Engineering is a class for those who already show a knack for technology, so the fact Kamani, a Quarian, is enrolled in the class as well is anything but surprising. Quarians have incredible skill with anything technological, especially when it comes to the Geth. Since the Reaper invasion ended, the Geth stopped functioning as one collective mind and instead, each individual began to be just that- an individual. And Geth, who were created by the Quarians, also have incredible skill when it comes to technology.
However, despite all that, finding out a Geth is the teacher for this class... Even I never would have expected that, especially considering the history of Geth on the Citadel.
"Greetings," It says as I walk through the door. Its head flaps perk up a bit, reminding me of a cockatiel a friend had as a pet back on Earth.
"Whoa." I say in awe, not even realizing I said that out loud until the Geth tilts its head and seems to chuckle... Can Geth even laugh?
"That is the usual reaction. Welcome. The other students refer to me as 'Teacher', and you may do so as well. Please, take a seat. We will begin shortly." It steps aside and Kam cheerfully pulls me with her to a pair of empty seats.
Sure enough, Alero walks in just seconds after we sit down. We lock eyes, and he glares at me. I just smile, and Kam looks from him to me.
"So, did you do it? Hack his drone?" She whispers as Alero walks past me and sits towards the back, just like the previous class.
"Maybe..." I reply back, an awkward smile on my face. She giggles softly and excitedly squeezes my arm.
"That's freaking awesome!" She says, maybe a bit too loud. She blushes and lowers her voice again as everyone who turned to look at us turn away. "I wish I knew how when he did that to me. Thankfully he won't be in class with us for too much longer... Salarians have to go through their course really fast, considering they don't live long at all. He'll be moving up at the end of the week."
"I think they're kind of sad. For that reason, I mean." I admit. "They're smart, fast, but with their short lives... They could accomplish so much more if they lived twice as long."
"I've... never thought of it that way..." Kam says after a bit of a pause. "That's a good point, though. What if they lived 80 years instead of 40?"
"Exactly," I say, but I feel eyes on me. I turn my head, and I see Alero looking at me. A much softer expression than when he first walked in and saw me, but when he realizes I'm looking at him, his expression hardens and eyes narrow once more.
He must have overheard our conversation.
"Alright." The teacher begins, and the class quiets down. "I will take a few minutes to cover what we have been talking about for the past few days. We have a new student with us, and I do not want her to be completely at a loss."
The rest of the class goes by without a hitch, and I apparently surprised everyone with the extent of my knowledge. I didn't overdo it, because I definitely don't want people to question how I know as much as I do. I mean, I remember every bit of every code from the lab back on Earth for goodness sake. But here, I'm only sharing enough of my knowledge to set myself apart. I'm perfectly okay with that.
Now, It's time for lunch. The lower classes are just leaving the mess hall as we approach, and I smile when I see Fletcher in line with his class. Kam runs up to me and follows my line of sight.
"Is that one of your brothers?" She asks, and I nod.
"That's Fletcher. The curly blonde, fourth in line. He's the youngest." I sigh a little, and Kam looks at me.
"Are you okay?" She asks, concerned.
"Yeah, it's just... He's growing up so fast. He looks more and more like our dad with each day..." Kam puts her hand on my shoulder to try and comfort me, sensing that I'm kind of distraught.
"I'm sorry... I know how it feels to lose family." She says softly as we get in line for food. "My aunt died on the Migrant Fleet, and my Uncle on Rannoch... My cousin, Jona, has been living with us since his parents died."
"That's horrible," I say softly. "I know how he feels. I'm just thankful my brothers won't remember the death of our parents the way I do..."
"Kamani!"
We both turn to see a wide-eyed and excited Quarian boy run up, a huge grin on his face. Kam smiles and hugs him.
"Jona, we were just talking about you. How'd it go?" She asks, and he continues to grin wide.
"You're looking at the first Quarian signed up for Biotics training!"
"That's amazing," I say, laughing. His joy is contagious, and he even hugs me because he's that excited.
