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Chapter Text

January 30th 2187CE 

1 Month following declared end of conflict with The Reapers, 2 months post Crucible detonation 

Migrant Fleet Orbital Station ‘Pioneer‘  

0200hrs -  Local Time 

The visor always made lighting a little softer. The tinted ballisti-glass worked with adaptive HUD elements to dim any overbearing sources of light whilst simultaneously using laser scans of the environment to illuminate spots that would otherwise be too dark; giving the world a softly lit, purple-neon tinge. 

To an individual without a Quarian enviro-suit, the rooms wall panel lights could have been described as harsh. But for Tali’Zorah, it was just right. Bright enough to keep her from falling asleep, warm enough to feel homely. 

She had tried to personalise the overwhelmingly spacious office as best she could, but Tali didn’t have many things to bring, her people’s nomadic nature had taught her to stay light on her feet. 

Her toolkit, her drone suite along with some light reading material, mostly work related; practical stuff.  

Though she did have a few sentimental trinkets: an old picture, a rock...and her shotgun. 

Admiral Raan had protested the latter initially, but Tali had countered with the point that personal defence, begins at home, and seeing as The Pioneer was to be her home for the foreseeable… 

Her Auntie Raan had relented, reluctantly - Tali smiled softly as she remembered the admiral’s incredulous reaction when she was first getting settled aboard the orbital facility - 

“You really insist on keeping that thing in here? Do you honestly believe someone would be able to get close enough to make an attempt on your life aboard this station? You know that I have taken every measure-” 

Raan had become more overprotective than usual after the wars end. Tali understood her aunts concern; she was even grateful for it to some degree. But it had become subtly aggravating, if well intended. 

“-I insist that if they know I have a shotgun under my desk, they won’t think to try. It’s called a ‘deterrent’, Auntie Raan.” 

Admiral Raan had reprimanded herself several times privately for being too amused by the girl’s wit, Tali wasn’t doing well, she knew the signs. She didn’t need such easy access to firearms. Shala worried for her niece. 

But Tali had become very adept at charming her way out of serious questions about her state of mind... 

She sat now at her desk, still feeling the weight of severe impostor syndrome upon her shoulders as her eyes drifted around the austere quarters. 

Tali’Zorah had an office now, who saw that coming? 

She laughed, a soft mix of mirth and melancholy as she finished her visual sweep of the room, ending it on the gun she kept as it leaned haphazardly hidden under her desk, the weapon reminding her of what now felt like simpler times. The Wraith had been a heavy thing, even for a shotgun. It could break your arm if you weren’t adjusted to it, but Tali had always been a fast learner.  

Besides that, it had been a gift. 

Tali’s gaze moved up to the holo screen in front of her, the admin work stubbornly refusing to let her get too lost in rose tinted memories, then back down again... 

She cursed out loud to the empty room as her gaze mistakenly lingered a moment too long on the picture she had dared to place on her desk -  

“…I bet you would find this all sooo funny. Bosh’tet…” 

The Quarian shook her head as a dejected sigh escaped through her helmets modulator. The photograph of her parents made the admiral think of her father, or more accurately; the lack of her father. So obsessed with duty and work...it had all been for her, and her mother. 

She understood that he had truly believed this, but why couldn’t the stupid man see?  

Tali didn’t need Admiral Rael’Zorah...She needed her dad. 

Of course, he had an answer. He always had some speech prepared for why he was never there... 

“Every Quarian’s oath of duty lies with the fleet, their ship, and their family. In that order. With time, my girl, you will understand this; why I must leave you both. But right now...stay your tears, Tali’Zorah. Be strong for me. Please.” - 

Rael’Zorah’s words echoed from the lesser visited corners of Tali’s mind as she stared through the data on the holo screen and across the room, out of the viewport, to her home world which The Pioneer had been orbiting for some time now...Her eyes half lidded behind her visor and mind wandering after hours spent answering questions and demands from the people of The Migrant Fleet. 

The Quarian alliance with the Geth during the waning days of the Reaper war had been a call to arms for the galaxy and an example of what the future could hold for all that witnessed the results of the peace in action. The fighting forces of the Migrant Fleet and the synthetic troops in tow had been touted as the lynchpins in many defensive campaigns during the wars final days before the reapers were destroyed. 

The people living aboard the flotilla, however, were much more cautious in approaching the idea after the war ended. It would have been naive to have hoped for anything else in the long term really. Tali had herself allowed a brief moment of this naivety as a small indulgence after the dust had settled, but these things were complicated.  

It was always so damn complicated...  

The Geth had been making noted efforts to move forward with her people on amicable terms, so there was still potential. The Quarians on the other hand, were understandably hesitant, given the long and bloody history between the two races... 

Tali’Zorah blinked, letting out a huff of frustration and returning her attention from the view of her home world to the virtual wall of numbers and item codes the Geth had sent to her. 

The holo screens brightly lit display bore the contrastingly dull details of a supply index. Containing the most recent material and aid shipment numbers from the planet’s surface that had been sent up to supply the fleet, which now hung in a quietly tense orbit alongside The Pioneer. 

So much data…Rannoch looked so peaceful from up here; at one point she thought this was everything she had ever wanted... 

Focus, this was important work.  

It had been a long day. Full of ‘Important Work’ but it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on present matters. Her mind drifted to thoughts of the journey that had brought her here and the admiral began to grimly wonder if this view had even been worth it... 

