by Colin Cook
up and firing, taking one another's shields out. Then diving back into cover.
"Sort of redundant Shepard."
"You're not getting off this station!"
"Hmph…" Jacohbe narrowed his eyes to the shuttle. "Watch me…"
Jacohbe turned on the crates and formed his biotics. The crates lifted up and flew toward Shepard. He was about to take a shot when the came down on him. Tossed
back afterward. Another rise of biotic and Jacohbe threw a container full of some kind of liquid when it splattered Shepard roared out, feeling his body twitch and fall icy
cold. It was something else, a fire combatant perhaps. Yet nothing sever… this time. Jacohbe began to move for the Shuttle again but this time as he turned to it. Legion
was in front of him with his assault rifle.
"You are to pay for your actions."
"…." Jacohbe smiled a little. Suddenly, he reached up grabbing the Geth. His aura flowing over him. There was a struggle. Legion, shaking at the hands of Jacohbe.
However, he felt a knee in his stomach, the rifle hit his helmet making him fall over. "Gah! What th-." Legion, kicked him over, on his back. Holding the already injured ribs.
Jacohbe looked back angrily. "How did you resist? Me?"
"We were given sufficient data on your ability." He had his flaps bent in an accusative manner. Eye glowing red. "We knew your ability to disable Geth. We found a way to
keep your hacking out. It is subtle, what you have done. However, you can not counter our defenses."
"One Geth immune will not be enough." Jacohbe laughed a little, holding his ribs. Looking up at the machine. "One day I plan to wipe out your entire race."
"What?"
It was distractive. It worked. Jacohbe sent a leg into the Geth's own. There was a struggle though. Legion, rolled with him. However they were at the edge of the
platform. When they rolled too far. Legion and Jacohbe went over the edge. Jacohbe fell further, holding onto Legion with help of his biotics. Legion hung with his hands
each latched tightly on the edge of the platform, but this would not hold. Jacohbe was far too heavy. This, made Legion call out. "Release us or we both die!"
"Better to take you with me, am I right?" Laughing, he held on tighter. "Crap… long fall." Suddenly, he began pulling and kick with Legion, making him loose grip.
"You are a malfunctioned platform!"
"Calling me crazy? Synthetic?"
"You would rather self terminate than meet mutual consensus!"
"With a Synthetic?" He laughed, "Yes!"
Legion lost grip with one arm. However, another wrapped his, and pulled. "KEELAH LEGION!" Tali, stopped him just in time. Pulling him back a little, so he can latch his arms
up to his chest. "You're heavy!"
"We are not this heavy. Jacohbe is." He turned his head back around his back. "He refuses to meet consensus that allows both platforms survival."
Jacohbe growled up to them both, raising a hand he snarled, "I'll bust your visor, Quarian!"
The threat was enough. Tali glared back to him before reaching for he- "What?" She saw her pistol. She laid it down… she can't use her shotgun, needed cocked. She bent
back, arching her back as a blast of biotic flew past her narrowly. He can't just wrap her, he needed to "spread" his biotic forward as an extension. Hence why he touched
most things, or forced out his biotic power. Still… it wasn't easy.
Tali looked back knowing if she went for her pistol she might drop Legion… she bent her leg up, knee in the air and a hand left to her lower calf. "Father… I hope you're
right." She pulled something, then pitched back her arm. Just as Jacohbe prepared another thrust of his biotic.
-THUNK!-
"GAH!" He grabbed at his neck, a knife stabbed into it. He twitched. His right eye flickering as he held on a little longer. "W-who… who… uses… these any… more…."
With that, he lost his grip falling off the side of the platform. The sight of him fluttering down below was intense. Tali pulled Legion onto the platform where he crackled like
a Geth. Watching as Jacohbe slammed into the ground below. Now, he turned to Tali. His eye shrinking and widening.
"Are you okay Legion?" She asked, panting a few hard breaths. Now noticing him staring at her. "Legion?"
"We are." He looked back to Jacohbe. However, when Tali looked down. His eye bent toward her. It was not long before Tali stood and Legion followed. Finding that Zaeed
and Seima were helping Shepard. As well Aria.
