The Quarian stopped near the communications console, took a deep breath, and began to speak:
"And I remember the skies of Rannoch, and I return home with a thought of the best. For the good of us all, I take a step home again. I am a Pilgrim, I return with data for the Fleet, for the sake of our path and our return with the first dawn," Rael'Zorah said over an open channel.
I-the-Possessed nodded.
"Good, now we wait for an answer."
The Frigate, having just entered the system, went into a drift, awaiting the Quarians' reaction. Having activated the stealth systems, of course. Better to be safe; the reaction to human ships in the galaxy varies.
Looming over the pilot's head, I looked at the radars while simultaneously reading data from the network. The Migrant Fleet is indeed enormous. Tens of thousands of ships of all classes hanging in the system. Combat ships, residential ships, farm-ships—those spherical ones—production ships; over there, it seems, there's even a small mobile shipyard. One must assume this fleet can perform if not a full production cycle, then a large part of it. According to current data, the population of this fleet reaches seventeen million sapients, not counting pilgrims and those who don't live in the fleet. This fleet looks extremely large and threatening to an uninitiated sapient.
An armada, if you forget that two-thirds of the ships are farm-ships, residential ships, and transports. On which weapons have been crudely mounted. It would be fine if they were heavy railguns, but something tells me that's not the case. Simply because the main caliber of Citadel Dreadnoughts is eight hundred and fifty meters long. Fitting such a weapon into a kilometer-long farm-ship, half the hull of which is a rotating sphere, is difficult. So no, they likely have rail turrets, tens of meters long at most. Or even launch tubes.
And if I'm right about their combat capability, any large-scale battle (considering the Quarians live on these ships with their families) will turn into a massacre. Simply because the ships have neither adequate armament nor adequate protection. Their strength is in numbers. An enemy simply physically won't output the density of fire that the Migrant Fleet will. There's only one smaaaaaaaaall problem. The Covenant has plasma shields. And where the Citadel's kinetic barriers would be overloaded by the density of fire, Covenant shields will only dip slightly. The Citadel races literally have to douse the shields in tungsten, utilizing high (and on their cruisers, even machine-gun-like) rates of fire.
But that's theory. Right now, we've listened to one Quarian's monologue and are waiting for their dispatchers' response.
"Poetic," the pilot remarked on the Quarian's words.
He shrugged, and Tali, sitting nearby, answered with a light joy in her voice:
"Parts of our culture, what our poets wrote, are used as passwords. It can be hard to make children learn certain quotes. This is our culture, not destroyed by the Morning War."
One-tailed me (and I am present on the bridge in two instances) calmly clarified:
"Nostalgia?"
Tali nodded, as did Rael.
"I spent a lot of time outside the fleet. And yet every time I return there, for various reasons," she sighed, "it takes my breath away every time."
Rael'Zorah was clearly embarrassed. A sudden daughter who is also older than him clearly stresses the guy out. He stays close but at the same time tries not to get too near. As if he himself doesn't quite understand how to react correctly to the situation. Well, that's not my problem.
I, however, was much more interested in the fleet itself than these emotional dramas. A fascinating combination of horizontal lines and ring-shaped artificial gravity mechanisms. The huge rotating spheres on the thin neck of the engine look particularly interesting. I'd guess there's an ecosystem inside; these are farm-ships. Or production ones, so the factory has an atmosphere. The comms came to life.
"Unidentified ship, confirm identification. And drop your cloak. Immediately, or your actions will be deemed hostile."
One-tailed me nodded to Rael; the comms operator pressed the signal transmission key.
"This is Rael'Zorah vas Rayya. Returning from Pilgrimage. Accept personal code."
The Quarian's Omni-tool flashed, showing its work and enveloping his hand in a pattern of hard light. The transmission began. The other side answered:
"Code accepted, welcome back. As soon as you drop your cloak," the last part was said with emphasis.
The Captain of our ship nodded, and we began moving toward the fleet. And it is massive. For the first time in all my time here, I see a fleet large enough to have made sense during the wars with the Forerunners. The composition of the fleet is a separate question; the largest ships are the farm-ships. They stay in the second line, behind the first. The formation is deployed, as is usual here, toward the Mass Relay. But this is a fleet I can call a fleet without any problem. And by the way.