Tali tucked a hand up behind her hood, giving the back of her neck a firm squeeze, trying to ground herself to no avail as her thoughts began to spiral…the war against the reapers had exacted a toll on the galactic scale. But her people, despite this, had come out the other side of the conflict in an uncharacteristically advantageous position.  

Thanks in no small part to efforts from her directly...yet Admiral Zorah felt no pride, no joy in victory. She felt like she hadn’t won anything. 

The Quarian tensed her shoulders as the familiar lump formed in her throat again. Dammit. She had been doing well...Stupid photograph. Stupid girl. 

She wasn’t allowed anything nice. 

Her eyes began to sting threatening to well up with tears.  

“Keep it together...” She ordered herself sternly. 

Closing her eyelids sharply and taking a quiet inhale; she tried to stick all the bad thoughts bubbling up in her mind to her breathe as she drew it in, before exhaling with a forced veil of serenity, making efforts to steady the shakiness. 

The newly appointed Admirals late father had always put the responsibility of his parental shortcomings on her shoulders, one way or another, even if he never truly intended to. Now on top of that, she had inherited his rank. 

Her fathers words swirled around her head like stale, recycled air: 

“Be strong for me.” 

Admiral Rael’Zorah had given his daughter the same speech time and again with that stupid little manipulation threaded in ever since Tali had been old enough to protest his constant absence. But he was always the one leaving. He was the parent was he not? 

 He had the choice. ‘Duty’ be damned, she was his daughter...why couldn’t he ever stay? Why did he never choose to stay? with her?  

With her mother? She stiffened at the intrusive memory of her mother’s untimely passing and her father’s reaction to the loss... 

Even after Tali’s mother died, the order of priority never changed. Strengthened it even. He chose to grieve in silence, burying himself in work before he’d even buried his wife proper. Tali had ‘represented’ the esteemed admiral at the send off - She had barely become adapted to her newly gifted suit, her mother’s old garb ill fitting over her small shoulders. She kept those fabrics, wearing them with pride from her pilgrimage to this very moment as she sat at her desk... 

The recollection of her mother in the burial pod, being shot from the airlock, out into the cold endless void crept into her mind. She looked like she was sleeping…Tali had wanted to ask her father why they had to send her away. Why she had to get sick. Why her mother had to leave her all by herself. Why her father couldn’t come and just be here with her. Instead, she simply had to watch, alone, trying not to fall into a weeping mess on the floor in front of everyone. Because that was duty. Raan had never forgiven Rael for making her go through that. Holding it against him even to this day. 

Tali wondered if that pod was still out there, drifting somewhere. 

Her glare slowly burned through the supply logs on the screen and back to Rannoch.  With the now familiar feeling of inherited regret creeping over her, knowing her father would never even get the chance to at least try to fix things, because deep down, she still believed he would have wanted to. That in his own skewed way, he really did care. 

In the end, Rael’Zorah gave his life for his stupid ideals of ‘duty’ and their people spat on his name for it.  

Tali’s name, her mother’s name. 

Now it was her responsibility to fix it. Even in death her father hadn’t left her a choice. 

Tali had damned him for it since the day she found him among the dead aboard the Alarei. One of many amidst the tragic aftermath of the slaughter he himself had inadvertently facilitated.  

Quiet hours had been spent crying in dignified, isolated silence at her console while working down in the Normandy’s engineering decks afterward. She wouldn’t show Gabby or Ken that she was struggling. Couldn’t, her crew needed her. She worried they had known though; there were times they seemed to take particular care when asking her to fix something they weren’t able figure out themselves. Intentional or not, she had appreciated their kindness. 

Tali never did allow herself to mourn her parents properly, because of course, father would have wanted her to be strong. For her crew. Her captain...Duty to fleet, ship and family... 

In that order, right dad? 

She took another breath. In and out...one at a time. Just like Shepard had told her... 

And there it was. Something as stupid as a breathing exercise he’d shown her to manage stress and all the thoughts came rushing back. Commander Shepard. The Hero.  

Her Captain. Her lover. Her Idiot. The impossible man, straight from the vids, every bit the action hero come to save the day. 

But she hadn’t fallen for the hero. 

She’d fallen for the man who would punch random buttons on mining lasers until they worked.  

The one who had bounced around the surface of The Moon above his own home planet, clad in full combat armour and laughing with the unrestrained glee of someone fulfilling a childhood dream. 

The man who was there to take her in his arms when she had discovered her father’s fate…let her grieve properly, if only for a moment, in his embrace.  

The man that had handled her with such care when she allowed herself to be truly vulnerable for the first time, like she was made of glass…who told her she would always be safe with him, and that he’d never leave her. 

But now Shepard was gone too. He'd just ran away toward that beam… 

He told her to build a house on Rannoch before he left...He was supposed to be here to build it FOR her. 

Just like dad… 

Her head bowed as the tears started to roll from her eyes. She felt like a bad joke, as she tried to stifle her sobbing. 

Here she was again, neck deep in work, crying over a man that had left her behind with nothing but the weight of his unkept promises, only this time he’d left her with an equally weighty shotgun at least. She chuckled through her tears as she registered the shotgun again in her now blurred periphery. 

Dammit. Dammit, DAMMIT. 

Shepard was supposed to be different. He wasn’t supposed to leave. He told her he wouldn’t leave. She TOLD him to come back to her. 

