"Tali..."
I glanced at the girl who, having entered the apartment, carefully closed the door behind her, then pressed several buttons on the side panel, slightly increasing the air recirculation and at the same time its purification. Not to a sterile state, but strongly enough.
"...good evening."
"Don't start..."
A slight irritation was heard in my Gadget's voice, though it was indeed extremely light and almost inaudible.
"...you knew perfectly well that I would come, and we saw each other today anyway."
"I knew, we saw each other..."
I nodded at every word, confirming the girl's correctness.
"...however, you girls are a very strange people, and despite all my knowledge, you could have easily changed your mind. Especially you."
"You think I'm such a coward?"
Now notes of offense sounded in her voice.
"Not at all, you're just too modest. And you could have easily given in to that modesty and not come."
"I..."
Tali'Zorah shifted somewhat hesitantly from foot to foot and resolutely removed her face shield, thereby depressurizing her armor.
"...you're right, I could have easily changed my mind, so I should get rid of these clothes quickly."
"And you were prepared..."
I couldn't stay silent when I saw that under her armor, Tali'Zorah was wearing only black panties and a bra, as well as stockings.
"Yes."
She answered quietly and already very shyly, so I decided not to joke anymore or try to tease her, even lovingly; instead, I threw off my jacket and, unbuttoning my pants, approached her.
"Beloved, why are you so worried? Everything is fine."
"Uh-huh."
"Well, come here."
Having unbuckled my belt, I opened my arms for an embrace, and she, approaching, buried her nose in my chest.
"Be gentle, please."
A smile appeared on my lips, as this shy girl couldn't help but evoke one. Taking her by the shoulders, I pulled her back slightly and covered her lips with mine. A light and gentle kiss that lasted only a couple of moments.
"Everything will be fine."
"Really? I mean, of course I know it will be, but..."
"Cross my heart."
"Uh-huh."
I nodded to her, then covered her lips with a kiss again. And after ten seconds, I felt her fingers begin to unbutton my pants. And soon I was standing in just my boxers and a shirt...
** Here was seggs but I took it from you he-he **
"See?"
I pecked her on the top of her head.
"If you wanted to, you could give a definite answer, so let's end it for now, and you'll get checked by the medics. Okay?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Tali'Zorah vas Bali, I don't hear your answer! Or would vas Normandy be better?"
"Hee-hee... I like both. By the way, did you know that many Quarians are now asking to be called vas Bali or vas Limis, or even vas Eden Prime? It caused a whole wave of different disputes in the Fleet."
"And how did it go?"
"Well... they agreed that since they live and work on these colonies, such a request is legitimate. After all, with us, when the ship you live on changes, the address changes too."
"So, no riots? That's actually good."
"There won't be any riots... do you want me to tell you another secret?"
"Go ahead, surprise me."
I, of course, guessed that she was about to tell me that all the Quarians living on my colonies have no intention of returning to the fleet. However, Tali'Zorah clearly wanted to share this news, so I didn't deprive her of the opportunity.
"In the Fleet, there is unrest because the policy of a small number of children is being maintained."
I blinked in surprise.
"That's..."
"It's all because your colonies are ready to accept everyone, and they do. And as a result, enough free space has appeared in the fleet. But they aren't changing the policy. Because of this, those families who managed to have children on your colonies have no intention of returning to the Fleet, and others, seeing their example, want to leave it."
"Well... I don't mind. Let them come. Working hands are always needed."
"That's true..."
Tali'Zorah grew quiet on my chest.
"Tell me, what happens if we lose?"
"You know yourself..."
Notes of sadness appeared in my voice.
"...chosen sapient beings, naturally my family first and foremost. They will end up in the most secret bunker, the deepest one. There is a very powerful power plant there, enough to power the bunker for a thousand years. And there are also stasis pods there, as well as biological material of all species that managed to go into space."
"No, I'm not talking about that... I'm talking about if we lose completely."
"Then Liara's project will be just right, and the next Cycle will get a small chance at victory. And let's hope that this chance will be greater than ours."
"Just like that?"
"Well, of course not."
I pecked Tali'Zorah on the top of her head.
"You know yourself that there is also the evacuation. But this plan..."
I shook my head.
"...this plan is still being refined, as it's very difficult to implement. Although if it succeeds, it will be possible to save much more than if we submerge into stasis."
"Uh-huh..."
***
Read the story months before public release — early chapters are on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Granulan