Chapter 146

Kaidan seemed focused on thinking about what Harry just said, and both the Commander and Harry let him take a bit of time to think, but Shepard was curious about what Kaidan had said about BAaT so he decided to ask "What did they teach you in this BAaT?".

Kaidan snapped out of it and looked up to Shepard, he then began to explain "Biotic Acclimation and Temperance... didn't last past the airlock, to the kids they hauled in, it was Brain Camp".

Kaidan suddenly stopped and then shook his head "Sorry 'hauled in' is unkind, we were 'encouraged to commit to an evaluation of our abilities, so an understanding of biotics could be compiled'...

There are worse results of 'accidental exposure to element zero in the womb, beats the brain tumors some kids grew up with".

Harry raised an eyebrow and then frowned "This is giving me some major bad vibes... you don't think it was accidental, do you?".

Kaidan looked down "My mother was downwind of a transport crash, it was before there was human biotics, a little after the discovery of the Martian Ruins.

It only gets iffy around 63 when Conatix was running out of first gen subjects until they'd relied on accidentals.

A bunch of guys in suits showed up at your door after school, and next thing you know, you're out on Jump Zero".

Harry narrowed his eyes "Yeah... that definitely doesn't sound accidental... what is a biotic anyways? and why were they very interested in them?".

Shepard flinched a bit "Damn, I completely forgot to explain that to you, Harry, I'm sorry, I really should have told you about biotics a while ago".

Harry smiled at Shepard "It's fine, you've been very busy with everything going on, but how about you tell me about biotics now?".

Shepard nodded and immediately began to explain as best as he could "Alright, biotics is the ability of some lifeforms to create mass effect fields using element zero nodules embedded in body tissues.

These powers are both accessed and augmented by using bio-amps, biotic individuals can knock enemies over from a distance, lift them into the air, generate gravitational vortices to tear obstacles or enemies apart, or create protective barriers.

Like Kaidan just explained, human biotics are somewhat recent, but there has been biotics in the galaxy before, for example, all asari are naturally biotic from birth, though I heard not all choose to develop their abilities.

Biotics of other species are individuals who were exposed to dust-form element zero, or colloquially, "Eezo", in the womb and subsequently developed eezo nodules throughout their nervous systems.

These nodules can generate mass effect fields when energized by electrical impulses from the brain".

Harry hummed "It sounds like space and gravity manipulation, you said that humans can become a biotic with exposure to Eezo? 'I think you call it' while in the womb right?".

Shepard nodded, but Kaidan was the one who explained further "Yes, but it's not guaranteed, there's a chance nothing happens or the children develop tumors... that's isn't pretty".

Shepard nodded "Though even if nothing happens at birth, some of the exposed children might develop biotics as they reach their teens or with further exposure to Eezo".

Harry looked down "Like the mutants...".

Shepard and Kaidan did understand what Harry meant by mutants but decided to quietly let him think, Harry then looked up and nodded "Alright, these biotics sound similar to some things we can do with magic and other abilities.

Though on a much smaller scale, still, it's something to keep in mind, I had seen some of these powers, which is why I decided to add energy absorption wards to the armor, good thing I did too.

It might not be able to fully stop the effects, but at least it would take quite a few hits before you actually feel it".

Shepard nodded, while Kaidan seemed intrigued, it sounded like Harry was making some new toys, and everyone had been very impressed with the pistol he made for Shepard, so now he was a bit curious and excited about what he could be making now.

Shepard smiled at Harry, and then turned his head towards Kaidan and decided to continue asking him questions "Jump Zero, is Gagarin Station. right? What is it like?".

Kaidan nodded "Yeah, that's the official name, biggest and farthest facility we had for decades, right in the termination shock, the outer edge of the solar system.

It's where they did all the goose chase FTL research before we caught on to using mass effect fields, it was a sterile research platform when I was there".

It certainly didn't sound like Kaidan had many fond memories of the place, Shepard and Harry could only imagine the sort of things they did to those kids in a place like that, Shepard then decided to try and change the subject "There were other kids in the same boat right? At least you weren't alone out there".

Kaidan smiled and nodded "That's true, we did have a little circle that'd get together every night before lights out.

