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3-13-2184
[ SERPENT NEBULA | BEKENSTEIN ]
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A rental car took the bank and merged onto the freeway, the glittering spires of Bekenstein's capital, Aurum City, bordering their entire horizon. A skyline piercing the saffron sky of a late afternoon, sunlight glinting off a forest of mirrored buildings, peaks lost in a haze of wispy clouds.
Talons tapping restlessly to a senseless rhythm on a steering wheel while Liara, in contemplative silence, kept her eyes fixed to the cars they passed, hand set beneath her chin.
"...You drive really fast." She said finally, breaking the silence from the hour's long trip.
A testy squint for all of a second as he fished for a piece of jerky in the cup holders centered between them, wrapper crinkling.
"Would you like me to drive slower?"
"No," She murmured, stare never leaving the window. A car quickly approaching, Liara's brow rose when she saw a quarian, of all people, speeding by even faster than them. Rearing her head on Liara, she pressed her glass face against the window close enough to reveal the sneer she was holding. A shifty gaze and Liara was frowning at the awkward exchange, unclear as to why she was on the receiving end of that. "...Not really."
"Feels like we're being herded," Garrus chewed, sharing his feelings about their situation at last.
He changed lanes.
"We are." She said simply. She peeled away from the view and nestled deeper in the leather plush, fingers webbing together to rest.
"Comfortable?" He asked.
"Tired."
"Wasn't that long of a flight." He mentioned.
"I know."
It was a beautiful sprawl. But neither had the energy to pay much attention to it. Minds too focused on the trail of breadcrumbs that had them traveling here. More time in silence. Minutes spaced between Garrus ruffling his snack.
'𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 2-4-5 𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚘 ᴇᴀsᴛ ᴢᴇɴɪᴛʜ ᴅʀɪᴠᴇ."
Complying wordlessly, he took their exit, leaving the highway almost as soon as they had entered, the towering megaliths giving way to more subdued, though no less opulent, surroundings.
But even then, the pristine facades and manicured landscapes gradually gave way to a less polished reality. They were guided through a maze of increasingly narrow roads, each turn taking them further from the city's gleaming heart.
"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚍."
The car slowed to a stop in an alley. A narrow passage that was a world away from the sublimity.
"This isn't what I had in mind." Garrus panned, eyes ahead with a tight lipped frown.
"This is exactly what I had in mind."
He turned off the car and they stepped out. Standing from his spot, door still open and hand atop the sill, he took in the armpit of Bekenstein where the shadows lengthened into the fading light, painting the worn buildings in muted hues. Nothing about the alley did Bekenstein's carefully cultivated image of perfection any favors.
Liara, omni-tool alight in a glow, eventually pointed to a door so unremarkable it almost seemed deliberate in its plainness. Only a small, weathered plaque was their evidence of being in the right place.
They appraoched together and Garrus rose a fist to knock.
"Howdy." The turian said in awful english.
The door opened, revealing an empty and white interior. At its center was a ringed platform with which to step on.
"Definitely being herded." Garrus rasped with a sigh before swallowing what was left of his resistance and stepping on.
A cone of light above, they were immersed in a holographic display revealing, at last, who'd been guiding them here.
"Dr. T'Soni." A voice greeted, "Mr. Vakarian."
A dying star dominating a vista and a sihouette at the fore, smoke curling lazily from a lit cigarette, the ember a pinprick against a backdrop. Eyes adjusting to the view, the figure resolved to that of a man, his presence as commanding as the show behind him.
The Illusive Man. His name preceeded the display.
"Let's be clear." The turian's face was tight with tension, "We're here to listen. Not to agree to whatever you've got planned."
"It would disappointing if it were any other way." The Illusive Man said with frank admiration.
"What do you want?"
"To discuss Shepard's future."
Liara's posture was the opposite of whatever Garrus' was. He stood tall and defiant. She, meek and mild.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked.
"—Whatever you're thinking," Garrus admonished before TIM could even offer a reply, "we won't allow you to desecrate his memory."
"Desecrate?" The Illusive Man's smile was disarming, "On the contrary. I intend to honor it in the most profound way possible. I plan on bringing him back."
