I don't own Mass Effect.
Far above planet Natira'h in the Quarian cruiser Rayia, Tali Zorah was working on correcting the engine output for quick acceleration. Last test came out showing failure in it so engineers were called to repair it, Tali as one of the engine maintenance crew was one for the job. Few hours of disassembly showed that there is a rapture in the electric circuit, it seems that old cables recycled from civilian fleet vessels were beginning to fail which is understandable, some of the old vessels were 300 years old. Unfortunately it was not so easy to get new parts now and the administrative office on Maya' needs to evenly distribute resources between civilian and military installations.
Maya'. New home between the stars. Tali started to unconsciously move back to days when she was born on the planet that still, after so many years, has signs of Turian colonists. 50 years ago after the disassembly of the Turian Hierarchy, the Quarian Migrant Fleet made the biggest gamble since leaving their home system. They invaded one of the Turian worlds with a planet able to sustain limited Dexolife. In a quick attack they were able to get a hold on a small colony, no more than nine thousand inhabitants and five systems closest to it as buffer zones, one of these systems now in their hands have Mass Effect relay. Tali still remembers her father stories about a life on board of the ships, pilgrimages, citadel council and almost maddening anticipation when he and half of the Quarian fleet were waiting for retaliation. It never came. Hierarchy was no more and whatether Turian warlords had left from once a mighty fleet was worth more than some small planet barely able to sustain Dexo life. There were bigger bounties to get, bounties protected with less force than the entire migrant fleet.
So they stayed, for almost 50 years Maya' and her neighbor systems were new home for Quarian people. Not the most welcoming one, but still better than ships allowing for no more than 13 million people to exist. Now they were almost 70 million and this number was still rising. Systems they had in their possession were relatively new in galactic time terms so there were shortages of many elements that needed to be imported from more friendly Terminus or Asari systems, but they had enough steel to build a new war fleet which usage allowed them to scrap civilian vessels.
"Zorah!" she heard someone calling her name. Quick glance behind her identified the lieutenant responsible for her group, and he was moving to her so Tali stood up from her post saluting in response.
"You are ordered to report in the captain's office." That made her curious, why would the captain call her? She was just and ensign, lowest in their ranks just starting her 5 year military service, still waiting for her speciality to be established. R&D would be the best if she would be honest with herself. Idea of a frontline trooper or mechanic was not so interesting for her.
"If I may, sir, do you know the reason for my calling?" She asked.
"No idea, but the order was for you to get there ASAP so on the double. Dismissed!"
She wasn't waiting for any other encouragement, whatether a reason the captain will tell her soon, she can only hope that it will be acceptance to the research division. For some time she was working on a program that should be able to retrieve information from Geth units before it can be self destroyed. Old enemy was not forgotten and while recapture of Homeworld was postponed because of increased Turian threat, there are still missions sent in the old space with orders to scout machines forces movement and acquire new data on technology. Oh Keelah! Was she being forwarded to this type of unit? Casualties rates were not so big, but still way higher than any other service group. Even on convoy protection in Terminus Systems against Battarian and Turian pirates.
Five minutes later with dark thoughts still on her mind she was standing before the captain's office. Afraid, but determined to have it finally behind she pressed the button asking for permission to come in. What she found inside was not something Tali expected. Or someone.
Next to the officer desk with him behind it, a massive person was standing clothed in bulky heavy armor that she last saw from training showing soldiers from different nations, groups and species. It was a human. Tali made a few steps to position herself before the captain and saluted.
"Tali Zorah reporting for duty." The Officer looked at her for few seconds and nodded.
"At ease. Thank you for coming here on short notice. Before we start, I wish to inform you that the mission that will be presented is only voluntary. If you refuse, no one will take it against you."
Now she was even more confused. MIssion? Ensign for only a few months and there is already a task for her? Tali looked at the human still standing with his back facing her, looking at the space behind the glass window. It must be something resolving it, but what? Humans are without a doubt the most powerful species in the galaxy, why would they need her? She needed more information.
"Good. This is Commander Alexander Shepard, he came to us looking for intel and someone who can help him with his task. He wishes to capture Geth in order to receive some specific information. I know about your studies and technology you produced so I am asking you as de facto only Geth specialist we have in this fleet that is not yet in the R & D division now. Your mission would be to go with him and help howether you can."
Keelah. It was a madness at so many levels that she didn't know what to truly think about it. Fighting Geths was a really hazardous job that even prepared before not always ending in success, and here she is, asked to accompany this human in his quest to not only fight but also capture it. Suiside, and the captain knew it. So why in the ancestors' name he would ever ask her to do it, there must be something else working here that forces him to present her with a choice. But what, wait…!
"How will Quarian people profit from it? What is the price for my cooperation?" she asked, almost losing her balance in the process from the fear that the bounty would be too big to refuse.
