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CHAPTER 11
2-07-2186
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It wasn't long before Miranda and Jacob were in the Normandy's lift to take them down to the cargo bay.
And while they both weren't ecstatic about the quarians John brought with him, Jacob was the only one who'd expressed his discomfort.
"Our luck." Jacob muttered.
Miranda slipped in one small smile. "I know, Jacob. It's bad." She said with a sigh.
Jacob chuckled. "What're you expecting will happen?"
"What else." Miranda answered plainly when the lift stopped and the doors opened.
"Let me go first, Miranda." Jacob insisted, "You aren't exactly the most finesse person on the ship when it comes to making amends."
"—or establishing relationships, apparently." Miranda sighed before falling in line behind Jacob and giving him the go.
He nodded his thanks and went up the Kodiak while watching Garrus step out.
With John.
And his three quarians.
"Like it so far?" Garrus said, holding his hands up to parade the cargo bay's size to the guests he brought.
"We just got here Garrus." John said.
The first thing Tali noticed when she stepped out of the Kodiak was the Normandy's fluorescent lighting.
And it reminded her nothing of the old Normandy.
"...It's… definitely brighter." Tali said immediately as she graced the walls around her with a snooping stare. When she finished her full roundabout, her stare fell immediately on the black man approaching them and the woman behind him.
Tali's temper flared and she flexed her hands tightly into fists.
Did they really have to see them so soon?
John, Olasie, and Juel still hadn't finished their own quick skimming before realizing who was walking up to them.
"Right on time." Garrus noticed before giving the two operatives a single nod, "I see you've come for the welcome party."
"Glad you came back with the right stuff." Jacob said with his pearly smile as he greeted the turian.
Garrus just nodded his thanks and gestured toward the group of newcomers.
John gave the man an awkward stare while Olasie couldn't help but fume at him.
Matter of fact, all three of the quarians were fuming at the man.
And Miranda.
"Not exactly sure if you remember, Mr. Jacob." Olasie spat before putting all her weight on one foot and crossing her arms, "But I'm Olasie. We exchanged pleasantries on Freedom's Progress."
John couldn't help but bite the tip of his tongue and clench his teeth.
He was afraid this was going to happen.
John glanced at Tali, and, from what he could tell (just by her body language alone), told him she was actually looking forward to seeing if Jacob would squirm a little.
Jacob's smile waned slightly.
"Yes… I remember perfectly, ma'am."
"Hmph."
"I understand, very completely, why you dislike me." Jacob admitted before frowning, "And I know it doesn't mean much, but I have no ill will against the quarians. None. And what Cerberus did to your people was evil and wrong."
Miranda rose an eyebrow, but kept her lips shut and let Jacob have the stage. He said he was going to handle it, and by god, she was going to let him.
Olasie's standoffish attitude eroded just slightly and she slouched a little.
But Juel didn't.
"Words don't mean much to the dead." Juel intoned very evenly. Tali positively smiled at Juel's well-put-out remark.
"I know." Jacob admitted immediately, "And that's why I'm not excusing Cerberus' actions."
Juel didn't bother replying and Jacob took the hint.
"Look," Jacob began, "I don't know what kind of relationship we're all going to have together in the future, but I'm looking forward to working with all of you on Haestrom if it means anything."
Jacob finally laid his eyes on John.
"Commander." He nodded.
"Jacob." John replied, "How pissed was your boss when you had to tell him I left you guys?"
"Fairly." Miranda interrupted.
"I'll tell him I'm sorry, if that matters." John replied, casting her a quick and blank stare.
Garrus had been staring between them all and twiddled his thumbs rather anxiously the entire time.
And since nobody else was talking anymore, Garrus decided it be best to finally intervene.
"So. It's by order that all privileges and responsibility of the Normandy be handed solely over to Shepard's immediate oversee, effective immediately."
All three of the quarians nodded happily at that, including John and Jacob.
"Sounds about right." Jacob agreed.
Olasie tilted her head up and noticed someone staring at them from a floor above. She gave the person an odd look. "Uhm... who is that?"
Garrus glanced behind him to get a look himself before turning back around and thumbing the windows on the engineering floor that spanned its main hall. "There, the classy lady staring at you right above us, is Subject Zero. She likes to be called Jack."
Tali looked up, as did the others, and stared at the… bald human female with tattoos lining her entire body.
Tali couldn't help but stare oddly at her boobs also.
"Eh… any… reason why she's topless at the moment?" Tali mentioned to add, still staring at Jack and her completely bare breasts, "Isn't that—I don't know—frowned upon for humans?"
John stepped up next to her and stared at the strange looking woman. "Uh… generally, yes." John said with a raised eyebrow as he nodded absently to Tali's comment.
When Jack finally realized everyone from the lower deck was staring at her, and sensing they were ogling her because her boobs were out in the open, she cupped her breasts to show them off and mouthed, "they're just tits, ladies and gents," before rolling her eyes and walking off back to her hidey-hole.
"So what she, uh… what she doing here?" John decided to ask.
"She's a biotic." Garrus answered after watching her walk off, "Best one I've ever seen at that. I'll tell you more about her later."
"She looks like a criminal." Juel hesitated to say.
"How'd you guess?" Garrus hastily added with a smile, "She's crazy."
"She going to be a problem?" Shepard said with a confused expression.
"Unknown." Miranda said with a blank stare.
"Right." John nodded with a smile that was anything but happy, "First impressions guys. They're important."
Jacob didn't do a good job of hiding the look of embarrassment on his face.
"Mrs. Lawson," Garrus turned to her, "Is it possible we have Mordin come down and give both Olasie and Juel a tour of the Normandy? I have to go up and talk to Tali and Shepard."
"Of course." Miranda said before turning on a heel and heading to the elevator.
"I'll go with her. Give you guys some space." Jacob said before following her.
And just like that, they left, and the group was left alone.
"Let's just make one little rule, okay?" Garrus addressed with his back still facing them all, "Let's all get along and not cause any more drama than the ship already has."