We didn't have much to do, though, it was a research platform then, and Conatix kept Jump Zero off the extranet, to prevent leaks".

Harry smiled "Sounds like you had plenty of time to get to know each other".

Kaidan nodded "Yeah, we'd sit around and bullshit every night after dinner, play cards or network games... there was this girl named Rahna who had a little circle grow up around her.

She was from Turkey, and her family was very rich, but she was smart and charming as hell, beautiful but not stuck up about it, I think you both would have liked her?".

Harry and Shepard both smiled at Kaidan, it certainly did sound like Rahna was someone they could get along with, Shepard then said "Sounds like she was someone special to you".

Kaidan nodded "She was, maybe she felt the same way, but... things never fell together, training, you know".

Harry sighed "That sucks, maybe you'll meet her again, who knows right?".

Kaidan smiled and nodded, Shepard then decided to ask "Jump Zero is a long way from home, what was it like?".

Kaidan shook his head "The grand gateway to humanity looks a lot better in the vids, but that's my own baggage Commander, no bearing in this".

Shepard slightly shook his head "Alenko, there's no regulation that says you can't be friends with your Commander".

Kaidan nodded and sheepishly chuckled "I appreciate that Commander, I just don't want you to think that I'm a... a whiner, besides, I've got my past squared away".

Shepard nodded, while Harry just smiled "Well if you ever want to talk or just hang out then come to us anytime".

Kaidan smiled and nodded to Harry, he very much appreciated the fact a dragon god wanted to hang out with him for some odd reason.

After that conversation, Harry and Shepard then decided to keep checking on some of the crew, so they said their goodbyes to Kaidan for now and then left.

-----

Shepard decided to take Harry to speak with Doctor Chakwas, that way they could get to know each other better, plus he maybe would also like to learn more about the ship's doctor too.

So they both went to the medical bay of the Normandy, they found the doctor working on some paperwork on a table in the medical bay, so Shepard and Harry approached her.

Doctor Chakwas heard them walk towards her and looked up from her paperwork, she smiled and then said "What can I do for you Commander, Harry?".

Shepard smiled and then said, "Just having Harry here get to know more of the crew".

Harry smiled and waved at Doctor Chakwas "Nice to see you again Doctor".

Doctor Chakwas smiled and nodded "It's nice to finally get to talk to you Mr. Potter, we talked a bit when you brought Commander Shepard after the whole thing with the beacon.

I must admit, I'm very curious about you and the girls, it's not every day you get to meet a dragon god, a vampire, a mage, and a yokai.

All mythological beings that have been written about in all kinds of cultures and mythology, some having root in the oldest of cultures, the sheer knowledge all of you might have must be amazing".

Harry chuckled "Well, the girls are new-generation beings, they're young so they might not have ancient knowledge of old cultures, but they definitely have a lot to talk about.

I'm old but have access to all sorts of knowledge through some of my abilities, but if you want to know more, we can have some tea and talk about it in more detail later.

I'm sure I can also learn a lot from you in the medical field of this world, so we both can learn from each other".

Doctor Chakwas nodded "Yes, that does sound good, I'm rather curious about this healing magic you guys can do and these gels I was told about.

I've tried to ask Kunou, but every time I see her she quickly disappears though... Commander".

Shepard nodded to Doctor Chakwas "Yes".

Doctor Chakwas frowned a bit and then said "I think someone brought their pet fox on the ship, I've seen it walking around whenever I try to find Kunou... I swear the little thing is laughing at me or something".

Shepard raised an eyebrow and began to think of who would sneak a fox on the ship, Harry however chuckled and shook his head, which made the Commander and Doctor stared at him in confusion.

Harry got himself under control and then smiled at Doctor Chakwas "I'm sorry Doctor, but I think Kunou has been pranking you a bit, that fox you've seen is Kunou".

Doctor deadpanned at Harry for a few seconds before signing "I should have known... she does have fox ears and tails, ugh how shameful, to have been tricked so easily...".

Shepard smiled and tried not to laugh, it was a pretty harmless prank but a funny one nonetheless, Harry just laughed a little more "Kunou is a kitsune, a fox yokai, a nine-tailed fox to be exact, the thing about kitsune is that they're very mischievous by nature.

