Merry Christmas Everyone.
"The second joint Council fleet is making its way to the Horizen colony, they should arrive in the next fifth-teen hours" Sparatus said as he looked over the small table where the other councillors sat.
"And the Alliance third fleet will be securing the system and awaiting their arrival" Anderson agreed as he typed the information into the terminal in front of him.
"Once again I would like to thank the alliance for allowing us the opportunity to study the Collector ship together" Tevos said with a nod towards Anderson.
The human nodded back understanding the words. While the situation between humanity and the other council races was the best it's been, that doesn't mean it was good. Something which Anderson wanted to stop, which is why when he was told about the situation of Horizen, he immediately told the other councillors and used his own political power to get the Alliance admiralty board to ok the council fleet to arrive in the system and help study the ship.
"Personally, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what we uncover, many secrets could be uncovered from the ship, the collectors have always been a mystery" Valern spoke as he starred at a roughly designed hologram of the collector ship.
Before someone else could speak up, the door to the meeting room opened and a Turian in full Armor with C-sec colours walked in flanked by two more fully armoured C-sec officers "apologies for the interruption councillors but the situation outside is only getting worse, I'm going to need to ask for permission to use force in order to disperse the crowd"
As he spoke the councillors couldn't help but slump in their chairs and look down. That was one thing they hadn't talked about yet, the leaked footage of Superman bringing down the Collector ship. They did everything they could to stop it from spreading but it didn't matter, it was already out and when the rumours from Omega started pouring through it only got worse, there was no stopping it now.
"We cannot increase the panic any more than it already has been" Tevos said calmly, clearing letting the others know she is against the idea.
"We cannot stop that now, we tried but it we knew it was only a matter of time" Sparatus said back.
"Agreed" Anderson spoke causing the others to turn to face him "you have your permission" the C-sec officer nodded before turning to leave "which is why I've arranged a press conference in the Council Chambers for tomorrow. It's time we just explain the situation as it is"
The council didn't suddenly explode with arguments or start shouting in anger at the sudden news. When it came to politicians, the Citadel Council where at the top of list, they didn't get into those positions without being able to control their emotions, though that didn't mean they were happy about it "that's easy for you to say Counciler" Sparatus said back calmly but there was a hint of tension in his voice "most human worlds are practically singing with happiness about the news"
Anderson had to resist the urge to smile at what he said. It was true, all the major cities of the primary human worlds area acting like it was Christmas, new years and their Birthdays all at once. They were treating this news like it was the second coming of Jesus "you cannot be to surprised by that" he calmly spoke back "Superman means a lot to my people as I'm sure you understand why"
"What the humans are doing is irrelevant" Valern said "it's what all others are doing that's important at the moment. Apart from the panicking and the riots all over the galaxy, the Batarians recent actions are alarming to say the least"
The others couldn't help but nod in agreement, they only just found out recently, but it seems that when news reached the Batarians of Superman's return they seemed to get very nervous. It wasn't hard to find out they've been mobilizing their military, like they're preparing for a full invasion of their territory from an outside party. It goes without saying that humanity and the Batarians have never been close and tension has always been there, if someone said the relationship was on the brink of war, they wouldn't be wrong. If the council didn't always get involved there would be no doubt in Andersons mind that the Alliance would have either already had a war with them or would still be in one.
"it's understandable they'd be nervous" Tevos spoke "they don't know that Superman as far as we can tell has cut all ties to humanity" she added "regardless, there's little we can do to ease their minds until we speak to Mr. Kent himself"
"Which we may be able to do" Anderson said as the others turned to face him "what I was about to tell you once the plan for Horizen was put into place. Was that the Normandy ship as gotten a new crew member in the form of Ashely Williams" he announced.
The others where silent for a moment as they tried to remember that name, no doubt thinking about the last time they heard it two years ago "Williams, as in the former crew member of Commander Shepard?" Valern asked as the realization nodded in agreement.
"wasn't she quite close to the late commander" Sparatus asked.
"She was" Anderson confirmed "now it seems she's a member of Superman's new crew"
Tevos let out a long sigh before she leaned back in her chair and slouched slightly "Counciler, please tell me you're not going to say what I think you are?" she added rubbing a hand against her face, clearly exasperated.
