Chapter 89 - A Human Reaction
It takes an hour of passionate pleading on Tali's part until Admiral Shala'Raan and Admiral Daro'Xen agree to return to the Normandy and resume negotiations. Shepard spends the time up in her quarters, unwilling to speak to anybody, her crew while overall approving of her treatment of Gerrel, appear a little disturbed and frightened from the way she had retaliated, mercilessly beating the admiral to near death.
She allows Liara to hold her in a tight embrace as she rests on the bed, waiting for news from Tali, her bondmate's touch intended to be soothing, even if Shepard remains fiercely unrepentant of her actions, refusing the idea that she needs to be comforted about dishing out senseless beating to a bastard who endangered her life and that of her bondmate and their friends.
"Shepard, they're coming back onboard," Tali finally reaches her on the comms, sounding a little hesitant, as if worried that she might next beat up Xen or Raan. "Are you... are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Tali," she replies curtly. "I'll be right back with you in the War Room."
Both Raan and Xen take a step back as Shepard returns to accompany them, their postures radiating nervousness. "I hope that we can conduct the rest of our negotiations in more civil atmosphere, Commander Shepard," Admiral Raan finally says, after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "If not for Tali's passionate speech on your behalf, we would not be here. While your anger was understandable, such behavior will not be tolerated."
"It will not be repeated," Shepard replies politely. Unless you decide to fire on me and my friends again, she adds silently, continuing to smile pleasantly as she turns towards Tali. "I am in your debt, Tali."
"I owed you one for the trial, Shepard," Tali replies, it looks as if she is smiling under her mask.
"I regret that Tali'Zorah would not listen to my urging to leave the Normandy, after which your ship would have been reduced to ashes, Shepard," Xen says plainly, crossing her arms on her chest defiantly. "Your shameful behavior deserved no other response."
"Admiral Xen, we went over this already, and we agreed to focus on the task before us," Raan says, seeking reconciliation.
"How bad are the injuries?" Shepard asks.
"There is extensive damage to his abdominal region, and the doctors are having difficulties in stopping the internal bleeding, because of the multiple infections Admiral Gerrel suffered due to his faceplate breaking," Raan explains in a stony voice.
"But he is conscious and insists on being involved in any vote that the Admiralty Board decides to take," Xen interjects sharply. Of course, she doesn't want to lose the voice that will insist on dragging this war on, Shepard realizes. Fuck. It might have been tactically more sound to just kill the bastard. Though, they might have shot us in retaliation, so maybe not...
"I hope Admiral Gerrel makes a full recovery. I will apologize for my shameful behavior to him in person after we have dealt with the geth problem," Shepard lies, then turning back to Raan. "What are the next steps the Admiralty Board wishes to take in this war?"
"The geth inflicted heavy casualties before you disabled the Reaper signal," Raan replies. Damn it, maybe I should turn to Legion for alliance instead? Shepard wonders, her eyes falling on Tali. Nah, she'd never go along with it, I can't forsake a friend even if her people are a bunch of morons. Or well, led by a bunch a morons, making them all look bad. "The sacrifice of Admiral Koris prevented our losses from becoming catastrophic. He crash-landed on the homeworld to take out the planetary defense cannon of the geth."
"We can assist with the rescue efforts," Shepard recognizes her opportunity to make nice, following up with a quick suggestion. "Normandy's stealth drive can get us close and the quarian's don't need to risk any of their ships." And I have more ships left intact for the fight against the Reapers, everybody wins!
"Thank you, Commander," Raan says, bowing lightly. "I believe the worst of the fighting is now over. The geth are in full retreat, now that they no longer possess the programming upgrades they had while enslaved by the Reapers."
"This is a false assumption," suddenly they are interrupted by the metallic chirping voice of Legion, Raan and Xen immediately reaching for their weapons, forgetting that they have been surrendered before coming onboard the Normandy.
"Ah, Legion, glad you could join us, as I asked you," Shepard smiles, secretly taking great enjoyment from the discomfort of the admirals.
