There was a slight flutter on her arms. There was something there but she could not discern it. It was in this room with her, but she was unable to see anything. Why was that?

Dimly aware of where she was, she felt a touch on her bare shoulder. Something was caressing her, it felt nice. She recalled memories of being back home, where she would be in this exact position in bed, just her and her-

Her eyes opened as she sat up suddenly, the covers falling down around her. She glanced at the stimulus coming from her shoulder and spied a hand on it. With her gaze, she followed the path of the hand until she could put a body and a face with it. Her husband was sitting next to her on her left, fully dressed as she now realized she was naked.

Alec was smiling at her, "Morning, Tali."

Tali yawned, "Morning, love. What time is it?" She did not make a move for her suit, which was lying in a heap on the opposite side of the bed, cast aside during the previous night. She ignored the fact that she was without clothes because there was only one person who would ever see her like this and that person just so happened to be in this room.

"About nine in the morning," he said. "If you get dressed quickly, we can go see the Council sooner which will give us more time to talk later."

Tali frowned, "The Council? Whatever for?"

"I realized that last night…you were right. My homeworld is important to me and…I do miss it."

Tali gave a wide smile, "Is it time to say 'I told you so' yet?"

Alec made a face, "Don't get smart with me, woman." But his expression softened as he tenderly laid a kiss on her cheek, sending shivers up her spine. She closed her eyes as her back arched, her breath somehow vanishing from her.

"We…we'd better get…ready, then," she managed to which Alec removed his hand and let her collect herself.

Five minutes later, they were seated in one of the Citadel's many aircars as it sped on to the tower located in the middle of the superstructure. Alec immensely preferred this form of transportation over the elevators because there was the actual feeling like he was actually going somewhere, with all of the landmarks passing him by rather than just being stuck in a box for half an hour. Plus in these things he could at least sit down comfortably.

When the aircar arrived, the both of them sprung up the staircase that led to the main chambers. They nodded at the geth guards manning the post, who quickly scanned them and ushered them inside. Alec was relieved to see that no one was currently meeting the Council at this time so he simply walked up to the platform and waited for an acknowledgement.

They lifted their heads as he approached, surprised at the human's assertiveness.

"I probably should have called ahead, councilors," Alec explained. "But I wanted to tell you everything at once."

"What did you want to say, Alec?" the quarian councilor asked.

Alec paused a bit before proceeding, "I'm saying…that I will take you up on your offer. I'll go to Earth and lead the expeditionary force."

The turian councilor leaned forward, "This is quite a change from yesterday. What made you decide that this was the path you wanted to travel?"

Alec glanced slightly at the quarian who was standing at his side, "I was…convinced that I should try and view my species a little more…objectively."

"Despite your initial misgivings."

"Oh, I still have misgivings, councilor. But I'm willing to look past them for the time being…if this little excursion manages to be fruitful."

"This is excellent news, then," the asari councilor said. "When will you be ready to depart for the system?"

Getting right down to business, are we? Alec cleared his throat, "Is there a specific timetable you would have this whole thing set by?"

"Preferably within the month. You see, we had already sent out a message to Earth when we intercepted this probe."

If he had been drinking anything at the moment, he would have choked, "Wait…what? You already sent a message? You were planning this thing even before I even accepted?"

"In this case," the quarian councilor explained. "Your participation in this was considered a priority but not entirely mandatory. We anticipate that they have received our transmission by now and we expect to get more details regarding your destination soon."

"Hold on for a minute…'they?' Who the hell is 'they?'"

"I believe the representatives of the sovereign nation you know as America."

Alec sighed, "Knowing the significance of this event, naturally the entire world will send representatives to this meeting."

The salarian councilor nodded, "Seeing as our existence is a little more public than the last time a Council race made contact with Earth, we anticipate that several of your world leaders will be present for this, rather than just the one."

Alec breathed out, "This situation just got a whole lot more complicated. There are several nations on the planet who don't get along well with others, at least when I was there last. There may be some political infighting and repercussions in light of this."