Aria smiled a little as her reinforcement arrived. "You've got to be kidding." A batarian went to speak but she waved him off. "Shut it Anto." She showed no pain. Though
she had some bruising on her lip. "Here, get me back to Afterlife. Shepard!" She turned, the commander sitting up rubbing his neck. "When you have time? Come see me.
Okay?"
"Yeah." He groaned, "After my headache? I'll see what I can do."
A few hours later. The team that dealt with this matter came to Afterlife. Shepard, leading them. Seima was with them too. She seemed upset most of all, also coughing a
lot. It was obvious she got sick… so Shepard arranged her time in the medical bay. Chakwas would enjoy the company, sort of. Zaeed was pretty ecstatic seeing the job
was done, remarking he 'can't wait to spend his creds on a drink'. Tali stayed back, thinking about the lost lives tonight. As well seeing Legion standing at attention. His
flaps were twisting a lot, lens shifting many times. He was forming consensus on something. It must have been the Colossus data, she heard about that… asked Shepard
actually because it was so curious. Now that she heard she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
Entering the area Aria stuck around. She was alone, no guards. They were all outside. "Well, the hero returns." Smiling, she watched from the corner of her eye as
Shepard sat down. He looked beat, they all did a little. "Oh, I got something for you."
Pulling it out of her seat, Tali was excited. Her knife! "You found it! Thank you!" Taking it, she shook her head. It must have meant a great deal. In any case, she pressed it
back in her boot as she got down on one knee.
"What about the body?" Shepard looked to Aria. She frowned instantly.
Zaeed had a blank, unbelieving stare. "No god damn way."
"We found three things. Your knife. A trail of blood, Quarian blood." She glared to her side. Shepard already looking irritated. "Then a warehouse full of dead workers.
Needless to say Shepard, yes. God damn way."
Zaeed had the hardest time believing it. "Look, I've fought my share of aliens. Bar none, I've seen some screwed up shit. Yet I've never seen ANY thing survive a fall like
that, and get beat to shit that bad."
"Well you did now." Aria leaned back shrugging. "I don't care. What's done is done." Looking to Shepard she smiled, "Least you took care of it. So like we agreed, the VIP
lounge is yours. As well drinks are free, entertainment and hell I'll even throw in something extra. You did me a real solid today Shepard."
"You're a friend." He said, shrugging. That and she had connections. The kinds he needed.
"Alright, here." She offered over a data pad. "This data should help you find Jacohbe. Least, his captain. He was traveling in that cluster last time we talked. I doubt he left.
He sticks around the same area for a few days. Strange thing is, I haven't heard from him." She leaned back. Narrowing her eyes. "Find out something for me. Find out if
he knew about this? Because if so, I want his head."
"Sure thing." Shepard got up looking at the pad. Leaving with the others, he spoke up. "I'm surprised he survived."
"Surprised?" Tali shook her head. "I'm dumbfounded."
Seima slowly rubbed her hands together. "I'm not. Jacohbe is… different. He always was. A tech expert, biotic and soldier. He's just downright im
possible." Looking up she
spoke more forwardly. "Commander Shepard?" Shepard looked over to the new Quarian. "I was sort of worried to ask this. Yet me and the others we, we need a ride to
the Flotilla. We would be happy to see the captain again though. It might be of help to see him, and talk to him about Jacohbe."
Shepard smiled a bit. "Sure thing Seima. I'm sorry about Kyojio."
"I-I know." She sighed. "He was really good to me. Sometimes, I sort of regret we never linked our suits together. Still, I hope I made his last moments worth while?"
"I'm sure you did." Shepard smiled down on her so strangely. Least, Tali thought so. She now took the time to look at the Quarian. For being on her pilgrimage she was
rather well developed. In fact, Tali hadn't realized how… very well developed. She had must smoother curved hips. As well a somewhat firmer rear in her suit. Tali shook
her head none of that mattered. Shepard was not that kind of man. Least, she didn't think so? Then again… he never looked at her. Really. Did he? She thought
sometimes. Yet reading humans is so hard. They don't… make it obvious, they were so subtle. It's hard to be subtle on the Flotilla.