"What the hell is that?!" Raan shouts, her stare moving between Shepard and Legion, demanding answers.
"That is an old friend of mine, Legion. It helped me defeat the Collectors," Shepard kindly explains. "We found it on the geth dreadnaught, where the Reapers had been using its platform as a signal booster to broadcast their signal to the other geth. We freed it and thought that it might be helpful to have its insights on the geth represented at this summit."
"Did you go along with this, Tali'Zorah?" Raan turns to the younger quarian, her voice stern.
"Yes. I have fought alongside Legion many times and it has always proven loyal," Tali shrugs as she replies. "Legion was the reason I believed this war was unnecessary and that we could have achieved lasting peace if you would have been willing to enter negotiations. But war was all that Han'Gerrel and Daro'Xen were willing to consider!"
"Why did you never tell me any of this, Tali'Zorah?" Raan sounds a little shocked.
"Because you would have branded me a traitor to my people for collaborating with the geth!" Tali exclaims.
"You are a traitor to our people. But we will deal with your irresponsible ideas later," Xen says, looking at Legion with what Shepard can only interpret as fascination. "That said, this prototype is amazing! With some study, I may be able to use it to find a weakness in the geth consensus."
"Like I said before, Legion helped us defeat the Collectors," Shepard turns towards Xen, giving her an angry stare. "I won't let you dissect its platform for whatever reasons."
"Yes, yes, your rifle helped you as well, should I worry about its feelings as well?" Xen responds adamantly.
"Admiral Xen. If you insist on continuing this line of thought," Shepard takes a step closer to the admiral. "I am sure there is an empty bed in the infirmary next to Gerrel. Push this, and you might be making use of that empty bed."
"We will not tolerate threats!" Raan sounds incensed.
"Raan, Xen is provoking her, don't you see it?" Tali protests.
Raan hesitates for a moment, before looking at Xen. "I think we should all just calm down," she says eventually, turning back towards Legion, the geth looking on at their bickering, waiting to be addressed. "You said something about false assumptions. Explain yourself," Raan orders.
"You have cut off long-range control by destroying the dreadnaught, but the Old Machines placed a base on Rannoch for short-range direction," Legion elaborates helpfully. "They might be disorganized currently, but once the short-range signal is in place, they will recover."
"We need to destroy that base immediately!" Xen exclaims.
"It's location is unknown to us," Legion replies. Before Xen can accuse it of lying, the geth continues. "However, we do know the location of a server from which geth fighter squadrons are controlled. These squadrons intend to target creator liveships."
"This is worrying news, especially with Admiral Koris missing and unable to coordinate the Civilian Fleet," Raan shakes her head. "Xen, I want you to assume control of the Civilian Fleet and do what you can to keep the liveships safe."
"That would leave you in charge of Patrol and Heavy Fleets, Raan, which is surely too much to ask of anyone. I think it would be best if you coordinated Patrol and Civilian Fleets and left the Heavy Fleet to me," Xen shakes her head in disagreement.
Shepard feels like intervening, not really wanting to see Xen take control of the main firepower of the quarian fleets, but at the same time she understands that this is definitely outside her sphere of influence, silently watching Raan eventually agreeing with a nod of her head. "Thank you, Raan. I will return to the Neema and coordinate the Heavy Fleet from Gerrel's ship."
"With Commander Shepard's permission, I would like to remain on the Normandy and observe our fleets from here," Raan says, looking at Shepard who quickly gives her acceptance. "We will stay in touch constantly, Xen," she tells her fellow admiral, who is already making her way out of the War Room.
"This is not good, Shepard," Tali looks at her worriedly. "If the geth fighters manage to cripple even one of our liveships..."
"The Civilian Fleet cannot defend itself against targeted strikes by the geth fighters," Raan agrees. "Even if we have jury-rigged every civilian ship with cannons, their armor and shielding remain inferior and inadequate."
