End Game – Chapter Seventeen

Tabitha did not say a word as she and Thane walked to the elevator, her posture military straight, facial expression blank, eyes ice-blue, lips in a thin line. Thane's enhanced vision saw the confusion raging inside through the chaos of colors swirling around her body. As soon as the elevator doors shut, Thane pressed the "stop" button turning toward Tabitha, "Siha."

Tabitha looked at Thane. That one word held so much meaning for her, memories of their past flitting across her consciousness. Forcing the memories back into her subconscious, she closed her eyes for a moment grounding herself in the present. As she opened her eyes, small smile flitting across her face, eyes melting into the oceans of Kadje, Thane's rigid posture relaxed, "Thane, you always know what to say."

Thane ghosted a smile keeping his right hand covering the "start" button as Tabitha's eyes took in his position and posture. Leaning back against the elevator wall, she exhaled audibly, "Thane…Kadar. What happened with Javik…the memories," crossing her arms across her chest, "We need to talk…will talk…just not now." Standing up, authority in her voice, "I have a mission…we have a mission to get the Primarch off of Menae."

Thane did not say a word as he pressed the "start" button. Tabitha smiled ruefully, "You did it again."

Inclining his head slightly, arms behind his back in his classic defensive position, he spoke simply, smile in his voice, "Yes."

As the elevator doors opened unto the Crew Deck, Tabitha spoke, "Thane, tell Liara about the mission and meet me at the shuttle bay. I am going to the War Room to analyze some information." Without a word, Thane stepped out of the elevator before the doors slid shut.

EDI's voice came over the comm as the elevator went up to the CIC, "Shepherd, specifically coded signal you had requested for me to monitor is registering from an asteroid field."

As Tabitha proceeded to the War Room, she answered, "Thank you, EDI. Joker, change course to intercept the signal, top speed."

Joker responded, "Yes, Ma'am," unspoken question in his voice.

In the War Room, Tabitha brought up schematics, graphs, charts, and analysis on the planets and moons around Palaven. She was looking for anything which might give them an advantage over the Reapers. As she quickly scanned the information, a smile flickered across her features, "It is a long shot," she thought to herself, "but it just might work. The Reapers will not be expecting this."

"We are at the designated coordinates, Commander," stated Joker.

As Tabitha left the war room, she pinged Liara on her omni-tool in a secure coded text, "The package has arrived."

Liara responded under the secure code, "Make sure there are no additional charges."

As Tabitha entered the shuttle bay, she called over to Steve Cortez, "Taking the shuttle out for a test drive. Be back in a few minutes."

Look of confusion on his face as he answered, "Yes, Commander."

James Vega came into step right behind her. As she stepped into the shuttle, she turned, "Not this time, LT. Change of plans. Make sure everybody is assembled in the war room upon my return."

Turning to walk away, he responded, smile evident in his voice, "Your call, Lola."

Standing up from his meditative state on the floor of the shuttle, Thane inquired, "Siha."

"You are my co-pilot today. Come up here and buckle yourself in. It may be a bumpy ride."

Laughter evident in Thane's voice, "Siha, I have ridden with you before. Any ride with you is …bumpy…to say the least."

Thane ran through the check list quickly and efficiently as Tabitha responded to each inquiry in the affirmative. Glancing over at Thane, she nodded her head, "Cortez, open the bay doors."

Cortez looked over at Vega as the shuttle left the bay heading toward the asteroid belt, "What was that about?"

Vega answered with a shrug of his shoulders, "Don't know." Turning to face Cortez, he asked, "What do you know of the Commander?"

Cortez answered, "Only what the official reports, media, and some gossip have stated over the years. Commander Tabitha Shepherd-Krios: orphan – joined the Alliance at age 18 – N-7 training at age 19 – Skyllian Blitz at age 22 – almost single handedly held off Batarian slavers till Alliance reinforcements arrived – first human spectre – saved the Citadel – defeated Saren, Geth, and Sovereign – presumed dead – resurrected by Cerberus – married Drell assassin - destroyed Collector Base – fighting war against Reapers."

