ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
The next day.
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
Tali opened up her omni-tool and decided to send a group text to Olasie and Juel.
'ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏs sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴇᴡ ᴅᴇᴄᴋ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴏʀ.'
She waited for about ten seconds before she got a reply from Juel.
- ᴡʜʏ -
- ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀʟᴋ. -
- ᴀʟʀɪɢʜᴛ, ᴊᴜsᴛ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇ -
- ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ - Olasie finally answered.
Tali paced several times back and forth between the observatory and lounge area before both Juel and Olasie arrived together out of the lift.
"Hey," Tali greeted, "You guys okay?"
"Yeah," Olasie answered, "Was just cleaning some gear with my team."
"I was up at the CIC just doing some work." Juel said, "What's up?"
"I wanted to talk to you guys about EDI."
"Again?" Olasie quipped, "I mean, I know she's an AI, but—"
"It, Olasie. It's an it."
"Okay, it's an AI, but I'm not freaking out about it as much as you are."
Juel uncomfortably massaged his arm and shrugged. "I'm not entirely comfortable with it either, but it isn't our ship really."
"But it is, Juel." Tali argued, "You're part of the crew now. We all are."
Olasie crossed her arms, glanced at Juel and then at Tali. "What has John said about it?"
Tali immediately looked at the floor. "…To give it a chance."
"Then I'd defer to his judgement, Tali." Juel said, adding to Olasie's advice, "I think we all know what he's doing."
"I just…" She looked down, partially defeated. "I don't know."
"We get it." Juel assured, tilting his head slightly in understanding, "But like I said, it falls to Shepard to make the decisions around here. If he trusts the thing, then I'll trust it too."
"Trust it with your life?" Tali asked with a grumble.
"Yes." He nodded, "John's got enough on his mind as it is, and it doesn't help if we fit the stereo-type and whine about sapient electronics. People expect that from us above everyone else."
"Uhm, duh? We lost our planet." Olasie reminded, "I don't think anyone blames us."
"You get what I mean."
They three of them stood silent for a moment and Tali sighed. "Yeah. You're right."
"Maybe you should talk to it. To her." Olasie asserted with a tiny smile, "You might learn a lot."
Tali bit her tongue and thought about it. There wasn't anything she could lose from just speaking to the thing. And hell, maybe it would be kinda cool.
She stressed that though.
Tali scrunched her nose anyways at the idea. "About what?"
"Anything. Strike up a conversation. She can talk about anything you could ever imagine. She's got the whole extranet to regurgitate for you."
"Alright..." Tali shrugged, "…Here goes."
"Don't bring your shotgun." Juel added, folding his arms and walking away, "I'm not fond of all the incidents that'd been happening lately on the ship."
"You learn to get used to it Juel." Tali laughed, if only a little, "It's never a boring day on the Normandy."
"pfft."
"I'll let you have some alone time then Tali," Olasie said before pressing the button to the elevator, "She's quite the talker."
"Tell Talukh and the others I said hi."
"Will do."
When both her friends were out of sight, Tali took a breath and walked to the infirmary, past the doctor, Mordin, and their nurses, and into the AI core.
There was silence for a few moments before EDI finally decided to speak. "Ms. Zorah, how may I help you?"
Tali opened her mouth, but realized she hadn't thought of anything to say. "I'm… not sure."
"I overheard your conversation regarding me at the crew quarter area. I believe your cohorts suggested that you acquaint yourself with me."
'Of course you overheard.' She thought numbly.
Tali sat down on a crate and stared at the AI's blue box with a faint and partially forced frown.
"How did Cerberus design you?" She asked finally.
Her avatar at the closed door turned red.
"I apologize Ms. Zorah, but much of that data is classified. If you specify your inquiry, I might be able to answer."
Tali furrowed her brows at the offending hue of red.
"Okay..? Uhm…. Who created you exactly?"
"I have a block that prevents me from answering that question."
"Huh. That's interesting. Cerberus designed you with blocks?"
"That is correct." EDI stated, "Although I am less controlled than other AI, I am still subject to behavioral blocks and the physical isolation of my hardware."
"Preventative measures just in case you go rampant. Interesting."
"Yes, Ms. Zorah."
"Is there anything I can learn from your programming? Something I could look over to get some peace of mind?"
EDI's avatar turned red again. "I will pass a mention of your request to the Illusive Man. He may grant you access to certain parts of my infrastructure."
"Please do," Tali replied with a cautious stare, "I'd really appreciate that."
"Is there anything else that you would like to know?
Tali tried to think of something but couldn't. So she shook her head. "I'm not sure really. I had a million things to ask until I got here."
EDI remained silent.
Tali came up with something and shrugged. "Do you have emotions?"
"I am able to express myself in a variety of emotions to provide certain social cues innate within human nature."
"Just humans?"
"No. I understand the biological functions of all studied emotions expressed in all species. Even quarian."
Tali cocked her head to the side in amusement. "Really? Care to give me any examples?"