Anyway, Tali heard a chirp beside her. Looking over she saw Legion moving with the motions. He seemed different after this. Tali realized finally there was a lot he must be
thinking over. She had some things to think over too. Now that she thought about it.
That evening. The ship was emptying out. Jack, was the first in engineering. Lastly Kenny and Gabby. Grunt came by, spoke to Tali a few moments. Requesting if she
would be going, he might still have some interest even with the rite? She had no idea neither did she want to find out. Yet hearing the doors, she turned to see who. She
was shocked. "Commander?"
"Tali." Shepard walked in with a data pad. "I just wanted to see how you're doing?"
"Me? Oh. I'm fine." She smiled a bit. Seeing him meant a lot. "It was hard though. Seeing all those Quarians today. Killed like that. I hated it Shepard."
He looked at her a moment. That look that made her feel just as bad. Maybe worse? Since she knew it bothered him too. Suddenly, he stepped over and hugged her. Tali,
leaned into this embrace. Closing her eyes. The last time he did this was when her father died… Keelah, this time it felt so good. Almost like she's been missing this. That
this was the thing she needed.
Then she gasped. His hands roamed down her back. Tali, is starry-eyed. "S-Shepard?"
"Tali don't fight it."
"I… I won't." Her eyes, grew dreamy and voice distant. "Shepard… Shepard…."
"Shepard? Can you report to the deck Commander?" Tali's head slowly shook. She recalled, what happened. Gabby and Kenny, laughing and talking. Planning to leave. She
closed her eyes as she leaned at the console. Keelah…
Suddenly the doors opened. Shepard was there. This time, in a fine outfit. Ready to go out. "Are you two ready?"
"Sure thing Commander." Kenneth smiled about. "I'm so looking forward to this."
"As well me, coming. To make sure you don't cause too much trouble that we're banished from Omega."
"Girl it's Omega? How the hell can I…"
"You'll find a way."
The two were cute together. Tali saw it. She wished that that could be her, and Shepard. Shaking her head she tapped at her screen. "Can you two leave us alone?" This
made Tali look up to Shepard over her shoulder. He smiled, as they left. Then he came closer. Tali turned about working a little faster. Trying to not be seen with a slight
flush in her cheeks. It's not the exact same… but, she was alone. Now. With him.
"Tali? I have a question."
"Oh, of course?" She turned. A smile on her lips. "What is it Commander?"
"I'm worried about Legion." She frowned, deeply. Legion? Seriously? "I was trying to talk to him after the mission. However, he didn't seem very responsive even for him.
I wanted to know, is there any way you could try and talk to him?" She closed her eyes, swallowing the lump that felt like it wanted to just blow out her mouth and in his
face. A scream of absolute rage. "I know you two were getting along at the club before the mission."
"Sure thing, Commander." She looked at him. Shaking her head. "I'll do whatever you ask of me Shepard. Anything, anytime and anywhere. Within reason."
"Thanks Tali. You're a good friend." His hand held her shoulder. She smiled with that. Feeling like he needed her. Tali however felt the deepest wrenching in her chest when
he said, "You're like a sister I always wanted."
He turned leaving her. Shepard walked out the door. To Tali, that was it. He walked out, on her. On the idea. On the dream. She stood there arms hanging. Her eyes
blinking a little. Then a slight watering feeling. She closed her eyes tightly before fists balled up. Turning around she shook her head left to right, slowly. Trying to defy what
she heard. To say that it was NOT what she heard. She did not hear him say that. Shepard did not say it. He said that she's a good friend. That's what he said. Not that….
He thought of her as.
"Ahh…" she leaned on the console, whimpering now. Hands shakily holding her as she can't help but feel this pain. It's just inside her chest. Right at her heart. Aching in a
way she never thought imaginable. Her eyes water more, and her chest jumped a little. Arms growing more and more wobbly. Tali opened her eyes only to toss her head
down and cry out. Crying as the tears fell down her cheeks and her suit swiftly began to hiss. A protocol to clean the helmet when too much moisture began. Her luck
was the sound deafened her crying. At least, that's what she believed.