Garrus didn't have lips to pinch between his teeth. So he did the turian equivalent. "...What?"
Liara too hitched onto the question.
"I'm not speaking in metaphoricals." The Illusive Man said, "I am prepared to revive Shepard."
Twenty seconds into this conversation and Garrus knew this man had lost it. His mind was already half a step away from this conversation, but Liara spoke.
"You're talking about an impossibility."
"I'm surprised to hear you use that word, Doctor. Improbable, yes. Challenging, certainly." A deep drag, ember burning red, "Not impossible. All we need to find is his body."
"To clone him." Garrus figured.
"No. Perhaps I'm not being clear," The Illusive Man said before mollifying, "We have the resources, budget, and motivation to bring back the very same mind, body, and soul of the man you knew. Shepard himself. Through and through."
"...Why?"
"The Commander knowingly, or unknowingly, has assembled a legacy. He is an icon. You cannot discredit the power that wields."
"Ah." Garrus was beginning to understand, "Bring Shepard back—Turn him into a Cerberus puppet—Take everything he built under your umbrella."
A sip of chilled bourbon. "You misunderstand our intentions, Mr. Vakarian. We don't want to control Shepard. We want to revive him. To give him a second chance at saving the galaxy."
"At what cost?" Liara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Respectfully, that isn't the right question to be asking. The true cost would the cost of inaction. The Reapers are still out there. The threat hasn't disappeared with Shepard's... absence." The Illusive Man leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Think about it. What would the Commander do if he knew he could make a difference?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. Garrus and Liara shared troubled glances.
Finally, The Illusive Man spoke again, his tone softer but no less persuasive. "It's a suggestion, Mr. Vakarian. There are no conditions. Bring Shepard to me and he'll walk again."
Garrus shook his head and tried to gauge a reaction out of the enigmatic man.
The lack of response from either of his guests allowed The Illusive Man to continue.
"Doctor T'Soni by now has already made a decision, I assume?" He turned to face the other holo of Liara.
She said nothing.
"Liara. This is Cerberus we're talking about here." Garrus said without a care that TIM could hear him, "Shepard wouldn't have wanted this. This is going against everything we've stood for."
The Illusive Man witheld and waited, a neutral stare penetrating them both. People always bickering about right and wrong. Worried about honor or ill-fated virtue.
There was a time and place for that. Not when it involved the reapers. None of that mattered. It was routinely coming at the expense of a much bigger picture.
TIM didn't intervene because that wouldn't be doing anyone, or their shared cause, any favors. His best bet was to let them hash it out and for him to sit quietly. But watching this was a lot like watching your kid ball their eyes out because they lost their middle-school sweetheart screaming their life was over. An exaggeration, TIM knew. But the feeling felt much the same, be it these two or his imagined child.
"You know it's true. The man's been spying on us. You think it's a coincidence we're all talking on such short notice after the fact?"
Liara remained silent and it was beginning to infuriate the turian. As a matter of fact, he knew all too well what she was doing; stalling herself from choosing what looked like an inevitability at this point. His gaze fell to the floor for a moment before looking back to The Illusive Man.
"How would you even get around to bringing him back?" Garrus asked.
"A lot of tech."
"...That's it? No one's ever brought back someone from being this dead, this long."
"It's not an academic limitation. It's a limitation of budget."
Garrus was, rightfully, unconvinced. "Ah."
"Vakarian. Your distrust isn't misplaced. I understand that our relationship has been nothing but bound by war." A small drag between his words, "I wouldn't invest a large portion of my resources rehabilitating his body just to put him up for ransom or alter his mind. I am not a wicked man. Nor are my methods. Every Cerberus cell you've bleached from the Milky Way were unbecoming of their conduct and operating outside the parameters of our organization. They were rogue. And their actions carried consequences; as evidenced by your borderline crusade."
"Mm."
"I don't folly with my words. I say what I mean. I will bring him back."
Garrus faced Liara again with a dark glare. "Any input? Or are you just going to keep staring at the floor?"
She still said nothing, so Garrus turned back to TIM.
