ALL NOVEL 53 – Back Home (1)
After dealing with the old Shadow Broker and making the new one loyal to LD, it was time for SSV Phoenix to return to Earth.
Samael had speedrun a lot of things, such as telling the Council and, by proxy, the whole galaxy about the Reapers, saving Javik, meeting Tali and Liara, helping Shepard, etc.
He also has one of the last things he needed: the ingredients for the serum. Now, he would go to Earth, meet Mordin, and make it.
Of course, he could make it alone, but he wasn't heartless. He wanted to honor those who helped him create the serum in a past cycle by making them participate in its creation, so he didn't mind waiting a few more days. Besides, the Reapers wouldn't arrive until years later, so he had time to do this.
But for now, there's another farewell that must happen. This time, it might take a long while for the person who was saying 'goodbye' to meet up with the others.
It was Natasha. She had cancer and was now getting prepared to be put in a cryosleep until Jack or Miranda had a baby or the cure for this type of terminal cancer was found.
Right now, Natasha, who was also one of the first ones to join the crew, was in the middle of saying goodbye to everyone. She was already at the infirmary, and everyone in the crew was there too.
Veronica gave her a hug and went away, John also said goodbye. One by one, the entire crew said goodbye, until only Clare, Miranda, Samael, Natasha, and Jack remained.
Natasha was already crying at this point, regret and love filled her eyes as she looked at Jack, '' I'm sorry for not saving you sooner. If I had ko-''
Jack stopped her, '' Don't go there. Even if you knew, you're just a civilian at that point. There would be nothing you could do because Cerberus had a lot of influence deep within the Alliance.''
It was true. Even if Natasha wanted to do something, she did not have the power to do so, even if she knew about Jack. Her only help came from Samael and LD.
Natasha said nothing more about that and grabbed her daughter's hand, '' I know we bounded the best we could in the last few months, but it's not enough. I lost too much time without you, and now I must spend even more time without your presence. I'm sorry for being a bad mother.''
Jack's eyes watered a little bit, '' Just rest. When you wake up, we will have your grandbaby or even the cure for your cancer.''
Natasha chuckled at that, because she knew the cure was almost impossible to make, and also because she could picture her grandbaby, '' I love you.''
'' I love you too.''
Daughter and mother hugged for a long while until Jack broke the hug and excused herself. She was going to cry, but she didn't want anyone to see it.
Natasha now looked at Miranda and said, '' Take care of my daughter. She puts on a strong front, but she is vulnerable. Also, thank you.'' She knew that asking the couple, who were together only for a few months, to have a baby was too much, but it was a race against time. Lucky for her, this couple was for a lifetime.
Miranda grabbed Natasha's hand and said, '' I'll love and protect her. See you soon.''
They hugged, and Miranda also left the infirmary, to go after Jack.
Now, only Clare, Samael, and Natasha remained.
Natasha looked at Samael with a strange gaze, '' If someone told me a year ago that I would come to know that my daughter is alive, save her, and then spend most of my time showing her love, I would not believe the person.''
'' It was a crazy ride, huh.'' That came from the bottom of his heart. Natasha was a new addition to this last cycle of his, and he could see the good influence she had on Jack. He was glad he intervened.
Natasha smiled at Samael and said, '' I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity.''
'' You do-''
'' Just listen.'' Natasha interrupted, '' What you're doing and will do in the future, is amazing. You already helped a lot of people, but as you know, there's a war coming. I want you to promise something.''
'' Say it.''
'' Please, protect my daughter and her loved ones. I only ask you that. If something were to happen to me-''
'' Stop right there.'' Samael approached Natasha and said, '' I will keep your daughter safe. Her and the whole galaxy, don't worry. Now, you must do your part and sleep until we are ready to wake you up.''
Natasha could see the will he had in his eyes. ' He really believes he can win... That is dangerous and brave at the same time.'
She then hugged Samael and said, ''Thanks, Captain.''
Samael hugged her back, '' See you soon, Natasha. Also, one last thing.''
They broke the hug, and she asked, '' What?''
'' Where do you want to be? We are returning to Earth right now, but I can send you to a planet LD owns. The same Javik went... Who knows, maybe their medicine is better?''
Natasha chuckled at that. It was clear Samael wanted her to go to the planet LD owned. So she complied, '' I want to go to the new planet.''
'' Good.'' Samael then started to leave the infirmary. He said, looking at Clare, '' Make sure she is okay.''
'' Leave it to me.'' Clare knew Natasha was important to the rest of the crew and even to her. The woman was a nice person.
Samael nodded, then said goodbye one last time, '' See you soon.''
Natasha waved back, and Samael got out of the infirmary.
Clare asked the woman, '' Are you ready?''
Natasha looked at her omni tool one more time. There's a picture of Jack showing up. She looked at it for a few seconds, '' Ready.'''
Clare then started the process of putting the woman into cryosleep.
It didn't take long for Natasha to start to get faint. She looked at the picture one more time before her vision went black.
--
Samael sighed as he made his way toward the bar. It was a nice time to drink.
When he arrived there, he saw Tali and Liara conversing. He joined both, '' Hello ladies.''
'' Capitain.'' Both responded at the same time.
'' Can I join the conversation?''
'' Sure.'' Tali made space, and Samael sat between them.
'' Thank you.'' Samael asked for a drink and then said, '' What is the subject?''
'' Seeing what is happening with Natasha and the upcoming Reapers, we were talking about family and such.'' Liara nursed her drink while her eyes had a dazed look on them.
Samael could not read Tali's face, but he knew she also wanted a family.
'' Well, I don't know if it counts to you both, but to me, the crew is family. Not of blood but of choice. We would go through hell and back for each other.''
