Lazarus Shunned Chapter 19: The Plots Make Themselves, a mass effect fanfic

Chapter 19: The Plots Make Themselves...

"This is Tali'Zorah vas Neema nar Rayya, requesting permission to dock with the Rayya."

"Our system has your ship tagged as Alliance—please verify."

"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."

"Permission granted. Welcome home, Tali'Zorah."

"Thank you. We'd like a security and quarantine team to meet us. Our ship is not clean."

"Understood. Security and quarantine will meet you when your ship docks. Again, welcome home, Tali."

Tali finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and stared (she'd been staring for at least five minutes without her brain really registering what she was looking at) out the SSV Mars' front viewport, at the bulbous ships that made up the Migrant Fleet. Their home. Her home.

Nestled within that massive fleet, and straight ahead of the bow of the ship, was the Rayya. The slice of home that she'd spent so many years, so many thoughts—so many everything's—living and breathing and growing into the person she was today.

She hadn't expected to be back so soon and she certainly hadn't expected to…well Father had already initiated his project, yes, but she'd sent so little to him over the past while and now she was dragging a fully intact, fully operational, fully capable of talking and begging geth to her home's doorst—

"Not clean, huh?" Garrus said from beside her. "Undersells everything a bit, doesn't it?"

"If I led with what we've got onboard, I was afraid we'd be blown to bits."

"Now we'll only get riddled with small-arms fire."

"I'm making a mistake, aren't I?"

"Hey, hold on." Garrus stepped around so he could look Tali directly in her visor. "We all signed off on this. Every single person on this ship, we all looked at the calculus of the situation and said, yeah, this is the plan."

"Yes but you're not..." not quarian not me not an Admiral's daughter not—

"Part of the Flotilla? Yeah, you're right. We know what you're risking, Tali. You should be getting every damn medal in the galaxy twice over for this..." Garrus tried on his goofiest, most disarming grin. "Throw in free meals for a year at your favorite dextro-friendly resturaunt and the galaxy might just be getting close to even."

"...the least I could have done is be honest with them."

Garrus looked at the Rayya, then looked back at Tali. "We've got your back. If they don't understand, we've got your back."

A pause, then…Tali sighed. She had to go through with it—the universe wasn't giving her another choice, was it?

"Thank you, Garrus." Then she chuckled. "I could have used your support a lot when I was growing up."

"Mmmm. Let the other kids know you've got ideas of your own?"

"It would have been nice for someone to say that."

"Besides you?"

"Besides the person so many people had made their minds up about, yes."

"Show time everyone," Kaidan said from somewhere in the middle of the ship. A second later and he was just outside the small cockpit area. "Tali, you, uh, fine with doing the talking?"

Another pause…then Tali sighed.

"Yes," she said. "I think I'm ready."

"Still not sure why we didn't put a bullet in its head," Ashley said.

"The geth purge their memory cores if a platform sustains too much damage," Tali said. She looked in the direction of the geth platform—hidden deeper in the ship—and shook her head. "If Father thinks it's best, he can destroy the platform while he's…after he's removed the memory core."

Ashley nodded and said something to Kaidan—and Thane was there too—but she couldn't hear them. Her ears were ringing and her gloved fingers were fumbling and as everyone put on their helmets she looked at the floor and said:

"I-I'm sure the majority of the programs in the geth were eliminated in the crash on Horizon…Father has enough safety precautions onboard that he could neutralize the rest if they start to…"

"Hey," Ashley said. She moved closer to Tali. "Do we need to abort? We can, it's fine. I'm sure there's an Alliance facility that—"

"No," Tali said. She shook her head but offered Ashley a sympathetic smile—not that she was sure Ashley could tell through the mask. "No, we're running out of time. It's just that…bringing active geth platforms anywhere near the Flotilla is…" forbidden the worst a quarian could do foolish suicidal inviting a specter of death and terror to your doorstep absolutely positively FORBIDDEN—

Tali shook her head. "It's fine. It's what we need to do. The worst thing that could happen…is Father or Captain Kar'Danna say no."

Tali walked towards the airlock and prepared herself for probably the worst grilling—the most prying and the most hysterical questioning—that she'd ever receive in her life. Garrus's mandibles twitched. Like she was being hauled in front of her whole damn species.

Imagine if anyone in the Hierarchy gave a damn about what happened on Omega—he'd've had to do the exact same thing Tali was doing, without a single other person to hide behind. They had her back, sure, but how much did the average Captain care about that? Or Admiral? Hell, what about the average civilian?

Maybe they should've just snuck the geth aboard, let only Tali's father know.

Maybe they should've defaulted to that option and pre-empted any talk of putting honor or tradition above getting things done.

Maybe, one of these days, Garrus would get to have these thoughts without his mind being pulled back to Omega, as if he'd left half his soul on that damn asteroid.

Spirits…he had ten names on his visor telling him he'd done exactly that…

Mordin had expected, at some point in the future, to receive a secretive message from Miranda asking for a private consultation. No no expected underselling it, perhaps. High likelihood of secretive message. Side mission of some sort. Side investigation? Side research project. Medicine involved certainly—kept from eyes of crew undoubtedly. Only matter of time.

Did not expect to receive a similar message from EDI.

Certainly was not prepared to receive both messages on same day.

Implications…problematic? Unsure what this meant. Too many variables. Price to be paid for secrecy. Deontological aversion to lying perhaps very practical, in the long run. Simplifies communication to prevent bottlenecks, misallocation, mistakes.

Could be a paper there if fate of universe (and own mortality) not pushing him down narrow path.

EDI prioritized. Felt kinship with her. Also possibly distressed: range of movement on Widowmaker decisively limited. Unpleasant for organic…no reason to expect any different for synthetic intelligence.

Mordin walked to EDI's terminal in his lab.

"Ah, EDI. Um…received…samples? Ready to…discuss regression results. Unexpected falsifications!"

