Jenkins
“Oh wow, you designed this?” Tali was holding the omni tool upgrade I had brought down to give to her.
I had already handed off versions to both Garrus and Wrex, who accepted it mostly without issue. Garrus was happy to equip some new tech, and was asking how he would calibrate the device in order to ensure it was functioning optimally. I happily shared what info I could, trying to keep myself from laughing out loud. Calibrations, oh of course that’s your concern Garrus.
Wrex on the other hand was much more reserved, and almost suspicious about the tech. Lots of questions about any tracking or listening software. I ended up having to disable the audio recording feature for him to be willing to accept, but I suppose you don’t get to live almost 2000 years without being cautious.
Tali however, had by far the most interesting reaction, practically ripping the piece of technology out of my hands as I handed it over. I had forgotten how excitable she was in the first game compared to her later appearances. It was endearing though, and having someone who was a proper full titled engineer to chat to was a nice change of pace. Kaidan and Garrus both only had a touch of engineering knowledge. More for practical combat applications more so than anything else. It was useful but made it difficult to talk about the theoretical concepts with them. Tali however was a different story.
“This is honestly rather impressive, the changes to coding are all relatively small scale and seamless, designed for an easy transition for the average soldier I assume?” She gave me a look as she asked the question, and tilted her head in a motion I considered approving as I gave a nod in the affirmative.
“Yup, the idea was anyone could just plug it into their current omni tool and continue using it as they had before with no noticeable changes. All the improvements were meant to be seamless and behind the scenes. Both for ease of use and to ensure enemies wouldn’t be able to tell something was different prior to engagement.”
“Of course, I could only imagine the shock if I tried an overload and it just didn’t work. How do you support the increase in processing power that would be required though? Wouldn’t that need--” Tali was scanning the device with her own omni tool as she spoke, before suddenly looking up at me. “This is a VI unit. Corporal, surely you know the risks of hooking up a VI to communications technology. While the risk of spontaneous AI development is low, it’s far more likely than an isolated unit.” She sounded concerned, but that was all I was able to really pick up. I was just beginning to realize how difficult it is to truly read a Quarians reactions, their visors were tinted so I couldn’t see their faces, forcing me to rely only on body language and tone.
“Keep scanning Tali, rest assured I’m aware of the risk.” I spoke with confidence. I had made these things to hold up under the council’s scrutiny, it was designed to mitigate all risk of spontaneous AI development. That’s why the units were all isolated from the comm features.
Tali did as I suggested and continued scanning, her shoulders eventually relaxing as she realized the safety measures I had put in place.
“Ah, of course. I should have assumed you would have accounted for such concerns. I apologize for being so harsh. Your work really is impressive, simple improvements but not ones that many would think to apply.” She tilted her head as her voice raised slightly in pitch, and I took it to be the equivalent of a smile. It was taking a bit, but I was hoping I’d get around trying to figure out Quarian expressions eventually. Man talking to aliens was weird. Good weird though, very good weird.
“Well thanks, the praise means a lot coming from you. You’re welcome to give that a look over and you can reach out to me with any questions you might have. If you want I could send you a copy of the code to review as well.”
“Yes!” Her response was sudden but direct. “I mean, yes. I would appreciate it if you would share a copy with me.” She took a step back, and gave a small bow in thanks.
“No worries. Just doing my job, if we’re going to be hunting Saren together we should share every advantage we can. If you need anything feel free to let me know, okay. I know it can be an adjustment getting aboard the Normandy.”
Tali turned her back to look at the engine core, and thinking the conversation was over, I turned to leave. I was stopped as Tali began speaking again, and I refocused my attention to face her. She was still staring up at the core.
“It’s so quiet.” Her voice was soft, something barely heard over the gentle hum of the Normandy’s drive core. It didn’t seem as though she was talking to me directly, just a thought that she spoke aloud. But something in her tone stopped me from leaving.
“I know. Something that size feels like it should make more noise doesn’t it?” I walked up beside Tali, leaning against the railing of the engineer deck and looking at the core that took up the majority of this room.
‘Oh, did I say that out loud? Ah, I’m sorry I was just…” She trailed off, not finishing the thought directly.
I let her rest in the silence for a moment. It was clear something was bothering her, but sometimes the best thing someone can do for another is to provide silent company. If she wanted to talk she would, and if not I would just give her some space. I had an idea what was bugging her, but it wasn’t something I wanted to push.
“It’s strange. I’ve always dreamed of serving on a ship this advanced, of being able to see technology that should be considered nearly impossible. Yet here I am, looking at a drive core twice the size of anything that should be able to fit into a frigate, with experimental tech on my arm, and all it does is make me miss home.”