"He's right." John agreed reluctantly, "If we want this ship to be anything like the original, we can't incite anything anymore than what's necessary. Cerberus garbage or not."
They all nodded and didn't bother with saying anything.
"Can you tell us a little about this… Mordin?" John asked as he faced Garrus.
"Interesting man. Former STG. Biologist who'd been involved with handling the Genophage."
"What's he working on exactly?"
"Not something I can explain without lecturing you."
"It'll be another few minutes before he comes down the elevator… I think we've got time." Tali said.
Garrus caved in and shrugged. "Fine." He grumbled, "How intact is your memory, Shepard?"
"Pretty intact so far… haven't had any issues. At least, from what I can remember." John joked.
"Funny." Garrus said as he shook his head, "But we all remember Ullipses. Right?"
John's smile fell off his face.
Tali's too.
"Yes. We do." Tali nodded stiffly.
Garrus' mandibles pressed into his face to frown. "Remember, Tali, when we woke up alone on the Normandy, with all the crew gone?"
Tali shuddered. "Yes."
"Turns out they used these… little drones. Millions of them apparently. And they swoop in giant waves toward their target and inject some kind of paralytic into you with several microscopic needles on their asses."
"You'd make a great teacher, Garrus." John managed to say with a tired grin, "I'm imagining Mordin told you all this?"
"Yeah."
"That doesn't explain how we all woke up without any recollection of what happened though." Tali mentioned.
"Mordin doesn't know why either. He guessed the drones inject something to make you forget too."
John shook his head as his eyes glazed over in memory. "You know, the last thing I remember then, before waking up on the collector ship… was driving on my way back from a patrol in the Mako." John said, "And… that was it."
"I was taking a nap at my post while Garrus took his turn to stay watch." Tali said with the shake of her head, "That's what I remembered."
"And the last thing I remembered was thinking about whether or not to write something on your visor with that marker." Garrus panned with a smile.
John laughed. "God, I forgot all about that."
Tali rolled her eyes at both of them. "Bosh'tet."
"I feel so out of the loop." Juel butted in. Olasie couldn't help but nod and agree with Juel.
"Ah, you didn't miss out on much." John said as he shook his head, "I mean, we laugh at it now… but it was hell then."
Tali and Garrus nodded.
John turned back to Garrus. "When all of us were back on Freedom's Progress, there was a quarian there. Only one guy left in the whole city. Showed us the drones you just mentioned with some security footage he'd pieced together."
Tali nodded and spoke. "John and I guessed it was the little drones that were responsible for all that."
"You guys are talking about Veetor." Garrus said.
Tali eyebrows scrunched up. "What? How'd you know his name?"
"Cerberus gave the data you handed over to Mordin. Then Mordin gave everyone on the Normandy a seminar of his studies and research he'd been doing since he joined us. Mentioned Veetor as a reference in his bibliography."
"You still haven't answered the question yet, though." Tali hastened to add, "What did he learn?"
"A lot, actually. He's working on a countermeasure to prevent any of that from happening again."
"That's good." John nodded, "Because there's nothing stopping them from doing it again."
"Which makes them impossible to fight right now." Garrus agreed, "So, until then, all we're doing is recruiting people to help us along the way."
"There's a lot hinging on one thing." Juel worried, "What if he never finds it?"
"It's not an option." Garrus said as he faced him before shaking his head, "He either synthesizes the countermeasure or we all go home."
The elevator doors opened, and out popped a salarian with a mug of hot tea in hand as he ruffled through one of the pockets in his lab coat, all while he held a conversation with EDI.
"Genetic locus full of ad hoc, EDI. Alleles, product RNA, phenotypic traits, DNA; all synthesized…" Mordin took a breath, "Synthetic organism. Must be. Very clear collector drone organic machine."
"Understood, Mr. Solus." EDI agreed in a more VI'ish tone since she hadn't been introduced to her new guests and captain yet, "I will continue culture sampling and report to you when it is completed."
"Mordin." Garrus greeted when Mordin took a moment to sip his tea, "glad you could come down here."
"Of course." Mordin smiled when finally found what he was looking for, "Here to serve."
Mordin turned to face the commander before blinking. "Commander Shepard. Glad to have you aboard. Look forward to working with you."
John extended a hand. "Likewise, Dr. Solus. Haven't been told much, but I'm impressed with what I've been informed of so far."
Mordin took the hand and smiled. "Still have much to do, however. Please hold applause though. Should be for after I create counter-measure."
John laughed. He could tell right off the bat that he and Mordin would get along well.
And it looked like he had a sense of humor.
Everyone liked that.
Mordin then turned to the three quarians. "This must be Tali'Zorah." He bowed his head slightly, "Honor to meet you."
Tali immediately went up to the man and they exchanged handshakes. "The honor is mine, doctor. I'm glad you're on the Normandy."
"Likewise." He said before taking another sip of his tea and stepping a little closer to the last two guests, "Apologize for not knowing your names; Tali'Zorah and Commander Shepard understandably more famous."
"Not a problem, Doctor." Juel intoned with a slight smile, "Juel'Kaan with my friend here, Olasie'Venn. We're friends of Tali and John."
"Hi." Olasie greeted.
"Shall we?" Mordin said as he turned back to the elevator, "Would love to start at lab and work way down."
"Wherever is best for you, Doc." Juel said as both the quarians follow him into the elevator.
Olasie waved both John and Tali goodbye before the doors closed on them to bring them up to the Normandy's CIC.
"And then there were three." Garrus said as he faced John and Tali.
"Where we going?" John wondered.
"Up to your room." Garrus answered, "Or, should I say, both your guys' room?"
"I don't mind that. Do you Tali?"
Tali shook her head. "Nope. Don't mind at all."
"Good." Garrus conceded.
They all stepped next to the elevator and waited. When it came down to pick them up, Garrus went in with both John and Tali and pressed the button to take them up to the Captain's quarters.
"Remember, I got presents for you guys when we finally get to your room." Garrus started, "And they're good ones."