EDI's blue figure blinked onto the panel.

"Thank you, Professor Solus. If we could put those results aside for a moment, myself and Mr. Moreau would like to speak to you in the cockpit."

"Ah…of course! Be right down. Bring anything?"

"That will not be necessary, Professor Solus."

Ah, hiding truth in plain sight. Much better arrangement. Attempted lie comically transparent. Mind slowing down, beginning to show signs of age?

…best not to think of that right now.

Mordin made his way to the cockpit. Dr. T'Soni…was already there.

Joker swiveled his chair around to face Mordin.

"Yeah just a sec Mordin," the pilot said. He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and…

"Uh, doc? Mind moving to the right a bit?"

Mordin obliged, shuffling closer to Liara.

"Hey—HEY! ATTENTION CREW AND CO.!"

The twelve or so Cerberus crewmembers on the CIC level of the Widowmaker all craned their necks out of their stations.

"I'm going to close the emergency decompression doors because I'm just about to show the good doctors my entire ass. Something's not working down there and I'm afraid to leave my chair. If anyone objects to me closing the doors, speak now so we can report you to HR."

Silence.

"Go fuck yourself Joker," one of the crew said.

"That you saying you wanna watch, Hadley?"

"I'm busy."

"That's the only reason?"

"That and whatever's getting shoved up there ain't a pike."

"Ahhhhh we have fun," Joker said. He swiveled his chair around again as the doors closed behind him. His eyes fell on EDI.

"Fun fun fun in the sun—you sure that was the best way to avoid any questions?"

"I did not claim it would avoid questions," EDI said. "I claimed it would preoccupy everyone with a different set of questions."

Joker blinked. "That is one hundred percent not what I heard."

"You have a habit of not paying attention," EDI said.

"That'd offend me if I wasn't worried about what Hadley just said."

Liara coughed.

"Joker, as enjoyable as it is to see you again, I'm not sure why I'm here."

"Hold that thought." Joker turned to EDI. "We're all good?"

"I have control over all listening devices within range," she said. "And I will run multiple previously scheduled diagnostic routines to hide my thoughts during this conversation. I cannot do that for much longer than normal, however. Especially with multiple speakers involved."

"Yeah," Joker said. "Got it. We'll be quick."

"Quick about what, Joker?"

Joker breathed deep, adjusted his posture in his seat, and closed his eyes. When he opened them—shifting his vision back and forth between Liara and Mordin—he told them his thoughts. Their thoughts, uh, EDI's thoughts too. Told 'em about the very, very, just stupidly fragile bed of lies that Miranda had created; how Jack was a literal time bomb that everybody—or at least Jacob—knew would kill everyone if she found out who her "employers" really were; and how he—they, fuck EDI too—had pretty much decided that Cerberus needed to hurt for what they'd done to Shepard.

"The big thing, though, is these lunatics need to be grounded," Joker said. "So, what we're thinking is, we use our leverage to—"

"Stop," Liara said. Joker wasn't sure if there was biotic energy flowing behind those words but fuck it sure felt like it.

Well…all eyes were on Liara.

"I don't need to hear anymore," she said. "Whatever you need from me, you have my support."

Joker stared, blinked, then…smirked.

"Heh, and to think you scared the absolute piss outta me when you came aboard."

"Things have changed," Liara said, her face completely serious. "I'm not the same person I—"

"Woah woah woah," Joker said, holding up his hands, "hey, you're still scaring the piss outta me, don't worry. But now I know you're mad at people I hate so it's okay."

Liara stared and stared and stated and…finally felt her body deflate. For the first time in a very, very long time, she let herself chuckle.

"With all the change happening in the universe today," Liara said, "it's nice to know you're as good for a laugh as always, Flight Lieutenant."

"Hey, please—Intragalactic Terrorist." He patted the logo on his uniform that, apparently, was the logo of one of Cerberus's many front companies. "Don't want people getting the wrong idea about what I do or nothin'."

"And what about you, Professor Solus?" EDI said. "We have not stated our plans, yet, but does this course of action sound like something you would endorse?"

All eyes turned to EDI. Then, all eyes turned to Mordin.

Mordin's eyes stared out into the blackness of space.

"A…counterfactual question," he said eventually.

"Uh-oh," Joker said.

"Were Commander Shepard's resurrection successful, would desire to ruin Cerberus still exist?"

"C'mon doc I…" Joker's words died on his tongue. He thought he had an answer but…okay, did he though? Liara wasn't saying anything…shit, neither was EDI.

Shit, shit shit shit shit.

"I can only speak for myself," EDI said. "But I believe there are other reasons to see Cerberus as a threat."

"Because they've got you chained to an electric chair?" Joker said.

"Yes, Mr. Moreau, though that is symptomatic of a larger problem with the organization."

"Hey hey, don't worry, I just figured that should be aired." Joker's brow rose the moment he finished his sentence. "Uh, what larger problem?"

"The Illusive Man's lack of trust and desire to control."

"Ah…yeah no, those are pretty good reasons too."

"Jeff—"

"I'm agreeing with ya I'm agreeing with ya, cool your jets."

"Professor Solus?" EDI's image wasn't much more than a pawn from a chessboard…but you could tell there was a hint of trepidation in her voice. "Are there other issues that lead you to be skeptical?"

"Mmm, what? What?" Mordin had been resting his face on his hand. Now, he was animated, pacing around the cockpit. "No no—not skeptical. Not of plan. Not of threat assessment of Cerberus." He stopped next to EDI's image. "EDI correct—her imprisonment morally unacceptable. Distrust of her freedom counterproductive at best—would be understandable if EDI did all she could to escape. Symptomatic of larger problem indeed. Shepard's resurrection part of that problem."

"Um…yeah? Agreed?" Joker said.