"Oh, hello by the way." He laughs a bit awkwardly as he steps back, meeting my eyes and holding out his hand. "Jona'Hazt."
"Cassie Vakarian." I say, shaking his hand. His eyes go wide and his jaw drops. Kam laughs and pulls him along with us in the line so we don't hold it up.
Quarians are fascinating. Since they don't even need their suits anymore, the mystery of their kind isn't much of a mystery anymore. Human-like aside from their glowing eyes, ears, hands and legs. Their hair is a bit more frizzy, too, which seems to fit how almost hyperactive they are.
"Vakarian! I thought you looked familiar! We saw at the wedding, so you must know Tali'Zorah!" Jona exclaims as we reach the front of the line. Everyone turns to look at us, and Kam forcefully covers his mouth to quiet him down.
"Yes, but she doesn't want it announced to the whole freaking Citadel..." Kam laughs softly and moves her hand away once Jona seems to have calmed down a bit.
"Right... sorry..." He blushes and smiles a little. We all grab a tray of food before heading to an empty table. We sit down, Kam next to me and Jona across from us. He's as tall as I am, which is a solid four inches taller than Kam.
"Why are you even here?" I ask. "I mean, Quarians in general..."
"Well, everything got set up very quickly on Rannoch thanks to the Geth, and once the Reaper thing ended, my parents volunteered to travel here to help with repairs as well." Kam says, taking a bite of her food.
"The Mass Relay by Rannoch was the first one to be repaired, and as soon as the one here in Sol was fixed, we were on the first one through." Jona says as well. "What brought you to the Citadel?"
"Well... my parents were killed on Earth during the invasion, and my brothers and I came here because we thought we had family... Turns out we didn't, but we were adopted by Jane and Garrus, so we ended up having family here anyway." I say with a bit of a smile.
"I know how you must feel," Jona says kindly as he reaches out to pat my hand. He shocks me a little, and we both jump and find ourselves laughing despite the somber topic.
"Biotics..." He says with a blush as he motions to implant by his ear.
"I'm sure," I reply, finding my own cheeks going warm.
Without missing a beat, I see a very familiar little drone float up behind Jona, and I look past him to see Alero smirking in my direction.
"What is i- Ah!" Jona begins, but he gets zapped by the drone. Alero and I lock eyes, and I stand up with my hands on the table, glaring at him.
"Excuse me a minute," I say, walking around the table.
With a swift kick, the drone shatters into pixels on the floor before I turn to Alero once more. He's now standing up as well, and people nearby turn to stare.
"What gives you the right to shock anyone with that wimpy little drone?!" I yell, feeling the anger welling up inside.
"What gives you the right to call it 'wimpy', you coward?" He asks, smirking.
"Interesting choice of words, calling someone a 'coward' when they're standing up to you." I say as I walk towards him, my hands trembling.
"Cassie," I hear Kam say from behind me, but I'm too infuriated to pay attention to anyone besides Alero.
"He didn't do anything to you." I say now, stepping closer and closer to the Salarian dickhead.
"Um, Cassie?" I hear Jona try and get my attention this time, and I turn to look at him. His eyes are wide, and he's gripping his fork tight in his hands. "I'm okay, really. Calm down."
"You're standing up for that biotic freak? Go back to Rannoch, you glowing orphan."
That's it. The last straw. I turn back to Alero, but as I do, a shockwave flings him back into the table behind. He gasps as the wind gets knocked out of him, slumping to the floor with his hands over his stomach.
Now, far more confused than angry, I turn to look at Jona. That was clearly a Biotic ability, but based on the shocked look on his face, it wasn't his.
"Cassie, your hands!" Kam yells as she runs over to me.
"What?" I ask as look at them, and my eyes go wide.
A purple, shimmery mist has engulfed my hands, slowly spreading up my arms.
"Holy shit..." I mutter as my vision starts to go blurry, then all black.
Well... fuck.