MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA SERIES II: CHAPTER 6
Garrus finally pulled himself away from the Mako's specs and analytics. The armored vehicle took a beating on Feros but he was able to get the shields back at full capacity. He didn't know where the vehicle would be used next, but he wanted to make sure the shields could withstand a pounding from the Geth Armatures. Colossus, on the other hand, was another issue. The larger Geth craft had thicker shields and a tougher ion blast that could easily rip the shields down to fifty percent with a direct impact. Hopefully, with the next encounter they would have an easier time trying to maneuver without falling to their deaths off a Prothean Skyway. He glanced over to his side to see that Williams had left her station. Most likely she went to the Mess Hall for lunch and Wrex pretty much stayed at his same position. His reptilian eyes took notice that Garrus was eying his direction. Looking back away, Garrus decided it would be best not to get into a confrontation with the burly Krogan.
The ship he was on, the Normandy, was built based upon a design that incorporated both human and Turian ideas. The outside shape was definitely Turian. He thought it would be best to tour the vessel since he was pretty much stuck until their next shore leave. Per Shepard, there was no way he was going to be able to accompany him on the next mission. Wherever, that would be. Since Shepard's discussion with the Asari doctor, Liara; the male commander never came back down to the engineering level to let them know what he discovered and more importantly what his intent was.
Moving around the corridor that ran parallel to the elevator's side, he entered the main engineering room that housed the ship's engine. There at the control panels were a couple of Alliance officers and the Quarian named Tali that had a bad run in with Fist on the Citadel. Interested to learn more about her tie in with Saren, Garrus made a beeline to where she stationed herself. One of the male Alliance officers took note of his presence by looking his way, but returned his focus on his duties. Garrus knew what he was thinking. Despite, Shepard's willingness to bring "aliens" aboard an all human ship, most of the crew disagreed with the concept. "Excuse me," Garrus cleared his throat to catch the Quarian's attention. "'Tali' was it?"
Tali turned around and stared back at him through her darkened visor. Her mechanized voice spoke through the respirator, "Oh. Hello. Everything ok with Wrex?"
Lifting an eye ridge, Garrus stared at her flabbergasted, "How did- "
"I overheard one of the officers talk about it." She answered before he could finish his question. "But no one really told me," Tali added. "I'm use to most people avoiding me. Throughout the galaxy, Quarians are looked down upon. I didn't really see this first hand until I started my pilgrimage."
"Well your kind did create a rogue AI that seems to be doing Saren's bidding now," Garrus thought but decided it would be best to bite his tongue. He seemed to be in enough trouble already plus he wanted to get answers out of her. "I heard of your pilgrimages." He replied casually. "Apparently, you are still on yours and word has it that you came across data about Saren from one of the Geth."
"Yes. I managed to obtain information before the purge and Fist was going to setup a meeting with the Shadowbroker. However, he betrayed me. Keelah, I should have been more careful." A sigh came out of her respirator and silence fell between them momentarily. "I had no idea that even Fist was working with Saren."
"If you have enough credits, you can make an ally out of anyone," Garrus mused. It was time to get down to business. "Did any of the information you recover link Saren to a woman named Andromeda Kryik."
"No, the information I recovered was only a fragment, but Saren was talking about the Reapers. When I presented this information to Shepard and the Ambassador, I had no idea that what Saren was talking about was really true. I mean stories about the Reapers were told to us as children on the Flotilla to make sure we never strayed away until we were ready. I thought they were only a myth…"
Frustrated with not being able to get further into his investigation, Garrus looked over at the engine core. "So far there has not been any evidence of their existence. I still am confused as to why Saren needed the cipher on Feros." His mind still wondered about Andromeda's whereabouts. Why did Saren want her and was she unharmed?
"You got me," Tali shrugged.
"So any idea where we are heading to?"
"Engineer Adams told his crew earlier that we were heading towards the Farinate System in the Hades Gamma cluster. Something to do with Biotics and a hostage. I only heard bits and pieces of it." Tali followed Garrus' gaze at the engine core, she knew something was really bothering him. "I know why Shepard asked me to join his team on this mission, but what about you? Didn't you work for C-Sec?" She changed subjects.
"I don't trust, Saren. I didn't get to finish my investigation before the hearing. Now with C-Sec out of the way, I don't have any more red tape to hold me back." He sighed, "Course I will hear it from my father when word reaches him on Palaven."
"Why? He should be happy that you are assisting a Spectre."
"He's by the book and he doesn't like Spectres. They can cut corners if it gets the job done. He'll probably think I'll become like Saren," He chuckled. "Pretty ironic, huh?"
"I don't think you will be."