Kunou being raised as the princess of Kyoto is a bit more mellow than other kitsunes, but she does like to trick or pull pranks once in a while.

She must have noticed you wanted to ask her something and decided to mess with you a bit, I hope you don't take it too personally though".

Doctor Chakwas smiled and shook her head "No, it's actually fine, it really is my fault I got tricked so easily, still I would really like to talk to her about this healing magic she mentioned".

Harry nodded "I'll ask her to come to talk to you, and I'll even send Le Fay too, she's one of the most talented mages we have, she will be able to explain things way more precisely to you".

Chakwas nodded and smiled, she even seemed a bit excited as well, Shepard smiled and then decided to ask the doctor about something he's been wondering about for a while now "Hmm, you know I've wondered about this for a while, how did you end up serving on an Alliance Ship?".

Doctor Chakwas crossed her arms and answered Shepard's question "I enlisted right out of med school, earth always seemed boring to me... to safe, too secure, I figured the colonies were teeming with exotic adventure.

I wanted to travel the stars, tending the wounds of tough soldiers with piercing eyes and sensitive souls, turns out military life isn't quite as romantic as I'd imagined.

But humanity needs the Alliance if we want to keep expanding through the Traverse, and the Alliance always needs good doctors, so I stayed on to do my part".

Harry smiled "An adventurous woman after my own heart! How charming".

Doctor Chakwas lightly laughed and nodded at Harry "I really was quite the spitfire when I was younger, I can't say that it hasn't been a fun adventure".

Shepard smiled as well and then asked "Ever think you made the wrong choice?".

Chakwas hummed for a few seconds "Sometimes I think about opening a private practice back on earth, or maybe taking a position at one of the new med centers out in the colonies.

But there's something special about working with soldiers, if I left the Alliance now, I'd feel like I was abandoning them".

Harry chuckled "A good doctor cares about their patients, no matter how unruly they are".

Chakwas grinned and nodded, Shepard felt that was a jab directed at him and his crew, so he quickly changed the subject "How well do you know the Lieutenant?".

Chakwas tilted her head and then shook it "I'd never worked with him before this mission, but he has an impressive service record, over a dozen special commendations.

Tends to keep to himself though, maybe because of the headaches, it's not easy being an L2".

Both Harry and Shepard looked intrigued, though Shepard was a bit worried compared to Harry who was a bit lost on the new term.

Shepard asked for more details "What does that have to do with anything?".

Doctor Chakwas immediately began to explain "Well most biotics now use the L3 implants, Lt Alenko was wired with the old L2 configuration, and sometimes there are complications".

Shepard did not like what he was hearing, and Harry wasn't liking that at all either, Shepard however needed more information "What kind of complications?".

Chakwas sighed "Severe mental disabilities, insanity, crippling physical pain, there's a long list of horrific side effects, Kaidan's lucky, he just gets migraines".

Harry frowned "Son of a bitch... Doctor Chakwas, can you please send me more information on these L2 Implants, the girls and I will try to help Kaidan, no one should have to live with those kinds of risks or with constant migraines".

Doctor Chakwas nodded "I'll send you all the data I have to your omnitool tool, I hope you can come up with something to help Kaidan, nothing has been made to help those with L2 implants".

Harry nodded "Don't worry, we'll do something to help Kaidan".

With that promise being made, both Shepard and Harry said their goodbyes and continued speaking with the crew and squad.

-----

Since they were close by, they decided to check on Liara, so they went to a room at the far end of the medical bay and found her working on something on a computer.

Liara heard them come in, and stopped what she was doing, she quickly got off her seat and stood in front of them "Commander, Mr. Potter, we're you both coming to check up on me?".

Shepard nodded "Yes, I was a bit worried about you but you look much better, how are you feeling?".

Liara slightly smiled and then nodded to Shepard "Dr. Chakwas assures me I am going to be fine, I was impressed with her knowledge of asari physiology.

Shepard nodded "You're in good hands, Dr. Chakwas knows what she's doing".

Harry nodded "Experience speaks for itself, though the girls and I will have to pick the doctor's brain when we need to know something about alien physiology, didn't know she had that in-depth knowledge".

Shepard smiled at Harry "I'll tell her to help you guys with any sort of information you need".