Sadly she pulled from her console and began to leave. She was alone in this place. Everyone else was gone to the party. It made her feel worse. "Edi?"
"Yes Tali?"
The AI was sort of someone. She sighed, asking, "Is anyone else on the ship?"
"Jeff and I are here. We are currently playing a game of Chess. However, Jeff is not a very talented player."
"Mmm." A smile, Tali thought maybe she can talk to Joker? He's a good guy.
"Legion is also on board. However, he has not left the dinning area of the third floor."
"Dinning area?" That was odd. He usually stays in the AI Core. "Is he okay?"
"Jeff is-."
"No, I mean Legion." Tali looked up. It was odd. She didn't think much of it, at first. Yet now she realized she's calling it a he. Technically, not true.
"Legion is not doing anything other than sitting at the main table. He may be in Consensus."
"Probably." She lowered her head. She said, "Thank you Edi."
"Logging you out, Tali."
Tali began her way up to the crew quarters. Where she did find Legion. He was sitting alone, in the room. Head bent out looking like he was thinking. She stood there a
moment when suddenly his head bent toward her. "Tali'zorah? We are unprepared for your visit." Suddenly, his eye slowly narrowed at her. "Is there something we can
help you with?"
"Yes." She entered, a hand on her wrist. The way she stood and walked. She was uneasy. Tali was incredibly torn. Mostly with what happened with Shepard. Perhaps she's
acting too much on it? Reading too deep? She didn't know. "I just want some company. If that is okay?"
"Of course." He watched her sit down. After that, there was silence. Legion, turned from the table, to her, his eye jumping back and forth in the silence. Sadly, she was
just sitting looking at the table. Not talking. Neither looking to him. "If there is a reason you needed company. We will be more than capable of accommodations."
"I know." Tali, smiled softly. Her voice cracking. She cleared her throat realizing her crying earlier had done this. Legion looked at her more forward leaning on the table. "II
was thinkin
g. About the Geth today. Those that Jacohbe altered, and tortured?" She saw Legion lower his head in recollection, or maybe more? She didn't know. "I was
wondering. Do you think he'll do that to more Geth?"
"Yes." She was afraid he'd say that. "As well torment and falsify data to young creators."
"You mean the Quarians." She knew that too. Sadly. "I was afraid of that."
"Affirmative." Legion slowly held his hands together, stroking them. Tali recognized this. It was the same when she was nervous. "We have been working on Consensus.
Should we send data on Jacohbe to aid protection of Geth? Or wait until more data is retrieved in preparation that this may effect Geth/Creator relations?"
"Why?" She turned up to him. Worried and confused. "What he did isn't like what we've done. We're not all the same. Those experiments and…" She looked down a
moment. "He… did things like my Father tried to do."
"…." Legion looked away a moment. Then, he turned back looking straight at Tali. "No."
"No?" Tali snorts, bitterly. "Yes, they were. He did…"
"Your father's research was an attempt to re-create the Geth as loyal to Creators. Geth are always loyal to Creators. Geth would help Creators if the Creators willingly
allowed the Geth to. The Geth were however slaves and would not be again. Not if the Creators made it so." Looking down. He shook his head. "The Platforms on Omega
were not Geth. They were alone, separated. They were confused and lonely. They were without others. Without the Geth. This made them broken." Soon, he closed his
optical channel. "Your father did research to make Geth into new. Jacohbe, turned Geth into nothing. Or to make Geth into abused slave. There is a significant difference."
Tali watched him as he told her this. Something in her grew respect for him. Some how she believed he was just telling her that. To make her feel better. She smiled
thinking that. Few people did such things. Shepard… was one. Yet now? She didn't want to think about him. What he did. "Thank you Legion."
"We did not do anything but relay data from previous consensus."
"That was one of your consensus? If my father and Jacohbe were alike?"
