Kaidan crossed his arms on his chest, as he and the other Councilors watched the re-enactment of the solar flare on the giant hologram Liara created. Jarred and everyone continued to watch as the orb representing the sun began flaring, growing brighter and brighter, and then suddenly, there was a strong flare and a huge flash. Everyone either stepped back, or gasped.

"Holy…" Kaidan muttered, as everyone calmed down. "It's going to be that strong?"

Even Liara blinked, but she straightened and looked up at Kaidan, "Yes. Yes, it'll be very strong. It won't happen until a month from now, but the flare will be… catastrophic."

Jarred's brows furrowed, as he looked down, "Even with underground bunkers, it won't be enough. The heat would be so intense that it'll reach several hundred feet underground."

Mordin laid a hand on her chin, "And with so many people on Earth, there might not be enough time to save them, or ships to transport them."

Nicholas nodded, "Solar flare would also reach other colonies, particularly near Earth. Containment only method of saving everyone."

Thanikah scoffed, "And how do you proposing to do that? It would take some time to build something to contain the Sun."

Amira and Tali shook their head, "If Liara is right, it's going to happen in a month. If the machines are small, and wide-spread, it could contain it. And it'll be easier to and faster to spread." Amira said, "Maybe a Mass Effect field? Or a biotic field?"

"A biotic field? That large?" Samara looked at the two quarians, "I could barely hold my barriers when we entered that Collector Base years ago. It would take someone of great biotic talent to make a barrier that large."

Meiou was staring at the model, her eyebrows furrowed. She raised a hand and stroked the hair that fell on her shoulder, twisting it around as she bit her lip. Jarred noticed the action, and he nudged her. "What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Thinking." She said, "Twirling my hair makes me concentrate. I don't know… it's something I've done since I was a child." She kept twirling it, and suddenly her eyes widened. She turned to Tristan and touched his shoulder. "Tristan, I think I have an idea…"

"Then you'd better tell them that." Tristan said to her, and he smiled, "You don't have to be shy."

"But…"

Tristan came forward and pulled her gently towards the view of the Council. "Excuse me, but this woman said she had an idea."

The Councilors looked at her and she blushed shyly. Tali chuckled, "Don't worry, we won't bite. We have already read about you, Miss Seishiro. If you think you have idea on this, we would be happy to hear it."

The woman nodded, "I was thinking of… the Mass Relays, and the Shroud in Tuchanka." She said shyly, "Both are able to transmit energy to a large area. If I'm not mistaken, it was the mass relays that spread the energy to destroy the Reapers, when Commander Shepard activated the Crucible." She raised a hand and typed something on her brand new OmniTool, earning a raised brow from Jarred and Amira. It seemed that she got the hang of the technology easily.

The model of the sun became surrounded with what looked like Mass Relays, and a representation of the Shroud. "I've heard that the Shroud could transmit to a large area. Perhaps, if a biotic had enough energy, she could use the Shroud as a sort of amplifier, and the 'mass relays' to spread her energy." She pressed a button again, and the 'Shroud' miniature began emitting a biotic energy ray, making it spread to the mass relays, which created a chain effect, spreading towards other relays, until it completely enclosed the sun in blue light.

Thanikah raised a brow, and Tristan turned to Liara, "Is that possible?"

Liara bent down on her OmniTool, doing calculations, and Nicholas did the same with his. Liara nodded, "Yes. It's possible."

"Mass Relays needed can be constructed with lesser size, but still effective. " Nicholas said, "Shroud technology still in Tuchanka, but would be hard to retrieve due to damage. Hypothesis very possible. But need biotic with very strong biotic ability." He looked at Councilor Samara, "Asari biotic field covers several feet, but need someone stronger. Can produce biotic field with several square meters if possible."

"I can do it." Meiou said suddenly, and all of them looked at her. "I've done it at Teltin. But… it would take me a lot of energy and strength to do it."

Samara smiled, "Then show us, child."

Meiou nodded, her face becoming determined, and she closed her eyes. Blue biotic energy began to envelop her. A small biotic shield enveloped them as she concentrated, and she raised her hands up, her face looking up as well. The shield expanded even more, and became wider and wider and wider. Jarred looked at her, and she was barely cringing.

Kaidan raised a hand to his ear, "Calling C-Sec agents, we have a human here who is testing the limits of her biotic abilities. Update me on how far she's expanding her shield."