"Do you really think you can do this?" He asked with a murmur.
"I do."
"Fair enough." Garrus remarked dismissively.
"We'll do it. We'll bring Shepard to you." Liara said, her eyes never leaving the floor.
Garrus said nothing and faced her with something that looked like a raised brow and glare.
Silence ensued. It was a pause long enough for Liara to feel a flash of sweat lick her neck.
"No." Was his eventual response. "...No."
"Garrus."
"No." He repeated a third time, his resolve growing, "I'm sorry. I'm not doing this. " His stare lingered on her. The staring contest continued and TIM watched silently; cigarette glowing hot from his deep inhale.
Through her eyes alone, she fought with Garrus to change his mind but it didn't work.
"Good luck to both of you. Keep me out of this."
"You're just going to leave me?"
"I'll be in the car." He said at length, "If you're going to work with them, I'm sure they can hook you up with a ride."
He stepped away from the holo and she was left alone. The Illusive Man stared on quietly for a moment before giving Liara a dip of the head, seeing that she had resigned herself to her decision.
"I'm sorry we weren't able to convince Vakarian. His absence will make this more difficult, but we can still manage without him."
"How?"
"We'll provide you with everything you need. We're going to link you up with a drell named Feron located currently on Omega. He'll help you."
"What would a drell have any interest in helping me capture Shepard's body?" her hands crossed her chest as she continued to listen.
"Feron worked for the Shadow broker. And we have compelling evidence that not only is the Shadow Broker interested in seizing his body, but the collectors as well. They may be working together."
Liara gulped. "—and how do we know that Feron isn't going to betray us?" Liara asked.
There was a smile smile from TIM. "When Feron discovered that the Shadow Broker was dealing with the collectors, he'd opted to join us. Naturally, the Shadow Broker doesn't take kindly to betrayal. His life depends on his cooperation."
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There was a gentle breeze and Tali woke to it. She hadn't moved from her cot, yet she lay there, staring up at the tent's ceiling, listening to the soothing gusts and soft snores of the other quarians sleeping.
The trek back from the mountaintop had been an unremarkable one. Neither Juel or Tali had said a single thing to each other since. Stacking crates into the late night until her back ached, she retired for the night to their accommodations to find some sleep.
No dream this time. No nightmare. No thought to haunt her. For now.
Her back still complained. The protesting bone and muscle was a nice distraction. She sat up. Carefully though as to not wake anyone. Slipping on her boots, she tip-toed to the tent's flap and went outside to meet the night sky and cool breeze.
It was blissfully beautiful. A night sky of deep blues and four bright moons that could dazzle eyes with their extraordinary hues of color. Whites and and reds and browns.
She searched for a tree. Which wasn't hard. They were everywhere. She picked one, one that was decently far from the settlement and sat at its trunk. Legs flat, and back against the bark, she sniffled and wrapped her arms against her chest to take it all in.
She imagined John sitting next to her. Enjoying the sight as he undoubtedly would. Share some stupid banter. Say some silly things. Hold each other's hand.
Only loneliness was here to keep her company.
"Hey." She said to loneliness.
It said nothing.
"I miss you, John."
She couldn't look up to enjoy the fruit the sky was trying to give her eyes anymore.
"You know I was thinking back. Back before we were a thing." She snickered, lost in memory, "Wish I'd grabbed myself by the balls and just tell you I was falling in love."
She laughed again a little at how idiotic that sounded but she didn't care. Nor did she care that she was talking to herself. It felt good.
"We had such the hots for each other. It was so obvious in hindsight. Why didn't you ask me out sooner, huh? How could you have been so nervous to have asked a lil' quarian like me out?"
Wind trickling through leaves gave her an answer.
"You have spared me no heartache, you bosh'tet. You stupid, wonderful man. You really know how to wring a girl's heart dry, don't you?" She voiced her jest aloud the same way she would have had he been sitting there right next to her. Her smile waned and she played with the dead leaves and dirt around her hands. A single leaf caught between a pinch was brought up to her face to inspect its shape and crinkled form.
"I miss you so much..."
She stared past that little leaf in her hands and back up to the heavens above.