"Should we spook them?" three-tailed me asked boredly. "That formation won't help them against The Covenant. They'll hit the flank, and goodbye.
Tali hissed at me:
"Don't you dare! After that, negotiating will be impossible!"
By the way, when Tali saw one-tailed and three-tailed me side by side, she was stunned. When she used a bio-scanner immediately after that, she just stood and stared into space, trying for a long time to understand what that was. Both Avatars and the Possessed were created specifically to fool bio-scanners. Vorhess temporarily disabled the protection, yes. Of course, a Forerunner Monitor wouldn't be so easily fooled, but a handheld device can be, if you know how it works and exactly what it detects to count a target as living.
And so Tali, familiar with the skills of creating androids indistinguishable from organics, sees how my Possessed combs the tails of the combat Avatar and points a bio-scanner at them. And sees a positive response for living beings. On both. And on the passing humans too. And I can practically hear the template cracking.
And as a finishing touch, the Possessed smiles, winks, and presses a finger to her lips, saying "shhh." It seems the Quarian has become a bit more of a paranoiac.
"Well, in this case you're right, it's not worth it," the Captain agreed. "Disable the cloak; let's fly to the fleet."
The Possessed remarked on this:
"Or a demonstration of our capabilities. And the Covies too, by the way. But you're the Captain."
The Captain frowned.
"This is my ship, and I command it, not intelligence. Don't forget that, agent."
The Possessed shrugged indifferently, looking at Tali and smiling a sharp, white-toothed smile, which made her move away, instinctively reaching for the shotgun on her belt.
"Why are you all so nervous?" I asked boredly into the air. "Let's go to the airlock; no need to make the crew twitchy. Look, they're jumping."
Our merry company moved downstairs. We didn't take the Geth with us, although they are the standard norm on a stealth Frigate, two hundred units. Our creative squad consisting of me in two forms, the diplomat, the Krogan, the Prothean, two Quarians, and six soldiers gathered on their side of the airlock.
An ordinary airlock, a long corridor ending in an armor plate with embrasures and a pair of machine guns, turrets on the ceiling. Everything for the best defense during a boarding action. If you try to break through the corridor, you'll quickly find that a mass of interesting challenges awaits you. For example, anti-gravity plates, thanks to which boarders can break their necks by falling onto the ceiling. A good place. The female pilot's voice came from the ceiling:
"Docking in three, two, one, docking!" the ship jolted. "We have contact. Contact group, prepare. Pressure equalization. Launching sterilization systems."
I snorted as Rael'Zorah looked around, searching for the emitters located in the corners. They had spent most of the journey discussing the technology itself, not touching on the kinship. Quarians have similar mechanisms, but they are quite aggressive for the organisms of organics. Specifically intended for processing environmental suits and equipment when visiting other worlds. Since Quarians live in suits, this generally suits them.
Laboratory mechanisms, if there were any, remained on Rannoch after the war with the Geth. So our gift to the Quarians will be actively useful, as our laboratory cleaning systems, even outdated ones, are a lost technology for the Quarians. I could have asked Mendicant Bias too, but there's a risk the Quarians would recognize the equipment and start resisting. They are very nervous about certain issues.
The airlock opened with a hiss, and the welcoming party became visible. Six Quarians, one of whom was behind a heavy weapon turret. They looked us over, stopping at Tali and Rael.
"Greetings to the guests, and welcome back, Rael'Zorah. And who are you?" asked the senior Quarian, in a camouflage (forest pattern) cloak over his suit, looking at Tali.
"Tali'Zorah nar Rayya vas Apollo. I am with the humans."
The sergeant of the xenos was silent for a moment, apparently talking to his superiors, then nodded.
"Rael'Zorah, you may pass. Tali'Zorah, you too. Humans, no more than two with an escort and without weapons."
The Possessed nodded.
"Tali, will you lead? Me and our diplomat, I assume?"
A pure formality; we had discussed beforehand which group would go.
"A reasonable decision," our diplomat agreed. "We are ready."