Vega smiled as he headed toward the elevator calling over his shoulder, "I had a chance and glanced over her classified file," Waiting at the elevator, he softly whistled to himself, "Cortez, what you just said is only about 10% truth, the rest is BS." The elevator opened as Vega placed his hand over the opening to keep it from closing, "Shepherd joined the Alliance when she was 14 not 18. She was at the Skyllian Blitz, but she saved the planet Kadje from the main Batarian slavers. And the Drell assassin, Thane Krios…she became his bond mate at age 17. He also helped train her." Vega stepped in the elevator, "I forgot…Commander Shepherd-Krios is not all human. She is a Prothean/Human hybrid. If the brass knew I looked at her file, I would probably be dead."

Before the elevator doors closed, Cortez heard, "From what I saw, I respect her and will follow her orders without question."

XXXXX

As Tabitha maneuvered around asteroids, Thane asked, "Where are we going, Siha?"

Tabitha replied, "Meeting some old friends," keeping her eyes straight ahead.

"In an asteroid field?" He questioned.

"They do not want their presence known."

When Thane realized that Tabitha was not forthcoming with any more information, he closed his eyes in meditation, concentrating on each breath. Smiling to himself, he knew from experience that keeping his eyes closed was the best way when riding with Tabitha.

Tabitha was approaching the middle of the asteroid field when her omni-tool pinged. Shutting down the engines, she kept her position via maneuvering thrusters. Smiling to himself keeping his eyes closed, Thane questioned, "Are we there yet?"

Tabitha playfully punched him in the upper arm, "Smart aleck."

As Thane opened his eyes, a Geth scout ship materialized in front of them, opening its bay doors. Utilizing the thrusters, she brought the shuttle into the docking bay. Turning to Thane, "Since this is a Geth ship, it probably does not have an atmosphere…"

Before Tabitha could finish her sentence, Thane pulled his hood over his head locking it into his leather armor, "My gauntlets are with my sniper rifle in the hold of the shuttle."

As Thane pulled on his gauntlets, Tabitha locked her helmet in place, hitting the door release with her right hand, "You do not seem surprised," her voice mechanical through the helmet.

Thane's voice deeper and more raspy through the respirator of the hood, "Surprised, no, Siha. I have learned over the years, anything and everything is possible with you."

Stepping out of the shuttle into the cargo hold, Tabitha and Thane saw two figures approaching from the shadows. Tabitha walked swiftly clasping Legion's hand in hers while playfully punching Tali Zorah in the upper right arm, "Glad you received my message before Earth was attacked."

Legion flapped his emoticons, upper lights flashing blue, "We are sorry for the attack of the Reapers on Earth, Shepherd-Commander. We do not understand why your military did not accept your evidence of the Old Machines as valid. Geth consensus was achieved on the Old Machines threat. That is why we searched for you after the Old Machines indoctrinated the Heretics."

As Legion and Tabitha were conversing, Tali pressurized the cargo bay, "Cargo bay is pressurized. You can remove your helmets."

As Tabitha removed her helmet, she answered Legion's inquiry, "Thank you for your concern, Legion. You have more compassion than some organics I know." Her last statement punctuated by sarcasm.

As Thane pulled his hood back from his head fitting it back into the collar of his leather armor, he stated sardonically, "Would the initials of one said organic be 'TIM'."

Tabitha smiled, winking at Thane, giving a thumb's up reply, "Bingo."

Legion's eye flaps rose, "We do not understand, Shepherd-Commander, what the Earth game, Bingo, has to do with the initials 'TIM' and less compassion from organics."

Tali laughed, gently placing her hand on Legion's arm, "The word, Bingo, is old earth slang for an affirmative affirmation like, yes. I believe the initials, 'TIM,' stand for the Illusive Man."

Tabitha smiled broadly giving the thumbs up to Tali and Legion, "Bingo." Walking over to them, she asked, "Since you responded to my message, you were able to fix 'Vigil' from Ilos?"

Tali bent over behind one console bringing up two omni-tools, one in each hand, "Yes."

Thane asked, "I thought the VI was destroyed by Saren," walking up behind Tabitha.

Tabitha leaned back against his chest, "I did, also, till Liara contacted me."

Legion seeing the interaction between Thane and Tabitha moved up behind Tali gently massaging her shoulders through the enviro-suit with his hands. Tabitha smiled to herself seeing the exchange between Tali and Legion. She felt more than heard Thane's question, his voice rumbling from his chest through the armor of her back, "When did Liara contact you?"