"She's intelligent. You were right about that." said the human simultaneously turning himself to face her.
"That's a good thing. You may even survive this. The price for your help are schematics for Phenix auto torpedo launchers with second schematics for ammunition to it. Something that you'll really need in a few months. Especially here."
She needed to go. Technology that he is proposing will allow the fleet to not only increase firepower on borders but will also allow for relocations of ships that would be exchanged for auto launchers. Not mentioning this threat, that they will need it in the future. She heard a few rumors about ongoing skirmishes on the border with Turian warlords. If something big is going on they will need every advantage they can get. No matter the cost which is in this case, her life.
"I agree." she said finally after the time that for her seems like a century. Human, this Shepard nodded and turned to face her captain.
"I'll be waiting on my ship for her to come, please send us her belongings and armor. Weapons won't be necessary, she'll do with ours."
Then, he turned his Omnitool on and sent something to the captain.
"As promised, schematics and something extra for a very promising specimen." he turned to her, and she could almost for sure sense that he was smiling behind his faceplate.
"You have one hour to say goodbye to friends and family, don't worry. If everything goes well you'll see them again, but I do not know how long it will take to find what we are looking for."
After these words he started to move in the way of the exit leaving her and a captain for private talk, maybe the last one they will ever have.
"Ensign. Tali. I know it was not an easy decision and I would understand if you decline, but I'm thanking the ancestors that you didn't. With technology that they sent us we can not only secure our borders but also put their launchers on our ships. What you just did. I will send a report of this to the Admiral for your promotion and medal. You did good."
After these words he stood up and saluted her for which she replied with her own.
"Thank you for your praise sir, I know what needs to be done for the good of our people. Now if I may, I wish to send a few messages to my friends and family."
"Of course, one more thing. Please do not tell them where you are going and what you will be doing. This whole mission should stay hidden and secret. We do not wish for our enemies to know that we are making deals with humans."
Tali nodded, she will keep information secret the less people know, the better. One little thing was keeping her curious. What was this little extra that human sent for her.
"One last question sir, if I may. What was this extra technology that was sent to you?"
"Oh." Said the captain with confusion in his voice.
"Oh, yes. It was another torpedo schematics, anti missile. Should help our point defense in space combat. Anyway, great work. Carry on Ensign."
After these worlds Tali has come to her quarters to send some messages, all containing the same information. She was going on the mission and for some time she'll be out of comm. 45 minutes later she was looking through a window on the ship side showing a slender form of human torpedo frigate. She knew this model shape from old war videos, which was strange because in half a century since war's end they should have changed their ship model at least twice. Maybe it was upgraded. While thinking about the reason for it's seemingly outdated design, Tali came closer to the airlock hatch of her new home guarded by two Quarian Marines.
Before she was able to salute and ask to be let inside, doors opened and she was greeted by the sight of the same human that was in her captain's office.
"You're early, very good. We can finally move to our next destination. Come with me, I'll show you the ship and your office".
She moved inside the airlock and after a few seconds of decontamination a second set of doors opened, showing the dark inside of the human ship. Shepard signaled her to follow him so she moved.
"On the left we have a cockpit with our pilot, codenamed Joker. Oh, before I forget, Joker! Point 00ER, on a double!"
Confirmation sound was heard followed by sounds of the working console, in the meantime Commander showed Tali weapon and navigation control center. They started to move down the stairs where she found Mess Hall, sleeping pods, captain's office, medical room and laboratory. They stopped in the last room.
"Here is where you'll be working. I know that you designed a device that can help us extract data from Geth cores. Here are computers and data banks that should help you with finishing it. After finishing acclimating yourself with this place go below using the elevator and find Sergeant Williams. She'll give you weapons, upgraded armor and fleet regulations that you should know working on Union ships. After that go to the simulator room to get yourself acquainted with your new gear. One more thing, on the lower deck there is an engineering entrance that you have no clearance to go in, apart from ship evacuation procedure. If you try to go there any other time the consequences will be bloody, believe me. Ok, that should be everything, if you'll need something ask anyone of the crew or come to my office, any questions?"
She has a lot of them, but believing that with patience and possibly a massive quantity of reading through the Union fleet regulation manual, she'll be able to get her answers. Instead she asked only one question that only he can probably answer.
"What is our next destination, Captain?"
"00ER, or better known as Omega station, and please don't call me captain. I know that Quarians have it differently, but here I am commander or Shepard."
This is the first chapter of my new and also, second fanfic.
Scenario is fully written with few plot twists in the middle and end, I only hope that I'll be able to find some time to write it all.
Also, please everyone, if you see some wrong writing leave me a comment so I can change it. I'm from Poland so while my english is good it is still not perfect.