It was true in this cycle and in past ones. Samael considered them his family.
He continued, '' I hope you both feel the same down the line.''
Tali and Liara said nothing back, but they looked like they were thinking about it.
The trio continued in silence, nursing their drink. After 5 minutes of silence, Samael said, '' Tali.''
'' Yes?''
'' We will go to Earth and check the progress with the Quarian Pill. Again, you can help the process.'' Samael offered once again.
Tali was really moved. Ever since he joined the SSV Phoenix, things have been going great for her. Now she would have the chance to work on helping her people.
'' I will gladly join.''
'' Good. See you both soon.'' Samael then said goodbye and went away to his quarter.
Things are okay for now. Miranda was consoling Jack, Veronica was guiding the ship towards Earth, and EDI and RR were doing god knows what.
And Samael went to sleep.
--
ONE DAY LATER
Entering Earth's atmosphere was SSV Phoenix. It had returned after 3 or so months of exploring the galaxy. A lot happened in those 3 months, so much so that it felt like years for the crew.
They experienced the galaxy, told everyone about the Reapers, absorbed an evil organization, and killed and replaced an obscure figure. All in all, it was a success.
But Samael knew this was just the beginning. He had a lot to do and very little time. There's the Serum, the Quarian Pill, the Genophage Cure, wiping out the Illusive Man personality, maintaining his deal with Tevos, making Shepard a Spectre, waiting for the LD Headquarters on another planet to be built, waiting for Anderson to send Shepard files, see what's wrong with his mind, check on Project Andromeda, etc.
So, he would focus on things he could control and let fate guide the others. For now, it's time to go home once more.
Arriving at the LD main building in San Francisco, Samael told his crew they had at least a one-month vacation because the things he had to do were here on Earth anyway.
Miranda and Jack went to work and checked with Clare to see if they were pregnant or not. The rest of the crew, like Veronica and John, went to their families. Everyone knew the upcoming threat, so they wanted to enjoy their free time with their loved ones.
Tali and Liara thought they would stay at the LD building, but Samael stopped both. '' Where are you going? Follow me.''
Both looked confused but followed Samael to a SkyCar. They hopped in, alongside RR and EDI, and Samael went towards his home.
He explained to both, '' We are going to my place. You can sleep there.''
Tali and Liara got a little flustered as this was out of nowhere, but before they could say anything, Samael arrived at his home. LD's main building was close to his place anyway.
'' We are here.'' Samael got out of the SkyCar and helped both girls get out of it, '' Time to meet my mom.''
Samael turned around and smiled a bit, seeing his loved ones getting so flustered. Then, his eyes got soft as he thought about how he was going to see his mom one more time, ' ... I'll have to convince her to leave Earth, as things will get more and more dangerous from now on.'
His soft gaze was nowhere to be seen as he thought about the dangers. He would 'convince' Valery to go to the planet where Javik was, for protection.
' Now... how to convince her?'
With that in mind, Samael, along with Tali and Liara, knocked on the door.
'' YES, who is it?'' A familiar voice said it out loud.
'' Mom, it's me!''
There's a bit of silence in the area, then hurried steps toward the door. Valery jumped into Samael as soon as the door opened, '' You're back! I missed you.''
'' I missed you too.''
After a minute or so of hugging, Samael broke the hug. He then looked at Tali and Liara and said, '' Mom, those two will be staying with us for some time.''
'' Oh?'' Valery noticed Samael's eyes when he looked at both girls. He never had that look on his face. She knew him better than anyone, and that surprised her, ' Could it be...?!'
Samael, ignorant that his mom figured that he liked Tali and Liara with a look, introduced both, '' This one is Liara, a Prothean expert. She is the best at her job.''
Liara, for some odd reason, was nervous, '' Nice to meet you.''
'' Likewise.''
'' This one is Tali, one of the best engineers in the galaxy too. It's a pleasure to have both working for me.''
Tali, too, was nervous but did her best not to show, '' Nice to meet you.''
Valery smiled at them both and said, '' How about you two enter here and go rest your feet? The place is way bigger on the inside.''
As mentioned before, before Samael left Earth, he upgraded the house Valery lived in. It was compared with the mansion, but the only downfall was that it was in the slums, so almost no one paid attention. And those who did were chased away by Tarzan.
'' Thank you!''
Tali and Liara then entered Samael's house with hesitant steps.
Then, Valery looked at RR and said, '' Welcome back.''
RR 'smiled' at her, '' I missed you too. This one is EDI, I hope you don't mind another room being occupied?''
Valery eyed EDI for a moment, then nodded at her, '' It's a pleasure to have you in my house. Feel yourself at home.''
EDI nodded, '' Thank you, mother!''
Under the confused gaze of Valery, both AIs entered the home and helped Tali and Liara around.
After making sure no one was hearing her, Valery 'interrogated' her son, '' So, who do you like between both?' To be honest, they both seem pretty good for you.''
Samael looked at his mom with defeated eyes, '' How did you know?''
'' Son, I'm your mother. I know you better than most... so, who is it?''
'' Both.''
'' ... What?'' This time, it was Valery who was surprised.
'' Yes, you heard it right. I'm going to pursue both, and there's a third coming too.'' Seeing the look on his mom's face, Samael quickly escaped, '' Wow, look at the time. I have to go help them.''
Samael then went inside his house and helped Tali and Liara settle in, with RR and EDI helping.
Valery was in a daze for some time before sighing, ' Well, this is at least better than none.'
She worried a lot in the beginning because Samael never showed interest in a romantic relationship. So, she was just glad he was finally acting toward that.
' ... What about Veronica...?'
With worries for the girl's chances, Valery entered her house.