Harry nodded, Liara seemed very curious about what reason Harry might have to know about alien physiology but decided against asking, she was still new to the crew and didn't feel it was her place to ask.

Though she did have something to say "I never properly thanked you both for saving me from the geth if you guys hadn't shown up...".

Shepard sighed and nodded "I'm just glad we got there in time".

Harry scratched his head and nodded as well "The moment we saw geth on the planet, we rushed over to find you, we knew that if they got to you first then you would have been killed or taken, though at first, we thought that Saren was interested in something within the ruins".

Liara nodded "I'm glad you found me fast then, I know you took a chance bringing me on board this ship, I have seen the way your crew looks at me. They do not trust me, but I am not like Benezia, I will do whatever I can to help you stop Saren, I promise".

Shepard smiled at Liara "Don't worry Liara, I trust you, I know you won't let me down".

Liara seemed a bit happy now, and Harry couldn't help to feel glad about it, he couldn't do anything about the crew's mistrust of her, that was something her actions and attitude will change with time, but for now, at the very least, she's more optimistic now.

Shepard nodded and then decided it was time to ask some hard questions "Do you know why Benezia joined up with Saren?".

Liara frowned and shook her head "I don't understand it, she was always outspoken about the need for asari to become more involved in shaping galactic events.

Maybe she thought allying herself with Saren would somehow be for the greater good in the long run, at least I hope so".

Harry frowned when Liara's demeanor turned sad "This must confuse and hurt you huh?".

Liara nodded "None of this makes any sense to me, I have not spoken to Benezia in many years, but I know her! and this was not like her, something changed".

Shepard frowned while Harry crossed his arms "... Maybe she's been manipulated? Perhaps lied to? We'll have to see what's going on with her, but if she's really an enemy, we can't go easy on her".

Liara nodded "I understand... thank you for at least believing me when I say, that something is up".

Harry nodded "No problem, you know her best, so if you say that she's not acting like herself then I better damn well listen".

Liara smiled, Harry then decided to ask her some questions "Say, can you tell me about the asari? I'm rather curious about your kind Liara".

Liara smiled and immediately began to answer Harry's question "We were the first species to discover The Citadel, we were instrumental in forming The Council, and we always strive to be the voice of peaceful cooperation in galactic disputes.

My people believe we are all part of a single galactic community, each species contributes something to the greater whole.

Although we seek to understand other species, it seems few of them seem to understand us, the galaxy is filled with rumors and misinformation about my people".

Harry raised an eyebrow "Rumors?".

Liara blushed a bit but still answered Harry's question "Most of the inaccuracies are centered around our mating rituals, my species is mono-gendered, male and female have no real meaning to us.

We still require a partner to reproduce, this second parent, however, may be of any species and any gender".

Harry rubbed his chin as he thought about what he just heard "Interesting, this raises a few questions though... can you tell me more about it? How can your species mate with anyone?".

Liara shook her head "Mating is not quite the proper term, not as you understand it, physical contact may or may not be involved, but it's not an essential element of the union.

The true connection is mental, our physiology allows us to meld with other beings, and we can touch the depths of their minds.

We explore the genetic memory of their species, we share the most basic elements of their individual and racial identities.

We then pass these traits on to our daughters, it is how we learn to grow as a species, and how we develop a greater understanding of other races".

Harry nodded "And what about the other parent, what happens to him or her?".

Liara explains further right away "Every relationship is different, some unions are a single encounter, with both parents parting ways afterward, others can be more long term, sometimes an asari and her partner will stay together for many decades".

Harry nodded, this sort of reminded him how Athena would have children, though it seems the asari were far more responsible with their children than her.

It was interesting to learn, that an alien species could do, practically the same thing a goddess could do to procreate.

Though that did make Harry curious about Liara's dad "Do you know who your mother chose as her partner?".

Liara shook her head "She rarely spoke of her partner, though my father if you want to use the term, was another asari".

Harry nodded, all this was very interesting and made him wonder more about the asari, but for now, he would just ask some other questions he was curious about "Asari are a long-lived species, what happens when your partner dies?".

Liara looked down a bit, but she still answered the question "Few sapient species live as long as my kind, we have learned to take a philosophical approach to our unions.