"During our time on the Citadel before I was arrested. Liara went along with an exploration team to Ilos headed by Mordin. The Counsel may not have taken the Reaper threat seriously, but others did. Mordin, working with his old STG contacts, received covert funding for an intelligence gathering operation to Ilos. Liara was a part of the team as the Prothean expert and had been to the planet with Garrus and I. 'Vigil' was not a VI but an AI. With the extreme hatred and prejudice against synthetics by the Protheans, I conjecture the AI's maintained their VI appearance so as to not be destroyed. The Protheans working with the AI's knew they were more than VI's."

Tabitha stood up unclasping and removing the armor from her forearms and gauntlets from her hands as she continued talking to Thane, "Liara contacted me a few days before I was arrested stating the mission was a success. Vigil had been found and downloaded, but was in very bad shape with lots of corrupted data. I instructed Liara to contact Tali and Legion for their help in the restoration of 'Vigil'." She turned to look at Thane, "I was going to tell you, but I was arrested and…" Tabitha shrugged her shoulders, "I forgot…" Smiling, she rapped her right knuckles against her head, "Sorry, no perfect memory."

Ghosting a smile, Thane replied, pulling Tabitha into a hug, laying his head a top hers, "Apology accepted. Even the great Commander Shepherd can make a mistake or forget something once and awhile."

Tali leaned back against Legion's chest as Legion spoke, "Upon acquisition of AI, 'Vigil', restoration was made of all data files, removing any corrupted files."

Tali cut in, "It appears that someone hacked into Vigil's software attempting to destroy him through an implanted virus corrupting and destroying all his data files. Realizing what had been done, Vigil downloaded all non-corrupted files into another location. Legion brought Vigil back to life and I adapted an omni-tool as his portable platform."

Surprise in her voice, Tabitha commented, "I remember when you hated all Geth and wanted them dead. You were so suspicious of EDI as an AI. You cursed me when I brought Legion on board the Normandy and then when I activated him…You tried to kill him…and now you and Legion are a couple and helping me with Prothean AI's." Smiling, she spread her arms wide, "What next, little Legions running around…"

Tabitha knew Tali was blushing as Legion responded, "Shepherd-Commander, we are not capable of biological reproduction. Geth are software. We are capable of sexual intercourse and do achieve mutual consensus with Tali."

Tabitha glanced at Thane attempting to hold back laughter as Tali stood up turning, looking at Legion, embarrassment evident in her voice, "Legion!" she exclaimed, voice higher pitched.

Not comprehending, Legion's eye flaps moved up and down, his four upper lights blinking pink, red, and purple. Pulling Tali into an embrace, Legion spoke, "Legion enjoys reaching mutual consensus with Tali. Legion loves Tali."

Moving toward Tali and Legion, Tabitha placed one hand on each of their shoulders, voice passion filled, "What the two of you have is one of the reasons why I am fighting the Reapers. I need to prove my father, Javik, the Reapers, Cerberus, and others wrong. Organics and AI's and synthetics can live, love, and work together." Speaking to Tali, affectionately squeezing her shoulder, she continued, "Even though, you had been told since you were young that the Geth started the war and because of the atrocities of the war perpetrated by the Geth, the Quarians had to leave Rannoch to survive and all Geth were evil incarnate needing to be killed on site, you listened to me. Over time, you developed a friendship with Legion, which developed into love." Looking at Legion seeing his emoticons rising, "And Legion…you developed a friendship with Tali, not just because the exchange of data was mutually beneficial, but you actually enjoyed Tali's company. When Tali was injured on a mission, you rescued her going against the mutual consensus of your software. You state you have 1183 programs running inside your mobile platform. When you went against your programming, you proved you are an individual and not just programming."

Legion's eye flaps moved up and down showing expression as he placed one of his hands on Tabitha's upper arm, "Thank you, Shepherd-Commander. We consider you a friend…" Looking at Thane, "Bond-mate, Thane Krios, also. Legion would disregard safety parameters to rescue bond-mate Krios and Shepherd-Commander."

Thane bowed slightly, voice deep and resonant, "Thank you, Legion. It has always been an honor to work with you."

Looking at Thane, Legion asked, "May I make an inquiry?"

Thane nodded his head, "Yes. What is your question?" Raising his eye ridges in a questioning manner.