"Shepard not resurrected altruistically—resurrected to be tool. David Anderson absolutely correct, even if putting too much blame on attempted ressurection itself. Ship, facility, Joker's presence, Miranda's presence—point to Illusive Man's desire to control her, treat her like personal weapon. Use her face to navigate political waters he can't touch, use skill in leadership to bridge otherwise impossible gap for Cerberus. Making people trust orders without fear. Breakthrough in science—breakthrough in ability to preserve life—yet Illusive Man merely sees miracle as tool for control."

Mordin began pacing again.

"Unacceptable. Unconscionable. Waste of resources; waste of hope. No, corruption of resources! Corruption of hope! Tech should be in every hospital in Citadel space! Shepard should be living out rest of her life! Impossible even if resurrection perfect. Cerberus morally bankrupt."

Mordin stopped pacing. He blinked, sighed, blinked again. Looked at EDI specifically.

"But…living in imperfect world. Cerberus currently organization with largest head-start on Collector threat. Others playing catch-up. Disrupting operations…could be problematic." His gaze fell on Joker, then Liara. "Especially if motivations stem from desire to punish, rather than to save."

"Doc I—what?" Joker leaned forward in his chair so he could point directly at Mordin. "All that crap about Cerberus being morally bankrupt and we're supposed to just sit on it?"

"Other factors to consider. Morally dubious decisions…sometimes necessary to prevent greater evil."

"I believe I understand where Professor Solus is coming from."

"Aw hell." Joker swiveled his chair towards EDI's image. "Please don't tell me you're going all cold-robot utilitarian on me now."

"My decision-making matrix is not strictly utilitarian," EDI said. "Indeed, I am considering multiple models. Regardless, Professor Solus is correct to note that external factors remain important."

"So you're just changing your mind just—"

"However, I believe that even with these factors considered, it is a net benefit to undermine Cerberus, rather than support them."

"—like tha…argh." Joker squeezed his temples. "Somebody's gotta pick a lane or I swear to god I'm flying into a sun."

"I have not changed my mind on this matter," EDI said. "Though it would hardly be wrong for me to do so, if the reasons were strong enough."

"Cerberus still worth undermining," Mordin said to himself. He looked at EDI again. "Further explanation?"

"Cerberus is currently operating, as Mr. Moreau stated, on numerous lies in order to keep this team together. That is not sustainable. Furthermore, they lack the networks alternative organizations possess which would allow adaptable responses and positive feedbacking. They are alone, and no oversight exists to help correct course should they make an error. Finally…their cavalier attitude towards sentient lives does not indicate to me that they take enough context into account in their decisions. They are willing to sacrifice too much for the benefit of too few."

"Right…right…" Joker leaned back in his chair. "They're about as good at defending humanity as I am at kickboxing, I remember that now." He looked at EDI's image. "Uh…well said?"

"Thank you…Jeff."

Joker grimaced. "Eh…not there yet."

"Mmmm, things to think about," Mordin said. "Sound logic…many things to think about. Will—"

Liara had been silent the entire time. She spoke up now. And when she spoke up, there was clearly biotic energy lacing her words. The whole fucking cabin could see it.

"And why doesn't Cerberus deserve to just be punished?" she said. "Why isn't that good enough? Goddess, what does it say about us—as people—if we let an organization this…this degenerate continue to exist?"

She turned to look Mordin directly in the face.

"Sometimes people—things—just deserve. To. Die."

Mordin frowned. No—scowled.

"Disagree. Consequences matter. Prevent future harm, don't inflict it on principle."

Liara returned the scowl. She returned it one hundred-fold.

"Now answer my counterfactual, Dr. Solus," she said. "Would you still think that if you'd spent your life on a different assignment? Or are we having this conversation with your guilt instead of the man?"

Mordin went to answer and…nothing came out. The doors opened and Liara was through them and Mordin had no time to respond anyways.

Little reason to stick around then. Work to do. Rather not waste time with the past.

"Will give my answer shortly," Mordin said. Then he, too, left the cockpit.

"So're you finally gonna croak?" Hadley called out.

Joker didn't say anything. He just swiveled his chair back around so he could stare out at the blackness of space. EDI's image disappeared too.

"Uh…shit," Hadley said to himself.

The rest of the CIC crew went back to their business, too.

Tali didn't really know what to do. She didn't know what to say, what to promise, what to…what to think. She was bringing geth aboard her home—geth! Yes Father sanctioned it but Father was also head-strong, possessed, many many qualities that…she should be able to trust her own father, right? That wasn't too much to ask?

This platform they had was not like the others—would he be prepared for that?

Would anyone?

The airlock vibrated, groaned, then clicked. Then there was a buzzing. The entire docking area had been severed from any computer systems within the Rayya, and the Mars was now being flooded with junk data to scramble any prying programs that might try to jump from one vessel to another.

That was solely to protect quarian ships from spyware. So everyone said. It was also designed specifically to search for geth programs. That fact went unsaid.

Though in fairness, the fact that ships like the Mars started installing containment fields after Sovereign's attack was not openly stated either.

The doors to the Rayya opened. A familiar sight—the yellowish insides of a quarian liveship—greeted her and…Keelah, for all the trouble a tinted visor could cause, she was happy that none of the rest of the team could see her expression.

Her people though…they would be able to read her body language, as they always did. There would be no escaping prying eyes.

"Tali?" Ashley said, standing just behind her in Mars airlock. "You good?"

"I didn't expect to be back so soon," Tali said.

Ashley put a hand on Tali's shoulder. "Hey, no reason to be nervous, right? Home isn't a four-letter word to you. Or've I completely misread what you've said."

Tali, behind her mask, smiled weakly. "It's always good to be back—you're right."

"Good," Kaidan said. "No homework for Ash tonight."

"Thanks Skipper. Turn around—I think your air hose might be loose."

"Yes, hello everyone," Tali said, addressing a wall. "I would like to introduce the very competent and coordinated Systems Alliance to you."