Tali leaned back on the elevator's railing. "What is it?"
"You'll find out."
"How's management been doing since I wasn't here?" John decided to ask.
"Miranda's been the acting captain in your place." Garrus explained, "And she's been doing surprisingly well. I don't have any complaints. She gets the job done."
But then Garrus sighed. "However, she doesn't exactly have the same… tact as you do."
"How so?"
"Well…" Garrus shrugged, "She's not the one to go to when you want to spark up a conversation… or even develop a relationship outside of something professional."
"She's a textbook, Garrus." John said before shrugging himself, "It's hard to see her any other way."
The three finally arrived at John and Tali's new cabin.
"Here we are." Garrus said as they all step out.
"Kinda small up here…" John observed as they step into a foyer of some kind.
"That's because the only thing up here is your living quarters."
"I was actually expecting the quarters to be on the crew deck…" Tali murmured.
Garrus finally opened the door to their room. "You're special. In the good way."
John bristled at the living space. "Oh— Garrus," He stared boggle eyed at all of the eccentricities, "I feel like I'm some kind of… of—"
"—Space King? Yeah." Garrus confessed, "But you have to admit, it's certainly an upgrade from the SR1."
Tali didn't muster enough energy to say anything. So she stared at the aquarium full of fish before laying her eyes on their new desk and, more importantly, their new bed.
California King Size.
Nice.
"Plus, you did save the Galaxy." Garrus continued, "Think it's fair, given the circumstances."
Tali looked around. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Sliding door right behind the desk." Garrus said as he stepped near the door to open it, "You've got everything you need here now. No need to shower with us simpletons anymore like you did with the old Normandy."
John scoffed. "This is… a lot to take in." He finally breathed.
"That's not all. I've got something else." Garrus walked over to John's dresser and retrieved a cardboard box.
"I believe this stuff is yours, Tali."
He handed it to her.
She gave the turian in front of her a cursory glance before accepting the large parcel and setting it on the desk.
"Should I open it?"
Garrus nodded. "Yes."
She opened it and gasped.
She reached in and took out the shotgun resting inside. "This… it's my old shotgun. One of my old spare ones."
"My god." John said disbelievingly before crossing his arms, "That's the same stuff you left on the ship that rescued us on Ullipses."
"Yup," Garrus nodded, "along with a thermal bandolier."
"But…" Tali shook her head, "I'm pretty sure I put something else in here."
"You mean your medals." Garrus supplied as he opened up a drawer on John's desk to retrieve them, "They're right here."
John immediately walked up next to Garrus and shook his head in amazement.
"Keelah…" Tali whispered as she took the Medal from Garrus' hand. Just as she remembered it. The Citadel Coalition's Star Of Valor. It showcased the Citadel's insignia cradled in the embrace of a five-pointed celestial star. "...never expected to see these again."
"Wish you would have rescued mine." Garrus panned with a laugh.
Both John and Tali rolled their eyes.
John reached for his Medal of Honor and gave it a long gaze before shaking his head lightly and setting it back down on the desk. He had completely forgotten about earning that. Which was, maybe, in its own right, a little disrespectful to all the folks who'd been awarded such a prestigious distinction in the past.
But maybe the feeling wasn't too far off, judging by how wide Tali's eyes were at the moment.
"Here's your last surprise, Tali. At least before you see the Normandy's engines." Garrus mumbled as he pulled out a chocolate bar out of his pocket, "For you. It's apology candy."
He gently handed it to her. When she accepted the bar of turian chocolate, she cocked her head to the side and set her medal back down on their desk.
"What for, Garrus?"
"You know why." Garrus replied quietly without even having the courage to look her in the eye, "…Because of Liara and I not telling you John was coming back."
Tali's heart sank.
Lifeless silence between the three quickly followed after.
"Garrus…" Tali whispered as she shook her head, "…It's okay…"
The turian shook his own head sharply at her. "No. No it's not. What we did was wrong." He argued, "Very. Very. Wrong. And you had every right to know what was going on."
She stared at the bar of chocolate for a long moment and felt two years' worth of pain she'd endured from losing John in under a second.
She did have every right to know.
She should have known.
And what they did was unspeakably wrong.
She should have hated them both. More so to Liara than him, considering Liara had forced Garrus into promising that he'd keep his mouth shut to keep anything regarding John away from her.
But staring at this bar of chocolate, with its paper wrapper and silver foil, was, in a weird kind of way, a sense of symbolism.
A symbol for Garrus' mistake and his aim to recompense the suffering Tali's grief had procured upon her.
And she supposed Garrus was hoping she'd see that.
Fortunately enough, she did.
For as much pain and hopelessness she'd experienced over the years of John's death, it wouldn't bring her to actually hate them for anything longer than, maybe a year.
Two for Liara's case.
But still.
"I know it doesn't mean much…" Garrus rasped disappointedly to himself as he stared at the floor, "But I want you to know that I did care. And that it ate me up inside. A lot."
Tali kept staring at the chocolate.
Seeing as how Tali wasn't replying, John decided to speak up and save them all from another episode of silence.
"It's the thought that counts, Garrus." John said as he stepped next to Tali before clasping the turian on the shoulder, "Definitely the thought that counts."
Garrus still didn't look happy with himself. "Thanks Shepard. I guess I'll leave you two to be. Take your time and… talk things out. I'll be down in CIC in the meantime."
"Garrus?" Tali finally said aloud, looking up from the candy to him, "Thank you."
She even had the courage to smile at the turian before slipping the bar into a pocket, "It means a lot. Really."
Garrus finally let go of the imaginary breath he was holding and nodded to her. "You're welcome, Tali."
"I'll see you around?"
"Absolutely. Engineering is on the third deck, Chief Engineer. Whenever you're ready, ma'am."
Garrus nodded to them both before turning on his heel and walking out to leave them alone.
When the door closed behind him, both Tali and John stared out into their new quarters.
"Well…" John said finally, "What do you think?"