"Did you have a suggestion on how to handle such an event, in case that was to happen?"

Alec turned slightly, hand on his chin in thought. He took a few paces in different directions before raising his head slightly, "A fleet. I will need a fleet."

"What do you mean 'a fleet?'" the turian councilor asked.

"I mean, we need to show Earth that the Council is no pushover. We need to be able to prove to them that we have enough firepower to send them back to the Stone Age should they choose to get any funny ideas, about attacking themselves or us. A fleet will be able to provide that intimidation factor and will show them all that we mean business."

"You want to send a fleet over for such a delicate situation such as this?"

Alec nodded vehemently, "Yes councilors, I do. Consider this a concession on your part for my involvement. I am taking no chances with this and I am trying to exhibit as much foresight as I can on this, I'm not going to be responsible for one more death."

"If you feel that way, Alec," the asari councilor said. "We will approve your request."

Alec blinked. He certainly did not expect to win that argument that easily. He was about to say more when the asari continued, "Of course, with such a mass amount of resources being devoted to this, we will have to implement more levels of control over this, assigning a spectre to direct the fleets or something along those lines. But, then again, you will command the whole show because you know the planet best. You still hold a rank in C-Sec, Lieutenant I believe? And you are also a skilled combatant so you have a wealth of talents to choose from. Naturally it is only fitting that you be given the rank of Captain for the duration of the mission."

He also did not expect that part at all. Alec gaped slightly at the news. Captain? Of a whole fleet? The magnitude of the revelation crashed down on his shoulders, he felt ten times heavier. Tali, on the other hand could have defied gravity for she was now practically bouncing up and down on her toes, a tic that she had never quite grown out of.

"I…I don't know what to say, councilors," he stammered. "Are you sure I'm capable of the rank?"

"Is this coming from the same human who saved our lives plus the lives of others over twenty years ago?" the turian councilor barked. "Trust us, you're the man for the job."

"You will exhibit command over all ships assigned to you," the asari councilor explained. "If we assign a spectre, they will have tactical command only in times of war. They will not outrank you here. You have full control over the entire setup."

"Will I be able to pick the team that goes down with me to the surface?"

"Just as long as they've been checked out thoroughly. We may also implement some key personnel for you from our staff."

Alec nodded, "I'll send you the list of the people I intend to have on my command team, then."

"I don't suppose that she will be on it?" the salarian councilor now pointed at Tali, who immediately shrunk back at the all the attention being directed to her.

"Of course," Alec said matter-of-factly, instinctively moving back to bring them side by side again. "That obvious?"

Rannoch

There was a clamoring of footsteps coming from the room above. Rolling his eyes, Alec moved over to the stairwell and thrust out an arm, blocking the path of the two people who were currently racing to get to the bottom.

"Where exactly do you think you two are going?" Alec asked, arching an eyebrow.

Dayrl and Vaeri both flushed, clearly not anticipating getting stonewalled.

It was Vaeri who spoke first, "Come on, dad. We want to be in on the meeting with you guys."

Alec shook his head, "No way, you guys. This meeting is for adults only. You're too young to be-"

"Um, dad?" Dayrl asked. "You did say a few days ago that I was now technically an adult, remember? You had a big speech and everything."

Alec silently cursed himself and opened his mouth to give out a well-known parenting loophole before his son beat him to the punch.

"And don't even think about saying that it was a 'figure of speech.' You meant every word of what you said."

Alec gaped at his son, "You really are too smart for your own good. It's gotten to the point where I can't win every single argument with you guys anymore."

"Does that mean he gets to go?" Vaeri whined. "He's just going to tell me what's happening anyways, won't you Dayrl?"

Alec gave a small smile. They were certainly his kids through and through. No secrets kept from anyone. He basked in his pride for a brief second before continuing, "This matter, kids, is one of a sensitive nature. You wouldn't be able to do anything in this case, much less speak in front of the group."