"With your advanced Kepral's Syndrome, are you still able to achieve mutual consensus with Shepherd-Commander?"

Both Tali and Tabitha placed one hand to their foreheads bowing their heads slowing shaking them groaning under their breaths, "Legion," as Thane smiled to himself answering Legion, "Yes, multiple times."

Before Legion could make any more inquires of a personal nature, Tabitha interrupted, "Thane, can you assist me with the upgraded omni-tools?"

Thane moved over beside Tabitha, "Yes, Siha." He picked up one of the omni-tools from the top of the console Tali had placed them on fitting it on Tabitha's right forearm.

Speaking inaudibly, Tabitha mouthed, "Victory link up to Vigil." Tabitha gasped in pain as needle sharp projections punctured her skin. She dropped to one knee as the omni-tool activated, lights dancing in random patterns.

Look of concern on Thane's face and evident in his voice, "Siha, we need to remove the omni-tool."

Standing up slowly, Tabitha responded, pain still evident in the inflection of her speech, "No, Thane. It is okay. I was caught unprepared."

Thane asked, "Unprepared for what?"

Legion answered, "The interfacing of the omni-tool to Shepherd-Commander."

Thane turned abruptly, anger showing in his voice, "Tali, Legion, what upgrades exactly did you make to the omni-tool? What is this interface? What…"

Tabitha placed her left hand along Thane's cheek applying gently pressure causing him to turn his head to look at her. She saw love and concern in the depths of his eyes, "Kadar, I am fine. Tali and Legion would not have known. The omni-tool is the mobile platform for the AI, Vigil. I did not expect the omni-tool to interface directly to me. Remember the memories from Javik' s quarters…I can only speculate that the bio-nano technology of the Prothean AI, Victory, caused the direct interface with Vigil."

Tali came forward scanning Tabitha with her omni-tool, awe and bewilderment evident in her voice, "I believe you are correct, Tabitha. I thought my previous scans of you were showing Cerberus cybernetics not bio-organic nano Prothean technology."

Thane and Tabitha looked at each other as Thane covered her left hand with one of his gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb before removing his hand allowing Tabitha to drop her hand to her side. Turning to Tali and Legion, clearing her throat before replying, "It is complicated. I am confused myself, at the moment. When I get all this figured out, I will let you know."

Raising her right forearm in front of her body, she spoke, "Vigil."

A holographic image of a Prothean materialized, "I remember you. You are the human…" Vigil stopped lifting one hand scanning Tabitha. The image appeared to be in deep concentration before continuing, "I was mistaken in my assessment. You are Prothean. That is not possible. I must do internal diagnostics on myself before proceeding."

Tabitha cut in, "No need for internal diagnostics, on the Prothean part…"humor evident in her voice. "You are correct. We have met before. My name is Commander Tabitha Shepherd-Krios of Earth Alliance and a spectre of the Citadel Counsel. Your mobile platform and software were badly corrupted when we last met on Ilos. You can perform a detailed scan of myself. You will find Prothean, Drell, and Human DNA."

Tabitha raised a hand before Tali or Legion could say anything, "As I stated before…it is complicated. I will explain everything in time. Please trust me."

Legion stated, "We trust you Shepherd-Commander. We will wait for consensus of your thoughts."

Affection in her voice, Tali replied, "Ditto on what Legion said. You have always been a honest and true friend."

Tabitha felt a slight electrical charge through her nerves and warmth through her body as Vigil interfaced with Victory scanning her. A bemused scientific expression crossed Vigil's features as he spoke clinically, "Commander Tabitha Shepherd…physical age-32 standard earth years…DNA and RNA hybrid mix of Prothean, Drell, and Human intermixed with Prothean nano technology. Physical health excellent condition…hormones slightly elevated...normal for fertilization and pregnancy…"

Tabitha's mouth dropped open, blank look on her face, "I'm what?!"

Thane caught her shoulders steadying her, her legs buckling underneath her, "Vigil, are you sure of your findings? Tabitha and I have been together for over fifteen years and have been sexually active for most of that time. Why would she get pregnant now?"

Vigil's holographic image wavered and disappeared before materializing less than a minute later, "Upon more detailed diagnostic scans, I have determined evidence of elevated Prothean specific hormones in her system. Usual occurrences of this nature happens between direct interaction of Protheans when one has reached the stage of reproductive maturity."