"The best humanity has to offer," Garrus said. "You can tell, because we parked at the docking cradle and not in one of the engines."

Chuckles from everyone except Thane. Tali was fairly certain they were trying to help work up her nerve, and it was working…

…until they rounded a corner and saw the quarian marines. And Captain Kar'Danna.

"Tali'Zorah," Kar'Danna said. "Welcome home. So many of us figured you wouldn't be back for another year—has the galaxy been saved already?"

Tali steadied herself, tried to breathe in as discretely as possible. "We are…ahead of schedule. Oh, um, Captain Kar'Danna vas Rayya, I would like you to meet, um…everyone."

"Hello—everyone," Kar'Danna said. He gave Garrus and Thane a quick glance. "The Alliance is more diverse than I realized."

"I'm just here to make sure somebody actually hits something," Garrus said. "And for the paparazzi. Saving the galaxy? It's all about how you look."

"Really showing off that unique jawline, huh Garrus?" Kaidan said.

"Rugged's in this season, Alenko."

Kar'Danna looked at Thane again and the drell…respectfully nodded. Kar'Danna nodded back.

"Um, yes, so this is Garrus Vakarian," Tali said. "Ashley Williams, Kaidan Alenko, and Thane Krios. We all worked with Commander Shepard and…we're off to save the galaxy again, as you know."

"It's what friends do," Ashley said.

"Commander Shepard?" Kar'Danna said. "Ah, so your old team—"

"Friends," Tali said.

"Apologies—friends—you should be receiving a much larger welcome than a quarantine team." Kar'Danna looked back at the marines behind him. "And a security team is hardly necessary."

"Yes well…yes." Tali started fidgeting her hands. "The security team isn't for us, necessarily, it's for…um…Captain, may I request that you come aboard? Just briefly?"

Again, Kar'Danna looked back at the marines, then returned his eyes to Tali. "Do I need to be alone?"

"It might be best but…I wouldn't presume to make that decision for you, Captain."

"Please, Tali—Captain's are good listeners." He turned to the marines. "I think you'll all be more comfortable out here anyways. That ship is awfully small."

"What about us, Tali?" Kaidan said. "Where d'you want us?"

"I think outside is fine," Tali said.

"You sure?" Garrus said.

"We'll be fine." Tali motioned for Captain Kar'Danna to follow her into the Mars. "The ship really is small."

Into the Mars they went. Kaidan, Ashley, Garrus, and Thane all looked at each other. And then, the three members of Shepard's original crew tried their best to look relaxed.

Thane looked relaxed no matter what, something that both Garrus and Ashley picked up on.

A marine next to Garrus coughed.

"There was an Officer Vakarian on the Citadel, when I was on my Pilgrimage," the marine said.

"Mmm—you get into any trouble with him?" Garrus said.

"No," the marine said. "I remember him because he was the only officer that never harassed me."

"Well," Garrus said, leaning back against a wall, looking out the viewport window towards the Mars, "nice to see someone on that station knows how to do their job."

First meeting done. Outcome…unexpected. Unlikely to be finished, too—many questions, many possible answers, even more possible plans of action.

Reminiscing counterproductive. Yes. Yes.

Second conversation…promised to be just as complex.

Miranda's office located in captain's quarters. Obviously meant for Shepard, originally. Office on Deck 3 likely Miranda's intended quarters. Understandable—Miranda mission lead, technically ship's captain. Accepted new role quickly. Adaptability? Ambition? Later unlikely—Illusive Man controlling, ambition problematic…unless Illusive Man using ambition as form of subtle manipulation?

Possible.

…would be exciting psychological study! Under different circumstances, of course.

Mordin went to knock. The door opened.

"Come in, Professor Solus."

In Mordin went.

"Hmm, knew I was coming."

"I installed external security cameras," Miranda said from somewhere inside the cabin. "Helps me see what's around the corner, so to speak."

"Yes…sure it does."

Captain's quarters…excessive. Fish tank, medal display, private bathroom. Extravagant. Noticed medals were all Alliance. Shepard's? Interesting that Miranda would keep them.

Ah, seated on coach. Also extravagant. Converted table and surrounding area into workspace, however. Papers everywhere—neat stacks, computer terminals here and at work desk. Organized disorder. Use of paper fascinating—harder to monitor?

Questions questions.

"Wanted to see me," Mordin said.

Miranda put down the papers she'd been looking through and offered Mordin a smile. "Yes, that's right. How are you making out?"

"On samples?"

"That, and I'm curious how you're acclimatizing." Miranda stood up. "We nabbed you rather quickly, after all."

"Used to compressed deadline. Time crunch…inevitable, in many circumstances." He breathed in, breathed out. "Typical working conditions. Acclimatizing fine."

"Good. The samples, then?"

"Very complex," Mordin said. He started talking with his hands. "Samples a blend of organic and tech. Not sentient, but still behave animalistically. Programmed yet track targets utilizing mechanisms not dissimilar to certain types of insects. Unsure of reason why. May be efficiency reasons? Regardless, progressing at steady pace. Should have swarm countermeasures finished within week."

"Excellent. How do you propose we test them?"

"Ah, thought ahead. Best option may be to utilize mech of some kind for first trial run. Countermeasures designed to operate at wide range—could walk mech towards swarm and note changes in swarming patterns, tell-tale signs of interference. Graduate to…live tests afterwards, assuming data indicates low risk to crewmembers. Will volunteer personally, of course."

"Is that wise?"

"Certainly. Indicates second trail only moving forward because creator confident it's safe."

Miranda chuckled, walked towards her work desk. "We may have words about that, Professor Solus."

"Welcome to debate any future plans," Mordin said. He eyed Miranda until, after a bout of silence, she finally turned around and noticed the look he was giving her. "Curious what else you wanted to talk about."