Tali slammed a fist to her desk, she was better than this. The holo-screen flickered in reaction to her outburst and she spat a quiet swear under her breath, clenching her jaw in uncertain anger, unsure if it was pointed at herself or him. No. Shepard didn’t have a choice either, not really. 

He was always going to run into that beam. He was always going to activate The Crucible. Because everyone in the damned galaxy had been counting on it. Because that’s just what he did. That was his duty; running off into suicide missions because people needed him to. 

Never thinking about the people who needed him to stay… 

And she had stupidly loved him anyway. 

Without him, she probably wouldn’t be here to have a grief stricken crisis over admin work, from the air conditioned safety of her stupid office, above the stupid ancestral home world that stupid BASTARD had fought to save for her, just to die anyway. 

Without him, no one would be here to do much of anything, she thought. 

But he was still a bastard. He still left her. She still missed him. 

“Keelah...” She took a ragged inhale and cursed the small breakdown, crying in these helmets was such a damned nuisance, couldn’t even wipe her eyes or clear her stuffy nose. 

And she still had work to do… 

The holo screen shimmered before her, the cold data apathetic to the heartbreak of its recipient. 

Admiral Zorah began to study the details of the information that had been sent to her, trying to think of something else. The irony of that thought process had gone unnoticed. 

She started to work through cataloguing the contents of the supply index, quietly sniffling every so often, separating military from civilian aid, deciding which ships to prioritise rations to based on metrics like population numbers and previous ration rotations… 

Mind numbing busy work. 

Tali had been ‘elected’ as the primary representative to liaise between the Geth platforms, working with her people on the home world; and the Migrant Fleet in orbit. It fell to her to make sure the supplies sent from Rannoch were rationed and distributed properly throughout the population, as well as making sure any received materials were ‘above board’ as Admiral Gerrel had put it. Stupid, paranoid old bosh’tet...she was convinced it was some kind of scheme by the admiral to punish her, for her perceived role in uniting the Quarians and the Geth. 

The Conclave had been muttering about the fractures forming among The Admiralty. She still had several fully outlined notices of concern from a list of ship captains throughout the fleet, waiting unread in her terminal’s inbox… 

She had been struggling to answer many, partly because their concerns were justified, partly because she was barely holding herself together never mind handling the weight of a populations worries. Their people were anxious for answers on what was next for them, yet their leadership still appeared to be bickering too much about the Geth to be concerned with providing any. 

Sometimes, she felt like the only one who actually gave a damn. 

The rest of The Admiralty had declared their hands tied with their own duties and as such were in no position to assist Tali directly in managing the fleets wider activities beyond advisory roles, some reasons legitimate, others...less so. 

Admirals Shala‘Raan and Xaal’Koris had been operating from the home world following the wars end; the decision was made after their respective ships had been shot down over Rannoch during the war. It was decidedly more efficient to use the ships remains to build functional habitats rather than restoring them to leave the planet they had been making plans to settle. 

The two of them had agreed to independently establish their populations and begin efforts to rebuild cooperatively, with assistance from the Geth of course. Koris had been eager to begin working on building a new relationship with the synthetics. Tali had always admired the man’s optimism for a peaceful future; they needed more like him. 

Raan had sided with pragmatism and accepted the Geth’s offers of assistance, for the people’s benefit. But Tali knew that her aunt, privately, was still very unsure of this new relationship. Regardless of the well mannered synthetic’s seemingly altruistic motives, there was still an element of distrust from Shala’s end. 

The conflict with the Geth had been long, and all Quarians bore scars for it.

Despite the tensions and concerns for the future however, New Qwib-Qwib and Tonbay-Shade were the first official Quarian settlements on the homeworld in over three hundred years... 

The weight of that thought did stir something in Tali. They had actually done it. Not only that, but Admiral Koris had managed to get one of the first Quarian settlements on the home world in over three centuries named after that damn ship… 

He had insisted on the name, as a tribute to the crew aboard who had given their lives so their people could have a chance to rebuild on Rannoch. Ridiculous name or not; The Qwib Qwib’s crew were the first Quarians to set foot on the home world since the Morning War, they would be honoured as the pioneers and reluctant heroes they were forced to be; by the citizens of New Qwib Qwib and all who would set foot on the homeworld. Quarian or otherwise. 

Tali couldn’t disagree with the sentiment; she just sometimes wished a ship like ‘The Mourning Queen’ or ‘The Thundercracker’ had been one of the first to get shot down instead. Koris was doing his best to help Tali however, his sense of duty to the civilian fleet above still held strong; and he understood the pressures his fellow admiral was now faced with. 

Admiral Raan had given Tali oversight over a handful of ships from the Patrol Fleet whilst she picked up her new duties on the homeworld, both to aid in securing The Pioneer and as a subtle gesture from the Admiral that Tali’Zorah could be trusted with such affairs. Tali was grateful for her Auntie Raan, she really did believe Tali could be greater than all of them. 

Tonbay-Shade had been the smaller of the two settlements, the design had been a stroke of genius by The Admiral when the question of settling her ships people had arisen. 

The Tonbay was stripped and repurposed into both housing, and a large central structure that had been designed to shade the residents of the new settlement, the geth had assisted with the technological retrofits that allowed the giant metal flower to rotate as needed to most efficiently shade from the planets harsh sun...It was a marvel, despite its relatively small stature in the grand scale of things. It made Tali feel a justified pride in her people. Her aunt had always been able to evoke that, Tali loved her dearly. 