She wanted to tell him thank you. Wanted to tell him that she was glad that she got to meet him. To know him. And to fall in love with him. A gust carried the leaf from her grasp, carrying it on a dance until it vanished from sight.
Something stayed her lips. It just... didn't feel right to say it. Not yet.
Knowing that the coming morning would have a lot for her to do, she stood, stretched into a wide yawn, and sauntered back into her tent to let sleep take her.
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Three days later.
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3-16-2184
[ ARTEMIS TAU SYSTEM | MIGRANT FLEET ]
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE: RESOURCE HARVEST
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Tali was alone for the moment.
So she spent her free time the best way she could. By lying down and bouncing her crossed legs in step with the music playing from her omni-tool. And since there wasn't anything interesting to look at, she stared blankly at the tent's tarp ceiling and watched the wavy gusts of wind that would flow gracefully against it.
She stared dumbly at that little spot on the ceiling, and for once, hadn't had a single thought pass through her troubled mind.
Nothing.
Zip.
Zero.
And Tali was fine with that. She didn't try and count the time that would pass by. That would ruin it. So she listened to the simple beats and the stringed instruments... the woodwinds and brassy notes that played delicately to her ears.
Eventually, she heard some footsteps and laughing right outside the tent.
"—me up and, Keelah, let me tell you, he almost had me right there, Hiva. Damn." Came Juel's muffled voice on the other side of the tarp wall.
"Juel, I'd love to hear more, but Olasie and Prazza told me their patrol needs help with packing some stuff up to their ship." Tali heard Hiva say to Juel.
"Speaking of that, when are we going?" Juel asked.
Hiva sighed, "Our group doesn't leave for another four hours."
"Four hours? Well..."
"Don't complain. Team six and eight don't leave 'til tomorrow."
"Oh."
"See you in four hours, Juel."
"Bye Hiva."
Juel moved the tarp covering aside and entered the tent.
"Oh, Tali. Hey."
"Hey." Tali said simply.
Juel went over to his cot, stuffed his bag of belongings under it, and sat down. "So. That's it. We're done. The ship's coming up to taxi people back to the Neema later today. Free time until then."
He picked up the book sitting on his pillow. "So what do you think? Of mining, I mean."
"Nothing to it." Tali said.
Juel guffawed. "Nothing to it. Right."
"Yup."
"Did you hear me and Hiva?"
"Four more hours until we get to go home." She answered with a nod.
"Any ideas then to occupy our time?"
"Not a clue." She said.
Juel shrugged and lay down on his own bed before opening up his paper book.
A minute passed by and neither of them said a thing.
Then an idea suddenly hit her. She'd forgotten all about the stuff she'd brought in her bag. With a little smile, she got up from her bed to the tent's flapping door.
Satisfied that there wasn't anyone near, she went back to her cot and reached for the satchel under it.
"Uh. What are you doing?" Juel gave Tali a bewildered look.
"So. Amazon had some great stuff on sale for Stak-Aids." She explained as she slipped two little parcels of vacuumed sealed meals into her hand, "Dextro-hamburger with gravy and noodles."
She tossed one to him and he caught it. He gave the thing a dumbfounded look and then it went up to her.
"Tali... here?" He skimmed over the label, "I mean, I'd love to? But I don't wanna get punched in the face over some noodles."
"No one is going to punch you in the face."
"You clearly don't know Olasie that well yet."
"Just eat it."
His fingers felt the morsels of meat sitting inside the pouch. "But they'll know." He looked petrified. "They'll find out."
"Juel," She snorted, "I didn't get it for you just so you can get second thoughts. Eat it."
"Pfft. Fine. But it's on you if the others walk in here and find out."
They both unwrap their tube, puncture the pouch, and slurp in a mouthful.
"This is—ugh this is good." Juel slurred.
While Tali did agree, her jaw already felt sore from chewing. She hadn't had anything solid like this since... well. Since the day the Normandy crashed on Ullipses.
"Jaw's aching already..." She gobbed, making no note that she'd been slapped with another uninviting memory.
"Same." He said as he scrounged for another morsel. She saw him sipping the gravy merrily, bouncing his knees while his eyes remain closed. It was an innocent thing to look at.