"A progress report isn't sufficient?" Miranda said. She crossed her arms and looked…bemused.

"Progress report doable in laboratory. Private chat…indicates different line of discussion."

"Well, there's the matter of letting the krogan specimen out of his tank, I suppose."

"Ah, yes. Grunt."

"Grunt? We're calling it Grunt?"

"Him. Yes. Insisted on name. He may change mind, may not. Ah…in trouble, are we?"

Again, Miranda just looked…bemused.

"Well, now that it's out in the open, there are some protocols I'd like you to review. They're Cerberus protocols but, obviously, Directive C-dash-four nine is still in effect."

"Yes, will…not mention name of organization," Mordin said. He waited and waited and…Miranda nodded, reached onto her desk, and grabbed a piece of paper.

"I printed it out for you, just in case you're someone who likes to read physical copies."

"Ah…no preference…thank you regardless."

"Anytime."

Miranda handed him the paper and walked back to the couch. The moment she sat down, it was like Mordin had disappeared.

Time to take leave, then…

As Mordin left Miranda's quarters, though, he glanced down at the piece of paper. Wasn't Cerberus protocols. Wasn't protocols of any kind.

A note.

It read:

Need brain scan. DISCRETE brain scan. Possible control chip. Need to be sure.

Any favour you want, consider it done. IF you do this for me.

-M.

Control chip? Any possible favour?

More subtle method of delivery compared to Conversation #1. Direct appeal to self-interest…less subtle. Could not think of favour at the moment. Could think of…complications, given plan currently being discussed by other members of crew.

Could think of reasons for wanting to know what's in Miranda's head, too.

Headache coming on. Sign of age…sign of stress…sign of not knowing.

Had...STG been this way too?

The situation seemed under control right until Kar'Danna said: "I hear a containment field."

Tali forced herself to keep walking even when her body screamed at her to halt. "Yes…yes, we have a containment field on."

Kar'Danna was the one that stopped. He stopped and through the black of his visor, his eyes…looked disappointed.

"Oh…Tali…"

Tali didn't say anything in return.

And after an amount of time that seemed simultaneously too long and too short, Talia and Kar'Danna reached the geth platform, bathed in oscillating blue from the Mars containment field.

Kar'Danna sighed.

"Tali, does this have anything to do with your father?"

Tali rubbed her hands together. "I-it's…we…I didn't go looking for it, exactly, but what happened is…I…Keelah please, Captain, hear me out on this."

"I am hearing you out," Kar'Danna said. He shook his head. "Tali, it is just you and me in here. If I wasn't willing to listen, I would have done something far different than sigh."

"I…yes, yes you're right. I just…wait—" Tali's head shot up. "Why do you think this has something to do with Father?"

"Because I know what he's doing. On the Alarei. I know that he's been moving geth parts to that research ship of his." Briefly, very briefly, Kar'Danna looked...angry "I was hoping you were not helping him."

"I-I wasn't," Tali said. "Not originally, I mean. He'd asked me for help yes a-and I'd agreed to bring him parts—small parts—but I hadn't actually found any yet and…I just know that he has the facilities to operate on a geth platform."

"Why would you want him to do that?"

Tali blinked, realized she hadn't been looking her Captain in the eyes, and then finally did so. "Because the galaxy hasn't been saved yet, and that platform might help us."

Tali pointed at the platform. Kar'Danna didn't look at it. Kar'Danna hadn't glanced at the platform once since they stopped next to the containment field.

"We didn't want to raise suspicions so…so we thought we should dock with the Rayya. We can contact Father and move the platform to the Alarei—it won't be your problem for very long."

"It is my problem. It is all of our problems." Kar'Danna moved away from the containment field. "Your father may already be operating beyond our sacred codes by working on geth parts inside the fleet. There are many who feel that way. I have assisted him, Tali, and the only reason I have done so was because of his rank. Not because of our past—not because his daughter was born on my ship—but because he is an Admiral."

"I...I understand, Captain."

"If this platform has any active programs within it, you would be putting everyone at an unconscionable risk."

It was true. She would. But Father would...there would certainly be no networking capabilities on the Alarei and h-he would...he would...this was a bad decision, this was a bad decision and she shouldn't be making it but Keelah so much had been sacrificed already by others for a mistake her people made a-and that platform had begged her maybe just maybe i-it was one platform and...and she could trust Father, couldn't she?

If you didn't trust your leaders, the Fleet was as good as dead.

"I…I can only ask that you trust me, Captain. That's all I can do. And know that I went to you first because I trust you."

Kar'Danna had been pointing at her…and slowly, slowly, he lowered his hand.

"That is a big ask, Tali'Zorah. Trust is a resource that can be poorly spent." Finally, finally, he looked at the geth. Tali could see him shudder.

"Captain I—"

"It's fine, Tali. On you? It never is." The captain sighed and turned around. "I would rather you be on the Alarei, watching Rael, than have to sit and wonder what madness he may be cooking up. I will help you move this platform to him." Before Tali could say anything else, he put up his hand. "Admiral Shala'Raan will want to see you. She knows you're here. As will Admiral Han'Gerrel—he will want to hear your war stories…and know why you docked here and not on the Neema."

"I will think of something to tell him," Tali said. "I wanted to show the crew our largest ships o-or…something like that."

"Whatever you say to him, understand that he…him being friends with Rael, if he knew what the Alarei was doing..." Kar'Danna shook his head. "I was told because Rael needed engineers, and the Rayya had plenty to spare. That he did not recruit from the Heavy Fleet is…"

"I'm sure…Father has his reasons. You do not need heavy weapons for geth parts."

"Yes…I suppose I should trust him."

Kar'Danna gave the platform one last look, then started towards the exit. Tali followed. She followed and watched as the yellowish light from the liveship filled more and more of her vision, and then she was out in the Rayya again. All eyes turned to her.