Anderson could only nod "based on the report received by Admiral Hackett, it seems Superman is investigating the Reapers"
Now it was time for Sparatus scoff "ah yes, the Reapers" he sarcastically spoke even using the Human sign of bending two fingers to show how sarcastic you're being "the immortal race of sentient star ships, allegedly waiting in dark space. Bah, we have dismissed that claim for a reason" he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"It doesn't matter" Anderson spoke "it's not like we can tell him stop"
"And why not?" Sparatus said with a frown on his face "I know how powerful Superman may be, but he is not above the law"
"he's above whatever he feels like being above" Anderson said back calmly "and if he is investigating the Reapers, maybe that should be the reason we need to start our own investigation"
"We are not going to start a massive galaxy wide panic because one man is doing a little digging into something there's no proof about" he immediately said bad.
"Even if we wanted to" Tevos started trying to stop a fight before it could happen "we have no grounds and no leads to start an investigation, everything Shepard told appears to be a dead end, unless there's something you're not telling us Counciler"
"no" Anderson quickly said back "you know everything about the Reapers that I do"
"Which is nothing" Sparatus said back "can we please drop the discussion of the Reapers and go back to point of this meeting?" he asked with a sigh.
"We have already finished what we came to this meeting for" Valern spoke "the plan for the Horizen colony and the study of the Collector ship has already been made and agreed on. Unless we want to continue talking about Superman?" he asked the others. While they all knew that they could talk about Superman all day, it seemed they all had better things to do "very well then, we'll convene this at a later date" he added before standing up and turning to leave, the others all behind him.
Clark held a small smirk as he looked at the two stone tablets that rested on his table in his room, the tablets he had only just translated seems to be an instruction on how to start a fire. Clark had to give the Quarian credit, those guys had to have been the most technical Savy of all the races in the galaxy, even when they were still in caves they were writing down instructions on how to do things.
As to why he was researching the tablets, well to be truthful he just wanted a distraction from the thoughts that were starting to get depressing. As much as he wanted to ignore it, he couldn't. There was very little chance a united galaxy could stop a Reaper invasion fleet if their numbers where as big as he began to think they might be. Which meant one thing.
His head drifted up to the ceiling and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh. That meant he was going to have to get involved, something he was very much against. Not because he was completely heartless, he wasn't. When there was someone in trouble no matter where he was, he would help them. Something that he's done thousands of times since he hung up the suit but at the end of the day that doesn't really matter, he still hung it up.
He couldn't get involved, if he did, he knew that he just would not have the patience to make sure the leaders' egos are safe, making them feel that they have any type of power over him. There was a very strong possibility that if he met with the leaders of government, he could become a wanted criminal... well, more wanted then he already was.
"shit" he said to himself as he realized that getting involved might be the only option.
"Excuse the interruption sir" EDI's voice drifted through the rooms com.
"Yes EDI" he said back calmly.
"Please forgive the interruption but Garrus has just made contact, he and his team are pinned down and requesting air support. The Normandy does not currently possess weapons, which he must be aware of as he spends most of his time in the forward battery. I have come to the conclusion that..."
"He meant me" Clark interrupted.
"Yes sir" she responded.
"Tell him to hold on, it'll only take a moment" he said before standing up and making his way to the cockpit.
It only did take a moment to get there and as he walking down to the neck of the ship he could see Joker typing furiously into the many different consoles in front of him "Sir!" he shouted when he saw him approach "Garrus, Williams and Jacob are pinned down by a Geth Colossus, they're being surrounded. I've got a flight path ready to take us down, the ships shield won't hold for long against that sun light but we can make it!"
Clark almost did a double take at how worried Joker seemed to be, he gave the pilot a genuine smile "they'll be fine Joker, just angle the ship ninety degrees on our axis so the airlock is facing the planet" he instructed making his way into the air lock. Once he stood inside the door closed behind him. He calmly took a breath as he felt the ship move on its side and the air began to leave the air lock, preparing for the outer door to open.