"At least let us go with you to Earth," Dayrl protested.

Alec frowned, "Who told you we were going to Earth?"

"Mom. And Garrus."

"Remind me to kick that sorry turian's ass next time we spar together. Your mother, on the other hand…she probably had her reasons."

"She certainly did," Tali said as she now walked over. "And there was no way that I was about to keep our children in the dark over a matter as important as this."

"Besides," Dayrl interjected. "This is our first chance to get to see your homeworld, dad. It's something I've always wanted to happen."

"You…" Alec paused. "You've never mentioned that before…and now all of a sudden you want to see Earth?"

"You never brought it up. I've always wondered what your planet looked like…you know…for humans."

Alec crossed his arms as he gave an incredulous expression, "You know, all these years you could've just asked me."

Dayrl shrugged, "Asking and seeing are two different things. And...I also really want to know where you came from, dad. I want to get to know the other half of my heritage."

Alec was touched at that, much to his surprise, "You sound like you've wanted to get this off your chest, son."

Dayrl nodded slowly, "You're my father. I have to know."

Alec shook his head at Tali who merely shrugged. "You really want to go to Earth?" he addressed his children.

"Yes," they both replied simultaneously.

"Despite the fact that you know how dangerous it is."

"We can read extranet reports, dad," Vaeri rolled her eyes. "We know how you and mom met, you've only told the story seven hundred times so far."

"That's not a straight answer."

"We want to," Dayrl replied immediately. "Both of us."

Alec swayed to the side, head tilted down in thought. "All right…but," he added as his children began to jump for joy. "You aren't going to be present at any meetings, you won't leave the ship unless it's absolutely safe, and Dayrl," he now looked at his eldest. "You're responsible for looking after your sister."

"I'm eighteen, dad!" Vaeri protested. "I can look after myself. Mom!" she turned to for support.

Tali said, "I'm in agreement with your father on this. I believe that it is an important opportunity for you guys to see what planet your father grew up on, but there is still an inherent danger that we just cannot risk you two for."

"It's all because we love you," Alec grinned. "Now get back upstairs, the grown-ups have to talk."

Trying and failing to think of new protests, the kids backed up the steps and to their respective rooms, leaving Alec and Tali alone by the foot of the stairs. Tali glanced over at her husband and gave a smile, "I think that worked out well, don't you."

Alec sarcastically laughed, "Next time, let me know when you tell our kids stuff like that. I blundered straight into their argument like an idiot."

Tali lightly swatted his arm, "I actually didn't tell them first, I only confirmed it after Garrus blurted it out."

"Yeah, well, I can beat Garrus up later."

"And me?"

Alec squinted his eyes, "There may be something in store for you later, but right now we need to get this meeting underway."

They walked into their kitchen where their main dining table had been appropriated and expanded to accommodate the extra guests that were seated. Food of many different varieties was displayed around the table in both levo and dextro formats.

Alec and Tali quickly took their seats next to each other as the group smiled and nodded at the appearance of the final members. Liara T'Soni sat on Tali's other side, giving the woman a smile that she reciprocated, thankful that she didn't have to wear her visor all the time anymore. Garrus Vakarian sat next to Alec, whose plate was currently filled with morsels that he had appropriated from the center. Urdnot Wrex sat between Garrus and Liara, relatively calm and stoic until Alec spotted the remnants of an expensive plate scattered across the table, white dust immediately visible. The krogan had evidently eaten it along with the food it contained.

"So, Alec," Wrex belched. "You got a reason for dragging our asses all the way over here? I'm assuming it's not just for the food."

Alec shook his head, "No, Wrex. It's something a little bit…bigger. And Garrus?"

The turian peered up from the small crayfish he was in the middle of devouring. "Whagh?" he managed with a mouthful of food.

"Thanks for telling my kids about the mission. I don't know how turians classify things as 'private' but for humans, it tends to be that it is the duty of the parents to tell their children the life-changing material."