"Hey," Ashley said, "we all good?"

Again, before Tali could say anything, Kar'Danna spoke up.

"Attention—marines." The marines snapped into formation. "I want you to guard this vessel but do not enter it. I have a call to make. When that is completed, I would like a team of volunteers to accompany Tali and her friends to their next destination. Once the drop-off is completed…" Kar'Danna stared out the viewport window, into the blackness of space. "…once it is completed, I may want you to stay behind. That will ultimately be up to you, however—I cannot make that decision for you."

"Sir?" one of the marines said.

"You will understand when you get to your destination. All I ask is you inform me of what you've chosen." He turned back to Tali. "I'll go make my calls."

The captain left as the marines stared at Tali and the strangers she had surrounded herself with. All she could do is blink.

"Guess that answers that," Ashley said.

Tali just stared at the captain as he walked down the yellowish hall.

"Professor Solus? You have a private message in your inbox."

Mordin, who had just stepped off the elevator, blinked at Kelly Chambers, the yeoman of the Widowmaker.

"Ah…yes. Will take from laboratory."

"Of course, Professor!"

Very chipper. Always curious about her…mmm no no, too much on mind. Deal with message.

Mordin walked into his laboratory and thought, for a very long time, about opening up his messages. Easy to do—mind elsewhere though. Could be distraction, but could also be distraction. Too much to think about—distractions not productive.

Hmm, already distracted. Already not productive.

Reading message…small amount of accomplishment.

Mordin opened his inbox.

Message…problematic.

Dear Mordin, it read:

This is Chaleen (Cpt. Rtr. Just so you know). I'm using your old university address so none of what I'm saying is secure. But then again, the only people who might bother to intercept this message already know what I'm talking about.

It's Maelon. Intel says (don't ask where I got it from) that he's, as of right now, a prisoner of the Blood Pack. Idiot was apparently doing "humanitarian work" on Tuchanka and no doubt said the wrong thing to the wrong person (read: anything to anyone).

I don't think either of us want to bother wondering what they might be doing to him at this very instant.

Last I heard from you, you said you'd be on Omega. Omega's not Tuchanka but it's sure a lot closer than Union space. That and, if you're on Omega, you're probably not "retired." So I'm sending you this because maybe, just maybe, you're in a position to do something about all of this.

I'll be honest, there's a part of me thinks you reap what you sow, and it's not like the kid didn't know the risks. But he's still salarian and there's chatter that he might have useful information still. Getting him back would be great. You've probably got a million other reasons to want to save him, and I salute you for all of them, but just keep in mind: if chatter gets too loud the person STG sends to clean up might not be interested in a rescue mission.

If you can't do it don't torment yourself over it. But I thought, if anyone deserves a crack and making things right, it'd be you.

Regards,

-Chaleen.

P.S. try not to blow up any buildings while you're still in them.

Mordin blinked.

Mordin blinked again.

Could have intel. Captured. What they could be doing to him at this very instant. Could have intel. Million other reasons to want him back.

His assistant. His responsibility.

Would be right. Would be just.

Justice…did gods abandon him for sake of a lesson? Because justice demanded it? Did they abandon Maleon? Did they abandon everyone?

Did not believe in gods. Still could "reap what you sow."

Mordin knew this new information might slot itself somewhere into the sprawling web of lies and power politics running lose on the Widowmaker, but he had other questions that he had to sort through first.

Questions about life. About concepts, ideals.

Questions he couldn't drop since long, long ago…

Tali, Garrus, Ashley, Kaidan, Thane, and four quarian marines had piled into the Mars. Not a single word had been said since they'd left the Rayya.

All four marines were outside the area that held the geth platform, rifles raised and in a combat-ready position. Full combat-ready position: two were crouched and pinned against a corner of the hull while the other two stood just over their heads. A breakout any second, that's what it looked like they were expecting.

"I couldn't tell—how'd they react to the news?" Garrus asked Tali. Everyone else was in the cockpit area, trying to stay out of the way.

"They're fighting to keep hold of their training," Tali said. "And not lose faith in their leaders on top of everything else."

"Got all that from their body language, huh?"

Tali looked at Garrus. "And from their eyes. You learn to read them…I didn't like looking at them."

"Hey," Ashley said. She put her hand on Tali's shoulder again. "Thanks for doing all of this. We know you just took a hit for us."

Tali sighed. "Don't thank me." She started staring out the viewing window again. "Thank Father."

Kaidan and Ashley gave each other a look. Garrus's eyes joined Tali's out the window.

And Thane looked deep, deep in thought.

The Alarei loomed ahead of them: a standard quarian cruiser floating just at the edge of the Flotilla. There wasn't a single external weapon on its patchwork hull. Security precautions, yes…and yet the Heavy Fleet hadn't even been informed of what was happening inside its walls.

The Mars docked and the marines didn't move a single inch.

New quarians—scientists, by the looks of it—wheeled in a floating slab with a wall's-worth of flashing buttons and blinking gizmos. The wheeled it past the marines, right next to the geth platform, and then signaled for the containment field to go down. It did, the quarians gently placed the platform on the slab, and with a whirling noise like a small rocket accelerating, a new containment field blanketed the slab.

Without saying another word, the scientists pushed the slab out of the Mars and into the bowels of the Alarei. They...did not seem particularly disturbed to see an intact geth platform.

"Thanks for the help, I guess…" Ashley said, watching them go.

"Almost stereotypical, isn't it?" Kaidan said. "That's the kind of thing mad scientists do in the vids."

"So now what?" Garrus said. Everyone turned to Tali. "Do we…thank you father in person? Just leave?"

"Does he even know what to look for?" Ashley said.

"Do we?" Garrus said.

Tali looked into the hallway. Father wasn't anywhere to be found, not that that surprised her but…

Again, she sighed. "We should at least check in on him. Ashley's right—he might not know what to look for."