Shepard feels her mouth opening from shock and then slowly closing again as she swallows a litany of swearwords. "Like a I said, treaty violations just come naturally to quarians," she says, shaking her head. "Sure, Treaty of Farixen was pretty much the Council shooting itself in the foot, considering what we now know about the Reaper invasion, but still... outfitting your liveships with cannons? Of course the geth or any semi-intelligent opponents will choose them as targets!"
"The Heavy Fleet will do its best to keep our civilians safe," Raan says defensively.
"I hope Daro'Xen will place as high priority on this task as you do, Admiral Raan," Shepard smirks. "Anyway, it seems as we have two targets, disabling the geth server and rescuing Admiral Zaal'Koris. Admiral Raan, I will require all the relevant intel about the crash of Quib-Quib."
Raan nods to her. "Every detail we have will be forwarded to you immediately."
"Legion, I will speak to you about the geth server in a moment," Shepard tell the geth, then turning to Tali. "I'll want everyone to be ready for the ground mission within an hour. You'll get the mission details as soon as I have them."
"Understood, Shepard," Tali nods. "Until then, I will remain here with Raan and help monitor the fleets."
"We would prefer to station this platform in the AI core," Legion says, departing. "We are willing to exchange information upon your arrival."
Shepard remains in the War Room for a while longer, conversing with Tali while Raan uploads all the relevant intel about the last known location of Admiral Koris. She also informs all of her squad members to begin their preparations for a ground mission, before seeking her way down to the AI core to catch up with Legion.
"Shepard-Commander. You opposed Creator Admiral Xen's attempt to confiscate our platform," Legion greets her upon Shepard's arrival. "We appreciate the assistance."
"Well, she's a dangerous fanatic who wants to enslave your people under quarian control. There's no way I'm helping her," Shepard shrugs. "Anyway, let's talk about the geth targeting quarian liveships. What's going on?"
"The squadrons assigned to this attack are networked to a server on Rannoch," Legion explains. "However, simply destroying the server would not be a solution. The geth programs would simply transfer to alternate servers. They are only vulnerable through direct interface."
"Direct interface? You mean... somehow disabling the geth on software level or..."
"That is essentially correct," Legion nods. "We will accompany you on this mission and provide step-by-step guidance. The risk involved will be minimal."
"Actually, I was planning to lead the squad in charge of rescuing Admiral Zaal'Koris," Shepard says. "Would you be willing to work with Creator Admiral Tali'Zorah to disable the geth server?"
"That would be acceptable. The mission might provide greater understanding of the geth, which could foster more effective cooperation," Legion nods after a little pause. "However, Creator Tali'Zorah's trust will be necessary to make certain decisions."
"It will be ensured," Shepard promises. "But if she comes to any harm, Legion, I will show your people no mercy."
"Creator Tali'Zorah will be kept safe," Legion replies. "Her past assistance continues to be appreciated."
"If your people can be freed from the Reaper control and Creator attacks cease, do you think the geth would be willing to help in the battle against the Old Machines?" Shepard asks, hoping that Legion's answer will not further condemn her decision to rewrite the heretics as one of the stupidest mistakes in recent galactic history.
"Answer is not available at this time, however, we predict that a positive consensus can be reached. Shepard-Commander, if your notion of peace can be realized, then the decision to rewrite the heretics will work to the advantage of us all," Legion adds, making Shepard wonder whether a machine might have sensed her thoughts.
"How did this war even get started, Legion? Did the quarians simply appear one day and hit your people out of the blue?" she asks then.
"The geth were building a megastructure to house all geth, store all memories. After the rewriting of the heretics, it was to end our isolation from each other. That was when the Creators attacked, destroying a significant amount of programs that had already been installed in the megastructure. The collective intelligence of the geth was decreased as a result of this attack, and the instinct of self-preservation prevailed over a narrowing perspective of other options. Our people had no desire to be exterminated, and allying with the Reapers appeared to be the only option. Shepard-Commander. My people had been planning for war with the Old Machines when the Creators attacked."