"Hey, they wanted to know what was going on!"

"You're a spectre, why didn't you just lie?"

Garrus threw up his hands, "They were being so attentive and polite and it just came out. I'm sorry, okay?"

"Excuses, excuses, turian," Wrex laughed. "But back to business. I heard the word 'mission' in there somewhere, does that mean we're going on a thresher maw safari? I've been itching to kill something the size of a skyscraper for years now."

He could see that all of the people seated around the table, excluding Tali, were leaning in a little closer. He cleared his throat, "It isn't…a thresher safari, Wrex. The Council has assigned me the task of being their representative to go to Earth and extend them an invitation to join the rest of the races under the Council's banner."

Liara's eyes widened, "Goddess, that's fantastic, Alec. Does that mean…we get to visit your world?"

"Yes it does. Assuming the world's leaders accept the Council's terms, everyone should be able to visit Earth whenever they would like." Alec straightened his posture, "I have chosen you all to be part of my command team because there is no one else that I could trust better with a task such as this. The Council did advise me of collecting a 'varied and multiracial' group of characters to accompany me when we travel down to the surface. I personally think that everyone at this table fits that bill."

"This thing for real, Garrus?" Wrex asked glancing to the side.

"I was there when it was announced," Garrus replied. "Although the lunatic here refused them rather bluntly and I guess he reconsidered afterward. I only just found that out same time you did."

"Heh. I bet I can guess what made him reconsider," the krogan laughed after making a non-so-subtle movement of the head towards Tali.

"Funny, guys," Alec said in a deadpan tone. "But I've requested your help with me on this mission because I want people I know behind me. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything here. Earth can be a very unpredictable place. The area where we will be making landfall will be in a highly populated area, but there is still the possibility of an attack taking place. Ask me or Tali, some humans are highly resistant to change and will take matters into their own hands if they want to prevent any change from occurring. With that being said, does anyone want to back out now?"

There was silence around the table as the three guests firmly shook their heads. Alec grinned and Tali smiled.

Wrex suddenly blurted, "Will we be provided weapons…you know, just in case?"

Alec replied, "The armory on my ship, the Alamo, is currently fully stocked. You can have your pick of the lot as it will be the de facto command ship for this mission. And yes, Wrex, I do have grenade launchers."

"Excellent," the krogan rubbed his hands happily, making Alec give a long look.

"Discretion, Wrex," Alec said. "I had to do a ton of convincing to allow you to come along if you so desired. They weren't particularly happy about the idea that a krogan would be involved in something like this."

"Ah, they haven't met me," Wrex said good-naturedly. "I'm calmer than my brethren and I can hold off my bloodlust for a day…or two."

"Do you really expect that we will be in a firefight?" Liara asked. "We're only going to be on Earth for a week at most. Surely there isn't much that could happen at that time?"

Tali responded, "I don't think we want to take any chances. Alec is right, Earth has proven itself to be dangerous. You can carry if you want, but I would recommend at least bringing along a pistol. Or a knife." Tali added the last part with a mischievous wink.

Garrus cleared his throat, "Um, Alec, I know you said that you wanted me for the trip but the Council already appointed a spectre for backup on this. Don't you think having me come along is a bit overkill?"

"Nonsense, Garrus. You really think I'm going to leave my best friend out of something like this? Although, I am rather curious on whom they picked to tag along with us. Did you find out anything from the Council?"

"Yes, I did," Garrus nodded. "He's a turian, been a spectre for only a few years now. Name's Arterius, brash, young, impulsive."

"So…basically you at that age."

Garrus lowered his eyes, "Not quite. Me and Arterius have a bit of a history…not all of it pleasant."

"What kind of a spectre is he?" Tali asked.