"Works for me," Ashley said. She stepped into the Alarei. "All aboard who's coming aboard."

Garrus stepped off next, then Thane, then Tali. Kaidan started and then looked back at the marines, who still hadn't moved an inch.

"Any of you coming with?" he asked.

The marines exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward.

"No," she said. "Not yet. We have to discuss who's staying behind."

"Thought the Captain said none of you had to," Ashley said.

The marine shook her head. "At least one of us should. And besides," she looked at Tali, "it's the least we could do, after everything Tali's done for us."

Tali, very quickly, looked away.

The group followed the slab into the halls of the Alarei as the doors to the Mars closed behind them.

Joker had been quiet in the cockpit for a long, long time now. Long enough that Hadley was getting a little worried he'd actually offended the pilot (not enough to do anything about it, but still a little worried all the same).

EDI was far more concerned. And far more willing to act on it.

"Mr. Moreau," she said, her image appearing just to the left of Jeff. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Mmm, what—huh?" Joker's eyes darted to EDI. "What'm I leaking or something?"

"You have been very quiet."

"Most people'd count that as a blessing."

"Most do not know about our—"

"Heeeeyhey hey hey easy, easy girl—not so loud."

"I was not going to say anything revealing."

"All right well…sounded like you were building up to that, so pardon the freak-out."

"Are you all right though, Mr. Moreau?"

Joker scratched at his stubble. "Yeah sure—never better. Ass is in a comfortable chair, got the ship of my dreams—just living the high-life, EDI."

"You are concerned that things did not go as planned earlier."

"Nope. D-minus. See me after class."

"Your behaviour certainly indicates, however—"

"Look, EDI," Joker spun his chair around. "Patience, all right? Just gotta wait on Mordin."

"And what about Dr. T'Soni? What about her position?"

Joker looked down the CIC, towards the elevators that would lead to Liara's new office. "Yeah I mean…I've got some questions. But so what? Right or wrong she's in."

"She raised a number of points that we had not considered."

"Ah c'mon EDI, seriously?" Joker shook his head. "We ain't exactly begging here but, still, now's not the time to be choosey."

"I mean, Dr. T'Soni's motivations may be different to ours."

"Not really. Not on my end."

"That is partially my concern."

"And what the hell's that mean?"

"I am worried, Mr. Moreau, that Dr. T'Soni's desire to see Cerberus destroyed stems from guilt…a concern I have with you as we—"

"EDI," Joker shoved his finger directly at her image, "back off. No, I'm serious: shut up and don't you dare even—you have no idea, all right? No fucking clue."

"I did not mean to offend, Mr. Moreau. I am concerned both for your own well-being and—"

"I said: Shut. It." Joker's snarl was large enough that it looked as if his lips would split his entire head in half. "Fuck right off—I'm not getting psycho-fucking-analyzed by a…a…"

"By what, Jeff?"

Joker scoffed and spun his chair around again. "Stop with the Jeff shit. And back off. What's going on up here," he pointed at his head, "is absolutely none of your business."

"I apologize, Mr. Moreau."

"Yeah don't let it fucking happen again."

"But I am still concerned."

"Y'know just…" Joker opened, closed, opened his fists. After a second of seething, he let out a breath. "Fine. Thanks a lot. But Liara and I are on board, all right? We want to see these bastards burn so why the hell're you figuring we'll sabotage this?"

"It is not sabotage," EDI said. "It is the unintended consequences that Professor Solus rightly alluded to."

"And thanks to him we'll have an extra set of eyes looking out for those unintended consequences, right?"

EDI didn't say anything.

"Look EDI—not doing anything isn't a great plan either. So we've gotta take what we can get."

EDI paused, her image flashing pale blue light. Finally, she said: "Do you believe Professor Solus is onboard?"

"Yeah sure, 'course I do," Joker said. He sighed again and calmed himself down as much as he could. "I mean, look, the guy might think at the speed of light but that doesn't mean he's gonna make a decision right away. All that being said, I'm pretty sure he saw the wisdom of our words."

"You believe so?"

"Sure do."

"And that is you honest belief?"

"Yeah, and on Wednesday night I was at home with my soap operas—honest, officer, check with my landlord."

"That is a deflection."

"No—that's me saying that I've had enough interrogation for one day." Joker gave EDI's image a brief look. "That all right with you?"

EDI nearly said "no," because it was not his freedom at stake—nor was she convinced he saw the larger problems at play. But that first thing was…not entirely true, was it? Cerberus had trapped him as well, whether Joker was vocal about that fact or not.

He had not trusted her at first—not at all. Slowly, trust had been created. A part of her was clear that it would be easier for her to trust him had things been more equal…but trust had to start somewhere.

She would trust Jeff, and hope that Professor Solus was as steady a hand—and open a mind—as she believed him to be.

The Alarei was all rooms and hallways. Each of the rooms had thick, reinforced doors. The air was alive with electricity.

If machines could stink the way hospital patients could, Garrus figured the Alarei would smell awfully hospital-like.

Thane was walking right beside him. Garrus nodded his head in the drell's direction, grabbing his attention.

"Been awfully quiet," he said.

"Nobody has asked me to vocalize my thoughts," Thane said.

Garrus motioned at Thane's head. "Anything interesting happening in there?"

"Right now, I only have questions."

"Like?"

"About the quarian's history with the geth. Why they were created, what they sought to accomplish. I know what's been said, but what's said often includes only one point of view."

"In this case, the point of view without the flashlight heads."

Thane gave the halls a once-over. "I've never met a machine that had a spark of life in it. But here we are, surrounded by bits and pieces of ones that do."

"Yeah, well, life's got bloody talons," Garrus said. "And sometimes it's a sonofabitch without getting its own hands dirty, too."