Admiral Gerrel, was busy chest-beating with the heavy fleet. Holding it’s perimeter around the civilian population, trying to give the impression that the Quarians were still just as capable of defending themselves without geth ‘interference’ - mostly he was just trying to avoid having to deal with the damn synthetics, Tali had wagered. He made visits to Rannoch on occasion, usually to chastise the other Admirals for allowing the synthetics to aid them so readily while also expecting the same resource output without Geth assistance from their already limited planet-side population. 

Han’Gerrel had the interests of his people at the forefront of his mind, and he sought a prosperous future for them...but keelah, the man couldn’t spell diplomacy, his archaic mindset that Quarian/Geth relations were considered on the galactic stage were naive and irritating. No one cared. And an old man shouting about why everyone should care while waving guns around usually just invokes the opposite effect. Tali was reminded of an old human physicist she’d learned of from Mordin, during one of his rambles turned lectures that tended to occur when Tali was picking up antibiotics from his lab on the Normandy. She missed Mordin, always had something fun on his mind…her favourite mad scientist... 

Daro’Xen had gone quiet. Her activities were known only to the admirals stationed on Rannoch and even then, they weren’t privy to the full story. 

 Xen’s defining characteristics were being shady and dubious. This wasn’t surprising behaviour. Tali struggled to justify allowing the admiral the title at times. In her mind; she believed Xen was working solely for the benefit of herself and the fact her scientific curiosities were of use to her people was an afterthought to her own pursuits. 

Tali didn’t like it, but she at least trusted Admiral Raan enough not to let Xen go too crazy while their people were simply trying to resettle their home. 

Still, Xen had a clear desire to keep any prying eyes away from the homeworld, which meant she had become surprisingly sufficient at deflecting inquiries from the likes of The Council and STG, something Tali had come to respect as she had become more involved in the world of diplomacy. 

Rannoch had become somewhat of a hot topic following the end of the Reaper War. The tentative new alliance between the Fleet and the Geth meant that the Quarian homeworld, previously impervious, now had a small avenue for lucrative opportunity; something the wider galactic community were keen to get involved in. 

The Quarians had been keeping tight restrictions on direct access to the planet, given that many of their own were still living aboard the ships stationed above.  

The reality was, very few Quarians had made the decision to settle on the planet after the war... 

For the citizens of The Migrant Fleet, the idea of reclaiming Rannoch for their people was one that had inspired hope, and a unified idea that their people could strive to achieve. An idea Tali herself had come to lean on in the past, but for the many Quarians that had considered this reality, coexisting alongside the geth had never been part of the equation. Yet now they were expected to just…go with it.

Most were terrified of the idea, many were angry. And they all wanted answers from The Admiralty. 

Tali'Zorah understood the concern. If she hadn’t met Legion she probably would have been just as doubtful about wilful cooperation with The Geth. 

She missed Legion too, more than she ever thought she would.  She had come to understand that the Geth weren’t just unfeeling machines like she had previously thought, thanks to her interactions with the platform, but still…she was hesitant to call them ‘people’ after everything, especially considering ‘Legion’ wasn’t gone entirely...something she still couldn't quite come to terms with.  

The Geth were something else, something new. But new didn’t have to mean bad. 

Her gaze again, returned to the planet visible through the viewport behind the holo screen. 

Beautiful and brimming with potential. She allowed herself to indulge in the view, for a moment, her breathing was becoming clearer following the small outburst prior. 

Her people just wanted to go home. But they were scared, of course they were, the Geth had been their collective boogeyman for centuries. 

It was Tali’s job to quell these fears. Her own personal matters be damned… 

The mountain of work still loomed large, but she’d made a small dent in it. 

She looked down at the picture on her desk again, taking it in her hands and softly pressing her fingers to the figures in the photo, trying not to let the memories swallow her back up. 

Maybe one day she could have nice things. 

Tali opened the drawer of her desk, gently placing the picture inside, alongside her rock. Out of sight, out of mind. But still close. 

She was pulled from her self-indulgent melancholy by a commotion rising in volume coming towards the door of her office… 

What now? 

Chapter Text

The sound of hurried footfalls beneath a muffled, agitated sounding voice came from behind the sleek metal door; it slid open with an understated whoosh, and the shrill rambling became audible enough to understand,

“-and how many times do I have to tell you that you’re not allowed to just walk in here like you own the place and that there are rules for coming up here-!” 

Tali looked up from the holo-screen as a Geth platform; clad in sleek white plating that could have been mistaken for marble stepped confidently into her office, with her flustered clerk, Teva’Selani, hurriedly following behind. 

The synthetic was carrying a potted plant, holding it in both hands as it continued it’s stride toward Tali’s desk. 

The Geth cut Teva off flatly as it approached, “-This Unit has made several scheduled visits to Admiral Zorah’s office over the past thirty cycles. Your insistence on our repeated interactions is an inefficiency that does not benefit either of us, Creator Selani.” 

It stopped short of Tali’s desk, holding the plant out in front of it. 

Teva’Selani halted at the remark. Behind the rude synthetic before responding in a volume that threatened to breach professional guidelines - “Inefficiency!? Just who do you think you’re talking to?? I’m supposed to make sure anyone who comes to see The Admiral gets checked in and scanned properly for her safety and you keep barging in here making my job-!” 