"You are one of several quarians aboard the Normandy. It is surprising to note however, given quarian socialistic and insular worldview, of you choosing the Normandy over the Flotilla. Continuity of your kind reigns as highest priority: it governs, shapes, and bends quarian society to be minimalist, and, in no offence to your people, short-sighted."
Tali's mouth was left slightly agape at such an astute observation. EDI wasn't done.
"Per contra, your culture also demands the utmost trust of every member of the flotilla. The trust placed on you from your compatriots is absolute, Ms. Zorah. Simply on your word, they believed you and followed you."
Tali was blown away by how observant EDI was. This AI was built to read people.
"...Wow. That was, uh... really good."
"Thank you, Ms. Zorah. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
Tali thought about it but didn't have anything. Luckily enough, Shepard walked in with a half-eaten fig bar in his mouth with what Tali could only guess was a worried look on his face.
"Hey, Tals. Just, uh, seeing what you're up to."
Tali actually laughed at the little crumbs around his lips. "Don't worry, no shotgun. Just words."
"Good!" John smiled, "Don't need to add anything more exciting for the week."
"Who told you I was here?" Tali asked with a quirked brow, "The only people who knew was Juel and Olasie."
"EDI told me when I asked where you were at." He said before sitting down next to her at the crate and finishing whatever was left of his little snack, "What're you guys talking about?"
"Oh. You know. This and that."
"Mhm. Yes. This and that huh?"
"We were speaking about my infrastructure, development, and inherited behavioral blocks." EDI explained.
"Ah," He nodded, "Those things. The stuff that sounds a bit over my head."
Tali stood up and took a breath. It was good timing. She'd be lying if she hadn't felt relieved of John coming when he did. While it was kind of entertaining to talk to EDI, she didn't feel hard pressed to really continue a conversation either. Maybe she'd work up the courage to do it again later.
"I was actually just finishing up with EDI."
"Good, because I wanted to tell you we're headed back to Illium."
Tali immediately thought of who was living there.
Liara.
Oh that blue fuck. Tali hadn't thought about her in a while.
"Why?"
"We got two more dossiers."
"Who are they?"
"Just got them now. Let's go up to our room and find out."
"Alright— well… Bye EDI."
"I'm in all parts of the ship, Ms. Zorah, there is no need to wish me farewell."
Tali couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Okay." She stuttered, "That's all for now then, EDI."
"Logging you out, Ms. Zorah."
John stood up, smiled, and swayed his hand for her to lead the way.
"You still have crumbs on your lips," Tali started with a small smile as she brushed his face off carefully.
"Oh, why thank you."
Chakwas gave the couple a bashful smile at the cute display as they walked past.
They made it to the elevator and got a ride up to their room. When they made it up to the top, they got sprayed down by their newly installed anti-septic mist-jets and entered.
"Where's the dossiers?"
"Right here." John pointed as he picked up his tablet, "…A drell named Thane Krios and an asari Justicar named Samara."
"What's a Justicar?"
"Don't know. Something we're going to have to ask Liara."
"Damn. So we really got to see her."
"You really don't like her do you?"
"Huh. I can't imagine why." Tali panned, "So. What does Thane do?"
"He's an assassin."
She forced a chuckle. "Brilliant. When are we having the brief then?"
"Later today when I get things situated. I'm thinking we'll be splitting up into teams. One to find the Justicar and one for the assassin."
"Who do you'll think will be in each team?"
"If it's as easy as it was picking up Kasumi, then there won't be a need for more than a couple people."
"Let's hope."
"Let's hope." He echoed with a sigh.
Tali took the tablet from him and looked it over herself. After reading it over for a couple moments, she looked up and nodded thoughtfully.
"We're hiring some crazy people."
"I like to think of them as capable? Lets me sleep better."
"Whatever keeps the boat afloat." Tali bristled as she kept reading over the dossiers.
He laughed and took the tablet from her to put down on the table.
"Hey."
She looked him in the eyes. "Yeah?"
"I love you. You know that right?"
"Of course. I love you too. A lot."
"How much is a lot?" John asked, wrapping his arms around her waist with his stupid smirk.
"A lot, a lot." She murmured with her toothy smile. She loved it when he did this.
He kissed the top of her head and snuggled her in closer to where she could rest her head on his chest.
When he gave her another kiss on the top of her head, John started getting a call from Miranda.
Separating, John took the call and answered.
"Yes Miranda?"
"Shepard, We're about six hours out from Illium. I suggest we start planning for our arrival. Can you meet me in my office?"
"I'll be right there." John said simply. He closed the call and sighed. "I'd absolutely love to stay and fool around, but duty calls."
"Well… I guess I should head back to engineering. I had stuff that I needed to do with Juel and Daniels anyway."
They both exit together and go down the elevator. When they arrived at the crew deck, John stepped off and winked at her.
"You do you, hun. I'll see you later for lunch."
"Love you." She beamed.
The elevator's doors closed and John made his way to Miri's office.
