Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 32

Milky Way/Far Rim/SSV Galatea

Earth year: 2185 CE --- June

"I don't understand Kal." Tali protested. "Why is it so important we go to Haestrom? It's in the middle of geth space, they send regular patrols through that system. It's dangerous for anyone to be there, never mind a non-military science vessel."

"I know Tali, but you know how important this is. The Admirals are worried."

"Important or not, I don't like putting my team at risk to investigate a dying star that shouldn't be dying."

"You won't be Tali."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"This will be a military operation. We're to rendezvous with a ship in the next system. Your team will return to the Flotilla and we'll be taking a smaller military vessel into the area, along with a small squad that will be under my command. You'll be in charge of the science team, smaller than what we have aboard now."

"They want me to lead a team of scientists I've never worked with before?" Tali couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Don't they know how dangerous that is?"

"It will be dangerous for anyone and I understand your concerns, but this order came directly from the Admirals."

"Why didn't they tell me this directly?" Tali asked, angry now.

"I don't know ma'am. All I know is that I have my orders and I was asked to pass the message on to you."

"I don't like this Kal." Tali said, turning away from him.

"I'll stand with you if you want to confront the Admirals about this ma'am." Kal said, reassuring her that she had his support.

Tali turned back to face the man who she'd come to trust almost as much as she'd once trusted Shepard. She smiled behind her visor. "Thanks Kal. But I think we both know how pointless that would be. Let's just get the course plotted to the rendezvous point and figure out what we need to do to ensure everyone's safety. If we're doing this, I want everyone as prepared as possible."

"Aye aye ma'am." Reegar said, snapping to attention and heading to the crew deck.

"Let's hope it's enough." Tali whispered, watching him go.

Milky Way/Serpent Nebula/Boltzman/Bekenstein

Earth year: 2185 CE --- June

Callie moved into the massive structure that was Donovan Hock's home with a sense of foreboding. Kasumi had given her a short black dress for the occasion that left nothing to the imagination. Callie was more than annoyed that just wearing the damn thing made her feel so naked. It wasn't the dress, but rather the lack of armour and weapons when she knew she'd be trespassing before the night was over.

After acquiring everything they needed to access Hock's vault, Callie breathed a sigh of relief  when they retrieved her armour and weapons. Now she felt safe. She knew it wasn't a healthy way to view things, but in her life she was always being shot at. As far as she was concerned having armour and weapons was just common sense.

Kasumi whistled in appreciation at the sight of what Hock had stored in his private vault as they searched it Keji's graybox. After a brief explanation from Kasumi, Callie had learned that a graybox, illegal in many places, was a V.I. interface that kept a record of an individual's memories. Hock had taken it by force from Keji, the man Kasumi quite obviously still loved.

"Oh my god!" Kasumi exclaimed as they homed in on the graybox. "It's a Kassa Locust. No... it's THE Kassa Locust. The one that killed two presidents. There's even an exact replica." She said, handing one to Callie with a smile. "I don't think Hock will mind if we borrow these."