She still hadn’t looked at me, instead she looked down at her hands that were fidgeting. I wanted to say something, but she continued before I could get that chance.
“I feel like I need to be here. Aside from the fact that Saren and the Geth need to be stopped, this is the perfect place for me to find something for my pilgrimage. It’s everything I’ve hoped for, and it just fell into my lap.” Tali finally turned and looked at me, as though she was expecting an answer.
“Is it wrong for something to fall into your lap? Sometimes the greatest moments in history are decided by someone being in the right place at the right time. Actually most of the greatest moments in history are just the right people, in the right place, at the right time.” She physically flinched at my response, clearly not me to have said what I did.
“What? But, then It’s just-- luck!? How am I supposed to know if I deserve this, if I’m right for this. Commander Shepard said you recommended she take me on this mission. You just decided on that based on what, chance?” She raised her voice, incredulous at the carefree nature of my response.
“Ah. Right, she did just tell everyone I said that didn't she.”
I scratched the back of my neck. I hadn’t expected the Commander to just say that it was my idea to everybody. I only wanted to ensure she said yes since she technically had the option to not to recruit Tali.
“Yeah, she did. Was it really just because I happened to be the one who found the Geth information?” She sank a little, sounding almost afraid of my answer.
I forgot how self conscious Tali could get in the first game when she was given time to think. She performs phenomenally under pressure, but when given time to relax and think she gets nervous and much more self conscious about herself. It was one of the things that made me love her character arc, watching her learn to fully trust herself both in and out of combat.
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“Do you really see it as you ‘happened’ to find the evidence on Saren? Tali, you heard a rumour about Geth maybe roaming around, and convinced a trader ship to investigate. You not only found a Geth Patrol but also managed to isolate a trooper and disable it. Then you removed the memory core with information intact.”
Tali perked back up again in surprise and had to take a step back as I stood from where I had been leaning to face her.
“You managed to escape under what must have been at least partial gunfire, suffering a wound in the process. You not only escaped the Geth successfully but made your way to the Citadel in time for healing. You secure a meeting with Fist, who is notorious for being a bastard and not only made it out alive but did so with the information still in your possession.”
“But Fist tricked me. If it hadn’t been for your team I probably would have died, and that evidence would have been lost. And I almost ignored you all, I thought you might be tricking me. So much could have gone wrong. I was just lucky.” She looked away, a hint of shame rising in her voice.
I paused for a moment. I had to be careful with what I chose to say here if I wanted her to truly believe she deserved to be here. She was capable, and highly skilled. She had to know that, but she doubted if it was enough to be here with us all. I could understand that, given I felt the same nearly every moment. All I could do was tell her the same things I told myself.
“You know Tali, my dad used to have a saying.” She turned to look back at me as I leaned back against the railing, staring at the wall as I pictured the man I had left in another world. “He used to say that everyone would get moments of luck throughout their lives. He said that the people that were truly great were the ones who were skilled and ready to turn those moments of luck into opportunity.”
I felt my voice crack lightly as I pictured the first time my father told me those words. It’s one of those moments you think wouldn’t matter. Talking about hockey players after a game, and how every single one of them was lucky enough to be in the place and time to discover their skill and talent for the sport. Luck backed by skill. It was one of the things he taught me that I remembered most.
“I understand doubting if you deserve to be where you are. I’m lucky too. I’m lucky that Anderson happened to notice my file. I’m lucky he decided to take me aboard his team. I’m lucky that the Beacon happened to be discovered at my home colony and my place aboard the Normandy became a necessity. I’m lucky that I was under Shepard’s command, who led us out alive.”
I’m lucky that I woke up in a world that I knew so well. I turned my head to look at her, but stayed leaning as I continued speaking.
“I’m surrounded by luck, Tali. We all are. But we made it to where we are right now because of what we did with that luck. You can say all you want that there are other Quarians who could have removed that information from a Geth memory core. That might be true, but you were the one who discovered a patrol, and you were the one who succeeded. I can see plain as day you are an incredibly skilled engineer, and I can promise you Shepard can see the same. With or without my suggestion you would still be here, I can guarantee you that.”
Tali was quiet as she took my words in, she still fidgeted lightly with her hands, before she leaned against the railing and relaxed a little as I could hear the exhale through her helmet.
“It’s hard not to believe you when you say it so confidently. You really think I deserve to be here?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think you deserve. You are here. If I said you shouldn’t be, would you just accept that and leave?” She was quiet for a moment, not taking my words as an insult but instead really thinking about what she would do if I had said that.
“No. No, I wouldn't leave. Saren needs to be stopped, and I can help with that. Even if I was never taken on a ground mission once, I know I have the knowledge and skill to help this team.” She stood from where we were leaning and turned to face me, standing taller than she had before.