We do not focus on the inevitable loss of our partners, instead, we enjoy the time we spend with them, and even when they're gone, a part of them lives on in us, the union is a connection that transcends time and space".

Harry smiled at Liara and nodded "I see, that's actually a bit poetic, asari as a species and as a whole are a very interesting species".

Liara smiled and was glad that Harry seemed to be curious about her species, not many took the time to ask questions and learn, they rather assume or come up with their own conclusions.

Still, she also was curious about him and the girls she has caught a glimpse of in the Normandy, plus there was that thing that happened at the Ruins as well "Harry, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?".

Harry raised an eyebrow at Liara but nodded "Sure! Shoot!".

Liara smiled and then proceeded with her questions "What was the creature you transformed into? I never knew a human could do that".

Shepard chuckled and shook his head "We can't, if we did, the galaxy would have been terrified of us".

Harry smiled at Shepard while Liara seemed confused, so Harry decided to explain "Well the thing is, I'm not human, at least not anymore, I might look like one but in reality, I'm a dragon god".

Liara gaped a bit and stared at Harry with wide eyes full of surprise "A dragon god? I don't know what a dragon is, but a god?...".

Harry nodded "A dragon is a being born of power, they are power in physical form and are on the top of the food chain above even normal gods.

A dragon god is a dragon that has ascended past its physical body and gained conceptual control over something, dragon gods are beings beyond understanding, with power capable of destroying planets and even solar systems.

I'm however an outlier, a dragon god is usually born one, but I started as a human, became a Dragonvian, then a dragon lord, then became a dragon god, and then finally became a true dragon.

But to simplify things, let's just call what I am a dragon god, anyways, because I climbed my way to where I am from a human, learned all kinds of skills, spells, and techniques, I gained many conceptual domains.

This makes me into an extremely powerful dragon god, one capable of both destroying and creating a whole universe if I so choose to do so, I'm the most powerful dragon god there is because of the sheer amount of abilities I possess".

Liara was staring at Harry in stunned silence, and the dragon god was more than happy to let her take her time to digest everything he told her, Shepard himself was also very surprised with what he had learned "Wait, you were human?".

Harry smiled and nodded "I was, a long time ago, thanks to a very cheerful and caring goddess, I became a Dragovian, a special type of dragonoid or in other words a half-human, half-dragon species.

I have traveled the multiverse for a very long time and in that long time I grew in power and evolved past my limits on many occasions, my dragon form has also changed and evolved as I grew".

Shepard shook his head "Wow... Harry, just how powerful are you?".

Harry hummed as he began to think about that question, there were times in his journey when he would ask that very same question, though it was more of a, whether he was powerful to beat this person or that other person whenever he asked that about himself.

At some point, he stopped caring and just focused on getting stronger and mastering his skills, but now that Shepard had raised that question, he didn't know how to answer it "Well, that's a hard question to answer.

I know I can destroy and create universes, but I also know of another being who can also do that, right now he's still a bit stronger than me, but I'm catching up quickly to him.

Even if he is, some of the skills and abilities I have, are specifically tailored to killing beings like him, plus the conceptual being known as Death is on my side, she can kill anything".

Shepard deadpanned at Harry "Harry, you can't just keep dropping bomb after bomb like that... not only are you disgustingly powerful, you're telling me that Death... THE DEATH is not only a woman but on your side? What does that even mean?".

Harry shrugged "One of my titles is the Master of Death, and it's exactly as it says, I have complete and total control of the very concept of death and in turn Death herself.

Not like I made use of that title much, but it's there, also Death is a very beautiful and adorable woman, she's also very sweet to me and the family".

Shepard just stared at Harry in silence, until a thump snapped him out of it, and made him and Harry turn to see where that sound had come from.

Only to see Liara on the floor and unconscious, Harry sheepishly chuckled and scratched his head "Oops, looks like that was a bit too much information for Liara".

Shepard sighed "You think?".

-----

Harry and Shepard, took Liara to the medical bay and lay her on one of the beds, though Doctor Chakwas was giving them the stink eye because she was unconscious, she still went to check on her.