"Juel?" Tali whispered quietly to grab his attention, "Thanks. For being my friend." She held her pouch of what pretty much amounted to hamburger helper while she fumbled with her veil, "I don't know how anyone else could deal with me."
"You hand me a thirty-five credit meal, and thank me for being the good friend?"
"It's an apology for being a depressing asshole."
"I probably have the biggest one out of everyone here, believe me." He made a show of hands to give her an idea of its size, "'Bout this big. 'Bout this wide."
For the first time since John's death, a genuine laugh escaped her. A real one. Pure and unburdened.
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One day later.
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3-17-2184
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And like that, it was over. They returned to the Neema and with it, routine.
A small break during third shift, Tali secluded herself in the empty comfort of her room and decided, mindlessly, to pass time over the extranet.
Soon enough, and somewhat expectedly, Tali received an incoming call. They were beginning to exhibit a pattern. Times her aunt had penciled in as an effort to reconnect with her. She didn't bother with the effort to compose herself when she answered it.
"Hey Shala," Tali greeted with a tepid monotone as she half-heartedly tapped at her computer, not really expecting anything but the usual check-in, "How are you? You need something?"
"Well... I was calling again to see how you're fairing." Shala said, tone tinged with concern that Tali could feel even through their digital divide.
She had to stifle what was going to be a groan because she didn't want to betray the healing aura she'd been crafting with a proverbial shovel for the others. As much as it made her happy to know she had someone who cared, the calls and worries in itself was an awful reminder of the turmoil that often swirled around her. "I'm managing auntie. Really. I am."
Shala wasn't convinced. There was still too much nuance in Tali's tone. Which meant the act wasn't good enough to dissuade the concerns Shala held. It was a visible facade working as a pretense for normalcy. But Shala also knew that it wasn't wise to pry either. She didn't want to pry. She only wanted to help. And if leaving her alone was what Tali wanted in order to heal, it was a decision that she could respect.
"So," Shala decided on changing the subject entirely and gazed at Tali's image through her tablet. "Han got your request."
Tali stopped whatever it was she was doing and faced the webcam. "It went through?"
Shala's answer was soft. Almost hesitant. She wanted to know if Tali's was doing this for the good of the fleet or if it was just to find a distraction. Gerrel was doing this as a favor to her. He needed only those with an undistracted belief in their cause.
Then again, Shala never once had to second guess Tali's intentions. it's just that... broken hearts made you do stupid things. And Tali's heart was certainly a shattered one. "Of course it did. It's been approved. For both you and Juel."
"That's..." Tali's voice fell. There was relief, but at the same time, she felt this unsettling undertone of apprehension. She couldn't quite place where this feeling was coming from, but it suddenly felt hugely related to her not being able to recall if she'd even mentioned to Juel having signed both their names on. "That's good."
Why couldn't she remember? Why'd she send that email in the first place when it would've been smarter to have just asked him first? God, this headspace of hers was not firing on all cylinders.
Shala's response came after a mild pause. "You're scheduled for an assignment soon. Very soon, actually. Expect a call from Gerrel today to congratulate you on your acceptance."
"Thank you." Tali said with a whisper of gratitude, "I have to go now, auntie. Talk soon."
"Take care—" The screen blanked and Shala sighed, "...And be safe."
She rushed out of her room and took the ladder up in a hurry until she reached the right deck. Stepping off, she took a right. Then a left.
"Juel," Tali greeted, hands fidgeting anxiously when she saw him busily soldering away on some project of his, "Hey."
He glanced up at her then back down to his magnifying glass and solder. "Hey."
"I... I screwed up."
"Oh my." He mumbled his unconcerned mumble as he scoured the soldering tip of any excess, "Tali screwing up? That's not good. What'd you do?"
"I might've made a big decision without telling you."
He watched the filament melt into his circuit, tongue in his cheek. "...About?"
Her hands turned into a vice and she closed her eyes from the temper she was just about to burst. "Signing us both into Gerrel's Special Tasks Unit."