We split up. The squads of Quarians and our soldiers remained to hypnotize each other, each on their side of the airlock. Well, our trio moved onto the Quarian ship to walk around, look, and talk to the captain. Tali gave us a tour, and the Possessed noticed observers from among the crew in the background. A sensible approach, considering Tali shouldn't be on their population lists at all. But she's a Quarian; you can't just not let her in, at least until identification.
"We are on an eco-ship," the Quarian explained. "Such ships have many functions. Growing food on hydroponic farms, a garden and recreation area, a place where children are taught what the world around them is like. Large gatherings also take place here. As do many social events. Each such ship is a cultural center and a recreation zone where Quarians can communicate with each other and residents of other ships."
This makes sense. After all, the isolation of nomads locked on ships must be much greater than for residents of even Omega. You can't just get on a bus, car, or monorail and go visit another district at any time of your own choosing. And their ships are clearly of different roles, and those same industrialists need somewhere to rest. So the presence of infrastructure for rest and communication is logical and even mandatory.
We had to walk around for another couple of hours before we were finally called and informed that the Admiral of the civilian fleet was summoning us. I was curious where we would be summoned: to the bridge, a cabin, or a special meeting room. It turned out to be quite a nice gazebo. Essentially a compartment with vines and daylight lamps arranged on special mounts along the walls. It provided both privacy and didn't feel like a confined space, as the plants made it seem like there was something beyond them.
The Admiral herself, at first glance, is no different from other Quarians. The same individual environmental suit of green and purple colors; even the materials don't differ from those usually used. She sits at a round table with a tablet on it and chairs around it. Two other Quarians sit next to her, Rael'Zorah and, I assume, the ship's captain. Our three chairs are located on the opposite side. We were gestured toward them.
"Sit, and let's begin," the Admiral invited.
I preferred to skip the official greetings, as they don't interest me, instead scanning the room itself with my sensors. And I can't see anything beyond this room, which is interesting. Well-shielded. Maybe this room looks like others, but it's certainly not simple. Oh, they've finished with the greetings.
"So, why_
"Are you here for us?" the Admiral asked. "You find our Pilgrim, rescue him from battle-torn Omega—and according to Rael'Zorah, his own daughter from the future does it. You find a recording saying the Migrant Fleet will be attacked and you fly here. What do you want?"
The human diplomat smiled. It seemed the Quarian was quite blunt.
"Is it so difficult to offer help to those who will soon be under fire? Humanity has been fighting The Covenant for years. We have lost billions of people, exterminated only because they are human. And you are unfortunate enough to look like us. For us, warning you is a gesture of peace."
The Quarians exchanged glances. Rael'Zorah was present but remained silent.
"So, it's your fault that they intend to destroy us?" a Quarian Captain clarified.
Insolent, but for a diplomat, that was no problem.
"The fault for wanting to destroy the Migrant Fleet lies with a mob of fanatics," Tali snorted, though it wasn't clear if she meant The Covenant or the Admirals. "Humans are victims just the same. And the threat of The Covenant is real and extremely dangerous. The Fleet must react."
The Captain tapped his fingers on the table.
"Is that so? Quarians are nothing to you. Including you, Quarian-who-does-not-exist."
The diplomat shrugged; The Possessed lightly poked the Quarian in the side to keep her from saying too much. Especially regarding the hint that she might be an exile or serves humans rather than the Fleet. The man replied:
"That doesn't mean your people should be handed over to The Covenant for extermination. The Migrant Fleet, in its formation, is oriented toward the Mass Relay. If The Covenant attacks you, they won't hit the Heavy Fleet head-on. They could come at your flank, or your rear. And you won't be able to do anything about it. The Covenant is not limited by Mass Relays and possesses far greater freedom of movement than we or you. If we can deal The Covenant a defeat, everyone will be better off. It will be your victory, but a shared one. For humans, for Quarians, and for the Council Races."
The Admiral nodded.
"I understand you. But that's not all, is it? You've come a long way, even though the information could have been transmitted differently."
The diplomat nodded.
"We can offer you cooperation. I am authorized to conduct negotiations."