"See if you can expand it more, Meiou." Samara said encouragingly, the other Councilors leaning over their consoles to look at her.

She gave a small nod, and spread her arms, pushing more at her barriers. They cannot see the barriers in the room anymore, but Kaidan was pressing a finger in his ear, hearing reports of a blue biotic shield passing the Citadel's C-Sec agents as she pushed.

Suddenly, Meiou began to float, slowly, the toes of her boots lifting from the floor, inching higher and higher. Jarred's mouth fell open at the sight, and Samara nodded her approval.

Nicholas' eyes blinked and he nodded, "Aah. I see! L3 Implants make biotic and telekinetic abilities stronger, with lesser effort! Ingenius!"

Meiou was floating over them now, her biotic shield spreading farther and farther, beyond the room's walls. But she was straining now, her eyebrows furrowing, and sweat was starting to bead down her face. She was gritting her teeth, and her breath was coming in short pants.

"Harder!" Samara shouted, and Jarred turned to the asari. But she was smiling encouragingly at the girl.

"Ugh…" Meiou moaned, and she opened her eyes. But biotic light emitted from it. She shouted, and pushed her barrier some more.

Kaidan's eyes widened as a last report came in, and he looked at her, "Meiou… has a barrier around the whole Citadel…"

All of them stared at young girl floating in front of them, even Thanikah's mouth was open in disbelief. Samara smiled, "She is as I expected, and more."

Meiou let out a shout, and her biotic barrier shrank back. She groaned and started to fall through the air, but Jarred jumped, and caught her in his arms. "Meiou!" Jarred shouted at her, her face pale and sweat dripping down her face. She looked at him weakly and smiled, "I'm fine. Just… exhausted."

He nodded and stood, placing her arm around his shoulder to help her up. She was limp and tired, but she smiled weakly at the Council. "I told you… I could… do it." She panted. But somewhere behind him, Jarred heard a little scoff. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thanikah cross her arms on her chest, frowning.

The six Council members looked at each other, and they all smiled, Samara wider than the others. "I guess that settles it." Urdnot Mordin said, "We'll go ahead with the plan."

Tristan nodded, "Grunt can help us get to Tuchanka. I'll be taking Meiou and Jarred with me. We can get the technology from the Shroud. Thanikah and Amira can help with the Relays."

Nicholas was quiet for a minute, but he looked up at the Krogan Councilor. "Want to go to Tuchanka too."

Kaidan raised an eyebrow, "Nicholas…"

"Mordin Solus… is inspiration. Died before I was born, but always loved his work,." Nicholas said, and he looked down, "Want to find… want to know… if genophage cure was worth death."

Urdnot Mordin looked down at him, her eyes softening under her krogan cloak. "I was named after him… my father's idea of a joke, probably. But it was also an honor. If not for him, I would not have been alive. He was brave, to give his life up for us. As I understand, he was not given a proper funeral. Talk to my brother, Urdnot Shepard, and to my parents as well."

Kaidan looked at Tristan, who nodded in agreement, before turning to Nicholas, "Alright, you can head to Tuchanka. But when you've found what you're… looking for, head back here and help Amira and Thanikah with the plan."

Nicholas nodded, "Certainly. Will assist in creation of Biotic Relays once returned from Tuchanka."

Victus looked around them, "All right. We all know what to do. This meeting is adjourned."

The Council left to return to their offices, except Councilor Samara, who came to them, and the crew rounded to her. Jarred still held Meiou to his chest, but her face was blushing furiously. She pushed a little at him, and he let her go so she could stand on her own. Thanikah scowled again.

"Meiou." Samara said, and the girl she called looked at her, "You need to be trained. Your biotics are powerful, but your stamina needs improvement." She pointed to the consoles the Council unoccupied, "As much as I wish I could train you myself, I am bound by my duties as a Councilor. But I know someone who could help you."

"Who is it?" Tristan asked.

"Find Jacqueline Nought… or as we used to call her, Jack. She is a teacher in Grissom Academy."

Meiou blinked, "Jack? The biotic from the Teltin Facility?"

Samara nodded, "Yes. She was an ally of mine during the siege of the Collector Base. She is very powerful, and can teach you well. Do not worry, she will not hurt you… I think."

The girl's eyes widened with fear, but she swallowed and nodded. Samara smiled at her and laid a hand on her shoulder, "You will be magnificent, Meiou." And she headed back to the Council offices.