Both Harry and Shepard took advantage of her distraction and escaped the medical bay and headed to the elevator, both of them decided to check on the crew hanging out on the lower deck of the Normandy.

After arriving there they both went to speak with Tali, who they found in the engine room, they also saw Le Fay speaking with the Engineers there but she seemed busy right now.

So they approached Tali, she heard them coming and turned around to face them "Hey guys".

Shepard and Harry both noticed that she seemed down for some reason, Harry decided to ask her if she was okay "You seem down, are you okay Tali?".

Tali tilted her head "I don't know, your ship is amazing, and your crew's been really great to me, especially your chief engineer, but I just sort feel... out of place.

The Normandy runs so smoothly it feels like we're not even moving, and the engines are so quiet, how do you even sleep at night?".

Shepard smiled and looked amused "I find it rather peaceful, don't worry, you'll get used to it".

Tali shooked her head "But it's more than just silence, this ship feels so empty, it's like half the crew is missing.

Back home I couldn't wait to go on my Pilgrimage, I couldn't wait to get away from the crowds, now that I'm out here, I kind of miss them".

Harry smiled "I see, you're a bit homesick, the Normandy is a small ship, so the amount of people here and the quietness of its system must be bothering you, it's normal to feel like that though".

Tali nodded "Yeah, I'm starting to wonder if the Pilgrimage is really about this... all of this has given me a whole new perspective on my people and culture, especially talking with Harry and the girls.

You know, there's always a few who do go on their Pilgrimage and never return, I always assumed something bad happen to them, but maybe they just wanted something different".

Harry nodded and smiled "During my journey across the multiverse, there were times were I was reluctant to move, and there were times I even stayed on a world for a very long time.

Saying goodbye, leaving a place you're comfortable and happy, and having to leave all of that, is hard, sometimes you just become too attached and come to love the place you stay in, it becomes home to you".

Tali nodded, she can understand what Harry was telling her, it did explain why some of the quarians who left on their Pilgrimage, never returned.

Shepard decided to ask something that he became curious about right now "You do plan to return to the Migrant Fleet, right?".

Tali nodded "I could never abandon my people, Shepard, I will go back eventually, but we have to stop Saren first, otherwise, I might not have a home to go back to".

Harry smiled "We'll stop him, but for now, if you can't sleep you can ask the girls or me for help, we have potions or magic spells that can help you fall asleep".

Tali nodded "That sounds good! Though I don't know if I can take a potion, it might make me sick, but a spell might be safe, at least until I get used to the silence of the ship".

Harry nodded and then both the Commander and he left Tali, they saw that Le Fay was done speaking with the engineers and so they decided to speak with her.

Le Fay sense them approaching and smiled at them, she quickly gave Harry a small kiss on the lips before speaking "Hey guys! What are you up to?".

Shepard smiled "We're making some rounds and speaking with some of the crew, what do you think of the mission Le Fay?".

Le Fay hummed "I think it was pretty close, despite Joker's dark humor, you all almost did take a swim in lava, Harry and Valerie would be fine, but the rest of you would have had a very painful death.

I could say, be careful and whatnot, but I know full well, that on missions, unexpected things happen, and most often it's out of our hands, luckily for all of you Harry is already working on doing something to make sure all you stay alive".

Shepard smiled and nodded "Yeah, he already showed me and explained the armors he's making, but what are you doing?"

Le Fay smiled "I'm getting some information on the hull, vents, and specs on the ship, plus materials used on the construction.

With this information, Harry and I can start on upgrading the ship and add enchantments, though we do have to experiment with a few rune clusters to see which ones work better".

Shepard nodded "You guys work fast, I didn't expect you to start working on this for a while".

Le Fay grinned and tilted her witch's hat "We're barely beginning, but we should have some upgrades available soon, I'll be the one taking care of this project, while Harry works on gear, though he will be helping a lot too.

Also, when we're ready to make upgrades, we're going to have to dock somewhere, rune work is delicate, and Harry and I need to be very careful, we can't risk doing it while moving, while the ship is on or in space".

Shepard nodded and grinned back at Le Fay "Let me know when you need us to dock, I'll have Joker take us to The Citadel so you can safely work on it".

Le Fay nodded and seemed excited, this was after all a big project, and she was curious about how it would work.