"The worst kind," Garrus sighed, "I was once tailing a batarian arms dealer on Omega ten years back. He was fronting for the Blue Suns and I needed him to reveal the gang's hideout. He stopped at a store to shake down the clerk when all of a sudden Arterius shows up and shoots the guy in the head. I'm of course furious, because I was standing to the side watching the whole thing. I walk up and demand to know why he did it and the little punk just stood there and laughed. He claimed that he had the right to shoot him because he technically was engaging in illegal activity. He was just too blind to see the bigger picture in this case."

"Ouch," Wrex said. "What happened afterward?"

"I punched him in the face so hard he had to go into surgery to get his right mandible realigned."

Liara made a face at that, "Well…let's just be thankful he'll have no real control over this."

"Seconded," Alec said. "All right, but in any case, we won't have to worry about him. You all will be my eyes and ears for this whole trip. Not Arterius. As far as you all are concerned, the Alamo is the center of it all. It will be equipped with a full staff, primarily geth and turian. Like I said before, we will have a fully functioning armory and we will even be getting a geneticist who also is doubling as a medic. So there will be someone to heal us in case we get shot."

Alec tapped on the table for a bit, "I believe that is it, everyone. Do all of you still want to do this? No shame in backing out now."

Not one person at the table voiced a word of protest. Alec grinned, "Thanks guys. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

"Ah, quit your blubbering, pyjak," Wrex grumbled. "The way you act all emotional it makes me wonder how the hell you managed to kill my stupid brother."

"I can act tough when I want to, Wrex."

"Tell me about it," Tali muttered.

Citadel – Bay D45

Alec glanced at the crewmembers walking up the gateway to the sleek turian ship that was parked just outside the window. Turians and geth tirelessly were hauling crates into the interior of the Alamo, filled with provisions and enough ammunition to reenact the Assault on the Citadel twice.

Alec nodded at them all. His command crew, comprised of Tali, Garrus, Liara, and Wrex were already on board, most likely in the CIC. Dayrl and Vaeri were stowed away in their bunk, staying out of the way of the crew until departure.

He cracked his neck and sighed. He was encased in his Terminus Assault armor, helmet folded into the chestplate. He was only carrying a Predator pistol at the moment but he already felt secure from all of the different ways that the snug armor encasing his body was protecting him.

There were a series of heavy footsteps coming his way, he noticed. He turned to face a hulking beast of a turian. He was around six feet tall and wore a dull grey armor. He had the barest amount of facepaint on him, a scant few white lines that ran on his mandibles. With the paint, Alec could clearly see a scar on the right mandible which indicated where Garrus had punched him. This must be Arterius, come to introduce himself.

"Human," the turian spoke, its voice grating. "Saren Arterius, the spectre assigned for shadow command."

Alec frowned, "Captain. The word you're looking for is captain, I believe."

The turian scrunched its features in disgust, "Captain, then. I apologize." There was no remorse whatsoever in the turian's words.

"Is there a problem, spectre?" Alec asked. "Do we have a problem?"

Saren stiffened, "No…sir. There's no problem. I'm…just not used to taking orders from a human before."

Alec had decided by now that he did not like this turian at all, "You're just going to have to get used to it. This mission's focus is going to be on humans so they can have a shot in galactic politics one day, so-"

"You know, human, if it were up to me, I would have not even allowed your kind to step foot on the Citadel for the next century after what they did all those years ago," Saren said darkly. "I probably would have obliterated them in retaliation."

"Don't interrupt me again," Alec warned. "And if you call me 'human' again I will break your other mandible and finish Garrus' work."

Saren leaned forward, "You really want to threaten me, captain?"

Alec huffed at the sheer audacity, "Look, pal. I don't care if you're a spectre or not, I'm the one in charge here, not you. I couldn't give a damn what you really feel about humans." Alec arched an eyebrow at the turian's reaction, "Don't act so stiff! I can tell you don't like humans all that much, which includes me, so if you're not going to be any help at all, don't even bother embarking on the next ship. You can grab an assignment elsewhere except here, but if you are going to stay, I need to know if you are going to be on board with this. Either get in line or get out of the way, got it?"