Tali spoke up, seeing the girl becoming increasingly flustered by the synthetics blunt attitude - “Teva I’m quite sure that if Unity had any untoward plans, it would have tried them by now. And besides-” she looked up to the Geth, tilting her head and smiling politely - “I’m sure I could handle one rogue platform, I’ve dealt with plenty. This one’s fine.” A small whirring came from the Geth, but it didn’t respond verbally. 

“Right...Of course Admiral, my apologies.” - Teva’s shoulders slumped in response to the understated knockback of her attitude. The Admiral looked at her for a moment, as she stood behind Unity, the poor girl had been working hard.  

The general rhythm of work had become such that for as long Tali’Zorah was clocked in, so was Teva’Selani. It was a tough job, one that she had taken willingly. Teva had always been the smartest, so organised, yet she’d still been crazy enough to take this position when asked. Tali was grateful to have some familiar faces around. 

“You’re fine...we’ll talk later, ok?” Tali tilted her head as she looked past the Geth stood in front of her, giving the girl a small nod and a kind smile. 

Teva sighed as she stared into the back of the Geth stood at Tali’s desk -  

“Alright Tali, if you say so...Damn thing.” She scowled at Unity. 

The Geth turned slightly as it’s optic housing tilted toward her, its 'eye’ narrowing, Teva stuck her tongue out at the synthetic from beneath her visor in immature defiance, turning on her heels to the exit. The Geth gave her the creeps. She couldn’t understand how Tali was so comfortable speaking with them. 

“Teva...”  - Tali’s tone remained polite, but firm, they’d discussed this. 

“It should learn some manners.” - She quipped, strutting back through the open doorway. 

The door slid shut and the Admiral returned her attention to the Geth in front of her; Unity had been sent by Admiral Raan to act as a ‘synthetic representative’ for Tali. A glorified babysitter more than anything else, its presence in her office familiar, in the same irritating way her Aunt could be. It stood, unflinching, with the potted plant still in its hands. 

“You really should take the time to check in with her before you come in here you know...” Tali sighed, raising a brow. 

The Geth responded - “Creator Silani’s insistence upon arbitrary administrative tasks is a trait this unit finds...admirable. Though I predict that she would prefer to keep interactions with Geth platforms to a self-imposed minimum. I only aim to assist.” Its voice was smooth, its tone clipped. 

“She’s just trying to do her job Unity, you should be nicer to her. I’ve known her a long time...”  Tali replied, folding her arms as her gaze fell to the plant the synthetic held in its hands - “You barged in here to show me this?”  

She gestured at the tall, faintly luminous blue plant that stemmed from the soil of the small black container it was held in. 

“Admiral Raan has requested that I make efforts to assist you in personalising your quarters to aid with your integration aboard The Pioneer.” Unity responded matter-of-factly, of course Raan was involved. 

“And she told you to bring a plant?” she asked, cocking her head to one side. 

“Specifics were left to This Units discretion. I predicted natural flora from Rannoch’s surface would be a satisfactory choice.” It paused, a small click emanated from somewhere in its internals “Admiral Raan commented that your quarters were notably sparse - barren.” - Geth spoke in such a strange way, they could describe heartfelt gestures and drop scathing comments in the exact same unflinching cadence. It was jarring at times, but Tali was used to it at this point. 

She leaned back in her chair looking quizzically at the Geth- “And Raan is ok with you telling me about her ‘opinions’ on my decor?” 

“Admiral Raan advised that discretion would lead to more favourable outcomes, however in this unit’s experiences, you prefer transparency with such matters. I decided to - take initiative.” It’s voice held a restrained pridefulness. 

Unity’s honesty had surprised her at first. No doubt it would surprise Raan if she ever found out. 

She smiled softly, touched by the consideration - “That’s...Very thoughtful Unity, thank you.” 

“Gratitude noted.” - The Geth responded. It stepped forward, placing the plant on her desk next to her terminal. Tali flicked a switch on her helmet; disabling her visors lighting module. Blinking a few times as the light flooded into her visor, she wanted to see it properly. The plant was a pretty thing; it seemed to bob slightly without prompting.  

A small smile threatened its way across her face. 

“It’s very nice...” she commented absent-mindedly allowing herself to become entranced by the plants gentle bouncing - “What made you pick this?” 

“I had hoped it may have accompanied the mineral aggregate that was present during my last visit.” Unity commented as its lens narrowed on Tali. 

She tensed up at the mention of the rock that sat innocently in her drawer, along with the photo she had just hidden away. 

“My...Rock...?” Tali asked quietly. 

“Yes, your ‘Rock’. Was it no longer aesthetically pleasing?” - Unity responded, a slight inquisitiveness to its typically cool tone. 

Tali replied after a pause that Unity timed as being a bit too long for such a simple query, “No...I mean...it’s nothing like that I just...” It watched her smile fade beneath her visor-  

“I put it away.”  

Her gaze lingered on the plant; the smile never came back. 

The Geth began to dig... 

“Observation: The ‘rock’ is of the same origin as the flora specimen This Unit has provided, query as to reason for its removal.”  

Did it even know what it was asking? 

Tali returned the Geth’s gaze with a sharp look, her tone was cold, but held politeness -  

“It doesn’t matter, Unity.” 

“Is this an organic contradiction?” It asked flatly. 

“What?” she asked slowly, her patience thinning... 