He had to stop himself from absolutely screwing up forty minutes worth of work on this little circuit board. "Excuse me?"
She tried to relieve him of his worry in a sputtered hurry. "We can go back and fix it! I can remove your name! Gerrel won't mind!"
"You didn't. You didn't just reenlist me into the marines. What did you do? Forge my signature? How's this all figure without me ever being present for paperwork?"
"Oh keelah," She tossed her head up at the ceiling and wrenched two fists over her face, "I screwed up. I was not in a good headspace when I did this."
"Yeah. Clearly. When were you going to surprise me with this?" He croaked a sigh and perched an elbow on the armrest so he could rub his forehead.
She shrunk under his upset face and slumped into a chair. "I don't know why I forgot. I swear I was going to. There's no paperwork to do because it was an informal request through email."
"Perks of an admiral's daughter, I guess."
"That makes it just as easy to pull your name off. I can do it."
He crossed his arms and thought. "Hm."
"Juel, I—"
He held up a hand, expression hard, but maybe even a little soft at the same time. "Tali, let me just... let me say this, okay? You decided for both of us and did it without a word to me. It's not even about reenlisting or—"
"—It's not a reenlistment," Tali protested without any conviction because she knew the defense was a meager one that held no water.
"—Special ops, whatever. It's about communication."
She nodded silently and absorbed the disappointment like a blow.
"I get it. I totally get it. I told you I know what you're going through. You're not always present for everything."
"If you want out, I'll make it right. Let me draft a new email," She said, her arm enshrining in light, "I can send it now and then call him and pull your name."
"Just... just wait."
"You don't need to tell me I screwed up anymore." She couldn't meet his eyes, "I get it. I messed up."
He stared at her, both concern and pity etched into a single expression. "That's not what I wanted to say."
"Then what?"
"That I'm game for it. I'll stay and do it with you."
"Juel..." She breathed, "I don't want you doing this because you feel bad for me. That's pitiful. I can take the hit. I can handle it. I can fix it. You just have to say so."
He read her body and face, the parts that he could make out underneath the glass, and pursed his lips into what amounted to a grimace. This woman was a fat mess. He hadn't known her long and knew that the experiences she'd been through during her pilgrimage was coloring him a picture that wasn't truly her character. He knew, deep down, that whoever Tali was was not what he was routinely experiencing now. It had to be. These kinds of simple mistakes were ones from people who were either stupid as fuck or were dealing with a lot of unsettled turmoil.
Tali was definitely not stupid as fuck, that much he was certain. Which meant it was the trauma and depression that was influencing these kinds of decisions. And for that, he could absolutely forgive her. And maybe, just maybe, it'd be a little fun. A good change of pace. He wasn't really inclined to start seeing combat if it came down to it, but he bet nuts to bolts, that it was going to be more fulfilling than splicing wires or searching for mineral deposits in rocks. It sounded kind of nice.
That and Olasie had been egging him on to join now for nearly a year anyway. She'd probably be ecstatic if nothing else.
"Just count me in. But Tali? No more decisions in the dark, okay?"
"I promise."
"So what of all this?" He said, gesturing to all the junk in their lab, "How long are we going to be on these odd jobs?"
"A few weeks at a time. That was what I figured. It'll be here waiting when we're back."
"Combat?"
"Sparse." She said, "I can't promise we won't ever cross a skirmish."
"What made you want to join Gerrel's goon squad? He runs his people pretty tight."
"I don't want to be stuck up here. I like the Neema. I do. But it just isn't for me to stay in one place for too long. I can't do it anymore."
"I see."
"It's going to be like a vacation, Juel."
The scoff he gave Tali reminded her of Garrus.
"A vacation." He repeated as he pat the imaginary dust from his arms, "You've got a weird idea of what's supposed to pass as a vacation."
"You know what I mean."
"How soon should I expect an email from Gerrel's STU?" He finally turned back around to his circuits and lost the drive to finish this thing. He unplugged the solder and waited for her answer.
"Apparently an assignment's landing later today."
"Suppose I should make some quick preparations then." He said, clasping his hands together.
The awkward silence between them was a little stifling.
"Juel... I'm sorry."