"If you knew how you were going to die" a voice entered Clark's ears. His whole body turned to the right and his hearts almost stopped beating. Standing right next to him, having never aged a day, was Lois. She stood there with that cocky smirk, tight jeans, blue shirt, brown jacket, journalism lanyard around her neck and soft hair tied into a bun.
Clark didn't even notice the door open and the endless void of space looking down on him, he shook his head "Get out of my head" he whispered before turning to leave the ship.
"How would you live your life differently" she said again. Clark quickly turned around and faced her.
"Stop it" he said again, this time a little bit louder than he quickly turned around and simply walked off the edge of the ship. Clark looked down to the large planet below as the Normandy's hull kept the sunlight off him. Normally he wouldn't be bothered about powerful solar rays but if he stepped out into it. The amount his body would absorb would make him impossible to be around by anyone he'd melt the metal of the ship as he'd walk through it, and it would take hours for him to use up all that energy. Closing his eyes, he decided to use his ears instead, it took a moment for him to ignore the sounds coming from the ship right behind him and zoned in on the planet.
"GARRUS! WHERE THE HELL IS THAT SUPPORT" Ashely shouted as she and Jacob were crouched down behind cover, trying their best to avoid the plasma being fired at them from the Geth.
"JOKER SAID CLARK WAS WORKING ON IT!" The leader of their team said back as he himself kneeled behind cover with a new member of their team, Kal Reegar. A Quarian marine who was also the last member of the squad that was sent to protect Tali and the research team who seemed to be investigating the star in the system. Right now, the two teams were separated on either side of a small quarry.
All four of them were having trouble with that mission, partially due to the Geth that were attacking the area, though the main reason was the Colossus that hand them pinned down "who the hell is Clark?" Kal asked as he tried to stand up and get a better look but the wound on his hip kept him from standing up and helping too much.
"Garrus!" Jacob yelled next to Ashely "the last of the Geth are gone, it's just the Colossus left"
The Turian couldn't help but role his eyes at that 'just the Colossus left he says' he thought to himself "we don't have the firepower to take that out" Kal said as the two looked to the ground and saw the nearby broken launcher.
"wait" Ashely said "what that's? Above us" she spoke.
Everyone else looked up and saw a bright red flash, a flash the Normandy crew have seen before "TAKE COVER!" Garrus yelled as he braced himself up against the concreate piler.
"We already ar..." Kal started before he stopped talking and looked up into the sky as. Garrus could hardly judge him, he himself acted the same way when he first saw it, a red beam seemed to come down from the sky and landed right on the Colossus. With no protection against such power, the Geth tank didn't stand a chance and was now just a pile of melted rubble in front of the main door to the research area.
While Kal was unable to tear his eyes away from the Geth, the others quickly moved forward to the building. The three entered to see what seemed to be a small battle ground, dead Geth and Quarian on the floor everywhere. Blast marks all of the ground and walls, Garrus and Ashely both let out a sigh at the sight of Tali up against the wall typing on a terminal.
"Tali!" Ash said as she jogged forward the last couple of steps. The Quarian turned around just in time for the Alliance marine to hold her in a tight embrace "thank god you're ok"
"Ash, it's so good to see you again" she said back returning the hug.
"You have no idea" Garrus interjected as he walked closer, Tali was quick to let go and hugged him too.
"Not that I'm not ungrateful for the help" she said letting go of her old crew mate "but what are you doing here?" shea asked "this entire mission has been a complete disaster"
"About that" Jacob said as he took a closer step forward "if it's not too much to ask, could we perhaps get a copy of that data? I have a feeling the captain would appreciate studying it"
Tali was quick to shake his head "sorry but I'm not giving research to Cerberus"
"You wouldn't be" Both Ashely and Garrus spoke at the same time.
They each turned to the other for a moment before turning back to her "that's why we're here" Ashely started "you remember the last message you gave me, about the man you saw on Freedom's Progress? She asked.
Tali took a step back and almost seemed to guard herself before slowly nodding "well, you were right" she announced "it was Superman and he's asking if you want to join his ship"
Tali looked down to the ground for a moment, no doubt considering what she just heard, it wasn't every day you met the most powerful man in the galaxy "he's real?" she asked though all three of them guessed that she was just talking to herself, that was until she looked back up sharply "and he works for Cerberus?" she asked.