“The rock originates from the surface of Rannoch, the flora, also originates from Rannoch-” Unity pointed to the plant, continuing to question - “You have expressed gratitude for this example, yet the former is no longer present. Are you going to put the plant away as well?” -  was it asking out of concern for its ‘gift’?  

“No, Unity-” She scoffed, “Why are you even asking me this..?” she had to cut the Geth off before it could pry any deeper, it was harder to use humour to get around them, they couldn’t laugh. She had to be more direct, change the subject. 

“This unit wishes to know the criteria of what is presentable for your quarters, what changed about the rock?” 

Tali let out a tired sigh, “Nothing changed about the rock Unity, I just put it away...” 

“Why?” -  it’s gaze hadn’t moved from Tali since it had put the plant on her desk. 

“-Why are you being so damned nosey!?” The polite tone was gone.  

“This Unit has observed several logical contradictions present in organic thought processes. Example: You state Creator Teva’Selani’s main directive is to perform her duties efficiently, yet her prejudice against The Geth prevents this outcome. Creator Selani herself is likely aware of this contradiction, yet she continues to serve in her role for reasons This Unit is unable to determine. If I were to query this with her directly, do you believe she would have an answer?” 

Unity remained still, watching as Tali paused for a moment before responding, she wondered what Teva might actually say if she were asked the question... 

Because she believed in being a good worker? Because she took pride in being the best at her job? Maybe even just because she cared? 

“I’m...not sure about that Unity...maybe you should ask her?” her voice was quiet, lost in thought. 

The Geth had predicted her response with complete accuracy. 

“Unnecessary. I still have a pending query with you, Admiral.” 

It wasn’t letting go. 

“Why are you so interested in this damned rock!?” - she moved quickly, sliding the drawer of her desk open, swooping up the unassuming thing without breaking eye contact with the Geth and planting it onto the desk with force  as it connected to it’s surface with a thud-  

“See? It's still here, happy!?” 

Tali let out an exasperated huff sliding the rock forward and folding her arms, she was trying not to look at it. The Geth’s lens twitched in it's direction. 

“The rock itself is an aggregate of minerals formed naturally on Rannoch, an unremarkable specimen.” Tali flinched, Unity didn’t seem to register it, “The Geth have performed our own studies on the planet’s geology, I have little interest in the example itself. I am curious as to why it is making you act in such an erratic manner, Admiral.” 

“I am not being erratic Unity now stop asking me stupid questions!” She pointed her gaze back to the holo-screen in front of her - “Now please, if you don’t mind, I have work to do...” 

Tali was ready to throw herself back into her mind-numbing busy work, she was done with questions. The screen buzzed faintly and the supply index began to shift & change rapidly, re-organising itself in front of her; a dismayed expression formed as she watched her work finish itself -  

“What the HELL are you-!” she snapped towards Unity as its iris flickered and its chassis let out a slight buzz. 

She looked back at the screen...It was done?  

All of it...? 

“I have successfully arranged this supply index to be distributed according to data acquired from prior shipments arranged by yourself.” Unity paused as it pulled a few specifics from the vast amount of information it had just processed – 

 “The citizens of Migrant Fleet civilian craft ‘Irish Goodbye’ have been allocated extra water provisions as requested in the previous fleet update. The ‘Grim Reminder’ has been supplied with additional element zero per it’s scheduled supply voyage along with long lasting provisions-” 

 The Geth continued to rhyme off ship names and the respective supplies that had been rationed to them as Tali stared in defeat at the screen before she interrupted -  

“You aren’t supposed to do things like that...” 

“You are worried Admiral Gerrel will suspect my interference.” Unity turned, with clasped hands behind its back as it stepped to the front centre of the desk, in front of the screen. 

She was worried she didn’t have any distractions left to tire her brain out. 

“I told him I would handle this myself.” She responded bitterly. The work had been helping her avoid thinking about, well, everything else... 

“I have made sure to keep supply patterns in line with previous iterations created by you Admiral, despite observing several inefficiencies. Admiral Gerrel should not be able to discern the difference between our work.” 

They really could be rude little bosh’tets. 

“You’re calling my work inefficient, Unity?” She leaned forward resting her hands neatly in front of her on the desk. Keeping her tone restrained. 

“You are prioritising supplies sent to the civilian fleet; at times diverting resources that would be better spent elsewhere to ensure the comfort of the citizens. Some would argue this is inefficient.”  

Some would just have to deal with it. 

“Would you argue that?” She asked, tilting her head in exaggerated curiosity. 

“This Unit’s logic would compel it to rectify the inefficiency. However, your organic internal directives differ greatly to this unit’s established parameters. Your trait of compassion is one I find...intriguing.”  

It was a strange position to be in. Tali imagined her ancestors centuries ago wrestling with the implications of The Geth becoming truly sentient, now here she was, the face of a new generation. She was trying to be better. 

“Oh, so you interfered with my work to try and show compassion?” She asked with a tease to her voice, The Geth twitched slightly in response to the question. 

“If Admiral Gerrel is so directly opposed to This Units ‘interference’ with your work, perhaps he might offer greater assistance directly.” 

That forced a quiet chuckle to escape from her, it was nice. 

“That’s a fair point I suppose...”

She shook her head, maybe it was only trying to help.  

“Thank you, Unity.” 

“Gratitude noted.” 

A noticeable silence followed. 

