And so it begins.

As I mentioned before, the response I had to Pilgrim's Comfort inspired me to continue with the concept. This is not so much a sequel to the oneshot as it is an explanation. We will follow Tali as she leaves the fleet to see how her path brings her to Normandy, then continue to see the mission from her perspective.

I give no guarantees on the timetable, but I'll keep writing as regularly as I can. I handed this off to a buddy to beta read, but I haven't heard back yet. Still, I really want to get this on-line. If he notices any major problems, I'll fix and repost.

These first chapters will be more difficult as I have little to go on, just comments made over the two games that I'm making into an approximate path. If I get a brainstorm, I may add to them over time.

Feel free to comment, criticize, and make suggestions. Feedback is always appreciated, and I'm more than willing to consider other viewpoints.

I hope you all enjoy the read. I'll keep this up and see where it goes.

And, as always, I do not own Mass Effect or anything pertaining. I'm just playing in Bioware's universe for a bit until they toss the next installment our way.

"You'll do your father proud, kid. Of that I have no doubts."

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya smiled within her helmet, the gesture bringing a soft chuckle by reflex. "I hope so, Admiral Gerrel," she replied. In truth, all she wanted was for her father to be there. She wanted to see him one last time before she left, for there was no way to know how long it might be before she could see him again.

At long last, the day had come. She had reached her twenty second birthday, and it was time for her Pilgrimage to begin. Tali had done her research, had pulled news reports in from as far as she could, and had packed additional supplies for when her travels took her far away from any dextro-compatible food. Still… one could never be entirely prepared to leave the only real home they'd ever known.

They had gathered in Rayya's garden plaza, one of the few larger open areas in the fleet. Its decorations were few, but served as a welcome break from the rest of the fleet. Plants hung along its walls, grass crossing the floor. Mist sprays provided them with needed water and nutrients. Prayer words were written in quarian high on the walls. At its center was a small amphitheater, a dais giving place for officials to conduct whatever was the business of the day. All that marred the plaza were the containers stored in its corners and dispersal cylinders stacked along one wall.

To mark the start of her Pilgrimage, Tali had chosen to have a small gathering. Close friends were there. Captain Kar'Danna vas Rayya, captain of her birthship. Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema, an old friend of her father's. Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay, a friend of her family for longer than she'd been alive and better known to her as 'Auntie Raan'. A few others were present, though Tali had already given her farewells to most of those she would be leaving behind.

The air filled with laughter as they spoke of her time with the fleet. Tali could have sworn they were trying to make her embarrassed with stories of grand heroic action. "Really," she countered, "it wasn't that much. I was just there when it happened."

"Just there," a friend replied, with mock disbelief. "I read the report, Tali'Zorah. If you hadn't locked down that power conduit we would have lost systems over half of the Rayya."

Captain Kar'Danna chimed in. "I was strongly considering speaking with your father about that. I know you will be joining another crew, but I am sure we could find an honorary place on Rayya's manifest for you."

That did it… Tali's head fell as her hand went to her faceshield. She sighed, the group laughing at their success. Still, this was what she had wanted; a reminder of what she left behind, and what she had to look forward to when she returned.

Only one was missing from their group…

Raan walked over to her, carefully guiding her from the group as they continued plotting the next story to revisit. It was almost as if she could sense Tali's thoughts. "All will be well, Tali'Zorah." She reached up, touching one hand to Tali's helmet in the quarian gesture for affection. Tali, warmed by the contact, returned the gesture. "Remember that we are all waiting for your return."

"I know," Tali replied. "I just know that everyone is expecting something… great from me. Being an admiral's daughter and all…"

"Do not worry about that," Raan said. "Your Pilgrimage will lead to where it will. You shouldn't feel need to bear any more burden over this. All we ask of you is that you return, Tali."

Tali looked up to her again, uncertain what to say. Before anything could come to mind another voice cut in. "I could always make that an order, if it would make you feel better."

Tali, making sure not to wrench Raan's arm from its socket, turned to see the new arrival. "Father!" She ran to him, throwing her arms around him as he did the same to her. "I…"

"You what?" he asked with a slightly mischievous tone. "You thought I would miss your big day? Your mother would never forgive me."

Raan, seeing that Tali would be fine, simply gave a nod to Rael'Zorah before turning to rejoin the group. Rael moved back, holding both of his daughter's arms in his hands. "I can't believe this day has come already," he said. Tali knew why he would think something like that… His work kept him busy. Kept him away from her. "But I know you will be fine," he continued. "You're just like your mother. Strong, independent, intelligent. She would be so proud of you right now, as I am."

Tali looked up at her father. "Thank you, father," she replied. She knew he meant every word. At least, she wanted to know that.

"If I may, Tali, I had a request."

She suddenly got the impression that this wouldn't be a simple request. Still, she nodded. "What do you need?"

Rael straightened slightly. His voice came more quietly, as if trying to ensure no others in the room might hear him. "While you are on your Pilgrimage… If you happen to come across any geth technology; pieces, parts, anything that is inactive and cannot reactivate on its own, let me know."

Tali's eyebrows furrowed beneath her helmet, her head tilting to show her confusion. "But… why, father? What are you planning?"