"Homey." Tali whispered as she wrapped an arm around his waist, "Definitely homey."
John smiled. "It won't be like the old Normandy… but I think we can make it pretty close." John said with a sigh, "All we need is Wrex and Ash."
"We can certainly try." Tali agreed.
He stepped down toward his bed before glancing at the lounge area.
"Wow, Tals…" He breathed, "This place is really something else."
"It's no Vista Cova," Tali jested by leaning up next to him, "But it'll do."
"Surprised you're not already on your way down to see the engines." John said before smiling at her.
"Well, I mean, I'm still new here. Kind of a little wary of the idea of wandering around by myself."
"Oh, Tali." He laughed, "You're a big girl now. Cerberus vessel or not."
"This is different, John," she pouted, "Would you care to join me when I do though?"
"Maybe after I change into some fatigues… that okay?"
Tali nodded. "Oh. Right. That'd probably be more comfortable."
He went over to the dresser and started rifling through its contents.
Seeing as how there wasn't anything better to do, Tali sat down on the sofa and decided she'd watch him take off his armor.
He popped off the seal on his gauntlets before unclasping the neck seal. "Appreciating the view?" he smiled.
"Mhmm…" She garbled with a lopsided grin, "Never gets old."
"It's been two weeks since I've been able to lift weights." John added as he finally got around to unlocking the clasps on his grieves, "Hoping they've got a proper gym we'll be able to use."
"Put it to good use." Tali said as she leaned farther back before putting both her hands behind her head to web her fingers together, "…Bend over a little bit."
He gave her a crooked looking expression. "…What?"
Her smile grew two sizes. "You heard me. Bend over a little bit. I wanna see your butt."
He scoffed at her and relented before comically showing himself off. "Like what you see?"
"Oh yes…" She nodded, "I do…"
"I feel like a stripper."
"Mmm… roleplay." Tali said as she bit her lip guiltlessly before laughing at her own stupid joke.
John couldn't wipe the smile off his face and he laughed. "I love you Tals."
"I love you too, John."
John immediately frowned. "Ah." John started massaging his forehead, Tali's joke making him think of something, "This room's probably bugged."
"Let them see." Tali shrugged as she stared casually at the ceiling for some kind of camera, "I couldn't care less if they want to watch our life."
His shoulders sagged and he put on a shirt before walking over and sitting down next to her.
"I'm sorry we even have to consider something like that here." John sighed, "I don't have to think very far to imagine our cabin's bugged."
"It probably is." Tali said as she gave the room another cursory glance, "We'll find them. And we'll destroy them."
He smiled and put an arm around her. "That's what I wanna hear."
"But until then, they're going to have to be repulsed by our relationship." Tali mused, "And I'm hoping it makes them absolutely nauseous."
"We can hope." He finished before finding a pair of boots and pants and putting them on.
"Ready whenever you are, Tali."
"I'm actually excited."
"I bet."
They leave their room and go to the elevator. While they waited for the lift to pick them up, John crossed his arms and started thinking.
"How long before we get to Haestrom?"
"Thirty-six hours, fourteen minutes." Tali checked on her timer, "Plenty of time to get up to speed with everyone on the Normandy."
"After we see the engines, maybe we should go and visit Joker. And then Chakwas."
Tali nodded. "That would be a good idea."
John bit his lower lip. "…Think we'll get paid?"
"What do you mean?"
"Think Cerberus is going to give everyone we pick up a paycheck?"
"I'd hope so." Tali said as she thought about it herself, "But… isn't that accepting, like, blood money pretty much?"
John shrugged. "I have no idea."
"It doesn't matter." Tali shrugged herself when the elevator finally arrived, "I'm doing this for you and the people getting taken from their homes, and because the collectors could be working for the reapers." She added with finality, "Nothing more."
They stepped inside and he gave her a nod. "We're on the same boat then."
When the door closed behind them, the elevator's PA clicked on. "Is there a specific level you wish to go to, Commander?"
Both Tali and John look up at the speaker.
"Ah. I heard you speaking with Dr. Solus just earlier." John said, "You're the ship's VI, correct?"
"No." The voice answered factually, "I am EDI; The Normandy's Artificial Intelligence."
Tali didn't say anything.
So John gave her a long sideways glance. A timid one.
She took in a long and unsteady breath before closing her eyes and channeling whatever was left of her patience into focus.
"…EDI." She said as evenly as possible, "That must mean something, correct?"
"Yes, Tali'Zorah." EDI replied, apparently unaware of the quarian's well-kept rage, "It's a phonetic pronunciation of E-D-I. Enhanced Defense Intelligence."
Whatever happy mood Tali was in just moments before was gone. Like, completely.
"You must be aware of the quarians'… animosity toward artificial intelligence, yes?"
"Yes." EDI answered, "I have categorized and logged thirty two thousand instances, essays, and opinions of quarians and their relationship to the geth via the extranet as you entered the hangar. As a precaution, I waited to introduce myself formally, in the company of Commander Shepard, to alleviate any concerns you may have. Do you have any queries?"
"…Queries?" Tali bristled before turning to John and forcing a laugh, "Queries."
EDI didn't say anything.
And John didn't know what to say either. Or even what to show on his blank face. So he did the only thing he could do. Work his mouth without a thing to say and shrug apologetically at her.
"What did you learn on the extranet." Tali asked, turning back to face the camera in the elevator.
"First search inquiries comprised mostly of the quarians' progressive lineage of AI, social studies, and history. Due to the second to most recent AI/VI Proclamation Act of 1723 and its laws governing VI and AI in the past, the geth were labeled as VI until the quarian exile of their homeworld in 1892 and their eviction of the entire Perseus Veil by 1895. A galactic poll, titled: "A.I. and a philosophical belief", was conducted, based on age, sex, and race, twenty five years after their exile. Ninety-nine point seven percent of quarian participants viewed the existence of A.I. with hostility. Ninety-eight point six percent believed it to be at least a precursor to inevitable conflict. All logical given the events of the time."