“…Now that you do not have any immediate tasks to attend to, are you able to answer my query, Admiral Zorah?”   

Dammit. 

“Remind me, I have a lot going on-” She smiled, hoping Unity had taken the hint that she didn’t want to circle back on this. “What was that again?” 

“What significant change occurred that would drive you to remove the rock from your desk? This Unit would like to know how to avoid this outcome for the plant provided.” 

It pointed to the plant on the desk as it continued to bob from one side to the other, like a little dance. Maybe Unity just wanted its gift to be treated with respect, what was so wrong with that? 

She sighed, maybe she was thinking too much into things. 

“You don’t have to worry Unity, I won’t hide it away.” 

Her eyes began to follow in rhythm as she watched the plant continue to bounce left and right, back and forward -  

“It’s kind of cute.” 

Unity wasn’t quite sure how to process that. This plant was an example of life, resilience, natural beauty; organic qualities it had learned to parse logically. ‘Cute’ wasn’t a known variable. 

“Define ‘Cute.’” It asked flatly. 

“uhh...” 

She pouted in thought for a moment, unsure of how to word it in a way a Geth would understand. 

“I... like the way it bounces, it’s... cute. Y’know?” 

“I do not, ‘bouncing’ is... cute?”  

Unity sounded confused, which was fair; did quantity of bounce correlate with how cute something was? Tali thought about it for a moment... 

“I...think so? It's a subjective thing for most people Unity. I’m not the authority on cuteness.”  

“Noted.” Unity glanced back to the rock, it’s optic lens squinting, processing. 

Her own eyes wandered down from the plant, to the rock sat on the desk, Tali was torn on what to do with it now, she silently cursed her earlier outburst. 

Move it? Leave it and just try not to look at it? Talk about it? 

No, that would be stupid. 

Before she could come to a decision, Unity picked the rock up in its grasp, observing it in quiet fascination, Tali jerked forward just slightly, enough of a reaction for the Geth to pick up on. 

“The rock is not cute, because it does not bounce?” It asked, still staring at the rock 

She was looking at the chunk of stone now that it had been taken from her. 

“It doesn’t work like that either Unity and like I said, not the authority on cuteness..."

Unity watched as her eyes stayed transfixed on the mundane specimen.

"Just...put it down, ok?” 

“I have detected an elevated heart rate from your suits vital sensors Admiral.” 

No. Too far. 

“I’ve told you before about monitoring my suit Unity. Stop it. Now.” - Tali recoiled back slightly, folding her arms again. Her tone was stern, her gaze pointed. 

“I...Did not mean to cause distress admiral. I was just curious-”  

“-Then ask a question. Do not go skulking around my suit. Understand?” Her words were edged with threat. 

“Yes Admiral.” Unity’s voice was quieter now, was that guilt? 

“Put the rock down.” she commanded. 

The Geth meekly stepped forward placing her little piece of home next to the plant. 

“I apologise admiral. I only intended to briefly observe your suits vital data to try and understand your connection to the specimen by assessing your reaction-” It’s rambling was interrupted. 

“Why does it matter so much Unity...?” she was tired, she was a bit sad, she just wanted these questions to stop. 

There was a delay before it answered -  

“Because as far as this unit can tell...it is just a rock...I am curious about what makes it so ‘special’ Admiral Zorah.” There was a hint of childlike curiosity to it’s tone. 

Tali’Zorah stared at Unity for a moment, looking deep into its optic lens. The Geth could understand what a rock was, they could learn every detail about it to the microscopic level. But apparently, they couldn’t fathom what could make one of these so important to someone for anything beyond passing scientific curiosity.  

Could a Geth even understand sentimentality? Could she even teach it? She took a deep breath in and let it out in a long, exasperated sigh. Unity wasn’t trying to mess with her head. It was just curious. Annoyingly so. 

“It was a gift...from someone very important to me...” She finally admitted. Before adding, “It’s not just a rock.” 

The geth’s lens clicked and whirred for a moment as it studied the rock a little closer. 

“But it is...It has no significant qualities when compared to similar examples-” 

“It’s not just a rock to me Unity. That’s the difference. To everyone else, maybe, but not to me...”  

her voice trailed off as she remembered, the two of them on that cliff, a freshly liberated homeworld under her feet and air, real air, in her chest. With him by her side, her Captain, her Idiot, her Shepard. It was supposed to be forever... 

Unity had noticed she’d been crying again from the moment it had put the plant on her desk. It wanted to know why. It didn’t understand. What was making her cry so often? 

“You stated it was a gift...” the geth’s optic housing tilted to one side slightly, trying to mimic organic curiosity.  

Internally it was analysing everything it had been able to gather about Tali’Zorah from the time it had spent alongside her directly, before attempting to access more fragmented pieces of information from typically dormant thought processes...maybe it would find answers there.

“Yes...from-” Tali’s eyes seemed to glaze over, their usual brightness dimming slightly. 

Unity twitched and whirred as its logic processes overlapped with that of the remnant memory core installed inside of it...  

It spoke the name slowly, a change in cadence, eerily familiar:

“Shep-ard...Comman-der...” 

A chill ran down Tali’s spine; she forgot Unity could do that. 

“Legion used to call him that.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She stared up at the Geth. 

“Yes...my apologies Admiral, This Unit remembers.” 

“You do...” She agreed grimly. 