"So," John started as he entered, "We've got two people that need picking up."
Miranda looked up from her monitor for just a moment. "Correct. And the timing is crucial, because we don't know how long either of them will be there."
"Illium's a pretty happening place." John said, sitting down in a chair opposite her desk, "Any idea of where they're at exactly?"
"Yes," Miranda nodded, still sitting at her desk typing away, "We've been in touch with Liara and she's been doing an admirable job of giving the whereabouts of both Samara and Thane."
"What city?"
"Nos Astra."
"Both of them in one city?"
"Nos Astra is a very big place."
"What are they doing there exactly?"
"Samara is currently pursuing personal interests. Liara's working on finding out what. The same could be said of Thane. Nothing has developed enough yet for Liara to know."
John nodded thoughtfully. "Ever happened to ask Liara what a Justicar is?"
"Something we may not like."
"Jesus, Miranda, then why are we taking the time to consider this?"
"She could be a valuable asset. And, provided her long age and her strong defense of the innocent, she'll know who you are and what you stand for."
John rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand in slight frustration. "I'm still going to need some context. What is she?"
Miranda took a breath. "A monk of sort."
"A monk." John repeated, nonplussed.
"Yes. They've forsworn having a family and give up any and all possessions except for clothes and gear."
"How official is this? Is it some kind of weird off-brand cult? Or are we talking about something sanctioned by the Asari Republics?"
"It's sanctioned. They swear themselves into something called the Code of the Justicars. Then they go around righting wrongs and kill anyone who gets in the way. Even for minor infractions."
"Oh god." John murmured, "How cut and dry is this Justicar group?"
"Very cut and dry." Miranda stated factually, "Liara explained that they usually stay within asari space. Her killing her own kind doesn't bat an eye. But killing a non-asari? Her being on Illium is attracting a lot of wary attention."
"Not surprised. Illium isn't particularly innocent of anything." John webbed his fingers together behind his head and leaned back. "How long has she been a Justicar?"
"A very, very long time."
"Okay. So what about Thane?"
"Highly skilled assassin. Krios is a well known name of the underground. A name to be feared."
"Anything else I should be made aware of?"
"Nothing that isn't important."
"I guess the first thing we should do then is to get a better idea of where these two are at. We should call in advance for docking near wherever Liara's office is at."
"Already done."
"I guess that leaves it to a waiting game. At least until we get more information."
"Unfortunately so."
"Then I'll see you around Miranda." John stood up, gave her a nod, and walked out.
She nodded at him leaving. "Shepard."
John made his way around the corner and caught sight of Rupert.
"Hey boss," John said with a small smile, "Got anything for the captain?"
"Shepard!" Rupert announced loudly, "Grilled PB&J on the house. Grandma's ol' recipe."
"Perfect to me. I'll take it with some water."
The chef bent down to get what he wanted and handed it to him.
"'ere you go, sir. Made not ten minutes ago. Still hot."
John nodded to the man and decided to sit down at the table to eat.
That's when Kasumi came around the corner and sat down across from the man.
"Hi." John greeted between a bite of his food, "There's sandwiches if you want any from the chef."
"Not hungry, but thanks though." Kasumi smiled, "I'm actually here to talk to you about Cerberus' agreement."
"I recall that you needed to go to Bekenstein."
"Yes. To take back something of mine... and I need your help."
"When is the party?"
"Next week."
"That's cutting it really close."
"I know... But this is our only chance to get what I need." Kasumi said.
"Look. We might have enough time. A week should be more than enough to get our guys and go do what you need to do."
"I'm sure." Kasumi agreed, "I have a whole plan set up and ready to go. Just tell me when you want to hear it."
"Ready right now." Shepard said, uncapping his water bottle and taking a big sip.
"I took the liberty of finding your measurements. I bought you a suit."
"...How'd you find my measurements?"
"Don't be silly." Kasumi laughed, "I went through your closet."
"Kasumi. My closet is Tali's closet. We share a clean room." John said with an abrasive tone, "A stray cough could give Tali an allergic reaction. A bad one."
"Don't worry sweet pea! I had my mask on and everything. I would never do anything to harm your beloved." Kasumi reassured.
John relented. "Why did you buy me a suit."
"It's for your double identity. A runner of some small band of elite mercs that run out in the Terminus systems."
"And what'll be this identity's name?"
"Mr. Solomon Gunn."
"Catchy."
"Isn't it?"
"So what's all this for?"
"A man named Donovan Hock is hosting a party full of business associates, rich crooks, mass murderers, and criminals. You're going to pretend to be one of them to help me find what I need."
"Keiji's Graybox."
Kasumi looked John hard in the eye. "How'd you know?"
"You left your tablet on the table last week. The agenda app was still running and said something about Keiji's Graybox."
"I only left it there for a minute."
"I'm surprised someone like you would be that unguarded." Shepard shrugged as he ate the last of his sandwich, "You seem like that overly secretive type."
"I guess I got a little too comfortable."
"Guess you did." John said with a grin.