"Still logical," Tali intercepted as she crossed her arms, "given the events of our time."
"Correct." EDI agreed, "The Raid of Eden Prime by the geth, allied by both Saren Arterius and Sovereign, do help support the allegation that A.I. will always be in conflict with organics."
"Allegations?" Tali spat with a harmonic rumble of anger, "Is that what we call it?"
"I did not mean to offend," EDI supplied with what had to have been a slight hint of apology in the AI's tone, "Nor do I intend to incite. I just wish to understand more."
"Here's what you need to understand," Tali said slowly, "There's a very important number in my society. Seventeen. Million. That number is the population of my entire. species. Tell me the pre-war population numbers of my people before our exile."
"Forty three billion."
"That's right." She whispered, "Forty three billion. When we left the Perseus Veil, EDI, we left with a humble number of fourteen million survivors. Less than one percent of who we were. It was genocide. In every way, the geth ended us." She shook her head and felt her teeth grind against each-other as a tear of hate welled in her eye, "They aren't allegations, EDI. They are facts. Do not mistake the two. Ever. Do you understand?"
Several seconds passed, which, as everyone knew, was an eternity for an artificial intelligence. Eventually, EDI finally replied.
"Yes, Ms. Zorah."
"I cannot believe Cerberus thought you were a good idea." Tali growled, "Actually, I can. It isn't hard at all."
Shepard stared at Tali with an unhappy look on his face before biting his lip and shaking his head. "EDI, take us to the engineering deck. And… don't introduce yourself to Juel and Olasie. At least for now."
"Yes, Commander." EDI replied, "Logging you out."
The elevator began its descent and Tali neatly flattened out her realk as she tried to make sense of it all.
"Don't say anything John, it isn't necessary."
He closed his mouth and relented. "Okay."
"I'm fine." Tali said anyways to try and reassure him, "It's just… Keelah, John. I can't even."
"We'll worry about it later. Don't get too caught up in it right now."
"How can I? There's an AI on this ship."
"We'll delve more into it later. Believe me. We will."
"What do you think of it? About having it with us? On the ship?"
"…I don't know." John answered truthfully, "It doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable, but Cerberus isn't stupid. There must be fail safes or blocks in place to prevent EDI from doing anything that could jeopardize us or the crew."
She sighed. "It's the principle."
"We both know they don't work on principle." He breathed before placing his hands on his hips when the elevator doors opened.
"But you do." Tali said, neither of them stepping out of the elevator, "And what's your say about it? You're the captain now."
"Tali," He took a deep breath, "I don't know."
Tali suddenly felt… disappointed.
"I thought you of all people would understand." She murmured before looking at the floor.
"I do."
"Then do something about it." She said before looking back at him, "Get rid of it."
"…I haven't seen enough to make that decision yet."
She took a step toward him.
"Have the geth taught us nothing?"
John grimaced and severed eye contact with her before putting his hands on his hips again.
"We don't even know anything about them either. Even after all the time we've spent fighting them." John argued as delicately as possible before placing both his hands on her shoulders, "For all we know, the geth could have been forced to work with the reapers the same way Saren was. Indoctrination maybe. Just for machines."
Tali took a breath and took in what he had to say.
It's not like she hadn't thought of that before. The geth falling under the whim of what seemed to be an infinitely more superior machine. But hearing it? It just felt… different. She couldn't really put her finger on what it was.
Irrational anger?
Rational anger?
Fear even?
She sighed. "…I don't like it John."
"I know." He drew her in for a hug, "We'll cross that road when we need to. Come on. Let's go see that engine."
"You really think that's going to cheer me up. Don't you."
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to try." John replied with a small grin, "Plus. This'll be a great time to meet your new team."
They walk into engineering and they first thing they walk into is EDI discussing something with both the Normandy's engineers.
Tali couldn't help but grind her teeth at the chilling voice.
"—Of course, Ms. Daniels."
"Thanks EDI."
"Logging you out, Ms. Daniels."
Gabriella Daniels turned to Kenneth Donnelly. "You were right. I can't believe it."
"I'm always right." Kenneth said before hastening his smile with unneeded ego.
She rolled her eyes and suddenly caught wind of John and Tali behind them before losing her breath and finally working her brain enough to salute him.
"C—Commander Shepard!"
Donnelly finally turned around himself and sipped his coffee before giving the man a casual salute himself.
"Wow. Commander Shepard in the flesh." Ken exclaimed before setting down his mug and nudging Daniels' shoulder. "Told you he'd come an' see us!"
He then faced Tali and smiled brightly at her. "And who might this youngin' be?"
"My name's Tali." She replied with a small, partly forced grin (Only because of EDI ruining her mood), "Tali'Zorah vas Neema."
"She's your new chief engineer." Shepard remembered to add before nodding to them both.
"Look at that, Ken." Daniels smiled, "We've just got ourselves a quarian boss."
"No complaints there." Ken said with an appreciative nod, "You know them quarians. Ingenious little rascals."
"Glad you guys are okay with it." Shepard started, "And you guys can keep the military formalities on the minimum. We're on a Cerberus vessel. Not an Alliance one."
"Ah, sorry. Old habits die hard, commander. We were both with the Alliance up until a little after you, ah… passed."
John nodded. "I see. Good to have some familiarity then."
"And about us having a quarian boss? Of course we're okay with it." Daniels piped up assuredly, "It's Tali'Zorah, commander."
Tali couldn't help but slightly blush at the unintended compliment.
"Now, I'm assuming the boss wants to see the engines?"
Tali nodded to Ken. "Please."
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"—and, of course, EDI the artificial intelligence aboard Normandy. Down in Crew deck just behind infirmary. Sure you overheard discussion I had with her."
Both Olasie and Juel give each other looks.
"…So…" Juel cupped his hands together, stared at them, and took a contemplative breath, "Do you, uh, think the AI is… necessary?"
Mordin turned around to Juel, away from his lab table, his empty mug forgotten momentarily as he thought over the question.