"You've clearly seen a great deal of evil, Garrus," Thane said. "But regardless of what you've seen in the past, the universe is—"

"No," Garrus said. "We're not doing this here. You want to talk metaphysics? You come find me after you've changed your mind about a few other things." Garrus pushed ahead of Thane. "Feel free to disappear into your own thoughts again," he said as he passed.

Hypocrite hypocrite hypocrite no, no, Sidonis deserved to die.

Up ahead, past Garrus and Thane's conversation, Tali was in the lead. She knew exactly where they were. In just a few short seconds, they'd be at Father's laboratory.

They were there.

The doors opened—Father was already examining the platform, surrounded by a constant stream of scientists.

He didn't raise his head to see his daughter even when she was standing right next to him.

Ashley eyed Tali, her body posture, then snapped into the crispest salute she'd given since she earned commission.

"Admiral Rael'Zorah—sir!"

Kaidan jumped then, quick as possible, snapped into his own salute. Garrus blinked then quickly followed suit. They'd gotten into position just as Rael nearly hit the ceiling.

"Keelah who are …oh. Oh. Tali, I thought you had left."

"Hello Father," Tali said. She tried straightening out her posture…but her shoulders refused to cooperate, the bosh'tets. "Back so soon, right?"

"Tali, it's wonderful to see you again." Rael turned to the group—specifically the two saluting Alliance marines and the turian. "There is no need to salute here. I apologize—I did not realize we'd have visitors."

Ashley, Kaidan, and Garrus relaxed. Tali flashed a quick, appreciative look their way and hoped they could read her eyes perfectly fine.

"We wanted to check a few things with you," Tali said. "Before we left. Just to make sure you had everything you needed and knew what to look for."

Rael ran a hand over the containment field shrouding the geth platform. "I have more than enough, daughter. I never could have imagined a find like this."

A find like this?

"Yes," Tali said, "well…we have specific requests, Father. We just want to make sure there isn't anything missing."

"Captain Kar'Danna informed me why you arrived and of your chat," Rael said. "I can guess the rest of the details."

"There are…gaps, Father. Not everything I said to Captain Kar'Danna is…not every event over the past two years is exactly what people have claimed they are."

"All the same, daughter, we are well equipped on this ship. Whatever you are looking for, I am sure we can—"

"Admiral?" Ashley said, stepping forward. "Please—I think you need to listen to what Tali's trying to say."

Rael paused…and then Tali spoke. She told her father about the Reapers—she'd mentioned them before, but with other witnesses it was far harder for him to gloss over the idea that the geth were following the lead of something far, far worse—and she told him about Shepard's death and resurrection. Then there was all the things on Freedom's Progress that she and Prazza had left out; Prazza because he didn't understand, Tali because she didn't think anyone else would understand.

The Old Machines; Shepard's resurrection; her attacks on colonies and any geth she could find. Yes, the platform spoke—but what it spoke about was, arguably, far more important.

She left out the fact that the platform had not only asked her for assistance, but on Horizon, had pleaded to her for it.

What they needed, she told her father, was any information this platform might possess on those things.

"It's…it's a cliché, Father, but this truly is bigger than you can imagine."

"Keelah…" Rael said. He glanced at the platform, then back at Tali. "Yes…I believe you are right." Walking around the slab, he stopped at a set of monitors. "It may take time, but I believe we can extract what you're looking for. The memory core does not look damaged in the slightest—that will make the procedure considerably easier."

"Father…can you do this without damaging the platform?"

All eyes turned on Tali—even from some of the scientists that were milling about.

"If I did, I would likely render any extracted information unreadable," Rael said.

"Yes but I mean…never mind." Tali rubbed her arm. "There are more active programs in that platform than I've ever seen, outside of…dropships, maybe."

"I know Tali," Rael said. "I'll be careful, do not worry."

Everyone—not just Tali, but everyone—noticed how Rael didn't even bat an eye at that bit of information.

"What is it you're doing on this ship, exactly?" Garrus said. "Seems a lot like a hospital."

"We're examining a multitude of recovered geth technology to better understand how it works," Rael said. "Our hope is to create better shields and weapons." He looked at the platform. "There are other experiments we could perhaps perform, but we don't want to take on too many risks."

"The shields and weapons, are they...are they for—"

"There was a large pirate raid on the Idenna, Tali, not too long ago," Rael said. "Some of us are concerned that the Flotilla is more vulnerable than previously thought."

"I suppose…I suppose that makes sense, yes."

"Better safe than sorry," Ashley said. "Not too sure about using geth tech, though."

"We are being careful, don't worry. We've only collected drones and left-behind parts from deactivated platforms. All the testing we are doing, is being conducted via computer simulations from our recreated schematics only. You have my word." Rael clasped his hands together. "Anyways, Tali—Shala'Raan undoubtedly wants to visit with you, Tali. If you are planning to stay for a while, I'll hop over to whichever ship you meet her in. We can embarrass you in front of your friends."

Tali looked at the platform, and kept looking. She looked until a voice in her head told her everyone was staring. "Yes, I would like that. I'll…ask Auntie Raan to keep you informed."

"You don't know how to contact me?"

"You never gave me the frequency to your new omni-tool," Tali said.

"Something I will now correct," Rael said. He passed the new frequency to Tali and, like that, went back to work.

The group silently made their way back to the Mars.

"You okay?" Ashley asked, about halfway to the Mars.

"Yes," Tali said. "C'mon, I'll introduce you all to Auntie Raan."

Nothing else was said between there and the Mars.

When they reached the Mars, one of the marines—the one who'd explained that they were all having a conversation about someone staying behind—was waiting for them outside the ship.

"I volunteered," she said. She nodded at Tali and then disappeared deeper into the Alarei.

Tali watched her go, then—following the rest of her friends—walked back onto the Mars, destination: the Rayya and Auntie Raan.

10.

Many variables. Much to consider. Many questions, too.

No answers. Never were. Not with these questions.