Saren scowled, "Got it…sir."

Alec stepped forward so that he could face the turian directly in the eye, "I may not be a fan of what my kind did, but if I hear any more blatant disrespect from you, I will personally throw you out the fucking airlock." Alec's gaze could have melted a hole through the station, "Am…I…clear?"

Saren's eyes were as cold as ice, direct and to the point, "Perfectly, captain."

"Dismissed," Alec watched the turian skulk away. "Asshole," he said under his breath. He backed away slowly, still keeping Saren in his sights until he turned the corner and was gone. With a nod, he turned around and walked straight into a salarian wearing a lab coat. "Jesus!" he exclaimed.

"Apologies, captain," the salarian spoke quickly. "Didn't realize you were there. Too much on mind. Lots of duties, you understand, I take it?"

"Yeah, I think I do," Alec said, trying to calm himself down. "You must be Dr. Mordin Solus. The Council sent me your dossier a week ago."

"Yes, yes," the salarian nodded. "Made sure to retrofit area on board ship for lab and clinic. No telling what we could find on that planet of yours."

"I saw the upgrades, doctor. They look expensive but it seems like you are going to be running mostly biological tests on samples."

"Precisely," Mordin said. "Earth's ecology is a subject of fascination to me. I welcomed the opportunity when Council tapped me for assignment."

Alec gave a small frown, "You do realize that we're not going to be on Earth for long? Most likely you probably won't be leaving the ship at all."

"Not a problem, ordered special probes that allow me to collect samples from surface. Can adjust for this factor."

"Wait…probes? You're going to be careful where you send those, right? I mean, it would be a disaster if anyone saw one of them land…"

"Already taken into account, have been provided a map of least populated areas on planet. Will send probes there for samples."

Alec put a hand up to his chin, "And the dossier said you also had medical experience? What kind?"

"Basic. Covered in all major Council species. Expertise ranges from flesh wounds to abdominal contusions to loss of limbs. Have worked primarily with krogan but am capable of adjusting for human, quarian, and asari. All very similar builds, similar organ groups."

"Then it sounds like we have the man for the job," Alec said as he offered a hand to the salarian, who immediately grasped it and firmly shook. "If there's nothing else, the ship is open to you."

"Much appreciated, captain," Mordin said as he made for the gate. "Eager to get underway, will start preparing lab now."

Watching the salarian disappear up the ramp, he was pleased to see Tali coming in the opposite direction, towards him. She stopped next to him, her eyes glowing behind her smoky visor.

"Are we ready?" she asked. "Are you ready?"

Alec let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, "Yeah…I guess I am."

"You're not nervous?"

"Tali, I haven't seen my home in almost thirty years. Everything's going to be different and…I don't know what will happen over there."

Tali raised a hand to meet his cheek, "We will face it together. We always have and always will."

He laughed, "It will be worth it to see their faces when they're expecting an alien and they're going to see…me."

"Kind of ironic, isn't it?"

They both started walking toward the door on the other side of the dark threshold, "Baby, we live in strange times."

Ten minutes later, with a hiss of atmosphere, the clamps and hoses connecting the Alamo to the Citadel disengaged and extracted themselves, leaving the intricate and glossy ship to drift free in the empty void. With a roar of thrusters, the ship began inching itself further out into the blackness, whereupon it united with a mass of twenty vessels, comprised of different races and origins.

Assuming its place at the head of the pack, and with a purple glow, all of the ships pushed forward towards the relay at the end of the violet nebula. The relay touched each ship with a spark of energy and twenty-one separate flashes were seen as each ship winked out of the area it had previously occupied seconds before, journeying to unknown territories.

Note: If this story is seeming a bit slow to you, do not fret. This is merely a prelude to what is yet to come.

In light of the pacing, I updated my schedule to combine a few chapters that I had planned so that it will be a little more streamlined for the audience without sacrificing any story. The chapters will only get more interesting from here.