"Because the Citadel refused you after everything you've caused?" the ship's Captain inquired sarcastically. The Admiral looked at him, and the Captain shrugged. "Am I wrong? Oma Ker with millions of casualties, Tuchanka, now the conflict has spread to Omega and is about to hit the Migrant Fleet. Wherever you arrive, you bring chaos with you."
Tali jerked indignantly, but I placed a hand on her shoulder. She winced but remained silent. The diplomat replied:
"Oma Ker was a response to aggression from the Council fleet. Yes, we are looking for allies, including against The Covenant. But given the situation, what is wrong with that?"
The Admiral nodded.
"A battle with the Citadel fleet. You know, a certain recording fell into our hands not long ago. Would you care to comment on it?"
The diplomat nodded, and we all looked at the tablet screen. There, in the corridors of a clearly human ship, Turians were trading fire with human infantry. Judging by the incomplete armor, it was a battle in the Contact System. A boarding party from the Turian Hierarchy had docked at a window and cut through it. They had begun successfully pushing the human positions along with a squad in the corridor when robots entered the cargo corridor from the human side. A Sentinel, four Sentinels, and four Geth.
The Sentinel covered the humans with its own shields, which were positioned in two domes at the front, while the Sentinels and Geth, along with the humans, began quickly exterminating the boarding party, who panicked slightly at such reinforcement. The Geth were also without their isolated armor yet. The recording ends with the retreating boarders loading into a Kodiak Shuttle and a frame of a human soldier clearly being given medical aid by a Geth using a Medi-gel kit.
I scanned those around me, noting the reactions to the video. Tali took it calmly; she had been there on the side of Mendicant Bias as a negotiator. The diplomat was slightly annoyed. Rael'Zorah was naturally in shock, and the ship's Captain was in a rage.
Stopping the recording, the Admiral looked at the envoy and repeated.
"How can you comment on this recording?"
Tali was the first to answer.
"The Geth want the Creators to return to Rannoch. As friends. As equals."
The ship's Captain spoke venomously:
"Which is exactly why in skirmishes with the Geth over the last six months, we have lost over seven thousand Quarians and nine ships. The latest of them died this week. The Geth have become more active; they have received armor, weapons, and technology. We wondered for a long time from where. Admiral, how long have you had this recording? Forgive me, but it is important. The Council of Captains will ask this question regardless."
She answered easily.
"Two weeks. The head of the Heavy Fleet, the Captain, handed it to me. We, like the ship captains, were looking for answers in different places. And we found them," she then turned to us. "To be honest, we hoped to get answers to this question from you. That is why you are here now. Well?"
And that was already a direct threat: "if you don't answer in a way we like, there will be problems." Not only I understood this, but the diplomat and Tali as well. The ship's Captain was also watching; after all, it's hard to distinguish facial expressions clearly through helmets.
It was time for me to intervene:
"The Geth desire cooperation. But they do not desire extermination. The Morning War was a mistake, on both sides. If you wish for peace, they will accept your offer. But one must have the courage to take the first step."
I wasn't interrupted, and the Admiral noticed this.
"Forgive me, but who are you to speak so? Who are you?"
And Tali was looking at me questioningly. She was no longer sure if I was a Synthetic or a cyborg. I replied with a wide grin.
"I am an adjutant of humanity's Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). I have participated in contacts with the Geth, among other things. I can confirm that peace is possible. One only needs to find the courage and take a step into the future. If we reach an agreement, I will be the mediator in this matter."
The Captain snorted.
"If we reach one. The Geth destroyed us for two centuries, and now you give them weapons to do it even better. Now they have become more active. The siege of Erinle is proof of that. Why did the Geth come to Erinle?"
The diplomat looked my way; he didn't know. Everyone noticed this look and turned toward me, Tali included. She didn't know about Erinle, but I had explicitly indicated my awareness.
"It is a joint operation between humans and Geth. The Salarian Colony suffered almost no damage; only the defense fleet was suppressed. When we are finished, they will only need to send ships with cargo for their factories to the assembly lines, and the colony will continue to fulfill its function as an industrial center without problems or major repairs."
The Captain said contemptuously.
"The fleet. Well, of course."