"It's for a project I've been working on," he explained. "Something I've wanted to start. Ways to test new weapons against the geth. It may be the key to retaking the homeworld one day."

She considered it for a long moment. The idea seemed dangerous… but the risk could be minimized. It wasn't like he was asking her to sent intact geth to the fleet. Components, casings, minor systems… If properly checked, they'd be harmless… Finally, she nodded. "All right, father. But are you asking me to go…"

"No!" he quickly interrupted. "I wouldn't ask you go beyond the Veil, no matter what the possible gains might be. If you hear something during your Pilgrimage, however, or if you find a derelict ship that has drifted outside the Veil, THEN I would ask you to look."

Tali nodded again. That was reasonable. "I will keep watch."

"Thank you, Tali. You don't know how much that means to me." She believed that as well. "Anything new would be especially helpful. Something the geth developed on their own, so I might get some idea as to their thought process." Tali had little else to say, simply nodding to him. "Well… Let's get back to the fun, yes?"

She tried to put it out of mind. Tali understood. Her father had been focused on the fleet for her entire life, working to aid in its defense or its return to the homeworld. She had long come to accept it… but it didn't help that he brought it with him that day. With time, though, she was able to relax and enjoy the gathering once more.

Or rather, find herself sighing once again as another harrowing tale of her valiant acts was told.

It had to come to an end, though. The fleet would not remain there forever, and Tali had chosen this place as the starting point for her Pilgrimage. The Migrant Fleet was visiting a turian station, Kelith Prime, at the edge of the Turian Hierarchy. The flotilla had been there before, and it was one of the few places Tali knew of that actually welcomed them.

The group slowly gravitated toward the corridors between the garden plaza and the docking port slated for shuttle transit to and from the station. Additional temporary decontamination stations had been set up to handle the extra traffic. Past that, Rayya's corridors were like those of most of the fleet. Viewports and bulkheads were decorated with more words of prayer. Storage containers were netted to walls, ceilings, anywhere there was room. The corridor itself as strangely clear, as the usual leaks from various systems had recently been repaired.

It was good to know that she was leaving her birthship in decent condition, at least.

Tali was surprised to discover the others had brought gifts to give as she began her trip, though given that she'd done much the same for others she shouldn't have been. Some offered additional programs for her omni-tool, ranging from reminders of the fleet to simple amusements. Others gave her extra provisions, which she slipped into the shoulder bag she carried. One offered a pistol. She hoped she wouldn't need it, but she accepted it nonetheless. A few gave credits, which she didn't turn down. More resources to start with would be helpful.

She bade the group her final farewells, sharing hugs with Auntie Raan and her father before turning to the shuttle. Remaining longer would only make things hurt more… Best to just get started.

She looked out the shuttle's side viewport at the station. It had a large central sphere with six smaller 'satellites'. Three of those were spherical as well, three others more rectangular with docking spars stretching into space. All three hosted quarian ships. Below the structure was a smaller power generation sphere, all parts of the station connected by tubular corridors. The shuttle launched, slowly pulling away from the Rayya and allowing Tali an unparalleled view of much of the Migrant Fleet. She found her hand coming to rest of the viewport, wondering when she would set foot on the flotilla again.

By the time the shuttle had landed, most of her people had already returned to their ships. The flotilla was set to move on, to continue the search for the resources they needed to survive. Life on the flotilla was difficult, but one always knew they could count on each and every person to do their part. A part of her was looking forward to this, though. A break from the crowds, a chance to see the galaxy on her own terms.

Perhaps tomorrow she would actually FEEL like she was looking forward to it.

Tali found her way to a lounge area of the station overlooking space beyond. The flotilla had formed up, steadily moving toward the system's mass relay. It would be a few minutes before they jumped… but Tali had the time to wait. She wanted to watch them go.

She started to access more local news reports on her omni-tool. Much as they tried, the Migrant Fleet couldn't always tap into the extranet for the latest news, and she would need all the information she could get if she wanted to succeed. She set it to play audio through her helmet, lest she disturb the peace of those around her. Most of it was routine: talking of Citadel politics, the latest gossip of extranet film stars, new products entering the marketplace. Quite boring.

One report caught her eye. She pulled up more information, the report's audio coming up. "And in other news today, the Human Alliance has just launched their newest warship. Constructed as a partnership between the Human Alliance and the Turian Hierarchy, the SSV Normandy is an advanced frigate with a number of innovations which should allow her unprecedented stealth capabilities. Unfortunately, further information could not be gained at this time, though the officials we spoke with are looking forward to seeing how well the Normandy performs in her initial trials." The report continued, speaking of the Normandy's name and some of the people involved in her development, though Tali had been interested in the ship itself.

Normandy… She sounded like an incredible ship, for what little was said of her. Perhaps she should plan some stops in Human Alliance territory?

A flash from the viewport caught her eye. Tali stood, walking for a closer view. The ships of the Migrant Fleet steadily made their way through the mass relay, heading on to the next star cluster. She waited there, watching them vanish in small groups until the Rayya finally passed through.

There were so many she had left behind. Many who would be waiting patiently for her return, and many who would be counting on her to succeed. She knew that she could succeed, that she must succeed.

That she WOULD succeed.