"Gah!" Shepard exclaims in frustration. "Those... those... stupid, moronic, idiotic... argh! If not for Tali, I would... I don't know what I would do. Choose to ally with the geth over the quarians, I suspect. Anyway... good talking with you, Legion, I'll go speak with Tali and then think about who else to send with you... probably whoever is the least likely to blow their top over the crazy plan you have come up with..."
Shepard makes her first stop at the bridge, having to deal with Joker's wise-ass comments before she finally gets the chance to inform EDI that she will be accompanying Tali and Legion on the ground mission to disable the geth server. If there's someone I don't have to worry about being prejudiced against the geth, it's EDI.
"Not again, Commander, seriously, I need EDI here on the bridge!" Joker immediately starts his usual whine.
"Please, Commander, I trust you will once again dismiss Jeff's concerns as foolish and insignificant," EDI replies. "I would be happy to assist in any capacity."
"In my absence, Tali will be in charge of this mission," Shepard tells EDI. "Accept her orders as if they were mine."
"Understood, Commander," EDI says. "Am I allowed to accidentally shoot Legion's platform? He referred to my platform as having low-volume hydraulics and being top-heavy."
"But it is delightfully top-heavy," Joker chuckles, giving EDI a very fond and slightly leering stare.
Shepard sighs, before bonking Joker lightly on the head. "That's about enough, Joker. EDI, Tali'Zorah will inform you about the time of your departure. And no, please, no shooting of Legion, we need that good old flashlight head."
"Very well, Shepard," EDI reluctantly agrees. "I shall resort myself to mockery about his humor heuristics still lacking an expert system..."
"You don't want to take me with you?" Liara is understandably surprised, when Morgan informs her that she will be joining Tali, EDI and Legion.
"I always want you to be with me, babe," Morgan smiles at her bondmate, then proceeding to explain the whole extent of Legion's plan, or at least as much as she has gathered from the geth's explanations. "In short, I need someone reasonable to accompany Tali, not a testosterone driven male who's going to go 'Grrrr! Evul Geth! I shoot you ded, haha!'"
"I am not sure I can blame them, Morgan... this plan is incredibly risky..." Liara's eyes widen as she realizes the true extent of what is being required of them. "I... do not know Legion as well as you do, is it wise to place so much trust in a geth?"
"The plan depends on that we do so, love," Morgan replies, wrapping her arms around the asari and pulling her close. "It took all my persuasion to convince Tali to go along with it, and now I must ask you the same. I need you to trust Legion and go along with everything it proposes. Can you do this for me?"
Liara looks at her, those blue eyes full with utter devotion, her bondmate nodding without hesitation. "For you, I will do whatever you ask, without a doubt or question asked," she says softly, lowering her head on Morgan's chest. "You feel so very tense. Is it because of Gerrel?"
"Everything just... adds up, really," Morgan replies hoarsely. "A combination of things."
"I wish you would open up and share your worries with me, as we agreed we would," Liara whispers. "I wish you did not think I am not strong enough to endure whatever is plaguing you."
"It's not that, Liara... it's just a..."
"A human reaction to keep everything to yourself," Liara finishes for her. "Yes, you told me that once. And I told you that it was very silly."
"I can go on for a bit longer, babe. Just as long as I don't have to stop and think about how I'm feeling and then all that shit comes down on me."
"You can't go on like that for long, Morgan. Please, let me help."
"I know I should... how about after we have brought the geth and the quarians back to their senses and stopped this war?" Morgan suggests.
"Promise?" Liara asks, looking up at her. She nods, sighing in contention as Liara darts upwards to lock her lips against Morgan's, and she knows she could kiss these lips for eternity and never get bored of that sweet, intoxicating taste of her bondmate.
"We'll take a little time for ourselves after this," she says, as they exchange a few more casual kisses before breaking apart. "But come now. We have work to do..."