The Admiral suppressed her subordinate with a look. He remained silent under her gaze.
"If this is true, then things are somewhat simpler. Can you allow our ship to verify your words?" the Admiral asked.
I shrugged.
"If the ship does not attack, it's no problem. This can be arranged at any time convenient for you. You will also be able to see for yourself that the Geth are not mindless butchers."
The Admiral nodded.
"Good. While we wait for the results, you may be guests of this ship."
"But Admiral!" the Captain, clearly unhappy with the sudden guests, tried to object, but the Quarian looked at her subordinate.
"If their presence ensures safe reconnaissance for our ship, we will allow them to be here,"—and if we lie, there will be someone to blame and kill for it—"perhaps their offer holds more than it seems."
The Captain said displeasedly, looking not at the diplomat, but into my vertical pupils:
"I hope you haven't lied. We have lost too many Quarians because of your actions. If the Admiral wishes to give you a chance, the Council of Captains will be watching you. Closely."
Somehow, he managed to look me in the eye without faltering. He held his face well. The diplomat, looking at us, nodded.
"We agree, but we need to resolve the issue of The Covenant attack. We don't know if it will happen or exactly when, but we should prepare."
Both Quarians accepted this easily; Rael'Zorah, however, was looking at me with what seemed like hatred.
"We are ready to exchange this information for what suits you. As well as accept help in repelling an attack. Everything you are willing to give. Afterward, you will need to leave."
I started to object:
"But The Covenant..."
"Not our problem," the Admiral countered sharply, "if they don't attack us. This is your war; there are too few Quarians to fight in your stead. We will prepare and take measures, but we do not intend to interfere in your war first."
"And the ship?" Tali asked, unable to help herself. "A human ship is docked to this ship."
The Admiral shrugged.
"They can leave the system. Your presence is enough. I will inform them that they are to leave the system within three hours. If your words are confirmed, you will receive a Kodiak Shuttle. And yes, while you are here, I do not wish to hear about you campaigning for peace with the Geth to anyone. This is non-negotiable. Do you understand?"
I nodded. The Captain clearly approved of the commander's words.
"That's not difficult, but it is foolish," The Possessed remarked boredly, "to refuse help."
"Allow us to decide for ourselves how to live," the Admiral countered with a nod from the Captain. "You have already complicated our lives to the limit with your presence. I'm not even sure The Covenant isn't coming for you. So do not aggravate the situation further before I decide that you should wait for the return of our scouts in an isolated room. You will need something significantly more than words if you hope to be believed. Much more."
"We understand your position," the diplomat agreed.
With that, the negotiations moved into the final stage. As soon as we left the compartment, Tali turned to me and pulled me aside. I covered her helmet with my palm at mouth level and pointed to the wall. Tali nodded, and we moved away, looking for a corner where we wouldn't be overheard. When the Quarian spoke, she was almost pleading.
"Help them. I know you can. Ask the Geth, or something. You had a plan, I'm sure. Even if the Migrant Fleet wins, the losses will be colossal. Everyone is here, on the ships. Entire families. Any hit from a plasma torpedo will destroy everyone: children, adults, everyone, by the thousands. They need help, even if they don't want to listen. If the Geth help them, we can reconcile them."
I sighed. It was so complicated, especially since I wasn't the one deciding.
"We won't be able to bring large forces in here. A dozen stealth Frigates, no more. They could avoid serious damage in one case—if the Migrant Fleet moves toward Rannoch. In any other case, there will be losses. Large ones."
The Quarian nodded seriously.
"But if your ships destroy even something, if the Geth draw even a little fire onto themselves, it will be easier for everyone. You agree that if the Geth help, some of the Quarians will accept them. They will survive and be able to come to peace."
The diplomat stood nearby, watching to make sure we weren't bothered. But the man was also interested.
"I'll see what can be done."
We were planning to test superluminal torpedoes in combat conditions here anyway. But they didn't need to know that help was already planned. It really would have been simpler if they at least tried to negotiate with the Geth; they would be happy to help the Creators. I'd have to engage in charity. Convenient for humans, of course, and in doses convenient for humans.
***
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