"No" this time it was all three of them that spoke.
"Tali" Ashely stepped forward again "it's not like that, come on. Do you really think I would be working for Cerberus. Look" she stepped forward again and took both of Tali's hands on her own "Superman's looking into the Reapers, he's looking for proof about them and when he finds it, he's going to need the Migrant Fleet" she explained.
"What!" Tali said back sharply and moved away taking her hands back with her "you think after everything my people have been through, we'd just give up our fleet? The only reason we're still alive. We'd be more likely run into dark space then stay and fight the Reapers"
"I don't know his plan" Garrus said quickly before anything could get to heated "but I do know that based on everything I've seen him do that he wouldn't just ask for the Fleet. He would offer something in return"
Tali quickly turned to face him and let out a scoff "what could he possibly offer that would be of equal value to the Migrant Fleet?" she asked.
"Well" Jacob started "I can think of one thing he could offer" he crossed his arms with a small smirk.
There was a silence between everyone as they thought about his words "he couldn't" Tali let out a small whisper.
"He probably could" Garrus said with another shrug "it's not like they could stop him"
"But would he?" Ashely said back quickly "from what you've all told me he's doing everything he can to not get involved" she tried to reason.
"it's too late for that" Jacob added.
"regardless" Garrus said "we're not going to force you to do anything you don't want too" he reasoned "this is his plan Tali, he's going to find proof about the Reapers, give it to us and we take it to our government's. I'll do it for the Hierarchy, Ash will do the same for the Alliance, we have a former STG who can do it for the Union and if you come with us, you can do it for your own people. We were going to go to the Quarians sooner or later anyway. Why don't you just come aboard, and you can talk to him yourself" he offered.
Ashley and Jacob had to give Garrus credit, he explained the situation better than either of them could have "besides, from what I've been told you're an engineer" Jacob added "well more so than any other Quarian. Clark's a really smart man, he could probably teach you a think or too" he tried to persuade her.
There were a few more moments of silence while Tali considered their words, she placed one hand on her hip and the other on her chin, she let out a long sigh "fine, I'll send the data back to the fleet then I'll talk to... Mr Kent. Not like I've got much to loose, the whole teams gone now" she added sadly.
"Not the whole team ma'am" a new voice said, and they all turned to see Kal'Reeger limping towards them.
"Reeger! You mad it" Tali said happily.
"Your old teammates are as good as you said. I thought that colossus had us for a moment, then they called down lasers from the sky" he informed.
"They did what?" Tali quickly turned to face the three others.
"Not us" Ashely gave a small shrug "Garrus asked the captain for help"
Clark stood with his arms crossed in the meeting room as the door opened, he tilted his head as he saw Tali, Ashely and Garrus walk. Though it seemed they were surprised to see Miranda standing by his side and honestly Clark didn't have a good reason for her not to be there, she was the ships executive officer. She had the right to meet the new arrival "thank you for bringing her, you may go about your business" Miranda said with a small nod.
"Excuse me" Ashley said before crossing her arms "we're not leaving her alone with you" she said with narrowed eyes.
"Yes of course" Clark quickly nodded "to protect her from harm that we were intending to do, because if that was the case. You two being here would definitely make a difference" even Miranda turned to face him with a raised eyebrow, surprised at his blatant and slightly brutal sarcasm.
Ashley's jaw dropped for a moment as the anger left her completely and was replaced with fear. Garrus took a step back and took a guarded stance. Tali on the offer hand placed both her hands on her hips and didn't so much as flinch. Clark sighed and took breath "sorry" he waved them off "been a stressful day. I would like to speak to Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya alone for a moment" he added as he looked at the newcomer.
Miranda looked like she wanted to protest but she quickly stopped herself and made her way out of the room. Ashely and Garrus both hesitated for a moment but soon turned and left as well. Tali's eyes never left Clarks as the others left and when the door closed there was a moment of silence before she broke it "you want to use the Migrant Fleet" it wasn't a question but instead a statement of fact.