Finally he answered.
"Understand quarians have history with Cerberus. Also understand opinion of AI." He began as he crossed his arms, "Concern understandable. Animosity expected. Would be perplexed if wasn't."
He paced around his table and took a spot next to them.
"Short answer? Yes. Philosophy not strong suit of mine, but ends justify means at current moment," He said before removing his whistling teapot off a hotplate, "Must remind you, no such thing as absolutes in philosophy."
"What about trust?" Olasie wanted to add, "Do you trust them?"
Mordin sniffed, poured a mug full of hot water, and delicately placed a spoonful of salarian herbs into an infuser.
"Difficult to answer. Cerberus manipulative. Devious. Coercive even. But not short sighted. Trust more for personal relationship. Usefulness to sociopathic organization typically better. Worth more."
"That's an interesting way of putting it." Olasie mumbled.
"But, true." Mordin supplied, setting the infuser into the mug, "Seen as resource. Usefulness necessitates job security."
"For your case." Juel intoned as politely as possible, "You're the only one who looks like he can even counteract the collector drones."
"Correct." Mordin smiled, "Case in point. Ex STG Salarian biologist of my field not easily replaceable."
Juel took a breath and shook his head. "Still can't believe there's an AI on the ship. Can only wonder how Tali's going to handle that when she finds out."
"Ms. Zorah has been made aware of my presence." EDI answered aloud for Juel.
"Oh." He paused for a second, "…How'd she take it?"
"She does not like me." EDI said disappointingly.
Juel nodded mostly to himself before giving Olasie a look.
"Not surprising." He uttered.
"Not surprising at all." Olasie repeated.
Juel took a breath and realized they were digressing from the tour.
"Sorry for the interruption doc." Juel apologized, turning back to Mordin, "Please, continue from where you left off."
"Have feeling not too interested in cell tissue replication or microscopy." Mordin said rather sadly as he looked over several of his cultures sitting on the table.
Olasie started wringing her hands while Juel tried to rub the sudden kink in his neck.
"Sorry." Juel said to express some form of regret, "We appreciate the science. But we don't exactly understand everything."
Olasie caught the awkward silence that would have ensued after. "Say. Why do you keep drinking tea?"
Mordin looked down at his mug before smiling. "Did test earlier. Won't bore you with details. Tested collector countermeasure on self. Side effects for failure minor. If uncomfortable."
He took a sip and shrugged. "Helps discomfort."
"Right." Juel breathed his surprise, "Uh, what's next?"
"Conference room." Mordin said before urging them to follow him, "Then Armory."
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"Wish they'd hurry up and see me." Joker grumbled mostly to himself, but not out of earshot of Jacob.
Jacob decided to bite. "They said they'd be here soon after they check the engines."
Joker leaned out of his chair to look so he could get a look of the man standing behind him, "He's still the same right? I mean, nothing off or…?" He trailed off and Jacob took the hint.
"—From what we've gathered on the psyche history? He seems pretty much the same. Remembers everything he should at least."
"Yeah. I guess I shouldn't worry." Joker said, finally leaning back into his seat and sighing, "Tali is with him after all. She of all people would know if there was something wrong."
"Exactly. When we were all on Freedom's Progress, it was hell at first. The quarian was pissed. Thought Shepard was still alive and just up and left her."
Joker hadn't heard much of this. So he turned back around to face Jacob. "…No shit?"
"It was bad, yeah." Jacob panned with a sigh as he thought it over, "It took some convincing, but she was told the whole story and never looked unconvinced by it."
Joker shrugged. "She's a good judge of character."
"True that. She trusts Shepard that much."
Joker suddenly caught himself. "Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on. Why am I even talking to you about this? This is some kind of Cerberus hat trick to make me think you've actually did something right."
Jacob rose his hands sarcastically in the air. "Whoops. Caught me red handed. Fooled my plans to win you over to the baby eating side."
Joker's expression went blank before he sighed. "You're joking. You've got to be joking."
"Mr. Taylor overheard your criticism involving the overuse of the term 'baby-eater' and felt it necessary to remind you." EDI butted in.
"Oh." He waved his hands into the air. "Of course he did."
Jacob shrugged and gave the cripple a smile. "Sorry."
Joker ignored him and decided to click on the PA down to engineering.
"Ahem. This is Joker requesting both Tali and John to come up here ASAP to see your favorite pilot waiting for you. Please."
He waited for a reply.
"Joker!" John called through the PA. Jeff smiled at the voice, "Sorry you weren't the first thing we saw coming aboard. Tali here really wanted to see the engines."
"And what does she think of them?"
"They're amazing." Came Tali's silky voice, "Sure you can handle all that junk under the trunk?"
Joker didn't miss the intentional innuendo. "Ah, Tali. She rides just fine. Believe me."
Tali laughed a little. "We'll be right up, Joker. Sit tight. Okay?"
Joker felt himself nod out of habit. "Right. Got it. See you guys shortly."
He clicked PA off and felt himself lean into his seat. "Oh man. Life's going to be good now."
"Better than what it was?" Jacob prodded.
"What do you think?" Joker quipped, "Ex-captain Miranda's a bitch and you're her side-kick. I've been waiting for a change of pace since day one."
Joker's tone told Jacob he was joking.
Mostly.
"Ah, Mr. Moreau." Miranda greeted as she entered the helm before looking over her tablet and a little display next to EDI's avatar, "Such flair to your vocabulary."
She didn't bother looking at him.
Joker squeezed his eyes shut and thought of the smartest comeback he could come up within the span of a second.
"…I'm a humble man of honest words."
"Better than a spoiled child full of lies." Miranda replied before selecting something off her tablet and walking back down toward CIC.
Jacob kept a straight face and didn't say anything. "She gonna write you up now."
"Who cares? I don't. Definitely don't care."
"Why do you try so hard to be on Miranda's bad side? Remember what Lewinsky did just yesterday by accident? Made her mop the grates with her own toothbrush."
"I'm crippled. She can't make me get on my knees for manual labor."