Tali coughed anxiously, "Should I say congratulations?..."

Voice wavering emotionally filled, Tabitha responded, "Congrads are fine, Tali. The timing could be better." Her hand found Thane's squeezing tightly, "There is a plan and purpose for the pregnancy in these troubled times. We…" Looking at Thane, eyes misting over, "I must have faith. There is a reason. If I do not know, it does not matter. A much higher power than myself is directing this…"

Wrapping his arms around her, Thane brought Tabitha's head to rest against his neck humming to her. Legion's emoticons moved back and forth, "An inquiry, bond-mate Krios…What is the reason for the vocalization from your throat?"

"Drell have different vocalizations for different situations. The vibrations from the humming have a soothing and calming effort. Through experience, I know this works with Shepherd-Commander."

Looking at Tali, Thane asked, "Will you and Legion be joining the Normandy?"

Tali shook her head, No. "Legion needs to get back to his people and I have been summoned back to the Migrant Fleet."

Tabitha moved out of Thane's embrace, turning to face Tali and Legion, face and voice serious and brusque, "I understand your loyalty to the Migrant Fleet, but they exiled you when they found out about your relationship with Legion. You know you may be walking into a trap."

Tali slumped her shoulders, slight defeat in her voice, "Quite possibly, it is a trap. I must go for Legion and my people. From working with Liara, I know they are preparing…and I believe it is war against the Geth."

Exasperation in her voice, Tabitha thundered, "Are they crazy?! The Reapers are attacking and your people want to start a war with the Geth!"

Thane stated quietly, "Siha, it is not Tali or Legion's fault."

Running her hand through her hair, Tabitha stated softly, "I'm sorry, Tali. I know your first loyalty is to your people…"

Tali walked over placing her hand on Tabitha's upper arm, "No, Tabitha. My first loyalty is to my mate, Legion. You and Thane taught me that over the years. To protect Legion and the Geth, I am going to the Migrant Fleet. Legion is going back to Rannoch to convince the Geth that the Migrant Fleet is not a threat. Once this crisis is stopped, we both will join up with the Normandy with your fight against the Reapers." She playfully punched Tabitha, "As Garrus would say, we cannot let you have all the glory and/or kills."

Legion responded, "Legion concurs, Shepherd-Commander. I have a standing bet with Valkarian, Zaheed, Jack, and Grunt for kills against Cerberus and Reapers. The bet was made after your arrest. Right now, I am losing because I am not in the fight." His mini flash lights flashing blue for sadness.

Thane picked up the other omni-tool while Tabitha put her armor and gauntlets back on. As she was walking back to the shuttle, she called over her shoulder, "Please do not say anything about my pregnancy."

Thane walking along side Tabitha raised a hand, "May Aminkira and Arashu safely guide you till we meet again."

As soon as the shuttle cleared the Geth ship heading back to the Normandy, Thane turned to Tabitha apprehension in his voice, "How do you truly feel about the pregnancy, Siha?"

Tabitha set the coordinates toward the Normandy turning on the auto-pilot. Turning toward Thane, she saw love and fear flowing from his eyes knowing the same emotions were playing across her features. Taking a hold of Thane's hands in hers, she brought them up to her lips kissing them gently, "I have wanted to have your child since we first physically bonded. Why now? I do not know. I know this makes it even more personal. I cannot have our child growing up fighting the Reapers. I am not embarrassed, but I am not telling anyone, right now. I am not putting our child at even more risk from traitors within, be it Cerberus or indoctrinated individuals."

Tabitha took one hand lifting Thane's chin to look directly into her eyes. Her voice full of love and determination, "You hear me, Thane Krios. You cannot…you will not die on me. I cannot raise our child alone. He or she needs both of us."

Tabitha saw a single tear slide down Thane's cheek, "Siha, I am yours and will be till my dying breath. If the gods allow, I will be here for our child. The gods permitted us to have a child. I do not believe them to be so cruel to take the child from us or one of us from raising the child." Smiling, he continued, "You do know the gestation period for a Drell is twelve Earth standard months."

Turning back in her seat, Normandy growing larger by the moment, "I'm planning on that, Kadar. I believe that should be enough time to kick the Reapers back into dark space where they belong."

7