Clark let out a small chuckle as he took a step forward and leaned against the rooms meeting table "I want the Migrant Fleet to survive" he countered "and it won't survive against what's coming"
"The Reapers" Tali said with an exhausted voice "I already tried everything I could think of. The Quarian people believe in the Reapers as much as the council do"
Clark nodded "I know, that's the point of getting evidence. And I will, it can't be ignored now. They're coming. We need to be ready"
Tali shook her head "even if you get undeniable proof of their existence, it won't change anything. My people have been pushed around by the council for too long, they'd rather look for a new planet to colonize outside of the Mass Relay network then stay and help fight"
Clark didn't say anything for a moment but then started to nod "yeah, I had a feeling something like that would be the case. But I've changed minds before" he started to walk forward "I don't need to tell you how valuable the Migrant Fleet would be for any war effort, if this galaxy is going to survive, the Quarians will be needed"
"No, you don't" Tali agreed "just like I don't need to tell you that if you want my people to risk the only thing that's kept us alive all this time. You'll need to offer something big in order to make us consider it"
Clark was quick to shake his head "I am not going to wipe out a race of AI just because you can't" he was quick to counter.
He was quick to notice that Tali became slightly irritated at his words "they chased us off our home after they killed millions of my people" she seethed taking a step forward.
"It was a war and you lost" he quickly spoke back "it is not my job to fight your wars for you"
Tali took another step forward and jammed her finger right into Clark's chest "and it's not our job to fight a war for people who do nothing but belittle and abuse us for nothing in return" she lowered her hand, took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.
"I never said you wouldn't get anything in return" he added "just that it wouldn't Rannoch. Instead, I'll give your people the coordinates for a planet two months' worth of travel outside of the Relay network, that has all the components needed for the Quarian people to live on" he explained.
Tali was able to calm down when she heard that, a planet that they can call their own is something her people have wanted for a long time. It would be the fresh start the Migrant Fleet needed, while it was the largest fleet in the galaxy, it was old, deteriorating and in dire need of repair "what planet?" she asked.
Clark shook his head "not yet, we get proof first. Then you get your new home" he added as he turned and walked out of the room "EDI can tell you where to settle in" he added as the door closed behind him and he walked into the corridor, seeing both Ashely and Garrus waiting "I like her" he added before turning to leave.
Miranda frowned as she looked at the monitor in her office, EDI had reported an unusual behaviour coming from Clark as he moved to help the ground team. This was the fourth time she's scene this video now and being honest, the more she looked the concerned she became. Reaching forward she pressed the button again and started the video.
Clark walked into the air lock, he was standing calmly but then he quickly turned around "get out of my head" he said as he turned to leave but then turned around and spoke again "stop it" he added before jumping out of the ship.
She couldn't help but admit it but EDI may have been right, that type of behaviour is concerning and if he where anyone else she would immediately have a squad ready to remove him from command as he is clearing going through something which may compromise his leadership.
"Miss Lawson, I have been told to inform you that the Captain has decided Illium will be our next destination" EDI spoke.
"Thank you, EDI, is there anything else?" she asked as she replayed the video again.
"Yes, I have taken the liberty of downloading a handful of different books and papers of Psychology. Due to the interest, you are taking in Mr. Kents mental status. Due to Cerberus protocols, I have arranged a meeting between Mr. Kent and Miss Chambers where an evaluation can take place to see if he is still suitable to lead this mission. You also have a message from a Miss Lanteia" EDI explained before the com cut out.
Miranda at the mention of the name quickly closed down the video and opened the message from the agent she used to keep an eye on Oriana. However, when the message opened, and she started reading. Her eyes quickly narrowed, and her teeth gritted against each other "shit" she spoke.
Ok guys, we'll call it here. Quite a short one but the in-between chapters usual are. So, I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope you're happy with how I did Tali, I like to think she didn't get angry at Shepard because of their past relationship but Clark doesn't have the luxury and you know Tali, very loyal to her people so not likely to be intimated when Clark asks for them to risk their lives for a galaxy that doesn't treat them well.
The plan is to have a new 'A New Origin' Chapter done by new years so hopefully I'll see you all then.