The crew turned to Tristan then, and he noticed that Thanikah looked annoyed. "Something on your mind, Thanikah?"

"Why should I have to go with the tech stuff while you guys go battling out there?" The drell seethed at the Commander.

"Because you're smart, and you're a Sentinel. You should know stuff about tech and biotics. Your biotics could help with the creation of the mass relays since they use that to see if the plan works." Tristan shrugged, "Besides, we'll just be doing some exploring. It's not like there's anything to kill out there. You'll be more useful helping Amira with the Project."

Grunt chuckled, "Unless we run into a Thresher Maw. Here's to hoping."

Jarred shuddered, "Please, no thresher maws. I hate those things."

Thanikah sighed, "Fine. Fine. I'll be all nice and do what you ordered…" She glared at Tristan and Jarred. "See you when I get back, Commander."

There was a sarcastic tone in her voice that made Jarred's brow plates furrow and he turned to Amira, "What's wrong with her?"

The quarian shrugged, "Oh… it's… um… nothing." She looked at Thanikah's retreating back and looked at Jarred, "Hey, Jarred! I thought I saw the scope you wanted in a Presidium store! Wanna go buy it before we go?"

Jarred's hearing perked up at the word 'scope' and his eyes brightened, "You did?! Oh, hell yeah! Let's go buy it." He looked down at Meiou, who was now steadily standing despite her fatigue, "Can I go?"

Meiou's eyebrow raised and she laughed, "Why do you need to ask me that, Jarred? I am not your keeper. Go ask your commander."

Jarred blinked when he noticed it, and he looked up at Tristan, who had crossed his arms and was smirking at him. "Oh… er… right." He said, scratching his hair at the back of his head, "So… I can go, Tristan?"

Tristan shook his head, laughing but he nodded, "Sure, just don't take too long."

Jarred grinned widely, and he took Amira's hand and started pulling the unsuspecting quarian to the Presidium. "Take care of Meiou while I'm gone, okay?!" He shouted as they ran.

Tristan shook his head again, before turning to Meiou, who was smiling at the two as she watched them go. She looked at him, and he offered his hand, which she took. He took her arm and wound it in his, escorting her back to the Normandy as they walked.

"Jarred seems like a fan of sniper rifles." Meiou said as they walked, with Grunt, Liara and Nicholas in front of them, talking.

Tristan laughed, "I've known Jarred since I was a kid. We grew up together… the four of us. Amira, Jarred, Edison and I… our parents were close friends. He's been obsessed with guns since he was six years old, and learned to fire his first pistol at seven. He's the best marksman I've ever known."

She looked up at him, "Is that the reason why he's in your crew?"

He nodded, "Yes, and the fact that he knows the Normandy more than anyone." He looked down at her, "I know about his parents. My father helped them disappear from the radar a long time ago. Councilor Tali and Liara helped as well. I know that he told you about them. He seems to really trust you."

Meiou ducked her head and blushed, and Tristan smiled. "Jarred… used to be rather cold. His turian-human attributes made it hard for him in Military School. A lot of other students didn't like him because of his 'half-breed' status. But he worked hard and graduated to the top of the class."

"That must've shut up all those who hate him." She said with a smile.

Tristan laughed again, "It sure did." They stopped by the elevators heading down to the docks. Tristan pressed a button, and smiled down at her. "Jarred worked really hard on what he has accomplished today, that sometimes he tends to forget some of the greater things in life."

"Greater things?"

"Fun… happiness…" Tristan looked down at her, his smile knowing, "Love."

When he said the last word, Meiou's face flamed. "He has never loved anyone?"

Tristan shrugged as he looked up at the elevator, "He loves his parents, his friends… but as for a female companion, no. He was too busy making his parents proud and pissing off those who thought of him as nothing but a half-breed." He looked down at her again, smiling gently, "I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he holds you. He really likes you, Meiou."

At this, Meiou's face felt like burning, so she lowered her gaze. "I do not know what you mean, Commander."

The doors opened then and they stepped inside. Luckily it was empty. "Perhaps. Maybe one day he will… if he gets the courage to see it. Or if you have the courage to say it first."

Meiou kept her gaze lowered, and she was silent. But from the way she was twirling her hair with her fingers, Tristan knew she was thinking about it. He smiled to himself, knowing that he had just played wing-man to his best friend.