He shrugged as best he could and made his way to the door while stepping backward to maintain eye contact, "Since I'm so broke, you can make up for it by getting me not one, but two of those hamburger things. Then we'll call it even. Your penance."
He gave her some finger guns and vanished into the corridor.
Alone, she cradled her head with her hands, scowled, and felt her lower lip tremble. Regret. Vulnerability. Stupidity. The self-reproach made her sad and just plain angry.
"What is wrong with me. What is wrong with me. Why can't I just... get it right."
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Solid Food Consumption Among Quarians
Quarians, due to the necessity of remaining within their environmental suits, have developed specialized methods for consuming nutrients, particularly animal proteins, which can be ingested in two primary forms.
Op-Aid-9| NM-10 (Oral Paste Aide-Version 9 | Nutrient Meal-Version 10)
A diluted blend resembling a pasty material, this form is designed for ease of consumption without the need to remove any part of the environmental suit. Op-Aids and NM-10s serve as a staple for delivering essential nutrients efficiently.
SM-10 (Solid Meal - Version 10)
For those quarians seeking the experience of consuming solid food, SM-10 offers a solution. Encased in a dual-layered, vacuum-sealed packet, SM-10 consists of solid proteins surrounded by a sterilizing gel. This gel, while edible, is noted for its sour and pungent taste. The packaging design ensures that, in the event of a breach, the risk of contamination is minimized, safeguarding the consumer's health.
Specialized Utensils: StaK-Aid-4
To facilitate the consumption of an SM-10, quarians employ the StaK-Aid-4 (Solid Texture Adaptation Kit and Adaptive Ingestion Device, Model 4). This apparatus features a wider hose to accommodate solid food morsels, secured within a dual-layered, vacuum-sealed packet. An optional dried layer of sterilizing gel within the tube offers an additional layer of protection against contamination.
Distinct from the Basic Oral Paste-Aid (OP-Aid), the StaK-Aid-4 is engineered specifically for solid food consumption, allowing quarians the sensory experience of eating solid foods safely within the confines of their environmental suits.
Instructions for Use:
Carefully peel and remove the packet top along the perforated line. Firmly hold the packet with both hands and open the secondary bag to access the utensil. Attach the bottom piece of the hose to the SM-10 meal packet, ensuring a quick puncture to establish the connection. Connect the top piece of the hose to the helmet's Food Port Adapter (Port Design AeGhore-67L recommended). Enjoy your meal in safety and comfort.
Warning: Users should inspect the puncture seal for integrity before use. If the seal shows any signs of damage or if the packet has been compromised by external substances, do not consume. Using a contaminated packet can result in severe illness. Extreme caution is advised.
Through innovations like the StaK-Aid-4, quarians can enjoy a broader range of food textures and flavors, enriching their dietary experience while maintaining the strict safety protocols necessitated by their life in environmental suits.
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Diagram of StaK-Aid-4 Utensil Packet:
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ＳｔａＫ-Ａｉｄ-４ ＵＴＥＮＳＩＬ ＰＡＣＫＥＴ
Held within:
-Puncture Sealed Connector Duct
-SudMint Teeth Cleaner
-Antibiotic Adapter
WARNING: IF PUNCTURE SEAL IS BROKEN IN ANY WAY SHAPE
OR FORM PRIOR TO USE, DO NOT USE. INNER
LINING OF TUBE CONTAINS EMBUTEROLIN GEL.
CHECK ENTIRE SEAL BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
DO NOT USE IF CONTAMINATED BY OUTSIDE
SUBSTANCE. IF PACKET IS INFECTED, SEVERE SICKNESS CAN
OCCUR IF USED. ADVISE EXTREME CAUTION.
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Instructions:
-Peel and remove packet top at the perforated line.
-Hold the Packet Firmly with Both Hands.
-Open the Second bag (Labeled) to reveal Utensil.
-Connect -BOTTOM- piece of Hosing to SM-10 meal ONLY. *Puncture quickly.
-Connect -TOP- Piece of Hosing to Helmet Food Port Adapter. (Port Design AeGhore-67L Recommended but is universal)
-Enjoy!