"That just begets creativity." He said, shrugging.
"She's not the captain anymore." Joker shot back.
"Doesn't change much. She's still your commanding officer. Even if she's only the XO now."
Joker didn't have anything to say to that, so he rolled his eyes.
"She didn't earn the title of ice queen for no reason. Remember that."
"You know what, Jacob? Just let it go."
"Fine. I'm gonna leave. They'll be here soon. I'll give y'all your space."
"Thanks."
Jacob finally turned on his heel and walked down the Normandy's neck, past the CIC, and into his armory.
Which was phenomenal timing since both John and Tali stepped out of the elevator to the CIC.
"Hey guys." Garrus greeted from a console at the CIC, "Joker's at the helm, waiting."
John nodded to him. "Thanks Garrus."
"I'm going down to the forward battery. Have fun."
Everyone around the CIC cautiously glanced at their new visitors before returning to work.
"You know John, we should change the lights. Make it more like the old Normandy." Tali said, turning to John, "It'd save power too."
"Maybe a blue hue to compliment the walls?" He said when he finally laid his eyes on the galaxy map.
It put a twinkle in his eye and it made him smile. He should have suspected the new Normandy to keep true to its original design. Good to see the new and old mix in seamlessly.
"Maybe." Tali said before pointing with her chin toward the helm, "Come on."
They started walking. When they stepped up the Normandy's neck leading to the helm, John leaned in slightly to Tali and whispered.
"Think he's changed?"
Tali scoffed. "What do you think?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
As they walked, Joker turned his seat around with a whopping grin spread from ear to ear. "Christ is it good to see you guys again."
"I'm back." John said before spreading his arms in the air in a welcoming gesture, "With a lot of strings attached as always."
Jeff's smile got brighter. "And hot damn, Tali's looking no worse for wear."
"Believe me, I haven't washed my hair in a week." Tali said before playing with the imaginary locks on her head since she had a helmet in the way, "You wouldn't be saying that if you saw me without the mask."
"Oh, don't sell yourself so short." Joker panned with a grin.
"So." John's hands found their way to rest on his hips, "What's up?"
"That's it? A 'what's up'? You've been gone for two years and that's the best you got, boss?"
John shrugged and smiled, "To me it's only been, like, what? Three months?"
"Somewhere around there." Joker said with a dismissive wave, "Nothing's been up, really. But I bet you're wondering why I'm not in the Alliance anymore."
"That would be nice to know, yes."
"Believe me when I say, the only reason I joined Cerberus was so I could fly again, and because of you."
"The Alliance grounded you?"
"Yes." Joker frowned, "Split up everyone. So I got out and left."
John nodded and decided he'd touch up on the subject later.
"What about Chakwas?"
"Only reason why she's here is because of me. And you of course."
"Ah. Makes sense." Tali nodded, "Always forcing the crew to keep up with their vitamins and whatnot."
"You think she's bad? Mordin's been handing out these weird supplements to the crew like candy. Running everyone like a freakin' experiment." Joker leaned in a little closer to them, "Mordin said he put Ralston on a placebo, but I saw him yesterday at lunch stabbing his food with the wrong end of a fork."
Then Joker stared at his elbow. "And just last week, after I saw Mordin for my appointment, I started to have this tickle on my elbow? And now there's this… bump."
"You… should take that up with him." Tali said in a slightly concerned tone.
Joker shrugged. "Ah. It's probably nothing. Mordin's a cool guy though. But enough about him and me. What about you guys?"
Tali leaned into John. "Well. We're a thing now."
"A thing? Huh. You weren't a thing on the old Normandy?"
"…Well, we were. Kind of." John tried to remember, "It was complicated."
"Mm. Complicated." Joker repeated with a drawl, "Hmph. Well. Congratulations guys."
"I'm surprised," Tali rose a brow, "No jokes? No witty offhanded sarcasm?"
""fraid not. I approve. Completely."
"Thanks Joker." Tali smiled, "Got a girl in your life yet?"
"Not exactly." Joker said with an exaggerated frown, "All I need here is Lucy. She's good enough for me."
"Who's Lucy?" Tali wondered, "She a crewmember?"
"No, Ms. Zorah." EDI replied, "Mr. Moreau is referring to his right hand."
Tali would've laughed, but she forced herself to remember who was saying the joke.
Joker rolled his eyes. "And there's the downside to the new Normandy. I'm surprised Tali hasn't peppered your blue box with buckshot yet."
EDI didn't say anything and Tali felt relieved enough to know Joker could shut it up.
"Sorry for the AI, Tali. It wasn't my choice. Believe me. It was nicer when the old Normandy was quieter."
"I concur." Tali said with a sigh.
"But if it brings you any comfort, there's nothing she could ever do to hurt us."
"It's the principle though, Joker." Tali had to repeat herself, "That's the only thing that bothers me."
"It's Cerberus, Tals." Joker shrugged, "Sorry."
Joker immediately perked back up as if he'd just remembered something. "Hey. You saw the engines, right? I was hoping maybe later we could start up with a list of refinements I've got here that I'd like to make with you. Dampeners and mods. Stuff like that."
Tali nodded brightly at the idea. "Of course. Just give me the list and I'll get started."
"You made her chief engineer right, Shepard? Cause she should be."
"Already done." John assured him.
"Good. So. Ah, what's this mission we're doing exactly?"
"Mission brief's in two hours. Get anyone who needs it up to speed with what's going on." John answered.
"Can you give me just the gist?"
"It involves the Reapers." Tali said to get his immediate attention, "The system we're going to has a star that erupted into a red giant prematurely. And Sovereign was studying it when he was alive."
Joker's face went serious and he glanced between the both of them to make sure they weren't joking. "What."
"Yeah. We're going to find out why Sovereign was there."
"Shit." Joker panned with a long sigh, "Reapers."
"Collectors too." John reminded, "And they could be working together."
Joker frowned. "Yeah. I know. What're we expecting there?"
