She was so relieved when Tali sent her a message weeks earlier letting her know she had survived their mission through the Omega 4 relay. Once again she had saved the galaxy. The only Quarian to ever accomplish such an act not just once but twice. She couldn't wait to congratulate her, hold her in her arms and...
She was taken back to reality when she found the room she was looking for. She stretched her arm out and was about to knock but decided she would rather just open the door and surprise her. She typed in the door code and pressed the confirm key. It opened quickly with a quiet hiss and Shala walked in.
"Tali'Zorah!" She yelled happily. "Where are-" Shala felt her heart stop when she noticed Shepard bending over the foot of the bed with a pair of Quarian legs wrapped in a familiar purple cloth wrapped around him.
Quickly breaking from their kiss, Shepard looked over his shoulder at Admiral Raan with Tali looking past him as well. Both in complete shock. There was a long silence as each stood motionless. Shala began to clinch her fists slowly and furiously. She finally gathered the resolve to speak or as Shepard would describe it, hiss.
"You...!"