Unity was a little different from other Geth, the platform itself a gift from the wider collective to The Admiralty, A freshly constructed unit created after the war and implanted with the remnants of the memory core that had formed Legion, alongside its own independent logic processors.  

Created by The Geth in memory of the unit that sacrificed itself to give its brethren free will, it would remember Legions experiences, but it would function as its own, new consciousness. It was Unity. The Geth had initally sent it to Admiral Raan as a representative of the synthetics, but Raan insisted that it would be better served assisting Admiral Zorah aboard The Pioneer... 

This had resulted in some oddly bittersweet moments between the Admiral and her new companion in the time they had spent together. 

But nothing like this, never about him. 

“I still don’t fully understand how that even works...” Tali admitted, before continuing “I still don’t like it...” 

“This Unit was not personally consulted when the remnant memory core was fitted, Admiral Zorah.” It sounded matter of fact, but Tali detected a hint of defensiveness underneath. 

“I know. I’m sorry Unity, I don’t mean it like that. It’s just, strange, I know you’re not Legion but...you remember everything-” Tali agreed apologetically. 

“Incorrect, Admiral, The Geth were unable to recover the memory core in it’s entirety; This Unit simply retains anything Legion logged as Key Information.” 

Tali looked down at the rock, a familiar weight in her chest starting to build. 

“Like...Shepard?”  

She focused her will to get the name out in the open, it had been a while. 

“Correct.” 

It’s response was cold, devoid of any real emotion. 

“What does it remember about him?”  She felt so stupid, why even ask that?

Unity paused for a moment, looking past the Admiral before responding - 

“Information This Unit is able to obtain from the remnant memory core infer that Legion perceived Commander Shepard as a highly proficient combatant throughout its experience with him, likely due in part to a flagrant disregard for his own self-preservation that could fall into the category of ‘suicidal tendencies.’" 

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped through Tali’s modulator.  

“That...Sounds about right, yes.” 

Unity continued - 

“The wellbeing of his crew, and any others he was in a position to help, often took priority over his own which inadvertently heightened stress among those close to him. Though he was often ignorant to this factor.” 

Tali stayed quiet. 

Unity had come to its own conclusions about the Commander outside of Legions perspective.  

“I can also infer he cared a great deal for you, Admiral Zorah.” 

“I know...”  

But he was still gone. 

“Organic contradictions...” Unity swayed slightly as the words escaped, externalising thought processes was an organic concept.

Irregular. Logged for later analysis. 

“What do you mean?” The Admirals question appeared to startle Unity as it jerked back to attention -  

“Apologies Admiral. This Unit was simply considering the unfortunate nature of the Commander. He does not appear to have been successful in his endeavors. I believe he failed.” 

Tali felt a spark ignite somewhere deep down – this thing hadn’t known him. It had no right to talk about him like that, her homeworld still looming ever present through the viewport of her office reminding her of everything Shepard actually had achieved. 

“The only reason you even get to stand here and say that is because he stopped us from wiping you all out you bosh’tet!” 

She immediately regretted the outburst, someone might have heard from outside. 

Unity appeared to recoil slightly, it’s lens narrowing. 

“I...did not intend to offend you. I simply believe that Commander Shepard wanted you to be ‘happy’ Admiral. However, evidence this unit has gathered indicates that this outcome has not been achieved.” 

“Evidence...?” She asked, unnerved. 

“Analysing behavioural patterns and monitoring activities undertaken in the two months this Unit has been assigned to assist Admiral Zorah indicate that you are experiencing an extended period of grief. This Unit has intent to understand and assist with this process but emotional repression has made the process...difficult. I was unsure of the cause until I was able to infer your relationship with the Commander through the remnant core.” 

“You’ve...been...psychoanalysing me!?!” Her voice raised in pitch as she spoke, the Geth didn’t move. 

“Did Raan put you up to this!? What have you been telling her?” She was incandescent. 

Unity looked down at the floor. 

“Admiral Raan made a...personal request, that This Unit does what it can to assist in improving your wellbeing and inform her of any concerns.” It didn’t look up. 

“You...” Tali grit her teeth, clenching her fists on the desk in front of her; she couldn’t scream at it, she was supposed to be the one in charge of relations... 

“Admiral Raan’s actions are driven by her concern for your wellbeing Admiral.” 

“She sent a Geth to spy on me because she was concerned about my wellbeing??” 

She scowled at the Geth as it’s gaze drifted to the side as it considered the question. 

“Contradictions. Admiral.” It looked back up at her “Evidently Geth are not exempt...” 

Tali blinked in surprise at the self analysis. 

“Apparently not...” 

She leaned on the desk staring down the synthetic. 

“I only aim to assist Admiral...” Unity responded, quietly. 

“By gossiping to another Admiral about my mental state?”  

She snapped back quickly, Unity straightened up slightly. 

“I have not properly informed Admiral Raan of the severity of the situation for some time. She believes you are being successfully distracted by your workload.” 

“You’ve been lying to her...?” She replied accusingly.

“This Unit took initiative. Admiral Raan’s projected steps to support you further would likely result in exacerbation of inefficiencies.” 

It was probably right. Dammit, it was probably right... 

“So if you haven’t been reporting back to Raan...” 

She began to wonder. 

“Why are you still asking all these questions Unity?” 

There was a long pause, the silence broken only by intermittent whirs and clicks as Unity thought of its answer. 

“I am...'concerned' for you, Admiral...” 

That had been unexpected.