"We're not entirely sure." Tali explained, "We're hoping it's nothing. You'll get the finer details in the brief. As for what we could be facing? Geth probably. If we're lucky, just the sun. So bring sunscreen."
"Funny joke Tali. Is that all?"
"I can't think of anything else. So I guess that's it." Tali said.
"Fine." Joker turned back around his chair, "It was nice catching up with you. But I think it's Chakwas' turn now."
"Oh come on Joker, sick of us already?"
"Would it hurt if I said yes?"
John smiled. "Don't change."
"Definitely won't."
"I guess it is a good time to go and check on Chakwas then."
"Do it. She'll be excited to see you guys."
"Bye." Tali waved.
"Bye, Tali." He said with the dip of his head, "You too Commander."
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"Where's Shepard?"
"Talking with Joker." Garrus replied without ever glancing at the half-naked girl next to him, "Why?"
"I wanna see him."
"For what reason?"
"Uhm. Because?"
"Maybe if you put on one of the shirts we gave you, he'd be more opted in meeting you, Jack."
She cupped her breasts mockingly to try and get the turian's attention. "Why. You don't like my jugs?"
Garrus finally faced her with a glare. "What do you think? I'm not human, Jack. You're not taunting me with anything but balls of fat."
She frowned and put her hands back down.
"So, shirt then?"
Garrus finally stopped his calibrations on the forward battery and stood up straight to finally face her. "Look. You want to see him. I get that."
"But?"
"You should wait until he comes to you."
"Why?"
"Because, Jack. He needs to find reasons to stay on the Normandy, and right now, you're not one of them."
Jack actually looked offended by Garrus' well put remark. "Whatever." She said, "I don't give a shit."
Garrus returned to his computer.
Jack still didn't leave.
"You're still here." Garrus panned with a monotone.
"Was wondering why you're the only one who wanders around while your gang sits in that room in engineering."
"I told them too." Garrus answered finally, seeing as how telling her that wouldn't hurt, "It's to keep things quiet around here."
"They scared of me?" She laughed.
"No." Garrus said before glaring at her harshly, "You should be scared of them."
"Garrus. Fuck, dude. Can't you see I'm trying? I'm pouring myself out here and you keep stonewalling me."
"We're not here to be friends, Jack. It hasn't been a day since you left that cell. It takes longer than that to reconcile your mistake of killing my men."
Jack felt a pit wrench around her stomach. "...I'm sorry." She mustered to say as she swallowed whatever was about to come up as a tear, "I know I fucked up."
Garrus didn't give her the luxury of replying. Nor did he offer his attention anymore. She didn't really deserve it.
He was still pissed two of his people died at the hands of this pent up psychotic. Which made him wonder how this 'relationship' was going to pan out for all of them in the future.
Would he really get over it?
What about his team?
He didn't know. And as much as he didn't want to admit it to Miranda, he wanted her gone.
At first, when he released her from the cell, he felt sympathetic from all the stuff she'd been through. But the more he thought about it, the more enraged he felt over the whole ordeal.
Part of him wished she'd just try and do something stupid so he could shoot her and be done with it all.
"Garrus, I said I was sorry."
"Leave, Jack."
Jack flexed her hands and fought away the pain she felt welling in her heart. She hadn't felt these feelings in a long time. Why did she even care as much as she did? Why was she even looking for his acceptance anyways?
She didn't want to know, but she did.
Garrus was the first person who'd ever been straight with her. And the first to ever look like a person who actually cared for people. And to see that for the first time? To see the disappointment, and anger, and pain that radiated from him killed her inside. Made her felt like she'd finally woken up to smell the ashes of all of the terrible choices and mistakes she'd made in her life.
She worked so hard in her life to get back at the universe for what it did to her. But now she realized she had become the thing she hated most.
"I'm sorry." She repeated in a whisper before finally leaving the man and walking out of the main battery.
She needed to go back to her hidey hole and rethink her life even more.
Things to do.
Stuff to say.
Habits to change.
And it would start with a shirt.
But before she could even make it down to pass the sleeper pods, she bumped into the two quarians and Mordin.
"Erhm. Hi." Olasie said before extending her hand awkwardly for Jack to shake.
Jack stared at the hand for a moment.
"Hey." Jack said as she finally took the hand, "What's up."
"Just touring." Juel replied curtly as he couldn't help but ogle her breasts with concern.
"Hello Jack." Mordin greeted, "Know you haven't had proper time to acclimate to Normandy. Maybe joining us in tour would help?"
"Ah, no thanks." Jack said as she stared between the three of them, "Got things to work out."
"Very well. Please take supplements next to bed. Helps brain and biotic symbiosis."
"Uh... Right."
As Jack left, Juel felt like cringing at how awkward of an encounter that was.
"So, she a recent addition to the Normandy?"
"Yes." Mordin answered as he stepped up next to a sleeper pod, "Was released from Normandy cell earlier this morning."
Olasie looked flabbergasted. "You're kidding me."
Mordin only shrugged, "Not my decision. Personally consider Jack dangerous. Witty. But very capable. Reckless also."
"What did she do to get into a cell?"
"Jack originally on prison ship run by Blue Suns. Cerberus negotiated contract to transfer her to us."
"So, you just put her in a cell in the meantime?" Olasie tried to figure out.
"No." Mordin shook his head, "Contract terminated due to Zaeed Massani's attendance."
"Who's Zaeed?" Juel asked.
"Zaeed Massani. Formerly Blue Suns founder."
"Formerly?"
"Yes." Mordin nodded, "Affiliation and history contributed to partial mission failure."
"You say partial..." Juel said worriedly, "What happened to make it partially fail?"
"Jack attacked team on purgatory unprovoked. Killed several of crew. Two of Garrus' team members included."
"And she gets to waltz around like it... didn't happen...? What."
"Need her." Was all Mordin could say.
"Keelah." Olasie breathed, "If that's how desperate you all are willing to go, then John's got quite the plate ahead of him."
Mordin sighed. "Indeed. All do."