“Hm, it’s hard not to believe you when you say it so confidently.” I gave a small chuckle as I stood as well, extending my hand towards her. “Welcome aboard the Normandy Tali’Zorah. I’m Jenkins.”
“Um. R-right. Thank you Jenkins, I’m happy to be here and help however I can.” She stuttered lightly, before taking my hand and shaking it in return.
“Glad to hear it, and in that case could I ask for your help with something? I had an idea for some technology with omni tools and thought that you would be perfect to lend a hand.”
I had more than just a few ideas to push past her. There's a few things I knew were possible in the world of mass effect, but weren’t set to appear for a couple years still. I was hoping Tali could help me push the time table along, and give us an edge. Judging by how her face lit up she was happy to at least try and help. I’m certain rushing technology to advance ahead of schedule will have zero lasting consequences. None whatsoever.
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Commander Shepard / Jane
Jenkins continues to surprise. Jane had been doing her rounds, talking to the new members of her crew and ensuring people were comfortable and ready for what was to come when she came across the Corporal talking to Tali. She decided to stay by the entrance and just listen for a while. Jenkins was still a mystery to her, so being able to hear how he interacted with others was useful.
His interaction told her a lot. Jenkins was incredibly good at talking to people. He had a talent for getting people to lower their guard, to understand how they think and feel about what might be said. Tali appeared to be missing home, and where Jane would have asked about it to allow her to talk about the home she missed so much, Jenkins instead just let her work through her own thoughts. He allowed her to feel comfortable enough to open up about her true doubts, and from there he provided real genuine comfort.
Jane knew she was a charismatic woman. She had a talent for talking and having people listen to what she said. She could convince others and negotiate like some of the best out there. But her personality led to her preferring direct approaches. She would lead with questions to learn more information, and then use that information to direct the conversation where she felt it needed to go.
Jenkins was different. He never pushed, or tried to force conversation where he wanted. He simply made people feel comfortable around him, and they talked to him on their own. Hell even Jane fell into it herself. During the first council meeting she sought out Jenkins to talk to simply because she was feeling doubts and concerned and wanted someone to voice that too. She felt like somehow Jenkins understood, and that she could talk to him without being judged or having the information she shared passed on.
At first glance this skill at allowing others to approach him seemed in direct contrast to how he acted with the Council, where he was unyielding and aggressive in how he spoke to them. It didn’t seem to match the soft spoken man who would patiently wait for someone to be comfortable enough to share their life story with him.
Yet in the end his approach worked, didn’t it? The Council would never open up to him, and he would never want them too. All he wanted was for them to hear that they were being foolish, and he ensured it happened. Even if they ignored him, they could never say that they weren’t warned.
This was the struggle Jane dealt with when it came to Richard Jenkins. She honestly couldn’t tell if the man was a tactical genius who planned everything around him, or just someone who genuinely cared and made the choice he thought was right, consequences be damned.
While she had initially feared the first, after seeing his behavior during the meeting with Ashley, and now here with Tali, she was beginning to believe it was the second. Jenkins simply acted how he felt he had to. If there was a greater plan it wasn’t some deep desire for control or power. He simply wanted to help people.
Jane leaned back in the doorway before turning to leave the engineering bay. It was clear he would be talking to Tali for a while about whatever technology he was wanting to look into. The subject went over Jane’s head in all honesty, so she simply left them to it. She would go have a private chat with Tali at another time, Jane would just be interrupting at this point.
The Commander walked the halls of her ship, eventually finding herself at the door to her cabin. This space used to be Anderson’s and it still felt strange to now be using it herself. Walking in the room was much larger than any of the bunks the rest of the crew occupied, with a double bed, private shower and seating area. It felt lonely, isolated from the rest of her team. It made it tough to find any comfort, but Shepard was a soldier.
Undressing, and taking a quick shower Jane took the opportunity to just avoid thinking about any of the chaotic changes that had filled her life over the past 24 hours. She had spent most of that time unconscious and still it felt as though a whole lifetime had gone by. Laying down in her bed she cleared her thoughts, focusing only on what was important at the moment. The team she was taking down to Feros.
They didn’t know what they were going into down there, but Jane knew she didn’t want to take everyone. They weren’t a unit that had been training together for years, they would likely only get in each other's way if too many were taken down at once. That said she still wanted at least 3 going with her on the ground. The others would likely hold ground at the colony site, depending on the shape it was in.
She also knew exactly who she wanted on the ground with her. She had given it a lot of thought and figured, given the little information they had, this specific team composition was ideal. She only hoped it was the right choice.